The old man, seeing Chen Tian had seen through his scheme, showed no panic, as if he were still unafraid of Chen Tian even without the gauntlet. Chen Tan understood the old man's desperation, but Chen Tian felt he could still handle both of them even with their resources. Chen Tian stepped forward, his figure dissolving into countless afterimages as he attacked the old man. Chen Tian's form swept in, and the old man's eyes grew serious, a cold glint appearing in them. Chen Tian's true form was seen through, and he swung his fists towards Chen Tian.
This time, Chen Tian chose to meet the attack head-on. Without the gauntlet, the old man's strength was greatly reduced. Fists collided, creating a deafening sonic wave that pushed Chen Tian back a step, while the old man retreated three. The old man fell into a disadvantage and looked at Chen Tian strangely. By now, the energy within Chen Tian seemed endless, while his own was nearly depleted. Was it possible that this fellow's energy never ran out?
After such a prolonged battle, the old man had very little energy left, barely able to defend against Chen Tian's onslaught. Chen Tian's energy, meanwhile, remained abundant, like a never-ending fountain. This young man was proving difficult to deal with. However, thinking that he was an outsider, it made sense. Different worlds had different energies and purity levels, perhaps Chen Tian wasn't as strong as he appeared and was merely putting on a show. Chen Tian wasn't faking anything; he hadn't even used a third of his energy. If the old man knew this, he would surely spit blood.
After such a long fight, with both sides going all out, only a third of his energy was used? What the hell was this fellow's energy source!
Unfortunately, the old man remained ignorant. Chen Tian attacked wildly. To the old man, Chen Tian was simply humiliating him. Chen Tian's energy was far greater than his, and he expended less. His current attacks were mere pinpricks; he could have inflicted heavy damage but chose not to. Wasn't this humiliation? As a powerful individual, he could not stand such shame. Cultivators could die in battle, but not in disgrace. The old man simply could not tolerate Chen Tian's fighting style; it was degrading.
His entire aura exploded instantly. Chen Tian retreated. The old man's body began to change, his entire form swelling as blood turned into gas. He was prepared to fight to the death. Chen Tian didn't quite understand this; it was different from his own intentions. Chen Tian's previous attacks hadn't done much damage because he wanted to render the old man slightly incapacitated so he could extract some information. Now, the old man was desperate, a desperation that came at the cost of his life.
Chen Tian didn't want the old man to die. He hadn't yet learned about the forces behind them. Just as the old man was burning his life away, the space behind him began to crackle and split open. A figure emerged from the rupture. The young man's expression was solemn and serious. "Wu Lei, stop! You cannot perish here. Our mission is not yet complete."
Hearing the familiar voice, the old man's body returned to normal. He coughed up a mouthful of blood, a backlash from forcefully stopping the life-burning process. The young man approached Wu Lei and produced a pill. Chen Tian's expression turned furious upon seeing the pill. It was indeed a pill made from flesh and blood.
"You all deserve to die!"
Chen Tian roared. Wu Tianlong, seeing Chen Tian's rage, his face instantly turned cold, and killing intent filled his eyes. "You absolutely cannot live. Wu Lei, recover your injuries first, and then we will take this brat down together."
"Yes, Patriarch."
The newcomer was indeed the patriarch of their clan. Chen Tian's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected someone of such high status to arrive. The higher the status, the more they would likely know. Chen Tian and Wu Tianlong stood in the void, facing each other. Chen Tian's voice was icy, "Tell me where you got that pill."
"Do you think I would tell you?"
"I didn't expect the person that fellow mentioned to be a brash youngster like you."
"Patriarch, be careful. This brat's strength is terrifying."
"I can see that, or you wouldn't have burned your life to fight."
Chen Tian, Wu Tianlong, and Wu Lei spoke amongst themselves. Wu Tianlong's eyes showed no fear, even a hint of confidence. Chen Tian's gaze, however, was filled with disdain and contempt. This look made Wu Tianlong uncomfortable. Did this fellow not even regard them as a threat?
