Chapter 167: Chapter 160: A Nascent Soul Disciple?
"Chen Che?!"
Han Zaiyin’s expression changed drastically, his heart filled with utter shock and rage.
He was shocked by the sheer vastness of the other man’s Divine Sense.
He was enraged that he dared to come here alone.
But beyond the shock and rage, the unease in his heart finally settled.
’This boy’s Divine Soul is so powerful. He must have consumed some sort of Celestial and Earthly Treasure for it to have grown to this extent. But no matter how strong a Qi Refining Cultivator is, in my eyes, he’s just a junior. There’s no need for me to fear him in the slightest.’
"You dare trespass into the Han Family’s forbidden grounds... Han Xiyue, you’re back?! Help me kill this whelp!"
Amidst his shock and anger, a look of pleasant surprise suddenly appeared on Han Zaiyin’s face as he shouted at the space behind Chen Che.
In that same instant, he flicked his hand, and several crimson pills shot out with a whistle.
"Hmph!"
Chen Che didn’t even turn around. With a wave of his hand, the Celestial Secret Umbrella flew before him.
"Protect!"
At his shout, the umbrella opened wide, shielding his front.
"BOOM!"
Almost simultaneously, a scorching wave erupted all around, accompanied by a world-shaking boom. Billowing clouds of sand, dust, and thick smoke instantly swept outwards.
Countless flames surged from within, falling like raindrops. Each drop that landed instantly burned through the stone floor.
Evidently, those few pills were also Magical Artifacts of considerable power.
"As expected of a Tribulation Cultivation Clan. A dignified Foundation Establishment Cultivator resorting to tricks and ambushes against a Qi Refining Cultivator. Truly despicable!"
Chen Che stood holding the umbrella as his Divine Sense swept forward, but Han Zaiyin was no longer in his original spot.
The man had shouted suddenly, trying to distract him.
Anyone else would likely have turned back to check.
After all, deep within the Han Family’s territory and facing a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, one would naturally be on high alert.
"Boy, don’t you understand the principle that the victor is king and the loser is the villain?"
The voice came from all around the smoke and dust, ethereal and making it impossible to pinpoint his location.
RATTLE!
The moment the voice faded, the sudden sound of clashing chains rang out.
The billowing smoke and dust were abruptly pierced by a strong wind, revealing a circular tunnel through the haze.
An arm-thick black chain shot into view. Pulled taut and straight, it was accompanied by a piercing whistle as it rocketed forward like a crossbow bolt.
Chen Che’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’A rare chain-type Magical Treasure.’
Judging by its power and momentum, it was at least a Tier Two Magical Artifact.
"Go!"
Chen Che was already prepared. He formed a sword-finger, and with a CLANG, the Pure Jun Sword unsheathed itself. It transformed into a streak of brilliant light and shot forward to meet the chain.
"Heh heh..."
A sinister laugh echoed as several layers of True Essence fluctuated. The black chain suddenly trembled and coiled like a Flood Dragon Snake, actually evading the sharp edge of the Pure Jun Sword.
Then, countless canine-like black thorns emerged from the inside of the chain.
As Han Zaiyin’s hands flipped up and down, driven by his True Essence, the black chain transformed into a terrifying black vortex in the blink of an eye. Like the gaping maw of a Fierce Beast, it swallowed the Pure Jun Sword in one gulp.
"CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!"
A piercing, grinding sound.
The rapidly spinning chain threw off countless dazzling sparks, as if a Fierce Beast were chewing on metal.
The scene, though complex to describe, happened in the blink of an eye.
"Junior, this is the ’Black Tide Evil Chain,’ specially refined to shred Magical Artifacts! Your Flying Sword is about to be destroyed!"
Han Zaiyin’s triumphant laughter echoed from all directions.
This chain was forged for pure offense; it had already shredded countless Magical Artifacts.
"Not necessarily!"
Chen Che’s expression remained unchanged. His Divine Sense suddenly locked onto a corner of the Earth Palace, and he waved his hand.
"CRACK!"
A crisp sound rang out.
