In terms of raw power, the gap is indeed too vast. Even before Vitinya had reached adulthood, Chen Zaikun's renowned reputation as the Hero of Heaven and Earth had already spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

"Honestly, I don't quite understand your motives for taking action, Vini."

Chen Zaikun moved his shoulders slightly, and immediately the joints emitted a series of crackling, explosive sounds.

"When you were seventeen, you became a disciple under the teacher, but you didn't learn much from him. Instead, you followed me more diligently. So, I believe I know you somewhat."

"And as far as I know, your true nature is actually that of a timid and indecisive person. I find it hard to believe you would betray the teacher. You are fundamentally different from Tang Jin, so I just don't understand."

As he spoke, he extended a hand toward Vitinya, making the same "surrender" gesture that Vitinya had made to Yun You not long ago.

"Withdraw now, Vini, you still have a way out. I'll explain it to the teacher, and he will forgive you."

"Then, we can continue to be brothers, bound by blood, and still gather around the old man, helping him realize our shared ideals."

Chen Zaikun's tone was as gentle as ever, not carrying a hint of murderous intent.

This prompted Yun You to recall Old Jin's previous evaluation of this second senior brother.

Merciful, merciful to the point of being somewhat "weak." Even when facing those who need to be killed, he would exercise restraint and refrain from unnecessary slaughter whenever possible.

Perhaps it is precisely for this reason that he received the only neutral term "Heaven and Earth" among the Heroes of Calamity.

Under such broad-minded words, Vitinya ought to abandon the fight, at least, Yun You thought so.

After all, the guy originally had no legitimate reason, and now he has no hope of winning, persisting in resistance serves no purpose.

"..."

Yet, surprisingly, Vitinya did not yield.

His originally calm face was slowly contorting, one moment regret flickering in his eyes, the next firm resolve and hatred surfacing.

Countless emotions erupted simultaneously in an instant, intertwining to form an inexplicable complexity.

"No."

Finally, he raised his head, his eyes seemingly filled with blood and fire.

"Both you... and the senior brother, and the old man... are just... a bunch of hypocrites!"

"I will never bow to you, never yield to you!"

With the final words spoken, Vitinya stepped heavily forward, emanating a brilliant blue glow from his body.

He activated his Talent Ability, as Sur Particles began to shine softly.

The next moment, his momentum surged dramatically, the blue light around him slowly condensed into form, transforming into a colossal humanoid figure tens of meters high, completely enveloping him!

The figure wielding the "Sword Shield," common among the Close Guard Sequence, swung a sword at Chen Zaikun!

"Boom—!"

Instantly, the entire arena trembled, and those conjured buildings shattered upon contact with the sword's wind pressure. Even the sturdy reinforced concrete couldn't withstand the heavy pressure for even half a second, crushed and deformed, turning into crimson molten iron.

"What formidable Ultimate Skill..."

Watching the gigantic blade identical to the phantom, Yun You felt a chill in her heart.

Even with the arena's barrier isolating them, she could still sense the terrifying aura of this sword—it was comparable to a large-scale nuclear device's strike, except the destructive range was compressed.

No wonder Vitinya claimed that even though he's in the Close Guard Sequence, he excels more in attack than defense.

Just with this one sword, there aren't many Tier Four Apprentice Death Gods who could withstand it across the world.

Yun You might rely on the indestructible feature of the Red Scale Weapon to block part of the destructive force, but the immense power would still crush her bones.

Much like the Karma Remnant Buddha, this thing lacks any technique—it's purely massive force. And precisely because of this trait, it possesses unparalleled destructive power.

"Can the second senior brother withstand this sword?"

Thinking of this, Yun You couldn't help but sweat for Chen Zaikun.

Though this second senior brother is powerful, facing the full-force strike of a Tier Four peak master surely would give him some trouble, right?

If it were her, she would definitely avoid directly confronting this sword, opting instead to dodge strategically, avoiding the point of greatest pressure on the blade edge.

However, to Yun You's and most of the audience's surprise, up on the arena, facing the blade edge, Chen Zaikun showed no sign of retreat.

He glanced at the blade edge and then sighed lightly.

"You are still as stubborn as ever."

"In that case, I won't be too polite with you. I'll first subdue you, then take you back for the teacher to educate you properly."

While speaking, Chen Zaikun slowly stretched out a hand, making a "grasping" motion toward the gigantic phantom sword.

It didn't even grasp the actual sword itself.

"Crack—!"

Yet with just this simple grasp, the mighty sword blade inexplicably... was forcibly stopped in mid-air.

"Crack..."

The sword blade incessantly trembled, seemingly trying to escape Chen Zaikun's hold.

However, no matter how hard it tried, regardless of how much Vitinya pressed down the sword hilt, the massive blade could move no further.

It just inexplicably halted above Chen Zaikun's head, held firmly by him from afar.