Chen Tian erected a barrier to prevent Bayun from transforming into a Xie Ling clan member and turning all nearby players into puppets. At this moment, Bayun's body was slowly transforming into the appearance of a Xie Ling clan member, his eyes being gradually swallowed by blackness, black, liquid wings unfurling from his back, and his hands sprouting sharp claws. Black claws flashed, his entire hands becoming Xie Ling claws as astonishing changes occurred within his body. Bayun still retained human characteristics; at least his lower body had not transformed into the Xie Ling clan member's form.
Chen Tian observed this situation, which could only mean one thing: Bayun was resisting. He must have known the malevolent power of the Xie Ling clan and did not wish to completely transform into a monster. His consciousness was fighting back against the Xie Ling clan's power. Bayun let out a wild roar, its sound piercing the sky. The sky was enveloped by dark clouds, rolling and turbulent as if something were about to descend. Seeing this, Chen Tian immediately acted, unwilling to let the opponent succeed. The individual before him intended to eradicate the part of him that resisted.
Chen Tian could not allow such a scheme to succeed. His figure erupted with speed, and his fist shot out. A fist the size of a sandbag hurtled towards Bayun's body. Bayun, who had been raising his head, looked directly at Chen Tian. His claws extended, and Chen Tian clashed with Bayun. Chen Tian found himself at a disadvantage. This was not right; it was very wrong. Could it be that Chen Tian was no match for Bayun, who was transforming into a Xie Ling clan member? He hadn't fully transformed yet. Suddenly, a voice emerged from Bayun's lips: "Divine Lord, you will die, you will die."
This familiar tone, this familiar aura, suddenly brought images to Chen Tian's mind. He retreated. Bayun's body fully transformed into a Xie Ling clan member. Chen Tian surmised that he had been completely consumed. The dark clouds in the sky rained down black lightning, engulfing Bayun's body. From within the pillar of lightning, Bayun materialized, his aura, demeanor, and strength all altered. Chen Tian knew that the individual before him was no longer Bayun, but a Xie Ling clan member. Xie Lingzi opened his eyes and, upon seeing Chen Tian's figure, his face exploded with killing intent. He roared, "Chen Tian, you finally, you finally will be dealt with by my own hands. Excellent, this is what I have always dreamed of. Do you know that?"
"So it's you, Xie Lingzi. I didn't expect you to also resurrect through forbidden arts. But is this truly yourself? Sacrificing the lives of others to gain your own resurrection. You weren't like this before."
Chen Tian seemed to recall events. Xie Lingzi could be considered one of Chen Tian's disciples. Back in the Divine Realm, Chen Tian had held a disciple recruitment ceremony. At that time, only a few disciples qualified. Only a few cultivators from a world were noticed by Chen Tian, and Xie Lingzi was one of them.
It was natural for friction to occur between disciples. Xie Lingzi, in his pursuit of learning Chen Tian's legacy, had secretly attacked his senior and junior brothers. Under duress, Chen Tian expelled him from his sect, leading to resentment. Later, during the great war in the Divine Realm, he joined the Xie Ling clan. All of his few disciples were betrayed and killed by Xie Lingzi.
Chen Tian had personally slain Xie Lingzi at that time. The Xie Ling clan had not intervened. Xie Lingzi's foolish belief in the Xie Ling clan's words was indeed idiotic.
However, how had Xie Lingzi been resurrected? By becoming a member of the Xie Ling clan. It was likely the work of that fellow again.
"I want to see how much your strength has increased after thousands of years."
Xie Lingzi's figure turned into afterimages, the afterimages swirling and entwining as they moved forward. Chen Tian's eyes could not discern his true form, which surprised Chen Tian. It appeared that Xie Lingzi's strength and abilities had improved significantly compared to thousands of years ago. It would be difficult for Chen Tian to win now, but he would not lose. Chen Tian himself would not lose; Chen Tian always believed in himself.
Xie Lingzi's afterimages closed in on Chen Tian. Chen Tian remained calm, observing. Light emanated from behind him. Chen Tian casually extended his palm backward, and his palm met the claws. Chen Tian sneered, "Your combat awareness was taught by me, and your combat skills were also passed down by me. To use the skills I taught you against me, you think too highly of yourself."
"We'll know if I can kill you by trying."
Xie Lingzi's expression changed. Chen Tian was right, but he had no other means. After all, everything was taught by Chen Tian. Xie Lingzi had merely been resurrected and granted greater power.
Chen Tian endured for tens of seconds before flicking Xie Lingzi's figure away. As he flew, his liquid wings unfurled, allowing him to hover. Chen Tian's wings of light unfurled behind him, and the two figures, one dark and one white, drew beautiful patterns in the sky.
When their figures reappeared, Chen Tian's complexion was slightly pale. However, looking at Xie Lingzi, his face remained unchanged. In their previous clash, Xie Lingzi's attack had been strange, and the power within Chen Tian's body could not circulate, as if it were blocked. When he exerted his power, which should have been fully unleashed, only sixty percent of its effect was achieved. Forty percent of his strength could not be transmitted.
Seeing Chen Tian's complexion change, Xie Lingzi said triumphantly, "Don't you feel like your energy can't flow? This ability was researched by me specifically for you! I've been researching it for thousands of years! This time, let's see how you kill me."
"It's still the same old tricks. I don't believe you can kill me. Rather, you will die again today."
Chen Tian's expression turned cold. He was contemplating a solution. With his internal energy unable to flow, Chen Tian was at a disadvantage in a battle of strength. From the beginning of the fight until now, Chen Tian's complexion had been pale, and he was clearly struggling. Xie Lingzi was unharmed. Chen Tian and Xie Lingzi were currently in a probing phase. Once this phase passed and Chen Tian had not found a solution, he would be at a definite disadvantage.
Xie Lingzi discerned Chen Tian's thoughts and immediately attacked, no longer probing, but unleashing his full power. Chen Tian desperately defended. Chen Tian had an understanding of Xie Lingzi's strength; he couldn't be overwhelmingly powerful, perhaps at most a fifty-fifty match with himself. By transforming into a Xie Ling clan member and abandoning his human identity for power, this was not a power he could control.
Chen Tian pondered his defense while Xie Lingzi's offensive was fierce. Chen Tian was at a disadvantage, his face growing paler, his internal energy unable to circulate. Damn it, this ability truly countered him. Chen Tian chose to distance himself; as long as he didn't take the opponent's attack, Chen Tian wouldn't experience that feeling.
His figure turned into afterimages, and fist after fist struck the afterimages. The afterimages shattered, and Xie Lingzi smirked. Chen Tian's idea was within his expectations. The ability he had researched to counter Chen Tian was something Chen Tian would naturally avoid head-on confrontation.
Xie Lingzi had no intention of giving Chen Tian any opportunities.
His figure followed directly behind Chen Tian, his speed exploding. This speed was not inferior to Chen Tian's. Chen Tian continuously thought of countermeasures in his mind. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he suddenly thought of a solution.
He stopped running and evading. Xie Lingzi's attack closed in. Chen Tian clenched his fist and unleashed a powerful blow. It was Xie Lingzi who retreated.
"You thought of a solution so quickly? As expected of you."
Xie Lingzi praised him. It seemed these little tricks weren't very effective. However, it was still satisfying.
"I said these petty tricks are useless against me. Show me your full strength."
Chen Tian and Xie Lingzi locked eyes. The auras of both individuals surged continuously. The collision of their auras directly shattered the surrounding space, and the void swallowed Chen Tian and Xie Lingzi whole.
The two entered the void to engage in their duel.