Some surmised that a clash of souls had just occurred.

This alone was enough to shock them. Jiang Wang, at the Inner Palace level, possessed the ability for his soul to invade his opponent’s Tongtian Palace and do battle!

Those who understood soul combat grasped the true horror of this.

In their eyes, Jiang Wang’s genuine talent was far more terrifying than what he had previously displayed.

Jiang Wang’s future stretched further than they had ever imagined!

For possessing such a powerful soul at the Inner Palace level almost guaranteed a brilliant future in the Soul Cultivation Hall.

Those who knew nothing of soul combat, or who failed to connect the dots, were even more deeply shaken.

Ignorance breeds fear.

They couldn’t fathom what had transpired in that one glance to interrupt Ji Shaoqing’s ascension to the Outer Tower stage!

Just how strong was this Jiang Wang?

However, regardless of the onlookers’ conjectures, be it shock or disdain, the victory on the field was now completely sealed.

The moment Jiang Wang withdrew from the soul battle, two black chains erupted from the void, wrapping around Ji Shaoqing.

Clang clang clang!

The chains vibrated with a ringing sound, but were ensnared within a translucent water prison, unable to advance or retreat.

Ji Shaoqing had indeed laid a hidden trap before him. Had Jiang Wang charged in recklessly earlier and been imprisoned in this water cell, he likely would have watched helplessly as Ji Shaoqing gained the power of two towers and then easily butchered him.

But now…

He had merely temporarily lost the two binding chains.

He could no longer use the Samadhi True Fire, but he still had the Buzhou Wind, and even the Divergence he had held back.

And Ji Shaoqing had exhausted his cards!

Both combatants knew the current situation, far better than any of the spectators.

Thus, fear finally and inevitably appeared in Ji Shaoqing’s eyes.

The moment the Star Tower was forced to halt, he knew he had lost.

Yet he clung to a last shred of hope, hoping that Jiang Wang, who had successfully interrupted his ascent, would charge in recklessly and fall into the trap. Then there would still be a chance.

But now… that last hope was also shattered. Jiang Wang’s combat experience was so rich, his fighting talent so terrifying, that he didn’t resemble a nineteen-year-old at all.

Not a single possibility of victory remained…

And this was a life-and-death duel!

If he begged for mercy, would Jiang Wang spare him?

This question was unnecessary.

If he fought to the death, was there still a chance?

There was none left.

So there was actually no choice.

What face, what honor…

As Jiang Wang charged towards him, Ji Shaoqing simply turned, enveloped in water light, and fled into the distance.

A collective gasp arose.

This was a life-and-death duel witnessed by many cultivators present. It could be said that everyone had accepted the reality that one person would die on the Edge of the Sky Platform. And Ji Shaoqing, he was trying to escape!

This was simply a joke.

“Go back!”

Jiang Wuyou, suspended high above, flipped her hand and conjured a massive painted halberd, swinging it down from above!

Woo woo woo!

Roar roar roar!

In an instant, the winds and clouds changed color, and only the wails of gods and spirits were heard.

Innumerable ethereal figures of gods and malevolent spirits swirled around the colossal painted halberd.

With the might to shatter the heavens and crumble the earth, it pressed down on Ji Shaoqing.

As one of the witnesses to this life-and-death duel, Jiang Wuyou had both the obligation and the authority to maintain the order of the duel.

In other words, when Ji Shaoqing chose to flee, she was perfectly justified in killing him.

In terms of cultivation, Jiang Wuyou was also at the Inner Palace realm.

But a Great Qi Imperial Princess who was qualified to contend for that dragon throne, just how terrifying was the true combat power she could display?

This halberd strike, perhaps, was the answer!

Ji Shaoqing, who had exhausted his trump cards, stared with wide, terrified eyes, almost completely powerless to resist.

This person was named Jiang Wuyou, and this halberd was named – Fangtian Ghost God!

The dignified Master of Hua Ying Palace had been suppressed for too long in the nearby island groups. The wrath of the Great Qi Imperial Princess was to be known!

At this moment, a hand, palm turned back, blocked the Fangtian Ghost God Halberd.

Then the wind stopped, the clouds dispersed, the gods vanished, the spirits disappeared… leaving a vast, clear sky.

