Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie battled, their power reaching a level that even the fabric of space struggled to contain. Chen Tian unleashed a punch with explosive force, multiplying its might a hundredfold in the instant of its release. This single blow, it seemed, could shatter worlds. Such was Chen Tian's power, a level far beyond his previous capabilities. Their bodies collided, and facing Chen Tian's fist, Xie Shaomie extended his palm. The Xie Ling Claw transformed into a human-sized hand, meeting the punch head-on.
Waves of energy surged, residual forces spreading outwards. Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie faced each other, neither yielding. The power of the Sacred Beast clashed with the power of Samsara. Chen Tian activated the strength of his first life, his Sacred Beast power barely matching Chen Tian's fifty-fifty. Both were acutely aware of this, having known each other too well for too long. With a resounding thud, an explosion erupted between Chen Tian's fist and Xie Shaomie's palm. Chen Tian retreated several steps, regaining his balance before transforming into an afterimage and attacking. Seizing the opportunity, he appeared behind Xie Shaomie. As Xie Shaomie stabilized himself, Chen Tian's fist swept out from behind.
Even with Xie Shaomie's current strength and physique, he dared not face this punch head-on. It was too formidable. Xie Shaomie reacted swiftly, his body evading the attack. He narrowly avoided it, and Chen Tian's fist struck empty air. Chen Tian hadn't anticipated Xie Shaomie's ability to dodge this move. Given the timing, the punch should have been unavoidable. Xie Shaomie's ability to evade it seemed to be a matter of luck. Chen Tian hadn't expected this punch to decide the victor; their current states were not conducive to a decisive conclusion.
The critical factor was the subsequent combat. Xie Shaomie evaded Chen Tian's punch, his form dissolving into countless afterimages that filled the air, indistinguishable from the real person, even in their core essence. Over a thousand afterimages surrounded Chen Tian. Upon witnessing this tactic, Chen Tian recognized it as something he had long since mastered. His body flickered, and an image of Chen Tian appeared behind him, followed by another, and then more. Soon, there were over a thousand Chen Tian figures.
These were Chen Tian's clones, each possessing one-third of his本体 strength. They were more than capable of dealing with the afterimages, which held little residual energy. While each clone was significantly weaker, their internal energy was inexhaustible. Each clone could be considered a weakened version of Chen Tian. A battle of attrition ensued, with Chen Tian's clones engaging the afterimages.
Meanwhile, Chen Tian's本体 and Xie Shaomie's本体 clashed head-on amidst a flurry of blades and sword lights, a kaleidoscope of colors and techniques unleashed. The clones, inheriting Chen Tian's memories and strength, could execute his moves. Xie Shaomie's afterimages, however, were different; they couldn't perform techniques and were systematically destroyed by Chen Tian's clones. Chen Tian's本体 and Xie Shaomie's本体 pounded against each other, fists colliding with thunderous force.
Their strength was evenly matched, at least fifty-fifty. Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie retreated. Chen Tian's clones had been reduced by thirty percent, while Xie Shaomie's afterimages were completely annihilated. Xie Shaomie looked at Chen Tian with disbelief. How had Chen Tian's clones achieved this? Even he couldn't guarantee that each of his afterimages and clones possessed specific strength and memories.
What had Chen Tian experienced in this life to become so powerful? If he continued to grow, the nine of them wouldn't stand a chance.
"Damn it, this guy is growing too fast. I'm no match for him now."
Xie Shaomie was deeply resentful. This was supposed to be Chen Tian's weakest moment, yet he was helpless, completely unable to defeat him. Chen Tian had to die today. His talent was too terrifying, too heaven-defying. If he continued to grow, they would all suffer the same fate, or worse, death. In the past, Chen Tian lacked the power to completely obliterate them, but now, with his growth, he could. Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie's eyes met with a cold glint.
Weapons appeared in both their hands. Chen Tian still wielded twin blades, his aura surging as he held them. The Xie Ling Spear, infused with the power of the Sacred Beast, now pulsed with a divine will that could compel any being to kneel before it. However, it had no effect on Chen Tian. Chen Tian's power of Samsara contended with the Sacred Beast's power. All energies, even that of a Sacred Beast, had to endure the cycle of Samsara. In essence, Samsara was more noble than the Sacred Beast, but it required the completion of eleven life cycles.
