Yet, the gap in strength often couldn't be bridged by sheer grit and a willingness to fight to the death.
Not that Chu Xinghan had any intention of self-destructing his Spirit Sea, but even if he had done as Master Shuiyue ordered, he likely wouldn't have harmed Jiang Chen.
Because Jiang Chen's defense among warriors of the same level was simply heaven-defying.
The soft armor integrated with the scales of the Scarlet-Scaled Fire Salamander, combined with his cultivation of the Divine Demon Nine Transformations to the third layer, made his physical defense incredibly potent.
Even the force of a self-destruction might not truly injure him.
Chu Xinghan was at the sixth level of the Spirit Realm, as was Jiang Chen.
Obviously, Chu Xinghan's sixth level and Jiang Chen's sixth level were worlds apart.
Chu Xinghan's strength was considered top-tier within the Shuiyue lineage, but within the entire Purple Sun Sect, he hadn't reached the pinnacle, let alone among the four great sects.
Therefore, while his desperate posture was imposing, in the eyes of an expert like Jiang Chen, this fighting style was actually easier to counter.
Because Chu Xinghan, fighting with reckless abandon, left far too many openings.
"So this Chu Xinghan really has no standing within the Shuiyue lineage. Even when I killed that Hai Tian from the Earth Spirit Region, Master Shuiyue went almost mad. Yet, when she sends this Chu Xinghan up to fight to the death, her face shows no hint of reluctance or regret. It's as if this disciple is just a disposable pawn to be sacrificed at any moment in her eyes."
At this thought, Jiang Chen truly couldn't admire Master Shuiyue's judgment. Apart from discovering Long Juxue, this old woman had certainly missed the mark.
Her nurturing of Chu Xinghan was absolutely subpar.
Chu Xinghan's desperate battle was likely his way of repaying Master Shuiyue's upbringing and cultivation.
And even so, Chu Xinghan still refused to violate his principles, refusing to self-destruct his Spirit Sea and perish together with Jiang Chen. It showed the man was someone of great principle.
Someone who would give everything for the convictions held deep in his heart.
Such a person's will was incredibly strong, far beyond what someone vain and proud like Long Juxue could compare to.
It was a pity Master Shuiyue had eyes but failed to see the gold and jade within. She saw only Long Juxue's Innate Body, ignoring the fact that there was equally promising talent right beside her.
Thinking this, Jiang Chen felt a newfound appreciation for Chu Xinghan.
Here was someone with real potential.
While these thoughts flashed through his mind, Jiang Chen had already dismantled Chu Xinghan's offensive one move after another.
Both at the sixth level of the Spirit Realm, Jiang Chen's advantage against a same-level warrior was overwhelming. Chu Xinghan's swordplay was brilliant; even against someone like Lei Gangyang, he would have stood a fighting chance.
Though he would certainly lose in the end, it wouldn't feel as futile as it did now.
Outsiders might not see it, but Chu Xinghan understood better than anyone. His offense had already exceeded its usual peak performance.
Yet this Jiang Chen remained calm and composed, clearly not exerting his full strength.
Moreover, from start to finish, Jiang Chen hadn't even used a weapon.
"Jiang Chen, if you want to kill me, just do it! Why toy with me?" Chu Xinghan asked in frustration via psychic transmission.
His attacks, however, did not lessen.
"Chu Xinghan, I consider you a worthy man, so I'm making an exception. I won't kill you," Jiang Chen replied evenly.
Chu Xinghan attacked like a maddened tiger, his sword energy crisscrossing, slashing like lightning.
"Jiang Chen, I sought benevolence and found it. I've long been prepared to die. Why should you hold back?"
Jiang Chen effortlessly neutralized Chu Xinghan's assault, transmitting: "On the path of martial arts, dying is easy. Living is the hard part. You, Chu Xinghan, are a fine man. Even if others treat you as a discard, their abandonment is no reason for you to abandon yourself. When your martial path achieves great success one day, and you look back at today's choice, you'll blush with shame!"
If Jiang Chen wanted Chu Xinghan defeated, it wouldn't cost him much effort by now.
But he hadn't done so, maintaining a measured exchange instead. He could see Chu Xinghan was resolved to die. If he didn't shatter that death wish, even if Jiang Chen spared him on the stage, this young man's will to live was too low to survive.
He had to ignite this young man's confidence to live, making him understand the meaning of life.
Chu Xinghan's loyalty and filial piety to Master Shuiyue, offering his life in gratitude—this was his integrity, which Jiang Chen admired.
But Master Shuiyue's character was clearly not worthy of a fine man like Chu Xinghan dying for her.
"Chu Xinghan, you must know: our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents. You have this firm belief in death, but have you asked your birth parents? Offering your life out of moral duty requires examining whether the person you die for is truly worth it! Or whether the greater cause justifies it!"
"A man should live with style and freedom, and die with grandeur and purpose! Dying like this, in a pathetic manner—you think you're being heroic, being stylish, repaying your teacher's grace? Have you considered, dying like this, do you honor yourself? Do you honor that Dao-seeking heart within you?"
"The path of martial cultivation is inherently defying heaven. My destiny is mine to command—how could heaven control it, let alone another person? I ask you only this: if you die, will your master shed a single tear for you? Will Long Juxue's heart ache for even a moment?"
Each question boomed like a great bell in Chu Xinghan's mind.
Others may abandon you, but that is not your reason to abandon yourself!
You have a firm belief in death, but have you asked your birth parents?
Dying like this—do you honor yourself? Do you honor that Dao-seeking heart within you?
If you die, will your master shed a single tear for you? Will Long Juxue's heart ache for even a moment?
With every question Jiang Chen asked, Chu Xinghan's fighting spirit weakened a fraction, and his resolve to die dissipated a fraction more.
Dying, after all, was indeed the easy part.