Before Ling Chen could devise a counter-strategy, Xu Chao attacked again. A giant golden fist shot toward Ling Chen's face.

This punch was even stronger than the last.

The fierce wind from the fist stung Ling Chen's cheeks, feeling as if his skin was about to be torn open.

With agile footwork, Ling Chen utilized his Wind Shadow Step to its utmost limit. Xu Chao's fist blasted right through Ling Chen's body.

However, what shattered was merely Ling Chen's True Qi doppelgänger. Taking advantage of Xu Chao's momentary surprise, Ling Chen's body sank lower as he thrust his sword toward Xu Chao's chest.

"What?"

Ling Chen's move was as swift as a bolt of lightning, an utterly unexpected strike. In a mere instant, his sword pierced Xu Chao's clothes and bit into his flesh.

Xu Chao's expression darkened. Thanks to years of drinking Exotic Beast blood, his reactions were incredibly swift, allowing him to pull back violently the moment Ling Chen's sword thrust out.

When he steadied himself again, he was standing more than ten zhang away from Ling Chen.

A searing pain emanated from his chest.

Drops of fresh blood seeped from his bronze-colored skin, staining his clothes red.

Fortunately, his reaction speed was fast enough and his physical defense strong enough. Thus, Ling Chen's sword only pierced half an inch deep before he managed to escape. Had I been any slower, I would have been killed by Ling Chen's sword. Thinking of this, Xu Chao broke out in a cold sweat. He discarded his contemptuous attitude, his gaze toward Ling Chen turning cautious. "I didn't expect you to possess such strength. No wonder Mei Ji was no match for you," he said.

"Not only is Mei Ji not my match, but you won't be either," Ling Chen stated indifferently.

He wasn't boasting. Although Xu Chao was a disciple of the Elder of Myriad Beasts, his actual strength was roughly among the top five on the Heavenly List, similar to the 'Ghost Killing Sword,' Xue Jingfeng. In terms of martial arts skills, he was even inferior to Xue Jingfeng, possessing only great Barbarian Power.

Ling Chen, however, was currently far stronger in terms of both his Cultivation and Cultivation Technique than when he was in Aqua Country Royal City. Even Xue Jingfeng would not last more than three moves against him now.

"Nonsense! How dare you underestimate me! Today, I'll show you what I, Xu Chao, am made of!" Xu Chao declared, refusing to believe Ling Chen. He clenched his fists, and True Qi erupted from him. Just then, a sharp pain shot through his chest, disrupting his internal True Qi and causing fresh blood to gush from his wound.

Ling Chen seemed to have anticipated this. "My previous sword strike shattered your vital point and injured your internal organs. I advise you to leave immediately. Don't continue using the Beast King Transformation; otherwise, your body will give out."

"Scaremongering? Do you think I'd believe your nonsense?" Xu Chao burst into laughter, dismissing Ling Chen's words as an attempt to intimidate him. He paid it no heed and instead forcefully circulated his True Qi.

PUCHI!

With a strange sound, the wound on Xu Chao's chest burst open. His body was like a punctured balloon; the initially small wound rapidly enlarged as he circulated his True Qi, and blood jetted out like a fountain.

Damn it!

Just as Xu Chao realized something was amiss and prepared to stop circulating his Cultivation Technique, Ling Chen attacked again. A ray of Sword Light flashed before his eyes.

The sword qi, sharp as a shuttle of light, flew straight at Xu Chao's throat.

Xu Chao's face turned a ghastly shade. His meridians bulged as he lashed out with his palm, striking towards the body of the Cloud-hidden Sword.

WHOOSH!

A sharp glint flashed in Ling Chen's eyes. He twisted his wrist, turning the Cloud-hidden Sword so its edge, not its flat, would meet the blow.

DING!

A very crisp sound echoed as the Cloud-hidden Sword grazed past the iron claw on Xu Chao's hand, creating a shower of dazzling sparks.

The Sword Light, like a tiny star, nicked past Xu Chao's face, slicing open his skin and nearly chopping off half his head.

