Under the forest canopy, Mu Chen was still quietly watching the familiar figure from high up in the tree branch, Liu Mubai. He hadn't expected to encounter this person 1v1 right here. It seemed Liu Territory's group had also been separated by the fierce swarm of bees, and this cunning fellow had likely heard the faint flute sound and rushed over. Unfortunately, he was still a bit slower than Mu Chen; before he could even arrive, Mu Chen had already taken everything.
At Liu Mubai's threat to hand over the treasures, Mu Chen merely gave a faint smile, the corner of his mouth curling up in mockery.
"This isn't Northern Spiritual Academy. I think you understand that if you die by my hand, no one will bother to investigate, so I advise you to understand the actual situation a bit better. And I don't think your personality is foolish enough to recklessly rush to your death."
Liu Mubai saw the sneer on Mu Chen's lips. The other party completely disregarded his words, his eyes still indifferent, as he slowly said.
"I wasn't afraid when Blood Butcher hunted me down, so what are you, Liu Mubai?"
Mu Chen smiled in response.
"That Blood Butcher was actually too foolish. He must have unluckily encountered a Silver Horned Dragon Leopard in the Northern Spiritual Field, right? I must say your luck is truly good, to encounter such a rare event."
Liu Mubai scoffed, his tone mocking. In truth, after that incident, they had stayed to investigate the matter, following Blood Butcher's tracks to the territory of the Silver Horned Dragon Leopard. There, they found several torn pieces of Blood Butcher's clothing, only then vaguely forming a few theories about why Mu Chen was able to escape and even kill Blood Butcher.
"Blood Butcher was killed by the Silver Horned Dragon Leopard, what does that have to do with you? To use that to scare me, you're a bit naive."
Liu Mubai gave a cold laugh. Liu Territory's people had also guessed 70 to 80 percent of what happened that day. The only thing was, they all believed the appearance of the Silver Horned Dragon Leopard was coincidental, and no one had expected the main reason was that the young man had used cunning schemes, step by step leading Blood Butcher to his death.
Mu Chen merely smiled, not intending to argue or debate with this talkative fellow. He actually preferred opponents who thought themselves clever.
"Are you going to obediently hand over those things now?"
Liu Mubai extended his hand again, but this time, spiritual energy fluctuations had already begun to flicker in his palm.
Mu Chen smiled and shook his head.
"Whoosh!"
The instant Mu Chen shook his head, Liu Mubai launched himself from the tree branch, like an eagle swooping down from above to catch its prey. Powerful spiritual energy surged from his palm, mercilessly striking towards Mu Chen.
Mu Chen pushed the tip of his foot into the thick dry leaves beneath him, suddenly kicking them violently upwards, sending dry leaves scattering everywhere as his body rapidly retreated backward.
"Swish!"
Fiery red spiritual energy erupted violently, directly shattering the dry leaves that obstructed his vision. Liu Mubai's movement technique was as fast as lightning, his hand clenched like an eagle's talon, fiery red spiritual energy radiating scorching fluctuations, his attack aimed directly at the vital points in Mu Chen's chest.
Seeing Liu Mubai's ruthless offensive, Mu Chen's eyes also turned cold. Dark spiritual energy surged from his fist, and at that very moment, a Shura Death Seal flashed into existence.
He threw a punch!
The Shura Death Seal on Mu Chen's fist suddenly flared, enveloped by dark spiritual energy, exuding an overbearing fluctuation.
"Smack!"
Mu Chen's fist strike directly met Liu Mubai's sharp eagle claw. A harsh clanging sound rang out, and with the naked eye, one could clearly see violent spiritual energy waves spreading, sweeping away all objects around the two of them, sending them flying elsewhere.
Mu Chen's body trembled slightly, and he retreated a few steps. His cold gaze still didn't forget to observe Liu Mubai, realizing that the other's strength had indeed advanced to the Spirit Wheel Realm.
"Spirit Movement Realm late-stage?"
As for Liu Mubai, he also exclaimed in shock, his eyes filled with horror. The last time he fought Liu Yang in the trial grounds, he had only just reached the Spirit Movement Realm middle-stage. Not long after, he was able to reach the Spirit Movement Realm late-stage. His cultivation speed was truly fast.
