Chapter 273 - 138: Pursuit (3)

Late-stage True Gang Realm!

But a Sect Disciple at the same Realm was always stronger!

Shi Jun looked at Liang Cheng, a cold sneer forming on his lips. "Liang Cheng, it’s not your lucky day."

Xiao Qingxue’s expression changed. She whispered, "That’s Shi Podang, the prodigy of the Shi Family. He joined the Penglai Sect two years ago. His strength is immense."

The Penglai Sect Disciple, Shi Podang, swept his gaze over Liang Cheng and Xiao Qingxue. His eyes lingered on her face for a moment, a flicker of admiration in their depths, before turning to the Red Flame Vermilion Fruit and nodding slightly.

"Three Red Flame Vermilion Fruits. The quality is acceptable," he said. "Shi Jun, is this the person you mentioned?"

"That’s him."

Shi Jun replied respectfully, "Cousin, this is Liang Cheng, the top of the Main Courtyard’s Hero Ranking."

Shi Podang raised an eyebrow and looked at Liang Cheng. "Oh? The top of the Main Courtyard’s Hero Ranking? I suppose you have some skill, but..."

He slowly took a step forward.

The aura of the late-stage True Gang Realm erupted from him, comparable to a disciple at the True Gang Peak Realm from the Main Courtyard, or even stronger!

Immense Gang Qi surged out like a Sea Tide, and the sound of Wind and Thunder echoed through the air.

A faint golden halo manifested around Shi Podang. It was a sign of Gang Qi condensed to its absolute limit, countless times more powerful than the superficial Gang Qi of a True Gang Realm cultivator like Situ Ming!

"Compared to the Penglai Sect, your level of Cultivation is nothing."

Before his voice had even faded, Shi Podang was already moving!

He was so fast that only an afterimage remained!

He formed a sword with his fingers, and a golden Sword Aura, condensed to its absolute limit, shot through the air, aimed straight between Liang Cheng’s eyes!

The air tore with a sharp whistle wherever the Sword Aura passed!

Liang Cheng’s pupils constricted. He instantly pushed his Mixed Element Gang Body to its limit, and a dark-gold Protective Gang Shield materialized around him!

CLANG—!!!

The Sword Aura struck the Gang Shield, producing a deafening boom like the toll of a great bell!

The Gang Shield vibrated violently as ripples spread frantically across its surface. Liang Cheng was forced back three steps, each one carving a deep footprint into the crimson rock!

’What a powerful Sword Aura!’

Liang Cheng was inwardly alarmed.

The power of that strike far surpassed the full force of Situ Ming’s spear. If not for the Mixed Element Gang Body’s incredible defense, that one attack would have been enough to break through!

"Oh? A Protective Technique?"

A flash of surprise crossed Shi Podang’s eyes, quickly followed by a sneer. "Let’s see how many strikes you can block then!"

The moment he finished speaking, he moved again. His sword-like fingers jabbed out, and three golden Sword Auras shot forth in a triangular formation, sealing off all of Liang Cheng’s escape routes!

Liang Cheng gritted his teeth and drew his Zhenxian Saber in a curtain of light!

[Mountain-Breaking·Broken Mountain]

The Saber Aura and Sword Auras collided with a continuous series of detonations.

With every clash, Liang Cheng felt a sharp, tyrannical stream of Gang Qi penetrate the blade and numb his arm.

The quality of his opponent’s late-stage True Gang Realm Gang Qi was far beyond what an ordinary cultivator could produce!

"Senior Brother Liang!"

Xiao Qingxue tried to rush to his aid, but Shi Jun blocked her path.

"Junior Sister Xiao, your opponent is me."

Shi Jun swept his Heavy Sword, the Sword Qi like a mountain. "I’ve long wanted to test your Swordsmanship for myself!"

Xiao Qingxue had no choice but to draw her sword to meet his attack, and the two became locked in battle.

Meanwhile, Liang Cheng was already in a desperate fight.

Shi Podang’s Swordsmanship was exquisite and his Gang Qi was immense. Every strike was as heavy as a mountain and as fast as lightning.

What was more terrifying was that his Body Technique was graceful and fluid. He would always effortlessly evade Liang Cheng’s counterattacks before launching even fiercer strikes of his own.

’As expected of a Penglai Sect Disciple. Truly formidable!’

