Both Sides Wounded

Chen Sanyan was one of the martial arts school's super top students.

He had completed four years' worth of college entrance exams and reached Peak Nebula Level.

With his Mystic Fire Saber Art, even the other super top students were unwilling to provoke him.

"I was wondering how you, Zhou Wen, had the guts to follow me in secret."

Chen Sanyan's expression was icy. "So it turns out you had a helper like this."

Zhou Wen's expression was grave. Standing beside Jiang Changkong, he said in a low voice, "In a moment, I'll risk my life to hold him off. You run."

"Risk your life?"

Chen Sanyan glanced at him mockingly. "Your life won't block a single move."

Then he looked at Jiang Changkong. "Who are you? State your name."

"Jiang Changkong."

Jiang Changkong's expression was calm, but the muscles of his body were taut. At the slightest movement, he could erupt with his full strength immediately.

"You're Jiang Changkong? Star Qi Peak?"

Chen Sanyan froze for a moment. Jiang Changkong—wasn't he at Star Qi Peak?

That saber strike just now had been delivered with his full strength. He had meant to cleave both of them to death in one blow.

Someone who could block his full-power saber strike without injury had to be at Peak Nebula Level.

"We're both members of the martial arts school. How about we let this go?"

Jiang Changkong said calmly.

Facing Chen Sanyan, he was not afraid.

He was even confident he could kill this guy.

But he would be injured—badly injured.

"Let this go?"

A trace of disdain flashed through Chen Sanyan's eyes.

"Zhou Wen, the reason I didn't kill you before was because you were following too closely, and I was worried I'd alert Ji Ziling and Ying Yanxue.

Now that you've taken the initiative to distance yourself, how could I let you off?

As for you, you're not even a student anymore, and you think you're worthy of calling yourself a member of the school?

You even changed your mark and still came here to die. You brought this on yourself."

The moment his words fell, Chen Sanyan's figure moved in a flash. His long saber tore through the air, and scorching waves of heat enveloped Zhou Wen.

His idea was simple: kill the weakest, Zhou Wen, first, then finish off Jiang Changkong.

Jiang Changkong had long been prepared. Taiji manifested, blocking in front of Zhou Wen, while he struck Zhou Wen with a palm at the same time.

A gentle force sent Zhou Wen flying backward.

Just like how Zhou Wen had protected him before.

Now, it was the other way around.

"You can barely protect yourself, and you still want to protect him?"

Chen Sanyan gave a contemptuous shout, and his saber qi grew stronger by another degree.

"You talk too much."

Jiang Changkong's expression turned cold and severe, and a bronze sheen rose over his entire body.

Buzz.

Boom.

The saber qi fell. Taiji rotated, shedding sixty percent of its force, just like before.

This time, however, Jiang Changkong did not retreat. Instead, he secretly suppressed part of his strength and forcibly took the remaining forty percent of the saber qi.

With a muffled crash, saber qi and Star Power surged in all directions. The powerful force swept out, and the two of them retreated several steps at the same time.

Blood dripped down. Jiang Changkong clenched his right hand tightly. In his palm, there was another faint saber mark.

This guy's saber was top-tier second rank. Even with the Taiji diagram plus copper skin and iron bones, it was difficult to defend completely.

"Changkong." Zhou Wen's expression tightened with anxiety, but he did not know what to do.

Attack?

His strength was too weak. He would only be a burden.

Jiang Changkong kept his gaze fixed on Chen Sanyan and said without looking back, "Brother Wen, hurry up and leave. If I want to go, he can't stop me."

"None of you are leaving!"

Chen Sanyan snorted coldly. Saber qi rose again, slashing straight at Zhou Wen.

Jiang Changkong stepped forward, Tai Chi moving with him, and blocked the saber energy.

Boom!

With an explosive blast, both of them were forced back at the same time. Chen Sanyan's expression was dark as he gripped the saber hilt tightly.

Jiang Changkong's expression was grave, refusing to give an inch. "Brother Wen, leave quickly. Wait for me to find you."

"Changkong, take care."

Seeing this, Zhou Wen no longer hesitated. He turned and left.

Jiang Changkong's strength was already enough to hold off Chen Sanyan. Getting away would not be a problem, and he did not need to worry.

Chen Sanyan wanted to give chase, but Jiang Changkong blocked him firmly. For a moment, fury overwhelmed him. "You're really courting death! Flame Saber!"

In his rage, saber energy surged and receded, blazing crimson, with scorching waves of heat.

The long saber hacked down, and the weeds around them could not withstand the searing temperature, turning charred black across the ground.

Jiang Changkong's eyes were calm. Tai Chi rose again, and this time, he did not suppress his power.

Boom!

The two forces collided. Chen Sanyan's expression changed as he felt a force pass through his saber energy and erupt with fierce, explosive strength.

He hurriedly retreated, but that tremendous force hammered into him wildly, as if his chest had been struck by a heavy blow.

Pfft!

