COUGH COUGH COUGH!!

An impact of such immense power would have likely smashed even tank armor to pieces. Yet, while Hong Miao was sent tumbling away, covered in dust and with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, he hadn’t completely lost his ability to fight.

The Jade and Glaze Liquid he controlled was incredibly resilient. Even though Zhou Yuanjue’s attack had surpassed its limits, most of the force was still neutralized. The actual damage he sustained wasn’t nearly as terrifying as it looked.

’This is Celestial Level power, and not from an ordinary Celestial Level expert. It’s already reached an utterly terrifying stage...’

’But a burst of this magnitude must be an ultimate Secret Technique. He can probably only use it once in a short period, right? Does this mean I’ve weathered the storm?’

Hong Miao got to his feet, feeling as if the aftershock from the attack was about to shatter his bones.

But he was fine. He had endured it without losing his fighting capabilities, which meant he still had a chance.

Oh?

Seeing that Hong Miao could still stand, Zhou Yuanjue was slightly surprised himself.

’The Xuan Clan’s turtle shell really is a tough nut to crack.’

’Still, it just means I’ll have to hit him a few more times.’

Sparks of starlight flared around Zhou Yuanjue as his injuries rapidly healed. Once more, he channeled his power.

BOOM!!

His body once again vanished from the spot with incredible speed. The soaring Starlight Phoenix, instead of dimming in the slightest, burned even more fiercely.

The terrifying pressure it brought to bear on Hong Miao was in no way inferior to the first strike.

’What the hell?! He can attack at that level again?! Will his body really not fall apart?!’

A series of thoughts flashed through Hong Miao’s mind like lightning, but by then, Zhou Yuanjue had already reappeared by his side.

The massive shadow of a palm magnified rapidly in his vision.

SCREEE!!

The Starlight Phoenix let out a piercing cry.

Soaring!!

BOOM!!

The air detonated once more. Hong Miao felt like a lone skiff on a vast, storm-tossed sea, utterly minuscule before the mountain-like power of the waves.

His body was sent tumbling away again under the deluge of immense power. This time, his injuries were even more severe, and he couldn’t stop the blood flowing from his mouth and nose.

However, before he could even get back up, a shadow fell over him once more, seeming to blot out all light.

The exact same posture, the same immense power, an unstoppable attack...

Once...

Twice...

Three times...

Endless Soaring!!

After several more hits, Hong Miao was finally forced to accept reality.

This terrifying, seemingly suicidal, overloaded attack wasn’t some ultimate finishing move. It was just his opponent’s regular attack in this state—and god only knew how long this state would last.

Meanwhile, the Spirit Guardian camp was deathly silent, all of them stunned by the scene before them.

Before this, they would have found it hard to believe that an ordinary person, one who hadn’t inherited any Bloodline Power and had broken through his limits relying solely on his own strength, could brutally manhandle the strongest of the Spirit Guardians’ younger generation like a rag doll.

This not only overturned their entire understanding of the world but also shattered the pride they had held for so many years.

The times... they truly have changed!

An ordinary person, at the same age, could possess the strength and ability to utterly crush the heir of a top-tier Spirit Guardian Bloodline!

Yu Guanhai and Yu Ze’s jaws dropped. They had witnessed this very move from Zhou Yuanjue back in the Kunlun Mountain Range. Back then, the technique wasn’t nearly this powerful, and a single use had all but exhausted the kid’s stamina. But now...

The Great Clan Elder, completely shrouded in his silver robes, gave no hint of his expression. He turned his head to look toward Daoist Bailong.

The old man had his feet propped up, a classic "spectator enjoying the show" expression on his face. From time to time, he would pick up a slice of watermelon from the table and take a delighted bite, the very picture of a casual onlooker.

Beneath his robes, his gaze grew deeper.

’The new versus the old Thunder Skill. A clash between Skill and Dao.’

’The Seven Spirits versus the Three Souls. The defiance and dominance of a Martial Artist.’

’And finally, Zhou Yuanjue’s complete and merciless domination of the most outstanding Spirit Guardian of his generation.’

’Is this the new era you wanted me to see?’

On the other side of the stage, Hong Miao had taken four powerful blows in a row. His body was limp, and he was so severely injured that he didn’t even have the strength to get up.

His opponent, in contrast, still looked full of vigor. He could probably launch another ten attacks without any issue.

’Everyone calls me a monster, but this guy... he’s the real monster...’

A helpless smile appeared on Hong Miao’s swollen face. In the brief pause before Zhou Yuanjue’s next attack, he raised his hand.

"I lose."

As soon as the words were spoken, Zhou Yuanjue, who had been about to strike again, halted his attack. He retracted his power, redirecting most of it toward repairing his own body.

The terrifying injuries all over his body began to heal at a rapid pace. Standing right next to him, Hong Miao had the clearest sense of it; he could distinctly hear a series of CRACKLING POPS from within Zhou Yuanjue’s body—the sound of shattered and displaced bones rapidly setting themselves back into place.

Moreover, the wounds on Zhou Yuanjue’s skin were visibly mending. After about ten seconds, not a single trace of injury could be seen on his body.

SHAKE!

Then, he saw Zhou Yuanjue’s skin give a slight twitch, shaking off all the dried, scabbed-over blood from his body. It revealed fair and smooth skin beneath. On that tall, sturdy frame, not a single scar was visible. If not for his tattered clothes, one might have thought he had just taken a casual stroll onto the stage.

’And look at me,’ he thought, ’a complete wreck, can’t even stand...’

At that moment, Hong Miao was truly and utterly convinced of his defeat. If there was a next time, he would never again fight a terrifying, unkillable monster like this.

It was just asking for trouble, a completely pointless endeavor...

Just then, to Hong Miao’s surprise, Zhou Yuanjue bent down slightly and extended a hand toward him. The residual starlight scattered across his body, giving him a unique sort of charm.

Slightly dazed, Hong Miao slowly reached out and placed his hand in Zhou Yuanjue’s.

In the eyes of the crowd, this scene took on a different, symbolic meaning.

Zhou Yuanjue applied a bit of force and pulled Hong Miao to his feet.

Hong Miao took a moment to recover, finally catching his breath. Though he was heavily injured, he had regained his ability to move.

Seeing this, Zhou Yuanjue smiled and said, "You’re strong. Not many people can take that many hits from me and still be standing. When it comes to Defense Power, you’re the best I’ve ever seen at our level."

Hearing Zhou Yuanjue’s words, Hong Miao’s face twitched violently.

’Does this guy even know how to talk? Is he complimenting me or mocking me?’