Chapter 420: Great Battle Against the Ultimate Genius

On the ground, Ning Yuchan and Sun Fuji were locked in a fierce battle.

One after another powerful ice-star technique flew from Sun Fuji's hands, slamming toward Ning Yuchan.

Ning Yuchan's body shimmered with milky-white metallic starlight; her hammer struck like lightning, each blow cracking with a sharp snap, shattering Sun Fuji's ice-star techniques.

At a glance, the two seemed evenly matched.

But to Xu Jin, an expert observer—especially from above—it was immediately clear Ning Yuchan was at a disadvantage.

Though Sun Fuji's attacks were each shattered by Ning Yuchan, his ice-star techniques had already formed a circular ice field hundreds of meters wide around her.

Every time an ice-star technique shattered, its fragments scattered in all directions.

The surrounding temperature kept dropping.

The power of the ice-star techniques grew stronger with each passing moment.

With a little more time, Sun Fuji would unleash his final kill.

Ning Yuchan had noticed this, and kept trying to rise into the air to break the trap.

But each time, Sun Fuji crushed her attempts with ice-star techniques, forcing her back to the ground.

Xu Jin could also tell Sun Fuji wasn't using his full strength.

It wasn't that Ning Yuchan was weak.

In Xu Jin's view, Ning Yuchan's current cultivation base—Fifth Realm, Seventh Layer peak—could easily challenge a Sixth Realm, Seventh Layer opponent, and even kill a Sixth Realm, Ninth Layer peak expert.

She could even barely resist a Seventh Realm, Early Stage expert.

But Sun Fuji was also an unparalleled genius.

Sun Fuji, at Sixth Realm, Seventh Layer, possessed true combat power between Seventh Realm, Early and Mid Stage; if he unleashed his full strength, he might even stand against a Seventh Realm, Late Stage expert.

The gap in cultivation levels was undeniable.

The next instant, both Ning Yuchan and Sun Fuji saw Xu Jin's starlight approaching from afar.

The moment they saw Xu Jin, Sun Fuji's expression changed sharply.

In previous rounds, he had already learned of Xu Jin's (Qi Tian Sheng) strength.

He and Ning Yuchan were both graduates of the Chen Guo Dao Academy.

In an instant, Sun Fuji made his decision.

The next instant, he flung his hands wide—the hundred-meter-wide ice field he had laid down suddenly came alive, surging up from all sides and slamming into Ning Yuchan!

Final kill!

He would kill Ning Yuchan first, then deal with Xu Jin.

One-on-one, he had absolute confidence.

But against two? That was uncertain.

Seeing this, Xu Jin's heart leapt—he moved to join the fight—when Ning Yuchan roared, her star-hammer instantly swelling in size; as she spun upward, she went berserk, charging straight at Sun Fuji.

Simultaneously, Xu Jin's mind rang with Ning Yuchan's gritted-teeth telepathic command: "Just hold the line—I'll handle this man myself!"

Xu Jin halted instantly, watching intently.

Spinning Heavy Hammer!

Wherever it passed, all of Sun Fuji's ice-star attacks were pulverized; the spinning hammer roared toward Sun Fuji in a vortex.

Sun Fuji dared not meet it head-on; he leapt skyward—only to see Ning Yuchan gesture, retracting the hammer, as a massive milky-white bow materialized in her hands. Her petite frame pulled the bow into a full moon, and a pale golden star-arrow instantly formed.

Shiiiiii!

The piercing sound never ceased—continuous volleys!

As she fired, Ning Yuchan leapt upward, arrow after arrow streaking like meteors.

Each arrow struck Sun Fuji—but each was caught by him.

Xu Jin watched, observing closely.

Ning Yuchan's combat power was stronger than Xu Jin had imagined.

Especially her star-technique lethality.

Even a genius like Sun Fuji, under Ning Yuchan's relentless barrage, could only defend—unable to counterattack.

But such a furious assault could not last.

At this rate, Ning Yuchan had little chance of defeating Sun Fuji, let alone killing him.

