In less than a minute, the two had already fought over a dozen rounds.
However, anyone could tell that Qi Hao clearly had the upper hand in their exchanges. After all, he had the strength of the advance Qi Nourishing stage and had cultivated the grade 4 Genesis Qi, Primal Metal Qi.
On the other hand, Zhou Yuan was only at the initial Qi Nourishing stage, and had yet to learn a Qi cultivation method, resulting in a less power. The fact that he could fight Qi Hao to such an extent was already pretty unimaginable.
A golden spear swept forth, surging with Genesis Qi, blasting away the air around it.
Clang!
The spear slammed into a black brush, causing sparks to fly. The powerful force made Zhou Yuan retreat several steps as the Heavenly Yuan Brush in his hand drew a deep scar on the ground.
Huu.
Zhou Yuan steadied himself and breathed out deeply. The Qi and blood in his body was still violently churning after the previous clash, a feeling that made his expression grow increasingly grave.
He now clearly understood that his opponent was indeed a whole lot stronger himself. Without the advantage his Qi Dwelling provided, it was likely that he would have lost long ago.
Moreover, Qi Hao no longer dared to have any physical contact after having a taste of the Dragon’s Resentment Poison earlier. Instead, he used the power of his Genesis Weapon to attack, giving the Dragon’s Resent Poison no chance to affect him.
“If I had cultivated the Omni Python Qi from the first level of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, I should be able to beat him even at the initial Qi Nourishing stage.” Zhou Yuan felt a little regret. Unfortunately for him, the grade 4 python-type Genesis beast spirit he needed was still inside the battle puppet’s body.
Qi Hao proudly stood with his spear as he said in a cold voice, “To have lasted so long against me as an initial Qi Nourishing stage that has yet to practice any Qi cultivation method is truly testament of your abilities.”
While Zhou Yuan was inwardly sighing in regret, Qi Hao was secretly astonished. Logically speaking, their cultivation levels were completely incomparable, and killing Zhou Yuan should not take more than a few rounds.
Yet, Zhou Yuan had not even been heavily injured even after so many rounds. It was simply unbelievable.
However, this also made Qi Hao even more certain that he had to kill Zhou Yuan. The latter was already such a problem at the initial Qi Nourishing stage. If Zhou Yuan was allowed to reach the advance stage and practice a Qi cultivation method, Qi Hao would likely not even have the qualifications to fight the former.
“This is the best chance for me to eliminate him. I will make this valley his grave!” Murder surged in Qi Hao’s eyes as the golden long spear in his hand emitted a sharp flash.
His figure shot forward once again, his spear dashing forward like a ray of golden light as it headed straight for Zhou Yuan.
Qi Hao’s attacks had grown fiercer and anyone could clearly see his intent to kill.
“Qi Hao is going to kill him.”
“I’m afraid that prince Zhou Yuan’s life is in danger.”
“...”
Whispers broke out when the numerous parties outside the valley saw this change. Zhou Yuan had already been completely suppressed in the earlier exchanges. Now that Qi Hao’s attacks had grown even fiercer, it was likely that Zhou Yuan’s defeat was near.
Zhou Yuan raised his head at this moment, his gaze falling upon the golden spear that was rapidly closing in on him as cold light surged in his eyes. He breathed in deeply as a glow emerged under his clothes.
“Gold Ape Moves the Mountain Rune!”
A low shout echoed in Zhou Yuan’s heart as a complicated rune began to surface on his skin.
Zhou Yuan’s body began to shake. He could feel an astonishing power explode within his body and spread to his limbs.
As the power surged within him, his body seemed to grow a little bigger.
Five fingers tightened around the Heavenly Yuan Brush as his foot stamped on the ground. Cracks spread as his body shot forward in a perfectly straight line, the Heavenly Yuan Brush thrusting forward, clashing once again with the golden spear.
Clang!
Brush and spear tips ferociously collided.
A ripple that could be seen with the naked eyes swept outwards, sweeping away all the loose rocks on the ground, even turning a quite a few to dust.
Bang!
Zhou Yuan’s and Qi Hao’s bodies jerked slightly at this moment, each feeling an astonishing force surge towards them. The force destabilized their bodies, causing them to take a dozen shaky steps backwards.
