Chapter 381: 380
From the beginning, Eldering Blood Buddha underestimated Shi Xiaole, thinking that he could easily capture him by using sixty to seventy percent of his internal power. However, he didn’t anticipate the formidable strength of Shi Xiaole, resulting in a series of errors. Ultimately, he didn’t have enough time to recover and was directly injured.
The surrounding crowd—ranging from famous veterans of the Devil Path to various sect chiefs, from elders to disciples—expressed a spectrum of vibrant reactions.
With eyes wide in disbelief, faces rigid, some even dazed, they could not help expressing their unspeakable shock.
"This kid?"
Famous veterans of the Demon Extreme Sect were actually preparing to step in and save Shi Xiaole, only to be stunned by this unexpected turn of events. They froze in their tracks, almost unable to believe their eyes.
Who exactly is this Xie Xiaofeng who could comprehend the Perfect Sword Heart at only 27 or 28 years old?
"You dare to hurt me, I’ll chop you up!"
Spurting out a mouthful of blood, Eldering Blood Buddha’s face turned red with embarrassment. Fortunately, he managed to escape from Shi Xiaole’s continuous sword movements. However, thinking about how he was humiliated by such a youngster under the public eye, he was enraged. His eyes turned red as he circulated his full internal power and launched a palm attack towards Shi Xiaole.
"What an old monster indeed."
After using up all the energy for his Death Claiming Fifteen Swords, Shi Xiaole was significantly drained. However, he had managed to injure Eldering Blood Buddha, which most definitely impacted the latter’s strength.
Stepping on the Wind God Leg technique, Shi Xiaole threw out his sword strikes.
"Blood Shadow Massacre!"
Several red handprints burst out from the palms of Eldering Blood Buddha, eventually forming a gruesome blood-red picture.
Many nearby demons were startled to discover that under the glow of the bloody painting, their life force was actually evaporating, absorbed by the bloody picture.
The true Blood Path was one of the profound paths, no less powerful than the deadly paths at the same level.
With twenty percent of his blood power combined with the blood essence method, Eldering Blood Buddha’s palm possessed inconceivable power, capable of killing without leaving a trace.
The crowd retreated in panic.
Notable figures like Black Darkness Elder also stepped in to prevent nearby disciples from being affected.
As the primary target, Shi Xiaole’s body was dyed red. Clearly visible red threads were being drawn from his pores, a horrific sight to behold.
With his right hand holding his sword, Shi Xiaole brandished his left hand, producing a black jade palm shadow, angrily beating down the bloody picture.
This was the supreme technique of Demon Jade Hand, learned from the Sky Edge Pavilion.
The Demon Jade Hand, originating from the Black Devil Divine Monarch’s Demon Sky Hand, was inherently able to restrain the Devil Path martial arts in the eight provinces. Furthermore, it seemed that due to Shi Xiaole’s special physique, the restraining effect of his Demon Jade Hand was even more evident.
Bang!
In mid-air, the intertwining light created a spectacle like a porcupine trapped in a cocoon. Screams filled the air as some demons were swept by the glow entwined with blood power, immediately bleeding from their eyes and becoming blind.
After a series of unsuccessful attacks from both formidable experts, Eldering Blood Buddha decided to charge at Shi Xiaole. Protected by a bloody shield, he saw himself invincible in close combat.
But at the very next moment, Eldering Blood Buddha realized his big mistake.
If Shi Xiaole’s power could barely compete with him in his injured state, close combat was clearly advantageous to Shi Xiaole.
Eldering Blood Buddha couldn’t figure out how such a young opponent could have such an extraordinary reaction speed and sword speed. Almost every time Shi Xiaole launched three attacks, he could only muster the strength to counter one. This imbalance eventually put him on the defensive, and his situation started to deteriorate.
Shh!
After dozens of rounds, Shi Xiaole pierced through Eldering Blood Buddha’s shoulder with his sword. By shaking his arm, he transferred his formless internal power through the sword into Eldering Blood Buddha’s body. This immediately resulted in the latter coughing up blood, staggering backwards.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Blood stains appeared on Eldering Blood Buddha as Shi Xiaole relentlessly struck with his sword. Out of the three strikes, at least one would hit the mark, causing Eldering Blood Buddha to scream in pain and annoyance again and again.
"Enough!"
A palm shadow surged from a distance. Shi Xiaole withdrew, and the place where he stood was immediately bombarded into rubble, leaving a pit three feet in size.
"Black Darkness Elder, what do you mean?"
Shi Xiaole looked towards Black Darkness Elder.
"Everyone is on the same path here, we should not resort to violence. Listen to me, harmony is most precious,"
Black Darkness Elder looked intently at Shi Xiaole, his eyes constantly flickering.
Honestly, he was somewhat afraid.
Not of Shi Xiaole’s strength, but his talent. His fear was that if Shi Xiaole continues to progress at this pace, they would stand no chance against him soon. Even talking about acquiring the supreme internal strength would then be nothing but wishful thinking.
No, this can’t continue any longer!
Shi Xiaole said, "When he kills, you sit back and watch. When I want to kill him, you preach about harmony. Do you think I am a pushover?"
"So, what do you want to do?"
Black Darkness Elder casually inquired.
"Anyone who dares to harm me must die!"
Shi Xiaole was determined to establish his authority.
