Step by Step Ascend to Immortality

Chapter 38: Chapter 39 Strong Legs

Ma Qianjun, who had weathered two decades of turmoil and countless battles, had rarely faced an opponent as tenacious and unyielding as Du Yunlong. As he adjusted his disheveled breathing, a cold sneer crept across his face. "Miss Gu, aren't you aware that she's just undergone a lightning tribulation?"

Although Ma Qianjun had gone to great lengths to join the ranks of the cultivation families, he knew little about the cultivation world. The term "lightning tribulation" was something he had only heard from Wang Zihan.

This remark, rather than disheartening Du Yunlong, ignited his fighting spirit. "Ma Qianjun, that's even more reason for me to keep going! As long as I'm alive, Miss Gu still has hope!"

He reaffirmed his vow, "I will use everything I have to ensure Miss Gu's safety!"

"Very well!" Ma Qianjun's anger flared. "Let this old man show you what the Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand is all about!"

Unbeknownst to him, during this brief moment of confrontation, Du Yunlong was undergoing a dramatic transformation.

Previously, Du Yunlong had been pummeled by Ma Qianjun's relentless attacks, leaving him battered and barely able to stand. His vitality was waning, his face ashen. Yet, with this fleeting respite, the warmth on his forehead quickly surged into a torrent of life-giving energy.

This energy rapidly flowed through every meridian, bone, and pore in his body. What began as a gentle warmth soon felt like the embrace of spring sunshine. It was as if Wang Zihan's warmth and comfort were enveloping him, revitalizing him from within. In a flash, he felt rejuvenated, as if he had been restored to full strength despite the toll taken by Ma Qianjun's assault.

After the warm surge came an intense, searing pain, but it was soon followed by that familiar, comforting warmth. Du Yunlong felt as though he had walked through countless rounds of life and death, yet his internal injuries were healing at an astonishing rate.

Moreover, the rapid recovery was aided by the Extreme Yuan Radiance Thunder Refinement Divine Record, a cultivation technique that now operated at a speed many times faster than usual. The accumulated essence from the previous battles ignited in a surge of energy.

Especially significant was the revitalization of the essence blood condensed from the Xuan Shui Jun Spirit Blood, which transformed into vibrant vitality. Though still not at his peak, Du Yunlong had recovered at least fifty to sixty percent of his strength during Ma Qianjun's brief pause.

Du Yunlong knew this was thanks to Wang Zihan's earlier intervention. Though he didn't fully understand the nature of her mysterious power, the fact that she had attracted a lightning tribulation indicated its extraordinary nature. Determined to return to her side as soon as possible, Du Yunlong readied himself to face Ma Qianjun once more.

Although Wang Zihan had assured him that the minor lightning tribulation was not a serious issue, Du Yunlong had never been more concerned for her well-being than he was now.

The Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand!

Ma Qianjun attacked again, his approach now more enigmatic than before. Compared to his initial ferocity, his attacks were now more subtle and devious, and Du Yunlong could even detect traces of the Xuan Shui Jun's influence on him.

"Boom!"

Du Yunlong struck with all his might, intercepting Ma Qianjun's Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand. However, he grimaced, feeling as though he had hit a wall of cotton—his strike seemed ineffective. Ma Qianjun sneered, his Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand shifting and slithering like a serpent, slipping past Du Yunlong's block and aiming for his midsection.

Ma Qianjun had been confident in his Thunderous Might, believing that direct punches would be sufficient to crush Du Yunlong. However, Du Yunlong's resilience exceeded his expectations, forcing him to deploy his final, powerful technique.

The Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand, with its incredible speed and fierce wind, tore through the air, causing Du Yunlong to stagger. Ma Qianjun was smug; if this punch landed, Du Yunlong would surely be defeated.

But just as Ma Qianjun relished his anticipated victory, a resounding "Boom!" echoed. Du Yunlong's left leg shot out with unexpected force, colliding with the Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand and shattering its impact. Both combatants were forced back, each taking a few steps.

"Impudent brat! Die!" Ma Qianjun hissed, his movements becoming increasingly elusive. The Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand, now shifting unpredictably, aimed for Du Yunlong's vital points.

