Chapter 216: Chapter 211: Broken Star VS Thunder Dragon Spear

"The Thunder Dragon Spear?!" Di Cang was startled by the name. "Could that be the Spiritual Treasure Soldier forged years ago by the Celestial Eagle Empire at great expense, using Thunder Spirit Crystals and Jade Transformation Crystals?"

He Long said arrogantly, "You know quite a bit. You’re the first Low-tier Martial Artist who’s forced me to draw my weapon. You should feel honored. I’ll show you just how terrifying the power of a Spiritual Treasure Soldier can be. Now, draw your weapon—though a bottom-of-the-barrel empire like Xuanling probably doesn’t have anything worth seeing."

He Long’s words cut deep, enraging all the students. But Di Cang knew that He Long was speaking the truth. The Xuanling Empire truly didn’t possess a single weapon it could be proud of. Even the legendary "Three Great Divine Weapons" were only at the Peak of the Profound Tier. Such was the gap between a Low-class Empire ranked below one thousand and a Middle or Upper-class Empire.

’A weapon?’ Mu Chen’s thoughts suddenly turned to the Shattered Star Lock Chain, which had just recently reached its Second Transition. ’A Nine-Turn Immortal Soldier... even at the Second Transition, it should be much stronger than a Spiritual Treasure Soldier, right? Honestly, in all the time I’ve had the Shattered Star Lock Chain, I’ve only ever used it as a support weapon—for defense, for restraint, or to help me escape. But this is a Nine-Turn Immortal Soldier! A weapon that’s supposed to surpass Spiritual Treasure Soldiers! In my hands, it’s as if its true potential has been completely buried.’

At this thought, Mu Chen willed it. A flash of starlight erupted from his wrist, and a silver chain shot out from his sleeve with a ZING, hovering obediently around him. His habit of using the Shattered Star Lock Chain for defense meant that it immediately coiled around his body, shielding him from all sides. But its abilities went far beyond mere support. Its greatest strengths were its terrifying speed and explosive power!

Gently stroking the chain, Mu Chen suddenly recalled the tiny, red-and-blue droplet. His heart ached, and he thought remorsefully, ’Little Spirit, you chose to follow me without a moment’s hesitation, yet I nearly buried your true potential. I’m sorry...’

Upon hearing his long-awaited call, the Shattered Star Lock Chain began to tremble, emitting a clear, chiming sound. The rotation of its Spiral Blades slowed, and the entire weapon seemed to soften.

Mu Chen froze. He could feel a sense of comfort emanating from the Shattered Star Lock Chain’s will. It wasn’t blame, resentment, or anger, but a gentle reassurance. ’You don’t blame me?’ he thought.

’Of course not... You’re the only person who has ever made Little Spirit feel warm.’

An unfamiliar voice echoed in his mind. To his astonishment, it was the voice of a young girl.

’You’re Little Spirit?’ Mu Chen asked in his mind, shocked and disbelieving.

The unfamiliar voice giggled. ’Of course it’s me. I’ve been able to communicate with you mentally ever since I broke through to the Second Transition. You’ve just been so busy lately, Master, so I didn’t want to disturb you.’

’So that’s why,’ Mu Chen thought. ’Then—!’

But before Mu Chen could finish his thought, He Long, standing in mid-air with his spear in one hand, grew impatient. "What are you muttering about over there?" he barked. "Don’t forget, this is a duel. Don’t accuse me of a sneak attack when I decide to strike."

Mu Chen looked up, his hand tightening around the chain. A faint smile touched his lips as he conveyed his thoughts. ’Little Spirit, today we fight side-by-side. I’m certain we will win.’

’Yes!’

After the Shattered Star Lock Chain responded, the entire left side of the chain erupted in a dazzling red light. As the light flared, the temperature on the left side of the arena instantly skyrocketed, causing the very air to warp. Immediately after, an equally brilliant blue light burst from the right side of the chain. With its appearance, the temperature on the right side of the arena plummeted. In an instant, two extremes—scorching heat and bitter cold—filled the vast dueling platform.

He Long stared down at the Shattered Star Lock Chain in astonishment, muttering, "That’s a Spiritual Treasure Soldier... That brat has a Spiritual Treasure Soldier too!"

At this thought, He Long suddenly felt that his trip to the Xuanling Empire had been the right decision. If he allowed this person to continue developing, the Xuanling Empire’s rank would surely rise to a frightening level in the imperial tournament two years from now. By then, not even the Celestial Eagle Empire would be able to stand against them!

’I must crush him!’ This was He Long’s conclusion.

As if coming to a realization, Mu Chen’s expression gradually relaxed. He simply held the Shattered Star Lock Chain and stared directly at He Long, whose own expression was shifting rapidly. "He Long," Mu Chen stated calmly, "I will win this battle. And it will be a decisive victory. Not just for Bing’Er, but for the Xuanling Empire. You are destined to lose!"

"Purple Sky Demon Pupils! Open!"

