Chapter 17: Grief-stricken and Longing from Afar

Chapter 17: Grief-stricken and Longing from Afar

They were clapping and celebrating on this side, while the Red Lotus Sect showed little discouragement over there.

Shen Rou returned to the ranks and apologized to Ling Ling.

Ling Ling smiled and said:

“Victory and defeat are common in war; besides, if we had won two matches in a row, it would only attract more attention from them, making future matters more complicated.

Letting them win this match wasn’t bad either.

Sister Shen, you needn’t blame yourself.”

Shen Rou said:

“What worried me was precisely future matters.

Today’s Long Xielan was no longer the person she had been over a decade ago.

This woman’s schemes were deeper, and her reactions faster.

She was truly a major enemy of our sect.

If she joined forces with Zhuge Xianyun to plan and scheme, our sect would really need to respond carefully.”

Ling Ling smiled and said:

“I had already thought of that, but today’s affair wasn’t over yet.

Let’s just see the upcoming contests.”

Both sides had their thoughts on this, and each silently understood the other’s intentions.

Then the Colorful-Robed Maiden stepped forward and announced that the third round of the competition was beginning.

The situation was now very clear.

Only Gu Fengchen and another skilled opponent remained near the Bamboo Tower.

The Four Great Clans and the Red Lotus Sect each had one person left as well.

They would fight separately in pairs.

Needless to say, according to everyone’s expectations, Gu Fengchen stepped forward to challenge the last skilled fighter near the Bamboo Tower.

Then, the Red Lotus Sect and the Four Great Clans would compete in the final match.

Therefore, all eyes were on Gu Fengchen.

They saw Gu Fengchen slowly rise to his feet and walk forward step by step.

But he was not challenging that person near the Bamboo Tower.

Instead, he walked right up to the group from the Four Great Clans.

The crowd stared in astonishment, thinking privately:

Was this man intending to challenge Wan Chongshan?

This sudden turn was unexpected; even those within the Four Great Clans had not anticipated it.

Everyone knew that Wan Chongshan was the strongest expert among those present today.

Moreover, he hadn’t fought a single match yet and was therefore supremely energetic.

Gu Fengchen had already competed in three matches and had only rested briefly.

To now challenge Wan Chongshan upfront was truly shocking.

Yet the scene before them made everyone believe it was real.

Gu Fengchen approached the front of the Four Great Clans’ formation, clasped his hands in salute, and said in a gruff voice:

“This unworthy one wishes to seek instruction from the honored master of your side.”

This move was entirely abrupt, and even Long Xielan couldn’t understand why he was challenging their side.

In their thinking, only the Red Lotus Sect counted as a real rival; other Jianghu (Martial World) figures either feared their side’s power and dared not challenge them or felt their skills were inferior.

So though many had competed, not one came to challenge here until now.

Yet now it seemed there were indeed people in the Jianghu (Martial World) unafraid of the Four Great Clans.

But if he wasn’t afraid, why cover his face to avoid recognition?

It clearly meant he feared being identified by others.

Although Long Xielan was quick-witted, she was so startled she momentarily didn’t know what to say.

Wan Chongshan naturally looked down on Gu Fengchen.

Even though Gu Fengchen had displayed extraordinary Internal Energy cultivation in previous matches, Wan Chongshan’s Internal Energy was also rarely seen in the Jianghu (Martial World).

By comparison, even if it was slightly inferior, he could regain the advantage with techniques.

So he had no concerns at all.

Now seeing Gu Fengchen dare to challenge, he felt some pleasure inwardly, thinking privately that the man really had courage.

His temperament was strange, different from others, but he found himself drawn to Gu Fengchen’s character.

If Gu Fengchen had acted as they expected and challenged someone else, Wan Chongshan might not have valued him as much.

Since someone dared to challenge them, how could the Four Great Clans back down!

Wan Chongshan chuckled and stood up:

“Friend, you’re truly different from ordinary men. This old man likes your kind of spirit. Come, come, we two shall compete once.”

Taking Gu Fengchen’s hand, he led him toward the arena.

This action was quite astonishing.

With Wan Chongshan’s Eagle Claw Technique, he could instantly crush the hand of anyone he touched.

But Gu Fengchen acted as if unaware, letting him lead.

The two entered the arena side by side, almost like long-lost friends.

Actually, Gu Fengchen was not ignorant of his opponent’s strength.

He had heard from various masters at Shaolin discussions about the people in the Jianghu (Martial World).

When it came to Wan Chongshan, they all said this man was extremely proud, but his martial skills were genuinely brilliant; especially his Eagle Claw Technique was unsurpassed in the Jianghu (Martial World).

Today, if Gu Fengchen had shrunk back and avoided being pulled, it would have shown he feared the opponent.

Losing his confidence would put him at a disadvantage in the later match.

So he went ahead and let Wan Chongshan lead him, thinking privately that the man would not stoop to sneak attacks given his status.

Besides, even if Wan Chongshan did attack heavily, his own Heaven-Defying Divine Art might withstand the Eagle Claw Technique.

This pleased Wan Chongshan even more.

This man was haughty and rarely looked up to others; aside from figures in the Four Great Clans, everyone else was insignificant to him.

Wherever he went, he was met with flattery, which annoyed him endlessly.

Deep down, he despised such people.

Therefore, when he reached out to take Gu Fengchen’s hand, he was really testing him.

If Gu Fengchen had dodged, it would have meant he was afraid and not worthy of respect.

But Gu Fengchen showed no fear at all.

This temperament perfectly matched Wan Chongshan’s own nature, filling him with delight.

Having roamed the Jianghu (Martial World) for decades, Wan Chongshan had rarely met any junior he truly respected.

Encountering Gu Fengchen now made this trip worthwhile.

For Gu Fengchen, gaining Wan Chongshan’s regard was hardly a good thing.

If Wan Chongshan thought he was a formidable opponent, he would show no mercy in the fight.

But why did Gu Fengchen insist on challenging him?

Actually, Gu Fengchen had weighed and reweighed this decision before acting.

His thinking was different and far more complex than others’.

Coming to seize the treasure was obviously undermining the Red Lotus Sect’s standing, but the circumstances forced it—not doing so would harm women like Hua Yuehen.

He had no choice.

Given that, he settled for the lesser goal: ensuring the Red Lotus Sect members escaped unharmed to ease his conscience.

But after several matches, the Red Lotus Sect and the Four Great Clans were locked in a fierce dispute, already drawing blood.

Now each side had one person left to fight.

On the Four Great Clans’ side, it was naturally Wan Chongshan who would step in.

But who was left on the Red Lotus Sect’s side?

Gu Fengchen thought privately:

If the Red Lotus Sect sent Xue Wuhen, he would likely be no match for Wan Chongshan.

Wan Chongshan’s power was profound, and though Xue Wuhen had unequaled lightness skills, his hand techniques probably couldn’t compare.

Besides, in these two rounds, the Red Lotus Sect had fielded its strongest fighters.

Especially Gui Qulai, known as the Mortal King, had risked his life to narrowly defeat Du Qianlong.

Xue Wuhen’s power must be inferior to Gui Qulai’s, while Wan Chongshan’s exceeded Du Qianlong’s.

With gains on one side and losses on the other, Xue Wuhen would likely lose if entered.

If it wasn’t Xue Wuhen who fought, it would surely be Ling Ling.

Ling Ling might have less Internal Energy than Wan Chongshan, but her strange, unmatched spear techniques were unique in the Jianghu (Martial World).

They might just be able to restrain Wan Chongshan.

Gu Fengchen understood Ling Ling’s personality well; in such a crucial battle, she would certainly step in herself.

Even if she lost, no one could blame her subordinates—it would let them stay composed.

Therefore, Gu Fengchen was certain: Ling Ling would personally take the field to fight Wan Chongshan.

And what worried him most was this very situation.

Wan Chongshan hated the Red Lotus Sect to the core; his humiliating defeat years ago under Ling Yufeng was an unbearable disgrace.

Now, with a chance for revenge, how could he pass it up?

So if Ling Ling didn’t fight, all was well.

But if she faced Wan Chongshan, it would inevitably become a life-or-death struggle.

Her spear skills might be high, but she was far too young, lacking experience compared to her opponent.

If she made one mistake and gave Wan Chongshan the upper hand, Ling Ling could be either killed on the spot or crippled by his Eagle Claw Technique.

At this thought, a chill ran down Gu Fengchen’s spine.

After much contemplation, Gu Fengchen realized the only way to prevent Ling Ling from facing Wan Chongshan was to step forward himself. Whether he was Wan Chongshan’s match didn’t cross his mind much; since he had come, a bitter fight was inevitable. He resolved that if he couldn’t seize the treasure, he would bid farewell to the world at West Lake.

Thus, Gu Fengchen strode boldly forth and challenged Wan Chongshan.

The two men walked to the center of the field together before releasing hands. By now, the Plum Blossom Piles had already been removed, leaving only open ground. Following the etiquette of a junior, Gu Fengchen stood several feet away and clasped his fists in salute. Wan Chongshan returned the gesture.

Most spectators secretly harbored doubts, thinking to themselves: when had this old fogey Wan Chongshan ever returned anyone’s salute? Aside from the leaders of the Four Great Clans, it seemed he had never displayed such courtesy before. Could it be he feared the martial skills of this masked youth? If true, this spectacle promised to be interesting.

