Chapter 361: Assassin

Purple qi and Lei Jin Guang coiled up from Chen Heng's fingertips, transforming in the blink of an eye into a magnificent cloud of force that slowly circled above his crown, brilliant as the sun and dazzling to the eyes.

Within the force cloud, countless golden snakes could faintly be seen surging, with electric sparks flashing.

A rumbling sound permeated heaven and earth, a mighty noise erupting loudly!

"Go!"

Under Chen Heng's full exertion, this purple-clear force cloud instantly shot skyward, bursting forth with a dozen bolts of Qing Shen Lei that tore through the blue heavens and struck fiercely toward Gu Yi!

Gu Yi's movements were not a fraction slower, completing her buildup almost simultaneously.

She raised her hand, releasing a cluster of brilliant star beads that shone like a golden platter under the sun, their Luli Luli Guangzhao illuminating the clouds!

Where the divine thunder and star beads collided, within a radius of several li, nothing could be seen amidst the blinding Lei Jin Guang and flashing starlight.

Seizing this gap, Chen Heng activated his sword escape, transforming into a fierce crimson rainbow that pierced the vast sky and ruthlessly charged toward Gu Yi to kill.

Gu Yi's eyes flashed; she flicked her water sleeves, summoning a wisp of black qi that wrapped around her body.

At the very moment the sword light slashed down, she shifted sideways several tens of zhang, evading the strike.

Above the void, the sword rainbow and the black qi chased each other, fast as lightning and swift as a meteor, leaving onlookers unable to keep up, seeing only a chaotic dance of light and shadow.

At this moment, Gu Yi turned her body again to dodge the flying sword's killing strike, while simultaneously grasping a small flag about three chi long, painted with a roc and a black tiger, and hurled it into the air.

After the Xiao Wei Yi spun leisurely once, it shook loose a mass of dharma light, from which leaped a roc with a wingspan of fully thirty zhang, featuring white feathers, a sharp beak, and pitch-black pupils.

As soon as this bird emerged from the flag, it let out a sharp shriek.

It spread its wings, and the clouds in all eight directions instantly seemed to receive an order, layer upon layer pressing toward Chen Heng, stirring up mournful winds and filling the sky with tragic mist.

Chen Heng flicked his finger, shooting a beam of divine light that tore the intervening clouds in two; like a giant scythe sweeping across, it cleanly severed one of the roc's wings, causing it to dissipate into a cloud of turbid qi mid-air.

Before he could act again to finish off this dharma spirit completely...

The small flag spun once more in mid-air, shaking out a black tiger with sharp claws and teeth, its entire body dark as ink.

As soon as the black tiger manifested, it opened its mouth and spat a ball of green fire, burning toward Chen Heng.

Meanwhile, the roc, having lost half its wing, dared not slacken off either; it urgently stirred up the gale forces of the void, exerting its power alongside the tiger.

In an instant.

The wind fanned the flames, and the blazing fire soared into the sky.

It was as if thousands of nether lamps had all released their light, scorching the sea of clouds into a scene of desolate misery and profound gloom!

Facing this complementary killing move, Chen Heng's eyes flashed slightly; he mobilized his Innate Great Sun Divine Light again, and with just a few sweeping rushes, he incinerated seventy or eighty percent of it.

Just as he dealt with the siege of the two dharma spirits, he suddenly felt a tight rush of wind behind his head; without even looking, Chen Heng caused a brilliant light circulating with five qi to leap from the purple mansion between his eyebrows, meeting the attack head-on.

The two objects collided, emitting a tremendous noise capable of splitting mountains and cracking stones, before both flew backward separately.

They were actually evenly matched.

Neither side had gained any advantage...

Gu Yi caught the small golden hammer flying back into her hand; her gaze swept toward the Five Qi Peng Qian Kun Ring above Chen Heng's head. Recognizing the origin of this treasure, she couldn't help but feel slightly surprised.

The small golden hammer in her hand was named the "Star Pivot Golden Hammer"; it required first casting a rough mold from the essence of extra-domain stars, then refining its quality with Peng Qian Heaven Force Qi, and finally condensing it into form.

This hammer belonged to the category of High-Grade magical tools, possessing immense power; it was once a prized treasure of Gu Yi's master before she attained the Dao, but later, as her Mei Mei Gongxing advanced greatly and she no longer lacked such means to deal with enemies, she transferred it to Gu Yi for her to keep as protection.

