Chen Tian held the Qian Kun Saber. In his hands, the Xie Ming Spear transformed into a Flowery Spear, its size magnified several times compared to before. The power coursing through it was also immense. Xie Lei, standing beside him, injected the Cosmic Annihilation Divine Thunder into the spear. The addition of divine thunder significantly boosted the Xie Ling Flowery Spear's might. This combination technique was a move researched by Xie Ming and Xie Lei, and they didn't believe Chen Tian could easily overcome it. Chen Tian sensed the power of this attack and found it somewhat troublesome.
However, this also proved they were growing. Chen Tian felt gratified; after all, they were his children. Chen Tian held the Qian Kun Saber with one hand, channeling energy into it. Various energies enveloped the saber. The left blade of the Qian Kun Saber was white, while the right was colorless. The hilt in the center turned nine-colored. Chen Tian raised the Qian Kun Saber with one hand and brought it down sharply. A white blade shot out. He then spun, the Qian Kun Saber following suit in a sweeping motion.
The crisscrossing blades connected and rotated, charging towards Xie Lei and Xie Ming. Seeing this, Xie Lei didn't hesitate with the Xie Ling Spear. Although not fully perfected in-game, this level of power was sufficient. The Xie Ling Spear was thrust forward. Both palms unleashed their strength, and the Xie Ling Flowery Spear met the crisscrossing blades. They clashed back and forth. Xie Ming was slightly strained. Xie Lei stood behind Xie Ming, continuously injecting the Cosmic Annihilation Divine Thunder. Chen Tian faced this combination technique with ease and composure.
His nonchalant gaze and demeanor were completely different from Xie Ming and Xie Lei's predicament. Xie Ming and Xie Lei were going all out. This move represented their peak power, yet the crisscrossing blades before the Flowery Spear stood like a mountain, unmoving, neither advancing nor retreating an inch. Chen Tian stretched and said, "Not bad. The power of this move is quite impressive. Your growth is astonishing. However, opposing me, you will not win."
Chen Tian spun again, launching a sweeping blade. The white blade collided with the crisscrossing blades, which then morphed into a flower-shaped blade, spinning rapidly. The Xie Ling Spear was pushed back bit by bit. Chen Tian's blade not only affected Xie Ming and Xie Lei, but they unleashed their power to barely keep the Xie Ling Flowery Spear from exploding. Suddenly, an explosion occurred. The Xie Ling Flowery Spear shattered into countless fragments. The impact wave forced Chen Tian to take a step back.
Xie Ming and Xie Lei retreated three steps. It was only because Xie Yu's energy shield protected them that they didn't suffer more severe injuries. Xie Ming looked at his empty hands, unable to believe that the Xie Ling Spear and Xie Ling Armor were gone, shattered. Wasn't it said that such items were indestructible? Wasn't it the most powerful defensive armor?
Chen Tian slowly emerged from the other side, like a deity. Xie Ming had clearly lost his combat ability; his entire fighting style relied on his weapon. Even fighting bare-handed, he was no match for Chen Tian at this stage. Xie Lei sustained minor injuries. Xie Yu looked at Chen Tian and scanned the surroundings. So much time had passed, yet the Cosmic Consciousness hadn't noticed. What was going on?
Xie Yu was somewhat perplexed about the Cosmic Consciousness. This battle had raged for so long, and even this space was a combat arena created by the Cosmic Consciousness. Why hadn't it appeared yet? Was the Cosmic Consciousness in hibernation, or was it occupied with other pressing matters?
Xie Ming spoke, "Are we going to drag this out? If we don't use our trump cards, all three of us will die."
Xie Ming was impatient. His words jolted Xie Yu out of his reverie. This wasn't the time to ponder that question. Xie Yu looked at Chen Tian and pondered. If they unleashed their trump cards and still couldn't defeat Chen Tian, their ultimate fate would be death. But if they didn't, they would still die without any ability to resist. Chen Tian was too powerful for them to contend with.
"A war of attrition. Xie Ming, you go first. Xie Lei and I will observe the situation. Each of us has only one trump card. We cannot reveal them all at once."
Xie Yu was intelligent. The three of them possessed different trump cards. If they used them all together and Chen Tian managed to outlast them, they would surely perish. Using them one by one, observing the situation, could catch Chen Tian off guard and perhaps even allow them to seize the initiative.
Xie Ming followed Xie Yu's advice. Xie Yu was the strategic leader among the nine of them, and his plans and strategies were generally well-reasoned. The nine of them shared the same bloodline, like nine brothers, their minds connected. They had been through everything together and trusted each other implicitly, never needing to question their decisions.
Xie Ming took a deep breath. Chen Tian had overheard their conversation. He had no idea what their trump cards were. Chen Tian hadn't granted them any special trump cards or abilities, so he was curious about their methods. Chen Tian became vigilant, especially as Xie Ming stepped forward, and Chen Tian felt a tingle, as if something momentous was about to happen. Xie Ming roared, "Chen Tian, you forced my hand."
"Divine gaze upon me, heaven and earth vast, divine aura, pervade my being, merge!"
Xie Ming roared, unleashing a terrifying aura. Golden and black energies intertwined, wrapping around his body on both sides. The golden aura was so sacred it made Chen Tian feel an urge to prostrate. That golden aura was definitely not from this universe. Chen Tian recalled that guy, Tian, was from another universe, and perhaps this aura was bestowed by him.
The black and golden energies merged and entered Xie Ming's body. Immense power surged within Xie Ming, his aura soaring into the heavens, transforming into a black and gold pillar of light. The Cosmic Consciousness, far in the distance, opened its eyes and said helplessly, "Unacceptable, unacceptable. I cannot appear. If I appear to help Chen Tian, all my plans will be in vain. Chen Tian, you must resolve this battle yourself."
The Cosmic Consciousness knew Chen Tian was about to enter his eleventh reincarnation. It also knew that the eleventh reincarnation was not permitted by the universe. The Cosmic Consciousness had been watching this battle. Xie Yu and the others hoped the Cosmic Consciousness would appear to suppress Chen Tian, but it could not act against Chen Tian. Chen Tian was the most crucial link in its plans. Anyone in the universe could be lost, but Chen Tian absolutely could not.
The Cosmic Consciousness had helped Chen Tian countless times. This time, it was powerless to do so. Its appearance would signal its stance. Xie Yu and the other two could then seize the opportunity to spread information, and Chen Tian would become an enemy of the entire universe.
Xie Ming's body was enveloped by black and gold armor. At this moment, Xie Ming's body underwent a drastic transformation. Chen Tian sensed a wild, beastly surge from Xie Ming. The black and gold armor encased Xie Ming's body. His Xie Ling Claws grew short, round spikes. When his claws clenched into fists, they resembled brass knuckles, except these were covered in spikes on all sides of the fist. His head sprouted black and gold long horns, with a portion missing from the curved horns. Xie Ming looked at Chen Tian and took a step forward. As he stepped, wings unfurled behind him.
The Xie Ling Qi merged with the beastly wings, altering Xie Ming's appearance and significantly increasing his speed. Xie Ming vanished and reappeared. Chen Tian's figure flickered to the left, evading Xie Ming's attack. Chen Tian chose to defend. In this state, Chen Tian had no understanding of Xie Ming. He had to be extremely cautious. Trump cards were called trump cards because they could turn the tide of battle. Chen Tian wanted to see what special abilities Xie Ming possessed in this state.