Chapter 546

Chapter 546: Collision Hammer

On the second morning, the sun rose, bathing the land in red light. A crowd had already gathered before the Divine Grace Palace.

Murong Wuhen faced Shu Anshi.

Both were outstanding geniuses with unwavering dedication to cultivation. At the peak of the Golden Core stage, each possessed strength rivaling the Fourth Level of the Nascent Soul stage. Such talent was unparalleled in the Great Qin Empire for a thousand years.

Crucially, they represented the empire’s two strongest sects: the Misty Sect and the Divine Grace Palace. Disciples from these factions were elites among elites.

Now, they hovered calmly above the square outside the Divine Grace Palace.

Beneath them, a magical array pulsed with blue shadows, its gentle glow shielding the palace. Given their power—comparable to Nascent Soul stage Ancestors—the battle’s aftershocks could easily destroy the structure.

Hundreds of disciples encircled the blue array, eyes locked on the combatants. None would miss this clash.

Ye Yun stood with Kun Huazi and others. Tongtong and the Divine Feather Vulture King had quietly joined them, staring upward in silent contemplation.

"Second Brother, how strong is elder brother truly? Can he face an Ancestor at the Fifth Level of the Nascent Soul stage?" Ye Yun asked anxiously, dreading either outcome.

Kun Huazi shook his head. "Elder brother’s power is unmatched. But without undergoing the pill’s destruction and rebirth into the Nascent Soul stage, challenging a Fifth Level Ancestor is nearly impossible—unless one wields a supreme treasure."

"What of Murong Wuqing’s cultivation?" Zhuge Chong cut in. "You grew up with him, Ye Yun. You must know."

Ye Yun frowned. "When we parted less than a year ago, he’d barely condensed his Golden Core. I don’t know how he reached the peak in mere months."

Kun Huazi and Zhuge Chong gasped. "He formed his Golden Core just half a year ago?"

They exchanged stunned glances. Advancing from the Golden Core’s First Level to its peak in months—while gaining power to challenge Fourth Level Nascent Soul experts—defied belief.

Though proud of their own rapid cultivation, Zhuge Chong and Kun Huazi knew such a feat was beyond them, regardless of training resources. Murong Wuqing’s talent and grit eclipsed theirs entirely.

Above, the two men faced each other, gazes sparking like flint.

"Since you’re our guest, Brother Murong, strike first," Shu Anshi said, hands clasped behind his back.

Murong Wuqing’s voice chilled. "When I strike, it ends in life or death. You’d better attack first—it might improve your odds."

Shu Anshi waved dismissively. "My strikes leave no room for retreat. As courtesy, I’ll yield you half a move."

Neither budged. Attacking blindly risked deadly counterattacks—a misstep at their level meant teetering on the brink of death.

Murong Wuqing smirked. "Do you think yourself superior, hence this false courtesy?"

Shu Anshi remained impassive. "I’ve never met my equal in the Golden Core stage. If you insist on that interpretation, so be it."

A sharp glint flashed in Murong Wuqing’s eyes. "Then I’ll test these unmatched techniques!"

He stepped forward, movements echoing with thunderous war drums.

A colossal drum materialized above him, struck rhythmically by a divine figure. Each beat resonated with heavenly law, igniting feverish excitement in all who heard.

"The God of War Drums?!"

Yu Qingzhi gaped from the palace balcony.

Tian Yunzi’s aged eyes narrowed. "A void projection of the God of War Drums! The drumbeats amplify his power. So this is the Vice Sect Leader’s trump card."

Cheng Yuweng smirked. Murong Wuqing—the Misty Sect’s prodigy—had manifested a near-solid void projection while still in the Golden Core stage. An unprecedented feat.

Yet Ye Yun’s group showed less awe. Murong Wuqing’s projection, though formidable, paled beside the Divine Feather Vulture King’s Golden-winged Roc manifestation.

"Void projections explain his arrogance," Zhuge Chong muttered. "A true match for elder brother."

"Has elder brother manifested his?" Ye Yun asked.

Kun Huazi shook his head. "He waits until the pill breaks and rebirth occurs. Such projections hold greater potential. But today… he may suffer setbacks."

"Setbacks? More like disaster!" The Divine Feather Vulture King scoffed. "Those drums boost Murong’s strength by thirty percent. They were evenly matched before—how can Shu Anshi win now?"

"Quiet, bird!" Zhuge Chong snapped. "Elder brother has strategies!"

Ye Yun’s face tightened. He wished for a draw, but the drums tilted the scales. Unless Shu Anshi revealed hidden power, defeat loomed.

"Brother Shu," Murong Wuqing intoned, "this technique is called Collision Hammer. Brace yourself."

He gestured, summoning a massive war hammer that throbbed with each drumbeat.

Shu Anshi’s calm finally cracked—a flicker of surprise and wariness.

"Collision Hammer!"

Murong Wuqing lunged. The hammer swelled tenfold, howling through the air like a typhoon toward Shu Anshi.