Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian stared at each other. Xie Tun Tian's hatred for Chen Tian was like an endless ocean, as vast as the sea. However, it wasn't boundless hatred. Deep down, he understood the reasons behind Chen Tian's actions back then. Chen Tian had made a desperate decision for his sake and sealed him away. At the time, Xie Tun Tian had willingly accepted the seal. But the mistake was sealing him for several epochs. Living alone in boundless darkness, that feeling had made him resent Chen Tian.
As time passed, Xie Tun Tian had forgotten his past admiration for Chen Tian, only harboring hatred. He wanted to kill Chen Tian. Xie Tun Tian’s aura surged, and the surrounding barrier began to crack. Chen Tian's eyes snapped open, and the cracks instantly mended. This exchange was a victory for Chen Tian. Chen Tian could not allow Xie Tun Tian's aura to escape the barrier. Outside the barrier were millions of cultivators. If they were assimilated or infected, Chen Tian would already be struggling to deal with Xie Tun Tian alone. If millions of cultivators attacked simultaneously, that would be the true crisis.
Xie Tun Tian's strength was even greater than when he was sealed. Chen Tian could tell this from Xie Tun Tian's aura. Chen Tian prepared himself for a mutually destructive battle. In his current state, Chen Tian was no match for Xie Tun Tian, this was the truth. Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian stepped forward simultaneously. The space before them exploded repeatedly, yet their figures remained still. In this brief moment, Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian's battle had already begun. Their speed surpassed time and space, a battle only they could perceive.
To others, Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian merely stood in place, with the space between them vibrating a few times. Some cultivators watched this with astonishment. Their exceptional strength allowed them to perceive that Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian's power far surpassed their own. Even some elder cultivators felt a desire to retreat. After all, their lifespans were nearing their end, and Chen Tian's strength was so formidable. Should they leave? Should they abandon their pursuit of these treasures?
In the face of life, all treasures were futile. Who wouldn't want to live if they could? Moreover, their lifespans were already limited. Provoking a monster like Chen Tian, they dared to say they were no match for him. At this moment, Chen Tian was in a completely different league from them.
Many elder cultivators watched silently in the crowd as Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian’s fierce battle raged. Chen Tian's fists were domineering. Combined with his fist intent, the power of the Hundred Beast Fist was amplified severalfold. The phantom images of beasts were lifelike. Chen Tian was helping Qing Yun perfect the Hundred Beast Fist. Chen Tian's comprehension of martial arts was profound. When Chen Tian had observed Qing Yun's previous battles, he knew Qing Yun's Hundred Beast Fist was incomplete. At this very moment, with Chen Tian and Qing Yun sharing the same body, their martial arts comprehension and all attributes were shared. Qing Yun, residing within Chen Tian, watched Chen Tian's Hundred Beast Fist far surpass his own and immediately entered a state of enlightenment, quietly observing Chen Tian's fists.
Qing Yun had no desire for control over the battle. After all, the fusion was Chen Tian's idea, and he was unfamiliar with the state after fusion. Chen Tian, however, seemed to be accustomed to fusion. Chen Tian's control over the battle was beneficial. Qing Yun, controlling the body, was firstly unfamiliar with this state, and secondly, he wasn't very familiar with Chen Tian.
Chen Tian was mysterious. He actually knew the origin of this Evil Spirit race member, and their relationship seemed extraordinary. However, if Chen Tian didn't speak, Qing Yun wouldn't pry.
Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian’s fists and claws clashed. Chen Tian unleashed a barrage of punches, while Xie Tun Tian's arms swung wildly, his claws deflecting Chen Tian's attacks. Chen Tian’s arms were as strong as the hardest steel in the universe. The sound of metal being struck echoed as their arms collided. Upon closer inspection, Chen Tian’s arms were encased in silver armguards, gleaming and lustrous, shaped like shields.
Chen Tian had merged his own martial arts with Qing Yun's, creating new techniques. The strength of Chen Tian’s arms was directly enhanced severalfold.
Chen Tian’s arms moved with practiced ease. A punch was thrown, and a fierce tiger roared, charging forward with an unstoppable momentum and ferocity that made the surrounding space subtly tremble.
