Chapter 35: Both Sides Wounded

Chen Sanyan, one of the top geniuses at the Martial Arts School.

Having completed four years of high-level training, he had reached Star Cloud Peak.

With his Mystical Fire Blade Technique, even the other top geniuses were unwilling to provoke him.

“I was wondering, Zhou Wen, how you had the guts to secretly follow me.”

Chen Sanyan’s expression was icy cold. “So, you have such a helper.”

Zhou Wen’s expression was grave as she stood beside Jiang Changkong, whispering, “I’ll hold him off with my life later. You run.”

“With your life?”

Chen Sanyan glanced at her mockingly. “Your life can’t even withstand a single move.”

Then, he turned to Jiang Changkong. “Who are you? State your name.”

“Jiang Changkong.”

Jiang Changkong’s expression was calm, but the muscles in his body were tense. At the slightest sign of trouble, he could unleash his full power instantly.

“You’re Jiang Changkong? Peak stellar qi?”

Chen Sanyan was momentarily stunned. Wasn’t Jiang Changkong only at peak stellar qi?

With that earlier slash, he had used his full strength, intending to kill both of them in one strike.

Anyone who could block his full-power slash without injury should definitely be at Star Cloud Peak.

“We’re both members of the Martial Arts School. How about we let this go?”

Jiang Changkong said calmly.

Facing Chen Sanyan, he wasn’t afraid.

In fact, he was confident he could take this guy down.

But he would be injured—severely injured.

“Let this go?”

A flicker of disdain flashed in Chen Sanyan’s eyes.

“Zhou Wen, I didn’t kill you earlier because you were following too closely, and I was worried about alerting Ji Ziling and Ying Yanxue.

Now that you’ve willingly distanced yourself, why would I let you go?

As for you, you’re not even a student. How can you call yourself a member of the school?

Your mark has already been changed, yet you still come here to die. You brought this upon yourself.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Sanyan’s figure moved instantly. His long blade sliced through the air, a wave of scorching heat enveloping Zhou Wen.

His plan was simple: first kill the weakest, Zhou Wen, then deal with Jiang Changkong.

Jiang Changkong was already prepared. Taiji manifested, blocking Zhou Wen, while simultaneously striking her with a palm.

A gentle force sent Zhou Wen flying backward.

Just as Zhou Wen had protected him earlier.

Now, the roles were reversed.

“You can’t even protect yourself, yet you want to protect her?”

Chen Sanyan sneered, his Blade Qi intensifying further.

“You talk too much.”

Jiang Changkong’s expression turned cold and stern, his entire body glowing with a bronze-like luster.

Hum

Boom

The Blade Qi descended, but Taiji rotated, dispersing sixty percent of the force, just like before.

This time, however, Jiang Changkong didn’t retreat. Instead, he suppressed a portion of his strength, enduring the remaining forty percent of the Blade Qi.

With a loud crash, Blade Qi and Star Power surged in all directions. The powerful force sent both of them stumbling back several steps.

Drops of blood fell. Jiang Changkong clenched his right hand tightly, a faint blade mark visible on his palm.

This guy’s blade was top-tier Second Tier. Even with the Taiji Diagram and copper skin and iron bones, it was difficult to defend against it completely.

“Changkong.” Zhou Wen’s expression turned anxious, but she didn’t know what to do.

Intervene?

Her strength was too weak; she would only be a burden.

Jiang Changkong kept his gaze fixed on Chen Sanyan, not looking back as he said,

“Brother Wen, hurry and leave. If I want to go, he can’t stop me.”

“Neither of you is going anywhere!”

Chen Sanyan snorted coldly, Blade Qi rising once more as he slashed directly at Zhou Wen.

Jiang Changkong took a step forward, Taiji following him, blocking the Blade Qi.

Boom

With a resounding explosion, both were forced back. Chen Sanyan’s expression darkened as he gripped his blade tightly.

Jiang Changkong’s expression remained grave, not yielding an inch. “Brother Wen, leave quickly. I’ll find you later.”

“Changkong, take care.”

Seeing this, Zhou Wen no longer hesitated. She turned and ran.

Jiang Changkong’s strength was already enough to hold off Chen Sanyan. Escaping wouldn’t be a problem, so she didn’t need to worry.

Chen Sanyan intended to give chase but was firmly blocked by Jiang Changkong, instantly enraged: “You’re really asking for death—Flame Blade!”

In his fury, Blade Qi surged, crimson light shimmering, scorching heat waves radiating.

As the long blade slashed down, the surrounding weeds couldn’t withstand the intense heat, turning charred black.

Jiang Changkong’s gaze remained calm, Taiji rising once more—this time, without suppressing his power.

Boom!

The two forces collided, and Chen Sanyan’s expression changed, feeling a surge of power pierce through the Blade Qi, erupting with fierce intensity.

He hastily retreated, but that immense force struck violently, hitting his chest like a heavy blow.

Pfft!

