Once again, Chu Kuangren had defeated all the outlawed sky-prides on his own. His invincible poise was akin to a Supreme God, shocking everyone present.
He stood in the air and glanced at Zi Wuji, the person who used the Spatial Cessation Rune earlier. A smile was etched on his face. "Those eyes of yours seem impressive."
He had activated his Eye of Revelation and obtained every information about his opponent.
Chu Kuangren learned that he came from the Runic Lands and was well-versed in rune techniques. Besides that, his opponent also had remarkable runic energy in his eyes.
"The power you displayed during combat was truly admirable."
Zi Wuji said while looking at Chu Kuangren's imposing might with a stern expression.
If that many outlawed sky-prides could not lay a finger on that person, it would be impossible for him to go against Chu Kuangren alone.
"Do you wish to fight me as well?" Chu Kuangren uttered.
"Seeing that you used the Spatial Cessation Rune earlier, I suppose you also have some knowledge in runic Dao. How about this? Why don't the both of us battle using only runic Dao to decide who's the victor?"
Zi Wuji suggested.
Upon hearing his suggestion, the rest of the sky-prides secretly cursed Zi Wuji's shamelessness.
As an outlawed sky-pride of the Runic Lands, there was basically no one in the Emperor Road who could match Zi Wuji in rune techniques.
No matter how powerful Chu Kuangren was, his strength was gained by the arsenal of various cultivation techniques he had. How could he possibly be a match against Zi Wuji using only rune techniques, knowing that his opponent was specialized in runes?
At this thought, everyone looked at Chu Kuangren, confident that he would not accept something like this.
Nevertheless, everyone also wished that he would accept Zi Wuji's challenge.
It did not matter to them even if Zi Wuji emerged victorious in the end. All they wanted was to see Chu Kuangren suffer some defeat.
"Wow, this is wonderful. You get to choose what techniques to use to decide who wins?"
Chu Kuangren could not help but snort.
Zi Wuji was speechless for a moment.
Indeed.
/strong>
As of now, Chu Kuangren had no doubt gained the upper hand since no one at the scene could prove to be his match. He could certainly do anything he wished, such as ignoring someone like Zi Wuji.
"However, seeing that you're brave enough to suggest something like this, you must be quite confident in your rune techniques," Chu Kuangren spoke again.
"More or less, I suppose."
"Since you wished for us to fight using only rune techniques, I shall take you up on that offer."
"Huh? Are you really agreeing to this?"
Zi Wuji's eyes lit up. He did not expect Chu Kuangren to accept his suggestion that easily.
"That's right. Also, since you're that confident, why don't we make a bet as well?"
"What kind of bet are you talking about?"
"Rumor has it that the Thousand Rune Compendium within the Runic Lands has a record of every type of rune since the time immemorial. If you lose, that Thousand Rune Compendium is mine!"
That was why Chu Kuangren agreed in the first place.
He wanted to obtain the Thousand Rune Compendium, in hopes of using it to improve his rune techniques.
"That's impossible. The Thousand Rune Compendium is one of the most precious treasures of my Runic Lands. Something like this would never be given to any outsiders. Besides, that compendium is currently kept in the Runic Lands and not in my possession."
"If that's the case, we can forget about it."
Chu Kuangren uttered, and a surge of Sword-based Daoist Rhyme was released from his body. In the void, a gigantic sword shadow manifested.
An inexplicably sharp aura emanated from the sword shadow. Enveloped by its aura, Zi Wuji felt a prickling pain all over his body.
There was no questioning that once the sword descended, even an outlawed sky-pride like him would not end up well.
Chu Kuangren's message was clear. 'Since I won't gain anything by fighting you with only rune techniques, then what's the point?'
'Why don't I be done with you within a single strike, take the treasures, and leave instead? Doesn't that plan sound better?'
"Please wait!"
Zi Wuji yelled and said, "Although I don't have the original Thousand Rune Compendium on me, I have an incomplete printed copy here instead. Besides the few significant forbidden rune techniques, the rest of them are recorded in this copy. I'm willing to use this copy as a bet."