Most of the gathered heroes knew Wan Chongshan’s character well. Some harbored resentment towards him, thinking: so what if your skill is higher, your seniority greater? There was no need to treat others with such contempt! Therefore, the moment he entered the field, more than half the crowd secretly hoped he would lose.

Yet this was merely a hope. Who didn’t know Wan Chongshan possessed supreme martial prowess? Few in the world could withstand even ten moves under his hands.

Facing this opponent, Gu Fengchen also felt unease. Wan Chongshan’s formidable reputation had long thundered in his ears. Facing him today required not the slightest carelessness. Gu Fengchen silently circulated his Heaven-Defying Divine Art, feeling his palms swell and grow warmer with increasing intensity, the force within threatening to erupt from them.

Wan Chongshan observed him standing still, not visibly drawing breath or gathering strength, yet his clothes subtly billowed outward — a clear sign of Qi energy emitted from his pores. Achieving this level of internal energy was beyond any common expert. A hidden joy stirred within Wan Chongshan; after so many years, he had finally encountered an opponent worthy of his full assault.

Despite Wan Chongshan’s lifelong arrogance and aloof manner, once combat commenced, he instantly shed all underestimation. Facing such a formidable enemy as Gu Fengchen, he now proceeded with heightened caution. Slowly, he raised his hands, revealing the opening stance of his unique creation: the Eagle Claw Technique.

Truthfully, Wan Chongshan seldom employed this martial art. Firstly, he had rarely fought in recent years; secondly, its ferocity was such that few deserved to face these deadly techniques.

His immediate use of the Eagle Claw Technique today clearly signaled the high regard he held for Gu Fengchen.

However, regard was only part of it. Despite his unparalleled skills, Wan Chongshan was no longer young. Overall, though his power might be more refined, his endurance was inevitably diminished — an irreversible condition of life, unchangeable by any level of training. Aware that Gu Fengchen was a strong adversary, Wan Chongshan wished to defeat him decisively in one blow, preserving more energy for the later confrontation with the Red Lotus Sect’s masters. Speed was the best tactic. Hence, he unleashed his signature skill from the outset.

Gu Fengchen had once crossed paths with Wan Chongshan’s son, Wan Xiaolou. In that encounter, though Gu Fengchen had subdued his opponent by accident using a venomous palm strike, he had never gained the upper hand in technique; he would have been captured outright but for an unexpected release of poison skill. If Wan Chongshan’s son was so formidable, how much more so must his father be? Recalling his duel with Wan Xiaolou — how the relentless offensive had nearly shattered his defense, rendering his Bodhidharma’s Grasping Hands useless — Gu Fengchen found it uncertain what technique he would use today to confront the father.

At this thought, Gu Fengchen’s mind suddenly drifted to Qing’er. He stole a glance towards the hillside with the corner of his eye and saw Qing’er indeed making the same gesture repeatedly.

Her hand was tracing fast, continuous circles around the doll she held.

Gu Fengchen grasped her meaning instantly: she was telling him to utilize his lightness kung fu and circle around Wan Chongshan.

Indeed. Wan Chongshan’s martial arts were supreme, his Internal Energy profound. Matching him move for move, technique for technique, Gu Fengchen stood no chance. Wan Chongshan’s Eagle Claw Technique excelled at seizing limbs. The moment physical contact was made, it latched onto the opponent’s hands like a hawk pouncing on a rabbit, gripping them fast, rendering escape nearly impossible. Then, his powerful Internal Energy would be deployed to cripple those hands. Gu Fengchen’s own techniques paled far in sophistication compared to Wan Chongshan’s. Therefore, his only hope was to stay elusive, denying him a solid target, and seek opportunities for attack.

But this strategy meant Wan Chongshan remained static while Gu Fengchen moved. If Wan Chongshan merely guarded steadfastly and didn’t chase, even Gu Fengchen, with his high Internal Energy and strong stamina, would eventually tire. Then, defeat would be certain. But the enemy troops were at the walls—it was time to deal with the immediate crisis. He would fight this way first and see.

Gu Fengchen made his decision. “My apologies,” he declared.

Then he lunged forward, raising his fist to strike directly at Wan Chongshan’s face. Seeing the punch possessed both spirit and strength, its formidable internal power containing a hint of soft force, Wan Chongshan inwardly nodded approval. Raising one hand, fingers poised distinctly like an eagle’s talons, he darted towards Gu Fengchen’s wrist.

This move, the “Minor Probing Hand,” appeared deceptively ordinary. Its deadliness lay in Wan Chongshan’s five slightly separated fingers projecting five distinct strands of force aimed not only at locking the opponent’s wrist but also anticipating any countermove. No matter how the opponent attempted to respond, Wan Chongshan’s thumb and little finger could neutralize it. Consequently, hands capable of evading this “Minor Probing Hand” were few and far between in the Jianghu.

Once seized, the only option was a contest of raw wrist and finger strength against Wan Chongshan’s peerless cultivation—an escape few could manage.

Wan Chongshan’s celebrated reputation in the Jianghu was built on nothing less than genuine skill.

Unaware of this technique’s subtleties, Gu Fengchen was fortunate that his punch wasn’t truly meant to land—it was only to draw Wan Chongshan’s response. Thus, midway through the punch’s arc, while still a significant distance from Wan Chongshan’s probing claw, Gu Fengchen abruptly sidestepped. His entire body flashed sideways, skimming past Wan Chongshan nearly two paces away.

This move startled Wan Chongshan. Assuming Gu Fengchen intended to flank behind him for an unseen attack—a common enough tactic Wan Chongshan had faced many times and dismissed—he let out a cold snort. His hand swept back towards his own shoulder, fingers still extended, clawing towards Gu Fengchen.

Though Gu Fengchen had flashed past his side, Wan Chongshan’s precision remained uncanny; his claw targeted Gu Fengchen’s shoulder with pinpoint accuracy. Had Gu Fengchen paused even slightly closer, escape would have been impossible.

Fortunately, Gu Fengchen’s sidestep was purely evasive, not preparatory for a sneak attack. Therefore, the grasp missed his shoulder by several inches.

At this moment, anxiety flickered through Gu Fengchen. He had no choice but to deploy his speed fully, setting off on a circle around Wan Chongshan. Despite having endured several previous bouts, the potency of his Heaven-Defying Divine Art was now manifesting. He felt not the slightest trace of fatigue; on the contrary, the more he moved, the faster he became, the vital energy inside him seemingly growing stronger by the moment.

This was the extraordinary nature of the Heaven-Defying Divine Art.

The term “Heaven-Defying” signified acting against the heavens, defying conventional logic. While others’ vital energy dwindled with use, Gu Fengchen’s strangely increased the more he exerted himself. Of course, this had limits. Use it too violently or too long, and when his body’s potential could no longer sustain him, he would exhaust himself to death without any outside blow. Yet Gu Fengchen had never faced such a formidable foe before, and his cultivation in the Heaven-Defying Divine Art deepened daily. Consequently, the vital energy within felt boundless, unnerving even himself.

Gu Fengchen raced faster and faster. At first, his figure was discernible; soon, only swirling garments, his face lost to sight. Witnessing such extraordinary skill, even Xue Wuhen couldn’t help but feel a twinge of inward shock.

If others felt this way, how much more so did Wan Chongshan, trapped in the center of the field. Frowning deeply, he contemplated giving chase. But reconsidering, he understood Gu Fengchen’s tactic: to lure him into pursuit, wasting his strength, and strike decisively when he became exhausted. Grasping this principle, Wan Chongshan gathered his spirit, stood utterly still, and even closed his eyes, relying solely on the sounds of movement to discern if Gu Fengchen launched an attack.

Gu Fengchen circled while thinking, Wan Chongshan was prepared to allow an enemy to exhaust himself. Circling pointlessly wasn’t working; he needed to suddenly attack in a cold, unexpected move.

With that in mind, as he circled to Wan Chongshan’s flank, he abruptly leaned inward. Channeling Shaolin’s Flower-Plucking Finger Technique, he aimed a swift finger strike at a point below Wan Chongshan’s waist.

This move was swift as the wind, quick as lightning; his hand arrived the moment it lifted. However, he didn’t expend much internal energy, aiming only a probing strike.

But just as Gu Fengchen’s fingertip was about to touch the acupoint below Wan Chongshan’s waist, Wan Chongshan’s hand suddenly appeared, grabbing straight for Gu Fengchen’s wrist.

Wan Chongshan’s move, though launched later, arrived first. It was clear he had been priming this strike, lying in wait for Gu Fengchen to make his move.

Seeing the opponent’s five fingers clawing towards him, Gu Fengchen’s heart sank. He saw clearly—the other man was much faster. His own finger hadn’t yet landed on Wan Chongshan, yet the eagle claws would clamp down on his wrist. This way, even his circling tactic would be thwarted.

The situation allowed no time for second thoughts. To evade the claw, he had to withdraw his hand. Gu Fengchen’s thought flashed in his mind. He yanked his hand back in a swift retreat. Logically, he retreated fast enough that Wan Chongshan shouldn’t have reached his wrist. But Wan Chongshan’s martial arts were not only exceptionally high, they were also incredibly bizarre in execution.

