Chapter Eighty-Two: Gaisleyson

Recently, all Qiankun wanted was to spar with the patriarchs of the Four Divine Beast Clans, not to kill anyone. However, these high-ranking god warriors of the Azure Dragon Clan showed no mercy in their attacks. Even if he decisively killed them, it would only draw more warriors from the Four Divine Beast Clans, escalating the situation beyond control. What to do now?

Evading their assault with a flicker of his figure, Qiankun frowned in thought, but soon an idea came to him. He hovered midair, closed his eyes, and seemed to completely disregard the high-ranking god warriors of the Azure Dragon Clan converging on him again. At that moment, an invisible wave of soul force emanated from Qiankun, and all those touched by this intangible energy instantly lost consciousness, tumbling from the sky.

Qiankun was not using a soul attack imbued with the profundities of laws, but rather unleashed a trace of his primordial spirit’s might, sending those high-ranking gods into a trance, rendering them unconscious without harming them in the slightest.

Centered on Qiankun, this invisible might swept out for several miles around. Any other high-ranking god warriors of the Azure Dragon Clan who approached fell into a daze and passed out, only awakening in confusion after crashing to the ground below. Before long, they were so frightened by Qiankun’s methods that they watched him warily from a distance, not daring to come any closer.

“Who dares act so presumptuously in the territory of the Four Divine Beast Clans?” A cold shout rang out as two men and a woman appeared, clad in azure armor traced with intricate golden patterns, their attire both ancient and noble, with cloaks inscribed with complex arcane symbols draped over their shoulders. These three powerful members of the Azure Dragon Clan emerged from the golden fortress, leading a group of high-ranking gods in robes and armor of various colors. The one who spoke was a stern, imposing middle-aged man at the fore.

The squad leader who had earlier brought two or three dozen high-ranking god warriors to question Qiankun quickly flew over, respectfully saluting the three and briefly explaining what had transpired.

“What? He just stands there without moving, and any high-ranking god warrior who approaches falls unconscious?” The golden-haired woman’s expression changed instantly.

The cold, middle-aged man and the silver-haired elder exchanged glances, brows furrowing, and then turned to Qiankun with newfound gravity. “What formidable soul arts. He must be a superlative expert in the soul path. But why would such a figure stir up trouble here at the Four Divine Beast Clans?”

Realizing Qiankun’s formidable strength, they were both wary and awed, not daring to offend him lightly.

“Who exactly are you? Why have you come to the Four Divine Beast Clans?” the silver-haired elder ventured.

“I told you already. I’ve come to challenge your patriarch, Gaisleson. Is he not here?” Qiankun replied, somewhat exasperated. “If he is, have him come out at once. If not, then summon the patriarchs of the Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and White Tiger Clans. I can spar with them first—it makes no difference to me.”

The cold middle-aged man could not help but laugh in anger. “You are far too arrogant! Do you truly think nothing of the Four Divine Beast Clans?”

Qiankun only shook his head and scoffed. “What? Are the Four Divine Beast Clans still so mighty without the protection of your forebear, the founder?”

“You dare insult the Four Divine Beast Clans? Courting death!” Roaring in fury, the cold middle-aged man lunged at Qiankun.

“Morkel!” The silver-haired elder’s face changed as he tried to intervene, but it was already too late.

As the cold middle-aged man charged, Qiankun didn’t even bother to draw a weapon. With a thought, he released an invisible wave of primordial spirit might. Instantly, Morkel’s entire body went limp and he plummeted from the air.

He regained consciousness before hitting the ground, his face ashen with shock and disbelief as he looked up at Qiankun hovering above.

“Morkel!” The silver-haired elder and the golden-haired woman were both alarmed to see their companion felled so easily, but relaxed a little when he seemed unhurt, then regarded Qiankun with renewed awe, no longer daring to underestimate this mysterious challenger.

Qiankun glanced at them coldly. “You three are no match for me. Summon your patriarch at once!”

All three felt a surge of shame and indignation. As elders of the Azure Dragon Clan, formidable as seven-star demons, when had they ever been so dismissed? Yet reason told them this mysterious adversary was indeed terrifying—at least in the soul arts, he was a monster. Even the three of them together were unlikely to prevail.

As the trio hesitated, exchanging troubled glances, a tall figure flew over from afar, robes billowing, alighting before them—a stern-faced, knife-edged man with flowing blue hair and an air of unyielding authority.

“Patriarch!” Morkel and the other two Azure Dragon Clan elders, along with the assembled warriors, all bowed respectfully.

The newcomer was none other than Gaisleson, son of the Azure Dragon Highgod and patriarch of the Azure Dragon Leding Clan.

Gaisleson ignored the others, his piercing gaze fixed on Qiankun. “You wish to challenge me?”

“That’s right! My name is Qiankun. I have long been immersed in arduous cultivation, and since attaining the high god level, I have seldom had the chance to spar with true experts. I heard the Four Divine Beast Clans are home to many masters, so I came here specifically to seek duels with your finest. You, Gaisleson, are the first I wish to challenge.” Qiankun nodded, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

Gaisleson’s brows knit. “You came to the Four Divine Beast Clans only to spar?”

“What else? Gaisleson, you can't possibly think I came here to make trouble, do you? I’m strong, yes, but could I alone take on the entire Four Divine Beast Clans?” Qiankun gave a wry shrug. “To be honest, I intend to challenge not only your clan, but your eight archenemy clans as well. Their patriarchs are also worthy opponents.”

Gaisleson was taken aback that Qiankun even intended to challenge the patriarchs of their eight rival clans, and looked at him with a hint of amazement before nodding. “Very well. I believe a man of your power has no need to lie. Since you seek a challenge, I, Gaisleson, will give you one today.”

With that, Gaisleson waved his hand, and the three Azure Dragon elders, along with several more who had hurried over, as well as the other Azure Dragon experts and high-ranking god warriors, all withdrew a safe distance.

A clash between powers of Qiankun and Gaisleson’s caliber would be terrifying. If anyone stood too close, they might die without even knowing how.

High above the Dragon Road, Qiankun and Gaisleson faced each other, their invisible auras spreading outward, making all the onlookers feel a strange, suffocating pressure.

With a thought, Qiankun conjured a pale-blue divine whip—clearly, he was preparing to use the profundities of the water element, since Gaisleson also specialized in water. Only by clashing with the same law could the greatest sparks fly.

Gaisleson did not immediately draw his artifact weapon, but simply clenched his fist, a layer of ice swiftly forming over his knuckles.

With a boom, Gaisleson’s figure flickered, launching a merciless attack.

Seeing that Gaisleson was not using his artifact, Qiankun put away his own whip, clenched his fist as well, and gathered ice over his knuckles. With matching moves, he met Gaisleson’s punch head-on.

A muffled crash rang out as their fists collided, and the space around them shattered and warped like fractured ice.