NOVEL NEXT Chapter 519: He's a Sword Cultivator?!
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Chen Huaian blocked this staff strike and had a rough estimate of the ape's strength.
If using Cangyun Realm cultivators as a benchmark,
The ape was about 30% stronger than Cangyun Realm cultivators.
That made it at least 50-60% stronger than Ascenders. Without using Dragon Soul or the Heavenly Demon Art, relying purely on innate talent and True Essence, the ape was evenly matched with him.
Though he didn't know the ape's limits,
At present, it seemed only he could fight the ape.
"Senior... Senior actually blocked that attack?" Wang Shouyi first felt worry then shock seeing Chen Huaian withstand the ape's staff.
Yet the senior blocked it... What realm was he in?
Could he also be at Void Shattering stage?
Hua Jin however saw through the trick. After brief contemplation, her eyes lit up as she smacked her fist into her palm: "This venerable one understands now. This ape grows stronger against stronger opponents. See that red circle on the ground?
Within this circle is where its strange dao principles take effect - the ape's power adjusts to match whoever enters!
But being a demon, its physical strength is formidable. Combined with monstrous brute force and strong defenses, most Ascenders would die instantly facing it!"
Wang Shouyi had an epiphany, "As expected of Her Eminence, seeing through the ape's secrets at a glance! Truly amazing!"
Hua Jin's fair face reddened slightly at his praise.
When had she figured it out immediately?
If not for Chen Huaian charging in to pull them outside the red circle,
They'd already have been smashed into paste by the ape's staff.
With her powerful soul she might survive,
But Wang Shouyi wasn't even at Nascent Soul stage - one strike would scatter his soul to the winds.
Chen Huaian had truly rendered great service this time.
Not only saving her physical body,
But more importantly saving Little YiYi's life.
Reward!
He must be properly rewarded!
Meanwhile, Chen Huaian and the ape concluded their first staff exchange.
The ape withdrew its contemptuous expression facing this clearly different opponent. Its fiery eyes flickered with complex hidden emotions.
After brief silence, it retrieved its iron staff and retreated to the opposite side of the red circle.
Now each occupied half of the 50-meter radius circle. Then, holding its staff in one hand, it beckoned Chen Huaian with the other.
"The demon is challenging the senior to a duel!"
Wang Shouyi gaped, transforming into an awestruck spectator.
"Truly Elder Chen!" Hua Jin the True One's eyes shone with admiration, "This venerable one wasn't mistaken - earning this ape's recognition proves Elder Chen has real skill beyond just alchemy talent!"
She felt fortunate.
Recruiting Chen Huaian into Kunlun Immortal Palace was her wisest recent decision.
"Your Eminence, let's heal quickly so we can assist Elder Chen later."
"Agreed!"
Their back-and-forth conversation
Lacked any sense of hierarchy,
More like equals or even a young couple.
But nearby Kunlun Immortal Palace disciples and other sect Ascenders remained focused on the impending battle, oblivious to the unusual interaction between Hua Jin the True One and Wang Shouyi.
The ape pointed its staff at Chen Huaian in clear provocation,
While Wang Shouyi and Hua Jin watched Chen Huaian draw his sword.
"Your Eminence, remember when I mentioned Elder Chen is also a formidable Sword Cultivator?"
"Chen Huaian, a Sword Cultivator?" Hua Jin blinked, her expression turning peculiar. She'd tested Chen Huaian before - he could wield a sword, but only at basic level.
That was worlds apart from being a true Sword Cultivator.
Unless...
He'd been hiding it?!
Why would he hide that?!
Though Chen Huaian was a hero, Hua Jin's suspicious nature resurfaced as she studied his upright sword-wielding silhouette that did exude some Sword Cultivator bearing.
Sword Cultivators...the Sword Pavilion members were all Sword Cultivators...
Her paranoia grew.
Next instant, both figures exploded into motion simultaneously!
The ape shrieked as its staff descended with thunderous force, tearing the air with sonic booms. Chen Huaian did the opposite - gripping his sword with both hands, he turned it sideways like a hammer and swung upward to meet the strike head-on.
"BOOM!"
The deafening collision between sword and staff sent Ascenders tumbling like dominos. Had Hua Jin not immediately erected protective barriers, several unfortunates would have been killed by the shockwave alone.
Centered around Chen Huaian and the ape,
The stone platform churned like an angry sea, ground spiderwebbing with cracks instantly.
Countless stone fragments shot outward like shrapnel as terrifying shockwaves radiated in all directions, uprooting ancient trees and sending boulders tumbling down mountainsides.
"Wh-what kind of swordsmanship is this?!"
Wang Shouyi stammered, voice trembling.
What Sword Cultivator used his sword like a hammer?!
He remembered the senior's swordsmanship being graceful and flowing before.
Had something changed?
Then realization struck.
Of course!
He realized inwardly - the senior sought to defeat the ape using its own methods.
Incredible! Was this the senior's absolute confidence?
Abandoning his strengths to counter the enemy's forte with his own weaknesses?!
Too overpowered.
On the platform, the ape staggered back three steps from the impact, arms numb, eyes blazing furiously. Roaring in rage, it swung its staff horizontally with howling gale force. Chen Huaian advanced instead of retreating, meeting it with another brutish overhead smash!
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
Three consecutive earth-shaking collisions made space itself seem to fracture.
The entire Kun Mountain trembled from their clashes.
Ape's staff and Chen Huaian's greatsword collided like a storm, metallic clangs deafening, sparks flying like fireworks.
Two monsters exchanging savage, reckless blows.
Chen Huaian's downward slash tore a ghastly wound across the ape's shoulder, armor fragments scattering. But the ape's return strike left a deep staff bruise across Chen Huaian's chest.
"This isn't a Sword Cultivator - it's a madman!"
Hua Jin the True One's lips twitched.
She'd been fooled by Little YiYi's nonsense.
Chen Huaian was no Sword Cultivator.
Give him a hammer and "Hammer Cultivator" would fit better.
Her suspicions had run wild - how could diligent Elder Chen be connected to those mysterious Sword Pavilion members?
The two figures continued battling across the devastated platform, dust obscuring all but blurred silhouettes flashing through the haze.
Within half an incense stick's time, the stone platform looked bombarded by meteors, riddled with craters!
But all battles must end.
The ape's overly aggressive power-focused style
Left inevitable openings in its storm of attacks.
Seizing an opportunity, Chen Huaian's eyes flashed as he lunged forward like a cannonball!
Swinging his sword horizontally like a bat, the flat blade smashed into the ape's chest!
"BOOM—"
The tremendous impact
Sent the massive ape flying like a broken kite!
It arced through air before crashing into a cliff face a hundred meters away!
"CRACK—RUMBLE!"
The entire cliff face collapsed, boulders tumbling amid dust clouds!
The ape disappeared beneath the rubble, only its still-vibrating staff remaining embedded in the ground.
Within the red circle, Chen Huaian stood sword in hand, chest heaving.
Back turned to Hua Jin and Wang Shouyi, he gripped his sword hilt staring at the ruins in disbelief.
Because...
Just now...
When the ape left that opening...
A shrill monkey-like voice had whispered in his ear—
Calling him...Master.
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