In the heat of battle, Liu Shengrong found himself unexpectedly struck by Chen Qingyu’s Taizu Long Fist Technique. Though the injury was minor, it was enough to shake his confidence. Just moments ago, he had held the upper hand; now, he was left grappling with disbelief.
"Damn it, why?" he muttered, incredulity etched on his face.
Chen Qingyu shot back, a lightness in his tone that only served to deepen Liu Shengrong’s irritation.
Liu Shengrong's beard trembled with rage. He had already sensed Chen Qingyu's progression during their earlier encounter.
The gap between them was narrowing, and he could no longer dismiss his opponent as a mere child. Chen Qingyu's mastery of the Shadow Step and Taizu Long Fist, coupled with the occasional use of the Heart-breaking Palm Technique, showcased an alarming improvement.
Deep down, Liu Shengrong had held onto the belief that he could easily best Chen Qingyu, but the injury he had just sustained forced him to confront the truth.
He was no longer the invincible genius of his youth; at thirty, he felt the weight of time pressing down on him. The thought of death loomed larger now than it ever had before.
He longed for the clan totem to be revived, the promise of extending his life by another fifty years still tantalizingly close. Fifty years to hone his skills, to seize opportunities in a world rich with potential. With such a future ahead, why risk it against a younger opponent?
These thoughts swirled in his mind, but as Chen Qingyu launched another attack, Liu Shengrong’s defences kicked in. He gathered his qi and blood into his palm, unleashing the mid-level Innate combat technique of his family: "Bright Moon Like Frost!"
A streak of white light shot forth from his palm, scattering frost particles in its wake. The attack was powerful enough to hinder an enemy's movements, but as it connected with Chen Qingyu, he felt a sense of urgency.
Despite the healing properties of the green light, Chen Qingyu could sense that the effects of the locust leaf were fading.
His strength from the exploded organs was diminishing, and he felt himself slipping back toward the early stages of the innate realm.
The Five Viscera Ascension Technique had its limits, and he couldn’t rely on it again for at least a month.
He had provoked Liu Shengrong intentionally. Knowing that he had struck a nerve, he pressed on, determined to win this fight before the opportunity vanished.
With resolve, Chen Qingyu gathered all his remaining qi and blood into his fist, conjuring the image of the Taizu Long Fist in his mind. The memory surged through him: rise like the wind, strike like lightning, move like a winding dragon… In a moment of inspiration, a human-shaped phantom appeared behind him, mirroring his movements.
The collision of their attacks sent both warriors reeling. Chen Qingyu felt the frost from Liu Shengrong’s technique seeping into his body, slowing his movements. His heart sank as he realized his condition was worsening. He had slipped into the early stages of the Innate Realm, and injuries wracked his body. But when he glanced at Liu Shengrong, he couldn’t help but smile.
The elder was visibly shaken, his composure shattered by the force of Chen Qingyu's attack. The damage was apparent; a fist mark marred his chest, and he was trembling.
Victory surged through Chen Qingyu, but Liu Shengrong’s realization that he had lost his focus came too late.
Why hadn’t he dodged? The thought lingered in Liu Shengrong's mind as he watched countless green light points rushing toward Chen Qingyu. A flicker of fear sparked within him. If this young man’s realm rose again, he might become an even greater threat.
Without a second thought, Liu Shengrong propelled himself toward Chen Qingyu, a desperate attack fueled by fear.
Chen Qingyu, recovering from his internal injuries, prepared to counter. The decline in his strength was alarming, but he didn’t falter. As he readied himself to unleash the Taizu Long Fist again, he felt the ground tremble beneath him.
Suddenly, roots shot up from the earth, wrapping around Liu Shengrong and restricting his movement. Liu Shengrong barely registered the change; his focus remained solely on Chen Qingyu.
He lunged toward his opponent, but a root ensnared him. Trying to tear it apart, he was met with an unexpected heat that forced him to withdraw his hand.
“What the hell is this?” he exclaimed, astonished as he inspected the burn on his palm.
At that moment, the roots ensnared him further.
Chen Qingyu shouted, seizing the moment to close in. He unleashed the Taizu Long Fist once more.
Liu Shengrong, caught off guard and unable to defend himself, faced the full force of the attack. The once-mighty warrior fell, his eyes filled with reluctance, knowing he had underestimated the young man before him.