Chapter 962 - 402: Open with One Fist to Avoid a Hundred Later

Its voice was like a cow’s, incomparably loud.

As the voice fell, within everyone’s line of sight, a black shadow grew larger and larger.

From afar, it turned out to be something like a carriage.

Only, what was pulling the carriage at the front was a gigantic Demon Beast with wings on its back, shaped like a horse yet bearing a pair of long horns.

This Demon Beast pulled the Flying Vehicle through the air, only stopping when it reached a distance of about thirty zhang to the side.

As soon as this Demon came close, all the other Cultivators besides Chu Ning and Tang Xuan immediately wore solemn expressions.

Because this Flying Horse Demon Beast was actually a Tier Seven Demon Beast, on par with a Golden Core Late Stage.

Tang Xuan now stood at the very front of the Flying Boat, gazing at this Flying Vehicle, and spoke slowly:

"Is the person coming Fellow Daoist Shentu?"

As soon as Tang Xuan’s words fell, a figure flashed from atop that Flying Vehicle and appeared on the back of the Flying Horse.

It was a tall elder with black whiskers and a somewhat dark complexion.

And his cultivation aura was clearly at the Middle Stage of Nascent Soul.

This person’s eyes were like bronze bells; his gaze swept toward Tang Xuan, and he laughed heartily.

"Fellow Daoist Tang, it’s been some time; I didn’t expect you to still be so full of vigor.

Could it be you’ve found some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that extend Life Span?"

There was an obvious hint of mockery in his words, but Tang Xuan did not mind in the slightest.

He only smiled faintly and said, "What vigor? One of my feet is already stepping into the coffin. On the contrary, Fellow Daoist Shentu’s cultivation seems to have advanced quite a bit."

"A minor improvement, haha." As Shentu Ping spoke, his gaze immediately fell on Chu Ning.

"This must be your Sect’s genius Cultivator, the newly advanced Nascent Soul Stage Chu Ning, Fellow Daoist Chu, yes?"

Chu Ning did not know the other party’s intentions, so at this moment he simply clasped his hands slightly.

"I’ve met Fellow Daoist Shentu."

"I’ve heard that Fellow Daoist Chu, while still at Golden Core Late Stage, could already exchange blows with Fellow Daoist Du of the Daluo Sect."

Shentu Ping now looked at Chu Ning with eyes that showed great interest.

"Now that you’ve Promoted to Nascent Soul, I imagine you far surpass Cultivators of the Same Tier.

I’ve always enjoyed sparring with others. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Chu would be willing to give some pointers."

As soon as Shentu Ping said this, before Chu Ning could open his mouth, Tang Xuan’s face immediately changed slightly as he spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Shentu, you must be joking. You’re a Middle Stage of Nascent Soul Cultivator who’s been famous for many years.

Junior Brother Chu has only just condensed his Nascent Soul; how can he exchange blows with you?"

"Fellow Daoist Tang, why the rush?" Shentu Ping now looked at Chu Ning with a smiling face.

"Fellow Daoist Chu hasn’t said anything yet. Perhaps Fellow Daoist Chu has some thoughts of his own."

Chu Ning at this moment calmly looked at Shentu Ping.

"Since Fellow Daoist Shentu is interested, Mr. Chu will naturally keep you company.

However, although my cultivation is not equal to Fellow Daoist’s, I’m confident I can still trade a few moves in your hands, and I’m afraid it won’t be easy to decide a winner in a short time.

The Alliance is urgently gathering us; if so, wouldn’t we be delaying serious matters?"

"That’s simple!" Hearing that Chu Ning actually agreed to a bout so directly, a sharp light flashed in Shentu Ping’s eyes.

"You and I can each use our ultimate moves; we can immediately determine who’s superior."

Chu Ning, however, slightly shook his head at this time. "Too troublesome!

I have long heard that Fellow Daoist Shentu of the Spirit Beast Palace is not only skilled in Beast Taming, but your physical body is also incomparably strong, and you are proficient in close-combat Techniques.

