374: Killing is the answer

Shen Bei had to admit that the previous 'outsider' was far inferior to him in terms of physical techniques and close-quarters combat under the suppression of the North Mansion.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been slowly worn down to death by him.

Although his own reckless and extremely fierce Aura played a part, it was undeniable that his Martial Arts routines also played a decisive role.

One must know, these Martial Arts routines were not mere showy displays.

They were all created for killing enemies.

It's just that after becoming a Martial Artist, the brilliance of Martial Skills completely overshadowed the foundation of Martial Arts.

Not using them is one thing.

But when used in a fight, they are deadly killing techniques.

And now, although Shen Bei was covered in knife wounds and bruises, Gu Jiu, on the other side, was indeed a difficult opponent.

However, the more challenging the situation, the more excited Shen Bei became.

"You are the opponent I crave!"

Shen Bei licked his lips.

If they were outside, facing an eighth-rank Gu Jiu, Shen Bei would only be able to flee.

But now it was different.

Everyone was on the same starting line; it all depended on who was more ruthless, who had the strongest Aura, and who was willing to risk his life!

For Shen Bei, the North Mansion was simply a happy home.

It was incredibly joyful.

"I think you crave death." Gu Jiu's eyes grew even colder and filled with determination: "Don't worry, I won't let you die too quickly."

Shen Bei took a stance, defiant and arrogant, lifting his chin and revealing a meaningful smile: "Then please give me more intensity!"

Gu Jiu's deep, brutal, and terrifying voice rang out: "If you seek death, I shall grant it!"

The next moment.

Gu Jiu pressed his fingers together like a sword, his movement like a swimming Dragon, advancing relentlessly, surging forward without a break.

Neither side had weapons, only the purest clash of fists!

There were no Martial Skills, no True Qi or primal force.

The most primal close-quarters combat!

One could see.

Gu Jiu's footwork was varied, his two arms like two long swords, either parrying, striking, chopping, pressing, pointing, sweeping, stirring, or pulling.

Every move vibrated, his muscles and bones resonating, and faintly, the sound of wind and thunder could be heard.

Swift as the wind, fierce as thunder, sweeping aside all who stood in his way.

Shen Bei cursed inwardly.

He had intended to provoke Gu Jiu's emotions, as emotional loss of control leads to slow reactions and distorted movements.

But this Gu Jiu was incredibly steady!

He was formidable!

Shen Bei gasped, forced to the edge of the arena by Gu Jiu, having lost the initiative, yet he did not jump down.

Although he was at a disadvantage, his heart grew increasingly calm, reaching a state of extreme clarity.

Suddenly, Shen Bei twisted his waist, turned halfway, facing Gu Jiu's body centerline with his shoulder. In an instant, his right arm retracted, his wrist pulled back to his heart, drawing a rapid circle, accumulating power to its peak. With a beat of his heart, his horse stance bobbed up and down, and his arm shot out like a fierce Dragon emerging from its lair, like a long spear thrusting directly, sweeping aside Gu Jiu's two-arm sword stance, and directly thrusting towards his opponent's chest.

This move of Shen Bei's was a "Returning Horse Spear" from the "Dragon Snake Combined Attack."

The Dragon was the horse, the snake was the spear.

In ancient times, peerless generals, fighting on the battlefield, with a horse and a twelve-foot spear, trampled through enemy camps, the spearhead flashing with cold light, causing ghosts to wail and gods to howl.

What power and heroism!

This Dragon Snake Combined Attack was derived from the essence of ancient battlefield combat.

Shen Bei was no fool. As soon as Gu Jiu jumped off the stage and then sprang up to counterattack, he already knew that he had miscalculated and was bound to face a fierce assault from his opponent. So, while continuously dodging and retreating, he accumulated strength, adjusted his posture, turning his lower body into a galloping horse, waiting only for the final pull of the reins to deliver a fatal spear thrust.

The thrilling and perilous essence of the ancient battlefield was perfectly embodied in Shen Bei's "Returning Horse Spear" move.

