A wisp of residual soul? A thing neither human nor ghost?
What was this kid talking about?
Upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, everyone was utterly bewildered.
However, Xu Weizhou, lying on the ground, had shock in his eyes as he murmured in disbelief, "He, how did he know..."
His voice was too soft for many to hear.
But Li Miaozhen, the Saintess of the Earth Sect, heard it clearly.
She couldn't help but show a hint of doubt. Could it be that this Earth Demon was truly just a wisp of residual soul?
If a mere wisp of residual soul could be this powerful, then how strong must his true form have been?
What kind of figure could that be? Likely one of the most powerful beings in the entire Xianyin Realm!
As everyone marveled at Chen Xiao's audacious statement and murmured amongst themselves.
The Earth Demon cast a deep glance at Chen Xiao and asked in a low voice, "Kid, who exactly are you?"
He neither admitted Chen Xiao's claim nor refuted it. Those with keen observation noticed this.
"Who I am is not important. What's important is, who are you?"
Chen Xiao narrowed his eyes, sizing up the Earth Demon.
"To dare speak to me like this, I think you truly don't want to live!"
The Earth Demon said coldly.
"I've heard that from at least eight hundred, if not a thousand people. Yet, I'm still alive and well. On the contrary, those people are all buried. Oh, not all of them are buried; some died without a burial place!"
Chen Xiao said with a playful smile, speaking lightly.
"Interesting. I said earlier I'd spare your life, but now, that promise is void!"
The Earth Demon spoke with a measured tone. "Kid, I will kill you as my response to your provocation!"
"Coincidentally, that's what I was thinking too. I must say, your strength is formidable... Just thinking about clashing with you makes me a little excited."
Chen Xiao said, sounding somewhat perverse.
Hearing this, Su Meinan covered her face.
There's an old saying, what is it... Ah, something like 'Heaven's wrath can be endured, but self-inflicted wrath cannot be survived!'
Brother Chen, you're asking for death!
Su Meinan sighed, shaking her head helplessly.
Meanwhile, Li Shouxuan was overjoyed: This detestable Li Beiwu, let's see you show off now!
"Kid, choose your death. I can grant you a dignified end!"
The Earth Demon said, as if with pity.
Chen Xiao shook his head. "You talk too much. If you don't make a move soon, I will!"
"Heh, if you wish, then make your move. Do you think you can harm me?"
The Earth Demon sneered, acting as if Chen Xiao was too naive.
"No, no, no. I won't just harm you. Once I make my move, it won't be as simple as harming you."
Chen Xiao's face, hidden within his black robe, revealed a hint of arrogance. "Once I make my move, I will kill you!"
"You scoundrel, I truly think I've given you too much leeway!"
The Earth Demon was enraged and suddenly surged forward, throwing a punch!
In the sight of everyone, the Earth Demon's fist rapidly expanded, its shadow covering the sky, its intent filling the entire space.
In an instant, the fist shadow enveloped Chen Xiao's head, descending like a torrential downpour.
Xu Weizhou sighed. "Even I cannot withstand this punch. It seems this kid from True Martial Sect cannot delay us for much longer. Holy Son, Holy Maiden, escape quickly while you have the chance!"
The Holy Son and Holy Maiden remained unmoved.
Li Miaozhen felt that something was still amiss, even though Xu Weizhou had stated that even he couldn't withstand the Earth Demon's punch!
Li Shouxuan's thoughts were simpler; he purely wished to see 'Li Beiwu' smashed into a pulp of meat.
It would be entirely possible to escape afterward!
Rumble!
Accompanied by a sound like a thunderous storm, the fist shadow finally poured down upon Chen Xiao's head.
The black fist shadow instantly engulfed Chen Xiao.
Su Meinan stared intently at the fist shadow, her eyes reddening, her gaze becoming teary.
Although she hadn't known Chen Xiao for long, in her short life, Chen Xiao's appearance had undoubtedly left a significant mark.
In stark contrast to Su Meinan was the numbness of the surrounding crowd.
While they didn't cheer for Chen Xiao's death, they didn't react much either. In their eyes, this was to be expected.
After all, a mighty figure like Xu Weizhou, who was in the Dao Integration realm, couldn't even last a single round against the Earth Demon. How could a mere Holy Son from the insignificant True Martial Sect?
"Alright, it's over. Li Miaozhen, prepare to flee!"
Li Shouxuan, seeing that the situation was settled, slyly reminded his junior sister.
However, Li Miaozhen remained unmoved. She suddenly froze, "No, something feels wrong!"
"What's wrong?"
Xu Weizhou asked.
"Elder Xu, look at the Earth Demon's expression. He seems to be in pain!"
Li Miaozhen pointed out.
Xu Weizhou looked up and indeed, as Li Miaozhen had said, the Earth Demon was gritting his teeth, his face contorted in a grimace. This state was indeed unusual.
"Ah—"
Finally, unable to bear the pain, the Earth Demon cried out loudly.
With this shout, he quickly retracted his fist.
A sudden change occurred, leaving everyone bewildered, unsure of what was happening.
However, in the next moment, they understood.