At that, Chu Kuangren gradually retracted his sword qi and pondered. "That'll do, too."
"Alright, then it's settled. The both of us shall fight using only rune technique. If I get lucky and win, this Wood Elemental Leyline Essence shall belong to me. If I lose, I shall give you this printed copy of the Thousand Rune Compendium," Zi Wuji said as a strange purple light appeared in his eyes.
Chu Kuangren nodded. "Alright."
"Then, bring it on!"
Zi Wuji burst out laughing as if victory was in his hands. Deep down, he was already calling Chu Kuangren a fool for accepting his suggestion.
When it came to rune techniques, no one could match the Runic Lands.
As for Zi Wuji, the outlawed sky-pride of the Runic Lands, the proficiency of his rune techniques had long been well-known in the Emperor Road.
The fact that someone like Chu Kuangren, who learned rune techniques from who knew where and still had the audacity to fight him was insulting.
After all, he was a professional!
Zi Wuji began to channel his spiritual power, forming a mysterious rune at his fingertips.
His rune then turned into a great fireball that shot towards Chu Kuangren. That kind of power he unleashed was already on par with the top-notch Sage Ruler.
Being able to create such powerful runes within an instant showed Zi Wuji's talent and skill in rune techniques.
However, when the great fireball was about to approach Chu Kuangren, a piece of golden rune appeared in the void to form a golden shield.
The great fireball collided and exploded on the shield, unable to reach Chu Kuangren at all.
Zi Wuji was slightly surprised. It was not because his opponent had blocked his attack, but because of the peculiar techniques that Chu Kuangren was using to create runes. None of his spiritual power was used in the process.
Instead, he was channeling the spiritual qi from the surroundings.
"What kind of rune technique is this?"
Having been at the Runic Lands for so long, Zi Wuji had never heard of anyone who could create and control runes in such a manner.
"Why have you stopped? Keep going, and let me witness the techniques of the Runic Lands."
Chu Kuangren chuckled.
Even if Zi Wuji racked his brains, he would never have imagined that a type of talent known as 'mind power' existed in this world. After all, it was a knowledge that had been lost through time.
"Get ready and watch out."
Zi Wuji continued to attack. He gathered spiritual power once again, and several runes were sketched out with his fingers.
A green rune appeared before it turned into a rope of wind and headed towards Chu Kuangren at high speeds, attempting to restrain him.
However, Chu Kuangren's runic swords easily sliced it into pieces.
Following that, several pieces of blue runes, which erupted with lightning energy, appeared before Zi Wuji and headed towards Chu Kuangren.
Nevertheless, Chu Kuangren stood unmoved while unleashing strikes upon strikes of his runic swords.
"Blizzard rune!"
"Lightning rune!"
"Gale rune…"
The usage of runes involved channeling the energy from nature itself.
In that regard, Zi Wuji was undoubtedly an expert in this as he unleashed numerous runes that contained the energy of nature towards Chu Kuangren mercilessly.
Lightning, wind and fire, blizzard…
By then, Zi Wuji had displayed countless runes, which turned into a plethora of colorfully lit natural energy that swept towards Chu Kuangren.
The surrounding sky-prides were stunned to witness this rare battle of rune techniques.
"This person is truly an outlawed sky-pride of the Runic Lands. Just look at all the remarkable rune techniques he has used."
"That's right. I'm afraid no one can be a match for him in this world. Even if there is, it's most likely those old ones at the Runic Lands."
However, everyone eventually noticed that Chu Kuangren had not fallen to a disadvantage in battling Zi Wuji.
No matter what runes his opponent used, he could still easily block them with his runic swords. He was just standing there with a relaxed look on his face.
"I can't believe his rune techniques are this powerful!"
Wang Quan, Bai Hongyu, and the others were shocked.
They could hardly find any weakness in Chu Kuangren at all.
'Physical strength, spiritual power, sword Dao, runic Dao… This person is actually a jack of all trades and a master in all!'