The lineage of Zhan Dundun was exceptionally peculiar.
It bore a resemblance to the Vajra protectors in Buddhism, yet differed significantly in essence.
A colossal phantom of a panda was on the verge of solidifying into a corporeal form. Its fur seemed alive, particularly its hairs, which resembled two types of black and white fine worms. Their bodies were spiraled, covering the panda entirely, emanating black and white energies while ceaselessly devouring everything around them.
The frenzied rate of consumption created a visible vortex. The surrounding air collapsed inward, generating a potent suction.
A faint humming sound could even be heard.
Ao Haiping had not anticipated Zhan Zhongxiao to be so powerful.
However, upon reflection, it wasn't surprising. The Panda clan possessed a unique inheritance, akin to a Buddhist consecration. When an elder was nearing their demise, they would select an individual from the clan and perform a consecration ritual, transferring all their lifelong cultivation and experiential knowledge to the successor.
This process, passed down through generations, made it difficult for them not to be powerful. However, it also contributed to their dwindling numbers, referring specifically to their transformed pandas, not those confined in cages for public viewing.
Witnessing this display of power, Ao Haiping grew serious.
He no longer fought in his dragon form. While his dragon body was powerful, it primarily manifested in brute strength and certain unique racial talents, which, in turn, limited the full utilization of his other abilities.
Ao Haiping, now in human form, stood tall in the sky. His hair, resembling a lion's mane, billowed in the strong wind.
Neither the driving rain nor the wind caused them the slightest harm.
Ao Haiping did not wield his fan this time. Instead, he held a sword. It appeared ordinary, not a divine artifact, nor did it radiate auspicious auras. It looked as if it had been casually picked up from the roadside, with a slight nick on the blade.
"Hmm?" Liu Nanfeng, walking towards the coffee shop, looked at the scene with a hint of surprise.
"Hmm what?" Su Jinxiu turned back, asking with a peculiar expression.
"This fatty is surprisingly powerful. I'm a bit astonished," Liu Nanfeng said.
"Is that so?" Su Jinxiu turned away, neither confirming nor denying.
Su Huamei's gaze flickered between the two, sensing an unspoken history between them.
Ao Haiping stood poised in mid-air, holding his sword. His entire being exuded the aura of a blade. The rain falling from the sky seemed to transform into his sword, carrying with it the intent of a blade, eclipsing the sun and moon. Upon striking the ground, the concrete instantly turned porous like a honeycomb.
Su Huamei's silk ribbon snaked out from her hand, transforming into a colossal curtain that shielded the buildings along the river. Otherwise, not only would the structures in the vicinity be destroyed, but there was also the potential for numerous casualties.
These were merely the residual blade intents seeping from Ao Haiping. One could only imagine his true might when he unleashed his blade.
A person wields a weapon, but the weapon also chooses the person.
Everyone possesses their own strengths: some excel at painting, others at calligraphy, some at reading, and some at eating...
The list is endless. Few can master everything comprehensively, and even then, mastering too many skills can hinder true proficiency.
To engage in tasks outside one's expertise would only yield half the results with twice the effort, leading to more loss than gain.
Ao Haiping, by nature, was adept with the blade, which was intrinsically linked to his personality.
His disposition was inherently domineering, and as a dragon, he possessed immense pride. His formidable strength allowed him to look down upon the world, though this changed upon his encounter with Feng Zhirun.
Ao Haiping chose the blade, and the blade chose him.
As his aura continued to ascend, an unyielding, arrogant spirit of dominance swept through the air.
The rain-filled sky was shattered, and the thick clouds above were rent asunder like bolts of cloth.
The sunlight that poured through seemed to transform into the blade in his hand.
All things under heaven, he would cleave them apart with a single stroke.
When this imposing aura reached its zenith, Ao Haiping finally raised his sword.
Though this tale is being told, it transpired in the blink of an eye.
Zhan Dundun had only just leaped into the air and had not yet reached Ao Haiping.
However, an piercing blade intent, accompanying Ao Haiping's movement, spread in all directions.