This punch was Chen Tian's perfected Fierce Tiger Fist. The Hundred Beast Fist was created by recording the habits of various beasts. This Fierce Tiger Fist was perfected by Chen Tian based on the aura and characteristics of the divine beast White Tiger.
As the divine beast, the White Tiger ruled over all tiger species. Any bloodline below the White Tiger was a derivative. The White Tiger possessed absolute suppressive power.
Above the White Tiger was the Sacred Elephant. The White Tiger was merely condensed from the essence blood of the Sacred Elephant. Before the Sacred Elephant, the White Tiger submitted, and all tiger clans knelt.
Chen Tian had seen the Sacred Elephant, but its characteristics were not suitable for the Fierce Tiger Fist. The characteristics of the White Tiger clan, however, were fitting. Chen Tian directly integrated his insights into the Fierce Tiger Fist.
The fierce tiger lunged out of the mountain, heading straight for Xie Tun Tian. Xie Tun Tian's claws glowed with a faint aura, entwining around them. He extended his claws, and the phantom image of the fierce tiger collided with them. Xie Tun Tian’s body merely swayed, yes, it just swayed once. Chen Tian's phantom tiger dissipated into light and entered Xie Tun Tian's body.
Chen Tian was unconcerned by this. He understood Xie Tun Tian's abilities very well. Chen Tian was merely helping Qing Yun perfect the Hundred Beast Fist. The power of the Hundred Beast Fist was secondary to Chen Tian. In any case, both sides were testing each other, and Chen Tian was in no hurry to reveal his own methods and strength.
Using Qing Yun's techniques was sufficient. Xie Tun Tian condensed his devouring ability onto his claws, imbuing them with the power to devour. Chen Tian's attacks would be gradually consumed. Fortunately, the devoured power wouldn't transform into Xie Tun Tian's energy, it would only increase his cultivation.
For Xie Tun Tian’s current state, this amount of energy was like a drop of water. He needed an enormous amount of energy to upgrade. Moreover, his devouring had limitations; it wasn't unlimited. There was an upper limit, and exceeding it would cause his body to explode.
Both Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian understood this. As for why Chen Tian hadn't unleashed more powerful attacks against Xie Tun Tian, it was because Chen Tian didn't know Xie Tun Tian's current devouring limit. In his previous life, he had directly suppressed Xie Tun Tian, whose power had been at the pinnacle of the universe. Xie Tun Tian had been no more than a minuscule ant, easily suppressed.
This life was different. Chen Tian's strength had not fully recovered, and he was unsure of Xie Tun Tian's devouring limit, so he dared not act rashly. After all, attacking before reaching the limit would be a waste of energy. Chen Tian's internal energy was far more abundant than Xie Tun Tian's, but Xie Tun Tian's devouring could increase his cultivation. Once his cultivation increased, his energy would instantly replenish, making him a complete perpetual motion machine, inexhaustible.
Chen Tian needed to probe gradually. Xie Tun Tian understood Chen Tian's intentions. Xie Tun Tian was also testing Chen Tian, after all, he was his reincarnation. Who knew how much strength he had recovered or how many trump cards he had. The higher the cultivation level of a being, the more cautious they were in battle.
A single mistake could lead to their death. Being cautious was good, though sometimes being overly cautious was detrimental.
Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian had not yet entered a true battle; this was merely a warm-up, or perhaps not even that.
Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian's eyes gleamed with a cold light, their gazes locked in a fierce confrontation, electric sparks flying between them with a crackling sound.
Their gazes met, their strength seemingly equal. Chen Tian stepped forward, his figure splitting into four, each attacking from a different direction. Xie Tun Tian saw Chen Tian charging and his claws directly unfurled, shattering into countless fragments.
Chen Tian was somewhat surprised by this. Xie Tun Tian's ability was only supposed to be devouring. Where had this ability come from?
The claws shattered into countless tiny needles, which then grew larger. Evil Spirit Qi entered them, forming swords that encircled Xie Tun Tian. Xie Tun Tian's claws instantly recovered, a powerful regenerative ability. Chen Tian knew whose ability this was.
