Chapter 101: Chapter 102: Execution by Array

"[Red Flame Technique]"

Song Changsheng quickly performed a Magic Technique, unleashing a sheet of orange-red fire that instantly raised the surrounding temperature.

"[Spiritual Gang Body Protection]"

Qu Jinsheng had already reached the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and his Spiritual Power was immense. The Spiritual Gang he summoned completely blocked the oncoming inferno. But before he could even catch his breath, Song Changsheng’s iron fists came whistling through the air again.

The punch was earth-shattering. Qu Jinsheng’s Spiritual Gang was instantly shattered, and the fist—now swollen to the size of a punching bag—roared toward his chest, propelled by immense Qi and Blood Power.

In a panic, Qu Jinsheng could only raise his Spiritual Sword horizontally to block his chest.

CLANG!

A Spiritual Light flared, and the Spiritual Sword let out a piteous whine. The recoil sent Qu Jinsheng flying back for dozens of yards before he finally managed to shed the immense force.

Qu Jinsheng’s expression darkened. "I never thought a little bastard like you would be a Dual Cultivator of Body and Dharma," he said coldly. "We really did underestimate you."

"You’re full of shit! I’m taking your head today!" Song Changsheng declared, standing tall against the wind and pointing a cold finger at Qu Jinsheng.

"Arrogant fool! I have cultivated for over a hundred years. How dare a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you act so insolent!" Qu Jinsheng’s eyes bulged with rage, his robes billowing without a wind as countless rays of Sword Light converged on his Spiritual Sword.

SWOOSH.

A sky full of shimmering Sword Light descended, enveloping Song Changsheng. The boundless sharpness made his skin prickle.

Song Changsheng swiped a hand over his Qiankun Bag. A Spiritual Light flared, and a small shield materialized and expanded before him, blocking the torrent of Sword Light completely.

It was the [Celestial Spirit Shield], a practice piece he had forged just after becoming a Tier Two Low-Grade Refiner. Its defensive power was quite impressive.

"[Swift Shadow Sword]"

Qu Jinsheng was furious. He lunged at Song Changsheng with his sword, and the two transformed into streaks of light, colliding repeatedly in mid-air.

Below, Song Xianhe and the others watched, utterly mesmerized. A battle between Foundation Establishment Cultivators was a rare sight. If they were lucky enough to gain some insight from it, they might even achieve a breakthrough.

They clashed for more than ten rounds. Relying solely on his Physical Power, Song Changsheng completely suppressed Qu Jinsheng, who was forced onto the defensive, unable to even fight back.

Just as the battle reached a fever pitch, a black streak of light shot into the fray. Song Changsheng focused his gaze and saw that Zhangg Chenlong had returned. Clad in Profound Armor and wielding a Long Spear, he cut an imposing figure.

His Battle Armor was clearly extraordinary. Song Changsheng struck him with a full-force punch, yet he acted as if nothing had happened.

Zhangg Chenlong’s already dark face grew even darker. With a flick of his spear, countless afterimages of its tip burst into existence.

HAH!

With a thunderous shout from Song Changsheng, Yin and Yang Qi surged forth, seeming to render the world in black and white. It formed a dense vortex that devoured all the spear afterimages.

"[Dragonlike]"

Immense Spiritual Power gathered at the spear’s tip, and the faint, lifelike phantom of a Flood Dragon coiled around it. As he thrust the spear, it let out a roar like a dragon’s, its power immense.

"[Spiritual Gang Body Protection]"

Song Changsheng summoned his Spiritual Gang, but it shattered like a mirror in a mere instant. A bloody hole exploded in his left chest, and blood began to pour out.

"[Giant Swordsmanship]"

Qu Jinsheng, who had been gathering his power on the sidelines, saw his chance. His eyes lit up as he brandished his Spiritual Sword, manifesting the phantom of a colossal blade that he brought crashing down on Song Changsheng’s head.

If that strike landed, Song Changsheng would be hacked to pieces.

"Infinite Yin and Yang, the Four Symbols manifest—Defense!"

The Grand Array within Song Changsheng’s body thrummed, and Yin Yang Qi spewed from his Spirit-Slaying Gourd, forming a two-toned black and white shield that completely enveloped him.

