No words could describe this slash.
Bizarre, because no one could make sense of how Alchemy King Zhen had freed himself from his opponent's attack and instead launched this strike from behind Xiao Paohui.
Overwhelming, because the sword dao mysteries contained within this slash were so profound that even the many sword masters present could not fathom its depth.
This sword was none other than the Five Thunder Divine Sound Sword, which Jiang Chen had cultivated in conjunction with the Five-Colored Divine Light Sword.
This sword art had an extraordinary origin — the powerhouse who once wielded this technique had been even more powerful than Jiang Chen's Heavenly Emperor father from his previous life.
Back then, the Firmament God-King had risen from the mortal world to become a god-king of his era, and the Five Thunder Divine Sound Sword had been one of his signature techniques.
Jiang Chen had admired the Firmament God-King since childhood, and his Heavenly Emperor father had often spoken of this god-king and heavenly emperor whose legends echoed across the vast universe and the myriad heavens.
Jiang Chen was also deeply interested in the Firmament Heavenly Emperor's path. For the Firmament Heavenly Emperor had risen from the mortal world as well, a dual cultivator of both alchemy and martial arts, possessing astounding talent in the dao of alchemy. He rose ever higher, ultimately becoming a god-king and heavenly emperor who shook the entire vast universe.
Now, here on the Divine Abyss Continent, Jiang Chen wielded this Five Thunder Divine Sound Sword — a sword technique that did not belong to this plane at all.
The sharpness and brilliance displayed in this slash crystallized into a single frozen moment.
And Xiao Paohui's life, too, was forever frozen in that very instant.
The unstoppable sword light struck directly into Xiao Paohui's massive body.
Xiao Paohui's entire body went rigid as if struck by lightning, stiffening as though an immobilization talisman had been placed on him — all movement ceased in a flash.
His eyes were filled with disbelief as he tried to turn around, to see who had delivered this fatal strike from behind.
But powerful as he was, at this very moment, he did not even have the strength to turn.
The next instant, sword light pierced through his entire body.
Five streaks of sword light. Five transparent holes.
Bang!
Like a toppled mountain or a fallen pillar, Xiao Paohui's burly body crashed to the ground. His massive frame struck the earth, sending clouds of dust billowing in all directions.
Even in death, his eyes would not close. They were wide as brass bells.
In that moment, the surroundings fell eerily silent, as if the very air had solidified.
This atmosphere lasted for several full breaths before thunderous applause erupted from all around, rolling like a tide from far to near, sweeping across the void.
Jiang Chen sheathed his sword, his gaze clear and bright. "Who's next?"
After this battle, Jiang Chen had clearly acquired a new combat aura — one distinctly different from before.
In the past, when Jiang Chen had overcome stronger opponents, he had often relied on equipment.
This battle, though he had employed the Emperor's Descent Armor Talisman, showcased a significantly higher level of technical skill.
Dharmic aspects, sword techniques, and the Divine-Demonic Golden Body, among others.
Everyone in the First Arena District was silent as cicadas in winter. Clearly, after witnessing this battle, every martial artist in the First Arena District had lost all desire to challenge Jiang Chen.
However, according to the rules, each of them had to challenge Alchemy King Zhen once. This was a mandatory requirement — every participant in each arena district had to have exchanged blows with every other.
But facing such an Alchemy King Zhen, these martial artists clearly could not summon even a shred of courage.
"Terrifying! So this is the real martial prowess of Alchemy King Zhen?"
"Incredible! We used to think Alchemy King Zhen was only an alchemy genius — who'd have guessed his martial talent is every bit equal to his alchemy talent!"
"No wonder he's the champion of the First Arena District. Some people thought he cheated during the formation selection — well, now they've been proven wrong, haven't they?"
"Forget it — for my challenge against Alchemy King Zhen, I've decided to forfeit."
"I'm forfeiting too."
"Who wouldn't forfeit? Go up there just to get demolished?"
The martial artists of the First Arena District actually breathed a collective sigh of relief. The psychological burden lifted completely — they were all going to lose anyway, so they might as well concede gracefully.
There was no shame in forfeiting before such a powerful Alchemy King Zhen.
Far from the arena, two high-ranking members of the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect had also been turned to stone. One was a Grand Elder, the other a Twelfth-Level Inspector — either of them a first-rate figure within the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect.
They had risked everything this time, disguising themselves as rogue cultivators and blending into the crowd, all so they could watch Xiao Paohui deal with Jiang Chen on the arena stage.
In their eyes, this Alchemy King Zhen was undoubtedly Jiang Chen.
Moreover, they had come this time brimming with confidence. Xiao Paohui, as the seventh-ranked among the Top Ten True Disciples, was a top-tier genius — among the young generation of the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect, those who could defeat him could be counted on one hand.
Even if Jiang Chen was heaven-defying, could someone so young, who had only risen for a few years, who just a short while ago had been nothing more than a minor figure in the Origin Realm, truly defy heaven in such a brief span of time?
And yet—
The result of this battle utterly shattered everything they thought they knew.