Gazing at the figure slowly rising from the peak of the enormous stone mountain, Gu Qingyang and the others also slightly nodded, gradually stepping out of the shadows…
“It seems that this time will truly be a fierce battle,” Gu Hua said with a bitter smile. Battling a half-saint was a madness in their eyes. Although the energy body before them was just an essence, it still carried the combat awareness and martial techniques of its former self. Despite their numerical superiority, the outcome of this confrontation remained uncertain.
*Crack.*
Gu Hua’s large fists slowly clenched, the sound of cracking echoing continuously. His somewhat straightforward face now bore a grave expression as a powerful and stable aura spread from him.
“Be more careful, everyone. This opponent is no ordinary one,” Gu Qingyang sighed softly.
“Intruders, from the moment you stepped foot here, you should have known the consequences…” the figure on the mountain peak looked down upon Xiao Yan and his companions, its voice indifferent, like muffled thunder ringing in their ears.
Xiao Yan and the others frowned, observing the figure holding the ghost-head saber. Dressed in dark red robes, his face was cold, scarred by deep cuts, giving off a brutal and domineering aura. It was as if a raging lion, causing a chill to run down their spines. Moreover, what made Xiao Yan and his companions’ hearts sink was that the figure’s eyes did not look empty like other energy bodies; it clearly possessed a considerable intellect.
A mindless half-saint was not frightening, but one with wisdom and combat experience was terrifying!
*Boom!*
The figure stomped on the stone peak, and terrifying energy exploded out. Suddenly, they saw enormous cracks spreading like venomous snakes from the mountain top, turning the peak into a precarious state.
Chunks of rock fell from the mountain, and the figure appeared like a specter in the air not far from Xiao Yan and the others. Gripping the ghost-head saber, it coldly stared at Xiao Yan and his group, a bloodthirsty smile slowly spreading across its lips.
“It’s been so long since I tasted human blood. I almost forgot what it tastes like.”
The figure rotated its neck, then muttered as if to itself, “I suppose I should introduce myself before we start. Hmm, my name… I haven’t spoken it for so long. Although I’ve sensed some human presence before, they always fled after sensing me. So, this is the first time I’ve encountered fresh, flesh-and-blood humans. My name, I believe, is Blood Blade Saint. Have you heard of it?”
Looking at the dark red figure, which raised its head and cast a questioning glance at Xiao Yan and the others, Xiao Yan’s lips twitched involuntarily. He had been dead for who knows how many centuries, and nobody knew what his actual name was…
“Ah, it seems indeed no one remembers. This feeling is quite unpleasant. Let’s end this quickly. My Blood Blade can hardly bear it anymore…”
Seeing this, the self-proclaimed Blood Blade Saint shook his head in disappointment, then his feet trembled imperceptibly.
“Be careful!” As the Blood Blade Saint’s feet quivered, Xiao Yan’s expression suddenly changed. He waved his sleeve, and a gust of wind shot out, slamming forcefully into Gu Zhen’s body, sending him flying.
*Whoosh!*
As Gu Zhen flew back, a streak of blood light shot out from the space he was previously standing, tearing a deep chasm into the ground.
“Huh?” The missed attack caused a surprised exclamation in the void, and Xiao Yan felt a gaze fix on him, making his hair stand on end.
“This guy’s speed is terrifying. Is this the gap between a half-saint and a Douzun?” Cold sweat trickled down Xiao Yan’s forehead. He quickly retreated, joining Xuner and Gu Qingyang. If it weren’t for his significantly improved soul force over the year in the Heavenly Tomb, he might not have detected the earlier attack.
“This guy is indeed difficult to handle.”
Gu Zhen quickly got up, dusting off the dirt, and grumbled, “Go easy next time!”
“How about you get split in two then?” Xiao Yan retorted, then turned to Gu Qingyang and Xuner. If they were only talking about levels, these two were the strongest at the nine-star level, able to overpower many Douzun.
“Let’s go?”
“Unh…” Gu Qingyang and Xuner nodded, then exchanged a glance. Their bodies shot out simultaneously, forming hand seals rapidly before shouting together, “Earth Covering Seal!”
Two radiant energy seals formed in their hands, shooting at the Blood Blade Saint.
“Pathetic tricks!” The Blood Blade Saint sneered, slashing his ghost-head saber through the void, splitting the energy seals. The remaining sword energy rushed at Xuner and Gu Qingyang, but they evaded it hastily.
*Boom!*
As the Blood Blade Saint pushed Xuner and Gu Qingyang back, a massive pillar of magma surged from the ground beneath his feet, erupting with tremendous force.
“Humph!” The Blood Blade Saint coldly snorted, stomping the ground. The massive pillar of magma crumbled under his foot, hot lava spreading and melting the nearby boulders.
“Flame Splitting Wave!”
A figure appeared behind the Blood Blade Saint, unleashing a massive blade beam, crashing down without mercy.
*Clang!*
The Blood Blade Saint swiftly spun, creating a blood-red flower of blades, which shredded the incoming blade beam and slashed towards Xiao Yan.
*Clang!*
Xiao Yan’s heavy ruler clanged against the blood-red blade flower, the intense force sending him stumbling back.
“Damned saint, you’re not even a true Dousheng yet, yet your hide is so thick!”
Before the Blood Blade Saint could chase, Gu Hua, Gu Xing, and Gu Zhen also attacked, each using formidable martial techniques.
“Insolent ants, daring to challenge a saint’s dignity!” Facing the three’s assault, the Blood Blade Saint sneered, clenching his left fist and punching out. Three blood lights condensed into three blood-colored tigers, roaring and colliding with the three.
*Puff!*
The three were sent flying, coughing up blood, and as they retreated, they quickly consumed energy cores.
“Attack together!” Gu Qingyang roared, rushing forward with Xuner and Gu Zhen. Their battle energy surged to its peak, ripping the ground open to a meter deep.
The barrage of attacks caught the Blood Blade Saint off guard, but he quickly steadied himself, deflecting attacks with his saber, occasionally sending out sharp slashes, keeping the others on their toes. A half-saint truly was extraordinary…
“Blood Blade Chaotic Wind Slash!”
After recovering from the initial surprise, the Blood Blade Saint launched a fierce counterattack. Stomping the ground, he spun, creating a blood-red tornado, and the surrounding space shattered into black holes.
*Thud! Thud!*
Sharp blade energy shot out, sending Gu Qingyang and the others flying, slamming into the boulders, pulverizing them.
“Your turn!” The Blood Blade Saint turned to Xiao Yan, laughing coldly, and dashed towards him.
The Blood Blade Saint moved lightning fast, appearing in front of Xiao Yan in a blink. Xiao Yan’s expression changed, and he roared in his heart.
“Heavenly Fire Trilateral Shift! First Change! Second Change! Third Change!”
As Xiao Yan’s battle energy became chaotic, a peculiar sensation returned to his forehead. At this critical moment, there was no time to consider it. The Great Heaven Palm Technique gathered in his palm…
*Shoo!*
The ghost-head saber slashed through the void, stopping above Xiao Yan’s head. The Blood Blade Saint’s eyes locked onto Xiao Yan’s forehead, and after a moment, a flicker of fear appeared in them.
“Xiao Clan Mark? You are from the Xiao Clan?”
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