Fighting to the Peak

The sixth level of the Nine Universes Heavenly Bridge.

The gale grew increasingly fierce, emitting a teeth-gritting, shrill whistle.

Ling Xuan stepped steadily across the bridge surface, which was as smooth as a mirror. The Fire God Absolute Domain Blade grew warm in his palm, the crimson-gold patterns on the blade glowing with a flowing light.

He closed his eyes to focus, his internal flames surging like a tide as he pushed his state to its peak. Though his hair was whipped wildly by the gale, it did not affect his composure, which remained as steady as a mountain.

"Choose your opponent: Martial Artist, Controller, or Illusionist. Choose one, and defeat them to enter the seventh level." The familiar, intelligent voice of the Heavenly Bridge echoed from within the tornado.

"Martial Artist!"

A piercing sound of air being torn apart rang out as a black shadow plummeted from the tornado like a meteorite.

The challenger was clad in black iron armor, blue sparks erupting wherever his boots touched the ground. The Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear in his hand pulsed with dark purple runes, and beneath his dark red mask, a pair of eyes were as cold as ice-tempered blades.

"To reach this level on your first time clearing the Heavenly Bridge, you have quite the talent and strength; it is extremely rare in human history." The Gatekeeper's voice carried a metallic coldness. The aura erupting from his body churned the surrounding mist into a violent vortex, and the black flames coiling around his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear crackled, instantly surging by three feet.

"However, it is about time this ended. Why don't you young people go back and cultivate some more?"

"I've noticed that you Gatekeepers really love to act arrogant. Is it because you're lonely?" Ling Xuan said calmly, his aura beginning to climb.

The Gatekeeper was nearly choked by Ling Xuan's words, his momentum faltering for a moment. He had no choice but to strike first, his figure transforming into a black afterimage. The Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear danced out nine crimson crescents, the blade energy tearing through the air with a sharp hiss.

The sixth-level Gatekeeper was still using the fifth form of the Fire God Absolute Domain Blade: Space Rending Moon Slash.

It was simply more powerful and refined than the version on the fifth level.

Ling Xuan did not show weakness, charging head-on into the Gatekeeper's blade energy. He twisted his waist violently, his own Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear spinning out as nine crimson blade beams collided with the crimson crescents.

In the violent energy explosion, both were sent flying backward by the shockwave, only stabilizing their figures after performing three somersaults in mid-air.

The moment they landed, both leaped up simultaneously.

The Gatekeeper's Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear turned into a crimson bolt of lightning, thrusting toward Ling Xuan's throat. Ling Xuan flipped sideways, his blade sweeping upward.

"Clang!" The tips of the two Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spears collided fiercely. Sparks showered like a rainstorm, and the powerful impact dispersed the surrounding gale, creating a vacuum.

The Gatekeeper used the momentum to press down, his blade slashing directly at Ling Xuan's crown. Ling Xuan blocked horizontally, the clash of weapons producing a deafening roar that caused the bridge surface beneath their feet to cave in from the pressure.

"Die!" The Gatekeeper roared. His wrists flipped, and the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear suddenly turned into an afterimage, its three tips thrusting toward Ling Xuan's chest and abdomen simultaneously.

Ling Xuan's pupils constricted. He gripped the handle with both hands, swinging his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear frantically to meet the attack head-on.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The sound of metal clashing was continuous. The two weapons collided hundreds of times in the blink of an eye, each impact kicking up crimson shockwaves that made their armor hum.

"Well fought." Their momentum grew stronger with every exchange, their moves becoming faster and faster, with red energy ripples spilling everywhere.

Suddenly, Ling Xuan changed his tactic, pressing his blade down to sweep at the Gatekeeper's lower body.

The Gatekeeper quickly raised his blade to block, but Ling Xuan used the recoil from the weapon clash to leap into the air, his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear spiraling downward toward the Gatekeeper's face.

The Gatekeeper raised his blade to defend. With two "clangs" and a spray of sparks, Ling Xuan shifted his move again, his blade sliding along the edge of his opponent's weapon to strike directly at the carotid artery.

The Gatekeeper leaned back to dodge, simultaneously kicking at Ling Xuan's abdomen. Ling Xuan pulled in his stomach and retreated, backhanding a crimson blade light that forced the Gatekeeper to retract his weapon for defense.

