Chapter 279: A Desperate Gamble

This was the first time Chen Fei had ever witnessed a battle between peak-level powerhouses at such close range.

During the confrontation with the Blood Sect Patriarch, he had Ancestor Tianqing shielding him, so the brunt of the force had been greatly mitigated. But now… it was completely different.

Neither the Wanderer nor Master Xu He held back in the slightest. Even though their auras weren’t directly aimed at the spectators, the pressure alone felt like a giant stone pressing down on everyone’s chest.

Aside from Chen Fei and Saintess Leng Yue, the rest were struggling just to stay on their feet—let alone watch the fight.

“Roar!”

The beast formed from red energy on Xu He’s chest let out an enraged howl, its iron jaws clamping down tightly on the tip of the long spear.

“To think a mindless Wanderer would have this much strength… I underestimated you,” Xu He sneered.

In a flash, his figure appeared above the Wanderer, preparing to crush him with a blood-colored palm strike.

But just as the blow was about to fall—

“Mo Chi—show yourself!”

The Wanderer abruptly raised his head and shouted directly in Xu He’s face.

The sound wave itself was a weapon.

Xu He instantly bled from every orifice, utterly shocked.

“How could anyone in this secret realm pose a threat to me? I’m a Demon Lord!”

The Wanderer moved too fast.

While Xu He was momentarily dazed, the Wanderer’s body suddenly expanded, becoming like a giant. He grabbed Xu He’s head with one massive hand—

And began slamming him into the ground.

Again and again.

It looked so painful that Chen Fei winced just watching.

Peach Blossom had been sure of their victory—after all, with a Demon Lord personally stepping in, what opponent couldn’t be subdued?

Unfortunately, they’d encountered a monster.

The crazed Wanderer howled as he swung Xu He’s body around like a ragdoll, venting his fury. The black-red command flag in his other hand whirled like a mad storm.

“Sigh… After all these years, you’re still the same.”

A gentle voice echoed through the air.

A pale, delicate hand appeared out of nowhere and tapped lightly against the Wanderer’s forehead.

Instantly, the raging monster fell eerily silent, his eyes regaining sharp clarity as he locked onto the empty space in front of him.

“Mo Chi… show yourself.”

“Sigh…”

Another sigh responded.

Suddenly, chains made of solidified earth burst from the ground and tightly wrapped around the Wanderer’s limbs, rapidly hardening.

Xu He, battered and broken, took this opportunity to flee, his proud demeanor completely shattered. Gone was the majesty of a Demon Lord—he looked pitiful and furious, eyes locked on the restrained Wanderer.

When he saw the chains fully bind the monster, his expression twisted.

“You damn beast… die!”

Xu He raised his hand, preparing to strike again.

But before his attack landed, it dissipated mid-air.

“You’ve got guts… daring to strike again in my presence.”

The same soft voice rang out.

With a sound like glass shattering, Xu He’s head exploded.

His body floated limply in mid-air, and a tiny, fist-sized face formed at the base of his neck. Horror filled his miniature expression.

“Begone.”

The command was cold and final.

Xu He’s body shattered completely, leaving behind only a small-arm-sized miniature figure that darted away in terror.

Peach Blossom’s expression shifted dramatically. Without hesitation, she turned and fled.

“The Tianzhang Mountain Secret Realm isn’t a place you can come and go as you please!”

The voice echoed once again.

Not only Peach Blossom but even Saintess Leng Yue, standing right beside Chen Fei, paled.

Chen Fei reacted quicker.

Without a word, he grabbed Leng Yue and pulled her into the Purple Palace within his body.

“Oh?”

A curious hum rang out.

Chen Fei instantly felt an invisible gaze lock onto him.

There was nothing in front of him, yet the presence felt as real as iron shackles—like a body-freezing technique pinning him to the spot.

But no further action followed, allowing Chen Fei to breathe a small sigh of relief.

The Wanderer, now bound in chains, had become like a stone statue.

The black-red command flag remained firmly gripped in his hand.

The dark clouds overhead quickly dispersed, and the suddenly bright sky almost felt uncomfortable after such gloom.

A ruthless glint flashed in Chen Fei’s eyes.

Fortune favors the bold.

As soon as he rushed forward, Qian Kuan moved as well.

“Time to get serious,” Chen Fei murmured with a cold smile, eyes locked on Qian Kuan.

The latter felt a growing sense of danger—but it was too late to back down now.

“Saint Armor!”

Qian Kuan growled, activating a milky white aura that wrapped his entire body in protective light.

Seeing Chen Fei get serious, Qian Kuan dared not show any weakness. He assumed a battle-ready stance.

Earlier, when they’d clashed using only physical strength, they’d been evenly matched.

But now—Chen Fei wielded the massive, hiltless greatsword.

“Let’s see what kind of skills the Holy Son of Tianqing truly has!”

Qian Kuan now also held a brilliant longsword—clearly a powerful weapon.

Chen Fei smiled faintly.

“Cross Edge—Wave Breaker.”

Those four simple words were followed by a glint from his blade. Mysterious runes shimmered briefly across the Edgebreaker Sword.

The two attacks collided.

Screee—

A harsh grinding noise split the air, followed by the crack of something breaking.

Qian Kuan’s pupils shrank, horror on his face.

“No… How?!”

Chen Fei replied calmly:

“Why not?”

With that, the massive sword sliced cleanly through.

Chen Fei now stood before the petrified Wanderer.

“Senior, forgive me!”

He bowed briefly toward the unmoving giant, recalling the madness in his eyes.

Then he reached forward and grabbed the black-red command flag.

To claim it!

As soon as his fingers touched the flag, a mad howl erupted in his sea of consciousness.

The force shook his mental world violently.

Even prepared, Chen Fei felt his soul quaking.

Unprepared, the howl would have shattered his soul entirely.

Thankfully, he still had the Void Heaven Cauldron.

Now that he’d reached the peak of the Advanced Realm, the cauldron had begun to evolve. Its presence calmed the turbulence, gradually stabilizing his consciousness.

More importantly—

The command flag was loosening.

“Mo Chi!!”

The final roar from the Wanderer echoed through his mind.

But Chen Fei seized the chance and—pulled the command flag free.