Wu Tianlong spread his wings. Daring not to be careless with Chen Tian, he unleashed his full power from the start. Wu Lei had already tested this brat, and it was of no use. In fact, a probing attack could easily lead to a disastrous defeat. Wu Tianlong's speed was even faster than Wu Lei's. In Chen Tian's eyes, it was insignificant. Chen Tian's eyes clearly saw Wu Tianlong's movements. Wu Tianlong's claws, perfectly synchronized, attacked Chen Tian's head. This grab was accompanied by a cold glint, and a peculiar energy flowed around his claws—an energy Chen Tian had never seen before.
Chen Tian became interested. Perhaps the forces behind them, like Chen Tian, were also outsiders, from other worlds or even other universes. At least, with this energy, Chen Tian, having experienced many worlds, had never encountered it. It was an unknown energy. Chen Tian chose to dodge rather than block. It was best not to be rash when facing the unknown. Chen Tian dodged left and right, evading the claws with evasive movements. Wu Tianlong saw that Chen Tian would choose to evade and, while being dodged, lifted his legs and unleashed a spinning kick.
Chen Tian leaned back, his legs spinning past his face, merely a millimeter from his head. If Chen Tian's skin hadn't been covered by energy, the sheer force of the wind could have scratched his cheek. Chen Tian performed a series of backflips, creating distance.
Wu Tianlong applauded, saying, "Not bad. You know not to confront me head-on. My claws ignore all defenses, kid. I'd like to see how you defend yourself. Try to keep dodging if you can."
Wu Tianlong had one flaw: he talked too much. Wu Lei's expression darkened upon hearing this.
Hey, what are you doing!
Telling the opponent the ability of your claws, can't you just keep it to yourself? Wu Tianlong had one problem: he was too talkative. He never stopped talking, no matter the time or place. He really didn't know how such a person became a patriarch. Perhaps he relied on his mouth.
Chen Tian heard this and came up with a plan. It was just claws that ignored defenses; this was simple enough. Chen Tian's arms were covered in armor. Fighting Wu Tianlong while wearing armor, Wu Tianlong's claws attacked Chen Tian's arm, leading to the claws being caught. This instantly nullified the claw attack. Chen Tian used softness to overcome hardness, preventing Wu Tianlong from touching his body. Wu Tianlong's own arms were even wildly attacking as Chen Tian manipulated them.
Wu Tianlong felt uncomfortable. Was there another way to fight like this? He had never encountered it. It wasn't Wu Tianlong's fault; worlds were different, and fighting styles varied. Coupled with Chen Tian's countless battles, Wu Tianlong's experience was no match for his. Any cultivator with the same experience as Chen Tian would have ways to react and counter. Chen Tian's current tactic was merely a clever ploy, not something to be proud of.
Chen Tian struck out with both palms. Wu Tianlong's claws were about to lash out when Chen Tian changed his move, grabbing Wu Tianlong's arm and spinning him. Wu Tianlong retreated, unwilling to continue.
"Kid, dare you face me head-on? Is it interesting to keep fighting like this?"
"Do you think I would? Wouldn't that make me a fool?"
Chen Tian remained unfazed by Wu Tianlong's words. If he fought head-on, he would be a fool. Ignoring defenses? Who knew if your "ignoring defenses" could even break through my defenses? You didn't state the limit, so how could I fight you head-on? Chen Tian didn't want to get hurt.
Hearing Chen Tian's words, Wu Tianlong's expression instantly soured. He was no longer willing to play.
He was almost on the verge of tears when a figure attacked Chen Tian from behind. Chen Tian reacted, his left hand opening as he turned and struck back.
Rumble!
Wu Lei attacked, directly ambushing Chen Tian. Chen Tian, focused on fighting Wu Tianlong, hadn't noticed the recovered Wu Lei. It wasn't that Chen Tian hadn't sensed Wu Lei's presence; he had hidden his figure for a while, waiting for this moment. It was likely planned with Wu Tianlong.
Chen Tian increased his strength slightly. Wu Lei flipped sideways to Wu Tianlong's side and said, "Let's attack together. With two of us, our chances of winning are higher."
"Alright."
The two figures turned into beams of light and attacked Chen Tian from both sides. Chen Tian straightened his arms, his palms facing inward, and flicked them twice. "Come on."
Facing two opponents, Chen Tian was not the least bit intimidated.
Seeing Chen Tian's demeanor, Wu Tianlong and Wu Lei both felt that Chen Tian was just putting up a brave front.