Devouring Soul Emperor

"Haha, rattling these old bones of mine, are we? Hahaha..."

Zhang Han’s fury turned to laughter. His eyes narrowed, and with a casual wave of his hand, a bright white stream of Primordial Power shot out toward Chu Qingyun.

The external release of Primordial Power—the mark of a Martial Master!

A Samurai in the Martial Artist Realm only has a few meridians and stores very little Primordial Power. They are incapable of releasing it externally, and can only channel it through their weapons or Martial Soul.

But powerful Martial Masters have opened a Qi Sea. Their Primordial Power reserves are many times greater than a Martial Artist’s, enough to allow them to project it directly.

Some of the more formidable Martial Masters can even control their Primordial Power, shaping it into swords and sabers of even greater might.

Releasing Primordial Power externally is a common technique powerful Martial Masters use to overwhelm Martial Artists.

Clearly, Zhang Han was treating Chu Qingyun like an ordinary ninth-level Martial Artist, intending to crush him with a single, casual blow.

"Hmph. Releasing Primordial Power externally? I can do that too!"

Chu Qingyun snorted. He thrust out a palm, and a much thicker stream of Primordial Power shot forth to meet Zhang Han’s attack.

At the same time, he unreservedly unleashed the aura of a first-level Martial Master.

BOOM!

Amidst a deafening roar, the two streams of Primordial Power collided and dissipated, the impact making the battle stage tremble slightly.

Fortunately, they were standing on a Martial Master Level battle stage. Had it been one from the Martial Artist District, that casual exchange alone would have likely torn it to pieces.

"A Martial Master! You little bastard, you actually became a Martial Master!"

Zhang Han was so stunned he even forgot to attack.

He remembered it clearly: just one month ago, Chu Qingyun had only just become a ninth-level Martial Artist.

And now, in the short span of a single month, he had broken through again to become a powerful Martial Master!

Recalling his own arduous journey and the time it took to become a Martial Master, Zhang Han nearly coughed up blood. He felt an urge to bash his head against a wall.

’Comparing yourself to others will be the death of you!’

Meanwhile, Chu Qingyun remained on high alert, not daring to be careless.

The last exchange might have looked like a draw, with neither side gaining an advantage.

But he knew he had used several times more Primordial Power than Zhang Han. The refined Primordial Power of a third-level Martial Master was indeed far superior to that of a first-level one.

But Chu Qingyun wasn’t overly concerned. After all, his Qi Sea was vast and his Primordial Power reserves were massive. He could afford the high consumption.

"Little bastard, so what if you’re a Martial Master? Today, I’ll show you the true power of a third-level Martial Master!"

"Black Tiger Martial Soul, Black Tiger Claw!"

Zhang Han roared. A black tiger’s shadow flashed before him, and an enormous black tiger claw, over ten meters in diameter, lunged for Chu Qingyun amidst vicious gusts of wind.

A third-level Martial Master’s refined Primordial Power made his Soul Techniques exceptionally formidable.

The power of a Soul Technique depends on two factors. First is the technique’s own rank; High Tier Soul Techniques are inherently stronger than Low Tier ones.

However, the Primordial Power used to activate the technique is also a crucial factor, one that becomes even more pronounced at the Martial Master Realm.

The Primordial Power of a high-level Martial Master is more refined than that of a low-level one, allowing their Soul Techniques to unleash even greater power.

It was like the same blade yielding completely different results in the hands of an adult versus a child.

Facing the tiger claw descending from above, Chu Qingyun was not the least bit flustered. He calmly deployed his own Martial Soul.

The Five-Star Vine’s five tendrils could now reach a terrifying length of one hundred meters.

The five hundred-meter-long, dark-green tendrils twisted and intertwined, forming a massive green fist that shot toward the black tiger claw.

BANG!

A tremendous crash echoed.

The giant fist of vines was torn to shreds, while the Black Tiger Claw, having lost its momentum, promptly shattered.

