Chen Tian's hand-crafted portal directly connected the Northern Fortress and the Southern Fortress, creating a passage. Chen Tian's intention was clear: to bring the cultivators and warriors from the Northern Fortress to this location. Those here would then defend the Northern Fortress. The fighting in the Northern Fortress had already concluded, and the enemy wouldn't attack for the time being. Even if some key forces were lost, the Northern Fortress could hold for a while. The goal was to resolve the situation here within that timeframe.
As the portal opened, in the Northern Fortress, a clone stood at its center. Behind Chen Tian's clone were all the warriors and cultivators from the Northern Fortress, beings who had achieved the fusion of immortality and martial arts, their strength far surpassing their previous levels. Chen Tian spoke faintly, "Prepare yourselves, we are going to reinforce the Southern Fortress."
"Yes!"
The Northern front had been pacified by Chen Tian's clone. As for the members of the Spirit Race, Chen Tian's clone did not kill them, allowing them to escape. However, they were heavily injured and would not be able to attack for a while. Chen Tian's planning was thorough. The portal opened, and a group of people entered the gateway. By the time everyone reacted, they had appeared at the Southern Fortress. Everyone stared at two identical Chen Tians, thinking, "What is happening? This is insane!"
With two commanders present, Chen Tian looked at his clone and said, "It's up to you."
As Chen Tian finished speaking, he vanished from the city wall. Chen Tian's clone smiled slightly, thinking, "This main body really knows how to give me work!" With his abilities at his disposal, he began to issue a series of orderly commands. As night fell, Chen Tian gazed at the sky. This battle would determine the fate of the world. The vast starry sky was seemingly stained by dark energy, black clouds threatening to engulf the entire brilliant expanse. Wherever the Spirit Race passed, all life withered.
"I will protect this world, rest assured," Chen Tian's voice echoed in his heart, a promise to his other selves in two different worlds. Chen Tian turned, his figure instantly appearing on the city wall. Chen Tian watched as a member was replaced. He clenched his hands, and the portal transformed into a miniature model that entered Chen Tian's palm. The passage was now closed. Chen Tian did not want this channel to remain open indefinitely, as it could be discovered by the Spirit Race army. Currently, Chen Tian wanted to preserve some of his trump cards, and this teleportation gate was one of them. Without it, rapid reinforcement would be impossible. Used properly, it could catch the enemy completely off guard.
The sun rose high, its brilliant light shining down. A new day had begun, along with a new battle. Chen Tian and his clone stood on the city wall. Below the wall was the vast army of the Spirit Race, hundreds of thousands, even millions, of spirit creatures, devoid of reason, standing on the ground like puppets. Xie Ru, one of the three leaders, looked at the two Chen Tians on the city wall, identical figures. Xie Ru spoke, "Is this guy a twin?"
"No, it's not. Their origins are different. The one beside him should be a clone, but this clone is identical to the main body. Do you, Xie Ku, have confidence?"
"Don't worry, I've never lost before, you know that."
Xie Ku showed no regard for Chen Tian, even looking down on him slightly. Xie Ru knew this was Xie Ku's arrogance at play, and hoped it wouldn't lead to a downfall. Xie Ku stood on the city wall and spoke directly, "Who dares to fight? Yesterday your general fled in disgrace, and today I will make yesterday happen again. Despair, humans!"
"I will fight you!"
Chen Tian's clone flew directly in front of Xie Ku. Their auras clashed, sending shockwaves rolling, the sound deafening. Chen Tian's clone possessed the same strength and even the same techniques as Chen Tian's main body; he was, in essence, another Chen Tian. However, clones had limitations, but it wasn't a major problem. Chen Tian clenched his fists, condensing the power of five elements onto them. The five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth wrapped around his fists. His eyes snapped open, and his figure flashed before Xie Ku. Xie Ku's expression changed instantly, his entire demeanor shifting. Chen Tian's fist approached Xie Ku. Xie Ku, facing Chen Tian's Five Elements Fist, extended his Spirit Claw. This time, Xie Ku used his full strength.
Fist met claw, and both retreated three steps. However, Xie Ku was at a disadvantage, his arm trembling faintly. Xie Ku roared with laughter, "Good, good! Finally, finally, I have an opponent worthy of my full effort! Excellent! I will kill you slowly."
He then looked at Chen Tian with a ferocious and menacing expression. Chen Tian felt no killing intent. Xie Ku's back spread enormous black wings, increasing his speed tenfold. The previous clash was not Xie Ku's full power, nor was it Chen Tian's.
(Note: Chen Tian's clone is an independent entity, hence it is referred to directly as Chen Tian.)
His speed became a black stream of light. Chen Tian's back unfurled five-colored wings, the five elements, in perpetual motion, interacting with each other, unleashing terrifying power. Xie Ru watched the battle in the sky from below. The collision of the two streams of light produced ringing sounds. Everyone could only see two streams of light constantly interweaving and clashing; the specifics were unknown. Only beings of Chen Tian and Xie Ru's caliber could perceive the internal combat.
Xie Ru pondered, "Five elements... could it be the inheritance of the Five Elements Gods? That bounty!"
Xie Ru suddenly recalled the bounty, his heart filled with excitement. It was the inheritance of the Five Elements Gods! If he could kill the recipient, he would receive immense rewards.
"Xie Ru, do you think those five elements are the inheritance of the Five Elements Gods?" Ku Shuge echoed.
The young spirit beside him looked on with greed in his eyes. Xie Ru nodded, indicating that it was obvious. He couldn't claim this reward alone, so it would be better for the three of them to attack together and split the reward. Even a split reward would be substantial for them.
