Invincible

There was no flashy opening stance, nor any superfluous movement.

He simply raised that ten-meter-long giant blade.

A scornful sneer echoed from the void.

The voice was a fusion of the tones of Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena.

It dripped with lofty arrogance and disdain.

The giant blade swung down from above, cast with casual ease.

In that moment, every sound between heaven and earth vanished.

All that remained was a dark red flame blade-light spanning the entire arena.

This blade-light was dozens of zhang wide.

Wherever it passed, the air was instantly ignited, leaving behind a pitch-black spatial rift.

This was not a simple physical strike.

It was a lethal blow that perfectly fused mental shock, ultimate fire, and an indestructible edge.

Before the blade-light even arrived, its destructive pressure had already descended.

The Blue Silver Grass defensive network that Tang San took such pride in.

The moment it touched the edge of the blade-light, it turned into flying ash, unable to offer even a moment's resistance.

Tang San took a deep breath, his eyes instantly turning purple-gold.

Black light erupted from his left hand.

That world-renowned tool spirit he had kept hidden all this time.

The Clear Sky Hammer appeared abruptly in his palm.

It swelled against the wind, growing to the size of a small hill.

Tang San's legs exerted sudden force, driving the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer to its limit.

One hammer, two hammers, three hammers...

Heavy, wind-tearing sounds rang out in succession as his power stacked to a terrifying degree in an instant.

Enduring the high heat that threatened to roast him alive, he smashed it defiantly toward the blade-light.

"Boom!"

Two diametrically opposed forces collided fiercely.

A visible, violent shockwave rippled outward in a ring.

The hard floor of the arena cracked inch by inch under the impact.

Countless stone fragments were swept into the air, only to be scorched into molten lava.

The sleeves on Tang San's arms instantly turned to ash.

Countless fine bloodstains split across his skin, and the webbing between his thumbs and forefingers was a bloody mess.

Before the blood could even drip, it hissed and evaporated into a bloody mist.

The recoil from the Clear Sky Hammer surged into Tang San's body like a mountain-toppling tide.

His internal organs throbbed with the pain of being displaced.

His meridians screamed with a distended agony, as if they were about to be torn apart.

"Pfft!"

Tang San spat a large mouthful of blood mixed with organ fragments toward the sky.

His entire body flew backward as if struck by a meteorite.

The light of the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand dimmed, and it was forcibly driven back into his body.

The trump card he was so proud of appeared so fragile before this blade-light.

Even Tang San, wielder of the world's number one tool spirit, could not block it in the slightest.

The dark red blade-light merely dimmed slightly.

It continued with matchless momentum, slashing toward the Hell White Tiger behind him.

The Hell White Tiger controlled by Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing let out a wild roar.

The massive tiger claws gathered the strength of their entire bodies.

Geng Metal Qi condensed frantically at the tips of the claws, emitting a blinding white light.

They slammed fiercely into the blade-light, attempting to tear it apart by force.

The instant the tiger claws made contact with the blade-light.

A teeth-grinding sound of cutting echoed throughout the arena.

There was no stalemate of equal strength, only a crushing, overwhelming rout.

The tiger claws, capable of tearing through steel, were as brittle as thin paper before the blade radiance.

Dark red flames spread instantly along the claws, engulfing the entire body of the Hell White Tiger.

Its prideful defense was incinerated.

The blade radiance sliced through the White Tiger's defenses without obstruction, hacking fiercely into its massive frame.

"Awoo--"

The Hell White Tiger let out a miserable, mournful cry.

Its entire body twisted violently in mid-air.

Following that, with a dull, explosive sound, the Martial Soul Fusion Skill was forcibly interrupted.

The massive phantom of the White Tiger collapsed instantly, dissolving into a sky full of light particles.

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing fell from the sky like kites with broken strings.

Charred all over, they plummeted and slammed heavily onto the lava-filled arena, their lives hanging in the balance.

Ning Rongrong's amplification link was forcibly severed.

A terrifying backlash surged back through the spirit power channel.

The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand let out a wail, and a clear crack appeared on its surface.

Her delicate body shuddered violently.

A mouthful of blood sprayed out.

Her once rosy face turned deathly pale in an instant.

Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed limply to the ground.

Oscar shielded Ning Rongrong with his life, trying to block the aftermath with his own body.

Yet, he was sent flying by the scorching airwave generated by the blade radiance.

He tumbled over a dozen times on the ground, only stopping after crashing into and snapping a stone pillar at the edge of the arena.

He did not know how many of his bones had been broken.

Xiao Wu stood beside the spot where Tang San had fallen.

Her petite body trembled uncontrollably, her eyes filled with shock and despair.

She had originally thought that, relying on their synergy and trump cards, they would surely be able to seek justice for Zhao Wuji.