The man who appeared before Jiang Wuyou had long black and white intertwined hair. He didn’t even spare Jiang Wuyou a glance, simply receiving the Fangtian Ghost God Halberd with his palm turned back.

Some in the crowd recognized him, some didn’t, but all fell silent.

The Fourth Elder of the Sea Fishing Tower, Gu Huaixin!

Gu Huaixin didn’t look at Jiang Wuyou, but stared at Ji Shaoqing and said, “If you dare to flee, I will personally kill you.”

These words were stern, just, and selfless.

They completely cut off Ji Shaoqing’s retreat.

But Ji Shaoqing’s eyes, instead, flashed with joy.

Gu Huaixin had appeared, would he still die?

Would Jiang Wang dare to kill this True Person’s disciple in front of a contemporary True Person?

“How could I flee?” he immediately shouted, “Earlier, that was a strategy to lure the enemy, I was just about to turn back and strike. Why did this Great Qi Imperial Princess attack me? She ruined my plan. Is she disregarding the fairness of this battle?”

This reversal of black and white left people speechless.

But he spoke with such indignation that it actually made some people suspicious. Yes, Ji Shaoqing had several times pushed his opponent into danger before; he wasn’t without the strength to fight. Why would he flee?

In front of so many people, unless he wanted to lose all face, how could he flee?

It was Jiang Wuyou who seemed to be making a fuss and taking the opportunity to interfere. After all, in the eyes of many cultivators in the nearby island groups, the Qi people were inherently arrogant!

Facing the obstruction of a contemporary True Person, no matter how strong Jiang Wuyou was, she couldn’t exert her power. No matter how high her status, this was not Qi territory after all.

Facing Ji Shaoqing’s counterattack, she was so angry she wanted to personally step down and fight to the death.

But that hand, blocking in front, was like a mountain, like a city.

Just then, Jiang Wang spoke.

“You dare to turn your back on me!”

His sword, like a stream of light, pierced straight through.

His response was very simple; he didn’t waste any words on Ji Shaoqing. You said you weren’t trying to escape? Very well, the duel is still ongoing, and I still intend to kill you.

Even with Gu Huaixin present!

Ji Shaoqing hurriedly turned back.

A wisp of Buzhou wind blew, instantly shattering his protective water light.

Ji Shaoqing ducked and retreated, but saw shattered hair falling; his topknot had been cut off by a single sword strike! Had he been a moment slower just now, it would have been his head!

He had completely received Jiang Wang’s attitude, understanding the opponent’s determination to kill. He truly intended to forcefully kill him in front of his master!

Fear crashed against his mind once again.

This talent of the Sea Fishing Tower, at this moment, was disheveled and in utter disarray.

While hurriedly dodging, he glanced anxiously at his master.

Why hasn’t he called it off?

However, in that calm gaze, he saw the decision.

He knew that his master truly would not intervene.

Perhaps he would be avenged after death… but I’m already dead, what’s the point of revenge!

“Ah!”

He roared, his eyes red at this moment, and unexpectedly turned and lunged at Jiang Wang: “Come on!”

The sound of a long sword piercing a body.

Jiang Wang had indeed “come”!

He kicked Ji Shaoqing, who was now like a madman, sending him flying, avoiding his possible death throes.

The body was pulled from the sword blade, bringing with it a spray of fresh blood.

“Ji Shaoqing!” Gu Huaixin spoke, “Your death is as light as a feather, but the honor of the Sea Fishing Tower is as heavy as a mountain, you must understand!”

He was very “fair”; there was no manipulation in his voice, no mystical techniques to stabilize Ji Shaoqing’s condition.

But…

High above the Edge of the Sky Platform, a dark object suddenly appeared.

Its manner of appearance was very peculiar.

It looked as if someone had punched through space, pierced through rules, and thus it appeared here.

It shouldn’t have appeared, but it did.

So jarring, yet so forceful.

It was a… knuckle duster.

Appearing as though cast from black iron, it didn’t seem remarkable at first glance, but upon closer observation, one could feel the roaring malevolence within. It was the terror of a thousand armies dead, ten thousand horses silenced.

Those who knew, knew its name was Overrunning Army.

Those who didn’t know were not qualified to see it.

Gu Huaixin tightly closed his mouth.

He knew this was the final warning.