"The tongue, three inches long, is mightier than a million troops!A single man's argument can outweigh the treasure of nine tripods!"
In the martial world, victory has always been decided by fist and palm.Yet today's confrontation was not merely a contest of martial skill—it was equally a battle of wit, resolve, and presence.Like a rabid dog barking at the sage-king Yao, each side stood firm for its own master, their positions now utterly irreconcilable.This earth-shaking battle was, in the end, unavoidable!
The Black Dragon Sect's leader, Murong Gui, was a master of cunning.Seeing that the Demon of Qianzhong, Qin Zhonglong, was quick-tempered, he pushed him to the frontlines—both to test Wu Tong's strength and to strike a blow at the morale of the rebel-hunting heroes, thereby preventing the "Rebel-Suppressing Assembly" from gaining momentum.Had Murong Gui not been personally leading the campaign, who else would dare be so brazen?
Wu Tong knew well that the Demon of Qianzhong was no mediocre opponent.From their brief probing exchange of palms, he had already gauged the man's skill—his inner strength was deep, but still a shade inferior to Wu Tong's own.If they were to pit pure internal force against each other, Qin would likely follow the fate of the three Black Dragon Sect experts who had already fallen before Wu Tong.As the saying goes: "If it was excessive the first time, can it be done again?"Sensing danger, Qin Zhonglong decided to change his approach: only by surpassing Wu Tong in technique could he hope to turn the tide.
"Wu Tong," Qin said coldly, "your skills are commendable, your inner force not bad. Today, we shall not compare internal power—let us test our techniques instead. What say you?"
Wu Tong smiled faintly, a trace of mockery in his tone."Demon of Qianzhong, there's no need for more empty words. Even if your tongue dripped honeyed lotus petals, your schemes will fail! Who ever heard of a martial duel without testing inner force? I'd say you've reached the end of your rope—out of tricks, aren't you?"
Qin Zhonglong was struck dumb, his face darkening. Grinding his teeth, he was about to retort—when Wu Tong struck first!
Wu Tong's "Palm Within the Fist" shot forward like lightning, several palm-shadows riding the wind in a flurry of blinding speed. Qin moved to parry with his own palm—but midway, Wu Tong's attack suddenly shifted! The palm transformed into a fist, its force surging in an instant, the fist wind roaring toward him!
Qin's face drained of color. Hastily changing his move, he stepped back in retreat, his footing unsteady—almost stumbling outright, an embarrassment that burned his pride."Wu Tong! Your skill is good—but your tricks are sly to the extreme. A palm that is no palm, hiding lethal force within!"
Wu Tong chuckled coldly."This is the life's work of my master, the Immortal of White Clouds—the Six Illusory Palms. What you just tasted was the first style, Palm Within the Fist."
Even as he spoke, Wu Tong's body blurred into motion—striking again!
"Fist Within the Palm!"His fists moved like the wind, the assault fast as lightning. Qin dared not underestimate the blow and poured his strength into meeting it. But at the moment of contact, Wu Tong's fist transformed into a palm, the switch baffling and elusive—false within true, true within false. The palm force surged forth like a sudden tide.
Qin, unable to adapt in time, was forced into another hasty retreat, his steps staggering. Twice now he had been driven back in disgrace, his face flushing crimson with rage. He wished nothing more than to tear Wu Tong apart on the spot.
Wu Tong stood with hands clasped behind his back, his tone calm yet carrying a force of will that brooked no refusal:"Demon of Qianzhong, stand down."
The crowd erupted in murmurs of astonishment. Martial heroes glanced at each other, awed—Wu Tong, so young, had pressed Qin into such a miserable state with only two moves! This shifting, unpredictable palm technique was truly extraordinary.
But Qin Zhonglong could not swallow this humiliation. To be shamed so publicly by a younger man—how could he endure it?"Young fool! Do you know who I am?" he roared, his voice like thunder.
In the next instant, his qi surged throughout his body, bones crackling, his aura swelling until it seemed to fill the arena. The oppressive force made even seasoned fighters shiver.
At that moment, a sharp cry rang out:"Little brother! To ford the river, strike the midstream!"It was the Beggar Sect's chief, Fei Jin, calling out in warning.
Wu Tong instantly understood. Drawing in his breath, he shifted his stance—right palm solid, left foot feigned; left palm solid, right foot feigned. His steps were strange but steady as a mountain. Suddenly, he surged forward!
Attack and defense reversed in an instant!