Just from Ning Yuchan's earlier telepathic words, Xu Jin understood: she and Sun Fuji likely bore a grudge.

Three breaths later, after a barrage of shots, Ning Yuchan's aura surged to its peak.

At that same instant, under the boost of her aura, the giant bow in her hand swelled again, condensing into a massive pale-gold arrow.

Shiiiiii!

One arrow—three arrows!

And all three fired in rapid succession!

Worse still, each volley came faster than the last.

The third arrow was launched last—but arrived at the same time as the first!

Xu Jin understood: this was Ning Yuchan's ultimate burst.

All three arrows struck together—even Sun Fuji's face darkened with grave concentration.

He flung both palms rapidly, erecting four layers of ice shields before him in an instant.

BOOM!

Under the triple impact, the four ice shields shattered instantly; the three arrows reached Sun Fuji's front.

But at that very moment, starlight surged around Sun Fuji, forming a spiritual armor.

Xu Jin recognized it at once: a Seven-Star Spiritual Armor—the highest quality.

The residual force of the three arrows rippled across Sun Fuji's Seven-Star Spiritual Armor, hurling him backward.

But that was all.

Protected by the Seven-Star Spiritual Armor, he was unharmed.

The next instant, Sun Fuji waved his hand—thousands of shattered ice fragments instantly transformed into lethal weapons, surging from all directions toward Ning Yuchan.

Xu Jin saw clearly: Ning Yuchan was spent.

Her star energy was utterly depleted.

This wave would break her.

With a flash of his Thunder Wings, Xu Jin instantly appeared before Ning Yuchan, extending his Heavenly Gang Thunder Chains to form a dense lightning net, shielding both himself and her.

Ning Yuchan gasped heavily, her eyes filled with hatred.

Seeing Xu Jin join the fight, Sun Fuji was not afraid—but kept a careful distance.

"Ning Yuchan, seven years ago, you weren't my match. Now, you still aren't. And you never will be!" Sun Fuji pointed at her, sneering. "Seven years ago, I broke your leg. Today, you should be grateful you have friends—otherwise, you'd be dead right now!"

"If you have any sense, be smarter next time!"

"Or next time, I'll kill you!" Sun Fuji sneered as he swallowed a pill to restore his star energy.

The fight with Ning Yuchan had drained him significantly.

Sun Fuji was still extremely cautious!

"Big talk," Xu Jin, shielding Ning Yuchan, sneered.

"Qi Tian Sheng! Others fear you—I don't!" Sun Fuji faced Xu Jin without a trace of fear.

The reason was simple: earlier, he feared being surrounded by Xu Jin and Ning Yuchan together.

But now, Ning Yuchan's star energy was gone—even if she fought, she'd be useless.

Just Xu Jin, a Fifth Realm, Third Layer cultivator—even if strong—he was nothing to fear!

This was the confidence of a top genius of the Tianyang Star Temple!

This was confidence forged from his past victories.

"Fine, then let's test it!"

Before his words ended, thunder cracked—the sky rained lightning, striking Sun Fuji from above.

Simultaneously, an ice lotus bloomed, encasing Sun Fuji in layers of protection.

At the same instant, four water dragons roared toward Xu Jin.

Facing Xu Jin's assault, Sun Fuji stood firm.

In an instant, the two clashed fiercely.

After a hundred breaths, both Xu Jin and Sun Fuji were stunned.

Xu Jin was shocked: Sun Fuji's combat power was extraordinary. Even after Xu Jin unleashed his Fivefold Flashing technique and Soul Strike, Sun Fuji had blocked them all—including his thunder-star techniques. Over a dozen assaults had failed to break through Sun Fuji's defense.

"Failed to break through" meant: Xu Jin's thunder-star techniques had shattered Sun Fuji's ice defenses several times—but Sun Fuji's Seven-Star Spiritual Armor had ultimately absorbed the blows.

Honestly, such attack intensity would have killed most Seventh Realm, Early Stage cultivators.

