The Second Ghost, seeing Wu Tong's skill, grew uneasy. He knew that without unleashing his ultimate technique, victory would slip away. Drawing in his qi and focusing his spirit, he suddenly shifted from palms to claws. If palm strikes won't do, then my famed Yin Claw Skill shall decide it.
His hands curled like hooked talons, fingertips glinting with a cold, eerie light. A chill wind seemed to rise around him, and his expression twisted until he resembled a demon from the abyss. Without warning, sand and wind swirled as he lunged—claws flashing with vicious speed, every strike aimed for Wu Tong's vital points.
Wu Tong's eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary technique. He dared not be careless. At once, he summoned his sect's treasured art—the Thirteen Palms of Lingxiao. His palms cut the air like rainbows, each strike vast in force and majestic in intent.
They clashed again, each displaying their pinnacle skills. The exchange was dazzling, their moves fierce and unrelenting, a storm of shadow and light. Wu Tong now understood—the Second Ghost was far more dangerous than the Third.
Suddenly, the Second Ghost thrust forward, claws roaring through the air with a hissing chī-chī, Yin Claw force surging like a sudden storm toward Wu Tong's face. Wu Tong slid aside in a sidestep, avoiding the brunt of the blow, and at once unleashed Muddy Waves Sweep the Sky from the Thirteen Palms—force crashing forward like a mountain-tide, a violent gale that tore toward the Ghost.
The two streams of energy collided mid-air with a deafening crack.
Shocked by Wu Tong's overwhelming power, the Second Ghost darted back, but Wu Tong pressed on. In a flash, he used Tiger's Roar Galloping Forth—his body like a leaping tiger, both palms raining down in a thunderous barrage. Though the Second Ghost countered with Yin Claw, Wu Tong's strikes drove him back step after step.
Desperate, the Ghost lunged for Wu Tong's head in a final bid for victory—but Wu Tong's palm whipped out like lightning. Pèng!The blow struck square to the Ghost's chest, hurling him through the air like a cut kite to crash to the ground.
Wu Tong did not pursue. Instead, he cupped his fists. "Second Ghost, I have offended much today." Then, vaulting back into the pavilion, he raised his cup toward Lü Qiang and drained it in one bold swallow.
The Second Ghost staggered upright, pale and shaken, yet unable to deny Wu Tong's skill. "Young man, your skill is formidable! May I have your name?"
Wu Tong bowed respectfully. "Wu Tong, at your service."
By now, with the Second and Third Ghosts both defeated, the First Ghost—known as the Eldest—shook his head, his mind weighing the situation. In a deep voice, he said, "Young brother, we will meet again. Today's challenge was meant for 'Fearless' Lü Qiang." Pausing, he added, "Fearless Lü Qiang, the Lingnan Three Ghosts keep our word. We repay debts, we avenge wrongs, we keep our promises. Since my brothers have fought, let us not delay any further."
Lü Qiang inclined his head. "You came as promised, and that keeps your name alive in the martial world. So be it." Turning to Wu Tong, he said with heroic ease, "Life is short—sing while we drink! Like the morning dew, our days soon pass. Young brother, this Shaoxing Zhuangyuan Hong is a rare treasure. Let us finish this cup, then I will take my turn against the Lingnan Three Ghosts."
They drank together. Lü Qiang stepped from the pavilion and took his place calmly. "Lingnan Three Ghosts—Fearless Lü Qiang stands here. Come!"
The air chilled, wind rising as the Three Ghosts exchanged a look, then sprang forward. The Second and Third Ghosts led, the First close behind, their charge like tigers descending a mountain. Palm winds roared toward Lü Qiang's vitals.
But Lü Qiang's expression never changed. In a sudden flash, his palms shot forth—so fast, so fierce, the combined assault of the Second and Third Ghosts vanished like stones into the sea. In but a breath, the tide had turned; his palm-force surged like a rainbow, forcing them back in disarray.
The Eldest struck, both palms cleaving the air like blades for Lü Qiang's chest. Lü Qiang snorted and met him head-on—his single palm crashing forth with the weight of a mountain. The Eldest could neither dodge nor retreat, only meet it with both hands.
Péng! The blow landed like thunder. The Eldest was lifted from the ground, driven back three or four staggering steps after he landed.
In that single exchange, the Three Ghosts had been cowed. Still, they would not yield without a fight. Forming a triangle, they attacked again, palm winds like a surging tide. Lü Qiang turned lightly on his heel, cloud-like hands diverting their force until the Second and Third Ghosts struck each other by mistake.
"Careful!" they cried, but the Eldest rushed in, trying to regain control. Lü Qiang spun once more, a casual left-hand strike sending them into chaos—palms clashing, their formation breaking apart.
"Lingnan Three Ghosts!" Lü Qiang's shout cracked like a whip. "Are your eyes painted on? I'm right here!"
They regrouped, charging with six palms at once, the air booming with force. Lü Qiang stepped, rooted, and struck—three swift, unstoppable palms.
Pèng! Pèng! Pèng! The sounds rang through the sky. One by one, the Three Ghosts were flung into the air and slammed to the ground, blood at their lips, groaning in pain.
Lü Qiang strode forward, voice stern. "Lingnan Three Ghosts, your nature is ill. For the sake of letting my young brother have some practice today, I will spare you. But cross the line again, and I will show no mercy."
The Ghosts rose slowly, battered and bloodied. Supporting one another, they withdrew. The Eldest turned back to say, "We thank the great hero for sparing our lives."
Returning to the pavilion, Lü Qiang found Wu Tong uncorking another jar of wine, its fragrance filling the air. Wu Tong poured for him first, then himself. "Please."
They drank together. Wu Tong, having seen a true master meet deadly foes with calm and laughter, defeating them with unmatched skill, felt a deep respect. Compared to Fearless Lü Qiang, my own martial ability is worlds apart.
He raised his cup in salute. "Elder, your heroism crowns heaven and earth, your palm mastery is unmatched. Today, I have truly opened my eyes. Allow me another toast."
Lü Qiang laughed heartily, drinking with him. "Young brother, with such skill at your age, you will one day achieve greatness! To drink with you today—this is joy indeed!"