Chapter 654 – Shattered Skies, Thousand-Layered Waves

Lying in the crater, Sun Zhen’s entire body trembled. His neck had nearly been snapped in half by that kick. The ancient method he used, which involved shaping a layer of stone-like skin with earth-element vital force, was utterly useless before such overwhelming strength.

Half his body was numb, his flesh slowly regenerating before everyone’s eyes. When he heard Li Guanqi tell him to continue, cold sweat poured down his face.

Gritting his teeth, Sun Zhen pulled out a fragrant pill and swallowed it. Bones cracked back into place, and his broken neck healed.

Whoosh!

He reappeared several zhang before Li Guanqi. But the moment he saw the blazing intensity in Li Guanqi’s eyes, he waved his hands. The surging blood and qi within Li Guanqi were far stronger than before.

Sun Zhen swallowed nervously. “No more, no more... I can’t beat you!”

Li Guanqi blinked, surprised at how readily he admitted defeat. Li Guanqi frowned, staring at him. “You... didn’t you enter the mortal world to seize the Baizhang Sect for yourself?”

Sun Zhen smiled bitterly. “What are you talking about... I entered the mortal world to find the Sun clan a suitable faction to work with...”

He pointed at Wei Qian. “Do you think he could stop me if I wanted to seize his sect? Besides...”

Sun Zhen glanced at his disciple’s robes. “If that were my goal, do you think I would’ve stayed here this long?”

Sun Zhen had a point. Taking over the Baizhang Sect wouldn't require so much effort from him. Li Guanqi frowned again, pointing at Qian Qiusui. “Then what about the Zen Sound Fruit?”

Sun Zhen sighed. “How should I know what Wei Qian thought I meant? I heard the Yunding Auction House’s final item was a Zen Sound Fruit, so I said I wanted it and would pay for it. Who knew Wei Qian would use such a scheme to ‘invite’ Fellow Daoist Qian here?”

Sun Zhen was practically protesting his innocence. Had he truly intended to take over the Baizhang Sect, a single punch would have sufficed.

He snorted, glancing around. “Even if our Sun clan wanted to re-emerge, we wouldn’t choose the Baizhang Sect. This sect has problems from top to bottom.”

Li Guanqi shrugged. He hadn’t expected the Sun clan to choose cooperation over domination. Still, he felt restless. He had just grasped the first punch of Shattered Sky, and the urge to unleash it burned inside him.

Licking his lips, he looked at Sun Zhen with fiery eyes. “Draw your sword?”

Sun Zhen shook his head furiously. He had sensed Li Guanqi’s terrifying mastery of the sword. That casual lightning sword earlier had made Sun Zhen wary.

“No way! Are you trying to kill me? And what sect do you belong to? How have I never heard of you? Li Wuji... Someone like you should be known even among the Ancient Clans!”

“I’m just a rogue cultivator. Why do you care who I am? Stop stalling. I won’t use my sword. I just want to throw a punch. Can I?” Li Guanqi said impatiently.

Sun Zhen sensed Li Guanqi’s raw physical strength, akin to that of an ancient beast. His resolve wavered. “Maybe... if you hold back a little, I’ll try?”

Li Guanqi raised a brow, nodding repeatedly.

He drove the Dragon-Elephant Subduing Sutra to the fourth level. It wasn’t his limit, but even then, his power rivaled Sun Zhen’s after being enhanced by secret arts.

Everyone overheard. Qian Qiusui and the Baizhang Sect elders were stunned. Moments ago, Li Guanqi and Sun Zhen had been locked in a life-or-death struggle. Now, they were casually sparring.

Sun Zhen had displayed terrifying strength, enough to make Sect Master Wei Qian tremble. Yet Sun Zhen had been nearly crippled by a single kick from the blind swordsman.

“

Gulp...

Who is he really?”

“Stronger than Sun Zhen... And what is this ‘Ancient Clan’ they talked about?”

Wei Qian’s hands hung limp, fear flashing in his eyes. The matter had spiraled far beyond his expectations.

He bowed before Qian Qiusui, then revealed two jade bottles. “Fellow Daoist Qian... here are the Divine Transformation Pills you requested, along with some small trinkets. This was all a misunderstanding. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Qian Qiusui looked at the man groveling before her, disgust rising in her chest. Earlier, when she was weak, he had been arrogant and condescending. Now, with the tide turned, he was all smiles and flattery. Still, she knew the truth. This outcome was thanks to Li Wuji’s presence, not her own strength.

Her eyes sparkled as she took the items with a smile. “Sect Master Wei, you flatter me. I can hardly accept such a generous gift. Yunding will still rely on your support in business. Since it was a misunderstanding, I’m glad it’s resolved.”

Wei Qian sighed in relief. As long as she accepted the goods, Li Wuji shouldn’t press further.

Above, Sun Zhen’s vital force surged, releasing a mountain-like aura.

Clang!

A sword gleaming with cold light appeared in his hand. The moment he gripped it, the mountain’s steadiness transformed into a sharp, cutting force.

This aura...

Li Guanqi had sensed something similar from Sect Master Lu Kangnian. Lu Kangnian’s aura wasn’t as strong, but it bore a wilder, more arrogant quality.

Sun Zhen gripped his sword, blood and qi roaring through him. “Come, then!”

Li Guanqi nodded slightly and closed his eyes. He clenched his fists and entered a fighting stance.

Boom!

The space within a hundred zhang of his feet shattered. His deep voice rang out. “Shattered Sky, Thousand-Layered Waves!”

Boom!

Lightning coiled around Li Guanqi’s fist, and a terrifying aura filled the void. The weather shifted, thunder roaring and lightning flashing. Sun Zhen’s pupils trembled. Before him, towering waves of lightning rose a hundred zhang high, thousands of them surging forward.