Meanwhile, at Sen City – City Lord's Mansion Arena
Ao Liuzi's expression twisted as Gao Tian's words echoed across the arena.
What? Did this fool lose his mind? Destroy my clan?
"You bastard!" Ao Liuzi roared, his voice full of venom. "Do you think I'm crazy enough to believe that nonsense? When I'm done crippling you, I'll burn your clan to ashes!"
His body lifted into the air, robes fluttering in the violent wind. Bringing his hands close to his chest, he left a gap between his palms. Spiritual energy surged toward him, condensing into a glowing sphere. The bright blue aura twisted and churned, and as it took shape, it began to turn black, exuding a sinister aura.
Gao Tian glared at him, voice cold and sharp as steel.
"You… Just how many women have you ruined to cultivate the Evil Yin Essence Technique?"
He clenched his fists, fury boiling in his veins.
The Evil Yin Essence Technique… A vile method, even worse than dual cultivation. It drains Yin essence from women to strengthen the user. Only men can practice it. I used Essence Devouring on enemies—those who deserved it. But this scum… he used it for pleasure, for humiliation.
Ao Liuzi grinned, his laughter echoing like a death knell.
"Hahaha! I lost count long ago. But every single one of them… was fun."
High above, Shu Yu trembled within the barrier, her hands gripping the edge as rage burned in her eyes.
"That bastard… He killed my friend and…" Her voice cracked, tears glistening as they rolled down her cheeks.
Below, Gao Tian's fury exploded. Purple spiritual energy erupted from his body, twisting like a storm around him. His aura climbed higher and higher until his body floated into the air. His eyes glowed with a cold, violet light as his voice thundered like an enraged god.
"So it was fun… killing innocent women like ants?"
Ao Liuzi sneered, eyes full of malice.
"Yeah. It was fun."
A suffocating silence fell. Then, in an instant, Gao Tian shot upward, hovering at the same level as Ao Liuzi. The wind howled as the arena trembled under their combined auras.
Ao Liuzi smirked, a glint of mockery in his eyes.
"So, you learned to float using spiritual energy? Impressive for a moment, but it won't save you."
He thrust his hands forward, releasing the energy he had been gathering. The darkened sphere burst apart, transforming into a massive blast of raw Qi that tore through the air toward Gao Tian like a raging black tide.
Gao Tian didn't flinch. His purple eyes burned brighter, reflecting the incoming destruction.
Gao Tian raised his right hand toward the heavens, his empty palm opening slowly as he whispered under his breath:
"Thirty-Nine Sword Strike: Endless."
For an instant, the entire sky dimmed as if the sun had been swallowed. Then, with a deafening hum, thirty-nine golden sword lights erupted into existence. They spiraled around Gao Tian in a perfect orbit, forming a storm of brilliance that shimmered like divine stars circling a god.
High above, Sen Zhuo and Tong Men felt a chill crawl down their spines. Fear flickered across their eyes as they sensed the destructive aura gathering in the arena.
"This little brat…" Sen Zhuo roared, his voice trembling. "Are you trying to destroy the entire arena?!"
His heart quivered with disbelief. Sword Mind… He actually reached Sword Mind at such a young age. I haven't even gone halfway down that path…
On the other side, Tong Men's face paled. "Our barrier… It won't withstand this!"
That sword intent is terrifying… In such a young age, to comprehend this level… monstrous.
Meanwhile, Gao Tian stood drenched in sweat, his breathing heavy as he felt his spiritual energy drain like a flood. Even so, his eyes burned with determination as he lowered his palm, pointing directly at Ao Liuzi's oncoming attack.
I have no choice… but to end it here.
With a swift motion of his hand, the thirty-nine golden swords let out a sharp cry, then shot forward in unison. They moved like streaks of heavenly light, ripping through the air toward Ao Liuzi's monstrous wave of black qi.
Across from him, Ao Liuzi only laughed, his voice echoing with arrogance.
"Hahaha! Kid, you're wasting your time! Your spiritual swords are nothing but leaves before my storm!"
His confidence was absolute.
But the moment the first golden blade clashed against the tide of black qi, the world trembled.
BOOM!