Crack! A sound came from within Wan Chongshan’s wrist. His wrist, together with his arm, abruptly extended several inches. This small distance was enough. Thud! Wan Chongshan’s five fingers finally grasped Gu Fengchen’s wrist.

Gu Fengchen was shocked and dismayed. The consequence of this probe was far more severe than he ever imagined. He felt those five fingers like steel hooks, biting deep, almost into the bone, proof that the name “eagle claw” was well-deserved.

There was no time for further thought now. The crucial thing was to escape from that iron grasp. Gu Fengchen wrenched his hand back with all his strength, but it didn’t budge an inch. Not only that, Wan Chongshan, successful with this strike, gave Gu Fengchen no breathing room. His other hand struck like lightning, clawing towards Gu Fengchen’s shoulder.

Gu Fengchen thought to block with his free hand but suddenly realized: being held by one hand already presented great difficulty; using the other would surely also be seized by Wan Chongshan. Then, all hope of escape would be lost. But if he didn’t counter, once caught solidly, not even wings would allow him to flee Wan Chongshan’s clutches.

Gu Fengchen urgently focused his mind, channeling his strength to resist. He recalled a similar situation last time against Wan Xiaolou. His poison arts had won that victory. He tried to summon poison now, but found he couldn’t command it. His poison arts weren’t under his voluntary control; they only erupted under the most extreme, life-threatening peril. Although the current situation was dangerous, it wasn’t yet life or death, so he couldn’t force the poison forth.

He saw Wan Chongshan’s other hand, its claws about to grasp his shoulder. Gu Fengchen roared angrily. His legs drove downward. Thud! The sound marked the man suddenly sinking half his height into the ground. His feet were driven a foot deep into the earth.

His abrupt drop caused Wan Chongshan’s claw to miss. But Wan Chongshan adapted with alarming speed. His arm dropped, the claw still aiming for Gu Fengchen’s shoulder. Gu Fengchen arched his back violently, bending his whole body over and dodging the claw, but exposing his abdomen in the process.

Wan Chongshan hesitated slightly. Unlike limbs, which heal even if broken within months, a grievous wound to the belly — ruptured intestines or damaged vital organs — could be instantly fatal. He had no enmity towards Gu Fengchen and was not a wanton killer; he did not wish to take the man’s life then and there.

But that pause lasted mere an instant. Wan Chongshan made his decision. The five fingers still descended, heading straight for Gu Fengchen’s chest. He employed a soft, penetrating force, intending only to fracture Gu Fengchen’s breastbone and force his surrender.

Gu Fengchen, misstepping once, found himself so utterly passive. Rage flared in his heart. Seeing his opponent relentlessly pursuing, and realizing he absolutely could not evade this claw a second time, the crisis forced him to escape by wit.

His feet buried in the earth, inspiration struck. Leveraging his backbent posture violently, he wrenched his feet upward.

Whoosh! His feet tore from the ground. Not just his feet; he hauled up a mass of hard-packed earth and loose dirt. As he pulled his feet free, Gu Fengchen had planned this: the clods and grit flew straight at Wan Chongshan’s face.

This move was a desperate gamble. Even if the dirt hit Wan Chongshan’s face, it might at best make him blink. With his supreme internal strength, it couldn’t harm him. Yet Gu Fengchen himself would suffer a heavy blow from that imminent claw. Logically, the move seemed pointless. But Gu Fengchen calculated: Wan Chongshan’s status was extremely high. He would surely refuse to be soiled head to toe; such indignity was unbefitting a master. Wan Chongshan prized his dignity fiercely anywhere he went. Getting dirtied this way would be an unbearable humiliation.

This gambit risked his life against Wan Chongshan’s pride.

Indeed, he guessed right.

Wan Chongshan, seemingly caught off guard, saw the wave of dirt rushing towards his face. The claw meant for Gu Fengchen couldn’t continue its arc. Instead, his arm blurred. One claw seemed to become innumerable in the blink of an eye. Astonishingly, he caught every single clod and speck of dirt Gu Fengchen had kicked up in his palm. That amount of scattered soil and grit—not one speck touched Wan Chongshan. This “Clouds Obscuring Stars” technique was indescribably marvelous.

But Wan Chongshan could only manage one threat at a time. With an extra hand, he might still have dealt a crushing blow to Gu Fengchen. Even the strongest eagle has but two talons.

Gu Fengchen was fighting for that split second. His feet were free now. Without pause, he launched a Buddha-Salutation Piercing-Kick, slicing through the air towards Wan Chongshan’s abdomen.

They were extremely close. This kick was fierce and vicious, aimed straight at Wan Chongshan’s vitals. The attack forced Wan Chongshan to defend. One hand held the clump of dirt; mindful of his dignity, he tossed it aside instead of flinging it back at Gu Fengchen’s face. His hand snapped back to grab the incoming leg.

However, the Buddha-Salutation Piercing-Kick is a double strike—the legs kick in sequence. Wan Chongshan held Gu Fengchen’s wrist with one hand and managed to seize one ankle with the other. But Gu Fengchen’s second leg was already hurtling forward.

Gu Fengchen erupted with full fury. Since practicing the Heaven-Defying Divine Art, he’d never been pinned down so hard. So now, pouring his Supreme Skill into this kick, even an iron pillar would shatter.

Facing such a death-flailed counterattack, even Wan Chongshan could only concede that Gu Fengchen’s adaptability was exceptional. With both hands, he violently flung Gu Fengchen away.

Their exchange was breathtakingly fast. Wan Chongshan had indeed conserved his strength, letting his adversary tire, only to strike with subsequent, ruthless precision. Gu Fengchen, though seemingly controlled early on, revealed astounding versatility—his countermoves were unpredictable, defying expectations to wriggle free. The watching crowd fell utterly silent, every heart pounding fiercely, blood burning with vicarious thrill.

Once back on the ground, Gu Fengchen dared not pause for even an instant. Resuming his circling pattern around Wan Chongshan, he also focused inwardly, slowly circulating his vital Qi throughout his channels. But when the Qi reached his right wrist, it jammed. Wan Chongshan, in that brief grasp, had infused his Internal Energy directly into the meridians and pressure points, causing temporary damage. This discovery sent another shock through Gu Fengchen.

So, he had no choice but to circle around while striving to regulate his breathing. After completing several laps, his Internal Energy gradually stirred, finally unblocking the meridians in his wrist.

Having tested this, Gu Fengchen had to reconsider his method for defeating Wan Chongshan.

He continued circling, but couldn’t grasp an essential tactic. Although he wasn’t immediately threatened with defeat, if he couldn’t find a way to counter Wan Chongshan, ultimately he would suffer greatly. Thinking this, Gu Fengchen had no choice but to seek Qing’er’s aid.

Taking advantage of his circling, Gu Fengchen swiftly glanced towards the hillside where Qing’er was located.

Not daring to look directly for fear of being noticed by others, each time he looked, he pretended it was casual. This time was no exception.

Qing’er indeed gave him a hint. She was using her palm like a knife, making a chopping motion towards the doll’s legs.

A light dawned in Gu Fengchen’s mind—the lower body!

Wan Chongshan’s hand techniques were undoubtedly extraordinary in the Jianghu, but when someone trains their hands extensively, their lower body often becomes their weakness compared to their palms. Could Wan Chongshan’s weakness be his legs?

Gu Fengchen was decisive. Rather than continuing to circle and eventually being seized by a flaw and defeated, it was better to risk everything attacking the opponent’s lower body while his Internal Energy was still mostly intact. If he targeted correctly, he could defeat Wan Chongshan. If he was wrong—well, defeat was defeat either way. What was there to fear?

With this resolved, Gu Fengchen made up his mind for one last, all-out attack.

Although the goal was set, he still needed to consider how to attack Wan Chongshan’s legs. He absolutely couldn’t let Wan Chongshan see his intention. If he did, Wan Chongshan would surely be extra cautious, and his attack would fail.

As he circled, Gu Fengchen pondered his attack strategy. Wan Chongshan remained composed in the center, appearing at ease, simply letting Gu Fenghen display his lightness kung fu like a revolving lantern around him.

Suddenly, Gu Fengchen initiated his attack.

He darted close as fast as lightning and threw a punch. Before the punch reached its midway point, he instantly withdrew it and, in the same instant, launched a kick. The punch originally aimed at Wan Chongshan’s chest, but by the time the kick followed, its target had shifted to his back.

This kick also only extended halfway before he snapped it back, immediately following it with an oblique palm strike towards Wan Chongshan’s temple…

It was as if Gu Fengchen was practicing in a training ground. He circled Wan Chongshan, punching and kicking, yet each move stopped short of reaching within two feet of his target, withdrawing and changing moves prematurely.

Wan Chongshan watched, chuckling inwardly: This kid is trying to feign aggression. Even with ten feints like this, seeing I don’t counter, there must be one real blow to follow. Trying to trick this old man with such a smokescreen!

A cold smile on his lips, Wan Chongshan stood still, allowing Gu Fengchen to perform around him.

Indeed, after attacking for a while and seeing Wan Chongshan utterly unmoved, Gu Fengchen abruptly transformed the final move of his sequence into a genuine attack. He stiffened his palm into a blade-like edge and thrust directly at Wan Chongshan’s left ribcage.

This strike was committed; there was no hint of withdrawal.

