Golden light blazed brilliantly as the spiritual energy within the hall began converging upon the Golden Core monk. Even the seawater sealed outside the hall began to churn restlessly.
Chen Fan's heart tightened. Using Nine Palaces Footwork, he circled behind the Golden Core monk. The sword in his hand spun into a flurry of sword flowers, and violet-gold Blazing Heaven Sword Qi surged forth with overwhelming force. He unleashed Upper and Lower Exchange; sword and man became one in an instant, transforming into a phantom that slashed for the Golden Core monk's neck.
Clang!
Yet the Golden Core monk's speed and strength were even more astonishing. He actually swung a backhanded punch at Chen Fan's sword. Dazzling golden radiance surged with unstoppable momentum, knocking Chen Fan back several meters with a single blow!
The hand gripping Chen Fan's sword throbbed with pain from the impact, and his expression darkened slightly. This was an enraged strike from someone in the Golden Core Realm. It made him understand the gap between himself and a Golden Core cultivator.
At the same time, Chen Fan realized that this Golden Core monk was not quite so formidable either. At least judging by the combat strength he had displayed, he was roughly on par with the Ant King from back then.
Old Yellow Tooth, meanwhile, shot Chen Fan a surprised glance. He had witnessed the exchange just now. That punch from the Golden Core monk had employed the Indestructible Vajra Body and carried the power of his golden radiance's enhancement—terrifying beyond measure. Yet Chen Fan had merely been knocked back several meters and had taken the blow without a scratch.
One had to know that if it had been an ordinary cultivator at Foundation Establishment Late Stage, that single punch would likely have made them cough