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Xu Zimoâs punch seemed to hit empty space. There was nothing in front of him, but as the fist landed, Gong Yunâerâs Reverse Dragon Seven Steps form really did arrive at the point of impact.
With a loud crack, the time stop shattered and the void ruptured. Spiritforce surged outward, and Gong Yunâer flew backward.
âHe saw through my Reverse Dragon Seven Steps,â Gong Yunâer said, surprise flashing in her eyes. Once you take the first step, the other six stepsâ trajectories are predetermined, but exactly how the first step is taken can change the path. He had predicted her second step from just one observation. After only a single look, he had seen through her prized technique. She was shaken.
âYou asked me to reveal my True Fate, but you couldnât last a single strike,â Xu Zimo waved dismissively. Feeling underestimated stung Gong Yunâer.
âRadiant Light,â she spat coldly. The FateâSoul star chart behind her began to spread. Cosmic power from distant stars showered down. Her aura exploded, merging five stars,
Radiant Light, Firefly Spark, Celestial Garden, High Sovereign, Imperial Chariot.
She had clearly taken Xu Zimo seriously.
Starlight cascaded around, and ghostly star symbols appeared on her limbs and forehead. She tilted slightly, stepping back on her right foot. Before anyone could react, she reappeared to Xu Zimoâs right, fist blazing with concentrated starlight as she charged.
Xu Zimo made no move to block. Letting her punch hit him squarely, the Tree of Life within him replenished his body. He stood motionless as her fist stalled against his chest.
He cracked a smile, âStrengthâs not bad.â
Gong Yunâerâs eyes trembled. She felt terror in her heart. He hadnât even dodged, he had taken the blow head-on like it was nothing.
âWhat kind of freak is he?â she thought. She recoiled, leaving a trail of starlight behind her. Xu Zimo did nothing further. Heâd fought cultivators for years, it was tough. Facing peers? Boring. Too weak.
âYou know what?â Xu Zimo laughed. âYouâre so weak that I donât even feel like drawing my blade.â Even the spectators gulped at this.
With five stars strengthening her attack, Gong Yunâerâs fullâpower punch would be nearly impossible to withstand, even defensively. Yet Xu Zimo had done nothing. No techniques, no True Fate, just an unfathomable depth of strength. His shadow blade hadnât even arced.
After distancing himself, Gong Yunâer exhaled deeply, sweat beading on her brow.
âYou shouldnât be so smug,â she snorted. âEast Prime.â From her eight stars, five minor ones had been used. The three major ones remained.
East Primeâs star glowed, suspended overhead. Purple waves of power rippled outward, freezing time in space around it, even immobilizing Xu Zimo.
âNorthfall Gate,â Gong Yunâer demanded next. A deep golden star erupted like a blazing sun. She chanted:
âI bear one star, long locked by dust and toil, today dust is gone, light is born, illuminating ten thousand folds of land.â
Northfall Gate was the Star of Battle, it radiated invincible spirit. If watched long enough, a voice repeating âFight! Fight! Fight!â echoed in oneâs mind.
As it appeared, the sky dimmed. Onlookers looked up at the sudden phenomenon, dark clouds, swirling dust, biting wind stirring unease.
Then in one corner of the sky, a star shone brilliant, like a galaxyâs beam crossing the heavens, illuminating half the sky before cascading onto Gong Yunâer.
âKill!â she roared. Her power peaked. She leapt into motion, twin fists aimed at Xu Zimoâs head. The moment she soared, lightning cracked and thunder roared. Her body was the center of a spiderweb of shattered time and space.
Boom! The explosion thundered. Spectators gazed in horror.
âWhat a spectacle,â most would burn that image into memory. âGreatness is coming. The future might already be here.â
Many younger observers turned pale. To contend for Heaven's Will with such beings was terrifying before even fighting. It may leave a lasting shadow.
As her fists fell, everyone presumed the outcome decided, but Xu Zimo looked calm. As the punches neared, overwhelming in presence, Xu Zimo moved, without resistance, without hesitation.
His figure seemed ancient, crossing timeâs river, ripping through the binds of ancient stars. Effortlessly, he broke the time freeze. Gong Yunâer watched in shock as their fists collided.
Boom! Northfall Gateâs star power was indeed formidable. Xu Zimo flew backward from her impact, but it was just a casual strike from him.
Despite that, Gong Yunâer did not show relief. Instead, her expression grew heavy. He had broken out of East Primeâs timeâstop, that was terrible news.
Dust swirled, and the ground split into a bottomless chasm.