The Golden Divine Spear was something Chen Xia recognized.
It was the one that had shot and killed Zuo Ri of the Shooting Realm.
This meant he had encountered the Divine Realm Prince.
More and more cultivators gathered around to watch, some who had been following Chen Xia all along wanting to see the excitement, some who started spectating midway, and some who came over after the Divine Realm Prince made his move, now interested.
Half the cultivators from the Heaven Ranking and Earth Ranking were there observing, not because they wanted to watch Chen Xia, but because they wanted to see how the Divine Realm Prince would shoot and kill Chen Xia.
The Divine Realm Prince was steadily ranked in the top ten of the Heaven Ranking. After entering the Great Death Realm, he had shot and killed at least five Heaven Ranking cultivators, so losing the position of Lei Jian's partner wouldn't matter much.
If he really succeeded in the kill, it would be the biggest entertainment these days.
The Divine Realm Prince's reputation could also be elevated, adding more terror and prestige.
The Gentleman in White stood dumbfounded atop the Little Stars, suddenly patting his head and chuckling lightly at Ma Xiaohong.
"The food at home is ready. I'll go back for a bit first."
"Oh... Okay." Ma Xiaohong nodded lightly in response, but her eyes remained fixed on Chen Xia, a hint of worry in them, though without any doubt.
In her eyes, Chen Xia would not lose. He hadn't lost even in the intense scenes at the Great Saint Ruins, so he couldn't possibly lose now.
He would win. Ma Xiaohong firmly believed that.
Seeing Ma Xiaohong's appearance, the Gentleman in White also slowed his pace and started spectating, intending to flee once Chen Xia was nearing defeat.
After all, the saying still stood.
If there was a fight, he would surely flee!
The incoming Golden Divine Spear suddenly flipped around and shot back out through the sword formation condensed from a million flying swords, going in and out to create a penetration.
The Golden Divine Spear fell into his hand. A golden-armored figure stood tall atop the stars, his feet trampling the celestial bodies. His divine eyes flashed radiantly, igniting the surrounding spiritual energy and unknown karma fire from the very first instant he appeared.
The prince's brows and eyes were sharp. In both hands he held long spears, one the Golden Divine Spear and the other pitch-black, looking unlike a spear and more resembling an arrow.
He raised his brows and said coldly to Chen Xia,
"A Heaven Ranking cultivator does not deserve to travel like this. Your ostentation is too much, I very much dislike it. I shall reward you with three spears right now. If you live past these three spears, then I will permit you to stop here."
The surrounding cultivators engaged in intense discussion.
They were all wondering if Chen Xia could survive these three spears.
Eventually, they came to an answer.
He must die.
Because the prince had said three spears, that surely meant he intended to use these three spears to kill this Lei Jian's partner.
Such was this prince's character - it seemed he was giving a chance, but it was certain death nonetheless.
Killing intent began to permeate the air.
The prince raised his left hand holding the Golden Divine Spear to be level with his shoulder.
The stars quivered in the sea of death, celestial bodies constantly crumbling.
Chen Xia frowned, the crimson glow in his left eye flickering incessantly. A million flying swords recondensed their sword formation, as he disdainfully said to the prince,
"Jerk."
The prince was taken aback, feeling like this demeanor and tone were oddly familiar. He became even more indignant. He lifted his left hand, already level with his shoulder, up over his head, the force and killing intent greater.
He said coldly,
"Die!"
Boom!
The Golden Divine Spear instantly shot forth, arrogantly blasting through the celestial bodies along its path, piercing through the sword formation condensed from a million flying swords, and shooting straight at Chen Xia's domain!
The Earth Ranking cultivators spectating could not even open their eyes from the faint traces of killing intent that leaked out.
What great supernatural power!
The spear arrived in a flash.
In Ma Xiaohong's arms no longer remained the Broken Immortal Sword's hilt. It was now in Chen Xia's hands.