*Uproar*!
This scene caused an uproar to emerge from the numerous onlookers.
Because neither party had gained the upper hand in this clash!
“How is this possible?!” Shock surfaced in Qi Hao’s eyes. He had practically gone all out in his previous attack with the intention of overwhelming Zhou Yuan. Who could have imagined that it would lead to such a result.
Zhou Yuan steadied himself. In contrast to Qi Hao’s shock, the former was much calmer. The Gold Ape Moves the Mountain Rune was a grade 2 Genesis Rune, and granted its user a tremendous amount of power. With this power, he was finally able to match the advance Qi Nourishing stage Qi Hao.
“Finally filled the gap...”
Zhou Yuan gripped the Heavenly Yuan Brush as he looked towards Qi Hao and grinned. “Let’s have a good fight.”
The brush tip shook as green light suddenly poured out. The light extended a whole ten inches as its color grew deeper and deeper. It was the Auraflare technique.
Qi Hao expression grew even darker as he gazed upon the flickering green light at the tip of Zhou Yuan’s brush. With a jerk of the golden spear, a sharp without equal green light also surged out.
Qi Hao frostily said, “Using your Auraflare technique before me is truly reckless!”
Swish!
A chill surged through the air as their gazes met, before they both shot forward a split second later.
Bang! Bang!
At the bottom of the valley, two figures criss-crossed at lightning speed, spear and brush clashing time after time as the aftershocks of their attacks devastated the area. Deep scars decorated the ground wherever they passed.
Both individuals had pushed themselves to their limits.
Numerous gazes were gathered on the fight. The ruthlessness and viciousness of the two made several expressions change.
No one had expected that the one whom they had originally thought would be easily crushed, Zhou Yuan, would be able to go so far in a direct clash against Qi Hao.
“Prince Zhou Yuan is actually rather capable.”
“Who ends up winning or losing is really up in the air now…”
“But Qi Hao still has a greater chance at victory. After all, the Genesis Qi of an advance Qi Nourishing stage expert is both more abundant and stronger than an initial stage practitioner like Zhou Yuan. Such a pity, such a pity indeed…”
...
Chapter 86 Erode
Clang!
A golden spear tore through the air as it powerfully thrust forward where it was met and blocked by a brush. A clear ‘clang’ sound resonated from the point of contact as a shockwave swept outwards.
Zhou Yuan’s and Qi Hao’s figures were blown backwards.
Both individuals wore frosty expressions as Genesis Qi churned around their bodies. Traces of blood was visible on their skin, evidence that blood had been drawn in the intense clash earlier.
From this, one could see just how desperate the battle was.
Qi Hao looked at the wounds on his body and coldly chuckled. He slammed the bottom of his spear on the ground as he said in a low voice, “Unbreakable Metal!”
As his shout faded, gold light suddenly flooded out from under his skin and gradually dyed Qi Hao’s skin gold, making it look as if it was made from gold.
At the same time, his wounds completely faded away.
Zhou Yuan’s eyes widened when he saw this. Unbreakable Metal was a Genesis Technique that was paired with Primal Metal Qi and boasted extremely strong defensive powers.
Qi Hao’s trump cards were being revealed one by one as they fought.
Rumble!
Qi Hao’s body glowed with golden light as he charged forward once again, his spear akin to a cold glittering star as it rapidly thrust at Zhou Yuan’s vitals.
Zhou Yuan feet performed Dragon Step, avoiding the thrusts while the brush in his hand darted towards Qi Hao’s shoulder, leaving behind a streak of green light in its wake.
Clang!
However, a clear ‘clang’ rang out as the brush tip scraped across Qi Hao’s shoulder, leaving behind a tiny red mark. The brush tip had only managed to penetrate half a fingernail before being stopped by gold light.
Thud!
Qi Hao laughed sinisterly as the golden long spear in his hand swept forth, slamming into Zhou Yuan’s chest. The powerful force sent Zhou Yuan flying backwards into a boulder, causing cracks to grow on it.
“What a difficult opponent.”