CLANG!

As the giant sword fell, the Yin and Yang Qi erupted, momentarily blotting out the sun and sky.

The watching Song Xianhe and the others paled in horror. ’Is he going to lose?’

Qu Jinsheng and Zhangg Chenlong stood side-by-side, Magical Artifacts in hand, but their expressions showed no sign of relief. Their eyes were fixed on the swirling mass of Yin Yang Qi.

As the chaotic Yin Yang Qi slowly dissipated, it revealed Song Changsheng sitting cross-legged upon a Lotus Platform. The Spirit-Slaying Gourd hovered above his head, the Celestial Spirit Shield circled at his side, and a gleaming golden Copper Bell rested in his palm. His aura was deep and steady, showing no sign of weakness.

"We absolutely cannot let this man live," Zhangg Chenlong said, his shock apparent. "He only just reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, and the two of us still can’t take him down. If we let him live, how can we possibly deal with him in the future?"

"If we join forces today, we can definitely take his head and crush him in the cradle. The Song Clan absolutely cannot be allowed to produce another Song Taiyi!" Qu Jinsheng said coldly.

"Talk is cheap. If you want this head of mine, first you have to prove you’re worthy!" Song Changsheng’s aura surged, and the faint cry of a dragon and phoenix echoed around him.

The fighting spirit in his heart had reached its apex!

"How arrogant!"

Qu Jinsheng and Zhangg Chenlong charged at Song Changsheng in unison.

"Luwu, help me trap them!"

The Copper Bell spun in Song Changsheng’s palm before flying into the air and rapidly expanding. The Luwu engraved on the bell let out a heaven-shaking roar. Zhangg Chenlong’s mind faltered for an instant, and he could only watch helplessly as the bell descended upon him.

"A Spiritual Artifact?" Qu Jinsheng was dumbfounded. ’No one knew he had such a powerful Spiritual Artifact!’

In that instant, Qu Jinsheng silently cursed every single person in his sect’s intelligence division, along with every female ancestor in their direct lineage for the past eighteen generations.

"Array, activate! Kill!"

A continuous stream of Spiritual Power flowed from the Lotus Platform into Song Changsheng’s Dantian. The acupoints and Array Patterns within his body began to glow as the [Yin Yang Two Elements Formation] was activated at full power.

The black and white qi transformed into a massive pair of shears that flew toward Qu Jinsheng, intent on cutting him down.

Qu Jinsheng’s face fell. He felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness, his legs as heavy as lead and refusing to move. At the last second, however, his survival instincts kicked in, and he managed to twist his body.

"Ah...!"

Blood sprayed everywhere as a severed limb flew into the air. Qu Jinsheng let out an agonized howl, his face ashen.

His fighting spirit was completely shattered. Clutching his wound, he transformed into a streak of light and fled, abandoning Zhangg Chenlong without a second thought. He was so fast that even Song Changsheng was left in his dust.

’Spineless coward.’ Song Changsheng snorted, having no intention of giving chase.

He turned his attention to Zhangg Chenlong, who was trapped inside the [Luwu Bell]. He had only managed to capture the man through the element of surprise; now, the problem was what to do with him.

’His Battle Armor’s defense is astonishing. It’ll be difficult to hurt him with conventional methods, so I’ll have to attack his Divine Soul. Unfortunately, the Spirit-Slaying Gourd has a long cooldown; otherwise, taking his life would be child’s play.’

"Divine Soul... Perhaps I could try a sonic attack," Song Changsheng murmured, rubbing his chin.

"Luwu, lend me your strength." Song Changsheng placed his palm on the Copper Bell. A ripple spread across its surface, and the engraved Luwu seemed to come alive, its form poised as if letting out a great roar to the heavens.

Inside the bell, Zhangg Chenlong felt a slight tremor. Then his head began to shake, his eardrums vibrated, and his Divine Soul started to tear apart...

A quarter of an hour later, Song Changsheng recalled the [Luwu Bell]. Zhangg Chenlong’s body plummeted to the ground like a sack of mud, bursting in a spray of blood...