In the heat of the battle, the Gatekeeper suddenly vanished from his spot, and three afterimages attacked from different directions.

Ling Xuan's internal flames surged, and his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear danced like a wheel of fire.

"Space Rending Moon Slash!" The crimson blade light swept out, but the three afterimages swung their blades simultaneously. Twenty-seven blade energies—two false, one real—collided violently with Ling Xuan's attack.

In the violent explosion, both were blown back thousands of meters by the shockwave, yet they stepped through the air to charge back almost simultaneously, engaging in an even more frenzied exchange.

The two Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spears tangled like two crimson dragons, the clashing sounds as dense as a torrential rain.

The Gatekeeper's blade style was fierce and powerful; every slash brought forth crimson blade qi that distorted the air in its wake. Ling Xuan fought fire with fire, every swing of his blade carrying the force to split mountains and shatter rocks. The crimson blade beams and blade qi collided constantly, emitting deafening explosions.

In just ten breaths, they had clashed over thousands of times, their blades throwing off strings of sparks, their breathing growing increasingly heavy.

The Gatekeeper suddenly let out a loud shout, his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear spinning at high speed to form a crimson blade tornado, the air emitting a shrill whistle wherever it passed.

Ling Xuan did not dodge or evade, instead pouring all his strength into his weapon, his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear transforming into a crimson pillar of light.

The blade tornado and the pillar of light collided with a roar, a massive energy storm sweeping the surroundings as the powerful airflow sent both men flying backward.

But the moment they stabilized, they flipped back into the fray, continuing their frenzied assault.

Both were panting like oxen, their internal flames surging wildly, their momentum climbing incessantly.

Ling Xuan utilized the Youlong Footwork, his entire body becoming a mass of burning crimson flame as his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear flew frantically.

He started with a strike meant to split a mountain, the blade descending with immense force, which the Gatekeeper blocked. Immediately after, he twisted his wrist, the tip of his blade thrusting toward the opponent's throat like a viper's tongue. The Gatekeeper dodged sharply to the side, and Ling Xuan seized the momentum to spin and sweep, his blade acting like a scorching wheel of fire to target the opponent's lower body, forcing the Gatekeeper to jump back.

The Gatekeeper did not show weakness, turning his blade to thrust at Ling Xuan's heart with lightning speed. Ling Xuan knocked it aside with his own blade, using the force of the collision to leap into the air. Performing a swallow-like flip, he slashed downward diagonally.

The two continued their fierce assault, their respective auras climbing higher and higher, neither willing to yield an inch.

In this state, both had reached a point of madness. If either's momentum weakened even slightly, they would be instantly crushed by the other's rising aura, which felt as heavy as Mount Tai.

Ling Xuan fought with increasing courage, his fighting spirit surging within his chest. The ancient, combative blood in his veins grew hotter, his eyes flashing with intensity. The more grueling the battle, the more exhilarated Ling Xuan became.

"Hahaha, come, come, come! Let's fight to our hearts' content!"

The offensive of the Fire God Absolute Domain Blade in his hand grew more violent. With every "come," Ling Xuan's force became more savage, completely overwhelming the Gatekeeper.

He poured all his strength and insights into the laws into his blade, unleashing an even more powerful "Space Rending Moon Slash."

The crimson blade glowed like a scorching sun, descending upon the Gatekeeper with an unstoppable momentum.

The Gatekeeper fought desperately to defend himself, brandishing his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear to weave a red barrier before him in an attempt to block Ling Xuan's attack.

However, facing Ling Xuan, whose aura now resembled that of a god descended from the heavens, he had already fallen into a complete disadvantage.

Ling Xuan's blade energy cut through everything like a hot knife through butter, and the red barrier began to shatter inch by inch the moment it made contact.

The terrifying force of the strike showed no signs of waning, instantly locking onto the Gatekeeper and cleaving him in two.

"Hoo~"

Ling Xuan exhaled a breath of stale air, his face, which had flushed deep red from the surging blood and qi, gradually returning to normal as he adjusted his breathing.

As his adrenaline cooled, Ling Xuan noticed his current state; he was drenched in bloody sweat, a lingering side effect of pushing his physical body beyond its limits.

However, such injuries were nothing to a Universe Level martial artist and would recover quickly.

Besides, since this was the Virtual Universe, there was even less reason to worry about such wounds.

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