Chen Tian spread his arms, raising them high before bringing them down. Two beams of light shot forth, blades of energy that were vastly different from before, their power amplified by several levels. As Chen Tian's blade light struck, Xie Shaomie raised his spear, a black spear light erupting to meet the blade light. They exploded, neither gaining an advantage. Chen Tian stomped his foot, and Xie Shaomie did the same. They charged at each other, Chen Tian's twin blades immediately attacking upon contact.
However, the Xie Ling Spear possessed a reach advantage. As the saying goes, an inch of length makes an inch of strength, and there was some truth to it. The spear was seven feet long, giving it priority within that range and a defensive advantage beyond it. Chen Tian's twin blades had a shorter reach, and before he could close the distance, countless spear points flashed before him. Chen Tian's arms moved rapidly, the clang of steel against steel echoing. Chen Tian's twin blades danced like sprites, skillfully deflecting all the incoming spear points. Chen Tian pressed forward, closing the distance to Xie Shaomie.
Xie Shaomie wouldn't relinquish his advantage. Seeing Chen Tian handle his attacks with such ease, he decisively changed tactics. He swung his spear in a ninety-degree horizontal sweep. Chen Tian leaped, landing directly above Xie Shaomie. He dodged the sweep, and his twin blades descended. Xie Shaomie blocked with the shaft of his spear. Chen Tian's twin blades were stopped by the spear shaft. Xie Shaomie spun, his spear following suit. Chen Tian flipped backward, creating distance. As Chen Tian flipped, Xie Shaomie seized the opportunity, thrusting his spear towards Chen Tian's abdomen.
Chen Tian's twin blades crossed, reacting quickly enough, perhaps even anticipating Xie Shaomie's move. The twin blades deflected the tip of the Xie Ling Spear. Cracks appeared on the blades, their current energy insufficient to withstand the spear. However, Chen Tian's energy flowed into the cracks, repairing them instantly. With his blades restored, Chen Tian rapidly raised his arms, unleashing a surge of power that pushed Xie Shaomie back. Xie Shaomie held his spear, retreated a few steps, and looked at Chen Tian's twin blades.
"I see. It seems you haven't found your true weapon yet."
"I don't need one to deal with you."
Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie's gazes locked. Neither had yet used their full strength. They looked at each other, their battle poised to erupt anew. Chen Tian spread his twin blades, their movements creating resplendent blade light that extended into a terrifying edge. In response, Xie Shaomie thrust his Xie Ling Spear repeatedly, the spearheads overlapping to create a more powerful phantom. The phantom clashed with the blade, resulting in a massive explosion. Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie met in the center of the blast. Their mastery of their weapons was incredibly high, their twin blades and spear constantly clashing, producing a cacophony of sound. After the shockwave, as the explosion dissipated, Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie defended and attacked with their blades and spear, their arms moving at incomprehensible speeds, too fast to discern.
It was unclear how they had entered this collision. Chen Tian pulled away from Xie Shaomie. He wasn't sure what had happened, but as Chen Tian retreated, Xie Shaomie made a bizarre movement. Chen Tian's decision to create distance was correct. After Xie Shaomie's strange maneuver, the Xie Ling Spear grazed Chen Tian's cheek. This was only because Chen Tian had sensed the danger and dodged in advance; he couldn't imagine the damage he would have sustained if he had taken the hit head-on.
Xie Shaomie was displeased that his attack had been dodged. He had hoped to severely injure Chen Tian with this underhanded move. The guy's intuition was still as sharp as ever. His surprise attack had only caused a superficial scratch. Chen Tian touched his cheek, the wound healing instantly. Chen Tian watched Xie Shaomie warily. It was fortunate that Chen Tian had a strong sixth sense; had it been someone else, that move might have been fatal.
Xie Shaomie's expression darkened. After Chen Tian dodged his move, it was impossible to trick him again. Chen Tian wouldn't give him another opportunity. Chen Tian crossed his twin blades, sparks flying. Anger flickered in his eyes. He reappeared behind Xie Shaomie, his twin blades descending. Xie Shaomie, unfazed, swung his Xie Ling Spear, deflecting the twin blades. Chen Tian clenched his fist, and his twin blades reformed. This was not the time to retrieve his discarded weapons.
