Chapter Sixty-Two: Peacock Blue

Heavenly Furnace Bronze Gauntlets!

The blue-green flames carried a chilling coldness that sent shivers through the bones—perhaps it was due to Tang Tian’s own tempering process. The bronze martial spirit of the gauntlets was now linked with Tang Tian’s mind and heart. Confidence surged within him, and with sudden inspiration, he shouted, “Heavenly Furnace!”

Whoosh!

The azure flames instantly surged, spreading along Tang Tian’s arms, and in the blink of an eye, his arms were engulfed completely.

With a flicker, Tang Tian’s figure darted forward. His right claw shot out like lightning, an indescribable sense of freedom flowing from his wrist, as if there were no restraints, as light as nothingness!

A streak of blue lightning flashed through the air!

The speed of Tang Tian’s claw was so great that even compared to his technique “Lightning Strike,” it was not a whit slower.

This thrilled Tang Tian. All along, “Lightning Flash” had been his fastest attack, but its power had become insufficient for him now. His original Eagle Claw skill was already impressively quick, but now it had become truly terrifying.

Double Claw Flurry!

Suddenly, the air lit up with dazzling blue lightning.

Clang, clang, clang!

Sparks flew in all directions as the soul general was forced back again and again under Tang Tian’s furious assault.

Yet the mastery of the general’s claw skill was undeniable—even at a disadvantage, it was flawless, revealing no gaps. Despite Tang Tian’s raging storm of attacks, he failed to land a fatal blow.

What formidable claw technique!

Tang Tian couldn’t help but think of the Soul-Harvesting Spear. After his duel with Zhou Peng, Tang Tian had researched the life of Yang Yun, the master spearman, and felt lucky. Fortunately, the soul general card Zhou Peng possessed had only been created when the Soul-Harvesting Spear was young and just gaining fame—his spear techniques then were still in their infancy.

However, this soul general before him, though lower in rank, wielded claw skills even more formidable than the Soul-Harvesting Spear, completely without flaw.

Both sides fought at dizzying speed, countless sparks bursting forth.

If not for the Heavenly Furnace Gauntlets and his Crane Body, Tang Tian’s claw skills alone would have fallen far short of the soul general’s. The general’s claws were honed to perfection, leaving Tang Tian in awe.

But this only stoked Tang Tian’s fighting spirit.

The shrill whistling in the air faded away, the blue afterimages of claws gathering their momentum, now hissing softly like a serpent flicking its tongue.

Hiss, hiss, hiss!

Clang, clang, clang!

The azure, lightning-fast claws struck with tremendous force. Though the soul general blocked Tang Tian’s assault, the power transmitted forced the general to retreat with each impact.

Tang Tian noticed this immediately and understood. Typically, claw masters did not rely on brute strength—their focus was on finger and wrist power, rarely employing their full bodily strength. But Tang Tian’s physique was exceptionally well-balanced. While his raw strength was slightly inferior to a brute like Amory, his technique was superior, his power purer. With perfect foundational force techniques, he could swiftly mobilize his entire body’s strength.

What if he channeled all his strength into his Eagle Claw skill?

With this thought, Tang Tian’s movements began to change.

His Eagle Claw style shifted—becoming broad and bold, the chilling aura fading, replaced by an upright, dignified power.

The sound of their clashing hands and claws changed at once: clang, clang, clang!

Tang Tian’s hands struck like hammers, breaking subtlety with sheer force. The soul general, already at a disadvantage, became even more desperate under such a relentless barrage.

Tang Tian was wholly immersed in this new Eagle Claw technique, constantly pouring his full strength into each strike. The once-serpentine hissing of his claws grew deep and sonorous, his new form sacrificing some variation for even greater might.

But soon, Tang Tian realized that although he had the soul general completely suppressed, breaking through the general’s defense was proving exceedingly difficult.

Suddenly, he recalled the soul general’s earlier changes in rhythm—attacks that alternated between light and heavy, real and feigned, which had nearly made him cough blood. Tang Tian began to imitate this, varying his own attacks in weight and speed. The soul general immediately became flustered, and cracks appeared in what had been an impenetrable defense.

As defeat for the soul general became inevitable, a brilliant red light suddenly flared in the general’s eyes.

A sudden sense of alarm struck Tang Tian; his expression changed.

Without hesitation, he leapt backward to retreat!

Five dazzling sparks burst before his eyes.

The soul general’s five fingers sliced through the air, their speed so great that even the friction with the air ignited a trail of fire!

This was a killing move!

A deadly threat pressed down on Tang Tian. As he retreated, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Acting on instinct, he let out a fierce shout. His eyes blazed, and he summoned all his energy, raising his right claw—fingers closed like a bird’s beak—and struck fiercely.

Eagle Strike!

