Apotheosis

Though at the marrow refining level, Zen braved the debilitating assault from Vale, thus dwarfing his counterparts.

Billy who was at the grade-two nature level was too weak to circulate his life vitality against Vale's threat. Consequently, he was just an onlooker.

Zen who hadn't learned to cultivate life vitality found it exceptionally hard to concentrate on his life energy.

He relied on his body and the strength of his soul instead.

'Vale's intent is not as strong as the vengeful beast's intent. Nevertheless, it is challenging for me to resist his intent !' Zen marveled at his rival's power, which almost overwhelmed him despite his determination to withstand the assault.

Many people would be overpowered under this circumstance. Zen was no exception.

He felt as though he was being shattered and battered.....

'No. I must not surrender!' Zen swore.

One may achieve wonders with superior willpower.

But the overwhelming disparity between them in terms of martial arts overshadowed Zen's tenacity.

Zen was enduring the unbearable when confronting his rival.

Vale marveled at Zen's unparalleled endurance in the heat of their fight.

He was aware of the immense power of his life vitality, which was why Vale had used it to attack Zen.

'Marrow refining level......

His physical body has not yet reached its limits....

How can he counter my attacks?' Vale wondered at Zen's capacity to face his life vitality.

"Zen, I can see your strength and power fading gradually!" Vale grinned and then circulated his life vitality stronger than before. His power increased, so did the light column. It soared higher and glimmered brighter.

The homicidal intent of the lotus emanating from Vale's body had by now reached excessive levels.

But Zen's blood and soul were extraordinary enough to withstand the metaphysical menace as his body had become a spiritual weapon already.

Tenacious as he was, Zen felt his soul's strength fading gradually.

When confronted by the vengeful beast, the cyan dragon had come to Zen's rescue. It had roared at the vengeful beast, and the beast had surrendered. Now the cyan dragon was not spiritually active.

'I have to learn to be self-reliant!' he thought.

Vale's life vitality combined with the homicidal intent of the lotus was not powerful enough to injure Zen severely.

But Vale's assaults gave Zen a sense of oppression.

'I must maintain my soul strength and peace of mind t

ed into Vale's head.

Fortunately for Vale, he had reached the Illuminating Soul Realm. That meant that Vale only felt a little dizzy from the spiritual attack and was able to recover quickly.

However, it was the hiatus that nearly doomed Vale.

The broken flying knife flew toward Vale's head. By the time Vale regained his composure after the spiritual thorn strike, the knife had neared its mark.

A lotus bloomed to counter the broken flying knife. However, the broken flying knife penetrated it.

Another lotus shot up in its place to block the broken flying knife's course, only to prove futile.

The power of the broken flying knife was diminished only upon impact with the third lotus. Since it carried the weight of ten thousand pounds, the lotus proved to be more effective in deflecting the broken flying knife.

Despite the deviation, the broken flying knife marred Vale and blood spurted from the spot where the knife had embedded itself.

Had it not been for Vale's timely reaction, he would have lost his life.

Vale was highly endowed and considered as a promising youth among the disciples from noble clans owing to his extraordinary martial arts.

The Wang Clan was a minor clan compared to the top seven noble clans.

Vale and his father Steven Wang were edging their way into an influential clan worthy of the top seven noble clans' equal.

Every warrior was bound to meet some difficulties on his way to the success.

And this battle nearly claimed Vale's life.

Vale narrowly escaped death when battling Zen because he had been overconfident and arrogant.... That was the price of his contempt!