Chapter 36: Clash of Ideals

The battlefield crackled with opposing energies—Jiang Cheng's golden aura clashing against Shen Mu's abyssal presence. The difference in their cultivation levels was clear, yet neither backed down. The air itself trembled under the sheer weight of their wills.

Shen Mu's red eyes gleamed. "Good… It's been too long since I've had a worthy opponent."

Without hesitation, he flicked his fingers. Dark tendrils burst forth from the ground, warping space as they lashed toward Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng activated Speed of the Wind God, his figure vanishing as he weaved through the deadly strikes with inhuman agility. In a blink, he reappeared above Shen Mu, sword descending like a celestial decree.

"Void Severing Edge!"

A blade of pure annihilation carved through the air, distorting reality in its wake. The attack carried the intent to sever even the heavens—unstoppable, indomitable.

Yet, Shen Mu merely raised a single finger.

Abyssal chains erupted from the ground, forming a black shield that intercepted the sword strike.

BOOM!

The impact shattered the surrounding platform, sending shockwaves through the arena. Disciples and elders alike were forced back, shielding themselves from the force.

Jiang Cheng landed, his eyes narrowing. Shen Mu's defensive techniques weren't just powerful—they were unnatural.

"Impressive," Shen Mu mused. "But you'll need more than that to kill me."

Jiang Cheng didn't respond. Instead, he sheathed his sword, lowering his stance as an ancient energy began gathering around him. His eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

Shen Mu's smirk widened. "Ah… so you're serious now?"

Jiang Cheng's aura shifted—a profound stillness, as if the entire battlefield had been cut off from the world.

Then—he vanished.

In the next instant, Shen Mu's body jerked as a thin red line appeared across his mask.

The crowd gasped.

Jiang Cheng had already attacked.

A single stroke—so fast that even Shen Mu himself hadn't reacted in time.

The masked man raised his hand to his face. His fingers came away stained with blood. A chuckle escaped him.

"Well now… that was unexpected."

He lifted his other hand—a dark energy core pulsing within his palm.

"But let's see how you handle this."

The ground beneath Jiang Cheng erupted.

An abyssal force—far stronger than anything before—shot toward him, engulfing the battlefield in darkness. The very air trembled, as if a slumbering god's power had been awakened.

Jiang Cheng's pupils shrank. This energy… it was unlike anything he had ever felt.

For the first time in this battle, he felt danger.