I happen to have mastered a Body Refining Secret Technique as well. I wonder if Fellow Daoist would be willing to compare Body Refining Divine Techniques with Mr. Chu?"

"You want to compare Body Refining Divine Techniques with me?"

When Shentu Ping heard this, a trace of astonishment flashed across his face, and he looked at Chu Ning as if he were a fool.

One should know that the Body Refining Method of his Spirit Beast Valley was extremely famous throughout the Cloud Peak Alliance.

Shentu Ping might not necessarily be able to firmly suppress other Middle Stage of Nascent Soul Cultivators in terms of Magical Power and Divine Techniques, but when it came to physical strength, among the several Middle Stage of Nascent Soul Cultivators, if he claimed to be first, absolutely no one would dare claim to be second.

Once he got in close, even other Middle Stage of Nascent Soul Cultivators would not dare to take him head-on.

"Good!" Shentu Ping gave Chu Ning a deep look and couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

"Truly, heroes emerge from the youth!

There are many Cultivators of our two Sects present here. Fellow Daoist Chu, how about we move to the side and exchange a few blows?"

"As you wish!" Chu Ning once again spoke faintly.

Seeing this, Shentu Ping immediately flew off to the side using Flying Escape.

Seeing this, Chu Ning also immediately prepared to move.

But Tang Xuan at this moment hurriedly spoke, his face anxious: "Junior Brother Chu, you must not!

The Body Refining Method of that Spirit Beast Valley is extremely formidable; even the various Cultivators in our Sect praise it highly.

For you to compete with them in close-combat arts is truly too reckless."

After speaking, Tang Xuan grabbed Chu Ning and then showed a resolute expression.

"How about this: I’ll go and yield to that Shentu Ping; at worst, I’ll have a bout with him myself.

Junior Brother Chu, remember, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. We must not act on impulse."

After hearing this, Chu Ning immediately reached out and patted Tang Xuan’s arm.

"Senior Brother, it’s fine. I know what I’m doing."

As he spoke, a sharp light flashed in Chu Ning’s eyes.

"As the saying goes, better to throw one punch now than face a hundred later. I’m afraid that as this newly advanced Nascent Soul Cultivator, there are quite a few people eyeing me, whether in our Alliance or in others.

"Since that’s the case, then I’ll just give them a chance to truly understand Mr. Chu."

As he spoke, Chu Ning directly shot into the air with a Flying Escape, chasing after Shentu Ping.

Chu Ning knew that his previous title as the number one Golden Core Cultivator would definitely draw a lot of attention.

Especially since he had promoted to Nascent Soul in such a short time; naturally, people would inevitably think his foundation was lacking.

Although they say "the tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be toppled by the wind," when there’s no way to hide one’s edge anymore, one must also appropriately bare their fangs.

Shentu Ping was, after all, a Middle Stage of Nascent Soul Cultivator. Although Chu Ning had cultivated many Divine Techniques and Spells, without using Ancient Treasures, it wouldn’t be easy to quickly display a level of strength that would make the other party wary.

If he wasn’t careful, he might even end up exposing many of his methods.

But Body Refining Techniques were different. Even if Shentu Ping was a Middle Stage of Nascent Soul Cultivator and excelled in Body Refining Techniques, he still absolutely could not compare to him.

After all, his Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique had already been cultivated to Volume Two, Seventh Derivation.

When his Nascent Soul was condensed, Chu Ning’s physical body had already undergone a comprehensive strengthening.

With the multiple Secret Techniques brought by the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, just a slight display would be enough; he didn’t believe he couldn’t intimidate the other side.

The two of them stopped a thousand zhang away, standing opposite each other at a distance of ten zhang.

Shentu Ping looked at Chu Ning and saw a relaxed smile hanging on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Chu, make your move. Let me see for myself your Body Refining Secret Techniques."

Hearing this, Chu Ning no longer spoke. His eyes narrowed slightly, his figure flickered, and he directly charged toward Shentu Ping.

What he used, however, was not Void Escape, but Thunder Shock Step.

"What speed!"

