Chapter 547

Chapter 547: Sword Cuts the Heavenly Barrier

Collision Hammer!

The war hammer’s ethereal figure solidified as if summoned from ancient times, radiating power to pierce the heavens.

The attack’s compressed air crackled loudly, whipping up violent winds.

Shu Anshi’s expression turned grave, yet no fear showed. A brief glimmer of excitement flashed in his eyes as he stepped forward instead of retreating.

Instantly, dazzling rays erupted from his right fist, his unstoppable iron fist hurtling forward.

Boom!

The two attacks collided midair, creating a burst of light and shadow.

Contrary to expectations, neither side gained an immediate advantage. The shockwave emptied the air for hundreds of zhang, tearing a gaping hole through nearby clouds.

Had the Divine Grace Palace lacked its protective magical array, it would’ve been reduced to fragments.

The crowd gasped.

Disciples watching from a hundred zhang away hadn’t anticipated such destructive force. Even the residual energy could’ve severely injured them at closer range.

Ye Yun and his companions exchanged stunned glances. While Shu Anshi’s strength was known, Murong Wuqing’s power shocked even Ye Yun.

"Ye Yun, what did your childhood friend eat to grow so strong? Trading blows with the elder brother!" Kun Huazi blurted, still reeling from the Collision Hammer’s display.

"How should I know? Brother Wuqing’s our clan’s greatest talent in a millennium. I expected greatness, but this…" Ye Yun shook his head, uneasy at Murong Wuqing’s revealed strength.

"We trained similarly with equal resources, yet the gap between us and them…" Zhuge Chong sighed, his confidence shaken.

"Only you might catch up, Ye Yun," Kun Huazi insisted. "Fighting Fifth and Sixth Level Golden Core experts at First Level? Your talent matches theirs."

Ye Yun stayed silent. Without the Heart of Immortals and Demons’ Marrow Cleansing, he’d be ordinary.

"You’re wrong. His talent surpasses theirs."

The Divine Feather Vulture King’s voice cut through.

"Oh? Explain, bird," Kun Huazi challenged.

"Comparing Ye Yun to those freaks? Pointless," Zhuge Chong snorted.

The vulture screeched indignantly. "Fools! Ye Yun cultivates three rare spiritual energies, masters spatial laws, and practices the Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique! Had he focused on one path with proper resources, he’d already be at Golden Core’s Sixth Level!"

The duo froze.

"Ridiculous! Such talent’s once in a millennium!" Zhuge Chong scoffed.

"Open your eyes!" The vulture snapped. "That technique demands tenfold resources! Yet he juggles sword intent, spatial laws, and rare energies! Focus on one, and he’d surpass both ‘geniuses’ by their age!"

Kun Huazi and Zhuge Chong exchanged looks. The truth dawned – had Ye Yun not walked this thorny path, his growth would’ve dwarfed even Murong Wuqing and Shu Anshi.

"This guy is a true monster among monsters!"

Kun Huazi and Zhuge Chong exchanged glances, their hearts filled with shock.

"Enough guessing about my talent. Look up—they seem ready to clash again," Ye Yun said with a faint smile.

Kun Huazi and the others immediately turned their attention to Shu Anshi and Murong Wuqing. As predicted, light and shadow flickered around their bodies, signaling another impending strike.

"You’re stronger than I expected. Even with the God of War Drums’ power aiding you, surviving my Collision Hammer is remarkable," Murong Wuqing remarked, his tone grave yet tinged with surprise.

"You overpraise me, Brother Murong. That hammer strike was formidable. Without preparation, I’d have struggled to endure it," Shu Anshi replied, his usual composure gone. He knew this opponent surpassed any he’d faced before—one misstep could mean death.

"Brother Shu, that last move wasn’t my final card. If you withstand what comes next, I’ll concede defeat," Murong Wuqing declared, his voice deliberate and calm.

"Then this next strike must be extraordinary. I’ll meet it with everything I have," Shu Anshi nodded. He sensed an odd familiarity in Murong Wuqing’s aura—perhaps shared resolve, or the mutual respect between warriors.

Murong Wuqing mirrored the sentiment. He’d assumed Shu Anshi’s reputation exceeded his skill, but now recognized him as a once-in-a-lifetime rival. Shu Anshi’s cultivation and bearing hinted at a kindred spirit, though their opposing sects made true kinship impossible. Rivals they would remain.

Their unspoken understanding darkened Cheng Yuweng’s expression. Murong Wuqing’s vow to surrender if this strike failed enraged him—this was no mere spar. Two shares of the Saint’s Secret Vault hung in the balance.

"Murong Wuqing! Don’t act recklessly!" Cheng Yuweng barked.

Ignoring him, Murong Wuqing’s body began expanding inch by inch. With a sharp crack, his upper robes shattered into fragments, revealing muscles coiled with brutal power. Behind him, the ethereal figure of the God of War Drums solidified, its slow, resonant beats throbbing in the spectators’ chests, clouding their minds.

*Boom!*

Each drumbeat amplified Murong Wuqing’s aura. After nine earth-shaking strikes, he stood nine inches taller, his presence a looming tidal wave ready to obliterate all in its path.

"Brother Shu, this technique—Breaking the Heavenly River—doubles its force through the God’s rhythm. None below the Fifth Level of the Nascent Soul stage survive it. To block it means certain death." Murong Wuqing’s voice boomed like a war gong, crackling with raw energy.

All traces of ease vanished from Shu Anshi’s face. As Divine Grace Palace’s most gifted disciple in centuries, he recognized lethal power when he sensed it. This strike could annihilate even a Fifth Level expert.

Light shimmered in his palm, coalescing into a stubby great sword—four fingers wide, barely a foot long, blunt-edged yet radiating ancient weight.

"Brother Murong, this blade—Heavenly Barrier—was once a top-quality Immortal artifact before being shattered. Now a mid-grade relic, it serves my Sword Slashing Stars technique. Mastered, one strike fells constellations." Shu Anshi caressed the blade, his gaze unexpectedly tender.

Breaking the Heavenly River versus Sword Slashing Stars—their very names thundered with destiny.

Who would prevail?

Ye Yun didn’t know. Kun Huazi didn’t know. Not even Tian Yunzi, watching from the platform, could guess.

Here, victory belonged to fate alone.