This ultimate move, created by fusing Crane Body Power into his technique, erupted in an instant. A blazing blue claw mark appeared out of nowhere, striking the soul general’s flaming iron sickle claws dead on.

Boom!

The soul general was struck as if by lightning. Having already consumed a great deal of energy, the sharp and powerful Eagle Strike delivered a fatal blow.

The soul general exploded before Tang Tian, countless fragments of martial spirit scattering through the corridor like drifting willow catkins, vanishing rapidly.

Tang Tian stood stunned in the silent, empty passageway, a trace of sadness welling in his heart. From the soul general’s skills alone, one could see how profound this predecessor’s mastery of finger techniques had been! After death, one’s martial spirit would usually dissipate, but this predecessor’s spirit had become a soul general, guarding this place—surely due to some unfulfilled wish.

Tang Tian murmured, “Rest assured, senior. I will not disgrace your martial arts or your treasured relics!”

He did not know what the senior’s wish had been, so he could only express his respect in this way. Composing himself, Tang Tian straightened and strode deeper into the corridor.

After traveling some four or five hundred meters, a stone chamber appeared before him.

The moment he entered, his eyes were riveted by an object at the very center of the chamber—he could not look away.

A complete set of bronze armor rested there, pristine despite the passage of time, untouched by even a speck of dust. Tang Tian could sense its formidable aura—this was his first time seeing bronze armor.

“That is the Peacock Bronze Armor. Its name is ‘Peacock Blue.’” A voice suddenly spoke from behind.

Startled, Tang Tian turned—it was Jing Hao.

Jing Hao gazed calmly at the armor and said lightly, “The Peacock constellation may not be a major one, but this suit is among the finest of all bronze armors. I never expected it to be in Senior Nong’s possession.”

Noticing Tang Tian’s wary expression, he added, “Don’t worry, I won’t take it from you.”

“Why?” Tang Tian was surprised.

“I have my own armor,” Jing Hao replied coolly.

At once, Tang Tian’s eyes lit up and he grinned broadly. “Ah, that’s great!” He dashed straight toward Peacock Blue.

Jing Hao remained motionless, speaking almost to himself, “Armor is different from other treasures. Its power is far greater, and taming it is not easy…”

He broke off abruptly, staring in disbelief as Tang Tian fumbled to don the Peacock Blue armor.

How could this be…

Armor is not so easily tamed…

Why isn’t the armor reacting at all…

Jing Hao stared in astonishment. Armor was one of the most complex treasures—only sufficiently strong constellations could give birth to such things. As a result, armor was powerful but notoriously difficult to subdue. Jing Hao clearly remembered that it had taken him a full month to tame his own.

This guy…

For the first time, Jing Hao felt a twinge of jealousy.

“Wow, it really is powerful—I can feel its surging strength!” Tang Tian exclaimed in surprise.

Hearing Tang Tian’s cry, Jing Hao looked up—and his expression froze.

A myriad of lights shone beneath Tang Tian’s feet.

Tang Tian closed his eyes to sense it carefully.

In the midst of the glow, the bronze armor began to melt.

This…this…

Jing Hao’s jaw dropped in shock.

As the surface of the armor melted like wax, intricate patterns emerged on what had once been smooth bronze. The designs multiplied, growing ever more elaborate. The stiff, angular edges rapidly softened into graceful curves.

A brand-new Peacock Blue appeared before them.

The once-bulky armor now fit more snugly. Every plate was inscribed with exquisite blue patterns, layered like peacock feathers—a perfect work of art. The slightly upturned shoulders did not hinder Tang Tian’s movements at all. Whenever he moved, the armor shimmered with rippling azure waves, beautiful as flowing water.

Tang Tian was endlessly fascinated. He could sense that the power within the armor had grown even stronger.

What a powerful martial spirit!

He could feel that the spirit within the armor was even mightier than that of the gauntlets.

“Martial spirit awakening…”

Jing Hao muttered in a daze. Suddenly, he jolted upright, exclaiming, “I understand—Senior Nong has acknowledged you!”

His voice was a mixture of shock, envy, and disbelief. Jing Hao had long known of this place, but because he practiced swordsmanship and had no interest in finger arts, he had never come. Now, seeing the transformed Peacock Blue on Tang Tian, he suddenly felt a pang of regret.

“Ah, Senior Nong acknowledged me?” Tang Tian’s grin was irrepressible. “Aiya, as expected of a formidable senior—his judgment is keen indeed! He must have seen at a glance that I am a youth worthy of trust! Wahahaha!”

Jing Hao’s expression froze. That such a person could win Senior Nong’s recognition…

Jing Hao suddenly felt the world was simply absurd.

Tang Tian, full of himself, stopped laughing and, remembering Jing Hao’s earlier exclamation, asked curiously, “Oh, by the way, what does it mean for a martial spirit to awaken?”