Moreover, what astonished Liu Mubai even more was that with such strength, he still couldn't gain the upper hand against Mu Chen in a head-on confrontation. To possess such formidable power with only Spirit Movement Realm late-stage strength was truly astonishing.
"You've got some skill, no wonder I always found you detestable. I originally planned to make you lose face completely when we officially competed for a spot in the Five Great Academies, but now you make me utterly despise you. In that case, I won't give you the chance to reach that point."
Liu Mubai muttered angrily, then sprang forward, crimson spiritual energy enveloping his body, and pressure directly enveloped Mu Chen. Judging by his stance, he was probably planning to deliver a killing blow to Mu Chen right here.
Without the slightest hesitation, Liu Mubai's spiritual energy grew increasingly fierce. Both his palms curved into claws, and crimson spiritual energy surged and coiled around his hands, vaguely forming the head of a fire eagle. The hand claws and fire eagle merged, fiercely attacking Mu Chen.
Facing Liu Mubai's sharp attacking moves, Mu Chen did not choose to resist head-on. Liu Mubai's strength was clearly a level stronger than his, and rushing forward head-first would only fulfill the other's wish.
Mu Chen tapped his feet and leaped backward. At the same time, dark streaks suddenly appeared on his ten fingertips.
Liu Mubai followed closely without letting go, his fierce moves forcing Mu Chen to continuously retreat. Seeing his opponent constantly dodging, Liu Mubai sneered:
"Didn't you still boast about being strong? Why are you now dodging and fleeing like a rabbit?"
Mu Chen calmly dodged, returning a provocative smile to the other, but had no intention of clashing head-on.
"Let's see where you can run!" The corner of Liu Mubai's eye lit up. His body seemed to fly into mid-air, and abundant spiritual energy surged out even more fiercely. His claws transformed into fists, and from high above, he struck down at Mu Chen through the air.
"Fiery Eagle Burn!" As one fist struck down, crimson spiritual energy surged out like flames. The fist wind was enveloped by flames, and Liu Mubai seemed to transform into a fire eagle, roaring as he swooped down, covering all of Mu Chen's escape routes.
One would have thought Mu Chen would panic, but he suddenly stopped, his dark pupils gazing at the surging, violent attack. His two hands instantly clasped together, and he shouted loudly:
"Form the array!"
"Swish, swish, swish...!"
The moment he shouted, the air in front of him slightly rippled. Strands of dark spiritual energy, like threads, surged out, coiling around Liu Mubai's limbs and body, binding him tightly.
Suddenly bound, Liu Mubai's body stiffened and halted for an instant. The other's face once again showed extreme horror:
"A Spiritual Array?"
However, his surprise lasted only a moment. He then realized the spiritual array's binding seemed weak and let out a disdainful laugh:
"So it's just a minor spiritual array."
"Boom!"
The mighty spiritual energy surged powerfully from his body, directly shattering the tendrils of dark spiritual energy. Liu Mu Bai's offensive continued unabated, fiercely striking at Mu Chen. However, being momentarily blocked by the minor spiritual array caused his attack to lose a beat, and its momentum was significantly diminished.
At this moment, facing Liu Mu Bai's relentless and furiously pressing attack for the second time, Mu Chen no longer chose to evade. His expression was solemn, and a chilling killing intent surged forth.
Dark spiritual energy suddenly enveloped Mu Chen's hands. He took a few steps forward, and within his palms, two Netherworld Death Seals flickered in and out of existence.
"So, you're finally not running anymore?"
Seeing this, Liu Mu Bai's smile deepened, becoming more delighted. His killing intent also greatly intensified, his eyes fierce and cruel. His spiritual energy, blazing red like a hunting fire eagle, surged with abnormal ferocity, rapidly pressing down on Mu Chen's chest.
"Netherworld Death Seal!"
His hands clenched, then thrust out with a powerful roar, the spiritual energy within his body erupting like surging, tumultuous waves.
The two Netherworld Death Seals emitted a domineering radiance.
Fists and palms roared as they swung forward, and under the fierce and cold gazes of both men, they violently collided.