Chen Tian's growth filled Xie Long with dread. Judging by his current cultivation level, Chen Tian was merely a beginner, yet possessed such strength. Xie Long couldn't imagine his future achievements and resolved to eliminate him here and now. Energy erupted from Xie Long, forming an ocean that surged towards Chen Tian, threatening to engulf him. He scoffed, stating such techniques were beneath him. Behind him, an energy volcano erupted, spewing nine-colored light. The nine-colored flames collided with the vast ocean.
Continuous explosions resounded. When their attacks dissipated, they were at a stalemate. Neither was surprised, as they hadn't used their full strength. Chen Tian and Xie Long's figures flickered, transforming into beams of light that shot towards each other. This time, it wasn't a simple collision. Both men condensed moves in their hands; it was time for techniques to clash. After their previous exchanges, their combat awareness was on par. It would be impossible to determine a victor through mere physical combat. The only way to decide the winner lay in their moves and martial arts.
His palm condensed with boundless elemental energy, taking on a blade-like form. As the hand-blade swung, a pure white blade aura shot forth. This blade aura was infused with countless elemental energies. Mastering energy meant the ability to fuse and control various energies at will, with no fear of them going wild. Seeing Chen Tian control so many elemental energies, even in his first life, he had never mastered so many. It seemed he had found a different cultivation path in this life, which explained his rapid progress.
Facing the pure white blade aura, spikes grew from Xie Long's arm. These spikes gradually formed into wrist blades. As the wrist blades were embedded in his arm, he swung his arm, causing the blades to tightly interlock and form a long saber. The saber collided with the blade aura. The aftershocks spread, forcing Chen Tian and Xie Long to erect barriers to shield themselves.
When the aftershocks subsided, both were unharmed. It seemed this round was also a draw; neither could overcome the other. Xie Long took a deep breath, condensing evil spirit energy onto his body and arms. Black evil spirit armor appeared on his legs, and the armor attached itself to his body, increasing his power. Without delay, Chen Tian amplified his energy. His left hand mobilized Yin-Yang energy, forming a Tai Chi diagram, while his right hand channeled elemental energy into a pure white orb. These two completely different energies resonated in his hands.
He brought his palms together. The Tai Chi diagram and the pure white orb attempted to merge, but the fusion was not smooth. Yin-Yang energy and elemental energy were inherently antagonistic, not complementary. Yin-Yang energy was a level higher than elemental energy. Logically, elemental energy could converge to reach the power level of Yin-Yang energy. It was the mutual repulsion that made this fusion incredibly difficult.
Fortunately, with the aid of absolute energy mastery, the two disparate powers fused. He slowly raised his palm. The original Yin-Yang Tai Chi diagram now appeared half black and white, half pure white. The Tai Chi diagram spun rapidly on his palm, condensing and growing stronger. The longer this move was charged, the more powerful it became.
Xie Long recognized this move. Though the appearance and the powers used had changed, the steps were identical. This was one of his most powerful moves from his first life, and it seemed even more formidable now.
He dared not underestimate Chen Tian, his expression growing solemn and serious. To kill him would require a significant price. Although the current price was already high, it wouldn't be enough to defeat Chen Tian. His strength had deeply ingrained itself in Xie Long's heart, filling him with a sense of dread.
His eyes turned black, and dense, broken black spikes sprouted from his back, covering it entirely. It resembled a porcupine. The spikes continued to extend, soon surpassing the length of any spear. Both men gathered their power. One unleashed a spinning wheel of light, while the other unleashed a forest of spikes from his back. It seemed this time, a victor would truly be decided.
Chen Tian struck first. His arm descended, and the wheel of light charged forward horizontally. Xie Long's back erupted with a furious barrage of spikes, akin to a torrential downpour. As these spikes shot out, they cleverly merged, forming a black spear. Upon closer inspection, the spear bore the likeness of the Evil Spirit Spear.
This surprised Xie Long. It appeared his growth across these reincarnations had been successful. Such a technique did not exist in his memories. He had skillfully fused his move with the Evil Spirit Spear. Impressive, he thought, truly the strongest among the Nine Sons.
The wheel of light and the Evil Spirit Spear clashed. The wheel of light seemed to cleave through the spear. Just as it was about to pass through, countless spikes merged, reinforcing the spear's power. The wheel of light, halfway through, got stuck. Chen Tian's palm clenched lightly. Bang!
This collision, while appearing to be a draw, actually gave Chen Tian the upper hand. The explosion earlier was a tactic employed to prevent precisely this situation.
Seeing his opponent so decisive and directly detonating his move, Xie Long acknowledged that Chen Tian's judgment was even sharper than before. He was truly troublesome.
"Give up. You are no match for me, even with your full power."
He spoke with confidence. He still had the Reincarnation Body, which he hadn't used. Once activated, this battle would end. He was giving the other party a chance.
"No, I still have a chance. I don't believe you are still as powerful as before."
"Stubborn. Why can't the nine of you understand?"
Xie Long shook his head with a hint of sorrow. If possible, he would prefer Chen Tian not to die. Chen Tian was the most powerful among the Nine Sons. If they could restore their past relationship, it would be beneficial for eradicating the Evil Spirit Clan in the future. Alas, he was consumed by hatred, with only the path of defeating Chen Tian remaining.
"Reincarnation Body, activate!"
He silently chanted. The Reincarnation Body of his first life activated, and the aura emanating from the phantom figure behind him directly suppressed Xie Long. Disbelief contorted his face. This was impossible. Absolutely impossible. How could the Cosmic Consciousness allow such an existence to live?
"Do you understand the gap between us now?"
"Hahaha, you actually want to defy the universe? You are courting death! You are courting death! The path of the eleventh reincarnation is in its hands. I will await you in the depths of hell."
Upon seeing the complete form of the Reincarnation Body, Xie Long lost all fighting will. The reason was simple: Chen Tian, with the Reincarnation Body active, possessed the same strength as he did before reincarnation. Xie Long had no power to resist.
"Alas!"
A sigh escaped his lips, and Xie Long's figure turned to dust and dissipated.
"Pity, such a pity!"
With those words, his figure vanished. Activating the Reincarnation Body had limitations, and he couldn't use it again today. He could only hope that no incidents would occur during the upcoming grand competition. However, based on the information received from that person, this competition might be the final battle.
He needed to adjust the system settings and programming to transfer the entire battlefield to this layer. This was his current plan. This battle was finally coming to an end.
First, he would initiate a purge of traitors in the Divine Realm, and then return to the real world.
Back at the tavern, Chen Tian prepared to rest for a while. There was still an hour until the Swordsman Grand Competition began. He wondered how they would alter the format of the Swordsman Grand Competition this time. Due to his appearance, the competition would be more challenging to determine rankings than usual.
Of course, that wasn't the main point. He believed this Swordsman Grand Competition would be...