Countless barbed thorns snapped at the sound. A streak of sword light forcibly pierced through the black hurricane. With a whistle of wind, the dust filling the Earth Palace was instantly blown away, revealing Han Zaiyin’s terrified expression.
With a *PFFT*, the sword pierced through his chest. The force behind the strike did not diminish, pinning him firmly to the wall.
"Ugh!"
Han Zaiyin cried out in pain, but the ferocity in his eyes did not lessen as he waved his hand.
The Black Tide Evil Chain suddenly expanded several times over, sprouting countless barbed thorns both inside and out. With even greater ferocity than before, it charged forward like a giant black python in a frenzy!
BOOM!
The black chain scraped across the floor, carving a deep groove into it as if it were tofu.
"Rise!"
Chen Che’s expression was unchanged as he squeezed the umbrella’s handle.
The Celestial Secret Umbrella expanded with the wind, its canopy propping up the Earth Palace. The Black Tide Evil Chain slammed into the umbrella’s surface, sending another shower of sparks flying. The canopy trembled violently but refused to break.
"How is this possible?"
Han Zaiyin’s eyes widened. He had taken three palm strikes from Meng Changtu and was severely injured, with less than a tenth of his power remaining.
But he still wasn’t someone an ordinary Qi Refining Cultivator could contend with.
A typical Ninth Layer Cultivator wouldn’t last more than a few breaths against his Black Tide Evil Chain. But this man’s True Essence seemed endless, impossible to deplete.
’How is he doing this?’
"Fellow Daoist Chen, you are indeed powerful, but I am a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. You cannot truly stand against me. Rather than fighting until we are both grievously wounded, why don’t we stop here and make peace? From now on, the Han Family will no longer be your enemy."
Han Zaiyin struggled free from the Pure Jun Sword, flew down, and retrieved the Black Tide Evil Chain with a gesture. He said grimly:
"Of course, since we have offended you, Fellow Daoist, the Han Family will naturally apologize. How about a Foundation Establishment Pill?"
He was in a bad state and assumed his opponent was also struggling to hold on.
’No matter what, I have to survive this first. I’ll find a chance for revenge later.’
"A Foundation Establishment Pill?"
The umbrella canopy contracted, revealing Chen Che’s figure. Hearing the offer, he seemed to ponder it.
Seeing that Chen Che seemed tempted, Han Zaiyin was overjoyed and was about to speak. Suddenly, he saw Chen Che look behind him and exclaim with ecstatic joy, "Valley Master Ye, you’re finally here..."
"Hm?"
’Ye Jingzhou? Isn’t he in seclusion?’
’I’m already severely injured; dealing with this one guy is hard enough. Now add Ye Jingzhou to the mix...’
Han Zaiyin’s eyelids twitched violently. He subconsciously turned to look, only to find no one there.
’Damn it! I’ve been tricked!’
Without the slightest hesitation, Han Zaiyin rapidly retreated.
"You... you’re too despicable!"
At the same time, he sent the Black Tide Evil Chain in his hand sweeping forward again.
But the moment the chain left his hand, it was intercepted by the Pure Jun Sword.
"Right back at you!"
At that moment, Chen Che took a single step, seemingly shrinking the distance in an instant, and appeared right in front of him. At the same time, he sent a palm strike leisurely sailing forward.
The palm strike seemed casual, but in Han Zaiyin’s eyes, it was like the collapse of Tai Mountain—vast, mighty, and unstoppable!
"BANG!"
The palm first struck Han Zaiyin’s Protective True Essence. This layer, about an inch thick and strong enough to block a full-power strike from a Ninth Layer Cultivator, shattered in an instant. The palm then continued unabated toward his chest!
But that one instant was all he needed!
With no way to dodge and despair setting in, a look of fierce resolve appeared in Han Zaiyin’s eyes. He flicked his finger, sending a crimson pill into his mouth.
Tier Two High Grade Elixir:
Corpse Evil Pill!
He had obtained this pill decades ago after ambushing and killing a well-known Tier Two Alchemist.
In addition to several Foundation Establishment Pills, he had also found this pill.
This pill was refined from the Evil Qi produced by a cultivator after death, supplemented with various other materials.
