Chapter 46: All Trumps Revealed

Cang Luo activated Wind Rush Step at full power, weaving around Chen Da with boxing footwork, launching occasional harassing strikes that left his opponent fuming.

“Child’s play—you’re nothing but a clown before me.”

Chen Da had wanted to observe the subtleties of Cang Luo’s movement, but the other kept punching to provoke him—how dare he be so foolish!

You really think I’m afraid of you?

You really think you can challenge me across ranks?

Chen Da flew into a rage, abandoning all defense, and unleashed Leopard Shadow Leg with furious kicks and stomps, meeting Cang Luo blow for blow—he wanted to end this quickly before something went wrong.

Facing Chen Da’s violent assault, Cang Luo dared not clash directly; all he could do was dodge and defend.

Cang Luo bent his body slightly, arms crossed before him to guard vital points, feet shifting and pivoting like a seasoned boxer.

But since Cang Luo was slower than Chen Da, he was struck multiple times by the Leopard Shadow Leg.

Yet Cang Luo wasn’t afraid—he could channel attributeless Qi to defend while healing, easing the pain.

Cang Luo had seen Leopard Shadow Leg before—he’d faced it when fighting Chen Dahu.

Leopard Shadow Leg is a martial art combining movement and leg techniques, granting the user lightness like a swallow while retaining offensive capability—but you can’t have both speed and power, so its force is weaker.

Cang Luo knew Chen Da had stopped using Dragon Subduing Palm and switched to Leopard Shadow Leg because the former drained too much Qi.

While defending, Cang Luo analyzed their relative strengths, silently sneering.

Hah! Try one move to kill me—if not, when your Qi runs dry, that’s when you die!

Chen Da kept hammering Cang Luo with Leopard Shadow Leg until he finally found an opening and swept him clean off his feet.

Cang Luo flew backward, rolled several times on the ground, but suffered little injury—he feigned severe wounds, struggling to rise as if he might collapse at any moment.

Seeing this, Chen Da spat contemptuously and charged forward, Dragon Subduing Palm charging in his palm, ready to deliver the final blow to the staggering Cang Luo.

Seeing Chen Da take the bait, Cang Luo’s trembling body suddenly tensed like a drawn bow—he hurled a handful of sand into Chen Da’s face and followed instantly, activating Thunderclap Palm, charging straight at Chen Da without hesitation.

The sudden sand startled Chen Da, causing him to hesitate and slow his momentum.

In that split second, Cang Luo’s Thunderclap Palm struck—directly to Chen Da’s face—but was blocked by his forearm, still knocking him back several meters.

After steadying himself, Chen Da didn’t curse Cang Luo for treachery—he was puzzled: why was this man so durable?

He’d been kicked dozens of times by my Leopard Shadow Leg—even with full defense, his arms should be swollen by now!

Yet he looked completely unharmed.

What’s going on?

Chen Da stepped back, studying Cang Luo.

Cang Luo casually rubbed his arm and chuckled: “Chen Da-worm, you done? I’ve barely warmed up—come on again!”

Cang Luo’s plan was to use his infinite Qi advantage to wear Chen Da down, then activate Body Destruction Divine Art and let Erha ambush him for the killing blow.

Chen Da not only had a higher cultivation base, but also superior martial art rank, mastery, physical conditioning, and combat experience.

So Cang Luo had to be cautious—this was a matter of life and death.

Chen Da took a breath—his Qi was heavily depleted.

He was deeply confused: why was Cang Luo so durable? Others would’ve been dead dozens of times by now.

Could he be practicing some advanced internal art with extreme defense and recovery?

Wait—this fool is only Cultivation Level 7, yet he’s an older disciple—twenty-two years old at Level 7.

His talent is abysmal; his Qi strength must be weaker than a teenager’s Level 7.

But he has age on his side—he must have accumulated far more Qi than any teenager at Level 7!

Maybe even more than me...

No—I must end this quickly, or I’ll be worn down to death.

At that moment, Chen Da finally understood Cang Luo’s plan.

This fool, this despicable coward—he knew he couldn’t beat me head-on, so he’s trying to drain me!

“Pah...” Chen Da wiped his mouth and secretly pulled a Power Pill from his wrist guard, swallowing it.

The Power Pill was a Lower Grade Xuan-level elixir—it temporarily boosted strength and defense, nearly elevating his Level 8 cultivation to Level 9.

But once the effect faded, he’d be breathless and powerless—so he had to finish this fast.

