Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Another Breakthrough! The 4th Level of Dark Energy
Everyone around was stunned, erupting into an uproar.
Wuu Biao was killed?
Who the hell is this?
’Even Su Qingliu of the Qingshui Sect doesn’t have this kind of power, does she?’
"You piece of trash. You drew your weapon and now you want to surrender? If surrendering actually worked, what would be the point of me practicing martial arts?"
Chen Xuan’s tone was icy. "Let’s go. We’re finding the Giant Whale Gang."
As he walked forward, he glanced at his panel again.
Retribution Points: 1315.
’Retribution points, upgrade Blast Palm!’
Chen Xuan recited silently in his mind.
’There’s bound to be another vicious fight!’
’If I can add points, I’ll do it on the spot!’
’No hesitation.’
[Ding! You have consumed 800 retribution points to continue upgrading the mid-grade martial art: Blast Palm. Your Cultivation Speed has reached eight times that of a normal person. As your Blast Palm becomes more profound, your mastery over Dark Energy also grows more refined!]
[Cultivation in progress!]
[You have consumed another 200 retribution points. Your mid-grade martial art, Blast Palm, has finally reached the Great Success Realm! Congratulations, Host, on reaching the Dark Force Fourth Layer!]
[Comment: This cultivation session is equivalent to six years of effort for an ordinary person!]
BOOM!
A powerful force erupted within his body, surging and churning.
His strength rose accordingly.
His confidence soared.
It was only then that the sound of chaotic footsteps came from up ahead.
Zhang Lie, the leader of the Giant Whale Gang who had been hiding deep inside, had finally rushed over with his men.
The moment he arrived, he saw Wuu Biao’s mangled corpse on the ground. His pupils constricted as a fire of shocked rage ignited within him, burning so fiercely it was nearly uncontrollable.
Wuu Biao was a friend he had spent a fortune to invite from the Thirteen Golden Dragon Stronghold.
Now he was dead.
The Thirteen Golden Dragon Stronghold would never let him off the hook!
And on top of that, Wuu Biao’s master, the Eagle Claw Elder, was notoriously protective of his own!
Seeing that someone had been killed, Jia Gui, who was off to the side, scrambled over to Chen Xuan in a panic, terrified that Zhang Lie would vent his anger on him.
Sure enough!
Just as Jia Gui made a break for it, Zhang Lie’s eyes turned cold, and he lunged forward.
"You can die too!"
’He killed my man and thinks he can run?’
’I’ll collect some interest first.’
"Squad Leader, save me!"
Jia Gui shrieked in terror, half-crying, half-yelling.
Chen Xuan had already lunged forward without hesitation, striking out with his palm.
CRACK!
BANG!
With an explosive sound, Zhang Lie let out a pained grunt. His body flew backward uncontrollably.
The sleeve on his right arm burst on the spot, fluttering away in pieces like gray butterflies.
The skin of his right arm felt as if it had been pricked by countless needles, covered in a dense pattern of bleeding points that stung unbearably.
"You!"
Zhang Lie’s face was a mask of shock as he stared at Chen Xuan.
"You’re Zhang Lie?"
Chen Xuan asked, looking at his opponent.
His body was perfectly still, as if rooted to the spot.
He had gauged Zhang Lie’s true realm in a single exchange.
’Just as Su Qingliu said.’
’Dark Force Fifth Layer!’
"Who are you? Where is Su Qingliu? Tell her to come out!"
Zhang Lie roared angrily.
"Su Qingliu? She’s not feeling well today. I’ll be the one negotiating with you. That’s right, I’m the new Squad Leader of the Red Sand Gang’s Qingshui Sect. My name is Chen Xuan!"
Chen Xuan said.
"You’re the new Squad Leader?"
Zhang Lie’s eyes widened in surprise.
"That’s right, Zhang Lie! This is our new Squad Leader! How dare you act so presumptuously in front of him! Open your eyes and take a good look!"
Jia Gui shouted, having scrambled and crawled a safe distance away.
"Well, well. To think the Red Sand Gang could produce a talent like you. But by killing Wuu Biao, you’ve made an enemy of the Thirteen Golden Dragon Stronghold. Just you wait. They won’t let you get away with this!"
Zhang Lie’s expression twisted into a savage grin.
