Mighty

As his voice fell, Chu Kuang felt an incredibly potent internal energy form within his body.

This internal energy was like gold and iron, akin to an indestructible great bell, possessing incredibly tenacious and refined characteristics.

With the boost from this power, Chu Kuang felt his strength surge by several folds, and the power of the giant axe before him no longer seemed as overwhelming.

"Come and fight!"

In an instant, Chu Kuang suddenly raised his spear and deflected the giant axe, thrusting 'Stone Crushing Gold Splitting' directly at Luo Tao's chest.

Luo Tao raised his giant axe to block. The moment the spear and axe collided, scorching sparks erupted. Luo Tao felt a colossal force strike him for the first time, shaking him back three steps, his hands gripping the giant axe feeling numb.

"Such immense power."

"He actually forcibly refined the Vermillion Fruit."

Luo Tao was shocked, his eyes gazing at Chu Kuang in disbelief.

He practiced the Savage Elephant Technique, which relied on strength to dominate. Logically, his strength should be top-tier, yet he hadn't gained any advantage in a head-on clash with Chu Kuang this time, which was far beyond his expectations.

After all, in their previous encounters, he had been suppressing Chu Kuang, who could only rely on the Iron Armor Technique to withstand his force.

"Something's not right. His strength is astonishingly high, and his defense is beyond ordinary. Could he possess some kind of innate Battle Body?"

Luo Tao's thoughts raced, his killing intent growing stronger.

Martial Dao cultivation, the Apprentice level, is merely for building a foundation, with the goal of achieving the 'Martial Dao True Body' upon breaking through to the Mortal Transformation Realm.

The Martial Dao True Body is divided into four tiers: Martial Body, Battle Body, King Body, and Saint Body. The combat power difference between these tiers is immense.

However, the gap in talent between individuals is vast. Besides the differences in innate Bone Structure and Comprehension, some geniuses are even born with powerful physiques like Battle Body, King Body, or Saint Body.

In comparison, the vast majority of Mortal Transformation Realm martial artists can only achieve the lowest tier, 'Martial Body,' in the end.

For example, Xu Yue's Martial Dao True Body is a high-grade Martial Body, and his combat power already belongs to that of a veteran Mortal Transformation Realm cultivator.

These physiques have their own characteristics: some possess astonishing defensive power, others have terrifying offensive capabilities, and some can increase the probability of breaking through the Martial Dao limit. But without exception, they all provide significant boosts to combat power or cultivation.

At this moment, Luo Tao sensed Chu Kuang's abnormal strength and suspected he possessed an innate Battle Body, revealing a hint of apprehension: "I cannot let him live, otherwise, he will surely become a considerable threat."

As his words fell, Luo Tao fiercely raised his battle axe, pushing the Savage Elephant Transformation to its limit. His height increased by more than three meters, making him appear like a giant raising his axe to cleave down. The wide axe blade swirled with killing intent as it descended.

This strike, combined with the pressure of 'Savage Elephant Soul Suppression,' could very likely kill a martial artist with a Life Level as high as eight, right on the spot.

But Chu Kuang showed no fear. He circulated his energy with all his might, merging the force of his Iron Armor Technique with the internal energy of the Golden Bell Shield, forming a great bell about ten feet wide to protect him.

"Clang—"

With a deafening sound, the giant axe struck the great bell. The tough, iron-like bell vibrated violently, erupting with a shockwave that swept in all directions. Afterward, an incredibly powerful recoil force traveled back along the giant axe.

Instantly, Luo Tao spat out a mouthful of blood, the giant axe in his hands being shaken loose.

"Die!"

And at this very moment, Chu Kuang seized the opportunity while Luo Tao was reeling from the recoil and slow to recover.

He followed up with 'Heavenly Dragon Pounces on the Moon,' transitioning into 'Golden Spear Piercing the Sun,' and thrusting directly at Luo Tao's chest.

