"I wouldn't feel heartbroken losing you, but losing that stone truly stings."
"Xue Ji, give it back to me. I don't want to resort to force against you," Chu Feng said.
"Chu Feng, you really are a heartless man."
"You keep saying you don't want to fight me, so who was it that just attacked me?"
Xue Ji asked.
"I only wanted to take back the stone. I never intended to hurt you," Chu Feng said.
"But if you don't hurt me, you'll never get this stone back."
Xue Ji narrowed her eyes and smiled seductively.
She already possessed a breathtakingly beautiful face and a figure with near-perfect curves.
That smile of hers was truly soul-snaring.
But Chu Feng had no mind to appreciate it. He knew that if he didn't get serious today, Xue Ji would never return the stone to him.
"Xue Ji, you forced my hand."
Crack—
As Chu Feng spoke, lightning crackled across his entire body.
Not only did the Lightning Armor envelop him, but the divine Thunder Inscription on his forehead — threaded with bolts of lightning — materialized as well.
In the next moment, a sacred aura surged forth, and the phantoms of four divine beasts appeared around him.
With the Thunder Inscription, the Lightning Armor, and the Four Symbols Divine Power all unleashed simultaneously, Chu Feng's cultivation not only rose from rank eight Martial Ancestor to rank nine Martial Ancestor, but he also gained combat power capable of fighting two ranks above his level.
Xue Ji, though she possessed combat power four ranks above her cultivation, was only a rank seven Martial Ancestor — so in terms of actual combat strength, the two were evenly matched.
In truth, Chu Feng's barrier techniques also granted him comparable combat power.
However, he had noticed that Xue Ji's strength was formidable. Otherwise, his earlier barrier attack would not have been so easily deflected.
While Chu Feng's barrier combat power was nothing to scoff at, in a direct physical confrontation with martial force, he was far more adept.
Realizing that Xue Ji was not to be underestimated, Chu Feng raised his cultivation and gripped the Ancient Hero Sword in his hand.
His combat power climbed even further.
"That's a rather fine weapon for a Martial Ancestor."
Xue Ji simply stood there, quietly observing Chu Feng. Even though he had unleashed his full arsenal, she hadn't so much as furrowed her brow.
What she displayed was absolute confidence.
"Xue Ji, then forgive my rudeness."
Swoosh—
With the half-finished Martial Ancestor weapon in hand, Chu Feng charged toward Xue Ji.
He had no intention of using lethal techniques. He didn't want to hurt Xue Ji.
Swoosh—
But with a flick of her wrist, a black longsword appeared in Xue Ji's hand as well.
It was clearly no ordinary weapon — it was likely a blade that only a Spirit World being could wield.
Yet its power was tremendous, in no way inferior to Chu Feng's Ancient Hero Sword.
Both figures streaked toward each other, and in the blink of an eye they were upon one another.
Though Chu Feng held a weapon, he was using it only to boost his combat power, not to strike directly with it. Instead, once he closed the distance, he thrust out his hand and grabbed — a massive suction force erupted forth, aimed at snatching the stone from around Xue Ji directly.
That stone, though changed in form, was just like before — it could only float around its owner and could not be stored away.
So Chu Feng intended to seize this chance to grab it with his own hands.
But even though Chu Feng's suction force enveloped the stone, it didn't budge in the slightest, remaining right where it was around Xue Ji.
Swoosh—
And a streak of cold light came slashing in — Xue Ji's black longsword was chopping straight down at Chu Feng's outstretched hand.
Chu Feng might have been holding back, but Xue Ji clearly had no intention of showing mercy.
Fortunately, Chu Feng had anticipated this. He retracted his left hand while sweeping the Ancient Hero Sword across to deflect the incoming strike.
He intended to block Xue Ji's attack, but she suddenly shifted her trajectory. Instead of continuing toward his left hand, her sword thrust toward Chu Feng's throat.
And Xue Ji's speed suddenly surged.
The earlier move had been a feint — this was her true skill.
That thrust made Chu Feng look at Xue Ji in an entirely new light. Pulling off that maneuver at such speed required extraordinary control.
Caught off guard by the sudden change, Chu Feng could only twist aside to dodge, but he was a fraction too late. The black longsword grazed his neck, leaving a shallow cut.