Chapter 239: Chapter 198 No One Can Live for 1000 Years!!! [4500-word Chapter!]_3
Zhang Jian possessed such power that, eight hundred years ago, he would have ranked among the most powerful under heaven.
Six hundred years ago, his strength was such that he could have been among the top three in the world.
In Wang Yan’s view, such a master must surely be a dominant figure of unparalleled might in the present era.
"’Night Shura’ Zhang Jian."
"He is the founding grandmaster of the Golden Blade Shura Sect, which occupies four counties in Yuezhou. In terms of strength, he should rank among the top twenty across the Seven States of Central Earth."
Wang Tuan responded.
"Only among the top twenty?!"
Wang Yan was startled and turned to look at Chen Jichuan. Seeing no sign of disbelief on her Junior Master’s face, she suppressed her astonishment and instead began to inquire about the changes in the Central Earth’s Seven States over the past six centuries, asking about the cultivation and power of various masters.
As Wang Tuan recounted the stories, she grew increasingly shocked, until, in the end, she became numb.
...
"Indeed, a world of strife is extraordinary."
Chen Jichuan was intimately familiar with the changes across the Seven States and had no need to listen.
He was focused on watching Li Qingshan’s battle against Zhang Jian, noticing that in the past, apart from the rare Void Nether Divine Beasts, there were few opponents who could rival the "Five Elements Spear." Yet in this clash with Zhang Jian, Li had to rely on his formidable weapon to avoid being disadvantaged—a realization that caused Chen to reflect deeply.
Times shape heroes.
Chaos births masters.
Eight hundred years ago, when Chen Jichuan and Li Qingshan led the Taixu Sword Sect to conquer the Seven States, Void Nether experts were few and far between. Back then, Li Qingshan’s true battles were only against Wei Hong of the Golden Wild Goose Sect, famed for his "One Strike City," and the Void Nether Divine Beast, Purple Rain Demon Dragon.
Apart from them, his sparring partners included only Chen Jichuan, the Great Sun Golden Peng Bird, and Wang Yan.
He had little experience battling opponents of the same rank.
In contrast, Zhang Jian grew up amidst the turmoil of this era, having faced and fought tens of Void Nether experts along his journey. Through relentless combat and martial clashes, despite being of the same Void Nether Third Layer, his battle experience and techniques far exceeded those of Li Qingshan.
The former belonged to the ancients.
The latter is of the present.
The present has already surpassed the past!
Li Qingshan relied on the Reincarnation Spear to barely hold his ground against Zhang Jian’s offensive, yet as time dragged on, he began to show signs of defeat.
"Zhang Jian’s saber technique is treacherous. Those who face him feel as though they’ve fallen into eternal night—it becomes harder and harder to escape as the battle progresses."
"Master Chen. Master Wang Shan."
"We disciples are well-rested. Why not let me take the place of Grandmaster Qingshan on the battlefield?"
Wang Tuan, who had been explaining the Central Earth’s dynamics to Wang Yan, was also monitoring the fight in the arena.
Seeing that Li Qingshan was showing signs of defeat, he couldn’t help but speak up to make his proposal.
"No need."
"Wait a little longer."
Chen Jichuan, whose prowess inspired great confidence, remained unruffled, convinced he could control the situation.
In the Great Hui World, he had once fought alone against dozens of Life Cultivation experts, each of the Fourth Layer of Seeing God and comparable to the Void Nether Fourth Layer, without faltering. Now, with fewer than a handful of Void Nether experts on the field, and none of them at the Void Nether Fourth Layer, there was no need to worry about Li Qingshan’s safety.
"But—"
Wang Tuan felt some concern at Chen’s words.
But recalling how Wang Shan had just saved him from mortal peril by controlling his sword from afar, he found a renewed sense of confidence.
...
The battle continued over the Beiyin River.
Li Qingshan grew fiercer as the fight went on, yet he, like Wang Tuan moments earlier, gradually fell into Zhang Jian’s rhythm.
As the darkest moment before dawn arrived—
Swish!
Zhang Jian finally launched his killing move. He turned away as if withdrawing his saber, but then abruptly snapped back, like a cavalryman delivering a sudden lance thrust. His long saber melded into the night and came slashing down toward Li Qingshan’s head.
This strike was not only ferocious; its unexpectedness made it exceptionally difficult to defend against—not just for the target but for any expert observing the fight from the outside.
"Not good!"
"What a treacherous scoundrel!"
Wang Tuan and Sun Zhenshan discerned the danger in Zhang Jian’s strike. Their hearts instinctively leaped, and they reflexively prepared to charge forward to aid Li Qingshan.
But, a streak of swordlight was faster.
Whoosh!
Without anyone glimpsing the initiating hand, they only saw the swordlight trail a dazzling golden radiance as it flickered out of nowhere, striking Zhang Jian’s saber—sending the weapon flying and hurling Zhang Jian into the river.
Swoosh!
The swordlight shimmered before returning to its origin.
...