Deep beneath this monstrous maw, Jiang Wen finally beheld the so-called divine flesh. It resembled a mass of meat, encircled by countless intertwined blood vessels.
Like a heart wreathed in golden mist, it pulsed rhythmically within the vast abdominal cavity.
Once, twice…
Each beat propelled an inexhaustible surge of earth vein energy, coursing through the network of blood vessels.
Jiang Wen circled the fleshy heart, studying it intently. After a long while, he realized he had seen it somewhere before.
It was when he was still in Tianyuan City, and Jiang Wenji had taken him along on a trip to the royal capital. He had entered the temple reserved for the Taicang royal family and saw an enormous, heart-like mass of flesh.
It was parasitic, attached to a massive demon beast, with dense, web-like blood vessels clinging to the beast's body. It pulsed ceaselessly, draining the beast's power.
Jiang Wenji had said it was a heart the Jiang Clan had obtained by chance during the ancient war. Its origins were unknown, but it was said to be incredibly mysterious, capable of fusing human and demon blood to grant demonic power.
It was with this heart that the Taicang royal family had come to rule humanity, becoming the lords of the human realm. It was also thanks to this heart that Taicang had a constant stream of warriors wielding demonic power.
However, the heart was always guarded by the most ancient members of the Jiang Clan, and even Jiang Wenji, as a Heavenly King, could not use it freely. Otherwise, Jiang Wen would have truly wanted to study it back then.
He never imagined that after countless years, he would see this heart again within the Flesh Soil. Once, he could only observe from afar, but now he could examine it up close – truly, the world was an unpredictable place.
The heart's origins were extremely mysterious, and even the Taicang royal family, who had possessed it for many years, couldn't say where it came from. They only knew that every year, at a certain time, the heart would overflow with vital essence, which was the best substance for fusing with demon blood.
But now, before Jiang Wen was an even larger heart, several times bigger than the one in Taicang. It radiated golden light, and each beat resonated with the observer's own heart.
Having absorbed earth vein energy for many years, this heart had become extraordinary. If not for a certain familiar aura, Jiang Wen might not have recognized it as the same heart from the Taicang royal family.
Then, the person slowly peeled away from the surface of the heart, the flesh and blood vessels merging into the body. The person fell to the ground, as if a ball of blood had exploded, gradually gathering, merging, and finally becoming someone Jiang Wen knew very well.
"Hahahaha," the person laughed loudly at Jiang Wen, his eyes filled with mockery.
Jiang Wen calmed his emotions. This was the first time in his life he had faced such a bizarre opponent.
"You go to the side, I'll be his opponent," Jiang Wen said solemnly, his energy focused. Looking at the 'himself' standing opposite him, he slowly summoned the Rupture from his storage bag.
And the other 'Jiang Wen', like him, gradually manifested an identical Rupture sword in his hand. The two stared at each other for a moment, and in the next instant, they vanished from the spot.
Clang clang clang clang!!!
The rapid sound of flying swords clashing echoed, and Du Haitang only saw invisible sword light crisscrossing in this space. Like the most magnificent fireworks in the world, they were beautiful and deadly.
Explosive sounds came from all directions, and countless figures were scattered everywhere. These fighting figures froze in place, waiting for a moment before slowly dissipating. This was only because Jiang Wen and 'Jiang Wen' were moving too fast, and even their shadows almost materialized.
The two traded blows, using the simplest and most direct power in the world to fight. It was an indomitable force from the flesh, a pure physical force capable of piercing mountains and destroying rivers.
Kaiyang!
Overlapping Waves!!
The two's fist techniques were evenly matched, and they knew each other's every move clearly. It was as if he was fighting himself, and the strongest enemy he faced was himself.
"Nine Heavens Divine Thunder! Execute immediately as commanded!" The two spoke in unison, and a thunder dragon roared out, colliding with each other. Endless fire and lightning filled the entire cavity, and even the pulsing heart was not spared.
Du Haitang hid under the Four象 Sword Formation, and with Jiang Wen's protection, she was not harmed. She watched the scene that resembled a war between true gods, her heart both excited and worried.
She knew that she could not interfere in battles of this level. Just that swift thunder dragon alone was enough to kill her a thousand times over.
Du Haitang could only stand within the Four象 Sword Formation, clasping her hands together and silently praying for Jiang Wen. Regardless of whether there were truly gods and immortals in the world, please protect her benefactor.
The astral energy from the exchange of fists and feet impacted all directions, shattering countless blood vessels and causing earth vein energy to flow rampant. The heart swayed back and forth in the gale, and the golden light within it shone even brighter.
"Hahaha, can you defeat me?! You can't!" 'Jiang Wen' laughed maniacally, his power growing stronger. Jiang Wen exchanged a few blows with him and felt the infinite brute force contained in his fist.
How could this be?! Jiang Wen was shocked. He never thought that one day he would be weaker than someone in physical combat. He cultivated both body and soul, using the Heart Seal Sutra to temper his body. In addition, with the Bright Spirit Seeing Nature method, he was confident that he could suppress even a Dao Palace cultivator who specialized in body cultivation.
After all, it was a cultivation method he had developed by combining the Taicang Demon Transformation Path. Even the demonized warriors of Taicang who specialized in close combat might not be able to fight him head-on in physical combat.
But now, the 'himself' who appeared here was actually able to suppress himself in terms of physical strength. It was truly an incredible thing.
Something seemed to be ignited in Jiang Wen's heart. It was the fighting spirit he had when he was fighting异族 in the Old Soil.
After being knocked away by another punch, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled at the 'himself.'
"Again!!"