"Damn it, could it be that guy Tian used a forbidden art? Does that mean all the Evil Spirits who disobeyed him have become his energy source?"
Chen Tian could only think this. He realized how insane Tian was, using a forbidden art to kill all the Evil Spirits who refused to obey him.
Had this guy gone that mad?
When the Evil Spirits were created, their abilities were fixed. However, Chen Tian's first life form had created a technique that could gather the diverse abilities of the Evil Spirits into one person, but the cost was extremely dire. Chen Tian had directly sealed it as a forbidden art.
The forbidden art could extract the abilities of other Evil Spirits and fuse them into one individual. A single person mastering multiple abilities would experience no rejection. There had been instances of forbidden arts among the Seven Clans, as such a technique could be used as a trump card. The price was that the person whose abilities were extracted, along with their essence, would disappear.
This meant it could lead to the Evil Spirits falling into a precarious state. After all, the Evil Spirits possessed formidable abilities. If some Evil Spirits knew about this, they might become insane.
Chen Tian believed he was the only one who knew about the forbidden art. How did Tian know?
"No, there's one other person who knows. But he wouldn't betray me."
Chen Tian suddenly thought of something.
However, Chen Tian did not cease his assault. The four figures attacked from their respective directions. Xie Tun Tian slowly raised his arm and extended it, a black longsword lunging towards Chen Tian.
Currently, Xie Tun Tian possessed the abilities of: Devouring, Splitting, Fusion, and Transformation. Chen Tian was unsure how many more abilities Xie Tun Tian possessed.
These abilities were common among the Evil Spirits. Each ability, when pushed to its extreme, could unleash unimaginable power. Xie Tun Tian, mastering so many abilities, was a formidable opponent.
Defeating him would be very difficult.
Chen Tian was intimately familiar with the abilities of the Evil Spirits; after all, he had created this species, they were his subordinates. Chen Tian's figure faced the dense, black longswords. Chen Tian's true body swung his fist, and the other figures mimicked his actions. The four figures simultaneously unleashed the Hundred Beast Fist, millions of phantom beasts charging towards Xie Tun Tian's longswords.
Chen Tian's clones had no consciousness but could share his movements and strength. This was thanks to Chen Tian's ability to multitask, a skill unlocked by the system during fusion. Multitasking allowed Chen Tian to control multiple clones simultaneously, up to six, each with the same strength as Chen Tian.
However, the clones could not possess self-awareness and were influenced by Chen Tian's consciousness. Without his conscious influence, the clones would perform the same moves and actions as Chen Tian.
The four Hundred Beast Fists collided with the black longswords, like fireworks competing for beauty.
Chen Tian's figure charged directly at Xie Tun Tian. Xie Tun Tian did not retreat in the slightest. As Chen Tian approached, his fist pierced through Xie Tun Tian's body. Chen Tian felt his fist sinking into Xie Tun Tian's figure, which felt like quicksand. His arm, passing through Xie Tun Tian's body, could not be withdrawn.
A devouring sensation arose. Chen Tian inwardly cried out, realizing the danger. If he were devoured, the energy within him would be gradually drained. Chen Tian's arm had collided with Xie Tun Tian's body, and the devouring speed was not ordinary.
Chen Tian, with no other choice, knew he had to act decisively. With a sharp sound, he severed his own arm, creating distance.
His left arm was severed. Chen Tian's gaze sharpened, and he exhaled slowly. A new arm began to grow.
Seeing this, Xie Tun Tian immediately attacked. How could he allow Chen Tian to recover from his injury?
The current situation was advantageous for him, and he wouldn't miss this opportunity.
Chen Tian watched Xie Tun Tian advance and dodged to the side. His left arm had not yet recovered, and Chen Tian needed to focus entirely to heal it. This was even with multitasking. Otherwise, under normal circumstances, Chen Tian wouldn't even be able to evade Xie Tun Tian's attacks.
Perhaps the system had foreseen this, which was why it had bestowed this ability upon Chen Tian.
