Unrivaled Martial Emperor

Chapter 435 - Picking Stars

Chen Fan’s sudden power-up ignited another wave of excitement in the ongoing battle.

The crowd had assumed that his death was certain with Feng Tianxia revealing his true cultivation. Surprisingly, he still had more tricks up his sleeves. His combat strength skyrocketed, engaging Feng Tianxia in another exhilarating exchange.

Boom, rumble, rumble...

The terrifying spear light tore through space, seemingly emerging from the void with the power to rend mountains.

The crimson blade light swept out, the sharp blade qi intertwining and cutting through space. Every slash had thunderous might that could shatter a hundred-thousand-foot-tall mountain.

Despite the Life and Death Hall's fighting arena being constructed from an exceptionally tough material, with defensive formations etched onto it, it couldn't withstand the ferocity of the battle between Chen Fan and Feng Tianxia. The relentless forces ravaged the arena, rendering the defensive patterns ineffective and leaving the arena in a sorry state.

Yet, their fight continued unaffected. Every move made during their exchange was meant to kill the other one, leaving the spectators awestruck and trembling with anticipation.

“This... Heavens, it’s too terrifying. My heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest.”

“This battle isn’t any less intense than the one in Tianmen Mountain. They are evenly matched, neither able to gain the upper hand.”

“Nah, you’re wrong. Chen Fan’s strength had suddenly increased, so he likely used some secret art to unlock his potential. It must have a time limit. Once it wears off, his fate is sealed.”

“That's right, but we can't deny that Chen Fan's a genius. He’s not any inferior compared to Senior Brother Duan Jingtian, being able to fight Feng Tianxia to this extent when he’s only at the fourth level. It’s simply a miracle.”

“......”

Terrifying qi fluctuations rippled out in space endlessly, making the people’s blood boil. They wished they could join the fight themselves.

Impressive. Both of them are stronger than me. Gongsun Long sighed in his heart as he watched the fight. He no longer believed that only Duan Jingtian was his match among the sect disciples.

Chen Fan and Feng Tianxia’s fight proved that they were as strong as him, perhaps even stronger.

“How unfortunate. If that were Chen Fan’s real strength, this fight would have likely ended in a draw.” Yue Zhongtian sighed lightly.

Although the back and forth between Chen Fan and Feng Tianxia was spectacular, Chen Fan likely couldn’t fight for long. Once the time limit for his secret art was up, the life-and-death battle would end.

Lei Wushuang said, “It's truly remarkable that he can hold his own against Feng Tianxia for this long.”

“You’re right. Duan Jingtian recognized Chen Fan’s potential for growth, so he decided to nip him in the bud. Who knows how strong he would become given more time?”

The holy disciples lamented one after another.

Boom, boom, boom...

After another intense clash, the terrifying recoil pushed them back. They steadied themselves with much difficulty.

“How truly unexpected. You've managed to challenge me to this extent. Unfortunately, a genius like you is destined to die at my hands,” Feng Tianxia said coldly as he looked at Chen Fan grimly.

With each clash, Feng Tianxia grew increasingly astonished

Chen Fan's power exceeded all his expectations—that wasn’t the strength of someone at the fourth level.

Chen Fan grinned and said, “Feng Tianxia, it seems your strength is as formidable as you believe.”

“Hmph, boasting won't save you! How much longer can your secret art last? You will die once its effects fade!” Feng Tianxia said with an ugly expression.

As if failing to kill Chen Fan after fighting for so long wasn’t enough, Chen Fan would also randomly throw out an insult or two. Feng Tianxia was seething inside.

“Hahahaha, die!” Chen Fan ignored what Feng Tianxia had said.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang...

Another exchange of moves began, heaven fell, the earth split, and the sun and the moon lost their light.

Minutes and seconds slipped by, each passing moment heightening the tension among the onlookers.

Feng Tianxia noticed something amiss: Chen Fan’s secret art showed no signs of waning. “How is this possible? Why isn’t your combat strength declining?”

If a secret art could last as long as an incense stick, it would be considered decent. Those that could last for a quarter-hour were very few and far between, almost non-existent.

After all, secret arts drew on the user’s potential, even their life force. It could not be maintained for long.

However, Chen Fan’s power-up had been working tediously for much longer than fifteen minutes, nearly touching the half-hour mark. What was it if not astoundingly appealing?

Chen Fan smiled coldly and said, “My methods surpass your imagination."

The Nine Illusory Golden Core Secret Art was indeed a secret art but not an ordinary one.

Instead of drawing power from his potential, it drew power from the illusory golden cores he had cultivated. It was his own strength, so it did not exhaust his potential or life force. He could use that immense power consistently.

However, there was indeed a time limit: one hour.

“Damn it, just die already, Star Slash!”

Feng Tianxia's heart sank as a sense of foreboding washed over him. Chen Fan’s methods were indeed beyond his expectations.

He had believed he could outlast Chen Fan’s secret art, making his death inevitable. But now, the situation was far more complex than he had anticipated.

Another blade light slashed down violently. Stars could be seen within that blade light as if this attack was formed from a river of stars.

“Prairie Fire Hundred Strikes!”

“Northern Star Reaper Hand!”

Chen Fan refused to show any weakness. His qi erupted fiercely, clouds rising above his head.

“Damn it, go to hell, Sun Moon Slash!”

Feng Tianxia wielded his blade with both hands, pouring his true primeval into Bloody Sky non-stop. Streams of crimson light erupted from his weapon, the blade qi cutting through everything in its path.

Holding his spear in his right hand, Chen Fan threw out a palm strike with his left, breaking through the sky.

“Great Brahma Sacred Palm!”

Rumble!

The violent clash set off a thunderous, deafening noise. Those close to the fighting arena felt their qi and blood churning and couldn’t help but spew out blood, their complexions turning pale.

Within that storm, Chen Fan allowed the fierce winds and huge waves to beat at him while he stood still like an undefeated god of war.

Feng Tianxia’s expression became somewhat hideous. Unable to kill Chen Fan despite the relentless onslaught, fury burned within him.

Suddenly, his qi surged to its peak. A torrent of primal energy erupted from his skull, forming a swirling sea of power above him.

With a flip of his palm, the primeval qi of heaven and earth converged in his hand, creating a primeval qi nebula. A terrifying aura erupted from his palm.

“Picking Stars!”

Rumble!

Behind Feng Tianxia, a silhouette appeared, wearing a royal crown. It looked at heaven and earth, and life and death with contempt like a god. It raised its palm, mimicking Feng Tianxia’s actions, piercing through space-time.

A vortex appeared in the skies in front of Chen Fan. A palm reached out of it, flickering with star qi runes.