The massive rocks of the riverbank embankment split silently, the surging waters of the Yangtze River developed fissures, the clouds in the sky were pulverized, and the air continuously emitted a sizzling sound.
The two collided in mid-air. At that instant, there was no sound of violent impact. Instead, it was a silent affair, as if two lumps of cotton had collided.
Yet, everyone knew the immense power of this collision. Those with keen eyesight observed what appeared to be cracks forming in the air and spreading outwards, only to vanish moments later.
Following this, the formidable surge of energy erupted with a dull roar. An invisible force swept outwards, its powerful and rapid pressure displacing the air, producing continuous waves of sound and forming a fierce hurricane that swept through the surroundings.
"Sister."
Witnessing such power, Su Huamei realized she alone might not be able to protect such a vast area. She quickly sought help from Su Jinxiu beside her.
However, before Su Jinxiu could react, the surging river waters churned, raising colossal waves that ascended, forming a massive, sky-obscuring curtain that enveloped tens of miles of the Yangtze River.
The surging river water formed a colossal barrier, intercepting the residual forces from their battle.
"Roar."
"Zheng Zheng~"
The roars, the clanging sounds, the tearing of fabric, and the dull thuds of impact mingled, erupting with immense power.
Ao Haiping's blade energy crisscrossed the sky, carrying the momentum of cleaving the heavens and sweeping across the world.
But Zhan Dundun, despite his usual simple and honest demeanor, was truly terrifying when enraged. Enduring the pervasive blade energy, he retaliated with his blows.
Whether with fists, palms, or claws, his attacks were straightforward and direct, devoid of any ostentatious maneuvers, yet possessing peerless power, evoking a sense of returning to simplicity.
Although blade energy occasionally struck him, it was all deflected by the phantom form enveloping his body.
That phantom devoured the void, appearing to be replenished with power at all times. As time progressed, it grew more solid and stronger.
Furthermore, as if tireless, each time he was struck by blade energy and fell to the ground, he would let out a roar and charge forward again, followed by a flurry of punches and kicks, with energy surging and the air vibrating.
For a time, the two exchanged blows, locked in a stalemate.
Gradually, Ao Haiping's temper flared.
To be matched by a mere minor demon, and to fight him to a draw, was an unbearable humiliation. Despite the peculiar inheritance of the Panda clan, he still felt profoundly disgraced.
A colossal dragon, letting out a skyward roar, manifested behind Ao Haiping. His eyes emanated a deep blue light, and his long blade energy stretched for dozens of meters.
Even from thousands of meters away, the spectators felt a searing pain on their skin.
"He's actually this powerful," Su Huamei couldn't help but exclaim.
Su Jinxiu frowned, her expression serious, and said, "This is somewhat akin to the Twelve Phases of All Beings."
After saying this, she glanced at Liu Nanfeng beside her.
Liu Nanfeng, however, appeared bewildered, indicating he knew nothing of the sort.
Zhan Dundun also sensed the danger, and all the black and white fur tightly clinging to his body stood on end.
However, he did not retreat. Letting out a skyward roar, he surged upwards once more. The colossal panda phantom swung its palm, obscuring the entire sky, and grabbed towards Ao Haiping.
Ao Haiping's expression remained calm as he lightly swung his long sword.
The panda phantom was directly cleaved in two. The blade energy sliced down past Zhan Dundun's left shoulder, plunging into the river, stirring up monstrous waves. The defensive barrier that Zhu Yin’e had raised using the Yangtze River's power was as fragile as paper, being pierced through instantly.
Even so, the blade energy continued its trajectory unabated, bisecting the river for tens of miles. However, no fish or shrimp floated to the surface belly-up, for they had all been pulverized by the blade energy.
And Zhan Dundun, falling to the ground this time, no longer had the strength to roar to the sky. His entire being was pale, drenched in sweat as if an downpour, and utterly exhausted.
Ao Haiping, hovering in the air, viewed him as an ant. He raised his sword and brought it down, poised to cleave the giant panda in two.
ps: It's the end of the month, and I still haven't reached a thousand monthly votes. It's quite pathetic, so I'm begging for a few votes~