Chapter 1784: A Long Journey (Part Four)

That thin ray of cold light was the razor-sharp edge of the axe. In that moment, the massive axe blade had been reduced to something as thin as a razor, accurately striking the tip of the whip.

“Clang!”

The moment the two collided, countless sparks erupted from the point of impact. Mu Sha, who was pressing down from the air, felt his body pause for an instant. However, his attack was as fluid as flowing water; he used the momentum to flick his wrist. Amidst the sparks, the body of the whip rippled like a wave, instantly neutralizing the massive force of the strike. The blade that had been struck head-on glided across the surface of the axe like the head of an incredibly agile serpent.

“Skree!”

The blade at the tip of the long whip instantly carved a streak of golden light across the axe face. Then, with a lightning-fast twist, it struck toward the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon’s throat at a staggering speed.

‘This man’s strength is indeed immense!’

Seeing that his opponent had managed to instantaneously change the direction of his force and react so quickly after his heavy axe had accurately struck the magical treasure, the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon was astonished. When Mu Sha had been struck by his axe, he had immediately employed the technique of making a heavy object light, turning his attack from a heavy pressure into an agile strike in an instant. His own heavy blow hadn’t even managed to knock the opponent’s treasure away. Then, without a moment’s pause, Mu Sha had seamlessly switched back to making a light object heavy, and with a ghostly change of direction, the blade was at his vitals.

This reminded the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon of the information he had gathered on the man. ‘Mu Sha, mid-rank Demonic General, physical body exceeds normal realm, excels in speed and agility… based on past combat records, true strength should have reached the peak of a mid-rank Demonic General…’

However, despite such information, which Demonic General didn’t have a powerful physical body? Besides their innate constitutions, which of them didn’t cultivate the clan’s body-refining techniques? Furthermore, the techniques of the upper realm were far more profound and extensive than those of the lower realm. The man had only been here for a few years; even if he had switched to an upper-realm technique, it would take a long time to temper. His own physical body could also contend with late-rank Demonic Generals.

Although his thoughts were racing, it didn’t affect his attack. His body instantly took a diagonal step to the side. With a circling step, he arrived behind Mu Sha in an instant. Despite his massive frame, he was incredibly agile, giving off a feeling that he couldn’t be pinned down.

“Whoosh!”

Mu Sha’s whip let out a piercing whistle as it tore through the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon’s afterimage. The strike hit nothing! Simultaneously, Mu Sha’s falling body landed in front of the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon, with the massive axe still behind his head. The two had almost simultaneously shifted their positions, resulting in a crossover.

As the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon took the diagonal step, he yanked the massive axe downward.

“Rip!”

The shaft of the axe seemed to be lubricated with oil, instantly sliding through his palm. The sharp end of the handle, pointed like a spear tip, viciously stabbed toward the center of Mu Sha’s back. At the same time, the Demon’s palm tightened, gripping the middle of the axe head and handle. Both were experts in close-quarters combat, and in the blink of an eye, their attacks had changed multiple times, creating a blur of spectral images on the arena floor below.

Mu Sha’s whip strike had already spent its force, and it was too late to pull it back to entangle the opponent. At the moment the handle stabbed toward his back, his falling body suddenly curled into a ball. At the same time, his wrist trembled violently, and the long whip in his hand, just like the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon’s axe, slid rapidly backward through his grip. Like a slippery eel, the whip’s handle shot backward from his palm.

“Boom!”

A massive explosion erupted between the two. Just as Mu Sha’s curled body began to fly forward, the sharp handle of the axe collided with the sliding handle of the whip.

A gleam of light flashed in the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Mu Sha to learn so quickly, using the very move he had just seen to parry his lightning-fast counterattack. He had put seventy percent of his strength into that strike, yet the opponent had blocked it again.

Amidst the explosion, the demonic power within the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon surged. In the air, Mu Sha’s body also erupted with light, refusing to give an inch. This collision resulted in a brief stalemate, creating a static image in the air. The Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon’s massive frame stood firm, and in front of him, Mu Sha’s curled body was turned away from him. Hanging in the air, Mu Sha gripped the long body of the whip, which had become as straight and rigid as a rod under the infusion of power, with the handle pressed firmly against the axe’s handle.

“Kill!”