Wan Chongshan saw it extremely clearly. At last, you’ve stopped circling. This time, you won’t escape my grasp so easily.

Thinking this, Wan Chongshan raised his left hand in a claw stance while simultaneously sweeping sideways with the fingers of his right hand. He didn’t grab at the hand thrusting towards him; instead, he aimed for Gu Fengchen’s elbow.

This technique wasn’t necessarily faster, but Wan Chongshan subtly twisted his waist like an ape, shifting his left ribs away from the strike. Seeing his thrust miss, Gu Fengchen had no choice but to retract his arm to defend his elbow. He knew perfectly well—if any part were grabbed by Wan Chongshan, escaping would be nearly impossible.

Gu Fengchen straightened his palm and slashed fiercely at Wan Chongshan’s wrist. Astonishingly, Wan Chongshan neither dodged nor blocked. He abruptly rotated his wrist, the fingers that had been aimed for the elbow flipping upwards like five steel hooks, meeting Gu Fengchen’s descending palm head-on.

This change of move was profoundly sharp. Gu Fengchen could even hear the hissing sound between the fingers, a testament to Wan Chongshan’s extraordinary Internal Energy.

At this very moment, both men’s attention was entirely focused on these two hands—exactly what Gu Fengchen had hoped for. Just as Wan Chonghan flawlessly executed his counter-shift, Gu Fengchen suddenly burst into loud laughter and sank straight down into an abrupt squat.

Simultaneously, his palms, crossed like knives, chopped towards Wan Chongshan’s calves.

Back in his days at the Shaolin Temple, Gu Fengchen often practiced iron head training. During practice, he would squat down and shatter stacks of a dozen gray bricks with his head. Over time, squatting to deliver blows became second nature. Of course, Wan Chongshan’s shins weren’t bricks, and using his head wasn’t feasible, so he substituted a palm chop instead. If this strike landed solidly, given the fragility of the bones in the lower leg, they would surely snap instantly.

Wan Chongshan hadn’t anticipated this bizarre maneuver from Gu Fengchen. His grabbing counter for the elbow failed, and the opponent’s palms arrived like a gust of wind, about to strike the calves.

The situation was suddenly precarious. While Wan Chongshan’s legwork was indeed inferior to his hand techniques, retreat was not an option. Taking even one step back would diminish his prestige and bolster his opponent’s reputation. Therefore, he only slightly tapped his feet against the ground, and his entire body soared up like a massive eagle. Gu Fengchen’s chop sliced through empty air, naturally achieving nothing.

Wan Chongshan’s leap truly resembled a giant eagle battling wind and waves—ancient yet nimble movement, powerful yet fluid, a style uniquely his own.

Seeing him soar upwards, Gu Fengchen immediately leaped up in pursuit, his palms still chopping relentlessly at the same target: Wan Chongshan’s lower legs.

Wan Chongshan grasped Gu Fengchen’s intent and sneered inwardly. While mid-air, he abruptly drew up his legs and thrust his arms out, flipping his entire body upside-down. His claws whistled through the air, striking toward Gu Fengchen’s sweeping palms.

This maneuver was ingenious. With his legs held aloft, they were beyond Gu Fengchen’s reach and thus immune to attack, forcing Gu Fengchen to face only Wan Chongshan’s hands—which happened to be his strongest weapons.

Gu Fengchen understood this perfectly. Staking everything on reaching Wan Chongshan’s legs, he recognized his leap had reached its limit. Taking a deep breath, he activated the Heaven-Defying Divine Art. Incredibly, he too flipped mid-air, forcibly altering his upward trajectory. Like a coiling dragon, he slipped past Wan Chongshan’s flank, evading the claws. His body surged several feet higher, positioning him squarely above Wan Chongshan.

The situation reversed instantly. Gu Fengchen was now above, Wan Chongshan below—and Wan Chongshan’s legs were fully exposed to Gu Fengchen’s assault.

All thoughts of elegance dismissed, Gu Fengchen thrust his arms out, wrapping them tightly around Wan Chongshan’s legs even as they both hung suspended.

This move utterly flabbergasted Wan Chongshan. Gu Fengchen’s momentum should have been spent, leaving him as incapable of sudden shifts as a thrown stone without external force! Yet this was the very power of the Heaven-Defying Divine Art; if not for this, it would hardly be called “Heaven-Defying.”

The assembled heroes felt like they were witnessing a ghostly apparition. They couldn’t fathom how Gu Fengchen changed direction. This man seemed increasingly bizarre, wielding a martial art that defied human capability.

Was this man a ghost? Or possessed by one?!

The daylight sky remained clear and sunny, yet a chilling dread settled over the crowd. Even the sunlight seemed dimmed, as if veiled in gloom.

Gu Fengchen spared no thought for any of this. The moment he seized Wan Chongshan’s legs, he dropped. Struck by panic, Wan Chongshan rapidly composed himself to counter.

Both plummeted downward—Wan Chongshan beneath, Gu Fengchen atop him. Wan Chongshan slapped his palm against the ground, levering his entire body, along with Gu Fengchen, partially into the air. Then, he thrust both legs upward, kicking savagely at Gu Fengchen’s chest, aiming to dislodge him.

Gu Fengchen had finally grasped his enemy’s vulnerability and refused to yield. Feeling immense power surge from Wan Chongshan’s legs, he channeled all his Internal Energy to his chest, bracing for impact.

Wan Chongshan’s kick struck full force, yet Gu Fengchen held firm. Startled, Wan Chongshan realized he couldn’t sustain this hand-stand indefinitely. The failed kick spurred new tactics. He slapped the ground once more, springing off it. Spinning like a windmill, he twisted his body upward, forcing Gu Fengchen beneath him.

Gu Fengchen planted his feet wide apart, anchoring himself firmly to the ground. He never relinquished his grip on Wan Chongshan’s legs, clamping down with crushing force, striving to shatter the leg bones. Yet Wan Chongshan’s Internal Energy proved superhumanly resilient; despite Gu Fengchen exerting his strength twice, the bones held. Locked one above, one below, they were deadlocked on the spot.

Some watching heroes could barely suppress their laughter. Though they stifled it out of respect for Wan Chongshan’s standing, amused grins spread across their faces.

Despite his years, Wan Chongshan’s gaze remained eagle-sharp. He caught the warriors’ shifting expressions instantly. Furious at the young man’s insolence, he thought, Such disrespect leaves me no choice but to shed courtesy.

He bent steeply downward, claws whistling like wind. One claw aimed for Gu Fengchen’s skull, the other for his throat—the strike vicious and swift as an eagle swooping upon a rabbit.

Anticipating lethal intent, Gu Fengchen knew evasion meant releasing Wan Chongshan’s legs—and forfeiting all his gains. Yet without freeing his hands for defense, one blow would surely kill him.

In desperation, he roared and hurled Wan Chongshan violently toward the ground, wielding the man like a sledgehammer. Had it connected, Wan Chongshan would’ve faced shattering impact—bloody vomiting, fractured bones, or a split skull. Thankfully, Wan Chongshan’s move wasn’t yet exhausted; he reacted mid-swing and thrust his claws down as they neared collision, preventing a head-first impact.

Gu Fengchen was now trapped in this dire gamble. He dared not release Wan Chongshan, yet couldn’t break his legs. Wan Chongshan nearly choked on rage. Where did this insolent brat learn such insolent tricks? If I don’t break free, my aged face is ruined! Prestige outweighed mere victory or defeat.

Wan Chongshan drew a long breath, marshalling ninety percent of his Internal Energy into a devastating grip aimed at Gu Fengchen’s shoulders. Hearing the claws’ deadly whistle, Gu Fengchen sensed the peril. He tried again to slam Wan Chongshan earthward, but failed—Wan Chongshan had anchored himself with the thousand-jin weight technique, his body becoming immovable mass. Holding on was struggle enough; swinging him was impossible.

Just as Wan Chongshan’s claws were about to clamp down, two utterly bizarre currents of Internal Energy surged from Gu Fengchen’s hands into Wan Chongshan’s legs. One unbearably frigid, one scalding hot, both raced upward along his limbs.

Cornered, facing imminent death, the dual toxins raging within Gu Fengchen’s body had erupted.

In that instant, Wan Chongshan’s legs suffered excruciating agony—as if one leg plunged into an ice cave, the other thrust into a furnace. Worse than the temperature extremes, Gu Fengchen’s energy carried lethal poison that surged through Wan Chongshan’s meridians like venomous floodwaters blocking vital points. Wherever cold and heat traveled, his blood and vital energy ceased to flow.

This shock dwarfed anything Wan Chongshan had encountered in the Jianghu (Martial World). Attack was now impossible—if he pressed, this demonic energy could invade his heart and kill him instantly.

He marshalled his full strength to resist the invasive force. But it was too late. Trapped by Gu Fengchen’s grip, his desperate expulsion efforts could merely contain the toxins within his legs; forcing them back into Gu Fengchen was impossible.

In moments, their clashing Internal Energies left one of Wan Chongshan’s legs frozen solid, stiff and immobile, while the other roasted as if licked by flames—an unspeakable torment.

