Lu Chenming's pale-gold Nine Heavens True Essence erupted around him like a raging tide, several times more immense than it had ever been during the Gang Jin stage!
The long saber in his hand hummed and trembled as an incomparably condensed saber light slashed forth. Before the blade even arrived, its razor-sharp momentum pressed down on Chen Qing like something tangible, as though it would split the entire Seven Stars Platform in two!
Below the platform, the True Disciple Candidates, including Wan Shangyi and Qian Baole, instantly went pale.
They had watched Lu Chenming fight before, including his previous battle against Chen Qing. Lu Chenming had been strong then, but he had not made them feel utterly powerless.
Yet this strike combined the power of True Essence with saber intent, bringing an absolute suppression on the level of realms. It filled them with a despairing sense that they could never surmount him.
This was the True Origin Realm!
A single shackle, like a heavenly chasm!
Facing this earth-shattering slash, Chen Qing's expression did not change. True Essence abruptly circulated within him, and his aura was no longer restrained. A pressure no weaker than Lu Chenming's—indeed, even more solemn and weighty—exploded outward!
He clenched his right fist. Without drawing his spear, he simply threw a punch!
True Essence flowed over his fist edge, accompanied faintly by the sound of wind and thunder. It was no divine ability or wondrous technique, but the purest display of the absolute quality and quantity of True Essence!
"What?!"
Lu Chenming's pupils abruptly contracted, and stormy waves crashed through his heart. True Essence?! He... he broke through too?!
This sudden turn completely threw off his rhythm.
In his haste, he could only forcibly draw back the saber light he had slashed out, holding his saber horizontally