Jiang Changkong, however, directly spat out a mouthful of blood and slid back several meters. A faint scorched smell drifted from the cuff of his right sleeve.

Blood leaked from the corner of Chen Sanyan's mouth, his face dark. "You weren't using your full strength just now?"

That force just now had been several degrees stronger than before, even a shade stronger than his.

Jiang Changkong's expression was indifferent. "If we keep fighting, neither of us will come out well. How about we end it here?"

Chen Sanyan was very strong—at Peak Nebula Level. Being a super top student was no joke.

But he was not weak either. With three times the Star Power of someone at the same level, plus his pure physical strength, even someone at Peak Nebula Level could not compare to him.

If Chen Sanyan did not have a weapon in hand, Jiang Changkong would not say he could suppress him outright, but he could definitely win easily.

"Neither of us will come out well? What a joke. Today, you're dead! After I kill you, I'll go butcher Zhou Wen."

Chen Sanyan's face was icy, killing intent flashing in his eyes. His saber energy burned crimson. "Crimson Flame Saber."

Crimson flames rose from the saber, and the scorching heat climbed another degree.

"Then I'll send you on your way first!"

Jiang Changkong's gaze turned cold and sharp, without the slightest trace of mercy left.

Even if he left, this guy would still chase him down, and might even go after Zhou Wen.

Since he refused to let him off, there was no need to keep him alive.

If he could kill him, he would absolutely not let him live!

With that thought, Jiang Changkong took the initiative this time.

The saber hurriedly fell. Tai Chi guided it, and this time, it was no longer simply dispersing the force, but pulling at the long saber.

Four ounces to move a thousand pounds!

Boom!

The saber energy was diverted to the side, cutting a deep saber mark into the ground.

Jiang Changkong pressed in close, his fist force erupting and shaking the long saber.

Clang!

The long saber trembled under the impact of tremendous force. Chen Sanyan's expression changed, and the weapon nearly flew from his hand.

He hurriedly circulated Star Power to resist the huge force, and the saber light grew even more scorching.

With a thunderous crash, fist and saber collided, and both men were sent violently backward at the same time.

Pfft!

Powerful force surged in all directions, blood spraying through the air. Chen Sanyan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression growing even darker.

Jiang Changkong did not spit blood, but blood kept dripping from his palm. There was also a saber wound on the back of his hand, so deep the bone was visible.

Paired with a top-tier second-rank weapon, Chen Sanyan posed a great threat.

The difference in strength between the two of them was not great. Both sides ending up injured was almost inevitable.

"Damn it. This saber will kill you! Mystic Fire Saber! Die!"

Chen Sanyan's gloomy face twisted ferociously. It was still crimson saber energy, but this time, a trace of gold was hidden deep within it.

"Getting anxious?"

Jiang Changkong narrowed his eyes, neither dodging nor retreating.

The Mystic Fire Saber fell, its saber energy pure and its heat astonishing. The Tai Chi diagram spun violently, dispersing the saber energy.

But that trace of gold contained terrifying power, and the instant it appeared, his Taiji diagram stopped turning.

Jiang Changkong's expression changed. He could only divert thirty percent!

His thoughts raced. Forcing the Taiji diagram to revolve, he crossed his hands, and the long saber shifted slightly off course.

The Taiji diagram was about to dissipate as well. Jiang Changkong simply dispersed it himself and let the long saber stab toward his right shoulder.

The Star Power and pure strength within his body instead shifted toward his left arm.

The saber energy was like a rainbow, piercing through in an instant.

Squelch.

The long saber bit into flesh. Blood poured out, and the saber energy entered his body, raging wildly.

Fortunately, the Taiji Fist Classic had been upgraded to mid-grade, and its Taiji protection could temporarily withstand the saber energy.

That was enough!

"Die!"

Chen Sanyan's savage expression carried a trace of satisfaction.

Once the saber energy of his Mystic Fire Saber entered the body, let alone Jiang Changkong, even the other super top students would not be able to withstand it.

There was no panic at all on Jiang Changkong's face. Looking at Chen Sanyan, who was close enough to touch, he raised his left palm in Taiji.

"You still have strength? Not good..."

Chen Sanyan's face chilled. He wanted to retreat, but it was too late.

Boom.

Crack.

Star Power and pure strength erupted along the most unyielding route, pouring entirely onto Chen Sanyan.

Bones snapped and blood flew. Under the impact of that tremendous force, Chen Sanyan gripped the saber hilt tightly and tried to pull it out, only to see Jiang Changkong's right hand suddenly seize the blade.

A bronze sheen flickered as he held the blade in a death grip. Chen Sanyan had no choice but to let go.

Struck by the massive force, Chen Sanyan flew sideways and slammed heavily onto the ground.

Jiang Changkong gripped the long saber tightly and, with a powerful pull, yanked it straight out.

Squelch.

Blood sprayed out. Scarlet blood flowed as Jiang Changkong gripped the saber hilt and used the saber to prop himself up.