After consuming it, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could instantly recover thirty percent of their True Essence. However, the pill’s Evil Qi was ferocious and would not only damage his meridians but could even cause his cultivation to fall back to the Qi Refining Realm.
But in a situation like this, where he was about to lose his life, Han Zaiyin couldn’t afford to worry about such consequences.
"I have a technique called the Fierce Demon Ape Strike, which I have cultivated to its peak. You should feel honored to die by it!"
As the pill entered his mouth, Han Zaiyin’s weakened aura began to climb steadily.
Facing Chen Che’s incoming palm, he didn’t retreat but instead advanced, launching a palm strike of his own.
"ROAR!"
True Essence, swirling with Evil Qi, surged and rapidly materialized behind him, forming a massive black ape with bared fangs and a savage expression. The moment it formed, the giant ape roared at the heavens and brought both its palms smashing down toward Chen Che.
Tier Two Low Grade Palm Technique:
Fierce Demon Ape Strike!
All of this happened in the blink of an eye, and Chen Che had no time to stop him.
Feeling the roiling Evil Qi and looking at the incomparably ferocious Demon Ape, his heart couldn’t help but tense up.
But at this moment, he too had nowhere to retreat.
Tier Two Middle Grade Palm Technique:
Nine Shocking Ape Strikes!
"Kill!"
A cold glint flashed in Chen Che’s eyes. He didn’t retreat but advanced, meeting the Demon Ape’s twin palms.
"CLANG!"
The palms collided.
The sound was like a great temple bell, as if an iron rod had struck a massive bell weighing thousands of pounds!
WHOOSH!
Amidst the massive boom, a terrifying Strong Force scattered in an instant. Everywhere it passed, stone and jade shattered. Everything visible within the Earth Palace was turned to dust.
"BANG!"
After the two exchanged a palm strike, Han Zaiyin remained motionless, but his feet sank violently into the ground, leaving a pair of footprints several feet deep.
Chen Che was forced back several steps, each step leaving a deep footprint, and a trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth.
But a trace of shock flashed through Han Zaiyin’s eyes.
He never expected that Chen Che could actually block his full-power strike.
’Just what is this kid’s background? Even Golden Core Sect Members are only about this strong... Could it be, he’s a Nascent Soul Disciple!?’
But he had no time for further thought, because Chen Che’s second palm strike had already arrived.
Han Zaiyin’s expression grew grave as he met the incoming palm.
"BOOM!"
The palms collided, locked in a stalemate for several breaths.
The Strong Qi exploded violently. This time, both sides took a step back; they were evenly matched.
"The third strike!"
Without the slightest pause, Chen Che launched another palm strike, its power far surpassing the previous two.
Han Zaiyin’s expression became even graver. He didn’t want to take this strike head-on, but it was too late to evade. As their palms met, Han Zaiyin felt a tremendous force surge toward him like a monstrous flood.
In an instant, it had flooded his entire body.
"WAH!"
Han Zaiyin spat out a mouthful of blood mist and was thrown back dozens of steps.
His surging True Essence dissipated in an instant, like floodwaters breaking through a dam. The savage Demon Ape behind him also vanished like smoke.
"The fourth strike!"
Chen Che’s expression was icy as he once again took a step forward.
"Fellow Daoist, spare me! I know the whereabouts of ’True Master Chixia’! As long as you let me go, I am willing to pay any price!"
As he spoke, Chen Che’s fourth strike was already upon him. Terrified, Han Zaiyin let out a desperate roar.
In the face of death, the dignity of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was nonexistent.
"Die!"
Chen Che was unmoved. He had no intention of letting him go.
Having exhausted all his means, Han Zaiyin watched the killing palm approach and frantically raised his arms in a desperate attempt to block Chen Che’s strike.
"BANG!"
But with the Nine Shocking Ape Strikes, each blow was stronger than the last.
The force of this palm was immense. With a loud *CRACK*, both of Han Zaiyin’s arms were fractured.
It pressed past his arms and landed on his chest.
In that instant, a torrent of Strong Force surged into him!