Amidst the chaos, Zhang Han suddenly charged out. He raised a fist and threw a vicious punch at Chu Qingyun.

"Die, you little bastard!"

His fist pulsed with a massive amount of refined Primordial Power, emitting a heart-stopping aura that made the legs of nearby Martial Artists turn to jelly, barely able to remain standing.

It was clear now: the ferocious-looking Black Tiger Claw Soul Technique had been merely a feint.

The true killing blow was this very punch.

A single hit from a punch like that would leave Chu Qingyun gravely injured and near death, completely at Zhang Han’s mercy.

"Nice try, you old bastard. Now, you can take a blow from me."

"Profound Celestial Divine Pattern!"

"Wind-Scattering Clouds!"

Chu Qingyun let out a low cry. Dark golden Divine Patterns suddenly flared to life on his body. His longsword left its sheath as a tide of Primordial Power surged forth. A sharp Sword Aura plowed a deep trench across the battle stage.

Wind-Scattering Clouds—relentless and unstoppable!

Zhang Han’s pupils contracted. His previously overwhelming arrogance faltered.

He could feel an immense momentum from the Sword Aura—an indomitable, all-conquering momentum that promised victory!

This was the most powerful strike of the Gale Seven Swords, enhanced by the flawless Profound Celestial Divine Pattern. Even a third-level Martial Master wouldn’t dare underestimate it!

’Damn it! How does this little bastard have such a powerful Sword Technique?!’

Zhang Han gritted his teeth and channeled even more Primordial Power into his fist, causing it to glow with a blinding light.

His Primordial Power clashed with the Sword Aura. Staring at the blade of light right before him, Zhang Han felt immense pressure. He clenched his jaw, drawing wave after wave of Primordial Power from his Qi Sea to reinforce his fist against the attack.

Zhang Han felt a surge of helplessness. What appeared to be a single Sword Aura actually contained the combined Sword Momentum of more than twenty strikes. Its power was astonishing.

Zhang Han knew Sword, Saber, and even Fist Techniques, but his natural aptitude was simply average. He had never been able to grasp the illusory concept of ’Momentum’.

As a result, his fighting style had always relied on overwhelming opponents with absolute strength—crushing them with his Primordial Power and Martial Soul.

It was a crude method, one looked down upon by true experts.

The Sword Aura was powerful, but it couldn’t last forever.

Under the relentless assault of Zhang Han’s Primordial Power, it finally shattered with a deafening roar.

The pressure on Zhang Han vanished, and he instinctively breathed a sigh of relief.

But just then, a fist glowing with dark golden light tore through the dissipating remnants of the Sword Aura and Primordial Power, appearing right before his face.

The remnants of the Sword Aura and Primordial Power easily shredded Chu Qingyun’s sleeve.

But as they struck his arm, which glowed with dark golden Divine Patterns, they produced a series of metallic clangs, completely unable to harm him in the slightest!

"Die!"

The heavy fist descended. Empowered by the Profound Celestial Divine Pattern, its strength was pushed to the absolute limit. Even as a third-level Martial Master, Zhang Han was instantly slammed into the ground. The impact was so forceful it sent ripples across the muscles of his face.

Seeing the cracked battle stage, everyone drew in a sharp breath. Some even subconsciously touched their own faces.

It was a miserable sight. A dignified Elder, a third-level Martial Master, had been slammed to the ground with a single punch.

Zhang Han was completely dazed, lying on the ground, unable to process what had just happened.

A cold light filled Chu Qingyun’s eyes. The Five-Star Vine materialized, and a dark-green tendril shot out, piercing through Zhang Han’s lower abdomen with a sickening squelch, shattering his Qi Sea.

Zhang Han shrieked in agony and violently spat out a mouthful of blood. His body went limp, like a deflated ball.

With his Qi Sea destroyed, Zhang Han was now crippled.