Translator: CinderTL
The blood mist was absorbed into Xu Sanyan's body, revealing a towering figure with four arms and three eyes, covered in crimson blood.
A terrifying aura emanated from Xu Sanyan, his pitch-black eyes fixed on Fang Xiang.
You Jianfeng's eyes flickered as he quietly retreated. Since the two of them had truly lost their tempers, he would let them fight it out. It would be the perfect opportunity for him to reap the benefits later.
Fang Xiang grew wary, no longer daring to underestimate his opponent. He too manifested his Dao Body. Suddenly, a surge of emerald light intensified, his figure rising a foot, matching Xu Sanyan's height.
His gaunt frame resembled ancient wood, covered in deep brown tree bark. His two arms transformed into hundreds of emerald vines that flailed wildly in the air, resembling a vast expanse of drifting seaweed from afar.
Most peculiar was the tuft of emerald hair atop his head, like a lone peacock feather standing upright.
Xu Sanyan struck first. His four arms bent like drawn bows, his body exploding forward like an arrow loosed from its string. A sudden explosion shattered the surrounding air.
Bang!
His foot slammed into the ground, leaving a deep crater. In an instant, he appeared before Fang Xiang, his blood-red face contorted with savage fury. All four arms struck simultaneously, each muscle knotted and hardened like molten steel.
Fang Xiang was shocked. Ever since the blood mist had appeared, his Insightful Heart Art seemed to have completely failed, unable to detect Xu Sanyan's movements.
But it was too late to think. The fist was already before his eyes. Fang Xiang quickly wove vines into a large net to shield himself.
"Hah!"
Xu Sanyan roared, his fist crashing through the net without the slightest resistance, as though passing through thin paper. It struck Fang Xiang directly.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted. Fang Xiang was sent flying backward uncontrollably, the green light around him visibly dimming by a third.
"How could this be..."
Fang Xiang hung in mid-air, his face etched with disbelief. He had fought Tu Wanshan up close before, but never had he felt so utterly helpless.
Tu Wanshan had forged his Dao Foundation with a Heavenly Earth Treasure, making him a master of close-quarters combat. Yet the sense of danger Xu Sanyan now gave him far surpassed even Tu Wanshan's.
He knew now that even if his Insightful Heart Art hadn't been affected, he still couldn't have blocked that punch.
This was a complete suppression of power, like a grown man fighting a child. Even if the child knew every move the man would make, what could they do?
"The Insightful Heart Art... is nothing more than this."
A deep voice echoed from below. Before Fang Xiang could even land, Xu Sanyan was already waiting beneath him.
Xu Sanyan's muscles bulged, his bones crackling violently. He crouched low to gather power, resembling a celestial Vajra supporting the heavens. His four arms simultaneously unleashed a barrage of punches.
Bang!
Fang Xiang, suspended helplessly in mid-air, had nowhere to brace himself. His eyes filled with despair as he was sent flying back into the sky once more. Fortunately, his Dao Body was incredibly resilient; despite the brutal assault, he remained alive.
You Jianfeng watched in stunned silence, still unsure what had happened. He saw Fang Xiang tossed around like a ball, completely helpless against Xu Sanyan's relentless assault.
Had the gap in their strength already widened to such an extent?
Even Qi Liang or Tu Wanshan wouldn't have been able to reduce Fang Xiang to such a state of utter helplessness.
How could they possibly compete for the Holy Son Token now?
You Jianfeng's resolve began to waver.
There were still four Holy Son Tokens remaining. There was no need to risk his life over this one.
The arena fell silent. Xiang Tan stared blankly at Fang Xiang's erratic trajectory, her mind consumed by a single thought:
I've struck gold.
To be in the favor of such a heaven-blessed prodigy was an absolute win. She finally saw hope after enduring so much hardship. As long as she stayed close to Xu Sanyan, she would never have to live in constant fear again.
A crystalline light danced in Xiang Tan's eyes.
Junior Sister Chu watched Xu Sanyan's towering muscles ripple and then turned to look at Xiang Tan. Her admiration for the woman grew even deeper.
I can only imagine what she endured that night, how she endured it. Her throat must have been hoarse from screaming.
In contrast, Fang Xiang's group was in a dilemma—they couldn't advance or retreat. Given the situation, even if they intervened, it would likely be futile and could cost them their lives.
Finally, someone gritted their teeth. "We must save Senior Brother Fang! If he dies, we're all finished!"
With one person taking the lead, the others immediately manifested their Dao Bodies and unleashed their trump cards, Spiritual Power gushing out like water from a broken dam.
For a moment, a chaotic array of Mystical Arts and magic artifacts filled the air.
Xu Sanyan grabbed Fang Xiang as he fell, his four arms clamping around the body. One hand gripped the single strand of hair on Fang Xiang's head. "I've been wanting to get rid of that pathetic tuft of hair for a long time!" he sneered.
With a sudden jerk, he ripped the feather out, blood vessels still clinging to its base.
"Aaaah!"
Fang Xiang let out a bloodcurdling scream, the searing pain as if someone had drilled a hole in his head and poured boiling water inside.
"Let go of Senior Brother Fang!"
A young man roared as he leaped high into the air, his body briefly suspended mid-flight. A deep purple orb of light materialized in his palm, which he then thrust forward, sending the orb hurtling toward Xu Sanyan.
Xu Sanyan casually tossed Fang Xiang in front of him, directly into the path of the incoming orb.
Boom!
The sphere of light exploded with considerable force, the immense impact blasting Fang Xiang far away. Xu Sanyan leaped forward, catching the still-falling Fang Xiang. He slowly raised his head, his eyes now pools of inky blackness, staring fixedly at the young man.
The young man was momentarily at a loss. He had used Senior Brother Fang as a weapon, leaving him hamstrung. He couldn't attack, nor could he retreat.
Xu Sanyan looked at the faint-breathing Fang Xiang, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "He's tough, alright."
To have survived Xu Sanyan's relentless assault with even a breath left was truly remarkable.
"We surrender. Please, spare Senior Brother Fang."
The young man's voice held a trace of pleading, his gaze earnest as he looked at Xu Sanyan.
Everyone else had already stopped fighting, all eyes fixed on him.
Fang Xiang carried their collective hopes. If he died, their chance of escaping would be shattered.
Xu Sanyan pondered for a moment, then a rune slowly materialized in the void, gradually imprinting itself on Fang Xiang's forehead.
This rune contained the concept of "awe."
Fang Xiang had already fallen unconscious, his mind in a chaotic state, unable to resist. The rune effortlessly merged into his mind.
When he awoke, this rune would be completely integrated with him, impossible to remove.
Xu Sanyan turned his gaze to You Jianfeng, a smile playing on his upturned fangs. His obsidian eyes fixed on You Jianfeng.
You Jianfeng's heart skipped a beat. He forced a sheepish smile. "I'll take my leave now, Senior Brother. This Holy Son Token is yours. Junior Brother congratulates Senior Brother on becoming the Holy Son."
You Jianfeng didn't foolishly attempt to challenge Xu Sanyan. Even Fang Xiang, whose strength surpassed his own, had been utterly defeated. What chance did he have?
Besides, there were still four Holy Son Tokens remaining. He still had opportunities.
(End of the Chapter)
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