Chapter 404 - 353: The Oriole from Behind, Explosive Kill

Chen Ping’an tilted his head slightly, casually glancing behind him. A glint flickered in his eyes.

’I’ve got a tail!’

’His aura is scorching, radiating waves of heat. He’s no Tantai Jinfeng, but he should make for a fine piece of testing material!’

The man had been on his tail ever since he’d left the private room. It seemed he was planning to kill him for his new prize. Bidding on the Dragon Elephant Dominating Body Technique had, it seemed, finally attracted the wrong kind of attention.

Too bad for the pursuer. He thought he was being stealthy, suppressing his aura as he followed in secret. But to Chen Ping’an’s Profound Light Sensing, he was as conspicuous as a pearl in the dead of night, clear as day.

Chen Ping’an changed his pace, weaving swiftly through the streets and alleys.

’If I’m going to test my mettle, I naturally need to find a suitable place.’

....

"He sure runs fast!" Iron Tower Demon Luo sneered, watching the man in the distance suddenly pick up his pace.

"Too bad... you’re doomed to die today!"

The Profound Light at the center of Iron Tower Demon Luo’s brow flickered as he suppressed his aura and quickly gave chase.

....

"Well, this is interesting!"

Gai Zijie, the Meridian Cyan Light Sword, was completely shrouded in a black robe. He watched the two figures, one in front of the other, as the corners of his mouth curled into a playful smirk.

The saber strike from Tantai Jinfeng had caught his attention, but he never expected to stumble upon such an interesting scene.

’If I’m not mistaken, the one chasing must be Iron Tower Demon Luo of the Rising Dragon Dao, ranked 279th on the Dragon and Tiger Chart!’

’What can you say? The guys from the Rising Dragon Dao are brainless. Coming out to cause trouble without even bothering to change his appearance! He’s recognized at a glance—how did he ever get anywhere? I have no idea how he even snuck into the Beicang Auction!’

Gai Zijie had originally planned to find Xue Kunsheng of the Vajra Demon-subduing Chain to loosen up his joints and test his skills. But having stumbled upon such a rare scene, how could he not stick around for the excitement?

’Looks like that lunkhead Iron Tower Demon Luo has locked onto his target, planning to kill him for his prize! Even though he’s not the brightest, to be fair, he’s got some real skill.’

’Especially with that Horizontal Training of his. Against an opponent of the same level, it’s incredibly difficult to break through his defense. Fighting him is like chewing on a tough bone. You can land a few hits and not even break his guard. But if he lands one solid blow on you, you’ll be seeing stars and staggering for a good while.’

’Fortunately, the lunkhead’s Body Technique is only average. Otherwise, he’d rather face Xue Kunsheng than cross swords with Iron Tower Demon Luo.’

"I’ll follow them and see," Gai Zijie sneered. His figure flashed, and he set off in pursuit of the pair.

Saying Iron Tower Demon Luo’s Body Technique was average was only relative, of course. Against an ordinary Absolute Master, it was still exceptionally good. With a body like a boulder and momentum like a lightning strike, even a Top-Level Absolute Master would be brutally crushed before him.

’The fellow in front of him is likely a dead man walking!’

’Although his opponent’s Martial Arts Realm has reached the Absolute Master level, in my opinion, he’s just a run-of-the-mill fighter. Nowhere near a Top-Level Absolute Master. He probably won’t even be able to make Iron Tower Demon Luo expend much True Qi.’

’In the end, I’ll still have to be the one to get serious and take down this tough nut, Iron Tower Demon Luo.’

At this thought, Gai Zijie couldn’t help but sigh.

"Looks like I can’t get out of doing some work after all!"

’Then again... that lunkhead Iron Tower Demon Luo should have some considerable wealth on him. If I can get my hands on it, this trip won’t have been for nothing.’

...

The Grandmaster’s attack, the hidden agents of the Evil and Demon Dao, and the emergence of all sorts of fiends had the elites of the Beicang Garrison running ragged. To say nothing of the others, even Xue Kunsheng couldn’t spare a moment.

Chen Ping’an followed the streets and alleys of the fortified town, the path growing more and more secluded. Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be this quiet. But with the current chaos, many people were fleeing in droves, instinctively running toward the pass where the Garrison Commandant’s Office was located.

’This should be far enough!’

Chen Ping’an thought to himself as he scanned his surroundings.

"What are you gawking at?"

Having tailed him for so long, Iron Tower Demon Luo had finally lost his patience. Seeing his target slow down, he could no longer hold back and stepped out.

He stood eight feet tall, his entire body a mass of knotted muscles, as if forged from iron. Explosive power radiated from him.

Hearing the voice, Chen Ping’an whipped his head around. He saw Iron Tower Demon Luo’s terrifying form, and his expression turned to one of shock, a flicker of panic surfacing on his face.

"Who are you!?"

Iron Tower Demon Luo grinned, a fierce light flashing in his eyes. He slammed his two fan-sized hands together.

"The man who’s here to kill you!"

Before his voice had even faded, Iron Tower Demon Luo stomped the ground, cracking the earth beneath him. His entire body lunged toward Chen Ping’an like a charging boulder.

The muscles all over his body bulged like massive rocks, his eyes burning with a raging fire.

He was determined to end it with this one strike!

Seeing this, Chen Ping’an’s expression changed drastically. Seemingly caught off guard and unable to dodge in time, he could only thrust out both palms in rapid succession, attempting to block the attack.

Iron Tower Demon Luo’s body came crashing down, smashing down with the force of Mount Tai Pressing Down.

BOOM!

With a flash of Profound Light and a tremendous crash, a massive cloud of dust billowed out. The sheer force of the impact nearly blew the roofs off the surrounding buildings.

Chen Ping’an’s face was like golden paper. He clutched his chest, retreating step by step. Each step he took back left a trail of cracks on the ground.

The difference in their strength was clear in a single blow.

"Too weak!"

’I haven’t even warmed up, and he’s already seriously injured! He can’t take a hit at all!’

’Just as I expected... a complete disappointment! Just an ordinary Absolute Master!’

’With this little strength, how did he dare to bid against me at the auction?!’

"Die!" Iron Tower Demon Luo gave a cruel smile.

The Profound Light at the center of his brow flickered, and a faint black mist began to rise from his body.