Suddenly, Yu Luocha let out a furious roar, her voice booming through the mountain valley like the thunderous cry of a lioness from Hedong. The ground itself trembled faintly, striking fear into the hearts of all who stood nearby. From this alone, it was clear—Yu Luocha's martial prowess was no ordinary skill. She was not someone to be taken lightly.
Her figure blurred, movements ghostlike and uncanny. With footwork as strange as it was swift, she surged forward like a phantom, her momentum fierce and overwhelming.
Zhao Rou, seeing this, knew the battle could not be taken lightly. She drew a deep breath and at once unleashed the Eight Forms of Cloud Hands, executing the move "Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations." Her feet traced the Seven-Star Steps of Heaven's Astral Pattern, her body light and agile, her arms flowing like wild geese in flight. Every transition was smooth and crisp. With a sudden turn, her figure drifted like willow catkins in the wind. Yu Luocha's charge fell into emptiness—the strike missed its mark.
Yu Luocha paused, slightly taken aback, then snorted coldly."Little whelp, barely grown! You've got some skill after all! Your dodging footwork is… not bad."
Zhao Rou, recognizing her opponent's strength, still kept her tone respectful. She smiled and replied,"Madam, it seems your skills are not just in words. Your hands are just as sharp as your tongue!"
Yu Luocha's eyes flickered, and she sneered."Then let us see whose skills are real, and whose are nothing but empty talk!"
Yu Luocha—once famed in her youth for breathtaking beauty and peerless agility—was a figure both feared and reviled across the martial world. Her cruelty and ruthlessness had earned her the dreaded name "Jade Demoness." She had once fallen deeply for the gallant hero known as Fearless Lü Qiang. Yet, as fate would have it, he chose another: the heroine Luo Ping of Xiangjiang. The lovers wed, leaving Yu Luocha's heart twisted with bitterness that lingered for years.
Now, Yu Luocha struck again, her palms surging forward with ferocious force. Zhao Rou answered by calling upon the Cloud Hands once more, shifting into "Gentle Breeze and Light Clouds." Her body moved like flowing water, her steps like drifting mist. Yu Luocha's strike missed again, her face darkening.Surprised, she demanded, "Girl, what is Fearless Lü Qiang to you?"
Zhao Rou frowned, puzzled."This set of techniques was passed to Young Master Wu Tong by Fearless Lü Qiang. I merely received it through him."
Yu Luocha froze, whispering to herself,"Then… their daughter must be about this age by now…" Her heart trembled. If Lü Qiang and Luo Ping's child lived, she would likely be the same age as Zhao Rou.
Zhao Rou, seeing her dazed, grew curious. "Madam, are we fighting or not?"
Yu Luocha sighed deeply, her voice heavy with regret."If I had been able to stay with the man I loved, I too might have had a daughter as old as you…"
Zhao Rou looked at her sorrowful face and asked again, softly,"Madam, are we fighting or not?"
At last Yu Luocha snapped back to herself. Drawing a breath, she said coldly,"Of course we fight! But—you must not use Fearless Lü Qiang's techniques again!"
Zhao Rou only smiled."I've learned much. If you forbid it, then I shall not use it. As you wish!"
With that, she suddenly stepped forward. A fierce move burst forth—"Turning Rivers and Overturning Seas," the third strike of the Northern Darkness Palm. Her strike thundered out with unstoppable force, inner energy surging like a tidal wave.
Yu Luocha was startled, forced to change her moves in haste, her palms flurrying like storm winds. She could not even spare a thought to how Zhao Rou had learned the Northern Darkness Palm! In moments, more than thirty exchanges passed, their battle fierce and unyielding. The valley rang with the clash of energy, blades, and force. Suddenly, Yu Luocha spun, her fingers darting out like lightning, striking toward Zhao Rou's Heaven's Protuberance, Purple Palace, and Chest Center points—vital acupoints. The move was ruthless, deadly.
Zhao Rou's heart clenched. At once, she unleashed the Six Illusion Palms, using "Fist Within the Palm." Her strike shot out like lightning.