Feeling the assault cease, Gu Fengchen breathed an inward sigh of relief. Seeing his strength now matched his opponent’s, he pushed his power repeatedly against Wan Chongshan’s defenses, yet failed to overpower him. Gu Fengchen knew Wan Chongshan’s endurance was remarkable; prolonging this would leave him too drained for future battles. Regardless, to any discerning eye, Gu Fengchen had already won—Wan Chongshan was pinned, utterly unable to counter.

Moreover, Gu Fengchen refused to inflict serious harm on Wan Chongshan and risk eternal enmity with the Four Great Clans. He had come to rescue, not to kill. Raising a mighty shout, he channeled the Heaven-Defying Divine Art and hurled Wan Chongshan away.

He aimed the throw toward the ranks of the Four Great Clans. Wan Chongshan’s lightness techniques were formidable; with a powerful twist of his torso mid-air, he landed squarely on his feet. But the leg frozen moments before hadn’t fully recovered. He stumbled backward twice upon landing.

Victory and defeat were thus decided.

After being subdued and tossed aside, Wan Chongshan failed to even land steadily, clearly defeated. Though Gu Fengchen had won, his technique was utterly bizarre, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.

No one present besides Wan Chongshan himself knew that Gu Fengchen’s internal energy contained potent poison. But Wan Chongshan, valuing both his reputation and status, was unwilling to mention it. In his mind, a loss was a loss; any excuse would only diminish his standing further. So, he merely shot Gu Fengchen a few hard stares before turning to return to his seat.

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd, most speculating wildly about Gu Fengchen’s identity. Firstly, Gu Fengchen was a newcomer to the Jianghu, and secondly, his face was concealed. Observers could only guess based on his physique and martial skills, yet they all seemed utterly perplexed and clueless.

The moment Wan Chongshan returned to his seat, Du Qianlong supported him, immediately checking his pulse. Du Qianlong’s face abruptly changed color, and he blurted out, “What formidable poisonous skill!” Wan Chongshan gritted his teeth in silence. When Du Qianlong moved to use his own Internal Energy to help force out the lingering poison lodged in the acupoints, Wan Chongshan stopped his hand with a light shake of his head, signaling that help was not needed.

Du Qianlong knew how stubborn his sworn brother was, utterly averse to accepting assistance. He could only relent. He then touched Wan Chongshan’s left leg and felt something akin to an ice column, startling him. “Truly sinister! It feels like the Ice Silk Palm of that great demon lord Xiao Tanzhi from a century ago!”

This declaration immediately sent a ripple of shock and excitement through the assembled heroes.

Everyone present had heard of this Xiao Tanzhi. He had trained his sinister martial arts deep in the extreme cold of the northern frontiers, gaining particular infamy for his Ice Silk Palm. Someone with insufficient Internal Energy could freeze to death after receiving a single palm strike. Because the circumstances and coincidences leading to Xiao Tanzhi’s mastery were exceptionally bizarre, no successor could replicate his achievements. Thus, the unparalleled Ice Silk Palm vanished from the world with Xiao Tanzhi’s passing. Now, hearing Du Qianlong speak of it, everyone thought – no wonder Wan Chongshan lost to this man! Could it be that this masked individual had somehow managed to learn the Ice Silk Palm?

In reality, Gu Fengchen’s abilities stemmed entirely from the Internal Energy cultivated through the Heaven-Defying Divine Art, augmented by the potent poisons of the Yin-Yang Twin Immortals. This combination was, in fact, no less formidable than the Ice Silk Palm. He simply couldn’t wield it freely yet. Once he reached the realm of effortless control, the title of the world’s most formidable sinister master would undoubtedly be his alone.

Possessing such skills, it was impossible for anyone to guess his true identity.

Wan Chongshan’s defeat instantly ignited fervent discussion among the assembled heroes. Though no one dared speak openly, their internal thoughts bubbled like a boiling pot. Some certainly felt glee, taking pleasure in his misfortune, while others couldn’t help but frown inwardly, sighing for Wan Chongshan – a myriad of conflicting emotions simmered within them.

The multi-colored dressed woman stepped back into the center. Her voice was noticeably softer now, clearly attempting to preserve face for the Four Great Clans and Wan Chongshan. “Next, only the Red Lotus Sect and this remarkable hero remain. May I ask which worthy master from the Red Lotus Sect will step onto the field?”

Ling Ling stood up, glancing at her companions behind her. “Guard the platform for me. The treasure lost by my father naturally deserves to be retrieved by me. Only then can his spirit in heaven know peace.”

Shen Rou advised, “Cult Leader, be careful. The opponent in this bout is not the main threat; it’s the man who defeated Wan Chongshan who is truly formidable.”

Ling Ling replied, “I am well aware. That man possesses immense Inner Energy, but I won’t contest him on that front. With our Red Lotus Sect’s spear techniques, there is no reason to fear him.”

Saying this, she drew a brocade bag from her back. From it, she withdrew three segments which she swiftly connected to form the Lover’s Spear. Gracefully, she walked onto the dueling ground.

The vast majority of the assembled heroes had never seen Ling Ling in action; only Gu Fengchen and a handful of others from the Four Great Clans side had witnessed her abilities and knew she was not to be underestimated, her Lover’s Spear capable of ghostly, unpredictable feats. Seeing the Cult Leader of the Red Lotus Sect personally step onto the field—moreover, such a young and beautiful girl—many felt profound doubt. What astonishing skill could one so young possess? And why did esteemed figures like Gui Qulai show her such reverence?

The entire arena fell silent. Everyone watched with wide eyes.

Ling Ling’s opponent had also stood up earlier, calmly awaiting her approach. This man was unimpressive in appearance; no matter how fierce the battles previously, his expression remained utterly blank, almost stupid-looking. Yet, his martial skill was genuinely extraordinary; otherwise, he couldn’t have consecutively won several bouts to remain on the field until now.

Seeing Ling Ling glide onto the field, he clasped his fists first in a formal salute, his voice dry and rasping. “Cult Leader, your presence is welcomed.”

Ling Ling echoed the salute. “Honorable warrior.” Without further words, she gripped her spear with both hands and flicked it, swishing the spearhead into a beautiful circular flourish. Seeing her draw her weapon, the man retrieved his own weapon from beneath his seat – it was a flexible Burmese iron sword.

This type of sword had an exceptionally flexible blade that could wobble violently from side to side, like a living snake. However, this flexibility also made it easy to injure the wielder’s own arm. Very few in the Jianghu ever used this sort of weapon, and they were almost always masters. Upon seeing it, the heroes immediately speculated. Two renowned masters in the martial world were known for their Burmese iron blades: Seven-Inch Viper Bu Yu and Revolving Blade Liu Anhua—one male, one female. Since the figure before them didn’t seem to be Bu Yu, no one could guess his true identity.

Ling Ling had extensively studied the strengths and weaknesses of this kind of weapon. Seeing her opponent take his stance and knowing that as a man, he wouldn’t initiate the attack first, she steadied her spear. With one movement, “Parting the Grass to Seek the Snake,” she thrust towards her opponent.

The swordsman was familiar with this opening maneuver; using short weapons against spears was a standard pattern in the Jianghu. He stepped sideways, simultaneously employing a “Sailing with the Current” stroke. The blade slid precisely along the shaft of the spear, slicing swiftly inward.

Watching the blade slice in, Ling Ling calmly pushed down with her back hand and lifted with her front hand. The spear shaft vibrated sharply upwards, knocking the blade away. Pulling back, she unleashed a “Sweeping a Thousand Armies” strike, sweeping towards the man’s waist. The man instantly lifted his sword vertically to block, its back connecting with the spear shaft with a loud clang, deflecting it wide.

They exchanged five moves, neither employing any extraordinary skills, seemingly practicing or demonstrating rather than fighting seriously.

The spectators grew increasingly puzzled. Was this all the Cult Leader of the Red Lotus Sect could do? Even they felt they could manage such techniques. Some experts realized the truth first: both were probing each other, not yet unleashing deadly attacks.

However, the crowd only grasped part of the reason; there was deeper calculation involved.

Ling Ling was fresh and well-rested, but this freshness also had a drawback: she had just entered the field, her limbs were still cold, her breathing slightly constrained. She needed to warm up, to get her muscles and bones limber, before unleashing her true techniques. The swordsman, conversely, had fought several consecutive bouts. Though he had rested briefly, he wasn’t fully recovered and was naturally unwilling to launch an all-out assault. This slower pace was perfect for him to regulate his own breath.

Thus, one combatant needed to warm up, the other needed to recover his breath, resulting in this leisurely, unhurried exchange devoid of any apparent spectacle.

In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged twenty or so blows. Ling Ling felt her Internal Energy flow increasingly smoothly, a steady current circulating through her whole body, removing all previous stiffness. The swordsman, too, finished regulating his breath. Suddenly, he let out a long whistle, and the moves of his blade transformed abruptly.

One stroke: “Slanting Slice of Mount Hua.” It chopped diagonally from Ling Ling’s left towards her right shoulder.

Ordinarily, this move wasn’t particularly special. However, the weapon he wielded wasn’t the usual single-edged blade – its blade was soft. So, as it descended, the flexible steel shimmered unpredictably. Reflecting the sunlight, it looked like countless shining scales rippling across a wave. It seemed aimed at Ling Ling’s shoulder, but in reality, it threatened every vital point on her body. If she attempted to parry it, the unpredictable flex of his blade would make its subsequent path impossible to foresee.