After ten exchanges, Liang Cheng already had three new sword wounds. Though they weren’t deep, the Sword Aura that had invaded his Meridians was disrupting his energy flow, making his aura slightly chaotic.

"You can be proud of yourself for lasting ten moves."

Shi Podang said coolly, "But this is where it ends."

He brought his palms together without touching, and a brilliant golden light burst from his chest!

A giant golden sword formed entirely of Gang Qi materialized from thin air. It locked onto Liang Cheng and came crashing down!

This strike was simply unavoidable!

A ruthless glint flashed in Liang Cheng’s eyes. Instead of retreating, he advanced. The nine True Essence Light Groups inside him trembled frantically as he poured all of his Broken Wave True Essence into the Zhenxian Saber!

The blade hummed as an azure light began to coalesce around it!

[Mountain-Breaking·Sea Breaker]!

The saber and the sword collided!

BOOM—!!!

A terrifying blast of Qi Force exploded outward, cracking the crimson rock and sending shards flying!

Liang Cheng coughed up a mouthful of blood and was sent flying back several dozen feet, crashing heavily against a rock wall. His Protective Gang Shield flickered, on the verge of shattering!

Shi Podang was also forced back three steps, the look of astonishment in his eyes deepening. "What a Saber Technique! What a foundation! A pity the gap in our Cultivation is too vast!"

Just as he was about to strike again, Liang Cheng suddenly flipped to his feet and, ignoring his injuries, charged toward Xiao Qingxue!

"Junior Sister Xiao, go!"

He grievously wounded Shi Jun with a single slash, then grabbed Xiao Qingxue’s arm. Pushing the Wandering Dragon Step to its limit, he fled deeper into the rocky terrain!

"Trying to run?"

Shi Podang sneered and transformed into a streak of golden light in pursuit.

Shi Jun followed close behind him.

The two pairs, one chasing and one fleeing, covered several miles in the blink of an eye.

A fork appeared in the path ahead. One trail led into a dark canyon, the other into a dense forest.

"Split up!"

Liang Cheng decided instantly. "I’ll lead them away! You head for the canyon!"

"Senior Brother Liang!"

Xiao Qingxue cried out in alarm.

"Go!"

Liang Cheng shoved her toward the canyon, then spun around to unleash another slash at the pursuing Shi Podang!

The arc of Saber Aura delayed Shi Podang for an instant.

Xiao Qingxue gritted her teeth. Knowing this was no time for hesitation, she turned and plunged into the canyon.

Seeing this, Shi Jun hesitated for a moment, then chased after her. "Cousin, I’ll go after Xiao Qingxue!"

Shi Podang didn’t spare him a glance, his focus solely on Liang Cheng. "Good. That’s just what I wanted!"

Liang Cheng fled with all his might, but his injuries hampered his speed. Fortunately, his Wandering Dragon Step was at the Perfection Realm, allowing him to hold out for a time, but the distance to Shi Podang was closing steadily.

Shi Podang’s cold laughter drifted from behind. "Run, Liang Cheng! I’d like to see just where you think you can run!"

Just then, a mist-shrouded swamp appeared up ahead.

Poisonous miasma permeated the swamp, from which a faint, eerie aura emanated.

A look of grim resolve flashed in Liang Cheng’s eyes as he plunged headfirst into the mist.

Shi Podang reached the edge of the swamp and frowned, but then snorted coldly. "A desperate, final struggle!"

Then, surrounding himself with a brilliant golden light of protective Gang Qi, he too plunged into the mist.

Deep within the swamp, the fog grew so thick you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

Liang Cheng leaned against a dead tree, gasping for breath as blood trickled unceasingly from the corner of his mouth.

That direct clash with Shi Podang’s attack had injured his internal organs. The Gang Qi invading his Meridians would damage his very foundation if he didn’t heal soon.

His eyes sharp, he took the Jade Box containing the Purple Cloud Dragon Pattern Fruit from his robes. The fruit exuded a strange, alluring fragrance.

’I was going to split my gains with Xiao Qingxue, but I don’t have a choice now.’

With that thought, Liang Cheng took out the Purple Cloud Dragon Pattern Fruit and stuffed it into his mouth!

The next moment, a violent surge of Spiritual Power exploded within his body!