Once the Star Pivot Golden Hammer was unleashed, it could easily collapse mountains and destroy peaks, crushing rocks and sweeping away valleys.

Let alone talismanic tools or Daoist arts; even a Low-Grade protective magical tool, if struck with full force by this golden hammer, would be unable to dissipate such overwhelming force and would inevitably show signs of defeat!

Yet the treasure ring above Chen Heng's head clashed hard with the Star Pivot Golden Hammer and appeared completely unfazed, steadily absorbing the force without leaking a single bit, which inevitably aroused some curiosity in Gu Yi's heart.

"Five qi circulating, evolving heaven and earth... this appearance is clearly the Five Qi Peng Qian Kun Ring of the Master Qiao clan from Mishan."

"However, this treasure was a heavy weapon used by Master Qiao Ding before he attained the Dao; how did it fall into the hands of this brat? What relation does he have with the Master Qiao clan?"

Gu Yi's thoughts raced like lightning.

Then, without giving her time to ponder further, Chen Heng casually beckoned, summoning another treasure mirror about three cun in size, its entire body circulating with clear, bright light.

Immediately, the mirror body turned, aiming directly at Gu Yi; from its surface shot a beam of cold light that pierced the vast sky with extreme speed, rushing toward Gu Yi in an instant!

"Another High-Grade magical tool?"

Gu Yi raised an eyebrow, silently activating her mind intent, causing a small shield-like magical tool, resembling both gold and jade with colorful wings, to leap out from her purple mansion as well.

The small shield emitted a pleasant, clear sound, like a mixture of sheng and huang flutes playing together, with all five tones—Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, and Yu—wonderously harmonious; suddenly, it expanded a halo of glazed light, holding the cold light projected by the Moon Wheel Mirror outside the circle and refusing to yield an inch.

For a time.

The void was filled with a dazzling array of exotic colors, with Luli Luli Guangzhao shining above and below.

It was as if fireworks of hundreds of colors were exploding in splendor, captivating the heart and spirit until one could no longer control oneself.

At the same time, mighty sounds permeated in all directions, rumbling with echoes, causing the eardrums of the Daoists from both sect camps to swell with a faint sensation of pain!

This exchange between Chen Heng and Gu Yi.

Their Xue Xuan Gong, true qi, divine souls, Daoist methods, and magical treasures had all nearly reached the utmost limit of the Cave-Mystic Realm.

In this contest, if either of them had even the slightest shortcoming in any aspect, lacking by a mere thread, the opponent would keenly find an opportunity to seize control of the situation and thereby break the deadlock.

And the intensity and peril within it.

Caused the True Persons of the Dao lineages from both sects to look at each other in dismay, their expressions shaken.

They reckoned that if they were to take their place.

If it were themselves facing these outstanding talents who ranked high in the New Year's Assessment.

Even if they held a great advantage in cultivation base, being one level stronger, they would absolutely not fare well, let alone defeat the enemy and win victory.

They feared that after fighting for no long time, they would meet a miserable death.

Without even time for their primordial spirits to escape, they would perish completely, body and soul extinguished!

And amidst the silent shock of the various cultivators present.

In the void, both Chen Heng and Gu Yi had already ignited true fury; they unleashed all their killing moves, aiming strictly at each other's vital points with intent to kill in one strike, as heavy-handed attacks came in rapid succession.

And unknowingly.

The sun wheel had already slowed its descent from the mid-heavens, shifting toward the western mountains, and the two had fought for several more double-hours.

At this moment, Gu Yi finally frowned slightly, a trace of helplessness rising in her heart, finding the situation quite thorny.

After such an intense and fierce battle.

Chen Heng was not only full of spirit and strength, showing no sign of fatigue.

Moreover, during the fight just now, relying on the sturdiness of this fleshly treasure body, he had several times boldly withstood the surging attacks of the Northern Calamity Netherfire, using the speed of his Sword Escape to force his way directly before her, intending to grapple with brute force and crush her to death on the spot.

Had Gu Yi not been proficient in a technique of substituting objects for form, capable of absorbing injuries and shifting position.

Under such a fierce fighting style that feared neither death nor injury, trading wound for wound, she would inevitably have suffered bleeding and trauma.

