Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

Seeing the fierce punch closing in, Hu Wanyuan's pupils shrank, and as the Gangqi surged within him, it clung to the surface of his body.

If one were a Gang Qi Stage expert who could release Gangqi externally, it would be possible to form a Gangqi shield around oneself. However, internal Gang Qi warriors couldn't achieve that, as the Gangqi inside their body wasn't thick enough to leave their bodies by a large distance, only able to release a thin layer to protect the surface.

Bang!

The next moment, the punch from Gu Chen struck Hu Wanyuan. Even with Gangqi protecting his body, Hu Wanyuan's face turned pale, a sweetness rose in his throat, and a mouthful of fresh blood surged up, which he forcibly swallowed down.

Despite this, Hu Wanyuan still felt intense pain all over his body, as if he were about to fall apart.

As the Gangqi inside him continued to circulate, this sensation gradually subsided.

Clutching his fist hidden within his sleeve robe, Hu Wanyuan's eyes couldn't hide his shock. He hadn't expected Gu Chen to have such battle strength that enabled him to contend with him, an inner Gang Qi master.

Looking at Gu Chen, in that moment after exchanging a few moves, the anger in Hu Wanyuan's heart had lessened as he realized how troublesome Gu Chen was.

Moreover, Hu Wanyuan had a premonition that if the fight continued, he might end up the one defeated.

Hu Wanyuan took a deep breath, looked at Gu Chen, and said coldly, "You must have consumed some treasure from the Jing Tian Department to have cultivated such a thick internal power at the Vajra Stage!"

With these words, the martial artists around understood at once. When Gu Chen threw that punch, everyone in the arena felt a thrill of fear, including warriors at the Gang Qi Stage, and no one could easily take that punch from Gu Chen without being hurt.

Gu Chen could clearly see that Hu Wanyuan forcefully taking his punch had resulted in some internal injuries.

Seeing Gu Chen remain silent, Hu Wanyuan spoke again, "Gu Chen, I will remember today's event. Relying on the Jing Tian Department to conduct yourself so arrogantly in the martial world, indulging in cruel acts over minor disputes, treating us martial artists with utter contempt—you will one day receive the retribution you deserve!"

He directly accused Gu Chen of belittling everyone, hoping that the events of the day, once spread, would cause all the martial artists and powers of Jiuzhou to bear hostility towards Gu Chen.

This way, even with the support of the Jing Tian Department, having too many enemies would still lead to great danger for Gu Chen.

If the direct approach failed, there were plenty of subtler methods.

Gu Chen, with a cold gleam in his eyes, knew that Hu Wanyuan was thinking of retreating and wanted to leave the situation at that.

As expected, Hu Wanyuan said, "Let's put an end to today's affair for now. Out of respect for the Jing Tian Department backing you, I'll spare you this time. When I return to my sect, I'll report this matter to the sect leader to make a judgment!"

Although Hu Wanyuan didn't explicitly state it, the presence of many warriors at the scene meant that no one was a fool—they all knew that by saying so, Hu Wanyuan was implying he wasn't confident he could defeat Gu Chen easily.

Or rather, in a fight with Gu Chen, he might not be able to come out unscathed.

The onlookers were astonished and shaken. Was Gu Chen really so powerful that even an inner Gang Qi master would fear and seek to retreat?

Hu Wanyuan knew that by saying so, he would tarnish his own reputation as an inner Gang Qi warrior, but it was better than losing to Gu Chen and being reduced to a stepping stone.

As for what to say upon his return, he had already thought it through. If he couldn't defeat Gu Chen, then what could Tian Dao Yang Ling say when Gu Chen cut down Mo Zilin and Yang Mingyue right in front of him?

It wasn't that he had failed in protecting them; rather, it was simply that Gu Chen was too strong.

Blaming everything on Gu Chen and shifting Tian Dao Yang Ling's target was Hu Wanyuan's strategy for self-preservation.

But while Hu Wanyuan wished to leave, Gu Chen disagreed. With an expressionless face and an indifferent tone, he said, "You fight when you wish and leave when you please. Who do you think I, Gu Chen, am? I don't need to show respect to the Jing Tian Department!"

Hu Wanyuan, upon hearing this, flew into a rage and exclaimed, "Impudent boy, truly reckless!"

Shaking with anger, he continued, "I intended to spare your life, but you are too foolish to appreciate it. So be it..."

"Enough talk!"

Gu Chen, tired of Hu Wanyuan's incessant babbling and unwilling to listen any longer, didn't wait for Hu Wanyuan to finish speaking and attacked straight away.

He pressed his ten fingers into the void, and one after another, beams of sword qi appeared in midair, piercing towards Hu Wanyuan.

Upon seeing this, Hu Wanyuan's expression changed. He then shouted, "Gu Chen, even if your cultivation is extraordinary, I am still a Gang Qi Stage warrior. How many times can you launch an attack like the one before?!"

"You are welcome to try!"

As soon as Gu Chen finished speaking, countless dense and sharp sword qi had already arrived close to Hu Wanyuan.

"Since you refuse to see reason, then I'll show you the true power of a Gang Qi Stage warrior!"

Hu Wanyuan yelled as Gangqi flowed through his meridians. Reaching to his waist, he drew a treasured blade, a thin layer of blade Gangqi accumulating on the blade. Facing the sword qi, he struck down powerfully.

Swish!

A flash of bright blade light suddenly appeared, and many warriors grunted, blood spurting from the corners of their eyes as they clutched their faces and screamed in pain.