Mastering such a flexible sword was exceedingly difficult, but once mastered, it became a weapon of terrifying potential.

Ling Ling fully understood the gravity of the situation. Seeing the chaotic flickering of blade light and feeling the cutting wind assault her body, with no discernible place to block with her spear, she planted its butt firmly on the ground. Her entire body soared upwards, leaping over ten feet high into the air.

This leap was far from mere evasion; it was the prelude to an attack.

As Ling Ling’s body reached its apex, she flipped mid-air, head down and feet up, thrusting her spear straight at her opponent. The swordsman, witnessing the ferocity of her strike and unable to reach her with his blade, decided to wait until she landed before closing in for his own attack. He retreated with the Seven Stars step, putting seven feet between them.

But Ling Ling wouldn’t yield an opening once seized. When her thrust met only air, she let the spear tip strike the ground. It pierced the earth barely an inch before the shaft bent and then rebounded violently, propelling her airborne once more. The second thrust was already unleashed.

The transition was lightning-fast. The swordsman had just steadied his stance when Ling Ling’s second spear point arrived. Seeing its lethal intent, he abandoned dodging. Instead, he forcefully swung the spine of his sword outward to parry. Clang! He managed to deflect Ling Ling’s spear just as she descended from her aerial bounce, her foot stomping down towards the crown of his head.

The swordsman’s blade was now overextended and couldn’t shift in time. Seeing the stomp descend like lightning, he chose the only escape: throwing himself flat and rolling desperately sideways across the ground.

Ling Ling landed on both feet. Her spear, already a blur of motion, cascaded down like a tempest of pear blossoms, enveloping the scrambling swordsman.

Initially, the swordsman had gauged the weight of Ling Ling’s spear, thinking, How much strength could this girl possibly possess? He reasoned that even if she could wield such a heavy spear, her strikes couldn’t be fast. Yet, to his shock, upon crossing blows, her spear techniques were terrifyingly swift, far exceeding his expectations. One missed move put him at an irreversible disadvantage.

In the arena, only the myriad blossoms of spear thrusts could be seen. The tip glittered in the sunlight, scattering countless golden points. Often, a single thrust from Ling Ling shifted direction multiple times consecutively; the Lover’s Spear serpentined like a multi-headed silver snake, its true target impossible to predict.

Although the swordsman was a master himself, he was now entirely on the defensive. His weapon, a flexible Burmese-iron sword, was notoriously hard to guard against in his hands, making its unpredictable swings devastating for offense. But for defense, it was vastly inferior to a regular steel blade. Its writhing blade dispersed force, making it utterly inadequate to withstand Ling Ling’s furious onslaught.

In a flash, Ling Ling had unleashed six times six, thirty-six spear thrusts. The time it took for these thirty-six strikes was only what an ordinary person would need for a mere dozen.

The swordsman’s blade danced faster and faster, almost encasing his entire body in a swirling orb of light. Yet, even with such blinding speed, he couldn’t muster a single counter-attack. The sheer velocity of his swordplay, employed solely for survival, starkly highlighted the blistering speed of Ling Ling’s spear.

The scene now was magnificent. Ling Ling’s spear tip transformed into a thousand meteoric sparks; the swordsman’s blade became a whirling globe of fire. Interwoven were countless clangs and tings of clashing steel. The assembled heroes found their minds emptied of any words to adequately describe the spectacle.

Suddenly, a deafoning CLANG echoed. Two silhouettes crossed paths. Sunlight caught a sudden fountain of blood, spurting high into the air. Simultaneously, the orb of light and the shower of meteors vanished.

Only Ling Ling and the swordsman remained standing rigidly back-to-back in the center of the arena. Silence fell.

This fierce battle seemed decided. The onlookers squeezed sweaty fists, yet none could immediately tell who had prevailed.

Ling Ling and the swordsman stood utterly still, seemingly regulating their breath. Outwardly, neither appeared injured. The crowd was baffled. Had the flying blood just now been a trick of our eyes?

Yet, examining both individuals’ clothes and faces, not even a scratch marred either. So where had the blood come from?

Then came a faint Pop! A jet of blood erupted violently from beneath the swordsman’s collarbone, tearing a rent in his clothing. As the blood gushed out, he slowly crumpled to his knees. A trickle of blood escaped his lips. It was clear he had suffered severe internal injuries.

Finally, Ling Ling turned. She cast a fleeting glance at the fallen man, gave a slight shake of her head, and walked slowly back to her seat.

The victory was indisputably hers. As for how she won – the combatants had moved too swiftly, their dazzling weapons blinding the eye – only a handful among the multitude had witnessed the critical moments.

Wan Chongshan exchanged a look with Du Qianlong. Their expressions were grave. Their eyesight surpassed the common man. They recognized it clearly: the spear technique Ling Ling employed was precisely what her father, Ling Yufeng, had used fourteen years prior on Lotus Peak, when he single-handedly fought the Four Great Clans. This spear art had haunted their dreams relentlessly over the past decade and more. On countless nights, they had startled awake, its breathtaking power, like a bone-chilling spike, forever embedded in their hearts, impossible to wrench free.

Now, their nightmare was made flesh. This spear technique had returned. How could it not send terror through them?

Truthfully, Ling Ling’s skill with the spear, as masterful as it was, still couldn’t match Ling Yufeng at his peak. For one, she was still lacking in years of dedicated cultivation. Secondly, her natural strength as a woman produced less potent Internal Energy than her father. Consequently, she could only manifest about forty or fifty percent of this technique’s ultimate sublimity.

During the desperate struggle moments ago, the swordsman, whirling his Burmese-iron blade into an impenetrable shield, hoped desperately to slow the onslaught of Ling Ling’s torrential spear strikes. It was a poor tactic, but his only choice.

Suddenly, Ling Ling channeled her Internal Energy and thrust her spear with full force directly into the blinding orb of the swordsman’s defense. His blade had been whirling for some time; his strength was fading, and the orb was shrinking as he conserved energy. Ling Ling’s concentrated spear thrust, like a sharp awl piercing a cloth bag, pierced through instantly, aimed straight at the swordsman’s face.

The swordsman knew he couldn’t block such an unyielding thrust. He twisted his head aside as his body desperately recoiled, hoping to withdraw beyond the deadly reach.

But Ling Ling, having gained the upper hand, pushed her advantage mercilessly. Her feet surged forward; she closed the distance immediately. Utilizing the Lover’s Spear’s unique technique, she neither withdrew her arm nor retracted the spear. The second thrust – aimed at his belly this time – exploded forth, fiercer and faster than the first.

The mechanics of this thrust were imperceptible; Ling Ling’s movements were too minute. All observers perceived was the spear seemingly hitting empty air, only for it to abruptly extend, losing none of its deadly accuracy.

Stricken with shock and disbelief, the swordsman couldn’t fathom how Ling Ling could execute such a bizarre technique. Dodging now was impossible. In desperation, he swung his blade upwards, attempting to deflect the spear away from his vital organs. Simultaneously, a brutal resolve overtook him. Defended through countless attacks, I’ve just been hammered, never faced this before. Losing with this unbearable frustration? Hell no. Even if I go down, I’ll mark you!

With this thought, he abandoned retreat and surged forward instead. His blade successfully knocked Ling Ling’s spear up just enough. The trajectory changed instantly: instead of piercing his belly, it now threatened his shoulder. Experience and keen eyesight told him this shoulder wound, if it landed, would likely only pierce flesh and muscle, sparing bone and tendons. Gritting his teeth, he committed fully to his lunge. His Burmese-iron blade snapped taut, dead straight, as he rammed its point straight towards Ling Ling’s heart.

He aimed to endure her spear thrust to kill Ling Ling where she stood.

Their moves were both incredibly swift, leaving no time for thought. In the blink of an eye, it devolved into a situation where both were injured.

However, the saber-wielding man had underestimated Ling Ling, thinking the young girl lacked combat experience due to her youth. He didn’t know that ever since Ling Ling began training in this spear technique, top masters of the Red Lotus Sect had taken turns sparring with her. In terms of practical combat experience alone, Ling Ling was already on par with any expert in the martial world. Seeing him resort to a desperate, life-risking move, a cold sneer rose in her heart, and she unleashed a deadly technique from the Lover’s Spear style.

Ling Ling’s spear shaft was far longer than the man’s Burma iron saber. Therefore, if he didn’t withdraw, her spear would undoubtedly wound him. Yet, if she truly thrust it home, once the spear pierced his body, it would be caught and immobilized by flesh, blood, and bone. If the man then stabbed with his saber, she would have no choice but to abandon her weapon. Even if she wounded her opponent and technically won, losing her prized spear would be a severe loss of face.

As the Leader of the Red Lotus Sect, how could she afford such humiliation? It wasn’t just her personal reputation at stake, but the honor of the entire Red Lotus Sect. Having remained hidden from the Jianghu (Martial World) for years, their gathering at West Lake today was their first official appearance. The slightest misstep would damage the Sect’s standing within the martial world. This enemy had to be defeated, and her spear absolutely could not be abandoned.

Though it seemed a dilemma, the Lover’s Spear technique was no ordinary spear method. Precisely in moments of such apparent deadlock, an ingenious solution could emerge.