Luo Tao, worthy of being a veteran martial artist, extended his hands to block despite being heavily injured by the recoil. However, his fists were instantly pierced by the spear, which then continued towards his throat.

Luo Tao was greatly alarmed. He hastily turned his head, the spear tip grazing his neck, piercing his battle armor and leaving a deep bloody gash.

Chu Kuang decisively changed his move, sweeping the spear shaft horizontally, heavily smashing Luo Tao's neck and causing his battle armor to shatter further.

But Luo Tao seized the opportunity, quickly rolling to dodge and create distance.

"Whoosh—"

However, Chu Kuang pressed his advantage relentlessly. With a flick of his sleeve, he unleashed a surge of powerful internal energy, causing the War Spear that had killed Shen Quan from a distance to tremble slightly. It shot forward like a ten-foot-long crossbow bolt, its chilling blade having already predicted his movement.

With a "poof" sound, the saber blade pierced through the gaps in the shattered armor and penetrated his neck.

"Pfft—"

Chu Kuang gripped the War Spear and stood tall. A large head flew through the air, and the towering figure, over three meters tall, slumped to its knees before crashing heavily to the ground.

Although it seemed like a long time from Luo Tao being repelled by the Golden Bell Shield to his head being severed, the battle had actually occurred in mere instants.

The twins were instantly terrified and immediately tried to flee into the distance, but they were held fast by Li Gang and Chu Yang.

Chu Kuang, wielding his great spear, charged out and instantly intercepted one of them. After unleashing only three moves, he forcefully killed him.

Just as the three were preparing to pursue the other, a furious roar echoed from the distant mountain valley: "You dare kill my people, you're seeking death!"

As his voice fell, a beam of azure sword light flew from afar.

Chu Kuang swung his War Spear to block. The azure sword light flew back, but his expression suddenly changed. He decisively pulled Li Gang and Chu Yang and retreated together.

At the same time, hundreds of feet away, a slender figure clad in azure battle armor pursued them, his eyes filled with icy hatred as he said, "You want to run? It's not that easy."

"This is bad, it's Brother Snake. He refined the Vermillion Fruit, his strength must have advanced further. Absolutely do not confront him head-on."

At this moment, Li Gang's expression changed drastically, revealing extreme apprehension.

Chu Kuang's face was also grave. Brother Snake's strength had long reached the Perfection stage of Intermediate External Martial Arts, with a Life Level of 8.5. Now, having consumed two Vermillion Fruits consecutively, his strength would undoubtedly undergo a qualitative change.

In fact, during their brief exchange just now, Chu Kuang had already sensed Brother Snake's incredibly potent internal energy. His Intermediate internal art was likely already perfected, which was why Chu Kuang had brought the two of them and fled upon their first encounter.

"Clang—"

As the three discussed, Brother Snake had already rapidly caught up.

His speed was like lightning, and the azure longsword in his hand moved like a swift snake, unleashing several sword lights aimed directly at Chu Kuang's brow, throat, and heart – three vital points.

The opponent's speed was astonishing. Chu Kuang could only fully activate the Iron Armor Technique to resist, only to find that the opponent's strength could actually inflict some damage through the Iron Armor Technique.

It should be known that the Azure Snake Strength wasn't renowned for its offense, yet it could still harm Chu Kuang, who possessed such a trait. This showed that the opponent's Life Level was at least half a level higher than Chu Kuang's.

Such a gap in Life Level meant the opponent's speed, strength, and agility far surpassed Chu Kuang's, leaving Chu Kuang with no chance of victory.

"Xiao Kuang."

Seeing that Chu Kuang was no match for Brother Snake, Father Chu's expression drastically changed. He immediately took out a blood-red pill, intending to swallow it, but Li Gang snatched it away.

However, Li Gang shook his head and calmly swallowed the pill, saying, "After continuous battles, I'm already poisoned to the bone. Even if I get out, I won't be saved."