Jiang Changkong, however, spat out a mouthful of blood, sliding back several meters, the sleeve of his right arm emitting a faint scorched smell.

Blood trickled from the corner of Chen Sanyan’s mouth, his face darkening: “You weren’t using your full strength earlier?”

That burst of power just now was stronger than before, even slightly surpassing his own.

Jiang Changkong’s expression remained indifferent: “If we continue fighting, neither of us will gain anything. How about we end it here?”

Chen Sanyan was strong—Star Cloud Peak, a top-tier genius, was no joke.

But Jiang Changkong was no weakling either. With triple the Star Power of his peers, combined with pure physical strength, even Star Cloud Peak couldn’t match him.

If Chen Sanyan were unarmed, Jiang Changkong wouldn’t just dominate the fight—he’d win with ease.

“Neither of us gaining anything? Ridiculous! Today, you will die! After killing you, I’ll go deal with Zhou Wen.”

Chen Sanyan’s face turned icy, murderous intent flashing in his eyes as crimson Blade Qi surged: “Red Flame Blade.”

The blade ignited with scarlet flames, the scorching heat rising another degree.

“Then I’ll send you on your way first!”

Jiang Changkong’s gaze turned cold and fierce, no longer holding back in the slightest.

Even if he left, this guy would still pursue him, even go after Zhou Wen.

Since he wouldn’t let him go, there was no need to spare him.

If he could kill, he absolutely wouldn’t let him live!

With that thought, Jiang Changkong took the initiative this time.

As the blade descended, Taiji guided it—this time, not merely deflecting the force but redirecting the long blade itself.

Four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds!

Boom!

The Blade Qi veered aside, carving a deep gash into the ground.

Jiang Changkong closed in, fist force erupting, shaking the long blade.

Clang!

The blade trembled violently under the immense force, nearly slipping from Chen Sanyan’s grasp.

He quickly channeled Star Power to resist the impact, the blade’s glow growing even more scorching.

In an instant, fist and blade collided, both men thrown back simultaneously.

Pfft!

Powerful forces surged in all directions, blood spraying. Chen Sanyan wiped the blood from his mouth, his expression growing darker.

Jiang Changkong didn’t spit blood, but his palm dripped continuously, a deep blade wound on the back of his hand revealing bone.

Chen Sanyan, armed with a top-tier Second Tier weapon, posed a significant threat.

The gap in their strength was narrow, making mutual injury almost inevitable.

“Damn it, this blade will surely kill you! Mystical Fire Blade—die!”

Chen Sanyan’s dark face twisted into a snarl. The Blade Qi remained crimson, but this time, a hint of gold was hidden within.

“Getting desperate?”

Jiang Changkong narrowed his eyes, neither dodging nor evading.

As the Mystical Fire Blade descended, the Blade Qi was pure, its heat astonishing. The Taiji Diagram spun violently, deflecting the Blade Qi.

But that hint of gold contained terrifying power, causing his Taiji Diagram to halt its rotation instantly.

Jiang Changkong’s expression changed—he could only deflect thirty percent!

His mind raced as he struggled to operate the Taiji Diagram. With his hands crossed, the long blade shifted slightly.

As the Taiji Diagram was about to dissipate, Jiang Changkong let it vanish, allowing the blade to pierce his right shoulder.

The Star Power within him and his pure physical strength shifted to his left arm.

The Blade Qi shot like a rainbow, instantly piercing through.

Pfft!

The long blade sank into flesh, blood flowing freely. Blade Qi invaded his body, wreaking havoc wildly.

Fortunately, the Tai Chi Fist Scripture had advanced to the middle grade, granting him the natural protection of Taiji, which could temporarily withstand the Blade Qi.

That was enough!

“Die!”

Chen Sanyan’s ferocious expression carried a hint of satisfaction.

Once the Blade Qi of his Mystical Fire Blade entered the body, not even Jiang Changkong—nor any other top student—could withstand it.

Jiang Changkong showed no sign of panic. Watching Chen Sanyan, who was now within arm’s reach, he raised his left palm in a Taiji stance.

“You still have strength? Not good…”

Chen Sanyan’s face turned cold as he tried to retreat, but it was too late.

Boom

Crack

Star Power, combined with pure physical force, erupted along an extremely rigid path, pouring entirely onto Chen Sanyan.

Bones shattered, blood sprayed, and the immense force struck him. Chen Sanyan gripped the hilt tightly, attempting to pull the blade out, only to see Jiang Changkong’s right hand suddenly seize the blade itself.

A bronze-like glow shimmered as Jiang Changkong held the blade firmly. Unable to free it, Chen Sanyan had no choice but to let go.

Propelled by the tremendous force, Chen Sanyan was sent flying sideways and crashed heavily to the ground.

Jiang Changkong grasped the long blade tightly and, with a powerful tug, pulled it out completely.

Squelch

Blood spurted, crimson liquid flowing freely. Jiang Changkong gripped the hilt, using the blade to support himself as he stood.