Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 81: Peril

Blood Core Eruption!

At the moment when Han Li was about to crush Li Pin's entire fist, Li Pin erupted his Blood Core without any hesitation.

A searing torrent of qi and blood burst forth from his body.

Simultaneously, with the eruption of his Blood Core, his tendons, bones, and even his organs began to tremble. The layers of these vibrations stacked like waves, and ultimately, under the amplified power of the Blood Core Eruption, they transformed into a powerful force comparable to Core Force.

This blast shot through Han Li's tightly grasped fist, penetrating into his wrist, and further shaking his carpal bones, ulna, radius, and other bones.

Double-layered Force!

This was precisely the double-layered Force Li Pin had grasped through his battle with Chang Yueming.

The excruciating pain caused Han Li to nearly lose all sensation in his palm. Seizing this opportunity, Li Pin swirled and flicked his right hand, drawing the already approaching Han Li even closer.

At the same time, he unleashed a left-handed palm strike imbued with the force of his erupted Blood Core. His movement was swift like thunder, ruthlessly targeting Han Li's chest.

At that moment, Han Li's eyes turned cold and sharp. Li Pin might have erupted his Blood Core, but Han Li did not lack the courage to fight to the death. As the force of his own Blood Core surged, he thrusted his arms forward to block Li Pin's strike.

However, Li Pin's palm strike didn't contain any explosive Core Force. It was merely a push, and whether it landed on his chest or arm made little difference.

Caught off guard by the push, Han Li couldn't prevent himself from being driven back. In the instant he fell back, Li Pin moved like a wandering dragon, covering the distance between them with unbelievable speed. He forcefully planted his right foot, intercepting Han Li's retreating heel.

In that moment, Han Li was thrown off balance by Li Pin's push, sending him uncontrollably airborne.

But this was not the end. As Han Li lost his balance and began to fall backward, Li Pin followed up with a powerful step forward with his left leg.

Li Pin pushed the Chilong of the Eight Enormities True Fire Force, known for its agility and evasion, to its peak.

He raised his right hand, which he had used to unleash the double-layered Force to injure Han Li's wrist. Clenching his fist tightly, he swiftly channeled his force. Like a bolt of lightning descending from the heavens, he aimed at the staggered and unbalanced Han Li and struck down with tremendous force.

In that critical moment, Han Li reacted astonishingly quickly. He thrust his arm forward, bracing himself once more.

Bang!

The impact of the force was like a wall hit with a level nine earthquake.

By relying on his muscles that had been forged through countless trials and tribulations, and the high-frequency vibrations of his force to dissipate the blow, Han Li managed to resolutely block the swift strike with his formidable physique.

However, while he managed to block Li Pin's attack, he could not negate its inertia. His massive frame, still off-balance, was driven toward the arena floor by the thunderous strike.

Simultaneously, Li Pin whipped out his left hand with the force of a whip, creating a sonic boom in the air.

The qi and blood generated from his Blood Core Eruption surged violently within him, channeling its power into his left arm. The condensed Core Force crashed down toward Han Li as he plummeted toward the ground.

The target of this strike was Han Li's skull!

Buzz, buzz!

Right at that moment, a chilling sense of imminent danger exploded from Li Pin's scalp, sending his mind into a frenzy. Every cell in his body screamed at him to retreat! Retreat swiftly to evade this blow, or else, he would die!

Li Pin believed that the Aura Cultivator officiant would not dare lay hands on him in such a public setting. Otherwise, he'd face scrutiny from the higher-ups, leading to his demise.

However... Li Pin didn't dare gamble. He couldn't risk his life betting that others would follow the rules, especially given Lin Yuzhi's history of bending them more than once.

In an instant, he pivoted sharply, his gaze sharp as lightning, aimed directly at the officiating personnel, Zhou Chaoguang.

Zhou Chaoguang stared coldly at Li Pin in return, appearing vigilant and dutiful, ready to intervene at the first sign of danger between the two to ostensibly prevent further harm.

But in reality... his fist intent could only take effect when he was near Li Pin. His blatant rule-breaking, under the guise of officiating, was shameless and unchecked. What's worse was that there was no evidence to be found in the videos.

Even as Li Pin's gaze met his, even as he realized his petty scheme had been uncovered, there was no hint of retreat. Instead, a cold smirk played at the corners of his mouth, as if he had everything under his control.

Li Pin was now faced with a critical choice: either surrender, or risk being beaten to death by Han Li amidst Zhou Chaoguang's distracting interference.

Just as Li Pin's attention faltered due to Zhou Chaoguang's intervention, Han Li swiftly adjusted his stance. With a forceful slap from his arm against the ground behind him, he sprang up like a coiled spring, regaining perfect balance.

However, Han Li didn't focus only on regaining his balance. Facing Li Pin, who was still leaned forward as if about to throw a punch, Han Li swiftly seized his arm.

Utilizing the momentum from his leap, he executed a spectacular Thomas spin. With Li Pin's arm as the pivot, Han Li spun behind him, almost appearing to ride on his back. His robust thighs, akin to barrels, clamped firmly around Li Pin's waist, exerting immense pressure on his pelvis to prevent him from generating strength.

Simultaneously, he contorted Li Pin's arm, locking it into a joint-reversal hold. Using Li Pin's own arm as a lever, he applied pressure to choke him, threatening to break his neck and cervical spine.

That was an aggressive grappling move! The most dangerous and ruthless technique in close-combat!

Han Li's formidable physique and battle-hardened experience made his body a lethal weapon. If he managed to tighten his grip around Li Pin's neck, it could prove fatal.

In this high-stakes battle between peak Core Formation experts, a single misstep could determine life or death.

At that moment, Li Pin's other arm suddenly thrust into action, forcefully blocking Han Li's attempt to strangle him with his own arm and creating a crucial inch of space.

Then, his arm and upper body twisted and contorted with such flexibility that they seemed boneless, slipping free from Han Li's deadly chokehold.

Crack!

The price for this escape was that the arm, which had been caught in the counterlock, was violently twisted and snapped by Han Li's immense strength as Li Pin broke free.