Withdrawing the Cloud-hidden Sword, Ling Chen swung again. Streams of sword qi converged, transforming into dragon-shaped sword qi that slashed outwards.

At this moment, Mei Ji, who had remained inactive, finally made her move.

She had initially planned to let Xu Chao and Ling Chen wear each other down. Then, she would intervene, appearing to save Xu Chao while reaping the benefits herself.

But now, she could see that Xu Chao was already showing signs of defeat. If she didn't intervene, Xu Chao would be killed by Ling Chen.

Producing two short black daggers, Mei Ji cut in from the side, dashing behind Ling Chen, her daggers thrusting violently.

Sensing the murderous intent from behind, Ling Chen reacted quickly, his body shifting sideways. Multitasking, he drew the Heavenly Emperor Heavy Sword with his left hand to block Mei Ji's incoming black daggers.

However, Mei Ji's other short dagger stabbed towards Ling Chen's throat from a different angle.

Arching backward, Ling Chen dodged the strike. He then stamped his foot hard on the ground, his entire body springing up. Following that, he slashed his Twin Swords downward, releasing two streams of dragon-shaped sword qi.

PU! PU! PU!

Fierce sword qi slammed into the ground. The shockwave from the exploding sword qi blasted both Mei Ji and Xu Chao backward.

"Impressive! Tiger King Xu Chao, plus the 'Soul Hooker,' Mei Ji—even their combined strength is no match for this young man."

The City Lord of East Desolation City was inexplicably astonished to see Ling Chen fighting two opponents without falling into any disadvantage.

Tian Dan's eyes filled with utter horror. Tiger King Xu Chao and the Soul Hooker, Mei Ji! To think that these two are the ones fighting Ling Chen! Both of them are renowned geniuses in the Demonic Sect!

"Ling Chen? You said his name is Ling Chen? Could he be the Ling Chen from the Divine Intent Sect?" The City Lord of East Desolation City's expression changed again. "I didn't expect this young man to have grown to such an extent. Truly an unparalleled genius, terrifyingly so!"

"Indeed, he is an unparalleled genius. Perhaps the very survival of East Desolation City now rests on his shoulders."

Watching the Exotic Beasts swarming from all directions and the Demonic Sect experts scaling the city walls, Tian Dan couldn't help but feel his heart sink. At this moment, East Desolation City's strongest expert, Elder Geng, was entangled by Devil Prince Chu Tiange. Elder Geng was continuously retreating and in a dire situation. If Xu Chao and Mei Ji were to free themselves up, all the experts of the Righteous Path in East Desolation City would likely be killed.

Once the powerful warriors defending the city were dead, the remaining ordinary people would be powerless to change anything.

Can't these two take down this kid together? At this point, Chu Tiange had also noticed Ling Chen and knitted his brows. Although Mei Ji and Xu Chao's strength couldn't compare to his, they were formidable in their own right. Both were at the pinnacle of Nine Heavy Realm Dharma, comparable to the top five geniuses on the Heavenly List. Yet, their opponent was merely a young man at the Martial Master Eighth Level.

"Damn it!" Both Xu Chao and Mei Ji, geniuses of esteemed status, grew increasingly frustrated as the long battle dragged on without them gaining the upper hand. For the two of them to be unable to defeat Ling Chen in a two-on-one fight was simply a humiliation.

"Beast Miles!" Xu Chao roared furiously, slamming his fist into the ground. A torrent of True Qi erupted from his fist, channeling through the ground and surging furiously towards Ling Chen. The ground cracked and splintered in a line extending from his fist.

The ground trembled violently.

Sensing the astonishing force coming from beneath his feet, Ling Chen was about to leap away to dodge. But at that moment, a black silk ribbon suddenly flew out from behind him, wrapping around Ling Chen and binding his hands tightly.

BOOM!

With his body restrained, the violent Fist Strength exploded beneath Ling Chen's feet, creating a deafening roar.