A cataclysmic explosion ripped through the arena, shaking the earth beneath their feet. Golden and black spiritual energy collided violently, releasing waves of destructive force in every direction.
One wave hurtled toward Gao Tian. He stood firm, clasping his hands behind his back as a purple spiritual barrier flared to life around him, holding back the storm.
Another wave surged toward Ao Liuzi. He sneered and summoned his black barrier, which quivered but held under the onslaught.
Yet another shockwave swept toward Shu Yu and the Ruler Dog, but before it could reach them, the barrier Gao Tian had erected earlier shimmered and absorbed the blast.
The remaining force slammed against the outermost barrier that enclosed the arena—a formation woven by Sen Zhuo and Tong Men. The impact cracked it like shattered glass. Both elders spat blood, their faces pale with agony as they struggled to hold it together.
Sen Zhuo gritted his teeth, rage and despair surging within him. This little bastard… Does he want us dead? Why fight Ao Liuzi to the death here of all places?!
On the opposite side, Tong Men coughed violently, blood staining his lips as the barrier trembled again. He's only at Foundation Establishment… How can he even stand against Ao Liuzi? And why in the nine heavens does he have to fight like this?!
The arena fell silent except for the rumbling echoes of the explosion, the smoke, and the glimmer of two figures—neither willing to take a single step back.
The thirty-eight golden swords that lingered in the air suddenly shot forward, streaking toward Ao Liuzi like bolts of divine lightning. Their speed was so sharp it tore through the air with shrill cries.
Ao Liuzi felt the danger approaching but only smirked, folding his arms calmly. His black spiritual barrier pulsed around him, thick and unyielding like a fortress.
Let him try, he thought smugly. I don't know why this brat is so strong, but his attacks are nothing more than child's play. My barrier will never yield to such tricks.
The first golden sword slammed against the black barrier with a booming crash. Dust and light exploded outward, but when the haze cleared, the barrier still stood firm.
Then came the second sword. It tore through the fading dust, striking again with a flash of gold. The third followed, then the fourth—each impact spreading ripples of energy but leaving the barrier seemingly untouched.
Inside the darkness of his shield, Ao Liuzi chuckled, pride swelling in his chest. Pathetic. Low-level strikes, nothing more. They look flashy, but in truth, they are no better than ants gnawing at stone.
Yet across the battlefield, Gao Tian stood trembling, drenched in sweat. His breathing was ragged, but a strange smile tugged at his lips. His purple eyes gleamed with madness and certainty.
He thinks it's a child's trick. Hah. This isn't some common technique—it's the Thirty-Nine Sword Strike. A King Grade, Mid-tier art. Even in my past life, such things were rare in the lower worlds. Let him laugh now… it will be his last smile.
The swords continued their relentless barrage.
Twenty-five golden blades had already struck, filling the arena with thunderous roars. Though the barrier still held, each clash grew louder, heavier—like the pounding of war drums on the eve of destruction.
Above, Shu Yu clenched her fists, her face pale with worry as she gazed at Gao Tian's exhausted figure. Her heart twisted at the sight. He's pushing himself too far. Please… stop before you break yourself. In frustration, she slammed her fist against the shimmering prison that trapped her, but the barrier only rippled faintly, unyielding.
Beside her, the Ruler Dog growled low, his golden eyes never leaving Gao Tian. Damn brat… He looks ready to collapse, yet still he smiles. Why do I… why do I feel pity for the fool who tried to kill me instead?
Then it came—the sound that silenced every breath in the arena.
Crack.
Ao Liuzi froze, his arrogant smirk vanishing as his eyes darted downward. Hairline fractures spread across the surface of his black barrier like a spiderweb.
Impossible… My barrier… cracked?
Gao Tian's smile widened, his purple aura surging faintly despite his weakness.
The thirty-fifth sword struck. The fractures spread.
The thirty-sixth sword fell. The cracks deepened.
The thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth followed in quick succession, and with a sound like a world shattering—glass splintering across the heavens—the black barrier exploded into fragments of shadow and dust.
Ao Liuzi staggered back, disbelief etched across his wide, trembling eyes.
The thirty-nine golden swords still hovered, gleaming ominously in the air.
The battlefield fell silent.