Pain pulsed from Zhou Yuan’s back as he frowned deeply. With Unbreakable Metal, Qi Hao’s defence had reached an astonishing level and even the Auraflare technique was unable to breakthrough.
“You really surprise me. To think that a mere initial Qi Nourishing stage practitioner can last so long against me without exhausting your Genesis Qi.” Qi Hao’s tone was rather chilling as killing intent overflowed from his eyes.
Zhou Yuan rubbed his chest. If not for his strong body, his chest would have been caved in by the earlier spear sweep.
Zhou Yuan said, “You are a little harder to deal with than expected.”
“You should stop being so sharp-tongued when your death is so near.” Qi Hao let out an icy chuckle. Golden Genesis Qi surged on his body as he lifted the long spear in his hand, pointed it at Zhou Yuan and said in a voice dripping with killing intent, “You will no longer be capable of speaking next time.”
Swish!
Qi Hao’s figure shot forward the moment he finished speaking, the long spear in his hand dragging across the ground, leaving a deep scar and a trial of sparks.
“Mid grade Genesis Technique, Heavenly Gold Genesis Splitter Spear!”
The killing intent in Qi Hao’s eyes soared as his spear stabbed forward. The golden light on the spear flared as an extremely sharp aura condensed at its tip, an aura so sharp that the air at the spear tip could clearly been seen splitting apart.
Numerous deep scars were also etched into the ground below.
It was a breathtaking spear attack and was clearly Qi Hao’s strongest move.
Outside the valley. The expressions of the onlookers changed at this moment, evidently having felt the power of Qi Hao’s spear attack. It was likely that no one amongst the Qi Nourishing stage would be able to directly receive this attack.
It seemed that Qi Hao had been angered and intended to end this match with this deadly blow.
“Prince Zhou Yuan is dead meat.” Said one of the onlookers. Qi Hao’s defence was too overwhelming, allowing him to be unafraid of Zhou Yuan’s attacks. In addition, Qi Hao’s attacks were both ruthless and fierce. How would Zhou Yuan be able to withstand them?
Numerous others nodded in complete agreement.
In the valley. Zhou Yuan’s expression grew increasingly grave. He breathed in deeply as the Genesis Qi in his body began to churn.
In the next instant, the brush tip of the Heavenly Yuan Brush began to dance as Genesis Qi pulsed from it.
Vigorous Genesis Qi poured out of Zhou Yuan’s body, gathering at the tip of the brush.
“Die!” Yelled Qi Hao as a golden spear rapidly expanded in Zhou Yuan’s eyes.
The cumulation of Genesis Qi at the brush tip finally reached its peak. With a jerk of his arm, Zhou Yaun roared in his heart, “Emperor Extreme Seal!”
Buzz!
The brush tip trembled as the gathered Genesis Qi transformed into a dazzling ray of light, light that gave off an extremely tyrannical aura.
This was the Emperor Extreme Seal that Zhou Yuan had learnt. It was also a mid grade Black Genesis Technique and boasted impressive power.
Two attacks containing the full power of two individuals finally collided under the watching eyes of the many onlookers.
Boom!
The moment of collision was akin to a storm devastating the area. The ground below both individuals’ feet was scraped away layer by layer, while the surrounding boulders were disintegrated to dust.
“What a crazy clash. I would never have imagined that a fight between an initial Qi Nourishing stage and advance Qi Nourishing stage would reach such levels.” Numerous onlookers lamented.
Bang!
A shockwave filled with berserk energies exploded at the bottom of the valley, tearing open deep gorges in the ground. Zhou Yuan and Qi Hao practically received the full brunt of the impact and were sent flying as if struck by a powerful blow, before crashing into the sides of the valley.
Blood appeared at the corner of Zhou Yuan’s mouth. He was currently in a rather miserable state with wounds all over his body, but his eyes remained cold as he looked towards his front.
There, Qi Hao’s figure was also embedded into the side of the valley, but he very quickly freed himself. In comparison to Zhou Yuan, the golden glow on Qi Hao’s body had only dimmed substantially. It was clear that the defensive power of Unbreaker Metal had made it such that he was in a far better state than Zhou Yuan.
Qi Hao suppressed the churning Qi and blood in his body before shooting a sinister gaze at Zhou Yuan.