One horse, one spear, could cleave land and establish a domain, becoming a king or a marquis.

Gu Jiu immediately gained the upper hand, calculating that Shen Bei would surely retreat from the arena.

At that very moment, his Aura and power would also accumulate to their peak.

If Shen Bei had jumped down from the arena, Gu Jiu would have, in that same second, used his hand as a sword, leaping into the air to strike, delivering the most classic and fierce attack in the Dao of the sword, "Blade Against the Wind."

In his younger days, to solidify his physical foundation before becoming a Cultivator, Gu Jiu had practiced his sword under a waterfall for three years, leaping from a height, cleaving the waterfall with his sword, cutting through water with his blade, with immense power. His sword stance enveloped all directions, making it an almost unavoidable attack.

"Blade Against the Wind" was a thunderous strike only used in the most crucial and advantageous situations. It could not be easily deployed at other times, as a person leaping into the air had many vulnerabilities.

However, as soon as Shen Bei fell from the arena, it would be the perfect scenario.

In the previous instant, Gu Jiu almost felt the dawn of victory appearing before him.

However, Shen Bei's "Returning Horse Spear" attack directly shattered his dawn.

"So powerful!"

Gu Jiu's skin was sensitive; as his arms were swept aside, he immediately sensed a change in the situation. His mind, tempered by Royal struggles, was incredibly resilient, and he felt no disappointment at the loss of victory. His heart grew even calmer, and he immediately brought his hands back, pressing them against his chest.

Bang!

Shen Bei's arm, acting as a spear, clashed head-on with Gu Jiu's chest. This "Returning Horse Spear" attack exploded with immense power. Gu Jiu's "Blade Against the Wind" power had not yet been unleashed, so he was naturally a step behind. He retreated repeatedly, leaping back to the center of the high platform.

He finally regained the upper hand!

"Is that all? Where's the death I crave? You're not just all talk, are you?"

Shen Bei taunted him with a sneer.

Gu Jiu snorted: "It's just that your luck was better."

"Luck... Heh heh." Shen Bei spread his bloody arms: "Why don't you admit that luck is also a form of strength?"

"It's hard to believe that someone like you, who can infiltrate the North Mansion, is so naive." Gu Jiu scrutinized Shen Bei, letting out a soft 'hmm'.

"Ha..." Shen Bei suddenly stepped forward! With another roar like a tiger: "This is called staying true to one's original intention!"

"Is your original intention not to tell the truth?"

Gu Jiu faced Shen Bei's renewed charge, neither dodging nor avoiding, but instead pressing forward.

Their fists and feet met.

Various routine physical techniques continuously clashed.

"Don't you just want to know how I became an 'outsider'? I told you, kill me, and you'll know the answer."

Shen Bei spoke, but his attacks did not cease, truly a close-quarters brawl.

Bang~~

Shen Bei's punch struck Gu Jiu's face, directly dislocating his nose bridge.

Gu Jiu hissed, feeling a surge of sourness rush to his head. He didn't miss Shen Bei's wide-open stance either, pulling back his hand and delivering a punch to Shen Bei's stomach.

Shen Bei gagged, almost throwing up.

He felt his internal organs churning uncontrollably in his stomach, like they were visiting each other for New Year's, not sticking to their posts.

Neither side gained an advantage, nor suffered a loss.

Shen Bei wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his face as ferocious as a demon: "How about this, we exchange a piece of information. Tell me, why are you escorting Heaven-Shaking Slave to the North Mansion?"

This was also what puzzled Shen Bei; what kind of deal did Heaven-Shaking Slave make to have the Royal family escort him?

"Very simple." Gu Jiu smirked, his tone quite playful: "Kill me, and you'll know the answer."

"It's no fun if you just copy what I say."

"Do you think you're interesting?" Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow: "However, you've learned the cave language quite well."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Shen Bei shook his body: "Since neither of us can get an answer from the other, then... let's end this!"

Shen Bei roared, and once again, he lunged forward like a tiger!