Their exchange was breathtakingly fast, like sparks flying from stones. Yet, just when Ling Ling’s spear tip pierced the opponent’s clothes, it astonishingly could not penetrate his flesh.

A spear is a spear, not a staff, and certainly not a blunt pestle. Its tip is as sharp as a needle. How could it fail to pierce living flesh?

The reason was simple: Ling Ling hadn’t wanted the spear tip to pierce his body. Doing so would have trapped her weapon. In the instant her spear was about to penetrate, she suddenly channeled her internal energy rapidly and checked her arm mid-thrust. The entire spear halted against the surface of his skin, not even breaking the thinnest layer.

Though his skin wasn’t pierced, the internal energy unleashed from the spear tip crashed into him with full force. The saber-wielding man felt as if a heavy mallet had slammed into his shoulder, shaking his entire body. His Burma iron saber vibrated with a loud hum, and over half the force behind his blow was instantly lost.

Striking successfully, Ling Ling didn’t pause. Lightly gripping the spear shaft, she sidestepped forward, dodging the stab of his iron saber. Both were moving forward aggressively; as Ling Ling twisted sideways, her hand slid to the tassel at the spear butt, swinging the shaft behind her.

Their figures flashed past each other. This was what transpired in that fleeting instant.

Though Ling Ling hadn’t run the man through, the internal energy projected from her spear tip was formidable. Combined with the spear tip’s extreme fineness, the concentrated energy struck a very small surface area, creating a deep, penetrating shockwave that already injured his heart and lungs. The skin where the tip had touched was also ruptured by the force. Sensing danger, the man dared not move further, trying to circulate his power with all his might to suppress the turbulent blood surging in his chest. However, as soon as he exerted force, the injured shoulder couldn’t withstand it. The skin split open abruptly, spraying a fierce jet of blood.

By forcing power through his injury, his internal energy surged violently, driving an immense amount of blood out through the gash. A severe loss of blood quickly overwhelmed him, and he finally collapsed, unconscious.

Thus, Ling Ling secured victory in that exchange.

The masters from the Four Great Clans who witnessed the end of the fight sighed inwardly. Changing the function of the incredibly sharp spear tip into an incredibly blunt striking tool, transforming ingenuity into apparent simplicity, represented the highest realm of spear technique. How startling that one so young as Ling Ling possessed such cultivated skill.

The field fell silent. Everyone was pondering something; not one person spoke.

Finally, the Colorful-Robed Maiden stepped forward and announced, “The current situation is now abundantly clear. The ultimate ownership of the treasure will be decided between the Red Lotus Sect and this hero. The previous fierce contest consumed much energy. Therefore, my master proposes that the final clash be postponed for two hours to allow the combatants a brief rest. Honored guests who have traveled far, my master has prepared simple food and wine for your refreshment.”

With a wave of her hand backward, scores of Colorful-Robed Maidens filed in, carrying food baskets. They dispersed amongst the assembled heroes, delivering wine and victuals.

A small table with wine and food was also set before Gu Fengchen and before the Red Lotus Sect’s seat.

Gu Fengchen was indeed starving. Added to that was the deep frustration that soon he would have to fight Ling Ling. Resignedly, he picked up the wine jug and began drinking deeply.

Naturally, the Red Lotus Sect partook of nothing. Having just fought a bout, yet feeling little taxed, Ling Ling remained calm, silently contemplating ways to penetrate Gu Fengchen’s internal techniques.

Among the gathered heroes, however, spirits were high. They merrily called for wine and meat. Without tables, they used their hands as chopsticks, which only added to the scene’s rugged atmosphere. Acquaintances among them exchanged views, agreeing it hadn’t been a wasted trip, having witnessed so many thrilling contests; they were immensely satisfied.

Some of the more hot-headed even grew excited at the thought that the Jianghu could never return to its former tranquility, their hearts stirred and elated.

Of all present, only those of the Four Great Clans and the Red Lotus Sect remained expressionless. Long Xielan whispered intermittently to Wan Chongshan; Zhuge Ren murmured quiet words to Nangong Yue; outsiders caught none of it. Judging by their countenances, however, they were utterly unperturbed, showing not a trace of concern over today’s losses. The Red Lotus Sect quarters were deathly quiet. Ling Ling sat with eyes closed, conserving her energy, while those behind her stared intently at Gu Fengchen, as if desperately trying to decipher his background.

Two hours swiftly passed. The sound of a drum echoed, and the Colorful-Robed Maiden stood forth again, her voice clear and ringing: “Today’s final match of the Treasure Hunt Heroes’ Meeting commences now!”

As the words fell, Gu Fengchen rose to his feet and strode boldly to the center. On the other side, Ling Ling, spear in hand, moved to a point several paces away. They stood facing each other.

During the past hour of eating and drinking, Gu Fengchen had been deeply troubled. He well understood that coming to seize this treasure was a terrible betrayal of Ling Ling’s trust, yet he felt powerless to explain. Resigned, he thought only to conceal his features and avoid recognition.

Even so, now that he truly stood face-to-face with her, his heart pounded with anxiety. All his life, he had acted with integrity and honesty. Even when wrongly accused by his master and expelled from the temple, he sought only inner purity. But today, that purity was utterly gone. He fully understood he was aiding the villains, yet could see no escape.

Gu Fengchen’s heart raced like a startled deer. Ling Ling, however, was completely composed. She knew this was the final battle. Victory would mean she had fulfilled half her father’s dying wish. Furthermore, she would significantly elevate the prestige of the Red Lotus Sect.

A deathly stillness enveloped the ring. Some favored Gu Fengchen; others believed Ling Ling’s divine spear technique would surely prevail.

Gu Fengchen slowly raised his hands and made the customary martial salute towards Ling Ling. He dared not speak, terrified she might recognize his voice. Ling Ling returned the salute. Then, giving her spear a subtle shake, she uttered a single word: “After you.”

With that one word, a palpable air of lethal intent surged between them. Gu Fengchen mentally cast aside all distracting thoughts. He had resolved the matter: though the treasure had once belonged to the Red Lotus Sect, it was ultimately an inanimate object. Lives, however, were real and precious. At worst, he would give the treasure to those men, save Hua Yuehen and the others. Then later, he would forfeit his life fighting to reclaim the treasure for the Red Lotus Sect.

This line of thinking dispelled his doubts. Now, his entire focus turned to facing his opponent.

He had witnessed Ling Ling in action before at Five Precepts Manor, yet as Ling Ling herself stated, the spear technique she employed then was not the supreme art of the Red Lotus Sect. The actual spear technique her father, Ling Yufeng, had used to truly defeat the masters of the Four Great Clans fourteen years prior, she hadn’t used it yet. It seemed this spear technique was extraordinary and not to be deployed lightly.

Even so, Ling Ling’s current spear technique was already elusive, unpredictable, and incredibly hard to defend against. Beating her would be extremely difficult. Moreover, Gu Fengchen was resolute in his decision not to harm her in the slightest. This made Gu Fengchen hesitate and hold back during the fight, constrained and restricted, making an already challenging victory seem near impossible.

With numerous difficulties before him, Gu Fengchen focused his mind, seeking an opportunity. The best approach would be to restrain or seize Ling Ling’s spear, but considering her status, he couldn’t humiliate her in defeat. Grasping that precise measure was truly difficult.

Ling Ling’s thoughts were different. She had watched Gu Fengchen fight in several bouts earlier. She knew this man possessed extremely profound Internal Energy, especially noting how, when he defeated Wan Chongshan, his martial arts were peculiar and remarkable. To win against him, she absolutely must not let him close the distance, and even more crucially, she couldn’t let him seize her spear.

Thus, even before they clashed, both their minds were racing with thoughts.

Consequently, they simply stood facing each other, neither willing to attack first. Moments passed quickly in this standoff. The assembled heroes watched with great surprise. They supposed both sides might be looking for an opening in the other’s defense, but merely standing there rigidly offered no openings – after all, openings appear during movement. Why didn’t they first test each other with a few probing moves?

Just as this thought crossed their minds, Gu Fengchen suddenly moved.

He didn’t launch an attack. Instead, he walked off the field of combat, picked up one of the bamboo poles that had been set up as Plum Blossom Piles earlier. The spectators understood: Gu Fengchen felt going bare-handed against a spear put him at a severe disadvantage; he intended to use this bamboo pole as his weapon.

That was precisely his intent. Deliberately speaking in a hoarse voice, he said, “My skills are meager. I truly have no confidence to face the Cult Leader empty-handed.” Ling Ling nodded, “As you wish.” After saying this, she raised her gun in a thrust towards Gu Fengchen.

If Gu Fengchen hadn’t had the bamboo pole in hand, Ling Ling might have been momentarily unsure how to attack. But now that her opponent had a pole, things became simpler. When it came to weapon-based combat, Ling Ling feared no opponent.

Gu Fengchen wielded a bamboo pole, while his opponent used an Iron Spear. A full-force block would certainly shatter the bamboo sections. However, his Internal Energy was immensely profound. Thus, in his hands, ordinary bamboo became as formidable as steel. Seeing Ling Ling’s spear thrust towards him, he lifted his arm slightly. The entire bamboo pole tilted upwards gently, landing with a soft thud on Ling Ling’s spear shaft, knocking the spear tip off course.

Following this peculiar sound, the two engaged in combat.