Yet Sun Fuji remained unharmed.

And he hadn't even used any life-saving techniques.

He was simply unharmed.

Sun Fuji's shock, however, was over Xu Jin's strength.

A Fifth Realm, Third Layer cultivator from Chen Guo had forced him into near-constant defense.

Even Seventh Realm cultivators in the Star Temple hadn't pushed him this hard.

Ning Yuchan's performance was already strong—but this Fifth Realm, Third Layer was even fiercer.

He was outright monstrous—not only in attack, but in defense too.

The more he fought, the more powerless Sun Fuji felt.

From the current situation, he could only wear down Qi Tian Sheng by draining his star energy—he had no other idea.

But for Xu Jin, there was a way to defeat Sun Fuji quickly.

The Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm and the Earth Core Earth Rhythm—just a few strikes would obliterate him.

But Xu Jin didn't want to waste them.

These were his last-resort techniques; he wasn't willing to expend them on Sun Fuji.

More importantly, Xu Jin wasn't certain he could completely annihilate Sun Fuji.

Because Sun Fuji had a chance to substitute his death.

If he killed him once and Sun Fuji retreated, Xu Jin's bottom line would be exposed.

Yet, Xu Jin wasn't without options.

Conventional methods weren't incapable of killing Sun Fuji—they just required an opportunity.

After a hundred breaths of fierce combat, Xu Jin suddenly noticed Sun Fuji surging skyward—he spotted his chance.

In the next instant, Xu Jin dashed down and stomped the ground, activating Earth Core Magnetism.

Instantly, the skyward-rushing Sun Fuji was dragged downward by immense force, yet he struggled fiercely while bombarding Xu Jin with ice-star techniques.

Though the star techniques were fierce, Xu Jin's Fish Curtain Golden Bell offered exceptional defense—he simply absorbed them directly.

In the next moment, a golden star appeared in the sky.

Sixth-rank star technique: Falling Star!

The moment it appeared, it slammed toward Sun Fuji, then, amplified by Earth Core Magnetism, accelerated and grew larger!

Like a small mountain, it crashed toward Sun Fuji.

Sun Fuji was terrified!

But he couldn't break free.

As he poured all his strength into defense, he watched the Falling Star hurtle toward his head, accelerating down.

At the same instant, Xu Jin stomped again, and spears of earth erupted upward and downward, focusing fire on Sun Fuji.

Sun Fuji's face was pale with shock, yet he remained utterly composed.

Just as Xu Jin thought Sun Fuji would be skewered and crushed into pulp once more, a flash of starlight—Sun Fuji vanished!

Xu Jin was stunned.

In the next instant, he realized.

Seven Kill Dragon Stake.

Sun Fuji had used the Seven Kill Dragon Stake to escape.

He activated the Mingji Star Pattern, instantly covering a three-thousand-meter radius—but found no trace of Sun Fuji.

At that moment, ten thousand meters away, starlight surged upward.

Lei Yi flared.

Without hesitation, Xu Jin activated his utmost speed and chased after him.

Sun Fuji glanced at Xu Jin once, then turned and fled.

But Sun Fuji's speed was far slower than Xu Jin's.

Ten breaths later, Xu Jin activated Quintuple Flow Flash, pushing his speed to its peak and catching up to Sun Fuji.

The battle resumed.

Sun Fuji was unafraid, fighting Xu Jin with icy calm!

Ten breaths later, Xu Jin seized his chance—same tactic.

As he landed, he unleashed Earth Core Magnetism, Falling Star, and Angry Spears simultaneously, aiming to obliterate Sun Fuji again.

Though it was the same tactic, Sun Fuji had already endured it once—but still couldn't break free, helplessly watching the Falling Star crash toward his head.

Yet his battle experience was extremely refined.

Earlier, when fleeing and sensing he'd be caught, he had already laid down multiple Seven Kill Dragon Stakes.

Instantly, he prepared to activate the Seven Kill Dragon Stake and escape.

