Chapter 646: Chapter 350: Shijie’s Severed Arm, Nianjun’s Shock and Doubt, Unmasking Li Xian—Or Is He the Pale-Faced One? (Part 2)
Zhou Shijie struck out with a palm, immediately retracting his arm, then added several more strikes mid-air. The layered palm strikes surged with furious waves. These moves encompassed the "Wave-Treading Skill," "Furious Waves Palm," and "Vibrant Punch." He had used all he learned throughout his life, feeling secretly proud.
Witnessing the vast waves sweeping in, Li Xian executed the "Vast Green Waves" technique from the "Jade Palm." With a single palm imprinted in mid-air, Inner Qi swirled up the water waves, colliding with the enemy’s wave in an instant.
The clash of the two waves echoed with a thunderous roar, waves rolling and shaking the heavens. Within the tides lay the opposing Inner Qi, numerous martial arts principles, and transformations. The scattered water droplets and splashes all carried a substantial lethality.
Zhou Shijie’s character was fickle, eager for instant success. His Martial Arts were flamboyant, Inner Qi loose. Though he could easily oppress wanderers in Jianghu. Li Xian, believing that heaven rewards diligence, took steady steps, accumulating practice over time. His Martial Arts evolved into unmatched craftsmanship, flawless and complete, Inner Qi pure and refined, powerful and majestic. In their clash, although Zhou Shijie layered multiple moves with full strength, he was no match for Li Xian’s single palm. Despite the vast waves seeming to contend evenly, in truth, Zhou Shijie suffered a crushing defeat!
Li Xian thought, "Zhou Shijie is ungrateful. I could have killed him at the tomb. He’s provoked me repeatedly, and I’ve spared his life. Now he’s persistent, huh, then he shouldn’t blame me for being ruthless." He stepped forward, sending Palm Qi rushing forth. The water splashes suspended momentarily in mid-air from the collision of the waves, all pushed violently toward Zhou Shijie. This move was called "Against the Flow." When Martial Arts reached its depth, it could reverse the flow of a waterfall, extremely formidable. Not originally part of the "Jade Palm" techniques, but after reaching the peak, Li Xian integrated it based on his experiences: he recalled in the Dragon Appreciation Banquet, there was a reverse-flowing waterfall that he navigated with a boat. He incorporated this move into the Jade Palm. The move was aggressive, but due to limited insight, far from perfect; against a top expert, he dared not use it lightly for fear of flaws. Having just matched Zhou Shijie’s power, he knew Zhou Shijie was shallow and weak. Hence, he leveraged this move naturally. Instantly, countless water droplets shot like sharp weapons, capable of shredding Zhou Shijie into a bloody mess, leaving him lifeless.
Zhou Shijie’s expression turned horrified; just now, in the confrontation, he sensed the difference. This youth surpassed himself many times, his moves endlessly evolving, Inner Qi surging like tides. He now felt no way out, but had no choice but to risk his life in the duel, channeling all his Inner Qi. It seemed as though he was contending evenly, secretly letting out a sigh of relief. But unexpectedly, in an instant, he was defeated like a mountain collapsing. His proud techniques couldn’t withstand a single palm.
He was always proud, exerting dominance among his peers. This setback left his chest aching. Then fear took over, as the water droplets were as sharp as knives. He wielded his jade fan to block. The jade fan was made of special material, tenacious yet light. But his skills were limited, his competence shallow, unable to withstand everything. In just a moment, he was already wounded. The threat was far from over, he was floundering, all signs revealed the enormous gap.
Suddenly, a crimson whip struck. Though the whip was thin, it pressed like a mountain, knocking down a section of water droplets, momentarily alleviating Zhou Shijie’s immediate threat. Yet Li Xian’s palm force had yet to fully dissipate. Zhou Shijie’s previous boasting was empty talk, his attempts to create waves futile, and he was no match in a single encounter. His raised waters were completely pushed back by Li Xian, transformed into lethal water droplets. They continued relentlessly, forward and backward. As one section was knocked down, another came, like a waterfall from the sky. To protect himself fully, one would have to endure the waterfall without garments wet. Zhou Shijie couldn’t achieve this. The whip moved quickly, forming a barrier around Zhou Shijie.
Loud "pa-pa-pa" sounds suddenly erupted. The water droplets hit the whip’s body; when the two forces clashed, ultimately the whip’s substance proved stronger, turning the droplets into white mist. The exchange’s sound was intense and echoed; for a moment, the mist enveloped the area.
Zhou Shijie survived, but closely observing the clash revealed to him the disparity. Li Xian’s single palm could easily take his life dozens of times over, the depth of its evolution made him gasp. He also saw that the whip technique was remarkable, dancing like a dragon or serpent. He looked back to see Gu Nianjun protecting him, yet he felt no joy, only bitterness, his chest stifled, downcast and miserable. He seldom saw Gu Nianjun display martial prowess, believing her martial arts were ordinary, though her intellect, beauty, and family background were remarkable. Thus, he pursued her tirelessly, but in this moment, his inferiority deepened.
Despair overwhelmed him, "Ah! Nianjun is so formidable, my martial skills are inferior to hers, my talents no better. I... am inferior in every way; how can I dare to pursue her further?"
He found himself caught amid the dueling moves, helpless and out of place, contemplating in vain. Gu Nianjun’s goodwill saved him; he dared not blame her, counting all old grudges and new grievances against Li Xian, thinking, "I, Zhou Shijie, a splendid man, cannot endure such humiliation from him. Even if it costs my life, I refuse to be this pathetic."
Holding the jade fan, his spirit surged, he was about to break out of the whip barrier. Gu Nianjun was startled, unsure why Zhou Shijie suddenly turned frantic, but knew if she didn’t withdraw, the crimson whip would gravely injure Zhou Shijie. She gritted her teeth, had to retract her force. Zhou Shijie shouted fiercely, "Evil thief, give me your life!" wielding his fan to defend, breaking free from her protection. He charged toward Li Xian determinedly.
Dense water droplets shot forth, ready to kill. Zhou Shijie had recently faced repeated defeats, his thoughts sensitive. He desperately resisted the water droplets, trying to reclaim his pent-up anger. His eagerness for success, fueled by anger, filled his heart, but his moves evolved inadequately. Countless flaws were exposed.
After briefly resisting, his body suffered hundreds of wounds, fortunately Gu Nianjun had resisted eighty percent of the force earlier, the "Jade Palm" power was mostly dissipated. Zhou Shijie’s reckless move didn’t cost him his life, but his right arm couldn’t be saved, affected by Palm Qi. Flesh faded, veins, bones, and blood vessels all destroyed, the chilling white bone exposed.