Despite the Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand's versatility, the sheer force behind each strike was real. Even the wind from each punch could unbalance an ordinary person. A single genuine hit would spell disaster for Du Yunlong.

Yet, Du Yunlong's counterattacks grew faster and more relentless. His fists and feet struck with increasing speed, his excitement and determination soaring. No matter how intricate Ma Qianjun's attacks became, Du Yunlong's swift strikes pierced through them.

Du Yunlong had identified the Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand's greatest flaw: Ma Qianjun lacked speed. Despite its myriad transformations and the hidden power in each strike, Ma Qianjun's speed did not match his prowess.

While Ma Qianjun could deliver one punch, Du Yunlong could unleash two or even three in return. Despite Ma Qianjun's devious techniques, Du Yunlong's superior speed overwhelmed him.

If Ma Qianjun's attacks were truly Thunderous Might, Du Yunlong would not have dared to face them head-on. The overwhelming power would have crushed all his defenses. But this was merely a diminished version of that force. Though Du Yunlong was battered and in pain, his condition improved, his enthusiasm grew, and his fighting spirit remained unyielding, occasionally letting out triumphant roars.

Despite the relentless onslaught of the Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand, Du Yunlong barely had time to use his specialized techniques. However, the Extreme Yuan Radiance Thunder Refinement Divine Record was working tirelessly within him, circulating through countless cycles. The essence he had previously refined, with Wang Zihan's mysterious assistance, had transformed into a powerful stream of energy, continuously mending his wounds and fueling his strength.

Ma Qianjun grew increasingly alarmed as the battle progressed. He couldn't understand why Du Yunlong, who should have been overwhelmed by his Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand, seemed like an invincible monster, constantly surpassing his limits.

Du Yunlong's movements not only remained undiminished despite the repeated clashes but actually grew faster and more forceful. Although Ma Qianjun's Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand was full of clever techniques, it was ultimately just a hand technique, and Du Yunlong's own strikes and kicks were gaining the upper hand.

"Boom!"

Once again, Ma Qianjun's serpent-like hand collided with Du Yunlong's intercepting punch, resulting in a deep, resounding explosion. Both combatants were forced to retreat. Before Ma Qianjun could regain his footing, his Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand struck out once more, aiming directly at Du Yunlong's chest.

Without hesitation, Du Yunlong countered with a powerful punch towards Ma Qianjun's snake-like hand. Yet, the moment their attacks connected, he felt an overwhelming lack of force, as if hitting a wall of cotton. Ma Qianjun's hand, unfathomably agile, coiled and slipped towards Du Yunlong's temple.

Du Yunlong remained composed, his left leg kicking out in a counterattack. Despite the speed of Ma Qianjun's Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand, it still met Du Yunlong's kick. However, this kick, which normally forced Ma Qianjun into a mutually damaging clash, seemed to strike nothing but air.

"Hmm?"

Du Yunlong was taken aback. Based on his past experience, Ma Qianjun's Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand should only have one opportunity for a counterattack. How could his powerful kick have missed so completely?

Ma Qianjun's eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction and smugness. As his Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand twisted around Du Yunlong's fierce kick, he maneuvered it to strike at Du Yunlong's neck. Fortunately, Du Yunlong reacted swiftly, intercepting the attack with another punch.

"Boom!"

This time, the clash of their full powers forced Ma Qianjun and Du Yunlong into a forceful engagement. Du Yunlong felt a brief sense of relief; though he didn't know how Ma Qianjun had managed another counterattack, he hoped this would finally force Ma Qianjun to retreat.

However, his smile was short-lived. He realized that while Ma Qianjun's Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand seemed weaker this time, he stood his ground, pushing Ma Qianjun back. But Ma Qianjun was likely hiding a deadly move.

As Du Yunlong misjudged the force, he nearly lost his balance, swaying slightly. Ma Qianjun, propelled backward by the impact, was just beginning to retreat when he unleashed a thunderous kick with immense force aimed directly at Du Yunlong's lower body.

Ma Qianjun's ruthlessness was evident. Since he began using the Celestial Serpent's Mystical Hand, he had only used his hands in over two hundred exchanges with Du Yunlong. He had never shown any leg techniques until this moment, revealing his final, lethal move.

The kick came with the speed of lightning and the force of a massive axe, leaving Du Yunlong no chance to evade it.

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