Moments later, the Power Pill took effect—unstoppable power surged from Chen Da’s dantian, flooding through his entire body.

Chen Da’s face turned icy—he wasted no time, unleashing Leopard Shadow Leg at full force.

His legs whipped the air with thunderous force, moving so fast only a blur remained, kicking up dust as he charged toward Cang Luo.

His legs churned the air with force, moving so fast that only a blur swept up dust and soil as he shot toward Cang Luo.

Before Cang Luo finished speaking, Chen Da was already before him—he panicked, couldn’t dodge, and braced for impact.

Helpless against the overwhelming force, Cang Luo was kicked clean away—flying over ten meters before crashing into a giant fir tree.

Helpless against the opponent’s overwhelming power, Cang Luo was kicked flying over ten meters and slammed into a giant cedar.

[61] He no longer hoped to capture Cang Luo alive and torture him—he only sought to kill him swiftly, or else when the drug’s effect wore off, it would be him who died!

Cang Luo spat blood, agony flaring in his back and arms—but thanks to endless Qi healing, he suffered no fatal wounds.

Cang Luo staggered to his feet, staring at Chen Da’s smug expression, puzzled.

Hadn’t he just looked exhausted?

How had he recovered so quickly?

And now he was even stronger—had he been hiding his true strength?

I need to use my trump card early.

“Fool is still a fool!” Chen Da spat insults outwardly, but inwardly he was stunned.

He hadn’t expected Cang Luo to still stand—still able to fight. How?

Is this kid’s body made of giant fir trees? So tough?

Chen Da didn’t pause—he attacked again, targeting Cang Luo’s head.

He no longer dreamed of capturing and torturing him—he only wanted to kill quickly, or when the pill wore off, he’d be the one dead.

He no longer dared hope to capture Cang Luo alive and torture him; he only sought to kill him swiftly, or else when the drug’s effects wore off, it would be him who died!

Chen Da roared, closing the distance with Leopard Shadow Leg.

This palm strike gathered ninety percent of his remaining Qi—orange-red Yang Qi churned and boiled within his palm.

A haze of steam curled around his hand, as if the air itself burned.

With this strike, Chen Da was certain he’d crush Cang Luo’s skull into a pulp—to avenge his brother, Chen Dahu.

With this strike, he’d wash away his shame—a Level 7 cultivator forcing him to use a pill to win?

What else could this be but humiliation?

Zhang Youliang was watching—how could he ever command his subordinates again?

Zhang Youliang was still watching—how could he ever face his subordinates again?

Chen Da’s face twisted in fury, eager to see the expression on Cang Luo’s face as he died.

Chen Dalong glared at Cang Luo with a grotesque expression, eager to see what face he would make before death.

Horror?

Regret?

But Chen Da saw none of those.

All he saw was Cang Luo’s steely resolve—and eyes gleaming with cunning.

In that instant, Chen Da felt a chilling premonition—but he couldn’t imagine any countermeasure left.

Hesitating, he lunged forward and slammed his strongest technique—Dragon Subduing Palm—straight onto Cang Luo’s forehead.

In that moment, Cang Luo was already dead in his eyes.

He even imagined what treasures he’d loot from the corpse.

High-grade elixir?

Or high-grade scripture?

“CRACK!!!”

Dragon Subduing Palm struck Cang Luo’s head—the sound deafening—Chen Da couldn’t help but smile...

“What are you smiling at?” Cang Luo said calmly.

“What?!”

Chen Da froze—how could the man under his palm still speak?

He yanked his hand back—but found it firmly gripped in Cang Luo’s grasp, unmoving no matter how he struggled.

Cang Luo’s right hand blocked Chen Da’s Dragon Subduing Palm and held it fast, while his left hand unbuttoned his shirt.

His body was burning—like a fever—every cell, blood, and muscle seared with heat.

Yet he felt immense power—he knew: this was the state of activating Body Destruction Divine Art, Level One.

After shedding his shirt, he asked again: “I said—what are you smiling at?”

“You—you how?!”

Chen Da was stunned, eyes wide, staring at Cang Luo’s upper body—no hard muscle, lean and thin—how could such a frail frame possess this strength?!

Trapped by Cang Luo’s grip, Chen Da kicked out with his leg toward Cang Luo’s face.

But Cang Luo easily blocked it, then flipped him onto the ground, locking him with a joint technique from Military Boxing—rendering him immobile, though Cang Luo himself couldn’t attack.

Chen Da thrashed desperately—but Cang Luo, after activating Body Destruction Divine Art, now matched his strength despite his depleted Qi—he couldn’t break free.