Seeing Chu Ning arrive before him in the blink of an eye, a sharp light flashed in Shentu Ping’s eyes as well.

He naturally also saw Chu Ning’s fist swinging toward him.

Yet he had no intention of dodging at all. His right fist swung up, stirring the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi in the air.

He likewise used his fist to meet it head-on.

"Bang!"

The two Iron Fists collided in midair, letting out a dull thud!

"Martial Uncle, Junior Martial Uncle Chu, he..."

Seeing this scene of directly clashing head-on, Gong Yuyuan’s expression immediately changed slightly.

He couldn’t help speaking out with some worry.

At this moment, Tang Xuan’s gaze was fixed on the two who were clashing directly; in his eyes there was also a trace of concern.

In his heart he couldn’t help letting out a soft sigh.

"Junior Brother Chu is still too young, his temperament too impatient. Even if he’s going to cross hands with this Shentu Ping, there’s no need to start with such a direct frontal confrontation.

It wouldn’t be too late to first probe the opponent and then fight."

As for the power of Chu Ning’s Spells and Magical Treasures, Tang Xuan was still very confident; after all, he had experienced it personally.

But now that Chu Ning was competing head-on with Shentu in terms of physical toughness and Body Refining Secret Techniques, he had absolutely no confidence in his heart.

At this moment, the two currently exchanging blows each felt a powerful impact blast into their bodies the instant their fists collided.

With Body Refining Techniques cultivated to their Realm, even if their fists appeared to show no fluctuations of Magical Power...

Once the attack actually landed, it was naturally impossible to rely purely on physical strength alone.

They likewise gathered Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, transforming it into an astonishing destructive force.

However, both of them also sensed that the other had not used any other Spells.

"There really is some skill here!"

Feeling a powerful destructive force drilling straight into his body, Chu Ning muttered inwardly to himself.

He hadn’t crossed paths with many Body Refining Cultivators, but there had been a few.

This was indeed the first time he had encountered someone whose Body Refining Secret Techniques could unleash such an attack.

However, clearly, this level of destructive power was still not enough for him.

Without even circulating the Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, just the toughness of his flesh alone allowed him to directly withstand this attack.

Things were easy on Chu Ning’s side, but on the other side, Shentu Ping was clearly not having such an easy time.

Gathering the four great Secret Techniques—Thunder Shock Step, Celestial Spirit Fist, Condensed Yuan Slash, and Soul-Breaking Strike—into one, and combining them with Chu Ning’s Nine Derivations Body Refining Technique, now already at the Perfection of the Second Layer of the second fist...

The powerful destructive force easily shattered Shentu Ping’s physical defenses.

Shentu Ping only felt a mighty force crash into his body.

In an instant, his muscles and bones quivered slightly. Immediately after, this powerful force not only battered his internal organs, but even the Nascent Soul within his body and the Divine Sense in his Sea of Consciousness suffered an impact.

"How is this possible?"

Feeling this incomparably powerful destructive force, Shentu Ping couldn’t help being utterly shocked.

"A single punch can actually make my Nascent Soul tremble, as if it’s about to leave my body—what kind of destructive power is this?"

Such a powerful close-combat Technique was far beyond his imagination.

What shocked Shentu Ping even more was that the destructive force transmitted from this punch didn’t seem to have reached its peak yet.

"If I take this head-on with just my body, I’ll definitely be injured, unless..."

At this moment, a trace of embarrassment faintly flashed across Shentu Ping’s face. In the end, he still felt that getting injured because of this was really unnecessary, so he quietly began circulating his Magical Power and Divine Sense to resist.

And right at this moment, Chu Ning suddenly withdrew his fist.

Shentu Ping immediately felt that destructive force gradually weaken under the resistance of his Magical Power and Divine Sense.

Then, Shentu Ping raised his head and looked at Chu Ning. Beyond his shock, his face was filled with solemnity.

In this direct clash of one punch, he had been forced to use Magical Power and Divine Sense; he, who had always been famed in the Cloud Peak Alliance for his Body Refining Techniques, had actually lost!