"Don't be nervous. I mean you no harm."
The man in black seemed to notice Chen Changming's wariness. His tone softened as he slowly said, "I merely saw that your body cultivation was impressive and wanted to test my skills against yours."
"Who are you?"
Chen Changming did not lower his guard and continued questioning him.
His gaze remained fixed on the man, his fingers still poised to activate a Sword Talisman at any moment.
"Just a passerby."
The man in black smiled and spread his hands. "I heard a body cultivator had come to the Ancient Village, so I came to take a look."
A passerby?
Chen Changming fell silent for a moment, rapidly weighing his options.
He still had several dozen Sword Talismans and Demon Talismans, so he had grounds for confidence. But he did not want to waste them lightly, especially when he knew nothing of his opponent's background.
Since the man had dared to reveal himself, he surely had something to rely on. Attacking rashly would not be wise.
"We can spar, but we stop short of injury."
Chen Changming spoke slowly, descending from midair to stand a hundred feet from the man in black.
He decided to spar with the man in the arts of body cultivation.
As a body cultivator, Chen Changming also enjoyed sparring with fellow practitioners.
Battles between body cultivators were immensely satisfying, every punch striking flesh, so Chen Changming did not want to miss this opportunity either.
"Good." The man in black smiled and nodded.
They stood in a clearing within the dense forest, a hundred feet apart, facing each other in silence.
A mountain breeze swept past, sending dead leaves swirling between them. The atmosphere was quiet and tense.
"Take my punch!"
The man in black suddenly shouted, lunging forward