Chapter 62: Needle Against Wheat

The confrontation between Shen Chen and Qi Zheng can be considered the most spectacular battle among the younger generation of the ordinary sect, Flowing Cloud Sect, in decades, without a doubt. Being able to witness such a battle, everyone present, including the guests who came to observe and all the members of the Flowing Cloud Sect, widened their eyes, afraid of missing any thrilling moment. This battle was extremely rare within a hundred miles, and for many, it might be the only one they would see in their lifetimes.

Qi Zheng's reputation as a war god was well-known; he had never been defeated since he became famous. In the Flowing Cloud Sect and the hundred-mile territory under its jurisdiction, almost no one was unaware of him, and he was fully deserving of the title of the first among the younger generation.

As for Shen Chen, a youth whose background was unknown but who had emerged in just a few months, he was also now a source of intense interest for many. His talent was undeniable, a once-in-a-century phenomenon in this land, and his current combat strength was also astonishing, leaving many people speechless. Moreover, with the attitude of the sect leader Liao Yan towards him, many already saw this young man as the successor to the position of the next sect leader.

Therefore, regardless of the outcome of this battle, many people who had traveled dozens or even hundreds of miles to observe felt that the trip was worthwhile. Of course, as long as they were normal, everyone hoped for a more spectacular battle. Many people in their hearts hoped for a miracle, and such a miracle could only be created by the young man named Shen Chen, although they did not think the possibility was very high...

"Kill!"

On the square, Shen Chen soon personally experienced the strength of this senior brother Qi Zheng. Every move of the latter seemed enough to make many outstanding disciples of the sect completely despair. The three blood rays that appeared on Qi Zheng's arms and right leg were neatly aligned, as if containing the power of tens of thousands of pounds.

Clearly, that was the true strength of the Ninth Level of the Blood Fusion Realm!

In comparison, Shen Chen felt that the Ninth Level of the Blood Fusion Realm combat strength that Tian Zhan had achieved through the use of evil techniques was simply too weak, not even in the same league. Shen Chen was convinced that even without his appearance, that guy would never have been able to smoothly secure the top ranking in the sect. In Qi Zheng's hands, he would not last ten moves!

However, Qi Zheng's strength was not enough to make Shen Chen timid. On the contrary, the more he fought, the braver he became. After being slashed by Qi Zheng's spear several times, Shen Chen had long forgotten the pain, his heart filled with the exhilaration of battle.

"Kill!" On the other side, Qi Zheng was equally ruthless. He appeared gentle and refined, but once in battle, he instantly transformed into a war maniac. Every move he made was like a general charging on a cruel battlefield, majestic and invincible!

"Junior Brother, you should show your true skills now." The spear left another cut on Shen Chen, and Qi Zheng smiled, giving Shen Chen a provocative look.

That provocation was pure and direct, without any deceit, only a strong desire to face a powerful enemy!

"Haha! Then, Senior Brother Qi Zheng, shouldn't you also return the favor and let me see your true moves?" Shen Chen paid no attention to his wounds or the disadvantage he had been in. His eyes were filled with fierce battle intent, and he spoke provocatively to Qi Zheng.

Since he had been transported to this continent, Shen Chen had never felt as exhilarated as he did now. This intense battle greatly stimulated his desire for strength, focusing his mind entirely on the path to the pinnacle of martial arts.

"Hehe, as you wish!" Qi Zheng smiled, genuinely admiring and respecting Shen Chen's boldness. Gradually, Qi Zheng no longer saw Shen Chen as a junior brother but as a peer.

This transformation was not about age but more like mutual respect between heroes. The long and lonely path of cultivation was hard to endure, and having a like-minded companion, whether a friend or an opponent, was a great joy for a martial artist!

"Alright, then I'll show you my clumsiness first!"

Shen Chen no longer wanted to say more about Qi Zheng's boldness. With a loud cry, he used the Shadow Fox Steps to the utmost, wielding his long sword with a fierce thrust, leaving trails of afterimages behind him, the entire process smooth and swift like a hurricane!

"Ghost Slash of the Netherworld!"

"Shadow Ghost Sword!"

"Spring of the Netherworld, Sever the Flow! Three moves combined, break!"

As the long sword slashed, Shen Chen immediately unleashed his ultimate moves, the three techniques from the incomplete Nine Cuts of the Netherworld. Each move was a killer technique at the Blood Fusion Realm level, and when used together, their power was astonishing. The combined force of the three moves was likely far beyond the power of a typical lower-grade Earth-level martial technique.

It was this trump card that allowed Shen Chen to successfully kill Lin Hai, a higher-level opponent, and then stun everyone in the competition by defeating the renowned disciples Yuan Xiao and Tian Zhan, who were also higher-level opponents.

It must be said that Shen Chen's skills had already surpassed those of many elders in the sect, making him stand out uniquely in the entire Flowing Cloud Sect!

"Haha! Junior Brother, you have mastered the Nine Cuts of the Netherworld to such a degree, the title of prodigy is well-deserved!"

