Shiik, shiik, shiik!
With every swing of Hu Wanyuan's long saber, a brilliant saber light appeared. In no time, all the sword qi released by Gu Chen was scattered by Hu Wanyuan.
The reason the Heavenly Saber Sect was so named was that their entire strength lay in their saber. Just now, Hu Wanyuan had underestimated Gu Chen, and that's why he hadn't used his weapon.
Now, realizing how troublesome Gu Chen was, he treated Gu Chen as an opponent of equal caliber. Naturally, there was no longer any need to hold back.
"Youngster, die for this old man!"
Hu Wanyuan let out a fierce shout. Swift was his movement, for when he entered the Gang Qi Stage, he was already not young, and his talent was limited. If there were no accidents, he would likely not break through to the External Gang Qi Stage in this lifetime.
For this reason, over the years Hu Wanyuan focused all his attention on martial skills, delving into their study, and indeed he had mastered a good number of Superior Martial Skills to mastery.
As for achieving perfection, that was too difficult. With his talent, even now, he had not managed to perfect even a few martial arts essences.
Facing Hu Wanyuan's slash, Gu Chen did not draw the long sword at his waist. He knew only one swordsmanship skill, the Astonishing Swan Swordsmanship Skills. Although powerful, it was after all just a mid-tier martial skill. Against an Inner Gang Qi martial artist like Hu Wanyuan, it wasn't very effective.
Roar!
The Golden Dragon Illusion appeared again, coiling around Gu Chen. This was the mystical aspect that could be shown after reaching perfection in the Golden Bell Shield and comprehending the corresponding martial essence.
Protected by the Golden Dragon, Gu Chen's defensive power greatly increased. Without using any weapon, he caught Hu Wanyuan's slashing saber firmly between his palms.
For Inner Gang Qi martial artists, close combat was where they could show their advantages, for their Gangqi could not be externalized. At most, it could be condensed on the surface of their body.
Seeing that even his Gangqi-infused slash couldn't do anything to Gu Chen, Hu Wanyuan instantly felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
Dong!
The next moment, a golden bell emerged around Gu Chen, followed by the resonant sound of a bell echoing, striking at Hu Wanyuan's spirit.
"Pu!"
Feeling the potent presence emanating from Gu Chen, Hu Wanyuan was utterly terrified and shrieked, "Impossible—this is impossible, what heavenly treasure did the Jing Tian Department give you to consume? How could you, at such a young age, cultivate such terrifying power?!"
Such a degree of inner strength was beyond even Hu Wanyuan's comparison!
A heavy pressure emerged in the hearts of the onlookers. Facing the unleashed inner strength of over five hundred years from Gu Chen, the air became exceptionally viscous and hot in that moment, leaving everyone struggling to breathe, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Gu Chen as if they were witnessing a monster.
At that moment, like boulders hurtling from the skies and waves crashing against the shore, Gu Chen's aura was too overwhelming. The surrounding land trembled non-stop, as if an earthquake was occurring.
In the center of the battlefield, Hu Wanyuan bore the brunt of it. The ground beneath him sank instantly, and he shrank in height. But at that moment, he had no time to care about anything else but the palm strike from Gu Chen.
"Ahh—"
Hu Wanyuan yelled, exerting all his strength. All of his power converged for the most formidable strike of his life.
"Pu!"
Even so, upon contact with Gu Chen's powerful palm strike, Hu Wanyuan immediately vomited a large mouthful of fresh blood, his expression quickly wilting.
But fortunately, he barely managed to block that hit.
The next second, before he could catch his breath, Gu Chen's true form was already upon him, in close proximity.
"You—"
Seeing Gu Chen closing in, Hu Wanyuan was panic-stricken. He was just about to plead with Gu Chen, but Gu Chen gave him no chance for mercy.
Boom!
With an indifferent expression, Gu Chen struck down. In Hu Wanyuan's perception, Gu Chen's palm magnified infinitely, and at that moment, in his eyes, there was nothing but Gu Chen's palm.
"Pu!"
It sounded like a watermelon smashing open. Hu Wanyuan's head burst instantly, his brains and blood scattering across the ground.