They would surely be able to trample the dignity of Martial Soul Hall underfoot.

But now.

With just a single move, with just a single flash of the blade.

The Shrek Seven Devils had suffered a total defeat.

This power had completely exceeded their understanding.

The Flame Demon God did not launch a second attack.

Because there was no longer any need.

Following a violent fluctuation of spirit power, the massive phantom slowly dissipated.

The figures of Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena reappeared on the arena.

Although their breathing was slightly ragged, the arrogance in their eyes was even more intense than before.

They had proven with their actions who the true geniuses were.

Who the top-tier Golden Generation of this continent truly was.

The vast central plaza was deathly silent.

Tens of thousands of spectators did not even dare to draw a full breath.

The visual impact brought by such a crushing victory was simply too shocking.

Many people remained in a forward-leaning posture, staring blankly at the ruined arena with dull eyes.

After a brief moment of dead silence, overwhelming cheers erupted like a tidal wave.

"Long live Martial Soul Hall!"

"The Golden Generation is invincible!"

The waves of sound rose higher and higher, nearly overturning the heavens.

Those factions that had originally harbored hostility toward Martial Soul Hall now looked ashen-faced.

Amidst the deafening cheers.

Gu Qing descended from the high platform with a calm expression.

One step, two steps.

His pace remained steady, without a hint of impatience.

His white robes swayed gently in the breeze.

The Dark Gold Token, symbol of absolute power, refracted a bone-chilling luster under the sunlight.

Wherever he passed, the knights of the Martial Soul Hall knelt on one knee in succession.

They slammed their long spears heavily against the ground.

They cleared a wide path for this inscrutable new Holy Son.

Sweeping his gaze over the fanatical knights on both sides, Gu Qing did not even twitch an eyebrow.

Following the steps, he walked unhurriedly onto the riddled arena.

He stepped past Dai Mubai, who lay on the ground wailing.

He stepped over the unconscious Ning Rongrong.

He walked straight toward Tang San, who was struggling amidst the ruins.

At this moment, Tang San was in a state of extreme misery.

His originally neat school uniform had turned into a few charred rags.

His entire body was covered in wounds of all sizes.

Blood mixed with dust smeared his delicate face, making him look wretched.

His hands were deformed from forcibly using the Clear Sky Hammer to block the blade aura.

His finger bones had even pierced through his skin, exposed to the air.

With every breath, a tearing pain radiated from his chest.

Collapsing on the ground, Tang San's vision went black in waves.

His chest felt as if a lump of burning charcoal had been stuffed inside.

He lifted his head with great difficulty.

His bloodshot eyes stared at the approaching Gu Qing.

His fingernails dug deeply into the rotting flesh of his palms.

Because of the excessive force, his whole body trembled uncontrollably.

"Why..."

Tang San's voice was as hoarse as a broken bellows.

Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

"How could it be like this..."

Biting his teeth hard, the corners of his eyes even split open, bleeding.

He could not accept this cruel reality.

From childhood to adulthood, the confidence of possessing Twin Martial Souls and the pride of Tang Sect techniques.

In this moment, they were shattered.

He had originally thought that as long as he endured and cultivated, he could overcome every obstacle.

He could make the Martial Soul Hall pay its blood debt.

Yet just a moment ago, that crushing defeat where he couldn't even block a single move became a nightmare he could not shake off.

Even in such a state.

His right hand still trembled as it reached toward the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist.

His last Yama's Invitation was there.

This was his final trump card, and his unyielding obsession.

Just as his fingers touched the surface of the metal.

A golden boot stepped mercilessly onto his wrist.

Gu Qing applied a slight force under his foot.

Accompanied by a crisp sound of bone cracking, Tang San let out a muffled groan of pain.

That Yama's Invitation, stained with deadly poison, rolled powerlessly into the lava nearby.

In an instant, it turned into a wisp of black smoke.

The peerless hidden weapon of the Tang Sect was ruined before it even had a chance to be revealed.

The rest of the Shrek team nearby were likewise plunged into extreme despair.

Dai Mubai stared blankly at the sky.

The White Tiger Vajra Transformation he had been so proud of was nothing but a joke in the face of this power.

That kind of crushing defeat, which left not even a sliver of room for resistance, had shattered the self-esteem of this Star Luo Prince.

Xiao Wu collapsed beside Tang San, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.

Watching the battered and bruised Tang San, she felt a heartache so intense it was suffocating.

Yet, she lacked even the strength to reach out and help him up.

Ma Hongjun lay sprawled on the ground, blood mixed with fragments of internal organs constantly spilling from his mouth.

Oscar clutched the unconscious Ning Rongrong tightly, his eyes filled with fear and confusion.

Is this the gap in strength?