Seeing the sword's power increase dramatically as the three shadows merged, Qi Zheng laughed, his battle intent reaching its peak.

He had personally descended from Cloudy Peak to witness this technique, the Nine Cuts of the Netherworld, which no one in the Flowing Cloud Sect had mastered in over a hundred years. Now, his wish was finally fulfilled!

"Junior Brother, since you respect me so much, I won't hold back either... Sunset Golden Spear!"

Immediately, brownish-red light burst from Qi Zheng's spear. As he thrust it forward, the spearhead stirred up a red mist, looking like a fleeting glimpse of the sunset, dazzling and unstoppable.

"Sunset Golden Spear... If it were not for this single move, it could have been a top Earth-level martial technique!" Elder Situ Chuan, who had returned to the VIP seats, sat beside Liao Yan, his expression serious. Both were engaged in a fair battle, and there was no need for him to supervise.

"Yes, if the Sunset Golden Spear had more than one move, it might have reached the Earth level!" Xie Zhenhai sighed, having put aside his prejudice against Shen Chen. He was now seriously observing this intense battle, with a faint hope in his heart...

"I wonder if that young man can withstand it, but... even if he loses to Qi Zheng, there's nothing to regret. After all, he is too young and has been cultivating for a short time..." Situ Ya frowned slightly.

"Indeed, to be such a prodigy at fifteen or sixteen, the future prosperity of our Flowing Cloud Sect might truly begin with this generation. A defeat today might be a good thing for that young man."

Perhaps because his own disciple had been defeated by Shen Chen, Elder Chen Fanghao, the Bloodthirsty Lion, now seemed to lavish praise on the former.

However, overall, the elder still did not expect much from Shen Chen in this battle. He had no doubt about Shen Chen's talent, but some very real gaps could not be ignored. The elder was just being objective.

On the square, the intense battle between the two had already reached a fever pitch. Shen Chen's three moves combined into one, and the power of the Nine Cuts of the Netherworld was concentrated on the sword's edge. Qi Zheng's golden spear also shone brightly, the spearhead carrying a brownish-red mist, colliding precisely with Shen Chen's sword tip. Waves of energy spread out, and the two were evenly matched!

This battle was truly spectacular. Many people present could not bear to blink, watching the two young men clash, the energy waves causing sand and stones to fly. Many sect disciples were filled with excitement, clenching their teeth, hoping to one day be like the two on the square.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, the residual power of the martial techniques from both Shen Chen's sword tip and Qi Zheng's spearhead erupted, releasing a powerful wave of energy that swept through the surroundings, the momentum terrifying.

Strictly speaking, Shen Chen's combined three moves of the Nine Cuts of the Netherworld were more powerful than Qi Zheng's Sunset Golden Spear in terms of martial technique. However, Qi Zheng's astonishing cultivation at the Ninth Level of the Blood Fusion Realm easily made up for the disadvantage in technique.

This intense clash left both of them unsteady. Qi Zheng only took a small step back, while Shen Chen, due to the gap in cultivation, was pushed back five or six steps before he could barely stand firm.

However, this result was not enough to decide the outcome of the battle or to determine a clear winner. The few elders who highly regarded Shen Chen were all pleased and satisfied, thinking that the young man's performance against Qi Zheng was well-deserving of the second place in the inner sect...

"Hehe, Junior Brother's combined three moves are indeed powerful. If our cultivation levels were the same, I would probably have to surrender!" On the square, Qi Zheng did not become arrogant because of the slight advantage, but was instead pleasantly surprised by Shen Chen's performance, praising him generously.

"Senior Brother Qi Zheng is too kind. Everyone has their strengths. As long as it can defeat the enemy, there's nothing to say about it." Shen Chen responded modestly, feeling a sense of dignity from this top-ranked senior brother and not being the type to gloat.

"Haha! Good, it's rare to find someone whose temperament matches mine. If you can withstand the next move, I will fully support you for the position of the next sect leader!" Qi Zheng laughed, speaking without any restraint.

However, when these words were spoken, everyone in the square, whether ordinary people or sect disciples, was stunned, looking at each other, thinking they had misheard.

In the center of the VIP seats, Sect Leader Liao Yan, the elders, and the important guests all had strange expressions, not expecting Qi Zheng to say such things in public. This not only demonstrated Qi Zheng's extraordinary demeanor but also seemed to ignore them. More importantly, did he not care at all about the position of the next sect leader?

"Senior Brother Qi Zheng, this..."

On the other side of the square, Shen Chen was also at a loss. This Senior Brother Qi Zheng was indeed too bold and fierce. If it weren't for his reputation as the war god of the Flowing Cloud Sect, Shen Chen didn't know how he would handle the aftermath, fearing he would be beaten up by the outstanding disciples.

However, Shen Chen was not a pretentious person. Regardless of whether he had any thoughts about the position of the sect leader, he was very eager to see the strongest move of this war god of the Flowing Cloud Sect.

At that moment, Shen Chen didn't say much, bowing to Qi Zheng and smiling, "Senior Brother Qi Zheng, please instruct me!"