C19 Yang Chen Fought Against Gui Hsing!!

Chapter Nineteen: Yang Chen's Clash with Gui Hsing!

"If you all doubt me, then why not settle this with a battle?" Yang Chen's calm voice echoed throughout the room, drawing puzzled looks from even Chen Tianxin.

Gui Hsing was a bona fide Grandmaster! And while Yang Chen claimed to be a mere half-step away from Grandmaster status, even a true Grandmaster might struggle to gain an advantage over Gui Hsing. After all, Gui Hsing ranked among the elite Grandmasters.

Was Yang Chen acting out of desperation?

Elder Wang's eyes, too, were filled with skepticism.

Surely no sane person would act so recklessly. Could it be... this young man had some ace up his sleeve? Yet, the Grandmaster Level was a pinnacle few could reach, and not even a peak S-Class Ability User, let alone a Grandmaster, could withstand a single move from one at that level!

Shan Shou cast a brief glance at Yang Chen before returning his gaze to the floor, seemingly indifferent to the unfolding drama.

"Hehe, little brother seems quite sure of himself!" Mengyao giggled behind her hand, her waist swaying seductively.

"Hehe, there's always someone eager to test a Grandmaster's might. Today, I'll show you the true strength of a Grandmaster!" Gui Hsing cackled, his form blurring into the shadows, nearly invisible to the naked eye.

In a flash, a chilling aura emanated from Gui Hsing, plummeting the temperature to freezing lows. Wang Teng, standing beside Yang Chen, shivered uncontrollably, barely able to endure the cold until he began to channel his own cultivation, which brought him slight relief.

Yang Chen's eyes narrowed, and with a subtle flick of his finger, a rumbling inferno erupted around him. The flames surged, pushing back the icy chill and incinerating what remained with their scorching heat.

Chen Tianxin offered a faint smile, then with a grand gesture, he extricated Wild Wolf and Wang Teng from the fray and cast a series of spiritual energy streams, ensnaring both Gui Hsing and Yang Chen within a barrier.

"Gentlemen, this isn't the outside world. Damages must be compensated, so please, enjoy your duel within the confines of this barrier," Chen Tianxin announced, his voice filling the enclosed space.

"Hehe, to handle a mere child, Grandmaster Chen's barrier is hardly necessary. This will be over in a single breath!" Gui Hsing declared with a smirk as a sinister green glow flickered in his hollow eyes. Behind him, the spectral image of a ferocious ghost materialized, unleashing a daunting pressure akin to a mountain emerging from the void.

Gui Hsing's gaze, filled with scorn, settled on Yang Chen. Did he truly believe his Grade A Ability could match a Grandmaster's? Such wishful thinking!

But in the next moment, Gui Hsing's expression shifted.

Time ticked by, and Yang Chen stood unflinchingly within the blaze, a sovereign amidst the fire, commanding the respect of every flame.

"Is that all?" Yang Chen's gaze intensified, and a formidable energy erupted from his lean frame.

Boom! Boom! His vital energy surged like a series of crimson dragons encircling him, unleashing a wave of overwhelming power.

"What is this...?" Elder Wang's head shot up, his aged eyes widening with surprise and glinting with intrigue.

"Grandmaster Physique!"

For Ability Users, levels below S are achieved by channeling Spiritual Qi into their dantians, bolstering their constitution, and enhancing the power of their abilities.

Yet, upon reaching the Master Stage, their physical constitution undergoes a transformative leap. Though still mortal, they have pushed their bodies to the absolute peak of development.

It's said that Grandmasters, even without invoking their Spiritual Qi, can effortlessly eliminate any adversary below their tier!

And now, Yang Chen's physical prowess has astonishingly ascended to that of a Grandmaster!

Terrifying, indeed!

If anyone still questions Yang Chen's capabilities as a Half Step Master at this point, they must be willfully blind. If one with the Grandmaster Physique isn't considered a Grandmaster, then no one could claim that title.

However, Yang Chen's current state is peculiar.

His Spiritual Qi cultivation, or Ability User level, is merely A grade, just reaching the Wild Wolf threshold. But his physique has already attained the Master Stage!