The sword hilt and Golden Divine Spear were locked against each other.
Three million flying swords reinforced the sword might, resonating with the sword hilt and confronting the Divine Spear in equal measure.
The overflowing sword might and killing intent savagely tore open the void.
The Broken Immortal Sword let out a cry, clearly not inferior to the Golden Divine Spear which greatly displeased it. In the previous great era, it had been the strongest killing weapon that could even slay emperors.
Chen Xia gripped the sword tightly, sensing the Broken Immortal Sword's might swell increasingly, meaning that the sword itself had flared up in anger and started getting serious.
Gripping the sword, the crimson glow in Chen Xia's left eye intensified. Although his consciousness remained dominant, the utmost pure white image of the Celestial Dragon gathered in his palm along with it as he grasped the sword hilt.
Then... he slashed out!
The celestial bodies shattered and the vast sword might flooded forth.
The Golden Divine Spear's killing intent was extinguished instantly, falling back into the Divine Realm Prince's hand.
For a time, all that existed in this starry space was the billowing sword might.
It was an overwhelmingly fierce sword stroke.
The spectators were left somewhat dumbstruck, not knowing what to make of it. After some time, someone finally muttered,
"What ranking on the Heaven List should this Lei Jian's partner actually be at?"
The cultivators did not answer. After pondering for a bit, someone said in a low voice,
"He has hopes of competing for the top ten."
Silence.
A prolonged silence.
It was an extremely high appraisal, yet the cultivators could not find a word to refute it. It seemed this was indeed the case.
Because not only had Chen Xia withstood one of the Divine Realm Prince's spears, he had suppressed it. This was tremendously frightening.
It meant Chen Xia was at least able to fight on par with the Divine Realm Prince. He was truly capable of engaging him in combat.
This was what qualified Chen Xia to compete for the top ten positions of the Heaven Ranking.
The Divine Realm Prince retracted the Golden Divine Spear, his gaze sizing up Chen Xia with abundant gloom. After some time, he said coldly again,
"I will not permit you. There are still two spears left - one to heavily injure, one to kill."
Chen Xia did not show the slightest fear either, nodding in response. "Even if you didn't come, I would still have to hack at you a couple times later."
This was merely returning the favor.
The Divine Realm Prince did not speak. But he lifted his arm, extremely high, raised above his head, already prepared to shoot the killing blow.
Chen Xia also held up the Broken Immortal Sword.
"Brother Chen!"
A clear and crisp voice suddenly cut in, interrupting everything.
Chen Xia froze blankly. The might around the sword hilt also dissipated somewhat as he did not dare to turn his head.
"Is it you, Brother Chen?!" The clear voice already carried sobs, sounding rather emotional and grieved.
Silence pervaded the air for a long time.
The spectating cultivators did not dare believe their eyes. No cultivator dared believe the scene before them.
Because the status of the owner of that voice was simply too high.
Another long silence followed.
Chen Xia slowly turned around, the crimson glow at his left eye dissipating as he chuckled lightly.
"Long time no see, little Xu."
Before him stood an elegant beauty, now with tears streaming down her face. The passage of eight thousand years had not changed her one bit.
More silence.
One did not know what to say, the other did not want to speak.
Behind them, Ma Xiaohong stood with a somewhat bewildered look.
She had many questions.
Up in the sky, the Divine Realm Prince knitted his brows, asking Chen Xia in a deep voice,
"Just who exactly are you?!"
"Your father," Chen Xia immediately retorted.
"Shut up, jerk," Xu Zhen shot back.
It was like a coordinated combo attack.
Extremely tacit.
Chen Xia let out a breath. "Let's talk later, little Xu. Brother Chen has something to take care of now. Wait for me to hack this guy up first."
Xu Zhen nodded, standing to the side. Her hands were already condensing immortal arts.
Whoever dared bully Brother Chen, I will end his life.
One-click immortal arts activated and ready!