"Whether they let me get away with it or not is none of your business. Today, let’s first discuss the matter between us. What do you plan to do about the Spirit Fish Farm?"
Chen Xuan began.
Zhang Lie snorted coldly.
’The Spirit Fish Farm!’
The whole reason he had invited Wuu Biao was to have him suppress Su Qingliu so he could monopolize the Spirit Fish Farm for himself.
But now, Su Qingliu’s side had produced someone even more ruthless, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to do.
"Squad Leader Chen, don’t waste your breath on him. According to the rules of the Jianghu, whoever loses automatically withdraws."
Jia Gui quickly came to Chen Xuan’s side and whispered.
After witnessing Chen Xuan’s power, his confidence had soared.
Even though they were on the enemy’s turf, he was no longer afraid.
"Well said. In that case, let’s have a fight!"
Chen Xuan stared at Zhang Lie.
If something could be solved with force, he much preferred to solve it with force.
’Negotiations and the like are for scholars.’
’I’m a warrior!’
Zhang Lie’s eyes narrowed. He subconsciously clenched his right arm, which was still stinging.
’This kid’s strength is profound and his palm technique is bizarre. If I force a fight with him, I definitely won’t come out on top.’
’But!’
’If I back down without a fight, then I, Zhang Lie the Tendon-Splitter, will have a hard time surviving in this area from now on.’
’The only reason so many people have gathered here is because I dare to fight, dare to act, and dare to risk it all. That’s why they respect me and came to join me of their own accord.’
"Fine! If you’re so determined to court death, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself!"
Zhang Lie’s tone was sinister.
A pill slid from his left sleeve, and he discreetly popped it into his mouth. With a GULP, he swallowed it on the spot. His bones and tendons then shuddered with a CRACKLE-POP, and a ferocious, supreme aura erupted from his body.
His thousands of sinews and bones felt as if they were forged from steel rebar, sturdy and powerful.
"Hm?"
Chen Xuan’s gaze sharpened. He sensed something was wrong.
’Zhang Lie’s aura seems to have changed.’
’Did he get stronger?’
’What did he just eat?’
"Boy, hand over your life!"
Zhang Lie bellowed, stomped his foot, and his body shot out like a swift cheetah. He contained the force around his body, gathering it into a mass, and thrust both hands out to grab Chen Xuan’s chest.
His nickname was "the Tendon-Splitter," and all his skills were in his hands.
He could even tear gashes in a mountain tiger.
With this move, both of his palms turned scarlet, suffused with a bloody, iron-like killing aura.
But Chen Xuan was fearless. He rushed forward and met him with a palm strike.
CRACKLE!
BOOM!
Their palm and claw strikes collided, instantly creating a series of sharp, explosive sounds. Their intermingled Dark Energy clashed like countless steel needles colliding, kicking up powerful gusts of wind.
Chen Xuan’s heart tightened. Just as he’d suspected, he could feel the surge in Zhang Lie’s power.
He was at least half-again as strong as before.
The blow sent a stinging pain through his own palm.
After the first strike, the killing intent on Zhang Lie’s face intensified. He curled his hands into claws that seemed forged from steel rebar and slashed rapidly at Chen Xuan with ferocious power.
Chen Xuan gritted his teeth, madly unleashing the power of the Dark Force Fourth Layer. He fired off one Blast Palm after another, like a torrential storm, hammering away at his opponent.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Their palms and claws moved at extreme speed, blurring into afterimages.
The onlookers could no longer see them clearly at all.
Every single one of them was utterly horrified.
A thick sense of impatience soon welled up in Zhang Lie’s heart, mixed with shock and anger.
’I’ve already taken a Blood Marrow Pill and temporarily boosted my strength by half, but I still can’t take him down! Once the time limit is up, the backlash from the Blood Marrow Pill is sure to hit.’
’At that point, I’ll be meat on the chopping block.’
’At his mercy!’
After exchanging dozens of blows, Chen Xuan also quickly noticed the anxiety on Zhang Lie’s face and seemed to understand. His body flickered as he executed Thunderbolt Step, vanishing on the spot.
"Boy, you don’t dare to face me head-on?"
Zhang Lie roared, "What kind of hero sneaks and dodges like that?"
