The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 2148: Kneeling

The figure of Wuxia Heavenly Monarch flashed and retreated, giving space.

She had complete confidence in Jing Yan, having seen with her own eyes that Jing Yan suppressed Ji Bian. Although Qu Chen was quite strong, he was still slightly inferior compared to the Immortal Rhythmic Strong Ji Bian.

Other than Qu Chen, the other hired ones also retreated decisively, giving the two of them some space.

"Kid, I’ll let you make the first move, don’t say I’m bullying you," Qu Chen said with a contemptuous tone.

In fact, he didn’t truly look down on Jing Yan. Although he didn’t believe Jing Yan’s strength surpassed his, Jing Yan was, after all, recommended here by Wuxia Heavenly Monarch, definitely not weak. His contemptuous attitude was calculated, intending to provoke Jing Yan and also to show off in front of the Immortal Venerable.

Upon hearing Qu Chen ask him to strike first, Jing Yan did not exchange pleasantries.

The Ice Flame Sword was drawn and with a single swing, a strike targeted at Qu Chen. The sword light condensed, winding like a dragon or snake, sweeping forward. This flash of Sword Light contained the power of Ancient Tree Inheritance. The Ancient Tree Inheritance is a Body Refining Secret Method, approximately an Immortal Venerable level spell in the Immortal Domain, not requiring a large space since it uses physical strength.

As soon as Jing Yan’s Sword Light appeared, Qu Chen felt an ominous premonition. As they say, "an expert can tell at a glance," Qu Chen sensed the vast power fluctuations from the Sword Light.

His breath solidified, and with a low shout, he immediately made a move. Originally, Jing Yan was to make the first move, but he couldn’t care about that now. If he did not go back on his word, he should be taking a complete defensive stance during Jing Yan’s attack, not launching an offensive, yet he had no confidence in defending against this sword.

With a loud crash, the Sword Light imbued with Ancient Tree Inheritance power shattered, and Qu Chen’s body uncontrollably retreated. Jing Yan sneered, his figure flickering as he approached Qu Chen, simultaneously striking with his left palm.

Great Demon Seal Suppression Technique!

Qu Chen had just steadied himself, the turbulence in his blood not yet calmed, when he felt the surrounding space tighten suddenly. Within the space, an immense pressure descended, coming down comprehensively.

It was visible that the space around Qu Chen’s body was distorting. This portion of space caved in towards Qu Chen’s body.

"Ah!" Qu Chen let out a scream, his entire body trembling, then he fell to one knee on the ground.

In an instant, his robe was dyed red with blood. Indeed, his body, suppressed by the Great Demon Seal Suppression Technique, exuded a large amount of blood.

"Hmph!" Jing Yan snorted coldly, withdrew his palm, and put away the Ice Flame Sword in his right hand.

He didn’t kill Qu Chen.

If he had intended to kill Qu Chen, Qu Chen would be dead now. A hit with the Ancient Tree Inheritance power was enough to break through Qu Chen’s defense. The ensuing Great Demon Seal Suppression Technique was far beyond what Qu Chen’s physical body could withstand. But in the final moment, Jing Yan withdrew the power of the Great Demon Seal Suppression Technique.

There was no need to kill Qu Chen.

This was their first meeting, with no previous grudges. Although Qu Chen’s attitude had been poor, after all, Jing Yan had taken over his hired position.

The duel between Jing Yan and Qu Chen was brief, possibly lasting only a breath. In such a short time, Jing Yan crushed Qu Chen comprehensively. Despite being close to the Immortal Rhythm level, Qu Chen had no power to resist.

This result was unexpected even for the hired ones and Yuantong Immortal Venerable.

Not to mention them, even Wuxia Heavenly Monarch found it surprising. After all, Jing Yan used the Great Demon Seal Suppression Technique in his second move, a technique he hadn’t possessed for long.

Had he mastered the Great Demon Seal Suppression Technique to the third layer in such a short period?

The strength of this Qu Chen was only slightly better than that of Lord Zu Ming. If Qu Chen were to duel Lord Zu Ming, it would require significant effort and time to defeat him. Jing Yan, however, relying on the Ancient Tree Inheritance and Virtualization Technique, could fight against Lord Zu Ming and a group of Nether Sky Realm cultivators head-on at the Peak of All Things Realm.

Jing Yan had already stepped into the Nether Sky Realm level, easily overwhelming cultivators at Lord Zu Ming’s level. Needless to say, since arriving at Wuxia City, Jing Yan’s combat power had improved comprehensively.

"A person recommended by Wuxia indeed won’t disappoint," Yuantong Immortal Venerable clapped, his eyes shining as he looked at Jing Yan.

"You flatter me, Immortal Venerable," Jing Yan turned and said.

"Haha..."

"Qu Chen, now do you see the strength of young friend Jing Yan?" Yuantong Immortal Venerable asked Qu Chen who had just stood up.

Qu Chen nodded, looking at Jing Yan with awe. In front of Jing Yan, he couldn’t put up any defense. For a moment earlier, he even thought he was already dead.

The other hired ones watched Jing Yan with astonishing eyes.

The strongest among them compared themselves to Jing Yan in their hearts. Finally, they shook their heads secretly. Even from what they had seen, they couldn’t confidently contend with Jing Yan’s shown strength. Moreover, because the fight between Jing Yan and Qu Chen was brief, they couldn’t fully gauge Jing Yan’s combat power, indicating he might be even stronger than perceived.

It seems Wuxia Heavenly Monarch’s statement about Jing Yan surpassing ordinary Immortal Rhythm Strong People in combat power was no mere exaggeration!

"Young friend Jing Yan, congratulations on officially becoming a hired one. Before the Yellow Spring Cave opens this time, the Four Great Forces will compete for Netherworld Points to gain the advanced entrance to the Yellow Spring Cave. By then, you may choose whom to be hired by," Yuantong Immortal Venerable nodded gently at Jing Yan.

Initially, upon meeting Jing Yan, Yuantong Immortal Venerable was somewhat disappointed, as Jing Yan appeared not as strong as Wuxia Heavenly Monarch claimed. But seeing how easily Jing Yan defeated Qu Chen, it became evident that Jing Yan was indeed powerful, on par with the strongest hired ones, if not superior.

Yuantong Immortal Venerable also hoped the hired ones he chose would possess greater power, as this would result in higher hiring fees from the Four Great Forces, leading to more benefits for him. With strength at Jing Yan’s level, hiring fees from the Four Great Forces would not be less than forty billion Black Crystal Stones. If the competition was fierce, the fees could even double. The Four Great Forces were incredibly wealthy, far surpassing Yuantong Immortal Venerable’s wealth. The Mystic Moon Trading House, renowned even in the Immortal Domain, was one of the Four Great Forces competing for entrance into the Yellow Spring Cave. Moreover, it was just the regional branch of the Mystic Moon Trading House.

"Thank you, Immortal Venerable!" Jing Yan bowed in gratitude.

"Alright! Young friend Jing Yan, for now, stay with other hired ones here, waiting for the Yellow Spring Cave to open," Yuantong Immortal Venerable then turned to Wuxia Heavenly Monarch and said, "Wuxia, I must thank you for recommending such a talent!"