Worse, Chen Da’s dantian was nearly empty—no Qi left for a final burst.

They remained locked in stalemate—and soon, Chen Da grew afraid.

He feared the Power Pill’s effect fading—if it did, he’d be no match for Cang Luo—and he’d die for sure.

“Let me go!” Chen Da roared, struggling violently.

At that moment, his eyes suddenly lit up—he saw someone stealthily approaching from behind Cang Luo: his own subordinate, Zhang Youliang.

Chen Da immediately seized a glimmer of hope. He secretly gathered Yuan force, preparing to launch a sudden attack, while using all his strength to lock Cang Luo in place, giving Zhang Youliang the perfect chance to strike.

“Let you go? Fine. Just tell me who sent you and your brother to attack me.”

Cang Luo was temporarily occupied holding Chen Da and pretended not to notice Zhang Youliang.

In reality, every move Zhang Youliang made was under satellite surveillance—he remained completely unaware...

“I’ll tell, I’ll tell—it’s, it’s...”

Chen Da feigned intent to reveal the mastermind, actually aiming to distract Cang Luo and create an opening for Zhang Youliang’s ambush.

Zhang Youliang’s heart raced as he crept closer to Cang Luo. One solid kick to the back of his skull would free Senior Chen—and there’d still be a chance to turn the tide.

He had considered fleeing in this moment, but knew his injuries would prevent him from surviving the beast-infested woods. That’s why he chose to strike.

Closer, closer—just a few steps away.

Seeing Cang Luo hadn’t noticed him, Zhang Youliang burst with joy. He channeled all his Yuan force from his dantian into his right foot, ready to strike.

But at that instant, Zhang Youliang’s heart jolted—he suddenly spotted a Fire-Devouring Wolf not far off, baring its fangs as it strolled toward them.

Terrified, Zhang Youliang scrambled backward, abandoning all thought of ambushing Cang Luo to save Chen Da.

He could still tell the difference between dying now and dying later.

The Fire-Devouring Wolf’s strength equaled that of a Warrior Eighth Layer human cultivator. Though this one was lean, it had two heads—one mouth spitting searing flames, clearly targeting him.

Zhang Youliang knew this was a mutated beast—mutated beasts were stronger still.

How could he possibly fight it? How could he not run?

Chen Da also spotted the two-headed Fire-Devouring Wolf. His blood ran cold.

He immediately whispered to Cang Luo: “Cang Luo, let me go—quickly! Only by joining forces can we kill it. Otherwise, you’ll die here too.”

“Oh? Really? You seem very afraid of it.”

Cang Luo smiled, then casually turned his head toward the fleeing Zhang Youliang. “Erha, deal with that guy.”

“Aowu!”

Erha let out an excited howl, obeying his master Cang Luo’s command. He lunged at Zhang Youliang, circled in front of him, and unleashed a torrent of flame from his massive jaws.

Injured and unable to dodge, Zhang Youliang was instantly engulfed in fire, screaming in agony...

Chen Da stared in stunned disbelief at his subordinate, Zhang Youliang, consumed by flames. He could hardly believe it: “This—this is your beast companion?”

“How... how is that possible!?”

“How can a Warrior-level cultivator still have enough Yuan force to fight after summoning a beast companion?”

At that moment, Chen Da’s eyes were filled with regret—he knew he was finished. Completely finished.

He bitterly regretted not investigating Cang Luo’s true strength before acting so rashly.

He regretted not bringing enough of his gang’s men to help. But it was already too late...

Cang Luo smiled. “You’re right.”

With that, he called Erha over and made its left head open its foul-smelling maw to gently bite Chen Da’s neck.

The right head spat sparks at him, leaving several seared marks on Chen Da’s face.

With Erha restraining him, Cang Luo released Chen Da and patted Erha’s head in praise.

Then he sat down, ended his cultivation, and halted the Destruction Body Divine Art. Instantly, he spat out a thick, crimson, turbid gas—the lingering side effect of the Destruction Body Divine Art.

Cang Luo’s inner vision revealed blood vessels visible on the surface of several internal organs, but they had nearly fully healed under the endless Yuan force’s restoration.

Knowing his body was unharmed, Cang Luo sneered at Chen Da: “I’ll ask again—who sent you and your brother to attack me?”

“Why target me? Tell me, and I’ll give you a quick death. Otherwise, I’ll let them bite you to death—one piece at a time.”

“No—bite you half to death!”