“Get him!”

“Awoo!”

Such a sudden transition from extremely fast attacks to a perfectly still image caused the crowd in the stands to reach a fever pitch. Though they knew killing was forbidden, they all screamed “Kill! Kill! Kill!” their voices reaching the heavens!

The image of their evenly matched strength did not last long.

“Thump, thump, thump…”

In just half a breath, the collision of their powers sounded like the rhythmic thumping of war drums, each strike louder than the last.

“Rumble!”

Another thunderous boom drowned out all previous collisions, and an even more blinding light erupted between the two. Mu Sha’s cultivation was ultimately lower, and his power failed to keep up during the direct confrontation. As the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon unleashed another wave of violent power, Mu Sha, who was braced in the air, could no longer resist and was blown forward.

Seeing his strike succeed, a savage light flickered in the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon’s eyes. This was the moment when the opponent’s power was flagging, the perfect opportunity to deliver a heavy blow. Just as Mu Sha’s body was blown forward, the Demon’s reaction was faster than thought, and he surged forward.

But as he lifted his knee and stepped, pushing off the air with his back foot, Mu Sha—who had been curled up—suddenly straightened his body. His feet, which had been tucked in, suddenly kicked backward in unison. This movement did not look like a desperate counterattack made while being blown back; instead, it was incredibly agile, as swift as a rabbit kicking a hawk.

“Whoosh!”

A black arc of light trailed from Mu Sha’s feet. This change was so fast and fluid that it caught everyone by surprise. The Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon, who was leaning forward to give chase, felt his pupils contract to the size of pinpricks. He knew he had been tricked. The opponent hadn’t been blown back at all—it was a trap. But it was too late to dodge; it was as if he were throwing himself into the attack.

“Break!”

He roared to the heavens, his power surging like a tide toward his chest. The rapid circulation of his power sounded like the trampling of ten thousand horses, letting out a thunderous rumble. He intended to shatter the opponent’s legs.

“Thud!”

Mu Sha’s feet kicked squarely into the opponent’s chest. The impact sounded as one. A burst of flames erupted from the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon’s chest. It was only then that his roar actually left his mouth. The flames from the collision completely swallowed his upper body. No one saw the silver flash that vanished into the light as Mu Sha exerted his power.

The Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon’s voice shook the heavens. He stood motionless amidst the flames, like an eternal mountain standing between heaven and earth. Mu Sha, having fully extended his body and kicked his opponent, shot forward like an arrow. It was as if someone running at full speed had kicked a mountain and been flung back by the recoil.

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

“Might! Might! Might!”

The cheers from the stands rose even higher. The two below were fighting with the kind of explosive power that demonic cultivators loved, making their blood boil. In just a short time, they were already screaming until they were hoarse, waving their arms and twisting their bodies.

The Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon was truly domineering, completely ignoring the opponent’s attack. It was as if a mountain had been struck by a monkey—it remained unmoved! But in the next moment, the waves of sound from the stands rapidly died down.

After being flung back, Mu Sha performed a spiral in the air and then stood straight, facing the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon like a blood-stained spear. The long whip in his hand had vanished, and his arms were folded across his chest as he looked coldly at the man before him.

The Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon still hadn’t moved. He didn’t pursue or deliver the final blow as the crowd had expected. His expression was very strange. He stared straight ahead at the hovering Mu Sha. His eyes were vacant and filled with disbelief, and a strange “cluck, cluck…” sound came from his throat, as if he wanted to speak but something was blocking his airway.

His body felt indescribably uncomfortable. Although he had his power and armor for defense, that rigid, matchless force had penetrated straight through, leaving his internals in shambles and his aura in a state of chaos. His meridians were aching and swollen, and he couldn’t muster even a fraction of his strength.

“Clang!”

A massive sound rang out. In the silence of the arena, the Mountain-Splitting Flame Demon could no longer hold his massive axe, and it was the first to fall. It struck the hard stone floor, sending sparks flying. Then, the Demon’s massive body swayed several times before also crashing down!

“Mu! Mu! Mu!”

The stands erupted with wild cries of his name. Mu Sha, however, looked past where the massive body had stood and toward the distant sky.

‘Father, I will eventually no longer need your protection. I will rise among the Demon Clan of the upper realm!’