With a thunderous BOOM, Wu Tong unleashed the full ten-tenths of his strength. His palm force was like crashing waves, a tidal fury that could topple mountains. Qin had nowhere to retreat, nowhere to dodge—he could only grit his teeth and meet it head-on.
BOOM!The clash shook the heavens, shockwaves bursting outward. Qin was hurled several yards into the air, crashing heavily to the ground. His face turned deathly pale; his chest heaved violently. A sudden gush of blood burst from his lips before he collapsed to his knees—and moments later, he fell unconscious!
The arena fell into dead silence.Qin Zhonglong—defeated!
Gasps and murmurs spread through the onlookers. To fell the Demon of Qianzhong with a single, overwhelming palm—Wu Tong's strength was beyond doubt.
From the distance, Zhao Rou and Liu Yun watched anxiously. Seeing that Wu Tong was unharmed, they exhaled in relief, pride and joy shining in their eyes. They knew without question—the man they trusted was an unmatched hero, second to none in all under Heaven.
The Black Dragon Sect's leader, Murong Gui, understood now that Wu Tong was no easy prey. He had come in person, intending to crush the rebel assembly's momentum—but to see two of his prized fighters defeated and gravely injured by a youth was a bitter blow.
Still, Murong Gui was no mere brute. If he were to withdraw now, the Black Dragon Sect's prestige would crumble. In the martial world, they would lose all standing. After a long, measured pause, he spoke in a deep voice:"Wu Shaoxia, these past months you have thwarted us time and again, injuring many of my sect's finest. Today, this Sect Master shall face you myself."
An uproar swept through the crowd. Murong Gui, a sect leader of the highest rank, would personally fight a young man? Such an act would surely invite ridicule.
Just then, a cold, steady voice rang out:"Hold."
All eyes turned to see Liu Xuan, master of the Heaven's Veneration Sect.He had held his tongue until now, but when he spoke, his gaze was like a blazing torch, his tone unhurried yet brimming with authority:"Black Dragon Sect, do you not fear the scorn of the world's heroes, pressing with the power of a whole sect against a single youth? And another matter—my sect came south in search of our Xuanhuang Venerable, yet your people ambushed us, seeking to slay my daughter and the Heaven-and-Earth Venerable. How shall that debt be repaid?"
Tension rippled instantly between the two great sects. They had already been at odds over the rebel assembly, and now their masks were torn away. The air was thick with the imminence of battle.
Murong Gui swept his gaze around the assembly. He saw clearly that the Black Dragon Sect was not in the numerical advantage. His true purpose in coming had been to shatter the unity of the martial world's righteous forces—to break their "vertical alliance" and preserve An Lushan's power. Now, with the situation unclear, a rash move would only hand the moral high ground to his enemies.
Thus, he decided to shift strategy—pursuing "horizontal alliances" instead, wooing other sects that supported An Lushan, breaking the cohesion of the righteous faction from within.
At the same time, Liu Xuan weighed his own options. If he did not act, the matter would not rest; but if they all attacked the Black Dragon Sect here, though they would win, it would hardly be the honorable way. Victory without fairness could not truly crush the Black Dragon Sect's spirit.
Then Liu Xuan stepped forward, his voice ringing:"What is false you call true, what is true you call false—turning right and wrong on their heads. How can the world's people be convinced? How can you silence their doubts?"
Murong Gui threw back his head and laughed, the sound laced with cold menace."You righteous sects pride yourselves on your virtue, yet here you are, itching to bully the few with the many? Hah! The Black Dragon Sect came here ready to stand—we fear none of you!"
His eyes flickered. "Since the Heaven's Veneration Sect Master has thrown down the gauntlet—Left Dharma King Meng Ming, you go first."
Meng Ming strode out, his steps steady, his gaze icy. He bowed slightly:"Meng Ming, Left Dharma King of the Black Dragon Sect—please instruct me."
Liu Xuan's eyes narrowed. He saw the move for what it was—Murong Gui's ploy of "sending the inferior against the superior." No matter the outcome, the Black Dragon Sect would not be weakened at its core. Even in defeat, Meng Ming would only sap the strength of Heaven's Veneration Sect's top fighters—paving the way for Murong Gui himself to take the stage in full advantage.
Just then, a loud, steady voice rang from behind Liu Xuan:"Hu Qi, Left Envoy of the Heaven's Veneration Sect—allow me to meet the Black Dragon Sect's skill first!"
At once, the crowd's spirit flared anew. The decisive clash between the Black Dragon Sect and the Heaven's Veneration Sect was about to begin!