Sizzle—
In an instant, lightning erupted all around Chu Feng's body, and the Four Symbols Divine Power manifested as well.
Chu Feng immediately raised his combat power by three levels, and only then did he move—barely dodging a sword strike that came hurtling from behind.
For Xu Tianjian was not only a rank nine Martial Emperor; his body was also covered in silver patterns. Silver aura blazed around him, and even his eyes had turned silver.
He, too, had elevated his combat power by three levels on top of the rank nine Martial Emperor realm.
And he had done so the very moment he launched his attack. He had no intention of failing, so from the very first strike, he had aimed to defeat Chu Feng in a single blow.
"Fast reactions. You really are something else."
Xu Tianjian grinned broadly. Though his appearance hadn't changed aside from his eyes, the aura he radiated now was a completely different person from before.
"Heh…" Chu Feng let out a contemptuous laugh.
As for Xu Tianjian, after his ambush failed, he did not attack again. Instead, he spoke to Chu Feng: "I'll admit it—ambushing you was despicable of me."
"But Chu Feng, let me ask you this: do you consider yourself a man blessed by fortune?"
"Definitely luckier than you," Chu Feng replied.
"Chu Feng, tough talk won't help you. Strength is what matters."
"Did you see the wound on that monk's neck?" Xu Tianjian asked.
Chu Feng narrowed his eyes slightly: "That was a lethal wound. You intended to take his life."
Xu Tianjian smiled: "If not for the protective treasure on his body, he would already be dead. No one here is my opponent—not the little monk, not Ouyang Canjian, and not you."
"So let me ask you—will you be as lucky as he was? Do you have a supreme protective treasure like his?"
"Stop beating around the bush. Say what you want to say." Chu Feng was growing impatient. He had already confirmed that Xu Tianjian was nothing more than a hypocritical, shameless scoundrel who would stop at nothing.
Suddenly, the silver aura around Xu Tianjian's body blazed like raging flames, crackling and popping. The silver sword in his hand resonated with a humming buzz, and a formidable aura surged from within him, sweeping across the entire hall.
Xu Tianjian's combat power was immense. He was… making a show of force!
"I'll grant you this much—you showed willingness to let me recover, so I'll give you a chance. Surrender now, and I'll spare your life," Xu Tianjian said.
"What do you mean—if I don't surrender, I'm as good as dead?"
"But if I recall correctly, before the little monk, all your opponents were treated with restraint—stopping short of serious harm?"
"Yet you tried to kill the little monk. If I'm not mistaken, it's because he saw a side of you that you'd rather keep hidden, or he angered you, so you decided to eliminate him."
"And you have no confidence you can defeat me. Even if you could win, you'd have to reveal that ugly side of yourself, which is why you want to win without fighting."
"Honestly, being able to raise your combat power by three levels at rank nine Martial Emperor without resorting to forbidden techniques makes you one of the strongest of my generation that I've encountered so far."
"But coming up with a scheme like this… I suspect you got kicked in the head by a donkey as a child," Chu Feng said.
"Kicked by a donkey?" Xu Tianjian was confused.
"Your brain must have been kicked by a donkey—that's the only explanation for why you're this stupid," Chu Feng said.
"Tch, you really don't know when to accept a gift."
"I was willing to let you live, but now I'm going to kill you for certain."
Clang—
However, before Xu Tianjian could finish speaking, a flash of cold light was already upon him—Chu Feng had struck first.
No martial technique. He simply gripped the Ancient Hero Sword and, relying purely on his own combat power, thrust straight at Xu Tianjian.
"You want to compare swordplay? As if you're worthy!"
Seeing that Chu Feng wasn't using any martial technique but instead wanted to compete with swordsmanship, Xu Tianjian actually grew excited.
Because swordsmanship was his greatest forte.
The silver sword in Xu Tianjian's hand danced through the air, deflecting Chu Feng's incoming strike. The very next instant, he counter-thrust toward Chu Feng.
It looked like a single thrust, but with a flick of his wrist, it transformed into countless sword strikes—this was the art of the sword.
Chu Feng was no pushover, though. He retreated while blocking each incoming attack.
Although Xu Tianjian's assault was parried, Chu Feng was forced back again and again. Had he not retreated, he likely would not have been able to withstand it.
In their swordplay exchange, Xu Tianjian clearly held the advantage.
Xu Tianjian noticed this, of course, and grew even more smug, thinking this Chu Feng was nothing special.
Far less impressive than that little monk.
"Hahaha…"
"Comparing swordplay with me? Even Ouyang Canjian might not be up to the task—what makes you think you are?!"
Xu Tianjian was exceedingly proud. He had trained in the sword since childhood and had long since reached the pinnacle. What he loved most was encountering fellow sword masters—defeating them at their own game gave him an even greater sense of accomplishment.
Because his goal was to be the number one swordsman.
Not just in the Totem Dragon Galaxy—in the entire vast cultivation world.
He… possessed that very confidence.
Shua—
Suddenly, blood sprayed into the air, and Xu Tianjian stood frozen like a wooden dummy.
The blood spurted from his wrist—his sword hand had been severed. The severed hand still clutched the silver sword, but it was already hurtling high into the sky.
It was Chu Feng. A single sword stroke had cut off his hand.
But how was this possible?
How had Chu Feng's sword suddenly become so fast—and so masterful? He had… never encountered such swordsmanship!
Shua shua shua—
While Xu Tianjian stood there dazed, the Ancient Hero Sword in Chu Feng's hand transformed into countless afterimages, raining down upon him like a storm of blades!!!
Pu pu pu pu—
In a single instant, Xu Tianjian felt his entire body shudder. He looked down and saw that his body was already riddled with dense, tiny holes of blood—even his Dantian had been pierced through.
"You!!!"
Xu Tianjian collapsed to the ground, staring at Chu Feng in utter disbelief.
"Was I worthy enough to compare swords with you?"
Chu Feng idly twirled the Ancient Hero Sword in his hand as he addressed Xu Tianjian.
Xu Tianjian's swordsmanship was not weak—on the contrary, it was formidable. Perhaps the strongest Chu Feng had ever faced.
But Chu Feng had still won. And it had been remarkably easy.
Once again, Chu Feng had exploited his opponent's underestimation of him.
But even without that complacency, Xu Tianjian's swordsmanship could not have matched Chu Feng's. In a straightforward exchange, the battle would have dragged on, and Xu Tianjian would inevitably have resorted to other means.