Wu Changkong's Shock

Even Li Qingyue was momentarily stunned by the sudden, vicious strike.

But his reactions were far beyond those of an ordinary person. Almost the instant Wu Changkong reached him, his palm shot up.

The branch Wu Changkong brought down collided head-on with Li Qingyue's palm in midair.

As dark blue armor rapidly covered his arm, an immensely powerful surge of energy gathered in his palm.

The sharp Sword Qi and bone-piercing cold Wu Changkong unleashed struck Li Qingyue's armored arm in the next instant.

An overwhelming force exploded outward, sending both of them flying back almost simultaneously.

Wu Changkong staggered back seven or eight steps before he barely steadied himself.

Li Qingyue, however, took only one calm step back, as though the collision had been nothing more than a breeze brushing his face.

A faint white mark slowly appeared on Li Qingyue's arm.

Yet even Wu Changkong's full-powered strike had failed to break through Li Qingyue's Martial Soul defense.

Feeling the astonishing strength of the boy's defense, Wu Changkong finally showed a trace of genuine shock deep in his eyes.

"Twin Martial Souls."

"And both of your Martial Souls seem quite monstrous."

"The first has extraordinarily strong healing abilities, while the second gives you such terrifying defense."

As Wu Changkong spoke, his brow furrowed unconsciously.

It was the first time since the fight began that he had said so much in one breath.

Li Qingyue said nothing in response.

He merely gave Wu Changkong a slight smile, then slowly raised his hand.

A dark blue Longbow appeared in his palm.

It looked as though it had been forged from the Starry River itself, its limbs gleaming with a dreamlike, starlit sheen.

An overwhelmingly powerful aura flowed and shimmered through the Longbow.

That aura was so fierce it made the heart tremble.

Sensing the terrifying destructive power within it, Wu Changkong's eyes narrowed slightly.

Then, under Wu Changkong's gaze, Li Qingyue drew the bowstring back.

A dark blue arrow took shape between his fingers at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The next instant, the arrow sprang from the string. Like a streak of dark blue light, it tore through the air.

The terrifying shot did not slow in the slightest. With a shrill whistle, it flew straight at Wu Changkong.

Feeling the immense pressure carried by the arrow, Wu Changkong's expression instantly turned grave.

His earlier cold composure vanished as he thrust up his right palm.

An ice-blue sword rapidly formed in his hand.

The power of ice spread across its blade, radiating a bone-chilling cold.

Wu Changkong turned his wrist and held the sword across his chest, placing it squarely in the arrow's path.

But when he sensed the terrifying power the arrow carried, a flicker passed through his eyes.

His First Soul Ring flared, and a crystalline glow enveloped his entire body.

He released the aura of a Soul Emperor without restraint.

The arrow slammed into the ice-blue sword the next instant.

It possessed formidable destructive power and even carried a strange quality that seemed to ignore defenses.

But Wu Changkong did not simply defend.

With his seasoned combat experience, he reacted with astonishing speed.

Almost at the moment of impact, he drove the power of Ultimate Ice into the arrow to unravel that strange force within it.

The two forces collided with a roar, and the ice-blue sword stopped the dark blue arrow dead.

The arrow shattered amid violent tremors.

Even so, as Wu Changkong watched it break into motes of misty blue light, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

He gazed quietly at the Frost Sword in his hand.

Its blade was undamaged, but a faint white mark remained on it.

That faint mark was not to be underestimated.

He was a Soul Emperor. Each time his strength increased, the strength of his Martial Soul rose with it.

His Martial Soul was therefore far stronger than an ordinary one.

Yet an attack from a boy with two soul rings had managed to leave a mark on it.

If a Weapon Martial Soul of the boy's level faced his strange Martial Soul, it would likely fare far worse.

Its Martial Soul might even be shattered outright.

Sensing what had happened and how formidable the boy's Martial Soul was, Wu Changkong's eyes flickered.

His gaze swept over the others nearby, but he said nothing.

He could tell this Martial Soul was extraordinary, and he had an inkling that it was a secret the boy had kept hidden.

So Wu Changkong did not press the matter.

He merely gave Li Qingyue a calm nod, then slowly put away his sword.

"You're very strong, but what you need to hone most right now is your close-combat technique."

"I can't help you with ranged combat technique, so you can choose between two approaches."

"First, you sit out."

"I'll train the others one at a time. That will improve their combat experience."

"After all, taking a beating is the best way to gain combat experience."

Wu Changkong paused briefly.

If these children could get back up time and again, or grow accustomed to this style of fighting, their teamwork and individual strength would become formidable.

That was especially true of Xie Xie. If he dared seize the right moment to use his Twin Dragon Storm under normal circumstances, it would be far more effective.

Even if he did not dare use it outright, the results would still be good once he had gained enough experience.

After all, opportunities had to be found through trial.

Only after taking enough beatings could they truly adapt to all of this.

If they wanted to improve their fighting ability and understand real combat in a short time, taking a beating was inevitable.

Li Qingyue did not rush to speak after hearing Wu Changkong out.

He intended to wait for the other option. His own combat skills really did need work.

Given his unusual ability, Wu Changkong would most likely place some restrictions on him.

Sure enough, seeing the calm look in the boy's eyes, Wu Changkong hesitated for only a second before giving the other option.

"The other approach is for you to join them."

"That blue armor of yours has powerful defensive abilities. Fighting up close will be much easier with it."

"I'll teach you combat techniques and help you gain experience."

"And with your healing ability, everyone can get back on their feet many times."

"That will greatly improve how effectively you fight and how much experience you gain."

Wu Changkong spoke frankly as he looked at Li Qingyue.

He was not petty, nor did he like to hold things back.

The approach he offered was therefore the one he considered the most sensible, safest, and most efficient.

Li Qingyue nodded decisively.

He had considerable faith in this teacher.

After all, Wu Changkong was outstanding in the quality of his teaching, his skill as an instructor, and the way he handled himself.

Seeing Li Qingyue nod, Wu Changkong wasted no more words.

He swept a calm gaze over the others and beckoned them forward.

Meeting Wu Changkong's calm gaze, then remembering Li Qingyue's powerful healing ability, Zhou Changxi, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin exchanged looks.

Then all three charged forward together.

This time, however, Li Qingyue and Na'er followed close behind.

They charged at Wu Changkong as well.