Xie Tun Tian sneered, "Dodge, and I'll see how you evade this."
Xie Tun Tian's claws shattered, breaking into fragments that glittered like starlight. Black starlight flickered. Chen Tian's expression changed upon seeing this. How could this move appear in Xie Tun Tian's hands?
This was one of Chen Tian's moves from his previous life. He had clearly never taught it to anyone. How did Xie Tun Tian learn it?
"Could it be!"
Chen Tian could only think of one possibility, and his heart was immediately consumed by rage. Tian was seeking death by targeting him.
Chen Tian suppressed the rage within him. He absolutely could not let his emotions be detected in battle, as that would reveal a weakness to the enemy.
Chen Tian's arm was already halfway recovered. However, Xie Tun Tian's attack descended, and starlight rained down, fiercely assailing Chen Tian.
Chen Tian knew the power of this move. Before him, an energy shield formed, pure white, adorned with several interlocking rhombic energy shields. Chen Tian used his own methods to defend. Qing Yun's techniques were insufficient to defend against this attack.
Xie Tun Tian said, "Finally using your own methods?"
Xie Tun Tian was trying to force Chen Tian to use his own techniques. Chen Tian did not reply. The rain of starlight pounded against Chen Tian's shield. Cracks appeared on the rhombic shields in front of the shield, as if they would shatter at any moment. However, Chen Tian persevered. The sound of breaking shields echoed, and Chen Tian's shield directly bore the brunt of the starlight rain.
Xie Tun Tian clenched his clawed hand, and the starlight gathered, converging towards the center of Chen Tian. Chen Tian's aura surged, and his energy shield intensified. He knew what Xie Tun Tian intended to do.
Chen Tian's arm was already ninety percent recovered, with only the final ten percent of nerve connection remaining. If he could withstand this attack, Chen Tian could continue to fight Xie Tun Tian on equal footing.
*Boom!*
The starlight converged, and the resulting explosion engulfed Chen Tian. Xie Tun Tian stared at the center of the explosion, his eyes glowing black. He could easily see the scene at the center of the explosion.
Chen Tian emerged from the center of the explosion, his arm fully restored. Chen Tian understood Xie Tun Tian's eyes and methods to some extent.
"I didn't expect Tian to bestow so many abilities upon you. Indeed, he doesn't deserve to live. The current Evil Spirits have no meaning to exist."
Chen Tian sighed. Xie Tun Tian said indifferently, "Why bother with that? I only want to kill you. I don't care what others think."
"Today is destined to be your death day."
"No, it is you who will die."
Chen Tian's face was resolute, as if he had already foreseen the outcome.
Chen Tian already knew who would win this battle: it would be him, Chen Tian. The forbidden art merely stripped away abilities. However, if the Evil Spirits' original essence could not withstand so many abilities, Xie Tun Tian's fate would be to have his essence absorbed by the abilities, eventually perishing.
As for how many abilities an Evil Spirit could withstand, it depended on their own essence and energy. Based on Xie Tun Tian's essence strength and energy purity, these abilities and techniques were already at their limit. Xie Tun Tian could not possess even one more ability.
He had reached his limit. Tian, in his past life, wouldn't have been so kind to Xie Tun Tian, and Xie Tun Tian would not have refused more abilities. Killing Chen Tian was his goal, his only goal.
Chen Tian had foreseen Xie Tun Tian's fate: he was a tragic figure, a pawn to be used. Chen Tian felt pity for Xie Tun Tian.
Xie Tun Tian ignored his words and said, "Stop pretending to be pitiful. Do you think I won't attack you just because of this?"
"You're overthinking it. I emerged from the seal to seek revenge."
Only Chen Tian himself knew about the forbidden art. Tian would not have told anyone else, so Xie Tun Tian was unaware of the severity of the situation.
"Fine! Let's get serious."
Chen Tian said calmly. There was no need to continue probing. The warm-up was over. Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian's auras were now more than ten times stronger than before, causing the entire barrier to shake.
Far away, the Heavenly Dao sensed something and cursed, "What is Chen Tian doing? If this continues, the Dark Realm will be gone."
