BOOM—

Suddenly, a violent explosion resounded. Fragments of Space Stones scattered in all directions like a shower of diamonds, peppering the surrounding corridor walls until they were riddled with holes, as if struck by bullets.

The corridor's layout severely restricted the Star Martial Warriors' combat abilities. Since their opponents had the home-field advantage, Wu Shaohua had no choice but to unleash his full power, hoping to secure a chance for his team to reach more advantageous terrain.

Following Wu Shaohua's lead, the four of them sprinted furiously and vanished into the corridor in an instant.

"Think you can run?" a cold voice rose from amidst the diamond rain. Countless shooting fragments, as if restrained by an invisible force, halted mid-air before him before clattering to the ground.

Their figures, swift as lightning, quickly reached a vast cavern. They leaped from the corridor's exit. Above them, the massive Space Stone mine shimmered with resplendent light, like a crystal ceiling.

The four landed, maintaining their Four Symbols formation, vigilantly sensing every slight movement around them. Towering, gigantic statues with grotesque and eerie appearances stood around the cavern, exuding an atmosphere of mysterious oppression.

"This must be one of the Demon Clan's Temples..." Yu Ruoyun said gravely. "They might genuinely be searching for the Time-Space Gemstone."

"Princess Yu actually knows about the Time-Space Gemstone..." a voice suddenly interjected. From behind a statue, a long-haired man with a gloomy, cold expression slowly emerged. He had a katana strapped to his back and wore black warrior armor.

Recognizing the man, Wu Shaohua's expression turned thoughtful, then abruptly changed. "Black Crow Sang Guo?"

"Oh? I didn't expect anyone to still remember me." Sang Guo smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the wary Wu Shaohua. "Since you know who I am, you should understand that your resistance is futile. Commit suicide."

Damn! Wang Lan stared in surprise at Sang Guo, who stood with his arms crossed. He's looking at an idiot. How can someone his age still say such moronic things?

"Black Crow Sang Guo... A Titled Strongman from the Jade Country twenty years ago. He became a global S-rank fugitive after a failed assassination attempt on the Prime Minister. The most outstanding successor of the Royal Sword Stream Ninjutsu, he once escaped unscathed from the pursuit of seven senior agents of the World Security Council," Wu Shaohua calmly recited Sang Guo's profile.

"Mr. Wu, that wasn't much useful information, but you certainly made him sound impressive. Are you trying to help him build up his ego?" Wang Lan muttered, dumbfounded.

"What do you know? He's a Titled Strongman at the pinnacle of his power! He's killed almost everyone who knew anything about him... I'm telling you, don't take him lightly. This could be fatal!"

"You brat... are quite irritating!" Sang Guo chuckled, a cold, half-joking smile on his face as he slowly drew his katana.

Instantly, an intense killing intent washed over them.

"Then let's start with you, kid. Are you prepared to embrace death?" As his words faded, Sang Guo's form flickered out like a candle flame. When he reappeared, he was already beside Wang Lan.

A streak of light flashed, slashing towards the nape of Wang Lan's neck.

CRASH—

Suddenly, Wang Lan's body dispersed into ten scattering Nether Butterflies. The sword light swept through them.

"Hmm?" Sang Guo let out a soft sound of surprise. His swordsmanship, honed to the peak of the Sword Dao, should have cleaved all ten butterflies in two with a single strike. Yet, after the blade's light swept past, the butterflies remained unharmed, still fluttering their wings. Not only were they not struck down, but they even began to dance gracefully around him.

"An interesting Star Martial Skill."

SHICK—

Suddenly, a cold glint flashed like lightning. Sang Guo instantly brought his katana up horizontally to block.

CLANG—

Wang Lan had mysteriously appeared at Sang Guo's flank, his Zanpakuto already unsheathed, slashing towards Sang Guo's waist.

"The interesting part is just beginning."

With his Gold Level Basic Swordsmanship and Basic Sword Skill, who had Wang Lan ever feared in a close-quarters blade fight?

"Good katana, good sword skill!" Sang Guo's eyes lit up, a hint of appreciation in his gaze as he looked at Wang Lan.

SHICK—

Both moved simultaneously. In an instant, the light of clashing blades flared between them.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!—

Suddenly, three columns of red smoke erupted from the cavern floor, threatening to engulf Yu Ruoyun and her two companions. The attack was so sudden it was nearly impossible to react.

At the critical moment, Yu Ruoyun reacted fastest. Using her Wind Dance Whip, she swept up Wu Shaohua and Princess Aier, then launched a counterattack with her Rice Planting Skill against one of the Paradise Bird experts.

Countless wooden stakes rained down from above, embedding themselves in the ground like arrows. Upon piercing the soil, the stakes instantly sprouted roots. In the blink of an eye, a dense network of roots and tendrils spread hundreds of meters beneath the surface.

The three landed on the massive wooden stakes, warily surveying their surroundings.

"Mr. Wu, Princess Aier, I've nullified all Earth Attribute Star Martial Skills. Neither side can use them now."

"Well done!" Wu Shaohua praised immediately.

"Truly worthy of being the pride of the Jade Country, Princess. You shouldn't be underestimated... I almost feel reluctant to kill you." As the voice spoke, three Star Martial Warriors in red cloaks slowly descended from above.

Meanwhile, Wang Lan and Sang Guo were exchanging blows rapidly. Wang Lan had always believed that his Gold Level Basic Swordsmanship and Basic Sword Skill put him ahead of most Star Sea Stage experts.

But Wang Lan still underestimated the world's masters.

At least this fellow before him was more adept at swordsmanship. They both wielded katanas, but their sword skills were vastly different. Wang Lan had no flashy moves, only cultivating his sword skill to the state of Return to the Original. However, his opponent, in addition to solid fundamentals, employed an endless array of bizarre techniques that left Wang Lan somewhat flustered.