They saw the True Martial Sect Holy Son, clad in a black robe, still standing proudly in place after being struck by the fist shadow, as if the punch had had no effect on him whatsoever.
"Too weak, too weak. Your fist is too feeble. Haven't you eaten?"
Chen Xiao said indifferently.
Meanwhile, in mid-air, the Earth Demon's hand had veins bulging on its back, and dark blood flowed out profusely.
Perhaps due to the intense pain, his hand involuntarily twitched and trembled.
Everyone was greatly astonished. He... he was actually injured?
Though it was unbelievable, the scene before them pointed to only one possibility!
This Earth Demon, before whom Xu Weizhou was like a mere clay figurine, had actually been injured by this unknown Holy Son of the True Martial Sect?
"When did the True Martial Sect become so strong?"
Li Shouxuan's gaze was vacant. This outcome had far exceeded his expectations.
A profound sense of realization washed over him. He had originally planned to challenge 'Li Beiwu' during the free-for-all challenge.
Now, he was incredibly fortunate that it hadn't happened!
Otherwise, the outcome might not have been as simple as losing an arm!
However, at this moment, Xu Weizhou suddenly shouted, "No, something is wrong. This kid is not right... He cannot be the Holy Son of the True Martial Sect!"
"Could it be that the Sect Master of the True Martial Sect personally came to participate in the Heavenly Pride Competition? That's not right, even the Sect Master of the True Martial Sect wouldn't possess such strength!"
Li Shouxuan asked doubtfully upon hearing Xu Weizhou's words.
"Holy Son Senior Brother is so stupid!"
Li Miaozhen silently grumbled in her heart.
Xu Weizhou shook his head and said, "Holy Son, what I mean is, this person in the black robe cannot possibly be from the True Martial Sect at all!"
"Not from the True Martial Sect? Then who is he? Why would he use the sword techniques of the True Martial Sect?"
Li Shouxuan was perplexed.
Xu Weizhou simply stopped bothering to explain, as he had reached the same conclusion as Li Miaozhen: "This Holy Son is truly too stupid!"
Furthermore, he had a bold guess regarding the identity of the person in the black robe!
Though it was highly improbable... it was also the most likely possibility!
"I'm injured? Hahahaha! After five hundred years, I'm actually injured again!"
The Earth Demon suddenly burst into wild laughter, which, combined with his uninhibited demeanor, made him appear even more demonic.
"Kid, you're not bad. Before I even made a move, you've managed to injure me!"
The Earth Demon's battle intent surged forth like a tidal wave. "It seems I need to bring out some real skills, otherwise, I truly won't be able to deal with you today!"
"Heaven and Man Unite, Roar!"
With a deafening roar, a celestial figure thousands of meters tall appeared behind the Earth Demon.
This celestial being wore a long black robe, his long hair flowing freely, exuding an unrestrained and heaven-shattering aura, identical to the Earth Demon's appearance!
"It's a Dharma Manifestation! The Earth Demon is using his Dharma Manifestation!"
"That's right, we forgot about this. The Earth Demon is a Dao Integration realm expert!"
"Terrifying! The Earth Demon could defeat Xu Weizhou without using his Dharma Manifestation. How strong must he be now that he's using it?"
...
Hearing the surrounding discussions, Xu Weizhou almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
If you want to praise the Earth Demon, just praise him, why bring me into it? I refuse to be dragged down!
However, no one paid any attention to Xu Weizhou's reaction. Everyone's gaze, including the Holy Son and Holy Maiden of the Earth Sect, was firmly locked onto the Earth Demon, unable to shift even an inch.
"Kid, I don't care who you are, but you should feel honored to make me manifest my Dharma Manifestation!"
The Earth Demon, looking down from above, shouted loudly at Chen Xiao!
"Oh."
Chen Xiao responded indifferently, then rubbed his nose. "What's the big deal about a Dharma Manifestation? It's as if no one else has one!"
Before his voice faded, a figure thousands of meters tall appeared behind Chen Xiao.
"He, he actually has a Dharma Manifestation too?"
"This kid is actually a Dao Integration realm expert?"
"Why would a Dao Integration realm expert participate in the Heavenly Pride Competition?"
Everyone was once again thrown into confusion. Wang Dong, who was less than a hundred meters away from Chen Xiao, was completely stunned.
"He, he's actually a Dao Integration expert... I, I, I... A Dao Integration expert saved my life! My life is complete!"
Wang Dong was so moved that tears streamed down his face, even forming snot bubbles.
As for his earlier boasts about protecting Chen Xiao, he chose to conveniently forget them.
"Oh? I didn't expect you to have a Dharma Manifestation as well?"
The Earth Demon glanced at the robed Dharma Manifestation behind Chen Xiao. The entire face of this Dharma Manifestation was hidden within its hood, making its appearance unclear.
And it was also thousands of meters tall, comparable to the Earth Demon's Dharma Manifestation!
"No, yours is not a Dharma Manifestation!"
After carefully sensing the aura, the Earth Demon suddenly exclaimed, pointing out that Chen Xiao's Dharma Manifestation was a fake!