"Don't worry. I've already reinforced the world's structure. You focus on your own tasks."
The figure standing beside the Heavenly Dao spoke softly. The Heavenly Dao remained silent and closed his eyes again, determined to seal and suppress that item. The impact of that item was no less significant than the battle between Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian. Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian's impact was only on the world, but that item would affect all living beings in the world.
The Heavenly Dao needed to fully suppress that item. The young girl beside him looked at Chen Tian's battlefield, hoping this battle would end soon. She was finding it increasingly difficult to cover Chen Tian's energy fluctuations.
Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian's auras clashed. Black and pure white energy waves collided repeatedly, transforming into tangible forces. This level of power was something all the cultivators present would never achieve in their lifetimes.
"Were those two not even using their full strength just now?"
"So terrifying. Do we really want to snatch treasures from them?"
"Uh! I'd rather not risk my life. I'll just watch the show."
These were the thoughts of all the cultivators. After witnessing Chen Tian's power, they had no desire to contend for treasures. It was laughable; their strength had surpassed everyone else. Their attacks would be insufficient to even warrant a glance from Chen Tian. Chen Tian could likely bury them all with a single glance. Who dared to act?
Without life, there could be no enjoyment. With life, one could enjoy.
In the face of life, everything else was worthless.
Chen Tian and Xie Tun Tian's auras clashed, and they moved together. Chen Tian's luminous wings unfurled behind him, radiating nine-colored light that illuminated the sky. Xie Tun Tian's black wings spread open, like a demon descending upon the mortal world. One side represented divinity, the other, strangeness – a duel between demon and angel.
Chen Tian's arm traced an arc. Elemental and energy forces converged around him, forming orbs of light. Nine-colored orbs of light floated behind Chen Tian. Chen Tian waved his arm, and the Nine-Light Convergence shot towards Xie Tun Tian. Xie Tun Tian's wings merged, gathering power. Evil Spirit Qi converged there. As he opened them, black feathers shot out in an overwhelming number, impossible to count. Xie Tun Tian's wings became bare, and in the next second, they regenerated, shooting out feathers again, continuously.
The heaven-defying regenerative ability made Chen Tian feel troubled. Xie Tun Tian was already difficult to deal with, and with the acquisition of multiple abilities, he became even more so. Chen Tian would have to pay a price to defeat him.
The Nine-Light Convergence collided with the feathers. The feathers exploded before Chen Tian's beam, their sheer number slowing their advance. Even the light of the nine orbs was diminishing, their size shrinking.
The energy was being depleted. Chen Tian knew this clash would be won by Xie Tun Tian. After more than ten seconds, Chen Tian's light orbs dissipated, and a massive number of feathers covered Chen Tian's front.
Chen Tian stood in place, motionless. As the feathers were about to strike Chen Tian, they passed right through him. No matter how many feathers there were, they could not inflict any damage.
Phasing out. Chen Tian's ability was immunity to all energy attacks.
The techniques Chen Tian used were not only from his first life but also from his third life, although Chen Tian had not fully recovered his memories, so phasing out was still somewhat difficult.
When all the feathers had passed through Chen Tian's body, Chen Tian's body recovered. Xie Tun Tian was surprised, "I didn't expect you to have such an ability."
"It seems I underestimated you."
"You are not bad either. After all, you acquired so many abilities and could still create your own techniques. I must say, you are indeed a genius."
"It's a pity you chose the wrong path."
Chen Tian sighed. Xie Tun Tian was arguably the most talented among all the Evil Spirits, even after several epochs. Unfortunately, he was too obsessed with power.
Xie Tun Tian's previous move was a combination of his acquired abilities and his own essence, and it was no easy feat to harmonize multiple disparate energies.
Mastering even one of the Evil Spirits' abilities required a significant amount of time and refinement.
Yet, Xie Tun Tian had instantly integrated these abilities after acquiring them, proving his genius.
Chen Tian felt a pang of reluctance to kill Xie Tun Tian, a feeling he had held even in the past.
Xie Tun Tian did not accept Chen Tian's praise, his expression remaining icy, his killing intent unwavering from the start.