"Twin Dragon Flash—"

Suddenly, Sang Guo split into two identical figures. Each attacked one of Wang Lan's vital points with a different move.

CLANG! CLANG!—

Instantly, Wang Lan reversed his grip on his katana, blocking both fatal strikes. He hastily retreated, creating a safe distance. That move definitely wasn't a Star Martial Skill; it was pure sword skill.

Pure sword skill can create the effect of afterimages? Were all the sword skills I practiced before fake?

No! When did I ever actually practice? Wasn't it all just about allocating points?

"Strange. You haven't learned sword skills from any school, yet you possess such exquisite and flawless Basic Swordsmanship. How did you achieve that, kid?" Sang Guo asked in a low voice, executing a graceful flourish with his katana.

The fighting in the distance receded as the Paradise Bird experts led Yu Ruoyun and the others further away. Damn it, if something happens to them, I won't have time to help!

"Daring to be distracted while fighting me? You're courting death!" Sang Guo was furious. "I showed you the respect due to a warrior, and you dare to let your attention wander when facing me?"

In a flash, his figure vanished again, this time reappearing as six copies looming above Wang Lan, all slashing downwards.

"Holy Shield—"

Wang Lan snapped back to his senses, urgently deploying the Holy Shield. He raised one hand, and a circular, moon-like disc of light appeared above his head, deflecting all six attacks.

Sang Guo was thrown back, flipping in mid-air before landing steadily on the ground.

"You actually used a Star Martial Skill? How unbefitting of a warrior!"

That's right, I'm a damn Star Martial Warrior! Wang Lan had almost forgotten, under Sang Guo's influence, that his greatest trump card wasn't his Gold Level close-combat strength.

A subconscious part of Wang Lan had always told him: With your full set of Gold Level Basic Skills, you're not weaker than anyone in fundamental close combat.

It was because of this mindset that when facing Sang Guo, who had also reached the pinnacle of close-combat sword skill, Wang Lan had subconsciously wanted to compete with him in swordsmanship. Coupled with Sang Guo's relentless, fast-paced attacks, Wang Lan hadn't had a chance to shift his thinking, leading to several minutes of intense, face-to-face clashing.

But is my true strength really in swordsmanship? I'm the one who wields a Zanpakuto, after all!

At this thought, a sly smile touched Wang Lan's lips. "Release, Sword of Light!"

Instantly, the blade of his Zanpakuto shattered, dissolving into a sky full of Starlight. As the Starlight coalesced, it reformed into the Sword of Light. With the Holy Shield of Light in his left hand and the Sword of Light in his right...

This setup... why does it feel like the Sword of Light and the Holy Shield are a matched pair of Star Martial Skills?

Wang Lan wasn't the only one who thought so; Black Crow Sang Guo, his opponent, had the exact same impression.

"A Holy Sword?"

With the Sword of Light's initial release complete, a single swing sent a blade of light hurtling across space and time, instantly appearing before Sang Guo. Yet, Sang Guo neither dodged nor evaded. He simply lifted a hand, and the light blade shattered.

"A Star Martial Sword Skill? I know a few of those myself!"

Instantly, Sang Guo raised his hand. His katana blurred, and an intangible Sword Qi shot across space and time, reaching Wang Lan in a heartbeat. Though Wang Lan couldn't see it, he could feel the imminent danger.

With no time for thought, Wang Lan hastily brought the Holy Shield up to defend himself.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!—

Powerful impacts slammed into the Holy Shield. The terrifying force sent Wang Lan flying backward, and the Holy Shield rapidly began Melting and shattering under the assault of the invisible Sword Qi.

Wang Lan tumbled through the air for ten meters before finally crashing to the ground.

Only then did Wang Lan become acutely aware of the vast gulf in power between himself and Sang Guo.

When they had clashed for five minutes earlier, Wang Lan, though pressured, could still manage a few counterattacks. He had mistakenly believed that this was the extent of a Titled Strongman's power.

He had thought that by using the Holy Shield and Sword of Light, he could turn the tables. So, Sang Guo had just been toying with me all along?

The Holy Shield, supposedly renowned as the strongest defense, had shattered under a single attack from Sang Guo. Although Wang Lan had never truly believed any claims of an "absolute strongest defense," he had still acknowledged the Holy Shield's formidable defensive capabilities.

It could even block an S-rank single-target Star Martial Skill. But now... it seems I was far too arrogant.

"Is that all you've got? It's been a long time since I met anyone interesting. I thought we could have a fair duel, warrior to warrior. Unfortunately, I misjudged you. You're no warrior at all. If this is the extent of your strength... then I'll just have to send you on your way."

Wang Lan scrambled to his feet, bowing slightly as he watched Sang Guo warily. His Sword Qi is formless, faster than my Sword of Light, better concealed, and more powerful. To beat him with the Sword of Light, I'd have to use Swastika... But that's still a distant prospect.

Suddenly, Star Power surged through Wang Lan's body, and the gate to his Star Palace swung open.

When Sang Guo saw the Star Palace gate open, he abruptly halted his intended attack.

"Galaxy Stage? You're still only at the Galaxy Stage?" Sang Guo's expression became exceedingly unnatural.

A mere Galaxy Stage cultivator held out against me—someone who considers himself a top-tier Titled Strongman—for so long? Are all Galaxy Stage practitioners on some kind of super-drug these days?

From within the Star Palace, a phoenix suddenly burst forth. It disintegrated in mid-air, instantly reforming as the Saint Cloth that enveloped Wang Lan's body.

"Phoenix Form, activate—"

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