Chapter 289: Pursuit 4

Gao Yi was greatly amused by Qiao Zhi's feigned display of weakness. He briefly considered explaining himself but quickly decided against it.

"Forget it. There's no need for me to explain anything to you. I promised someone that I would leave you alone, but if you're going to come to me and ask for it, then I'll have to break that promise."

Not only was Gao Yi a fifth-state martial artist himself, but the Animitta Tribulation had also granted him power that should only be found in Dao Comprehension-state cultivators. This allowed him to overpower the Chaotic Heavens King and the Yaksha Wraith with ease.

Thanks to the Animitta Tribulation, no pure martial artist could hope to defeat him. This wasn't just a theory, but something Gao Yi had proven time and again in battle, and that wasn't even to mention the fact that Chu Qiguang was only a fourth-state martial artist.

He began approaching Chu Qiguang with a relaxed smile as he considered what he was going to do to the new hundred-man commander.

Qiao Zhi meowed feebly at Chu Qiguang a few times before limping away. However, despite his limp, he was still moving at an incredible speed and vanished from Gao Yi's sight in the blink of an eye.

Make sure you don't kill him! Qiao Zhi urged. Let me take over first! You have to give me a chance to get back at him!

I'm not going to kill him, Chu Qiguang replied with a smile. He'll make a fantastic underling. It would be a massive waste to kill him.

Meanwhile, the invisible Hao Xiangtong had also made her way through the undergrowth and spotted Chu Qiguang and Gao Yi.

Isn't that the man from the Tribulation Religion? How did Chu Qiguang run into him?

Before Hao Xiangtong even had a chance to worry about Chu Qiguang's safety, an intense burst of heat erupted from his body. It was so scorching that the surrounding undergrowth instantly withered and charred.

Gao Yi's relaxed smile immediately stiffened.

Didn't he only just leave Jade Face Mountain? How are his qi and blood even more powerful than those of a seasoned fifth-state martial artist?!

In the next instant, Gao Yi saw a blur flash before his eyes, accompanied by a fierce gust of wind. Chu Qiguang was already upon him.

Gao Yi was taken aback by Chu Qiguang's speed, but he remained composed as his body began to disintegrate into black sludge once again.

A resounding thump rang out as Chu Qiguang's palm strike landed, sending black sludge flying in all directions. Gao Yi's body had only just reformed when a second palm strike was already upon him.

Once again, his body was blown to pieces as black sludge sprayed through the air.

Over a month ago, Chu Qiguang had already gained a tenth tentacle in his shadow. He had surpassed the undying divine general in every respect, with the possible exception of regenerative ability.

Furthermore, he had continued to study Buddhist scriptures every day to aid his cultivation of the Sumeru King Scripture. As the countdown continued to tick down, his body had been evolving more and more toward an inhuman state.

His immense power, combined with the Twelve Infernal Palms was far too much for Gao Yi to bear. As a result, he was smashed to pieces over and over again.

As Chu Qiguang unleashed the fifth of the Twelve Infernal Palms, the Myriad Ghost Shriek, the air around his palm visibly rippled, sending black sludge flying in all directions.

Gao Yi was astonished to discover that Chu Qiguang's sixth palm strike was even more formidable than the one before it.

The explosive power that Chu Qiguang was displaying made it difficult for Gao Yi to even reform his body. However, he remained confident in his abilities. The black sludge began converging on Chu Qiguang's hands, back, and mouth in retaliation, only to be blown away by a burst of gale force erupting from his body.

With each successive palm strike, Chu Qiguang's destructive power grew increasingly fearsome, while Gao Yi found it more and more difficult to regain his form.

He had been reduced to a helpless punching bag, and even the slightest release of gale force from Chu Qiguang was enough to tear his body apart. If Gao Yi had been an ordinary fifth-state martial artist, he would've already been reduced to a pile of mincemeat.

Just as Chu Qiguang was about to unleash the tenth of the Twelve Infernal Palms, Qiao Zhi's voice rang out in his mind.

You haven't killed him, have you?

Not yet, Chu Qiguang replied. This guy can definitely take a beating. I'll give him that. Is he from the Tribulation Religion?

Yes. He's using a demon's ability, Qiao Zhi replied, the relief in his voice palpable. Let me take over! I'm going to beat the crap out of him!

A thoughtful look appeared on Chu Qiguang's face upon learning that Gao Yi was using the power of a demon.

Try the Rasengan on him, he suggested.

Meanwhile, Hao Xiangtong watched in complete and utter astonishment as Chu Qiguang gave Gao Yi the beating of a lifetime.

Isn't it supposed to be impossible to defeat Gao Yi using martial arts alone? Why does it look like he's about to be beaten to death?

Just then, Chu Qiguang suddenly stopped, and Gao Yi seized the opportunity to finally regain his human form.

His complexion had turned extremely pale, and he observed Chu Qiguang with a wary expression, relieved to finally have a moment of respite.

Is he done? I suppose that's no surprise. Those palm strikes kept increasing in power, so there's no way he could've continued forever. As always, it's impossible for a pure martial artist to defeat me.

Gao Yi cast one final glance at Chu Qiguang before disintegrating into a mass of sludge that began seeping into the ground.

"Chu Qiguang, I'm going to remember—"

"You think you can get away?" Chu Qiguang sneered.

In the next instant, a Rasengan appeared above Chu Qiguang's palm, and he thrust it directly into Gao Yi's body.

All the black sludge was instantly sucked in before being sent flying. Chu Qiguang immediately set off in pursuit, the earth exploding beneath his feet as he launched himself through the undergrowth.

All the while, Hao Xiangtong continued to watch in slack-jawed astonishment.

Never had she imagined that she would be treated to such a stunning show while collecting medicinal ingredients with Zhang Fengyun.

***

Gao Yi felt like a ball being repeatedly sucked in and sent flying by the rotating orb of gale force in Chu Qiguang's palm.

What kind of martial art is this?

Gao Yi was shocked to discover that the spinning orb of gale force had rendered his ability completely useless.

Why are we moving all of a sudden? Is something wrong? Chu Qiguang asked.

I think I caught a whiff of Hao Xiangtong's scent back there just now, Qiao Zhi replied.