"I am eager to fight," the young spirit beside him said, rubbing his hands. Xie Ru calmly replied, "No rush. Let Xie Ku test the opponent first. If it's not enough..."
"Hmm?"
"There's a saying among humans: 'Fewer monks mean more porridge.' It means it's easier to get full with fewer people eating. This means fewer people are better than more."
"You mean..."
Xie Ru didn't need to elaborate further; his meaning was clear. The young spirit remained silent. It was all about self-interest. With fewer people, the remaining two would receive more of the reward. Who wouldn't want that?
Xie Ru's intention was evident: he would not intervene. If Xie Ku were to be killed, the higher-ups wouldn't blame him; it would simply be Xie Ku's own inadequacy.
"But will Xie Ku really lose? He's a battle maniac! He'd do anything for a good fight."
"That remains to be seen. Let's keep watching."
The two looked up at the sky. The two streams of light clashed fiercely, the momentum growing, echoing for a thousand miles. Chen Tian and Xie Ku's figures reappeared, both bearing minor injuries. Chen Tian had slightly more; after all, as a clone, he lacked the main body's computational ability. Even a small gap in combat experience couldn't be compensated. He had exposed many weaknesses, and although Chen Tian tried his best not to, he was still more injured than Xie Ku.
Chen Tian condensed the Five Elements Sword in his hand. The fist-and-foot combat was over; Chen Tian was about to enter the formal duel. With a slight swing of the sword, the Five Elements Sword vibrated, as if celebrating.
Chen Tian attacked Xie Ku with his sword. Xie Ku, seeing Chen Tian returning, did not use a weapon. For the Spirit Race, claws were their hardest weapons, and their spirit energy was their strongest defense. Chen Tian's sword pierced out, a multicolored sword light cutting across the sky, soaring into the clouds.
Xie Ku's claws suddenly transformed, and a massive shadow of a spirit claw shot out, colliding with the sword. An explosion sounded, but Chen Tian continued forward from within the blast. Xie Ku dodged Chen Tian's attack with a divine maneuver. Xie Ku stood behind Chen Tian and said, "It seems this weapon has significantly increased your strength."
With that, Xie Ku made a drastic move. His two claws exploded, his arms shattered; Xie Ku did this himself. Xie Ku opened his mouth, and countless spirit creatures on the ground transformed into spirit energy, entering Xie Ku's mouth. The spirit creature army's numbers decreased by a tenth. His shattered arms and claws regenerated.
Before Xie Ku's eyes, ten claws were connected, forming a black, slender blade in Xie Ku's hand. Xie Ku grumbled, "I'm really not used to weapons, but this is a sign of respect for you."
"Heh, I hope you don't regret this move later," Chen Tian said coldly. Their words were sharp and uncompromising. The sword swung, the blade danced, sparks flew as they collided. The sword and blade scraped against each other. Xie Ku's injured blade was formed from his own claws, which were incredibly hard, comparable to divine beasts. As for the strength of Spirit Race members across the myriad realms, Chen Tian didn't comment, as they were numerous. Spirit Race members across the myriad realms used their weapons to fight; pure physical combat like this was rare.
Chen Tian unleashed countless sword strikes. Sword light and shadow flashed, phantom arms appearing continuously. In one second, both swung thousands of times, thousands of attacks. The sound of steel colliding, sparks flying, left the onlookers in awe. What level of battle was this? Even cultivators couldn't achieve this level of combat.
This far surpassed them. Who exactly were these commanders?
Chen Tian lightly slashed with his sword. The sword light surged upwards, heading straight for Xie Ku's cheek. Xie Ku parried with his slender blade horizontally. Simultaneously, the hilt of the slender blade caught Chen Tian's sword hilt. With a fierce lift, Chen Tian's arm was pulled along by Xie Ku. As Xie Ku was about to deliver his downward strike, Chen Tian remained unfazed. He released his sword. The Five Elements Sword flew automatically to his front, forming a protective shield.
His mastery of energy gave Chen Tian exceptional control, and this extended to his clone. Combined with his ability to freely control energy, it could be driven at any time and place. Chen Tian's Five Elements Sword could transform into any shape. The Five Elements Barrier enveloped him. The blade struck the barrier, which shook a few times.
Xie Ku gripped the hilt of his blade. Rumble!
The slender blade was instantly covered in spirit energy. The spirit energy-covered blade resembled armor. Cracks continuously appeared on the barrier. Chen Tian extended his palm. Two beams of light shot out from behind Xie Ku. Sensing the danger behind him, Xie Ku abandoned his attack. His wings converged and unfurled, a black storm flowing towards his rear, extinguishing the two beams of light.
Chen Tian and Xie Ku faced each other. Chen Tian raised his arm, and the Five Elements Barrier transformed back into the Five Elements Sword, which he held firmly. Chen Tian himself preferred dual blades, while his clone favored a sword, possibly influenced by the memories of Chen Tian in the Divine Realm and the cultivation world.
The sword moved forward, a powerful sword intent unfolding. Chen Tian's aura steadily climbed. Xie Ku sensed the sword intent within Chen Tian and exclaimed in surprise, "You've actually reached the realm of Sword God Unity. Kid, you've touched the standards of the myriad realms, but you won't have the chance to go there."
"I will go to the myriad realms one day," Chen Tian replied coldly.
Xie Ku's killing intent surged. Chen Tian looked no older than a teenager. A teenager mastering such sword intent; he couldn't let him live. Clone or not, he had to unleash his full power and kill him.
Chen Tian and Xie Ku's gazes met. The sword intent and killing intent clashed, with no discernible difference, a perfect tie.