Protagonist's Aura

Without hesitation, Jiang Chen spun around, Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, he unleashed a surge of golden flame from his palms, creating a blazing barrier between himself and the incoming attack.

The collision was deafening—a thunderous roar accompanied by a blinding flash of light as fire met ice.

The force of the impact sent Jiang Chen skidding backward several dozen meters, leaving scorched trenches in the earth where his boots dug into the ground. His arms trembled from the strain, but he managed to hold firm, his flames having partially melted the ice palm before it could crush him entirely.

From above, Wu Shu floated down gracefully, his blue hair whipping wildly in the icy winds that surrounded him. A cold smirk played on his lips as he surveyed the damage caused by his opening attack.

"So, you survived," Wu Shu remarked with amusement although his voice laced with disdain. "Impressive... for someone at your level."

 ***

Standing atop the small, hidden mountain peak, Xiao Ning removed the black mask from his face.

"To think that Wu Shu would act so quickly, without even a second glance at Mie Lin," he mused.

Xiao Ning had deliberately instructed Mie Lin to exhibit weakness against Jiang Chen, hoping that Wu Shu's impatience would drive him to take action himself.

"Huh, perhaps I've overestimated that person," he said, a smirk forming on his lips as he observed the scene beyond the concealment formations.

"It's always better to overestimate the enemy than to underestimate them."

He had learned from mistakes in his past life: when dealing with anyone, he must set his expectations high—never underestimate anyone.

[CODEX ALERT]

[PROTAGONIST'S AURA HAS BEEN DETECTED ]

[CODEX SUGGESTION]

[TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY, KILL THE PROTAGONIST]

Xiao Ning's eyes glinted with a dangerous light upon seeing the codex alert, though his face betrayed no surprise.

"Your response is quite slow," he commented, shaking his head. With the extensive knowledge he had gathered about Jiang Chen's life, he had stumbled upon something significant.

It was strikingly similar!

Jiang Chen's experiences echoed those of Meng Qingxuan from back in the day.

Though he couldn't perceive the so-called 'Protagonist Aura,' he could sense the momentum and the forces of fate and fortune surrounding this individual.

Both men possessed great fortune and momentum!

Xiao Ning had no doubt that if Jiang Chen survived, he would rise to be a second Meng Qingxuan.

It was worth remembering that Meng Qingxuan's power, when Xiao Ning almost killed by him, was already on the cusp of the Celestial Step—the level of the immortal realm!

Within the vast expanse of the Qiankun universe, cultivation is categorized by the Eternal Bridge, a power classification system. This system comprises five distinct stages: Mundane, Mystical, Celestial, Divine, and Primal. Each stage signifies a significant advancement in power, comprehension and authority.

"Eliminate him immediately?" Xiao Ning scoffed, knowing better than to act rashly.

Jiang Chen had come here alone for a reason; he surely had some tricks up his sleeve, and Xiao Ning wasn't eager to be the one to find out.

"Let Wu Shu take the lead and test the waters," he continued. "If he succeeds, I'll reap the rewards without lifting a finger. If not... then I'll handle Jiang Chen accordingly."

He knew that a true protagonist's journey was fraught with dangers and trials, and each victory only served to make them stronger. He had no intention of becoming another stepping stone in Jiang Chen's path to greatness. Instead, he would watch, he would wait, and when the time was right, he would strike.

Jiang Chen straightened his stance, wiping a trail of blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. His gaze locked onto Wu Shu gloomly"So, you've revealed yourself after all"

"Oh?" A flicker of surprise crossed Wu Shu's face, though it was quickly masked by a cold smirk. "You know me?.. Interesting."

"Wu Shu of the Imperial Wu Clan, right?" Jiang Chen snorted derisively, his tone dripping with disdain. "Don't think for a moment that I didn't see through your schemes. You were the puppet master behind all of this, weren't you?"

Su Jen, who had been feigning recovery nearby, watched the exchange silently. Unexpectedly her expression become calm, yet a strange glint suddenly sparked in her eyes.

Wu Shu's expression darkened visibly at Jiang Chen's words. How did this brat know? Could the Shadowclaw Sect have betrayed him? No... they wouldn't dare. Still, there was no denying the situation had taken an unexpected turn.

"Hmph," Wu Shu sneered. "Since you already know, then it seems you won't be leaving this place alive."

Wu Shu's eyes narrowed into icy slits as he raised his hand, frost crackling along his fingers like veins of frozen lightning. The air around him seemed to grow colder with each passing second, and a thick mist began to swirl at his feet, spreading outward in all directions.

Within moments, the battlefield was enveloped in an unrelenting wave of glacial energy.

"Domain?!"

Jiang Chen's expression changed. Domain abilities transcend the Nascent Soul Realm; they are the unique powers wielded by experts in the Heavenly Tribulation Realm!

The temperature plummeted drastically, causing even even his golden flames to flicker under the oppressive chill. Jagged ice spikes erupted from the ground, encircling Jiang Chen in a suffocating prison of frost. His breath came out in visible clouds, and every movement felt heavier, as if the very air had turned solid against him.

For someone at the early stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, this was overwhelming—an absolute nightmare. But what truly shocked Jiang Chen was that even late-stage Nascent Soul powerhouses wouldn't fare much better within such a domain. This wasn't just strength; it was mastery over an entire element, refined to perfection.

"Blazing Retribution Aura!"

Jiang Chen roared, unleashing a surge of primal fire energy from his body. A torrent of golden flames exploded outward, melting the surrounding ice spikes and creating a small pocket of resistance inside Wu Shu's domain.

"Oh? You certainly have some tricks up your sleeve," Wu Shu said, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The Eternal Frost Domain, It's an ability he comprehended upon reaching the half-step Heavenly Tribulation Realm. This power is so formidable that even seasoned late-stage Nascent Soul Realm experts would find themselves struggling against it.

However, for Jiang Chen to withstand it sent a chill down his spine, amplifying his killing intent even further, Jiang Chen is just a newly ascended nascent soul realm expert!