Xiao Chen tightened his grip on the rusty iron spear, the tip pointing diagonally at the ground, his voice calm and unwavering: "We are neither from any sect nor a faction, just two rogue cultivators."
"Oh."
Upon hearing this, not only did the old man in mid-air laugh, but the eight peak-level Dao-proving cultivators around him also sneered.
"No sect or faction? Young friend, that's no joke." A peak-stage Dao Proving cultivator, wielding a long sword, stepped forward, the tip of his blade pointing at Xiao Chen. "A rogue cultivator who can produce a Rejuvenation Pill? Do you think we're fools?"
In their eyes, this claim was even more absurd than the "we fell from the sky" argument. Even top-tier sects might not be able to produce many of those miraculous medicines like the Rejuvenation Pill; how could two rogue cultivators possibly have them? That's utterly ridiculous!
"It seems you're not interested in a proper discussion, young friend." The black-robed elder's smile vanished, his eyes turning icy. "In that case, don't blame me for being impolite. Hand over all your spirit crystals, pill formulas, and anything related to the Rejuvenation Pill!"
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of feigned "benevolence": "Don't worry, I only want money, I won't take anyone's life."
But he had already made up his mind—once he got the item, these two young men had to die! Knowing they had stolen the Rejuvenation Pill, how could he let them live? Cutting the weeds and eliminating the roots was the survival rule of the Xuanqiong Realm.
Without further ado, Xiao Chen unleashed his spiritual power, causing the rusty iron spear to hum and emit a faint blue light at its tip. A sharp spear intent shot into the sky, directly targeting the old man in mid-air!
"You talk too much nonsense."
Before he finished speaking, his figure shot towards the old man in black robes like an arrow released from a bow!
He knew very well that he couldn't avoid this fight. The old man before him was at the early stage of the Creation Realm, two whole major realms higher than him; a direct confrontation was utterly hopeless. His only chance of winning was to buy time, waiting for Shi Tou to deal with the eight peak-stage Dao Proof cultivators before coming to his aid!
"court death!"
Seeing that Xiao Chen dared to attack first, the black-robed elder's eyes flashed with anger, which quickly turned into a cold smile. A mere peak Tribulation Transcending cultivator dares to show off his skills in front of him, a Creation Realm cultivator? He's utterly ignorant of his own limitations!
With a flick of his sleeve, a surge of immense spiritual power transformed into an invisible hand, slamming towards Xiao Chen with overwhelming force!
"clang!"
The rusty iron spear collided with the powerful spiritual energy hand, producing a deafening metallic clang. Xiao Chen felt an irresistible force surge through him; his hand instantly split open, blood flowing down the spear shaft. He was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the rock wall behind him!
"puff--"
A mouthful of blood spurted from the corner of his mouth, staining his blue robe red.
Xiao Chen struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes growing even sharper. Indeed, the power of the Creation Realm was far beyond what he could currently contend with.
The power of laws contained within that spiritual energy was like fine needles, constantly eroding his meridians, causing excruciating pain with every movement.
"That's interesting."
The old man in black robes looked at Xiao Chen, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Although he hadn't used his full strength in that palm strike, he had still used seventy percent of his power. An ordinary peak Tribulation Transcending cultivator would be severely injured and unconscious if he took such a blow, even if he didn't die. How could this green-robed cultivator still stand firm?
"To be able to withstand one of my moves, you young man, you do have some skill."
The old man slowly descended, standing ten feet away from Xiao Chen. Spiritual energy flowed from his fingertips. "Why not submit to me and become my personal disciple? I guarantee you will break through to the Dao Proving Realm within three years. What do you say?"
He genuinely valued talent. This young man's resilience and marksmanship were top-notch; if he could recruit him, he might become a great asset in the future.
Xiao Chen ignored the old man's offer of recruits, silently circulating his spiritual energy to repair his damaged meridians while keeping a close eye on the old man's movements, searching for any weaknesses. He knew that the old man was toying with him, like a cat playing with a mouse.
Meanwhile, Stone had already charged towards the eight peak-level Dao Proof cultivators like a tiger descending the mountain!
He initially wielded the black iron axe, but after a couple of swings, he found that the axe was not as comfortable as his fists, so he simply threw the axe on the ground with a "clang" and pounced on the attack with his bare hands!
"This brute!" A peak-level Daoist with a sword sneered, his longsword twirling in a flourish before piercing the stone's heart.
The stone neither dodged nor avoided, but instead rammed its chest into the tip of the sword!
"clang!"
The sword tip pierced the stone's skin, leaving only a white mark, without even breaking the skin!
"What?!" The sword cultivator was so shocked that his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
Before he could react, Stone's fist came crashing down like a clay pot, slamming solidly into his face!
"Snap!"
The sound of bones cracking was clearly audible. The swordsman screamed and flew backward, his teeth shattered on the ground, his fate unknown.
One move and they're down!
The remaining seven peak-stage Dao Proof cultivators' expressions changed drastically, no longer daring to underestimate them. They quickly formed a battle formation, two attacking from above, two from below, and three flanking from the sides, their coordination as tacit as if they had practiced a thousand times—clearly partners who had carried out missions together for many years.
"Bang bang bang!"
The sounds of fists clashing with weapons were as dense as raindrops. The stone, like a human tank, charged wildly through the battlefield, enduring countless blows from swords and blades, leaving only a few shallow bloodstains that healed in the blink of an eye.
His punches were powerful and heavy, and a single blow could break tendons and bones. In a short while, two more peak-stage Dao Proving cultivators were sent flying, lying on the ground groaning and unable to fight.
"This monster! What is his body made of?!" The remaining five peak-stage Dao Proving cultivators were both shocked and furious, and their attacks became even more ferocious, but they still couldn't do anything to Shi Tou.
As he pounded the stones with gusto, he roared and howled, completely losing his previous docile nature and transforming into a veritable awakened savage beast!
Beside the rock, Xiao Chen's battle with the black-robed elder continued.
Using the footwork taught by Lin Zhou, Xiao Chen constantly dodged the old man's attacks. Occasionally, he would seize an opening and use his rusty iron spear to deliver a tricky thrust. Although he couldn't hurt the old man, he still forced him to take the attack seriously.
Xiao Chen's spear technique changed again, the spear shadows were like a tapestry, forcing the old man to take a half step back repeatedly.
"Good! Good! Good!" The old man was not angry at all, but became even more excited. "A mere Tribulation Transcending Realm cultivator can actually make this old man feel a bit of pressure. You junior are worth this old man's serious attention!"
His spiritual power surged suddenly, and a faint gray mist appeared around him—that was the boundary power that only those at the Creation Realm possessed!
"Prepare to die!"
The old man flashed and instantly appeared in front of Xiao Chen, his palm carrying the power of the realm, directly striking Xiao Chen's crown!
This palm strike was faster and more ruthless than any of the previous blows!
Xiao Chen's pupils contracted sharply; there was no way to avoid it!
He suddenly held the rusty iron spear horizontally above his head, simultaneously mobilizing all the spiritual power in his body, and even his soul, and channeling it into the spear!
"clang--!"
A deafening collision resounded, and the rusty iron spear was bent into an arc shape, its shaft covered with cracks!
Xiao Chen was struck hard and flew backward again. This time, he was unable to get up immediately. Blood kept flowing from the corner of his mouth, and his vision blurred.
The old man in black robes landed in front of him, looked at the swaying Xiao Chen, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes, mixed with a hint of regret: "What a pity, he refuses to submit."
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