These members of the Devil Path, talking to them about righteousness, generosity, and other virtues was useless. Only the most extreme measures, the coldest actions, would make them realize who they are dealing with, instill fear, and force them to obey.
"Kill me, with you?"
The Eldering Blood Buddha was furious, grinding his teeth with hatred. Had he not underestimated his enemy and sustained injuries from the outset, how could this child have acted so wildly?
"Hahaha, leader, your strength is commendable, but do you think you can kill the Blood Buddha if we refuse to comply?"
A few notable figures stepped forward.
They had also figured out that Shi Xiaole wanted to establish his authority in this way. But the more determined he was, the less they could let him have his way. Shi Xiaole’s aggression made these venerables feel uneasy, and they simultaneously thought of joining forces to curb him.
"Leader, Old Prime Minister Blue isn’t seriously hurt. Maybe we should call it quits for today. It would be best for both sides."
Some other neutral high-ranking individuals also stepped forward, suggesting with a smile.
Over twenty people standing together, even without emitting any form of aura, were too intimidating to look at directly. Compared to them, Shi Xiaole looked alone and vulnerable.
"What if I still insist on killing him?"
Shi Xiaole retorted.
"Leader, don’t be impulsive. You should understand that if you forcibly act today, it will only make everyone unhappy. It wouldn’t be good for your reputation either, right?"
The Black Darkness Elder half advised, half threatened, extremely confident in his stance. There were more than twenty notable figures, each of them more formidable than Shi Xiaole. He didn’t believe that Shi Xiaole could cause any significant disturbance.
"I’d still like to see how you’d make me lose face."
Moving swiftly, Shi Xiaole charged towards Blood Buddha among the crowd. Halfway through, he threw out a peculiar palm strike towards Blood Buddha.
"How audacious!"
"You’re courting death!"
Seeing this, the other notable figures in Devil Path were indignant, their fists and palms turning into streams of demonic lights attacking Shi Xiaole. Of course, they knew their limits and controlled their power to avoid killing Shi Xiaole.
Yet to their surprise, the internal power in their strikes froze and significantly weakened upon contact with the palm force flung by Shi Xiaole.
Meanwhile, Blood Buddha, as the main recipient of the palm strike, instinctively dodged.
Slightly grazed by the palm strike, the thin sliver of palm force entered his body and spread out. It was chilling, as if ice water had flooded his veins and was freezing his soul.
"No!"
Blood Buddha’s face turned pale in horror. He exerted all his strength only to bring forth a meager 30% of his power. However, this 30 percent power could not dispel the palm force because his meridians had frozen, hindering flow.
"What kind of evil martial art is this?"
Blood Buddha knelt on the ground, screaming at Shi Xiaole, his eyes filled with endless fear. It was evident that his blood-red skin was fading, indicating a regression in his martial arts abilities.
"This skill goes by the Asura Evil Skill; you’re the first fortunate one to witness it," Shi Xiaole informed.
Yes, the killing technique he used this time was none other than Asura Evil Skill, which he obtained by sacrificing Brahma-I Unity and spending 600 reward points.
Qiao Beiming, the predecessor who mastered this skill was arguably the first grandmaster of the evil faction from ancient times.
Qiao Beiming was indeed a martial arts prodigy. Unlike Zhang Danfeng, who had the advantage of great teachers and profound family knowledge, Qiao Beiming relied solely on his efforts. Although he was defeated by Zhang, in his later years, he comprehended the state of ’unity of righteousness and evil, reversal of yin and yang’, and finally mastered the ninth layer of Asura Evil Skill, which was unprecedented.
Once this skill was activated, the targets would feel as if they had fallen into the Asura Hell, with icy cold infiltrating their bodies, rendering them beyond rescue.
Having used the killing technique multiple times, Shi Xiaole had already discovered that the martial arts of his past life greatly amplified in this world. Therefore, he had full confidence in the palm strike he had just delivered.
"Ah, you ruthless monster, I won’t let you go even if I become a ghost."
His face turned greenish-black, Blood Buddha fell on the ground, his eyes wide open, his body still emitting a cold aura.
"As I said, no one can stop me from killing you."
Shi Xiaole stated indifferently.
The sunlight from the sky suddenly seemed colder. The demons in the square felt as if a dark shadow had been cast over their hearts, causing them to tremble in fear.
Everyone was silent.
"Impossible, with your cultivation level, you couldn’t have delivered that palm strike!"
The Black Darkness Elder shouted, his old face twisted in disbelief and shock.
Shi Xiaole ignored him, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. Wherever his gaze fell, everyone bowed their heads, hardly daring to breathe.
Among the crowd, the Demon Marquis and his followers from the Demon Sky Sect were the most shocked and distressed.
They had been ready to see a great show, to see Shi Xiaole lose face. Who could have imagined that this would be the outcome?
This young man consistently shattered their perception of a martial arts genius. The opponent seemed to have no limit; each battle was a significant improvement over the last.
How do you defeat an opponent like this?
Invisibly, the Demon Marquis, Red Charm Demon, the Qi brothers, and others all felt that Shi Xiaole, standing in the center of the crowd, was no longer just a person, but an insurmountable wall, causing everyone to despair.
"As the leader, I am always open to challenges to my authority. However, you must remember the cost of challenging."
Pointing towards the lifeless Blood Buddha, Shi Xiaole’s voice was soft, but it rang like a thunderstorm, shocking everyone into rigidity.