And even though Gu Yi's Daoist methods were formidable.

Yet just a short while ago.

Because her hand seals were disturbed by sword qi, causing a slight delay of an instant.

Chen Heng had slammed a fist down upon her head, nearly shattering Gu Yi's protective Dharma light.

The shock turned her cheeks crimson, churning the blood and qi within her body endlessly; she felt as though struck squarely from afar by a giant divine hammer, her chest extremely constricted...

"Fleshly Body Achieving Sagehood... If my teacher had not yet obtained that Dharma method for me, how would I be reduced to such embarrassment today, allowing this young upstart to run wild?"

Gu Yi sighed softly in her heart.

While manipulating her Dharma decisions to summon a great white bone hand to block the frantic attacks of the Purple Clarity Divine Thunder and sword qi, she also frowned slightly, pondering inwardly.

It could be said that today's situation.

By now, had somewhat exceeded her expectations...

Apart from that Yin Yin Wuji of the Wenhuang Sect.

The tenacity of Chen Heng before her far surpassed that of any same-realm Refiner Gu Yi had ever encountered.

Even Yuan Yuan Fayan of the Arctic Garden, currently ranked third in the Dongxuan realm, could not compare to him and was a notch inferior!

And once the New Year's Assessment is released, those named on the list will instantly become famous across the four seas, their reputations heard throughout the nine provinces.

Causing all discerning cultivators under heaven to learn of them.

Due to dissatisfaction with rankings, the desire to hone their methods, or the wish to befriend heroes from across the world.

These famous individuals on the list were not strangers to one another; they had all crossed paths before.

For instance, Zhou Zhou Shiyuan was already an old rival of Shen Shen Xingcui and Lu Lu Tingyun from the Zhongyi Sword Sect.

The reason Zhou Zhou Shiyuan cultivated the "Qi Prohibition White Blade" technique created by Chen Chen Yushu was precisely to target these two, Shen Shen Xingcui and Lu Lu Tingyun.

And Gu Yi had likewise fought one-on-one against those on the Dongxuan list such as Yin Yin Wuji, Yuan Yuan Fayan, Zhen Luo, and Yin Yin Ruohua.

She was not too unfamiliar with their methods.

Only the Chen Heng before her eyes.

To Gu Yi, he counted as an anomaly...

When she first heard this name.

Chen Heng was still among the ranks of the Zi Fu Gao Gong, listed eleventh.

When that list was first released, it sparked much curious discussion, until Chen Heng won first place at the Dragon Palace Dharma Assembly, fought various cultivators, and drove away Zhou Zhou Shiyuan, only then truly solidifying his reputation and silencing all debate.

However, at that time.

Gu Yi had not paid much attention to this name.

It was not until Chen Heng won first place outright in the Four Courts Grand Competition, suppressing He He Lizi, Wei Wei Daofu, and that Shi You, the reincarnation of a Great Arhat.

That she finally took some interest and secretly noted Chen Heng down.

However, since entering the Dongxuan realm, apart from the Four Courts Grand Competition at Yu Yu Yuchen, Chen Heng had no other noteworthy battle records to his name, nor had he fought against experts of the same realm from outside his sect.

For this reason, Gu Yi's understanding of this person was not extensive, even less detailed than her knowledge of Wei Wei Daofu or He He Lizi.

Until today.

After truly fighting a bout.

Only then did she witness this person's methods and realize just how tenacious he truly was...

At this moment, seeming to perceive Gu Yi's thoughts.

Chen Heng swept his sleeve, causing the Five Qi Peng Qian Kun Circle above his head to expand its wind and waves again, blocking the incoming Star Pivot Golden Hammer, then smiled faintly and said:

"Demoness, your mind is in chaos; clearly you know that continuing this fierce battle, my victory over you is only a matter of time."

"So rather than continuing to waste spirit, it would be more appropriate for you to lay down your arms and surrender early, saving both sects' forces from a bitter wait."

"Defeat me? Young upstart, such audacious words—are you not afraid of blowing your own horn until it bursts?"

Gu Yi sneered slightly, shifted her escape light beneath her feet to dodge Chen Heng's flying sword slash, while simultaneously launching the Star Pivot Golden Hammer and Northern Calamity Netherfire to strike fiercely at Chen Heng's head.

