At this moment, Qiu Feng's dantian was brimming with power, her qi coursing through every vein and sinew. Her palms gathered their strength, energy surging like a great river about to break its banks. Suddenly she unleashed "Breaking Steel with Softness." Her hands turned gracefully, balancing hardness and softness; the strike appeared weightless, yet carried the crushing momentum of floodwaters, irresistible and unstoppable.
The Left Dharma King Meng Ming, alarmed by the strange and subtle flow of her Soft Palm, dared not take it lightly. He gathered his qi, his stance rooted like Mount Tai, and countered with "Tiger Crouches, Dragon Coils." His twin palms, fierce and steady, sought to meet her technique with sheer force.
The clash was titanic. Their energies burst outward, sleeves snapped like banners in a storm, and dust whirled around them as their steps and strikes shifted in a dazzling contest of skill. For a time they seemed evenly matched, each probing for the other's weakness.
But then, with a glimmer in her eyes, Qiu Feng discerned the rhythm of Meng Ming's inner energy. A faint smile touched her lips. Her toe tapped lightly upon the ground, her body soared like a swallow in flight—she unleashed "Born of Nothingness." Her figure darted like lightning, weaving around Meng Ming, palms flashing in a blur of shadows. To the eyes of the crowd, she was as a phantom; to Meng Ming, she was everywhere at once, her strikes fierce as thunderbolts.
Meng Ming staggered backward, sweat breaking across his brow. His claws slashed frantically, yet all found only empty air. His heart pounded with dread. This woman's strength surpasses mine… I cannot even strike back!
Suddenly, her palms shifted once more, their energy coiling in on itself before lashing outward. She invoked "Entering the Seamless Void." The strike was gentle, almost insubstantial—yet within it lay lethal power. Her palms, light as drifting petals, covered every line of retreat. The air howled as her force burst forth like a storm, enclosing Meng Ming in a deadly web.
Panic struck the Dharma King. He tried to resist, but her force bound him like unseen cords. His qi scattered, his body felt weightless, and his counterattacks dissolved into nothing. Gasps erupted from the Black Dragon Sect warriors watching outside the ring—the situation had turned dire.
Then—BANG! Her palm struck squarely against his chest. Meng Ming let out a muffled cry as his body was hurled through the air, flung like a dead leaf in the wind.
Yet in the instant before he struck the ground, a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes. If I take this blow head-on, I will be crippled! Only by redirecting her force can I survive! With desperate resolve, he spun his qi, borrowing from her momentum. His feet touched ground and slid back several paces; though he managed to stay upright, blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. His face turned ashen—he had been gravely injured.
Silence swept the courtyard. All eyes were fixed on him, shaken by the ferocity of Qiu Feng's Soft Palm.
Qiu Feng stood tall, her blade-like gaze fixed upon the enemy. She made no move to pursue, but her cold laugh rang clear:"As long as the Phoenix Gang stands, the Black Dragon Sect shall never run rampant!"
Her words ignited her allies' spirits; the Phoenix Gang roared their support. But the Black Dragon Sect warriors seethed in fury, humiliated yet unable to reply, for their Dharma King had been wounded before their very eyes.
At last, Meng Ming rose, blood still staining his lips. Rage burned in his chest, stoked by defeat and shame. He roared:"Enough! Since you refuse to submit, then the Black Dragon Sect will show you true wrath. Heavenly Kings—draw your blades! Kill them all!"
The canal fighters shouted in fury:"Lost the duel and now you turn to murder?""Shameless cur!""Running dogs of An Lushan!"
But Meng Ming's eyes blazed with murderous intent."Silence! You are all traitors! Cut them down—leave none alive!"
At his command, the Four Heavenly Kings drew their swords with a hiss of steel. Their killing aura surged, and they advanced upon Qiu Feng and Xu Li.
The Phoenix Mistress bristled at their treachery. "So, even in defeat, you stoop to slaughter? You think we fear you?"
Xu Li, pale but unbowed, cried out:"Phoenix Sister, stand firm! We'll fight together—brothers, fall back!"
East Heavenly King Yang Chao sneered, his face twisted with cruelty."Had you obeyed earlier, you would have been spared the blade. Now, you'll pay in blood!"
His vile words stoked fury in the hearts of all who heard them. Qiu Feng and Xu Li seized sabers from their men. Xu Li's voice rang like a war-drum:"Then let us test the swordplay of the Four Heavenly Kings!"
The north wind rose; dust and sand whirled into the sky. It was as though heaven itself foresaw the coming bloodbath.
With a roar, the Four Kings rushed in. Their blades flashed like lightning, weaving a deadly net of steel. Qiu Feng and Xu Li raised their sabers to meet them. The courtyard rang with the clash of metal, sparks flying with every stroke. At first the two held their ground, but outnumbered, their defense faltered under the relentless storm.
Xu Li staggered as Yang Chao's blade pierced his leg, blood spilling down his shin. At the same time, North King Wei Chang and West King Xiao Cheng pressed their swords against Qiu Feng, their strikes fierce and unyielding. She stumbled, her blade wavering, her steps chaotic. West King Xiao Cheng shouted triumphantly:"Your life ends here!"
But before his sword could strike true—
CLANG!
A single blade descended from the sky, cleaving into their formation and driving them back. Dust swirled, the melee split apart. A commanding voice rang out:
"Four against two—bullying the weak, reveling in cruelty. Jackals, every one of you!"
All heads turned.
West Heavenly King Xiao Cheng's face twisted in shock."You again? Wu Tong!"
Wu Tong smiled faintly, his blade gleaming cold in the storm."And once again, it is the Black Dragon Sect sowing its poison. Where you appear, no good ever follows."
The Left Dharma King's fury erupted, his eyes bulging like a beast's."Kill him! Today, none shall leave alive!"
But Wu Tong only sneered, lifting his saber with casual contempt."You prattle of mercy while hiding behind numbers. Why don't you all come at once? I'll cut you down together."