Chapter 150: Chapter 149: Qingxuan Sect vs. Vajra Temple
"Enough talk. Face my fist!"
Shi Meng was straightforward and had no patience for such pleasantries. With a loud roar, his bowl-sized fist smashed toward Wu Zhen’s face, stirring up a vicious wind.
Wu Zhen neither dodged nor evaded. Chanting a Buddhist mantra in a low voice, a faint golden glow enveloped his body as he took Shi Meng’s punch head-on with his chest!
"THUD!"
A muffled sound echoed, like the beating of a war drum.
Wu Zhen’s figure swayed slightly before he steadied himself. The monastic robes on his chest were torn, revealing bronze-colored skin underneath that was only faintly red. He seemed completely unharmed.
Shi Meng, on the other hand, felt as if his fist had struck a piece of refined iron, forged a thousand times over. The rebound force made his arm tingle.
"What a tough turtle shell!"
Shi Meng grimaced, a grave look flashing in his eyes.
He unleashed his Fist Technique, his blows heavy and powerful, attacking Wu Zhen like a raging tempest.
Wu Zhen, however, remained steady and solid, displaying the Body Hardening Skills of the Vajra Temple to their fullest extent.
He either blocked with both arms or withstood the blows with his body, occasionally countering with a punch or kick. Each counter was heavy and powerful, as if backed by immense force.
"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG..."
The sound of Fist and Foot Techniques clashing was incessant, but it was mostly the muffled thuds of Shi Meng’s attacks landing on Wu Zhen’s body.
Wu Zhen’s defense was simply too formidable. Shi Meng’s attacks had minimal effect, barely scratching him.
Below the stage, Huang Ling’er watched with a slight frown. "The Vajra Temple’s Body Hardening Skills truly live up to their reputation. I’m afraid Shi Meng is in trouble."
Fang Han’s gaze was calm as he said in a low voice, "Elder Chen reminded us yesterday. While Body Hardening Skills are powerful, they have weak points. Shi Meng was just probing him. He should start attacking those weak points next."
Sure enough, in the intense fight that followed, Shi Meng’s attacks were no longer random. He began to focus on Wu Zhen’s common weak points: his eyes, throat, armpits, navel, and groin.
Wu Zhen’s expression gradually turned serious. His defense was no longer as composed as before, and he began to consciously protect these vital areas.
After more than a hundred moves, Shi Meng finally capitalized on a minor lapse from Wu Zhen. He threw a feint with one fist, drawing away Wu Zhen’s arms, while his other fist shot out like a venomous dragon emerging from its lair, striking precisely three inches below Wu Zhen’s navel—right at his Qihai Acupoint!
Wu Zhen’s face paled. It was too late to bring his guard back up.
"THUMP!"
With a soft thud, although the force of Shi Meng’s fist was mostly dissipated by Wu Zhen’s rapidly tensed abdominal muscles, the Hidden Force contained within still penetrated his body.
Wu Zhen let out a muffled grunt. The golden glow around him flickered chaotically as he staggered back several steps, his face instantly turning pale.
Xuanyuan Jing appeared in a flash, channeling a stream of Inner Qi into Wu Zhen to neutralize the Hidden Force that had invaded his body, and then announced.
"Shi Meng of the Qingxuan Sect wins!"
Shi Meng let out a long sigh of relief and grinned at the crowd below the stage.
Losing his first match yesterday had made him feel like his performance was abysmal. He’d finally won today.
However, even in victory, he was drenched in sweat and had expended a great deal of energy.
The second disciple from the Vajra Temple, named Wu Xin, came on stage. His build was leaner and more formidable than Wu Zhen’s, and his eyes were sharp.
After stepping onto the stage, he put his palms together in a brief salute and immediately launched his attack.
His Fist and Foot Techniques were heavy and powerful, and his Body Technique was far more agile than Wu Zhen’s.
Shi Meng was already greatly exhausted. Now, facing an energetic opponent, he was struggling to keep up.
After barely holding on for a few dozen moves, he was hit in the side by one of Wu Xin’s heavy roundhouse kicks. With a pained grunt, he fell off the stage.
"Huang Ling’er, you’re up."
Elder Chen Xuan looked at Huang Ling’er.
Huang Ling’er nodded. In a flash, her figure landed lightly on the stage.
"This humble monk, Wu Xin, requests a lesson from you, miss."
Wu Xin was polite and courteous.
"Little Master, please guide me."
A sweet smile appeared on Huang Ling’er’s face, but her attacks were anything but soft.
With a light tap of her foot, her body moved like a butterfly flitting through flowers. Her long legs became a blur of afterimages, aimed exclusively at Wu Xin’s weak points.
Her Leg Technique was nimble and swift. Although Wu Xin’s defense was formidable, his Body Technique couldn’t keep up, and he was quickly forced onto the defensive.