Her eyes shifted, and suddenly she smiled beautifully, saying:

"But you say I should lay down my arms and surrender; if I truly acted thus, fulfilling your wish... how would you, Chen Heng, treat me?"

Her voice was pitifully delicate, her tone soft, charming, and melodious.

Hearing it made one's heart sway involuntarily, spawning wild fantasies, and even one's breathing became heavy.

But the moment such thoughts arose in the mind, all those romantic musings instantly transformed into oil cauldrons, grinding pestles, ice mountains, flames, knives and saws, and shackles—various hells, fierce and bizarre, terrifying the spirit, intending to temporarily seize the Zi Fu Yuan Spirit.

And during the battle.

Gu Yi had already used this sound-attack technique more than once.

Chen Heng, naturally, was guarding against this move and would not give Gu Yi any opportunity.

"How do I wish to treat you?"

Chen Heng sneered:

"If you lay down your arms and surrender, I may mercifully allow you a whole corpse; how does that sound?"

Hearing this, Gu Yi likewise sneered coldly.

In an instant, brilliant light erupted once more, like a crescent moon breaking through the gloom, scattering in all directions.

However, this time, it lasted only for about a hundred exchanges of combat.

Behind the camps of the two sects, a massive aura of Qi surged upward from each side, rising above the clouds.

Within them, one could vaguely see banners blotting out the sun and swords and halberds gleaming like frost, as if thousands of troops and horses were galloping toward this place with formidable momentum.

"Senior Brother Wang Sen?"

Chen Heng's eyes flickered.

"What is Fu Fu Shenan doing here joining the fray?"

Gu Yi frowned.

Although such a lapse in concentration lasted only a flash, both Chen Heng and Gu Yi seized the opportunity simultaneously.

Fierce light flashed in both their eyes as they raised their hands and unleashed their ultimate trump cards against each other!

In that very instant!

Only a earth-shattering, sky-rending roar was heard, as clear light covered the sun and poisonous flames filled the sky!

Far below the clouds, the waters of Shuojiang suddenly exploded, severed in the middle and split into upper and lower streams; fish, shrimp, and water weeds, along with the surging river water, were flung high into the clouds, reaching a hundred zhang, before plummeting down like a torrential rainstorm, creating a scene of terrifying grimness!

Stirred by this lingering force,

even several Gaoshan mountains near the river were violently collapsed, as if smashed apart by two pairs of invisible, ruthless giant hands.

For a moment,

dust and smoke rose everywhere, nearly possessing the power to obscure the sun and block out the sky!

Had Chen Heng and Gu Yi not been far up in the void sky, and had there not been protective restriction arrays below, the living beings beneath the clouds would surely have been unable to escape this calamity and would have been left in a wretched state.

Yet even so, within the camps of the two sects, many cultivators still suffered splitting headaches and could not stand firm, as if standing upon surging river waves, unable to stabilize their forms.

Each one was filled with horror, their expressions fraught with fear.

"Purifying Turbid Seed... Could Junior Brother Chen have actually unleashed such a major killing move?!"

At this moment,

Wang Sen, leading his troops to reinforce, gazed upon the vast spectacle in the sky where the clear light was as bright as day and undulating like ocean tides.

His pupils constricted; greatly startled, he could not help but frown deeply.

As for the other side,

Fu Fu Shenan, a Jin Dan True Person of Huzhao Sect, was also filled with dread.

That expanse of churning poisonous flames in the sky was a secret treasure of Xiantian Mo Zong, called "Green Scale Surge"; once its seal was broken, it could erupt with endless poisonous fire and flames.

Not to mention a Jin Dan True Person;

even a great cultivator of the Primordial Spirit realm, if struck by it, would suffer rotting flesh and blood and meet an immediate death!

This item was a protective treasure given to her by Gu Yi's master, truly an undisputed major killing weapon!

Gazing at the terrifying scene in the void sky where the clear light and poisonous flames entangled and clashed, wreaking endless havoc,

both Wang Sen and Fu Fu Shenan felt their scalps go numb and their backs tighten.

At this moment, as if sharing a single mind, the two suddenly met each other's gaze across the vast expanse of sky, and each saw a hint of retreat in the other's eyes, an unspoken understanding...

United.

(End of Chapter)