Such an anomaly has never been seen before among Earth's Ability Users!

Gui Hsing's face grew increasingly grave, his skeletal pupils flickering with a cold gleam.

He recognized Yang Chen's strength, but he wasn't ready to concede. After all, Yang Chen was his junior, and Gui Hsing felt compelled to test this young upstart's mettle.

Licking his lips, Gui Hsing taunted, "Come then, show me the extent of your Grandmaster Physique!"

"As you desire!"

With a slight smile, Yang Chen's figure blurred, leaving a trail of afterimages before appearing abruptly before Gui Hsing. His fist, now cloaked in roaring flames, burst forth with intense heat.

"Flames, ignite!"

The fierce, orange flames erupted from Yang Chen's fist, casting a brilliant glow, and silently struck Gui Hsing's face.

But as Yang Chen's smile began to emerge, his expression suddenly froze.

It was as if his hand had been shackled, the flames snuffed out, leaving only billowing smoke.

Upon closer inspection, Yang Chen saw an apparition of a ghastly specter that had materialized, its skeletal hand seizing him, its icy aura forcefully extinguishing his fire.

"How can this be!"

Yang Chen's pupils dilated in shock. His power had always been unstoppable, but now, the adversary's might seemed to dwarf his own, rendering his strength almost trivial.

Gui Hsing emerged from the shadows, his skeletal frame radiating an intense chill, and then he cracked a smile.

Yet, to Yang Chen, this grin was laced with such iciness it sent shivers down his spine.

"Kid, you're impressive, possessing the strength of a Half Step Master, or perhaps the strongest beneath the Master Stage. But in comparison to a true Master, you're still lacking. If your ability were to reach S grade, even those newly minted Masters might struggle against you!"

"But as for now..."

Gui Hsing's eerie chuckle filled the air, "I'm no ordinary Grandmaster!"

With those words, the ghostly hand gripping Yang Chen's arm seemed to spiral into frenzy, a boundless white mist emanating from the specter, as if to freeze the very air itself.

Yang Chen drew labored breaths, his chest heaving as a fierce, defiant spirit blazed in his eyes.

"What of it, if you're a Grandmaster!"

Yang Chen clenched his teeth as flames erupted once more, the orange-red fire laced with elusive streaks of purple. The heat intensified to an unbearable degree.

"Shatter!"

The inferno roared to life.

"Oh? Still got some fight in you? Then let me snuff it out!"

Gui Hsing's eyebrows lifted slightly, a look of admiration flickering in his eyes. Yet, he believed that young talents like Yang Chen needed to be humbled, especially one with such formidable abilities at his age.

A bit of refinement, and he'd quickly ascend to the Grandmaster level. Given a few years, he might even reach the heights of Chen Tianxin!

But for now, he was merely an unripe prodigy.

Cackle!

The specter howled as a pair of skeletal hands shot forth, targeting Yang Chen's ribs. A wave of weakness washed over him, emanating from within.

Gui Hsing was skilled in his approach, striking Yang Chen's vulnerable spot without inflicting harm, yet effectively sapping his combat strength.

Yang Chen's flames vanished in an instant, and he collapsed, lifeless as a slab of meat, though his eyes still burned with defiance.

Despite the physical feebleness, his spirit was surging with excitement.

But without the strength to act, his resolve meant nothing.

Then, Gui Hsing approached the fallen Yang Chen, leaning in to say,

"Kid, you've got talent. Perhaps you could become my apprentice!"

"What are you up to, Gui Hsing? This is the one I've set my sights on. Are you really trying to poach my disciple?"

An irritated voice cut through the air—it was Mengyao!

Her eyes, fierce with caution, fixed on Gui Hsing, her body emanating a subtle spiritual energy.

She seemed on the verge of leaping into action at any provocation.

Gui Hsing's face darkened as he retorted, "You all remained silent before, and now you speak up? Isn't that a bit late? I've been on my own for the better part of my life. What's wrong? Is it not my turn to take on a disciple?"

A brilliant chill radiated from Gui Hsing as he locked eyes with Mengyao, unyielding.