Chen Tian possessed energy mastery. As long as his energy wasn't depleted, he could conjure as many weapons as he desired, their strength limitlessly enhanced. He didn't need to worry about the deflected blades. As the twin blades were sent flying, the Xie Ling Spear lunged. Chen Tian's immediate thought was correct. The spear lunged like a black dragon soaring through the sky. In response, Chen Tian's twin blades collided, forming a dual-headed blade. He swung it, moving it from side to side, generating air currents. These were not ordinary air currents but a combination of sword intent and blade intent, their power no less than Xie Shaomie's move.
The air currents obstructed the black dragon's advance. The black dragon roared as if enraged, its form slowing down, its phantom gradually dissipating under the grinding of the air currents. The Xie Ling Spear was summoned back to Xie Shaomie's hand. With the spear back in hand, Chen Tian's twin blades were enveloped in cosmic and Samsara energy. Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie entered a new round.
Their battle was finally nearing its end. Chen Tian's dual-headed blade had split back into twin blades when the Xie Ling Spear was recalled. Chen Tian then assembled his twin blades into a longbow. He drew the energy-formed string, and a transparent arrow materialized at the center of the bow. This arrow, imbued with Chen Tian's energy, continuously grew in power. Its mere aura declared its extraordinary nature. Witnessing the arrow's power, Xie Shaomie dared not be complacent.
Xie Shaomie assumed a stance, preparing to throw his spear. Energy flowed through it, making it seem alive, bending and swaying. This sight struck Chen Tian as peculiar. The Xie Ling Spear was designed as a dead weapon, incapable of possessing a spirit. The current behavior of the spear was inexplicable. Had Xie Shaomie some hidden trump card?
Regardless, the arrow was nocked, and it had to be loosed. Chen Tian didn't believe he couldn't force Xie Shaomie to reveal his full hand. The arrow shot forth.
"Whoosh!"
Swift as thunder, light as shadow, powerful as the sea, shaped like a dragon, this arrow, a confluence of Chen Tian's various powers, transformed into a beam of light and soared into the sky. If one were on the ground, they might mistake it for the dawn of a new horizon. This arrow, imbued with immense power, hurtled towards Xie Shaomie. Xie Shaomie had completed his charge. He threw his spear. A terrifying sound erupted, its power resonating through space, indicative of its immense force.
The thrown spear became a black light. The black and white lights collided. Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie watched the scene unfold. Would this clash also end in a draw?
Both hoped to gain the upper hand. Indeed, amidst the two lights, explosions erupted continuously, followed by the simultaneous disappearance of their attacks. Chen Tian and Xie Shaomie sighed in unison. Their strength was so closely matched that their clashes always ended in a draw. How could they decide a victor, how could they kill each other?
This was their predicament. Xie Shaomie spoke first. "You have indeed become much stronger than in your first life. But even so, I must kill you. At least, I will make you pay a price."
"You are not so bad either. Your strength has increased after your revival, likely fueled by your hatred for me. It's a shame I shouldn't have created the nine of you back then."
"Shut up. How dare you say that? You granted us the freedom to think, with no restrictions, so why are you dissatisfied with our actions?"
Xie Shaomie's temper flared upon hearing Chen Tian mention his creation of them. "You created us, you sealed us, and now you want to kill us. Who can understand this feeling? We did nothing wrong. We were given the ability to think, with no limitations, so why is Chen Tian displeased with our choices?"
"Your actions were too extreme. Moreover, the Xie Ling Clan had not yet fully matured. How could I allow you to bring about their annihilation?"
Chen Tian sighed with regret. Any one of these nine individuals, if unleashed, would be a prodigy among the seven clans, with no one able to surpass them. It was precisely because Chen Tian had set the bar so high that they had nearly caused their own destruction. To prevent this, Chen Tian had no choice but to seal the nine.
It could be said that with these nine, the Xie Ling Clan could have reached the pinnacle of the seven clans. What a pity. Chen Tian's kindness at the time meant he didn't want to compete with anyone for rank. Subsequently, the Xie Ling Clan established a rule not to interfere in cosmic and world disputes, isolating themselves.
Perhaps this was why the Xie Ling Clan betrayed Chen Tian. The place where they lived was even less significant than a world, and they dared not disobey Chen Tian's rules, living that way for thousands, tens of thousands of years.
After Chen Tian entered Samsara, the ideas of some changed. Coupled with Tian's interference, betrayal was inevitable. After all, who wouldn't want to see the outside world?