Huang Ling’er saw her chance. A tricky sweep kick attacked his lower body, destabilizing Wu Xin’s center of gravity. Huang Ling’er immediately followed up with a fierce axe kick aimed straight for the weak point at his throat.
Wu Xin barely managed to block it but had already lost the initiative. He was completely suppressed by Huang Ling’er’s relentless Leg Technique.
In the end, he couldn’t dodge in time. Seeing that he was about to be kicked in the groin by Huang Ling’er, his expression changed drastically.
’I’m a monk, not a eunuch! That part of me still exists!’
Xuanyuan Jing appeared just in time, blocking Huang Ling’er’s leg with a light tap, saving Wu Xin. He then declared the verdict.
"Huang Ling’er of the Qingxuan Sect wins!"
The third disciple from the Vajra Temple, a monk named Wu Fa, stepped onto the stage. He had a stern face, sharp eyes, and an aura that had impressively reached the Early Stage of Eighth Grade.
After he entered the ring, his offensive was extremely fierce. His palms seemed as if they were cast from copper and forged from iron, whistling through the air.
Huang Ling’er fought fiercely with Wu Fa for dozens of moves. Ultimately, because of her previous fight, she had consumed too much Inner Qi, and a flaw appeared in her Leg Technique.
She was sent flying by one of Wu Fa’s palms and was saved by Xuanyuan Jing, defeated against her will.
"Wu Fa of the Vajra Temple wins!"
Seeing Huang Ling’er’s defeat, Fang Han was about to get up when he heard Elder Chen Xuan say, "Li Feng, you’re up for this match."
Li Feng, who stood holding his saber, was momentarily stunned. However, he didn’t ask any questions. With a leap, he landed on the stage like a goshawk.
Facing Wu Fa, who was at the Early Stage of Eighth Grade, he did not rush to attack, merely watching his opponent coldly.
Wu Fa sensed the chilling Saber Momentum emanating from Li Feng. His expression turned grave as he took the initiative to attack, his Palm Wind howling.
Li Feng waited until the Palm Wind was almost upon him before suddenly drawing his saber!
"CLANG!"
The light from the saber flashed like cold lightning splitting the sky, carrying a chill that seemed to freeze everything. Though he moved later, his strike arrived first, aimed straight at Wu Fa’s wrist.
Wu Fa was shocked and hastily changed his move. However, once Li Feng’s Saber Technique was unleashed, it was like the surging Yangtze River—relentless and unending.
In less than ten moves, Wu Fa was forced into a panicked defense. Ultimately, he was struck in the chest by Li Feng’s saber, leaving a gash.
Even with his Body Hardening training, he couldn’t avoid being injured when facing an opponent a higher stage of Cultivation.
The only difference was that what would have been a serious injury was reduced to a minor one.
"SWOOSH—"
Li Feng pressed his advantage, not letting up. He slashed with his long saber again, this time aiming for Wu Fa’s throat.
Judging that Wu Fa no longer had the strength to parry, Xuanyuan Jing appeared in time to block the blow and announced.
"Li Feng of the Qingxuan Sect wins!"
The fourth disciple from the Vajra Temple, named Wu Shen, ascended the stage.
He was powerfully built with a profound aura, his Mid-Stage Eighth Grade Cultivation evident. Like Li Feng, he was also ranked second among the new Entry Level disciples of the Vajra Temple.
Upon stepping onto the stage, he immediately activated one of the Vajra Temple’s ultimate skills. His skin began to faintly shimmer with a pale golden luster, greatly increasing his defensive power.
Li Feng drew his saber, its cold light flashing, and engaged in a fierce battle with Wu Shen.
Wu Shen’s strength was immense and his defense was astonishing. Although Li Feng’s saber was sharp, facing an opponent of the same Realm, he found it difficult to break through his defense.
The two exchanged saber strikes and punches, with explosions of Qi Force ringing out as they fought to a standstill.
After two hundred moves, Li Feng finally found a small opening in Wu Shen’s defense. The light of his saber flashed like cold lightning, slashing toward Wu Shen’s eyes.
Unlike other parts of the body, an injury to the eyes would have extremely severe consequences.
Judging that Wu Shen could not block this strike, Xuanyuan Jing quickly intervened, stopping the saber, and announced.
"Li Feng of the Qingxuan Sect wins!"
After defeating two opponents in a row, one of whom was a talented Martial Artist of the same Realm, Li Feng’s breathing was ragged. He had clearly expended a great deal of energy.
At this moment, the Vajra Temple’s number one new disciple, the young monk Wu Fan, slowly walked onto the stage.
He had a youthful face and a harmless, simple-minded smile, but a sharp glint would appear in his eyes whenever he blinked. His aura was as solid as a mountain, giving off an unfathomable feeling.
"Li Feng, what an impressive Saber Technique. This humble monk is in awe."
Wu Fan put his palms together and said with a grin.
"Make your move."
Li Feng’s words were concise as he pointed his long saber diagonally.