As he spoke, Mu Chen snapped open his eyes, which had been tightly shut. A sound like a sharp sword being drawn, a sharp SHING, echoed as a terrifying Barbaric Aura instantly flooded the entire arena. Behind him, a massive black phantom materialized from thin air. The phantom had no discernible features, save for a pair of enormous, demonic eyes that immediately drew everyone’s attention. They were a pair of purple Snake Pupils, unsettling and sinister. Six blue Ice Crystal Petals spun rapidly around these vertical purple pupils. They were eyes that struck fear into the hearts of all who looked upon them.

The skin around Mu Chen’s eyes was now covered in strange, black talismanic markings. His purple pupils were identical to those of the phantom behind him—cold and merciless. With the activation of his Purple Sky Demon Pupils, Mu Chen’s entire demeanor transformed, exuding an aura of frigid indifference.

"What... is that?"

Countless students stared in fear at Mu Chen, who was continuously unleashing the Barbaric Aura. He seemed like a complete stranger to them. Was that really the Brother Mu Chen they so revered?

Qing Lei’s expression grew solemn. With a WHOOSH, Lingyun descended from the sky and landed beside him and the others. She looked at their grave faces and said in a low voice, "So this is Mu Chen’s true combat form."

Ye Shuangshuang, Mo Qing, and Little Tiger all nodded in unison. Only Qing Lei’s eyes shone with fervent admiration as he whispered, "That’s right. Mu Chen is finally getting serious."

Even the students from the Holy Hall were completely stunned, for this was the first time they had ever seen Mu Chen in this state. It was, in a way, intentional. In the past, whenever Mu Chen activated his Purple Sky Demon Pupils, he had always deliberately sealed or suppressed his Barbaric Aura. If he hadn’t, the phantom of a Wilderness Giant Beast would have appeared, drawing unwanted attention with its terrifying aura. But things were different now. For his Empire, and for Bing’Er, he had to reveal his full strength. He had to make this so-called Crown Prince of a Middle to Upper-class Empire understand that status isn’t everything!

Yan Ruoshui’s mouth fell open. "So he wasn’t blind... he just has terrifying eyes!"

As for Tang Hao, he was too stunned to speak. The arrogance he once wore had vanished, replaced by utter bewilderment. He couldn’t understand how a piece of trash could have grown into such a terrifying monster in just three years. How was it possible? He just couldn’t wrap his head around it.

A cold voice escaped Mu Chen’s lips. "Well? I’m ready. Come at me."

His cold, vertical purple pupils were locked onto He Long. Stared at by Mu Chen, He Long felt as if he were being targeted by a terrifying beast from the Primordial Chaos; the hairs on his neck stood on end. But his powerful willpower allowed him to overcome his fear. He frowned and shouted, "Mu Chen, don’t think you can change the outcome just because you have a pair of demonic eyes! Like I said before, I’ll make you understand the insurmountable chasm between a Martial King and a Martial Spirit!"

With that, He Long swung his Thunder Dragon Spear. A flap of his wings sent him hurtling toward Mu Chen like a bolt of blue lightning. His speed was incredible; he crossed the distance in the blink of an eye. All the students gasped at his velocity, but Mu Chen remained expressionless, not a hint of surprise on his face.

The Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique activated, once again enveloping Mu Chen’s body in a pure blue cyclone. Four petals formed from Ice Crystals materialized behind him, spinning slowly. Seeing that Mu Chen made no move to dodge, He Long thrust his Thunder Dragon Spear directly at his chest.

Lightning crackled along the tip of the Thunder Dragon Spear. Everyone knew that a direct hit from that spear, even if not fatal, would cause a grievous wound. Yet Mu Chen had no intention of dodging. His Purple Sky Demon Pupils were already active, the six spinning blue Ice Crystal Marks tracking He Long’s every move. Just as the spear was an inch from his chest, Mu Chen finally moved. He took a single step to the right.

PUFF!

A sound of empty air. Before everyone’s eyes, the Thunder Dragon Spear had missed. All it took was that single step from Mu Chen.

"Your movements... are too slow."

A smirk played on Mu Chen’s lips as he whispered to He Long as they passed each other. Then, a dazzling burst of Thunder Light erupted from Mu Chen’s left fist. He Long had no time to be shocked by Mu Chen’s words; he could only feel an immense surge of Primordial Power gathering before his chest. Without a moment’s hesitation, he swung the Thunder Dragon Spear horizontally to block. It was a testament to He Long’s seasoned combat experience that he got the spear in place just as Mu Chen’s fist slammed toward his chest.

CLANG!!

With a loud clash of metal, He Long was sent flying backward like an arrow loosed from a bow. However, Mu Chen wasn’t pleased. The full force of his punch had been blocked by the Thunder Dragon Spear. He Long was completely unharmed—unless, of course, the painful jarring of his hands could be considered an injury.

Watching He Long fly backward, Mu Chen had no intention of letting up. He activated the Taotie Secret Technique, and all the Origin Power in his body converged in his legs. A flash of red light laced with thunder sparked at his feet. With a sound of shattering air, a vacuum formed where he stood—the effect of reaching ultimate speed. In the next instant, he vanished, not even leaving an afterimage behind.