At this moment, a white chess piece within Zhao Yuan's body shone brilliantly!
Duan Chen had actually not noticed it before!
"This truly exceeds my expectations..."
Gu Sang's face was grim. He knew that the guardians of each world gate were the apex of human combat power. Relying on his own strength, he might not be enough to defeat Zhao Yuan.
"What a blinding light!"
Everyone couldn't help but squint their eyes.
"This spiritual energy..." Du Qingyi felt a tremor of shock. She discovered that the spiritual energy within Zhao Yuan was like a boundless ocean, endless and radiating a pure, clean aura. This aura completely overshadowed the evil energy emanating from Gu Sang.
"Did you really think this world gate was a wild one? I'm afraid not. It has an owner, and that owner is me, not some god, nor some evil god!"
As Zhao Yuan spoke, his eyes became sharp.
"Damn it..."
"Hmph!"
Zhao Yuan wasted no more words. With a cold snort, he raised his right hand.
"Sunlight!"
Blinding, scorching light erupted from the palm of his aged, withered hand.
"Nightfall!"
Gu Sang, unwilling to be outdone, unleashed his evil dark energy, which violently collided with the immense, righteous energy!
"Sizzle!"
Battles of this caliber were no longer something Du Qingyi and the others could participate in. A casual gust of spiritual energy from either Zhao Yuan or Gu Sang could send them to their deaths.
Only Duan Chen remained motionless!
He was observing.
When he first saw Gu Sang's techniques, he had a similar idea, but due to timing, he hadn't been able to fully realize it.
Now was a good opportunity.
Duan Chen silently activated telepathic communication, conveying his thoughts to Zhao Yuan.
Even Zhao Yuan, upon hearing his idea, couldn't help but tremble. His expression was strange, and he almost allowed Gu Sang to seize the moment and break through his Sunlight.
However, soon after, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Excellent!"
Youngsters should have this kind of spirit!
Indeed worthy of being the Fool chosen by the gods!
"What excellent..."
Gu Sang was already struggling to withstand the sunlight. He was completely unable to attend to whatever subtle movements Duan Chen was making. Furthermore, frankly speaking, he didn't believe that their current strength could pose a threat to him.
Gu Sang shifted his gaze to Zhao Yuan.
This old fellow was the real trouble!
Where was 05? Why hadn't he appeared yet?!
The thought of that cunning fellow made Gu Sang inwardly resentful.
"Nightfall!"
He roared again, this time adding other techniques after it.
"Starfall!"
Pitch blackness descended. Upon closer inspection, the inky black sky was dotted with stars, and these stars, under everyone's gaze, were actually falling!
"It's an illusion!"
"But it's too real!" Ding Ding and the others' lips turned pale with fear.
"Bring it on! The more the better!"
Zhao Yuan was unconcerned.
"Sunlight's Radiance!"
Above the inky black sky, a fiery, scorching sun hung high, its warm rays casting down. Within its beauty lay hidden danger.
"Crackling—"
The night sky gradually shattered, and the falling stars, illuminated by the intense sunlight, were torn apart and pulverized, scattering like dust in the wind.
"Are these still... spiritual energy users?"
"Are they gods?"
If Duan Chen hadn't brought Jun Ci and Yuan Yuan with him on this trip, they would never have believed that such a powerful spiritual energy user existed in the world based on descriptions alone!
Manipulating illusions, the sun rising and moon setting!
A trickle of blood slowly seeped from the corner of Gu Sang's mouth, but his gaze remained resolute, never once retreating.
"Nightfall!"
"Moonfall!"
"Sunrise!"
After using three consecutive moves, coupled with the previous expenditure, even an observant person could see that Gu Sang's steps were unsteady. His internal energy was likely depleted and wouldn't last much longer.
Zhao Yuan's complexion was also slightly pale.
Night fell again, and the sun and moon shared the sky!
Gu Sang's Sunrise shared a similar effect with Zhao Yuan's technique, but their outcomes differed. Gu Sang's sun emitted scorching heat; all things under such high temperatures could only turn to ash!
Chess piece!
Gu Sang used the power of his black chess piece to forcibly enhance the might of Moonfall and Sunrise!
"So hot..."
"Am I going to die?"
Zhao Yuan's expression was solemn. Even he felt threatened by the power of this move.
"Sunup!"
Unlike Gu Sang's dry and scorching sun, the sun behind Zhao Yuan emitted a gentle radiance that warmed the body, making everyone feel comfortable. When it shone upon Jun Ci and the others, it surprisingly alleviated the dryness and pain brought about by Gu Sang's attack.
In the sky, two suns and one moon blazed magnificently!
At this moment, if a decisive figure didn't step forward to interfere, it would likely devolve into a prolonged war of attrition. Zhao Yuan and Gu Sang were relatively fine, but Jun Ci and the others suffered immensely, not only bearing the spiritual energy pressure from Gu Sang but also enduring the intensely hot Sunrise.
This couldn't go on!
However, Zhao Yuan appeared to be handling it with ease, completely unconcerned about the current situation. This wasn't because he was cold-blooded and uncaring about Jun Ci's group's fate, but because he knew Duan Chen had another plan.
"Captain, what are you still standing there for? Hurry back!" Yuan Yuan couldn't help but shout.
Duan Chen stood rigidly under Gu Sang's Sunrise technique, looking as though he was about to be roasted dry.
In reality, this was not the case. He had activated the power of Wu Suowei's King Chess, and his entire body was enveloped in a layer of shimmering white spiritual energy. Gu Sang's primary target was Zhao Yuan, and the sunlight that fell upon him held little power.
"Duan Chen!" Du Qingyi also called out.
"Wait!"
Zhao Lang reached out and stopped them, his eyes solemn.
"You all had best not disturb the Fool right now!"
"Why?"
Ling Yong wiped his mouth and said with a smile, "Because the Fool is preparing a world-shattering move. If it succeeds, that masked man in black will be utterly defeated!"
Jun Ci was stunned.
From any perspective, it seemed impossible for Duan Chen to participate in a battle of this level.
"Troublesome!"
Gu Sang gritted his teeth and suddenly shifted his gaze to Duan Chen.
He knew that Duan Chen was Wu Suowei's King Chess. If the King Chess died, it would surely affect Zhao Yuan as well.
"I'll start with you!"
He flashed and lunged fiercely towards Duan Chen!
Duan Chen neither dodged nor parried. His eyes suddenly snapped open, and he stared coldly at Gu Sang, slowly uttering two words.
"Nightfall!"
What?!
Gu Sang was aghast.
"Starfall!"
"Moonfall!"
"Sunrise!"
By the end of this, Duan Chen's spiritual energy was completely depleted. His legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.
Immediately after, everyone watched in horror as a bright moon in the sky fiercely descended, directly shattering Gu Sang's sun!
The scorching heat vanished instantly!
At the same time, a new sun slowly rose. This sun carried a vibrant life force, emitting a warm, jade-like glow.
That was Duan Chen's Sunrise!