Is this the insurmountable chasm?

The talent and synergy that the Shrek Seven Devils had once taken such pride in.

In front of the Martial Soul Fusion Skill that Gu Qing had unleashed with a mere flick of his finger.

It was laughable to the extreme.

Gu Qing stopped half a meter in front of Tang San.

His slender figure cast a shadow over Tang San.

He looked down from above at this so-called Child of Destiny of the Douluo Continent.

The surrounding clamor seemed to fade away at this moment.

Tang San's rapid, ragged breathing sounded jarringly harsh in the quiet atmosphere.

Gu Qing stood with his hands behind his back, quietly savoring the sight of Tang San's collapse.

"No matter how much you cultivate."

"You are still just trash."

Five full days had passed since the conclusion of the High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

The fanatical atmosphere within Martial Soul City had yet to subside.

Every street and alley was still singing praises of that crushing victory.

The peerless grace Gu Qing displayed as he crushed Tang San's final trump card was deeply etched into the heart of every soul master in Martial Soul Hall.

As the newly appointed Holy Son, Gu Qing's prestige within Martial Soul Hall had reached an unprecedented peak.

For the past few days, the gates of the Holy Son's residence had remained tightly shut.

Gu Qing had been busy sorting through dossiers from various factions and had not appeared in public.

This busyness, however, was a torment for Qian Renxue, who was far away in another palace of the Elder Palace.

Sunlight filtered through the crystal glass windows, spilling into the spacious and bright boudoir.

Qian Renxue sat before the vanity, holding an exquisite jade comb in her hand.

Her long golden hair cascaded like a waterfall down her snow-white back.

Her gaze rested on the bronze mirror, yet she was not looking at her own stunning reflection at all.

Her thoughts had long since drifted to that tightly sealed Holy Son's residence.

"Five whole days."

Her red lips parted slightly, and the force with which Qian Renxue gripped the jade comb tightened.

Ever since Gu Qing displayed that posture of looking down upon all heroes at the tournament.

Qian Renxue's mind had been filled entirely with his image.

The expression on Gu Qing's face when he spoke, the look in his eyes when he gazed down at Tang San, and even the silhouette of his white robes fluttering as he walked.

It was all as if carved into her brain, impossible to shake off.

Having spent years infiltrating the Heaven Dou Empire, Qian Renxue had always considered her temperament as tough as iron.

There was simply no man in this world who could catch the eye of the Martial Soul Hall Young Master.

Even those princes of the Heaven Dou Empire were, in her eyes, nothing but a bunch of fools.

Yet, Gu Qing was an absolute exception.

Gu Qing not only possessed talent that induced despair, but also the means to see through everything.

This strength made Qian Renxue develop a deep sense of reliance on him without even realizing it.

However, this silence for five consecutive days left Qian Renxue feeling an indescribable bitterness.

She set down the jade comb and cupped her slightly burning cheeks with both hands.

"Could it be..."

"Could it be that I have truly fallen for Gu Qing?"

As soon as this thought emerged, even Qian Renxue herself was startled.

Her heartbeat accelerated instantly, like a young deer crashing wildly within her chest.

The temperature on her cheeks rose higher and higher, and even the tips of her ears turned beet red.

She stood up abruptly and began pacing back and forth in the room.

Her golden high heels struck the expensive carpet, emitting muffled thuds.

"Absolutely impossible."

"How could this Young Mistress fall so easily?"

"Gu Qing hasn't even come to see me once; there is simply no place for this Young Mistress in his heart!"

The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt.

The pride and reserve she had deliberately maintained in the past shattered into pieces instantly in the face of Gu Qing's cold neglect over these last few days.

Her eye sockets reddened slightly as Qian Renxue walked to the window and looked toward the direction of the Holy Son's residence.

Her chest felt stifled, as uncomfortable as if something were lodged in her throat.

She could neither swallow it down nor spit it out.

This feeling of anxiety and insecurity caused Qian Renxue extreme torment.

Just then, a steady sound of footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.

Qian Renxue's entire body stiffened, and her ears pricked up immediately.

The rhythm of these footsteps was far too familiar.

Apart from Gu Qing, no one in Martial Soul Hall would pace through the corridor with such a leisurely, unhurried gait.

Her heart leaped into her throat in an instant.

She glanced around in a panic and hurried to the vanity, hastily smoothing out her hem.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her violently heaving chest.

She had just prepared to turn and open the door.

A trace of grievance and resentment surged up in her heart.

"By what right do you come and go as you please?"

"You've left me out in the cold for so many days, and only now do you remember this Young Mistress?"

Acting on a fit of pique, she turned around and sat directly on the edge of the bed.

She crossed her arms over her chest and turned her head away, refusing to look toward the door.

The footsteps stopped outside the door.