Global Catastrophe: I Begin to Evolve from an Ancient Tree-Chapter 165 - 164: Mutual Defeat

"Who are you... I don’t understand what you’re saying."

Zuo Ling’s mind trembled slightly, but his expression remained calm and composed, without a hint of panic.

Even though the person before him gave him a strong sense of threat, having broken through to the sixth stage of True Monarch perfection, Zuo Ling was confident he was not inferior to anyone.

"I am Gu Tiangang from the Sacred Land of the Ancient Wilderness. There’s no need to disguise; you can’t deceive my eyes and ears. Since you’re unwilling to hand it over, I have no choice but to take it myself!"

Gu Tiangang’s expression was cold. Although Zuo Ling had stepped into True Monarch perfection, he didn’t regard him as a threat.

Among powerhouses of the same level, Gu Tiangang considered himself unafraid of anyone.

So.

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Tiangang made his move.

Gu Tiangang attacked, and the immense pressure made battle intent surge in Zuo Ling’s eyes; he wanted to test his strength.

"Boom!"

The full power of the sixth stage True Monarch erupted, and Zuo Ling felt his Quasi-Emperor bloodline throbbing, raising his hand to unleash razor-sharp Sword Qi that tore through space, transforming into a myriad, targeting Gu Tiangang. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Divinity Transformation Sword Technique!

Eighth-grade supreme Secret Technique!

Zuo Shen Peak left two inheritances: the Sect’s Foundation Technique, Shocking God Dao Scripture of Jing Shen Palace of yesteryear, and his own learned Divinity Transformation Sword Technique.

Now, Zuo Ling had barely grasped such Secret Techniques; just by deploying it, a skyful of Sword Qi swept forth, making Gu Tiangang feel threatened greatly.

"You indeed obtained the Quasi-Emperor inheritance!"

Gu Tiangang’s eyes burned; with his insight, he could see that the Secret Technique Zuo Ling employed was extraordinary.

Even with the Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land’s legacy, there were no such profound means.

Understanding this, Gu Tiangang’s killing intent became even more fervent.

To him, the Quasi-Emperor inheritance was crucial. The Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land was once at its peak a Quasi-Emperor level power, but now it had declined, merely a typical Saint-level force.

If he could seize the inheritance of the Jing Shen Palace, there was hope to rejuvenate the Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land.

"Boom!"

"Rumble!"

Gu Tiangang’s fist and foot tore through the void; the might of the Ancient Wilderness Saint Body was fully revealed. Even with Zuo Ling’s possession of eighth-grade Secret Techniques and Quasi-Emperor bloodline, he was completely suppressed, unable to gain any advantage.

The more they fought!

The more Zuo Ling was alarmed!

He thought his power was already top-notch, not expecting to have just come out of the Quasi-Emperor Secret Realm only to be taught a lesson by Gu Tiangang.

"Hand over the Quasi-Emperor inheritance, and I can allow you to join the Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land, where we can seek the Dao together!"

Gu Tiangang said solemnly.

He could also feel Zuo Ling’s great strength. The Quasi-Emperor inheritance was paramount, and Gu Tiangang didn’t want to delay too long to avoid drawing others’ attention.

If the Quasi-Emperor inheritance was exposed, it would no longer be easy for the Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land to monopolize the inheritance.

Upon hearing this.

Zuo Ling laughed furiously, "Such fine words about seeking the Dao together. Let’s see if you have what it takes to defeat me!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Zuo Ling forcefully activated the Divine Emperor Sword within his Dantian. As the energy and blood flowed in, the Divine Emperor Sword vibrated violently, emitting an extremely terrifying Sword Qi, causing his Dantian to instantly fracture.

The next moment.

A terrifying Sword Qi burst forth from his body, Zuo Ling’s face twisted, his gaze on Gu Tiangang filled with icy killing intent.

"Die for me!"

Instantly.

The space shattered.

The tangible fear overwhelmed Gu Tiangang, compelling him to fully activate the energy and blood of his body, transforming it into Protective Gang Qi while frantically retreating.

"Boom—"

The Gang Qi shattered, bringing forth a spray of blood, followed by the explosion of mountains, and an earth-shattering loud noise shook the surroundings.

Zuo Ling looked at Gu Tiangang, pierced by the Sword Qi, intending to deliver a finishing blow, but the excruciating pain from his ruptured Dantian and the sound made him dare not linger, so he turned and left.

On the other side.

Gu Tiangang’s chest heaved violently; a gruesome bloody hole ran from his chest downwards, barely showing his beating heart. His expression was somewhat grim, but mostly filled with lingering fear.

So close!

Just a little more!

Gu Tiangang felt, for the first time, how close he was to death.

Had he not dodged in time, that one strike would have been fatal.

Looking back.

A mountain behind him was shattered by Sword Qi, leaving a deep ravine in the ground, a remnant of the Sword Qi’s power.

"Quasi-Emperor Supreme Treasure..."

Gu Tiangang enunciated each word, as his chest flesh slowly wriggled, attempting to self-heal, but the remaining Sword Qi in the wound hindered recovery.

Recalling the terrifying Sword Qi just now, Gu Tiangang was fully convinced that it was definitely the power of a Quasi-Emperor Supreme Treasure.

Clearly.

Zuo Ling had also failed to truly control the Quasi-Emperor Supreme Treasure, merely borrowing a fraction of its power, yet still nearly killing him, making Gu Tiangang wary.

"I’ll remember this. Didn’t expect that of all the cultivators entering the Secret Realm, a Loose Cultivator would take the advantage!"

Gu Tiangang swallowed several Elixirs to barely stabilize his injuries, then turned and left.

Being severely wounded now meant he was no longer at full strength, making it unwise to linger, and he needed to return to the Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land for safety.

A heavily injured Ancient Wilderness Saint Body could become a target for many.

While the Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land had considerable power, this was Central Province, where some cultivators might not fear the Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land.

Thus.

To play it safe.

Gu Tiangang naturally needed to withdraw first.

As for Zuo Ling’s case, it would have to wait until he fully recovered to settle accounts.

After all, a grudge had been formed, and Zuo Ling had gained the Quasi-Emperor inheritance. Allowing him to grow unchecked posed a huge threat to the entire Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land.

Under such circumstances, how could Gu Tiangang let him live?

Even if the Ancient Wilderness Sacred Land couldn’t obtain the Quasi-Emperor Supreme Treasure, Zuo Ling must be eliminated.

Shortly after Gu Tiangang and Zuo Ling left, the clash here attracted the attention of other powerhouses.

Upon seeing the ravines and shattered mountains, along with the lingering traces of unextinguished Sword Qi, they instantly realized a great battle had occurred here.

A True Monarch powerhouse, sensing the lingering Sword Qi on the ground, looked solemn: "This Sword Qi remains unextinguished, containing extremely terrifying power that exceeds the limits of a True Monarch, left by a powerful Supreme Treasure."

Powerful Supreme Treasure!

Hearing these words, many powerhouses’ eyes flickered.

First, the Quasi-Emperor inheritance was obtained by a mysterious cultivator, and now the lingering power of a powerful Supreme Treasure remained. It’s easy to link the two.

This way.

The mysterious cultivator who obtained the Quasi-Emperor inheritance was very likely one of the combatants.

At this thought.

Many cultivators secretly spread the word, seeking this cultivator’s whereabouts to interrogate about the Quasi-Emperor inheritance.