“You’re truly tenacious… to think that even this has not killed you.”
Qi Hao let out an evil laugh before continuing, “But it seems that your injuries are pretty serious, no?”
“Looks like you’ve lost. With Unbreakable Metal, my defensive capabilities far surpass your own. Hence, the one who remains standing at the end will always be me!”
Qi Hao gripped his long spear as he walked towards Zhou Yuan, the killing intent in his eyes growing greater with every step.
Many inwardly shook their heads as they watched. Looks like it was over. Although Zhou Yuan’s performance was perfect, it was obviously not enough against the far stronger Qi Hao.
With his strong defensive ability, Qi Hao was the one who had remained standing in the end.
“What a pity…”
Qi Hao slowly approached Zhou Yuan. The former could feel that the Genesis Qi in the latter’s body had become much weaker. This was the best chance to kill Zhou Yuan.
There was unexpectedly neither panic or fear on Zhou Yuan’s face as he watched Qi Hao slowly walk towards him.
Qi Hao’s icy voice sounded, “I did not expect you to have such an expression before your death. How loathsome.”
“I just feel that you are very pitiful…” There was a faint smile on Zhou Yuan’s lips.
Qi Hao’s pupils suddenly shrank.
“Because you still do not know who has won or lost…” Zhou Yuan’s smile seemed to become somewhat strange.
Qi Hao chillingly said, “Still trying to bluff, die!”
Without any hesitation, the long spear in his hand gleamed with cold light as it mercilessly thrust towards Zhou Yuan’s heart.
However, Zhou Yuan showed no signs of stopping the fatal attack, his face impassive.
Ch!
The sharp spear tip suddenly stopped an inch away from Zhou Yuan’s heart.
Qi Hao’s pupils frantically shrank as terror and shock emerged on his face. He had suddenly lost control of his body.
“You, what did you do?!” Qi Hao was horrified.
Zhou Yuan looked at the wounds on his body as he indifferently said, “Do you really think that I am so stupid. I clearly knew that your defensive abilities had been boosted by Unbreakable Metal, yet why did I still choose to exc
hange blow after blow with you?”
Zhou Yuan gripped the Heavenly Yuan Brush beside him and slowly lifted it, pointing its sharp tip at Qi Hao.
Light suddenly appeared below the Martial and Culture Rune on the mottled body of the brush as an ancient rune slowly became clear…
The second rune of the Heavenly Yuan Brush, Erode.
Chapter 87 Kill
“Erode.”
Zhou Yuan stared at the second rune on the Heavenly Yuan Brush as he mumbled. Soon after, he laughed. “Truly formidable, as expected of the Heavenly Yuan Brush.”
It had been several months since the first rune of the Heavenly Yuan Brush had been awakened. Over this period of time, Zhou Yuan had not stopped feeding it Genesis Beast spirits. Even so, the second rune had only awakened on the fifth day after entering Blackwater.
The awakened rune was called Erode.
Qi Hao’s face was filled with terror as he howled in disbelief, “What have you done to me?!”
Zhou Yuan glanced at him as the Heavenly Yuan Brush in his hand suddenly vibrated. One could only watch as the brush tip made a beckoning motion and Qi Hao’s body began to shake violently. A miserable scream rang out from his mouth as snow-white hairs so thin that they were barely visible began to tunnel out from his pores.
The hairs sparkled as if they had absorbed a large amount of Genesis Qi. Like a flock of birds returning to the nest, the hairs flew towards the tip of the Heavenly Yuan Brush.
As the hairs returned, Zhou Yuan immediately felt the Genesis Qi in the Heavenly Yuan Brush begin to rise rapidly, while the flickering green light at its tip grew even sharper.
Zhou Yuan looked towards Qi Hao. The latter wore an expression of horror as the golden light on his body swiftly receded. Unbreakable Metal had been dispelled.
What terrified him the most however, was that the Genesis Qi in his body seemed to have been eroded and stolen away by something and was rapidly depleting.
Qi Hao regained control of his body, but the fear on his face remained.
Due to having his Genesis Qi depleted, a sour feeling of powerlessness began to spread within his body.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 54