Wu Fan’s smile didn’t waver. His body moved, quick as lightning, and he threw a palm strike. The Palm Wind was heavy, as if carrying immense force.
Li Feng swung his saber to meet it. When saber and palm met, they actually produced the sound of clashing metal!
The two instantly fell into a chaotic brawl. Wu Fan’s Palm Technique seemed simple and unadorned, but it contained terrifying power and defense. A pale golden light flowed around his body, allowing him to clash directly with the edge of Li Feng’s saber.
Although Li Feng’s Saber Technique was fierce, he couldn’t truly threaten Wu Fan. Instead, he was gradually suppressed by the monk’s steady and heavy fist momentum.
After a fierce battle of over one hundred moves, Li Feng, who was already heavily drained, ran out of Inner Qi. His Saber Momentum slowed, and Wu Fan seized the opportunity to send a Palm Seal towards his face.
Xuanyuan Jing intervened, blocking the palm and saving Li Feng, which also signaled Li Feng’s defeat.
"Thank you for the match."
Wu Fan withdrew his palm and stood still, saying with a grin.
Li Feng took a deep breath, sheathed his saber, gave Wu Fan a slight nod, and turned to leave the stage.
’I did my best. My opponent was indeed stronger.’
’Even if my Inner Qi were at its peak, I’m afraid it would have been very difficult to win against him.’
At this point, the only ones from the Qingxuan Sect who had yet to fight were Fang Han and Yun Qianyue.
Everyone’s gaze focused on Elder Chen Xuan.
Elder Chen Xuan looked at Fang Han, his eyes filled with trust and expectation.
"Fang Han, you will take this fight. While the Vajra Temple disciples’ Body Hardening Skills are strong, their bodies are often stiff, making it difficult for them to practice Body Techniques. You have achieved Mastery in the Wind Shadow Step, which is the perfect counter. Once on stage, use hit-and-run tactics to find his weak points."
Fang Han instantly understood why the Elder hadn’t sent him up earlier. He had been entrusted with the task of dealing with Wu Fan, the strongest disciple of the Vajra Temple.
He felt no stage fright. Instead, a fighting spirit surged within him. He cupped his fist and said, "This disciple accepts the order!"
Then, he stepped onto the stage with a steady gait.
Wu Fan looked at Fang Han, his simple and honest smile unchanged. "Fang Han, your heroic display in yesterday’s consecutive battles was admirable. This humble monk is impressed."
"Master Wu Fan, you flatter me. Please!"
Fang Han drew his Cyan Blade Sword, its tip pointing diagonally.
’Although the monk before me looks like he has a simple and honest smile, he gives me the feeling of a dagger hidden behind it. He doesn’t have the honest and simple-minded feeling of a true man of the cloth.’
"Let the match begin!"
Xuanyuan Jing announced.
The moment his voice fell, Fang Han’s figure moved!
He pushed his Wind Shadow Step to its absolute limit, his entire body turning into a faint cyan afterimage that circled rapidly around Wu Fan.
Wu Fan’s vision blurred, and he lost track of Fang Han’s exact position. With a low shout, the pale golden light around him intensified as he held his ground, planning to counter all changes by remaining unchanged.
"SHIING!"
A flash of sword light stabbed like a phantom from the side, aiming for the weak point under Wu Fan’s arm.
Wu Fan reacted extremely quickly. He clamped his arm down, protecting the weak point, and charged his body toward the sword’s edge, intending to block the blade with his own flesh and blood.
"TING!"
A crisp sound rang out. The tip of the sword felt as if it had struck solid metal, unable to advance another inch.
But Fang Han retreated the instant his strike landed. His figure flashed again, and he attacked Wu Fan’s eyelids from another angle.
"TING!"
Wu Fan hastily raised his right arm to block the sword aimed at his eyes.
Fang Han gave Wu Fan no chance to breathe, using his advantage in Body Technique to the fullest.
His Sword Techniques were like a raging storm, exclusively targeting the weak points all over Wu Fan’s body.
Throat, groin, joints, behind the ears... The sword light flickered, appearing everywhere at once.
Wu Fan possessed immense strength and defense, but he couldn’t keep up with Fang Han’s speed. He could only defend passively, putting him in an extremely disadvantageous position.
"Fang Han’s Body Technique is so fast!"
"To think he could push the Vajra Temple’s number one, Wu Fan, into such a sorry state! Could Fang Han actually defeat him?"
Voices of surprise rose from the spectator stands.
Wu Fan was the number one ranked new disciple of the Vajra Temple with a Mid-Stage Eighth Grade Cultivation. Fang Han, on the other hand, was ranked only third among the new disciples of the Qingxuan Sect, with a Cultivation at the Early Stage of Eighth Grade.
Logically, there should have been a considerable gap in their strength. Yet the situation on the stage, with Fang Han holding the advantage, left them greatly astonished.
