C1362 Finish It!
C1362 Finish It!
Having ascended to Level 7 of the Martial Monarch Stage, Guo Yunfan had believed his power had surged significantly. His former rivals no longer posed a threat, and he had reveled in his newfound strength. Yet, in this moment, he was confronted with his own vulnerability, as delicate as a bubble ready to burst at the slightest touch.
He couldn't fathom how Lin Xuan, a mere junior among martial artists, could have acquired such formidable power in such a short span. How could someone from the younger generation possibly rival the seasoned prowess of an elder like himself?
Guo Yunfan attempted to summon his strength to defend against the impending doom, only to find the void around him had become like solid ice, rendering him immovable. Even the Profound Core within his Dantian lay silent, unresponsive to his desperate calls.
Powerless, he watched the translucent palm imprint descend upon him, filled with an endless dread.
Puchi!
The palm made a solid impact on Guo Yunfan's chest. He staggered as if struck by a massive force, blood streaming from his orifices, his life force rapidly diminishing.
Propelled backward, he was like a shell fired from a cannon, crashing into the teleportation hall's wall. He left behind a human-shaped indentation before sliding down slowly.
Now, Guo Yunfan's aura had drastically weakened from the late Emperor Level to merely the early stages of the Emperor Level. His body was wracked with excruciating pain, as if his very bones were being shattered and marrow extracted.
Despite the agony, he managed to half-kneel on the ground, offering his respect with a pained voice:
"I am deeply grateful for your mercy in sparing my life, Senior."
He could sense the myriad of fractures in his Dantian, fragile as glass, threatening to shatter at any moment.
Even without shattering, his cultivation had plummeted from Level 7 of the Martial Monarch Stage to Level 1.
Moreover, not only was progress difficult, but there was also a significant chance of further decline.
His future, prospects, and status were all obliterated by that one palm strike.
Yet, he dared not harbor any resentment.
He was compelled to rise and express gratitude.
After all, the other party was far stronger than him.
He couldn't be sure if the other party was at the peak of the Emperor Level, but the sheer force of that palm spoke volumes.
In the presence of the other party, he was insignificant, like an ant.
In this world, there was no room for reason.
The strong were revered, and power was paramount.
Whatever the strong did or said was deemed correct.
And there was already bad blood between them.
His own palm strike from the past had not been held back in the slightest.
Now, he considered himself lucky to be alive.
He couldn't fathom why the other party hadn't ended him with a single palm strike.
Perhaps it was disdain, or maybe a way to settle their grudge with one blow.
But he had managed to survive.
Guo Yunfan felt a weight lift from his heart.
Thoughts of revenge were far from his mind.
He no longer possessed the capability.
All he could wish for was self-preservation.
"Hmm? He's still alive?"
Lin Xuan's eyes showed a flicker of surprise before he looked away.
The others in the hall were utterly shocked by the turn of events.
They shivered like frightened mice, overwhelmed by fear.
Why had he attacked so suddenly?
And Guo Yunfan, the strongest among them, who had reached the late period of the Martial Monarch Stage, had been severely wounded by a single palm strike?
Despite hearing the previous exchange, they were still bewildered, unable to grasp what had transpired.
They kept silent, terrified of drawing the wrath of this formidable individual.
The attacker's strength was unquestionable.
With an effortless palm strike, he had grievously injured Guo Yunfan, who was at the late period of the Emperor Level.
And it seemed he hadn't even exerted his full power.
Compared to Guo Yunfan, they were significantly less powerful.
The outcome could have been far worse, they feared.
Yet Lin Xuan paid no mind to the others as he made his way out of the Transfer Hall.
The Martial Puppet quickly followed suit.
Since he had declared he would return the favor with another palm, even if Guo Yunfan had survived the first strike, their feud was considered settled.
Though he lived, his condition was dire.
With just a glance, Lin Xuan assessed Guo Yunfan's state.
He was not only severely injured, but also had most of his bones shattered, and his Dantian nearly destroyed.
His cultivation level had plummeted from the late period of Martial Monarch Stage Level 7 to the early period of Martial Monarch Stage Level 1.
Now at the weakest Martial Monarch Stage, he was only marginally stronger than the average King Level Martial Cultivator.
For him, it was as if he had tumbled from heaven into hell.
More alarming was the violent energy within him.
Without a martial cultivator exerting significant effort to purge it, recovery was out of the question.
Instead, his injuries would only intensify over time.
Across the entire Tianyuan Continent, only those of Half-level Emperor status had the capability to assist, and Guo Yunfan's standing and talent hardly merited their intervention.
Thus, that single palm had effectively ruined him.
Moreover, there was more to come.
Just because he would not strike again did not mean others would refrain; it wasn't over yet.
Many were eager to kick someone when they were down.
For Lin Xuan, this marked the resolution of their enmity.
Exiting the Transfer Hall, Lin Xuan gestured with a wave of his hand.
He summoned the Emperor Level High-grade Flying Ship he had previously utilized.
Hovering over Celestial Essence City, it cast a vast shadow below.
Lin Xuan, along with his companion and the beast, materialized on the deck of the Flying Ship.
The Martial Puppet continued to navigate the vessel.
Their destination was the headquarters of the Elemental Spirit Sect.
This visit was not a social call for Lin Xuan; subtlety was unnecessary.
Instead, he embraced a conspicuous approach in preparation for what lay ahead, within the confines of the Transfer Hall.
Gazing at the massive Emperor Level High-grade Flying Ship as it transformed into a streak of light and soared toward the sect's domain, every Emperor Level Martial Cultivator in the great hall breathed a sigh of relief. Their lives had been spared. Yet, there was a weight in their hearts; the demeanor of their adversary was decidedly hostile.
He had first inflicted a severe injury on Guo Yunfan with a single palm strike. Now, he was charging towards their sect with an aggressive presence. What were his intentions? Hadn't he already annihilated all the Devil Cloud Sect martial cultivators in Taichuan City? It seemed clear he was set on opposing the Devil Cloud Sect.
And here he was, treating their Elemental Spirit Sect with the same confrontational stance. Was it possible he intended to become an enemy of the entire Tianyuan Continent? Concern was evident in their expressions as they contemplated the emergence of such a formidable force, complicating the already intricate dynamics of the continent.
Yet, they were powerless to influence the outcome. The true arbiter of their fate would be the scarce few at the pinnacle of the Emperor Level.
With a collective inward sigh, they turned their attention back to Guo Yunfan, who lay beneath the nearby wall, groaning in pain, surrounded by a pool of his own blood.
"Brother Yunfan, what happened?" one asked.
"Do you have a feud with this elder? Why would he strike at you?" inquired another.
"Who is this elder, exactly? It seems like you've met before?" added a third.
They bombarded Guo Yunfan with questions, showing no regard for his grievous injuries. Speaking was a struggle for him; each breath he took was a painful reminder of his wounds.