The most intense duels often require the most unadorned fighting styles.
In the blink of an eye, Chen Xiao and Gao Jingzong lunged at each other, both throwing punches towards their opponent!
Flesh against flesh, strength against strength!
Discarding all flashy techniques, everything was decided by raw power!
Chen Xiao and Gao Jingzong, without a word, chose the same way to fight.
At this moment, Gao Jingzong was like a fierce beast that had just lost its young. He wished he could tear Chen Xiao apart with the most primitive methods!
To flay him and feast on his flesh!
As for Chen Xiao, he was far more casual.
When he chose to fight with his fists, it was simply because he felt like it. The outcome was the same regardless!
*Bang—Boom!*
Their fists collided, emitting a thunderous roar, as if the heavens themselves were cracking!
However, the earth-shattering collision everyone had imagined did not occur!
After the booming thunder, both men ceased their movements, frozen in place, neither yielding an inch.
It seemed as though no victor had emerged between them.
Silence descended upon the surroundings, and the onlookers wore expressions of bewilderment.
As the seconds ticked by, they remained motionless, standing there quietly.
The battle appeared to be undecided, yet it also felt as though it had already concluded.
Just as everyone was at a loss, Chen Xiao suddenly broke into a gentle smile and said softly, "If you can't take it, don't force it. What's the point of enduring like this?"
"Pfft..."
As soon as Chen Xiao finished speaking, Gao Jingzong could no longer hold on, spitting out a cloud of blood.
Simultaneously, a series of cracking sounds erupted from his body.
With each crack, the layer of golden scales covering him shed, disintegrating into nothingness.
In just a moment, all the golden scales on Gao Jingzong's body had fallen off.
And after this single punch, his once lustrous black hair had turned completely white, and his face was etched with crisscrossing wrinkles.
In an instant, he appeared to have aged several decades.
Witnessing this scene, the crowd was filled with shock.
Tie Xue's eyes, however, widened with disbelief beyond measure.
Chen Xiao's punch had directly stripped a Martial Saint of decades of his cultivation.
Gao Jingzong now possessed only the strength of the Hua Jing realm, not much different from the Heavenly Ranking martial artists present.
"Hiss—"
Tie Xue inhaled sharply, unable to comprehend where such a monstrous talent like Chen Xiao had emerged from.
"The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves before it, and the waves before it die on the beach... Fate is unpredictable. I never thought I, Gao Jingzong, would ultimately fall to an ant from the mortal realm."
Gao Jingzong wore a wry smile and then slowly closed his eyes.
"Strike me! I am neither your enemy nor can I avenge my son. I have no face to continue living, and I only seek death!"
Chen Xiao chuckled coldly, "Do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?"
Gao Jingzong's eyebrows twitched, his lips moved, but he ultimately stopped himself, content to await his fate.
Chen Xiao had no intention of killing him initially, but since he was so eager for death, he would grant his wish.
"Mr. Chen, spare him!"
However, just as Chen Xiao was about to act and end Gao Jingzong's life, a familiar voice suddenly called out.
It was Chu Qingluan speaking, but she was not alone.
Accompanying her were dozens of people, all crowding around the foul-smelling pigsty.
These individuals exuded powerful auras, each possessing considerable strength.
Among them, besides Chu Qingluan, Chen Xiao recognized Chu Longxiang and Huangfu Yan.
The identities of the others were thus obvious: they must be the Palace Master, elders, and protectors of the God Slaying Hall.
As expected, upon seeing the newcomers, Gao Jingzong's face flushed with shame.
He looked at a middle-aged man among them, his eyes filled with remorse, "Palace Master, this old man is incompetent and has disgraced the God Slaying Hall. I now only seek death, and I beg the Palace Master to grant it."
This handsome and refined middle-aged man, with a face like jade, was Chu He, the Palace Master of the God Slaying Hall.
He appeared indifferent, his eyes like a still ancient well, exuding an aura of natural authority.
With the tragic death of Steward Gao and the crushing defeat of Hall Master Gao, any ordinary sect leader would have erupted in fury.
But he was the Palace Master of the God Slaying Hall, remaining unflustered even when Mount Tai collapsed before him.
After hearing Gao Jingzong's words, he merely shook his head slightly and said softly, "Hall Master Gao, victory and defeat are common in warfare. You have not disgraced the God Slaying Hall, and there is no need for self-reproach."
These words, spoken so lightly, made Gao Jingzong feel as if he were basking in a warm spring breeze.
Then, Chu He waved his hand and instructed, "Take Hall Master Gao back to recuperate."
As soon as he finished speaking, disciples stepped forward and helped Gao Jingzong up, escorting him away.
Concurrently, several other disciples carried away Gao Tianhe's corpse. Such matters did not require the Palace Master's personal command.
Chu He's cool gaze then fell upon Chen Xiao.
"I am Chu He, the Palace Master of the God Slaying Hall. Young man, do you have anything to say to me?"
Chu He could feign indifference, but he did not truly feel it.
Chen Xiao had killed and injured his subordinates on his territory. If he truly remained impassive, he would no longer be fit to be the Palace Master of the God Slaying Hall.
Chu He's presence was overwhelming. Most people, upon meeting his gaze, would instinctively lower their heads, unable to meet his eyes.
However, when his gaze locked onto Chen Xiao, Chen Xiao remained unfazed, meeting his gaze and saying calmly, "What do you want to hear me say?"
Chu He frowned and immediately retorted, "You have killed two disciples of my God Slaying Hall today and injured my Law Enforcement Hall Master. Do you have nothing to say?"
Chen Xiao shrugged, nonchalantly replying, "I killed them because they deserved to die. What is there to say? As for injuring Hall Master Gao, he sought revenge for his foolish son. You can't expect me not to fight back, can you?"
Upon hearing this, Chu He's frown deepened.
"I heard the reason you killed the envoy. The strong have their pride, and it is somewhat understandable that he was killed by you for being less skilled. But why did you kill Steward Gao? Steward Gao was diligent in his duties of reception and treated you with courtesy. How did he offend you to warrant such a massacre?"
"Treated us with courtesy?"
Chen Xiao simply laughed, "When you say treated us with courtesy, do you mean making all of us martial artists from the mortal realm sleep in pigsties?"
The entire assembly erupted at this statement.
The elders and protectors of the God Slaying Hall had never imagined that Gao Tianhe would do something so outrageous.
Even if the martial artists from the mortal realm held low status, they should not have been insulted in such a manner!
"Is this true?"
Chu He asked coldly.
If this matter were true, then he, as the Palace Master of the God Slaying Hall, would indeed lose face.
"It is true, Palace Master Chu. Gao Tianhe said that we martial artists from the mortal realm are only fit to live in pigsties!"
"That's right, he also said we should feel honored to be able to live in the God Slaying Hall's pigsties!"
"This truly cannot be blamed on Chen Xiao. Steward Gao's insults were too much."
The martial artists from the mortal realm stood united as never before, stepping forward to defend Chen Xiao.
They understood that speaking up for Chen Xiao at this moment was speaking up for themselves.
Chu He's expression turned grim. This was not the outcome he had envisioned...