Chapter 170: Chapter 110: First Direct Confrontation with a Mortal Transformation Expert; Breakthrough to the Bone Tempering Realm; The Cries Outside Seven Stars Castle...
His hand, which had caught the arrow, fell limply to his side. The Purple Bamboo Arrow clattered to the ground!
THUD!
Duan Tianhong could no longer hold himself up and slammed down onto one knee.
He clutched his head with both hands, his body trembling uncontrollably. Veins bulged on his forehead, and cold sweat streamed down his face!
[Soul Split: When an arrow hits a target or makes contact with their weapon, a wisp of formless "Soul-splitting Force" will surge forth, directly attacking the enemy’s spirit or Divine Soul. A light injury will cause their consciousness to blur, interrupting their spellcasting or Qi circulation. A heavy injury can directly annihilate their Divine Soul, causing permanent damage.]
This Soul-splitting Force could directly wound the Divine Soul!
The pain from this single arrow was more intense than all the physical injuries from Chu Fan’s previous punches and palm strikes combined.
That tearing sensation originating from the depths of his soul made Duan Tianhong wish he were dead!
In the distance, Chu Fan’s eyes were calm, not the least bit surprised.
He hadn’t fired that arrow to kill. He was more interested in testing whether the "Soul Split" Trait he had obtained after Breaking the Limit of his Moon Eclipse Arrow was effective against a Mortal Transformation expert.
From the looks of it, the effect was surprisingly good. It was practically a divine skill for sneak attacks!
’This opportunity can’t be missed!’
Chu Fan immediately drew his bow again. WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! He fired three arrows in a triangular pattern at the kneeling Duan Tianhong!
But Duan Tianhong was, after all, a Mortal Transformation expert. Despite his grievous injuries, his survival instincts and combat experience remained.
Sensing the approaching crisis, he endured the excruciating pain and dizziness in his soul. With a roar, he struggled to activate the Primordial Qi in his body.
"Cyan Origin Shield!"
An azure, semi-transparent Primordial Qi Shield instantly materialized in front of him!
THWAP! THWAP! THWAP!
The three Purple Bamboo Arrows struck the shield one after another, creating ripples, but ultimately failed to penetrate it. They all fell limply to the ground!
Seeing this, Chu Fan knew the perfect opportunity was lost. It was time to leave.
His previous fierce assault might have left Duan Tianhong in a sorry state and allowed Cold Qi to invade his body, but the man’s abundant Primordial Qi, combined with his Inner Armor, had already nullified most of the killing power of the Extreme Night Cold Prison Hand.
If he kept pestering him and that man surnamed Duan decided to swallow his pride and use his sword, it would probably be too late to escape.
The strength of the Extreme Night Cold Prison Hand’s Cold Qi depended entirely on his Qi Blood Power.
But he was only in the Bone Marrow Forging realm right now. His Qi Blood Power was nothing compared to Duan Tianhong’s powerful Primordial Qi.
Even with the boost from Vajra Iron Fist, it would be difficult to break through the man’s defense of Primordial Qi plus Inner Armor.
He would probably have to wait until he broke through to the Entering the Realm of Strength for his Qi Blood Power-converted Cold Qi to have a chance of seriously injuring or even killing Duan Tianhong.
Now that Duan Tianhong was on guard, it would be much harder to launch another sneak attack with a Soul-Splitting Arrow.
Even if he switched to Black Kite Arrows, it would be difficult to break his Primordial Qi Shield. Once he recovered and drew his sword, he’d be in big trouble.
These thoughts flashed through Chu Fan’s mind.
He put away his longbow and pushed his Ghost Shadow Illusionary Body Step to its limit. Combined with his Light as a Feather Trait, his figure became like a phantom melting into the night. After a few leaps, he vanished into the darkness at the end of the long street.
Even before he fled, Zhao Tianxing had already disappeared.
"Bas... tard...!"
Duan Tianhong, still on one knee, trembled with rage as he stared in the direction Chu Fan had vanished. He gritted his teeth so hard they audibly clicked.
He wanted to give chase, but with his soul injured, his consciousness was still hazy. His legs were weak, and he could barely even stand steady, let alone catch up.
The mix of frustration, rage, and a sliver of fear that he refused to even acknowledge threatened to completely consume him.
A dignified genius of the Duan Family, a Mortal Transformation expert, had actually suffered such a huge loss at the hands of a junior who hadn’t even passed the five gates of Foundation Establishment—his physical body was eroded by Cold Qi, and his soul was injured!
"Moon Worship Sect... If I don’t get revenge for this, I, Duan Tianhong, swear I am not a man!"
He growled, his voice distorted by pain and anger, no longer able to maintain its slow, magnetic tone.
...
In a small alley not far from the North City Gate of Cyan Yang Ancient City, three figures materialized.
Zhao Tianxing asked with concern, "Are you okay?"
Although he had been providing support from afar, he had still witnessed some of the perilous moments.
Liang Yuhen’s eyes were wide as she stared at the Ghost-faced Man before her, the storm in her heart yet to subside.
Someone who hadn’t even passed the five gates of Foundation Establishment had actually beaten a Mortal Transformation expert into such a sorry state and even managed to escape easily... Even though she had seen it with her own eyes, she still found it hard to believe, feeling as if she were in a dream.
"I’m fine."
Chu Fan shook his head, then looked at Liang Yuhen, whose face was still a little pale. "In three days, at the hour of Zi, bring the one thousand taels of silver here. Don’t try anything funny."
A flash of fear appeared in Liang Yuhen’s eyes. She said in a low voice, "In three days, I will definitely deliver the one thousand taels of silver."
"Good." Chu Fan nodded and said no more.
He wasn’t worried about Liang Yuhen trying any tricks.
After this battle, he now had a good grasp of his own strength with the Vajra Undying Body.
Although he couldn’t kill Duan Tianhong today, he would be able to break through to the Bone Tempering Realm tomorrow. His strength would rise another notch, bringing him even closer to the level of a Mortal Transformation expert.
If Liang Yuhen found an Incense Master Level expert to cause trouble, that would be for the best—
The whole reason he had come out for some "Corpse Handling" tonight was because he had gained quite a few benefits from handling the corpses of Master Lei and the white-robed man from the Moon Worship Sect a few days ago.
If Liang Yuhen could lure a few Incense Masters over, he couldn’t ask for more!
He’d kill them as they came—one by one, or two by two.
Perhaps he could even get a few more Treasure Plants from those Incense Masters!
Under the cover of night, Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing silently returned to the Seven Stars Gang.
Only after returning to his own residence did Chu Fan slowly let out a breath.
Tonight’s battle with Duan Tianhong, though not to the death, had given him a clearer understanding of his own strength.
The offense and defense of his Vajra Undying Body, the insidious cold and Trait of his Extreme Night Cold Prison Hand, the unpredictability of his Ghost Shadow Illusionary Body Step, and the "Soul Split" Trait from his limit-broken Moon Eclipse Arrow—these were all assets that allowed him to fight above his weight class.
