Brandishing the iron spear, Chen Fan's aura surged, suppressing heaven and earth and instilling fear in countless inner sect disciples.
“Any last words?” His aura surpassed even that of Feng Tianxia, who stood at the fifth level of Core Formation.
Feng Tianxia’s expression turned gloomy.
He realized Chen Fan had two hidden aces: his fourth-level cultivation, and a Grade-4 treasure.
It explained why Chen Fan had accepted the challenge and boldly proclaimed that he would take Feng Tianxia’s life.
After a brief moment of silence, Feng Tianxia’s expression returned to calm. He looked at Chen Fan evenly and said, “Fourth level, huh? That was truly out of my expectations. Impressive. Truly impressive.”
His words carried a dual meaning.
Firstly, Chen Fan had cultivated from the first level of the Core Formation realm to the fourth level in less than six months—it was a cultivation record. No one had ever achieved or would ever achieve such a feat in the entirety of the Tianwu Continent.
Secondly, it underscored Chen Fan's ability to conceal his true cultivation level effectively.
Had he not been using Bloody Sky—which increased his offensive prowess immensely—he could have never forced Chen Fan to reveal his true cultivation.
Yue Zhongtian, Lei Wushuang, and the other holy disciples, emerging from their state of shock, regarded Chen Fan with newfound respect and scrutiny.
Even Gongsun Long, second only to Duan Jingtian, couldn't help but have a glint of admiration in his eyes.
Yue Zhongtian said, “So that’s why he was so confident back then. Judging by his foundation, he advanced ten days ago at the very least. A foundation that stable couldn’t have come from a recent advancement.”
Lei Wushuang nodded and said, “You’re right. We sensed anomalies in the primeval qi of heaven and earth back then, likely triggered by his breakthrough. However, he concealed it so well that we couldn't sense it at all."
“Perhaps he practiced some martial art to conceal his cultivation, like the Aura Concealment Technique, for example. The disparity in our cultivation levels isn't significant, so, understandably, we couldn't see through it,” Yue Zhongtian replied.
“Now that Chen Fan has unveiled his true strength and wields a Grade-4 treasure, the outcome of this confrontation is uncertain.” Lei Wushuang’s complicated gaze fell on Chen Fan.
Yue Zhongtian said, “I hope he wins. I'd rather see him ascend to the position of sect leader than experience Duan Jingtian's tyranny and cruelty with that power.”
Feng Tianxia looked at Chen Fan with a calm look on his face, as if Chen Fan’s surge of strength was within expectations. He said, “So what if you are at the fourth level? You will still die today. No one can save you!”
Many people’s hearts shook.
Chen Fan had already shown his hand, and his overall combat strength didn’t seem any inferior to Feng Tianxia’s. So, for him to say something like that calmly now was odd.
Did Feng Tianxia still have a hidden ace in the hole?
Doubts surfaced in the crowd’s minds one after another.
Chen Fan smiled and said, “So you still have some tricks up your sleeves. You need at least that much to challenge me to a life-and-death battle. Doesn’t matter, though. You said something very right—today, no one can save you. Feng Tianxia, your death is certain. No matter what abilities and methods you have, I will cut you down!”
“Your arrogance knows no bounds!” Feng Tianxia smiled coldly. “Die!”
In a blink, the two clashed once more, unleashing torrents of terrifying whirlwinds and hurricanes in all directions.
Woo, woo, woo. Woo, woo, woo...
The winds sounded mournful, and the air currents surged chaotically. The entire Life and Death Hall was shaking as if there was an earthquake.
Explosions rang out continuously.
Bang, bang, bang. Bang, bang, bang...
Chen Fan and Feng Tianxia went back and forth, displaying their terrifying strengths to the fullest. Every one of their punches and kicks could move mountains and part the sea.
Discussions buzzed throughout the hall as spectators watched the two blurred figures fiercely exchanging blows in mid-air.
“Terrifying, too terrifying!”
“Hey, doesn’t it seem similar to the spar between Senior Brother Duan Jingtian and Divine Light Sect’s Zhong Ya?!”
“This is a battle between a dragon and a tiger!”
They couldn’t see Chen Fan and Feng Tianxia and could only catch a glimpse of their silhouettes. They could feel the terrifying ripples set off from their collision, which made their scalps turn numb.
Within the storm, Chen Fan unleashed his cultivation. His strength surged uncontrollably, crushing the fabric of space itself.
“Break, break, break!”
His arm, seemingly made of steel tendons and iron bones, flickered wildly as streaks of terrifying spear light flew out in all directions.
Feng Tianxia had similarly pushed his cultivation to the extreme. Streaks of terrifying crimson blade light intertwined in space, cutting through the air. Each blade light could easily kill a third-level expert or heavily injure a fourth-level expert.
“Go to hell, you little beast!”
“It’s useless. The moment I unleashed my true power, your fate was sealed, Feng Tianxia. Anyone who serves Duan Jingtian will die. You're not the first.”
Chen Fan ignored that terrifying crimson blade light. Each thrust of his spear was weighty, tearing through space like meteorites, obliterating everything in their path and overwhelming Feng Tianxia.
He had firmly suppressed Feng Tianxia within the storm. Feng Tianxia was surrounded by danger, and his clothing was ripped apart. It seemed like he would die to Chen Fan’s spear if he was even slightly careless.
“You want to kill me? Haha, Chen Fan. Fine, fine, it seems I’ve underestimated you. Since a fifth-level expert can’t kill you... what about someone at the sixth level?!”
Suddenly, a cracking noise rang out from inside Feng Tianxia. His aura instantly surged. Fierce winds swept like waves, rushing out violently, forcing Chen Fan to pull back.
Chen Fan retreated and looked at Feng Tianxia with a stern gaze, his eyebrows furrowed tightly.
He had known Feng Tianxia still had something up his sleeves, but this was too unexpected.
Feng Tianxia, sixth-level Core Formation realm!
This was Feng Tianxia’s true hidden ace!
That was why Feng Tianxia had looked so calm when Chen Fan had revealed his true cultivation, looking like victory was within his grasp. It turned out that he, too, had covered up his true cultivation.
What surprised Chen Fan was that he failed to sense Feng Tianxia’s cultivation despite his powerful perception.
That sound earlier... Chen Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.
Given his powerful perception, Chen Fan was sure that Feng Tianxia couldn’t have hidden his cultivation from him even if he had practiced the Aura Concealment Technique.
Yet, that was exactly what Feng Tianxia had done somehow.
Chen Fan’s gaze became incomparably sharp, trying to figure out the trick.
It can’t be a martial art like the Aura Concealment Technique, but some kind of sealing art. That cracking sound should have come from him breaking the seal!
Only a sealing art that sealed his cultivation could hide from Chen Fan’s powerful perception.