The Palace Mistress of the Palace of the Fairy Empress, Nangong Yan, thought to herself that the empire she had painstakingly built over more than twenty years, through hardship and blood, might be ruined in an instant by this group. Rage surged in her heart, but she forced herself to keep it in check and barked, "You dare trespass into the Palace of the Fairy Empress—you have some nerve! Out of respect for Heaven's virtue of cherishing life, I will take it that you acted in ignorance. If you leave now, I will pretend this never happened, and we shall have nothing further to do with each other. I will not pursue the matter!"
Wu Tong threw back his head in laughter, his eyes full of contempt. "Spare me your empty tricks! The crime of abducting innocent women is one Heaven and Earth will not tolerate. If you have even a shred of shame, you will confess on the spot and disband this wicked palace! If you have any skill, use it—if you're afraid, then stand aside and keep your mouth shut!"
Nangong Yan's face darkened, her anger flaring. She had already gauged Zhao Rou's formidable ability and did not underestimate these people, hoping to cow them with words and win without fighting. But Wu Tong's defiance and cutting words only stoked her fury. Her eyes narrowed. "So, you fancy yourself a master of martial arts? You insist that I deal with you personally?"
Wu Tong sneered. "The tricks of your Palace of the Fairy Empress need no further discussion. In the martial world, we settle matters under the palm!"
Now she had no way out—if she held back, she would be a laughingstock. Her killing intent flared; her eyes widened, her internal energy surged, and her aura exploded outward like a raging tide. Her signature skill was the Thirteen Flying Swallow Palms. With a roar like a wild beast, she sprang into the air, gliding like a swallow and striking with the move Tears Like Rain. Her palm power tore through the air like a thunderclap, descending on Wu Tong with lightning speed.
Wu Tong saw the storm coming and dared not be careless. He countered with Clouds Light, Wind Gentle, retreating with graceful, shifting steps, slipping past her strikes and deflecting when necessary. His movements were fluid, his palms unpredictable, drifting like the wind. Nangong Yan was startled—several strikes in a row had missed entirely. She immediately changed tactics, launching Swallow in Flight and Wings Out of Line, palms darting like wings, swift and seamless, offense and defense as one, attacking with the ferocity of a storm.
These two moves are dangerous, Wu Tong thought. They're fast and agile—best to avoid meeting them head-on. He twisted away like a swimming dragon, evading her fierce blows. Ten moves passed with neither gaining the advantage.
Nangong Yan sneered. "Boy, is dodging all you can do? Face me head-on if you're a hero!"
Wu Tong chuckled. "No rush, Palace Mistress. That was just the warm-up. Now for the main course!" His palms rose, tracing arcs in the air as he unleashed the Thirteen Palms to Soar the Skies.
The first move, Flight Through the Clouds, sent him leaping high, both palms striking for her chest and brow. Nangong Yan met him with crossed palms, the impact blasting dust into the air. They traded blow for blow—palm, leg, and sweep—over ten more exchanges.
Frustrated, Nangong Yan's eyes flashed coldly. Adjusting her stance, she leapt into Swallow Descends from the Sky, her double palms slicing down like a meteor, sealing every escape route.
Wu Tong frowned, shifting instantly into Sky-Stepping Stride. His feet barely kissed the ground before he bent away, gliding clear of the deadly strike. Nangong Yan missed but flowed straight into Scales Hidden, Feathers Soaring, her spinning palm winds combining offense and defense even midair.
Wu Tong met the gale with Mist Locks the Azure Sky from the Eight Forms of Cloud Hand, weaving through her strikes and dispersing much of their force. Then, with a powerful kick, he soared upward and dove like a hawk, unleashing Azure Dragon Shatters the Heavens. The force exploded outward, palm winds surging toward her.
Alarmed, Nangong Yan changed to Sent Afar to the Wilds, her light form riding her own momentum to deflect. But Wu Tong had anticipated it—his palms shifted into Thunder's Wrath, sealing her path.
Shocked, she gathered her internal strength and struck with Out of Sight, a mighty flap of the swallow's wings that blasted his attack aside. The clash boomed, grit-filled air swirling, each of them pushed back two steps.
Sweat formed on her brow. This youth's inner power is deep—no ordinary foe. But before she could recover her breath, Wu Tong spun into Truth Within Illusion from the Six Phantom Palms. The strike shifted from false to real, unpredictable, cutting off her retreat. In a flash, he was on her with Palm Within Fist.
Bang! She could not evade—his strike slammed into her chest, blood spraying as she staggered, her footing faltering before she crashed to the ground.
Wu Tong pressed with Tiger's Roar, Galloping Flood, his twin palms thundering like a thousand hooves.
Nangong Yan's heart jolted—she countered with Scales Hidden, Feathers Soaring, her Kirin Step steadying her stance, one palm blocking, one striking.
Another bang! sent both of them back three steps. Her eyes narrowed. "Boy, your inner strength is impressive."
Wu Tong smiled. "Palace Mistress, we've only just begun—the main course isn't over yet."
They clashed again, lightning-fast, trading thirty more blows. Her Thirteen Flying Swallow Palms filled the air with dust and shadow—Swallow Rises to the Clouds, Swallow Skims the Field, Swallow Flies to the Sky—but the onlookers could hardly follow the blur of movement.
Frustrated, she called out, "Boy, it's not too late to regret! Leave the two girls, and I'll spare your life!"
Wu Tong's anger burned. "Nonsense! Though the enemy be ten thousand, I will go forth!" Zhao Rou and Liu Yun's hearts trembled—they now knew Nangong Yan's fearsome reputation was well-earned and feared for Wu Tong's safety.
She drove forward with From Here to There, Carrying Mud into the Hall, and Sent Afar to the Wilds, her palms as fast as lightning. Wu Tong dodged with Looking East and West, Looking Forward and Back, Looking Left and Right. Then he spun his palms and roared, "Turbid Waves Sweep the Sky!" The force surged like a tidal wave.
Sensing danger, she leapt back with Out of Sight. But Wu Tong was relentless—shifting again into Truth Within Illusion.
The strange, deceptive strike confused her—she could not read it. Backed into a corner, she tried to block, but Wu Tong slipped in with Palm Within Fist.
Her eyes widened—too late. The hidden punch within the palm slammed into her chest. Bang! Blood burst from her lips, her steps faltered, and in the next instant, she crashed heavily to the ground.