But Xu Jin had already let him escape once using the Seven Kill Dragon Stake—he wouldn't let him use the same trick a second time.

At the very moment the Falling Star struck his head, Xu Jin unleashed his Soul Attack: Dream Shock!

Dream Shock had minimal effect on Sun Fuji.

As a top genius of the Sun Yang Star Temple, Sun Fuji had not been artificially elevated to an Elemental Soul, but his soul cultivation had already reached the peak of the fourth-rank ninth layer—he had formed a prototype of an Elemental Soul and seemed to possess a powerful artifact guarding his soul.

Xu Jin's formidable soul attack could only disrupt him for an instant.

A very brief moment.

But at this life-or-death moment, that fleeting instant was crucial.

In the next moment, Sun Fuji was pierced through by both the Falling Star and the Angry Spears—but at the instant of impact, he dissolved into starlight!

Substitution death!

This fellow Sun Fuji had clearly mastered the Seven Kill Dragon Stake to the third level, granting him three substitution deaths.

But Xu Jin knew well: such a peerless genius would not easily leave.

And with three substitution deaths, he would surely return!

One breath later, starlight shimmered.

Sun Fuji's form reappeared, having used a substitution death.

At the same instant, Xu Jin's long-stored attack poured down upon Sun Fuji.

Xu Jin, having guarded corpses many times, was highly experienced in this.

In a sequence of attacks, Xu Jin added another soul attack for Sun Fuji!

Again, he gained an instant.

Again, the same tactic.

With the Four Star Techniques—Falling Star, Angry Spears, Earth Core Magnetism, and Dream Shock—Sun Fuji was pierced and obliterated once more.

But at the moment of death, his form dissolved into starlight again!

Second substitution death!

Xu Jin activated the Mingji Star Pattern, carefully sensing the surroundings, his star energy surging, while also wondering: after two consecutive substitution deaths, would Sun Fuji use a life-saving artifact?

He would.

Ninety-nine percent chance, he would.

Then, Xu Jin's tactics needed slight adjustment!

As a top genius of the Sun Yang Star Temple, Sun Fuji undoubtedly possessed many life-saving treasures.

In the next instant, starlight shimmered again.

Sun Fuji indeed returned!

Among the starlight, Sun Fuji's form rapidly reappeared—just as the glow flashed, Xu Jin saw him gripping a talisman in his hand.

This must be a life-saving talisman.

At the very moment he spotted the talisman, Xu Jin launched his soul-star technique: Dream Shock!

Sun Fuji froze, his newly drawn life-saving spatial talisman unactivated.

At the same instant, Earth Core Magnetism, Falling Star, Angry Spears, and Dream Shock struck in rapid succession.

Moreover, Xu Jin used Dream Shock not once, but three times in a row.

He feared Sun Fuji would escape using the life-saving talisman!

The terrifying radiance of the Falling Star once again engulfed Sun Fuji!

At the moment Sun Fuji was pierced by the Falling Star and Angry Spears, his gaze toward Xu Jin burned with murderous fury!

This bastard intended to kill him!

"Scum, wait—I won't let you live if I meet you in this world!" With a roar, Sun Fuji's form dissolved into starlight and vanished.

Third substitution death!

Xu Jin remained vigilant, his star energy surging; he even replenished his depleted star energy using starlight from the Can Dou Altar, then prepared all his star techniques and fully activated the Mingji Star Pattern.

Waiting for the Sun Yang Star Temple's peerless genius to make his fourth appearance.

If Sun Fuji appeared a fourth time, with no substitution death left, Xu Jin would surely annihilate him.

If this bastard appeared a fourth time, Xu Jin would spare nothing—even if he had to unleash the Nine Heavens Thunder Rhythm and Earth Core Earth Rhythm, he would obliterate him completely.

One breath, two breaths, five breaths, ten breaths!

All around, silence reigned.

Sun Fuji did not reappear.

Xu Jin slowly retracted his star energy, slightly disappointed.

(End of Chapter)