Yu Luocha extended her hand to block—but halfway through, Zhao Rou's fist twisted into a palm, the transformation eerie and unpredictable! Caught off guard, Yu Luocha hastily shifted, claw turning into palm. With a resounding BANG, their right palms collided. Both were hurled back several steps.
Yu Luocha steadied herself, eyes narrowing in surprise."Such power… and at your age? Your skills are unpredictable, ever-shifting. Tell me honestly—who is your master?"
Zhao Rou smiled faintly."I have no master. I learned from many."
Yu Luocha was stunned. "Impossible!"
Zhao Rou explained calmly,"As a child, a roaming master taught me breathing and a simple fist set. Later, Young Master Wu Tong taught me the Cloud Hands, Fan Arts, and the Thirteen Swords of Lingxiao. At Mount Baiyun, the White Cloud Immortal passed me the Six Illusion Palms. Not long ago, Lord Luo Jing, the Tenth Master of the Hall of Loyalty, taught both Wu Tong and me the Sixteen Northern Darkness Palms. Later, I even studied the Crouching Dragon Saber."
Yu Luocha let out a long sigh. Her gaze upon Zhao Rou softened, complex emotions surging within."Little girl… this Wu Tong is surely your destined noble star. Treasure him well—do not let him slip away! Do not repeat my mistake. I am old now… and I have no one to rely on."
Zhao Rou's heart ached. She lowered her head, voice tinged with sorrow."Your words are wise. I will treasure Young Master Wu Tong… But perhaps your beloved still lingers near you, unbeknownst."
Yu Luocha was stunned, then smiled bitterly. Memories flickered in her eyes—regret, longing, and melancholy all at once. For years she had roamed the jianghu, yet never truly alone. By her side always had been the Thunderblade Gao Jin. Hearing Zhao Rou's sincere words, her long-buried pain eased slightly.
She exhaled slowly, then raised her voice."Girl, you have opened my eyes today. For that, I thank you. But our duel must still be decided!"
Without pause, she suddenly struck with "Fanning the Flames," her twin palms carving arcs through the air. Inner strength surged like thunder, two streams of rotating energy twisting together, rushing forth with terrifying force.
Zhao Rou's expression hardened. She inhaled deeply, summoning her strength, then unleashed the "Shattering Mountains and Tidal Waves"—one of the fiercest strikes of the Northern Darkness Sixteen Palms. Her power burst forth like a raging sea, crashing against Yu Luocha's torrent.
The two women clashed, neither yielding. Energy waves exploded, dust and gravel flying. Their strikes collided again and again, booming like war drums. Though Zhao Rou's inner strength was pure, Yu Luocha's decades of experience gave her a depth of power hard to match. Step by step, Zhao Rou was forced back, her defense crumbling. At last, with a sharp crack, Yu Luocha's palm struck Zhao Rou's shoulder. She stumbled backward, nearly falling.
Just then, a thunderous voice cut through the air:"Enough!"
A fierce blast of energy surged forth, colliding with theirs in midair. With a booming shockwave, both women were driven back.
Landing steadily, a young man appeared—Wu Tong. His gaze calm, his bearing commanding, he bowed with respect."Senior, please… show mercy."
Yu Luocha's eyes widened slightly, her heart quivering. This young man stood proud and graceful, his aura faintly reminiscent of Fearless Lü Qiang in his youth. She could not help but study him with intensity. Drawing a breath, she said in a measured tone,"So you are Wu Tong? The martial world speaks of 'North Jia Yong, South Wu Tong.' Today, I see the name was no exaggeration."
Wu Tong smiled, humble yet composed, returning her bow."You honor me, Senior. I am indeed Wu Tong of Lingnan."
From the side, Thunderblade Gao Jin had been watching, his eyes growing darker as he noticed Yu Luocha's gaze linger too long. Jealousy stirred, sharp as knives. He stepped forward, voice thunderous."So you're Wu Tong? I've long heard your name. Today, you'll taste the blade of Thunderblade Gao Jin!"
His eyes blazed with battle spirit. A new clash was about to ignite.