Chapter 284 - 203: The Snipe and the Clam Grapple

Chapter 284: Chapter 203: The Snipe and the Clam Grapple

"Why are those two Third Transformation masters chasing a staff...? Oh? Wait, there’s a person there?"

Yuan Zhenying watched the scene, confused at first. However, she recognized the object as a Profound Weapon, and with her level of cultivation, a focused gaze allowed her to finally make out what looked like a human figure.

Huie Jue fingered his Buddhist Beads, his eyes opening a fraction.

"Amitabha. This person’s stealth techniques are truly remarkable. Even I cannot see him clearly."

Yuan Zhenying shot Huie Jue a sidelong glance.

"You know, Monk, I’m getting the feeling you’re a bit cocky. But your strength is undeniably impressive."

Having fought alongside him the whole way here, Yuan Zhenying had naturally discovered this monk’s strength was absurdly high. He was nothing like a typical Second Transformation Realm expert. She was wary, yet also a little excited. If the situation weren’t so inappropriate, she would have challenged him to a spar on the spot.

"Amitabha, Patron Yuan. Speaking ill of a monk like that will earn you a trip to the Tongue Pulling Hell."

Huie Jue rapidly twirled his Buddhist Beads, which were still stained with blood. Having just vanquished evil, his eyes seemed to shine, revealing a glimmer of his true, benevolent Buddhist nature.

Yuan Zhenying scoffed, then reached out and smacked Huie Jue on his bald head.

"You sharp-tongued little monk. Once we get out of here, we’ll settle this for real."

Huie Jue hissed, clutching his head and muttering,

"Patron Yuan, words, not fists."

He then looked back at the scene, his eyes brightening.

"That person... is he only in the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm?"

Yuan Zhenying had realized it as well, and she nodded in astonishment.

"That’s right. The Blood Qi he emits as he moves reveals his true strength, and that can’t be faked. But... how has someone in the First Transformation Realm dodged Lu Tianyong and Roto for this long?"

The nearby experts from the Central Plains and the Western Regions all broke into murmurs. They watched the blurry figure dodge and weave, evading the two Third Transformation experts by circling around the stone tables and pillars in the center. Incredibly, he still hadn’t been caught!

’Two Third Transformation Realm experts can’t catch someone from the First Transformation Realm?’

The onlookers exchanged strange glances. It was impossible to claim that Lu Tianyong and Roto were simply incompetent.

Everyone could see how fast the two were moving. They knew that if any of them were in the man’s place, they would have been captured long ago.

And yet, this mysterious figure from the First Transformation Realm, whose movements were a blur, had managed to hold out for so long, even as his space to maneuver was shrinking?

"Senior Brother Qin, do you know who that is?"

Yuan Zhenying rapidly fired the question at Qin Zhenyang, who had just regrouped with them.

Qin Zhenyang shook his head.

"I don’t recognize him. He could be a master from the Western Regions, for all we know."

The crowd from the Central Plains nodded silently. ’It’s no surprise. They have a tradition of infighting over there, anyway.’ However, when the experts from the Western Regions overheard this, they just looked at each other in confusion. None of them recognized the man, either.

At that moment, Lu Tianyong let out a fierce roar and slashed out with his long saber. As if telepathically linked, Roto simultaneously unleashed a heavy punch from the side. A jet of black, fiery energy shot from his fist, aimed straight at the hovering Profound Weapon!

After chasing him in circles for so long, they had finally spotted an opportunity. Xie Yuan was trapped between two stone pillars with no room to dodge. He had no choice but to take their combined attack head-on!

’It’s finally over.’

Both of their expressions were grim. They had been led on a wild goose chase for far too long by someone from the mere First Transformation Realm.

The onlookers all felt a tinge of regret, and that included the experts from the Western Regions.

’To hold off two Third Transformation Realm experts for so long with only the cultivation of the First Transformation Realm... this mysterious man’s strength and talent are simply beyond imagination.’

’It’s a pity, but in a direct confrontation of raw power, he ultimately can’t escape... death?’

Just as this thought crossed the onlookers’ minds, they all froze, as if they had just witnessed something utterly impossible.

The Profound Weapon hovering in the air suddenly transformed, becoming a large, decorated broadaxe that pulsed with a ferocious aura.

Then, for the first time, the shadowy figure’s full form was revealed. He gripped the axe with both hands, let out a thunderous roar, and swung. A terrifyingly black arc of energy from the axe blade shot forward, fearlessly colliding with Lu Tianyong’s long saber and the phantom of Roto’s fist!

A sound that set everyone’s teeth on edge screeched through the air as a brilliant light erupted in the center of the hall, forcing many to shut their eyes.

When they opened their eyes again, the mysterious man was already flying backward like a kite with a broken string, the arc of blood he sprayed through the air tracing the path of the snapped line.

’So he’s dead after all... right?’

Just as they were thinking this, they froze again.

They could only watch as the mysterious man did a backflip in mid-air and landed steadily on his feet. He spat out a mouthful of bloody spittle, then turned tail and bolted. His movements hardly seemed to have slowed at all.

Lu Tianyong and Roto stood frozen in place, stunned. The former, Lu Tianyong, even gave his arm a slight shake, as if the hand gripping his saber had gone numb.

The keen-eyed onlookers who noticed this gesture felt their jaws drop.

’This mysterious man single-handedly withstood a joint attack from two Third Transformation Realm masters, landed on his feet, and was still able to just... bolt. What’s more, his counterattack was so powerful it even made one of them’s arm go numb from the force!’

’Is that really a fucking First Transformation?’

’Is this First Transformation guy a monster, or are Lu Tianyong and Roto just complete trash?’

Looking at Lu Tianyong’s great saber and Roto’s Iron Fist, wreathed in black flames, everyone knew the answer.

Yuan Zhenying was utterly shocked, her red lips parted as she murmured,

"So fierce! He’s an absolute beast of a warrior!"

Qin Zhenyang, too, had a rare expression of shock on his face. His eyes were wide as he said in a heavy tone,

"To accomplish something like this while only in the First Transformation Realm... this man’s strength and talent are unimaginable."

Even Huie Jue, the pale-faced monk who was always so humble and calm—albeit with a sly, mischievous streak—was staring with his mouth wide open in utter disbelief.

"Amitabha, Amitabha! That axe strike, that axe strike... I can’t believe such an axe technique exists!"

It was the first time Huie Jue had lost his composure since they had arrived, but everyone else could relate.

Every expert who had made it this far, whether from the Central Plains or the Western Regions, regardless of their power level—even those at the First Transformation Realm—was a cut above the rest. They were the champions of their respective Sects and factions. Back in their own territories, each and every one of them was a celebrated genius, accustomed to being the center of attention.