The Gods Are No Longer Here

"Besides, a contest like this still counts as being within the rules of the so-called trial."

At this thought, Roushou's colossal divine body, which had towered almost to the heavens, mighty as a mountain, rapidly shrank amid flowing golden light until he was the same ordinary human size as Li Shun.

Chi stepped down from the dragon's head and looked Li Shun in the eye. His voice rang like metal striking stone. "Good! Then I'll suppress my Divine Power and fight you properly at your level."

"But this time, I won't hold back!"

As he spoke, Roushou raised his arm and pointed the Divine Halberd in his hand—which had also shrunk to an ordinary size—at Li Shun from afar.

However, seeing Li Shun standing empty-handed, Chi kindly asked, "Would you like a weapon?"

Li Shun nodded. "A sword will do."

Roushou pointed into the air above Li Shun's head. A long sword gleaming with brilliant golden light appeared and floated before him.

Li Shun took the sword in hand and drew a deep breath.

In the next instant, Roushou realized that Li Shun had changed.

He was no longer a stranger, an ordinary mortal who had only just climbed Mount Buzhou.

He was instead a close friend Roushou had known for millions of years.

They had lived together since childhood, eating and sleeping side by side.

They had fought enemies together and hunted together.

Even when Roushou had been punished by the Heavenly Emperor, Li Shun had stepped forward of his own accord and taken the blame for him.

Now, they had reunited after a long separation.

Roushou was beside himself with excitement.

Together, they danced with their swords, sparring.

Li Shun's surging swordplay was riddled with openings in Roushou's eyes.

Yet this was only a sparring match between them;