During his time at the Shaolin Temple, Gu Fengchen had intensively studied Shaolin staff techniques. An ancient adage states, “The spear is the ancestor of all weapons; the staff is their king.” Never underestimate an ordinary staff — few in the Jianghu could master it to an exceptionally high level. Being young, Gu Fengchen wasn’t exactly a staff master. But now, relying entirely on his extraordinary Internal Energy, meeting each attack with a counter and dismantling every form presented to him, he managed to hold his ground without falling behind.

Ling Ling thrust spear thrust steadily, neither too fast nor too slow, but to the onlookers, her technique appeared remarkably swift. Gu Fengchen didn’t press the attack; he focused solely on defense. For over thirty exchanges, as they fought, Gu Fengchen defended over thirty times. Ling Ling aimed to test his depths. During the fight, she occasionally unleashed an unusual spear technique. Since Gu Fengchen had seen her fight before, these moves weren’t particularly strange to him. He casually defused them, his bamboo pole advancing, retreating, and swaying, consistently preventing Ling Ling’s spear from penetrating his defense.

Having attacked dozens of times in succession and seeing her opponent refuse to counterattack but only parry, a cold sneer rose in Ling Ling’s heart. She thought to herself: This man’s Internal Energy is supreme, but when it comes to weapon skills, he is far inferior. Now that he has forced a bamboo staff into his hand, it not only brings him no advantage but actually burdens him. It’s best to press a fierce assault while he still clings to this weapon; the chance of victory is greater. Once he discards his weapon and relies solely on Internal Energy to hold me off, he truly would be difficult to deal with.

Having thought this, Ling Ling gave a sudden light laugh and changed her technique.

Gu Fengchen had witnessed her fast spear technique before; not just him, everyone present had seen Ling Ling’s flurry of rapid thrusts in a previous match – it was like continuous heavy raindrops or linked pearls, extremely difficult to fend off. But that wasn’t the most formidable aspect of the Lover’s Spear. In fact, the true lethality of the Lover’s Spear didn’t lie in its speed.

Ling Ling’s spear technique suddenly slowed down.

The spear technique she used in her previous fight was the same one Ling Yufeng had employed when battling the leaders of the Four Great Clans all those years ago, which had already made several masters wary and fearful. But now her technique became much slower, and her thrusts seemed to emanate an aura—a deeply desolate aura.

Have you ever been alone and stranded on a distant mountain amid late autumn wind and rain? Have you ever wept and grieved as a lover passed away? If you have, then you might grasp the aura imbued in this spear technique. It spoke of profound sorrow and poignant heartache. As the spear shaft swept through the air, it carried a faint, delicate hum, more akin to a lover’s sorrowful sigh.

This spear technique was no longer just a martial form; it drew one into a state of bewilderment, almost enough to move one to tears.

Gu Fengchen was jolted by a wave of apprehension. He had never imagined such a bizarre spear technique existed in the world.

It was at this moment that Du Qianlong, who had been seated immovably in his chair, suddenly stood up involuntarily, exclaiming aloud, “The Falling Flowers Flowing Water Heartbreaker Spear!”

Seeing the ever-unshakeable Du Qianlong so startled sent a ripple of shock and doubt through the assembled heroes. Glancing at the expressions of Wan Chongshan and Long Xielan, which had also become unusually grim, they understood just how terrifying this spear technique must be.

Du Qianlong couldn’t help his astonishment. Back then, when Ling Yufeng single-handedly fought the Four Great Clans and defeated him, it was precisely this technique he had used. After Du Qianlong’s defeat, he had inquired about the spear art’s name, and Ling Yufeng had told him. Since then, the words “Falling Flowers, Flowing Water Heartbreaker Spear” had become an indelible imprint on his mind.

Now, seeing this technique performed by Ling Ling, how could Du Qianlong remain seated?

The nightmare from all those years ago flashed vividly before his eyes once more.

Naturally, Gu Fengchen understood nothing of this so-called “Heartbreaker Spear.” Ling Ling had never mentioned it to him. Moreover, this set had only been used in sparring against a few key sect figures like Gui Qulai, and those outside the Jianghu had never witnessed it. While Gu Fengchen hailed from Shaolin, the Temple had not participated in the siege against the Red Lotus Sect that year. After leaving the temple, he had spent his time forging iron at home. Where would he have seen such a divine spear? He only sensed that each of Ling Ling’s thrusts possessed a peculiar rhythm, almost compelling one to dance along.

Ling Ling’s thrusts became significantly slower, slower even than her usual practice speed. Yet every thrust seemed to coil around Gu Fengchen like invisible filaments. At first, when Gu Fengchen deflected the spear shaft with his bamboo staff, he felt nothing unusual. However, after Ling Ling had thrust a dozen times or so, the situation changed drastically. Gu Fengchen increasingly felt his bamboo staff becoming sluggish, its movements impaired. Sometimes, when he made a sweeping motion with the staff, it felt as if he were plunging into an extremely sticky paste—not only laborious, but also causing the staff to veer off course.

Consequently, Gu Fengchen naturally concentrated his mind, gradually infusing the bamboo staff with stronger Internal Energy, striving to break through the spear-net woven by Ling Ling.

Strangely, they started fighting even slower. Ling Ling, of course, slowed down, and Gu Fengchen’s staff movements also eased, syncing with the gradual tempo of Ling Ling’s spear. The heroes outside the combat circle watched dumbfounded, wondering: What were these two doing? This didn’t resemble a life-and-death martial contest; it was more like a dance.

Within Jianghu martial philosophy, there existed an unshakeable axiom: “All forms can be broken; only speed cannot be broken.” No individual, no technique is perfect. Just as Heaven tilts in the northwest and Earth sinks in the southeast, even the universe isn’t flawless—much less human affairs. Therefore, no matter how strong the master or how formidable the skill, a flaw can always be found. The only way to render a flaw invisible was encapsulated in one word: Fast.

During the fight between two people, if you delivered one move, the opponent could counter it, but if you delivered ten moves in the blink of an eye, then before the opponent could exploit the flaw in the first move, the second move would have arrived. Similarly, if the opponent tried to counter the second move, your third, fourth, and fifth moves had all been unleashed. Thus, there was no flaw to be found.

If two people clashed, one fast and one slow, it was natural for the faster one to gain the upper hand, defeating the opponent before they could strike. This wasn’t just reasoning; it was an inevitable fact. But today, Ling Ling and Gu Fengchen were confronting slowness with more slowness; if you were slow, they were even slower.

The crowd exchanged amused smiles, thinking that if this went on, they might fall asleep before nightfall.

In truth, the onlookers weren’t in the arena and didn’t know the inside story. Gu Fengchen wished to be quick, but he couldn’t manage it. Ling Ling’s every spear thrust held a clinging force that looped back and forth, endless and eerie. Gu Fengchen needed to pour internal energy into each movement of his rod just to wield it. Luckily, his internal energy was incredibly deep; otherwise, had it been anyone else, they would have long stopped waving the bamboo rod.

Even so, Gu Fengchen’s bamboo rod felt increasingly sluggish and heavy. He felt a private shock: continuing like this, his rod seemed to bear a weight like a stone—starting at five jin, then ten jin, and later a hundred jin. The instant he couldn’t move the rod, he would fail to block the opponent’s spear attacks.

Actually, he didn’t understand: once he slowed down, he was drawn into the state of the Lover’s Spear. At first, it felt insignificant, but slowly, demonic thoughts grew in his heart. The longer he fought, the more disinterested and dispirited he became. Eventually, he would be trapped in a trancelike state, helplessly consumed, and at that point, he wouldn’t need the opponent to attack; he would offer his own throat to the spear and end his life.

This was the true might of the Lover’s Spear. Because this spear technique could control the heart’s demons, it differed from all other martial arts, making it most eerie. That’s why people in Jianghu viewed it as a heresy and aimed to destroy it at all costs.

The reason the Red Lotus Sect was branded an evil cult largely stemmed from this.

Ling Ling thrust several more times. Although Gu Fengchen could still hold on, he sensed that as the spear flowers danced before his eyes, beyond the strange rhythm, a faint, sighing sound emerged.

This sound came from the gusts of the waving spear wind, from the lines traced by the spear shaft. It was as if a lovesick woman stood before them, wandering alone through fallen flowers, the drifting clouds despondent, the flowing water mournful. An intensely melancholic and tormented mood welled up inside him.

Despite having never tasted love, Gu Fengchen recognized this feeling as a human instinct, varying only in strength from person to person. For a moment, his resolve was influenced; he felt everything in the world was hollow. No matter how hard he struggled, it ended in nothingness. He had once studied Buddhism; though he didn’t grasp it deeply, he had formed a habit of adapting to circumstances and valuing contentment. This spear technique’s atmosphere aligned somewhat with his nature, so even as he felt calm inside, he was unwittingly trapped.

After several more exchanges, Gu Fengchen grew increasingly lethargic. The strength in his bamboo rod weakened further. Qing’er, watching from afar, was very anxious and wanted to alert him, but had no way to intervene since Gu Fengchen never glanced back her way.

Ling Ling sneered inwardly. She knew the opponent was like meat on a cutting board, waiting to be slaughtered. She wasn’t like Wan Chongshan, who had a bond of mutual respect with Gu Fengchen. Being young, she was ruthlessly rigid and would show no mercy. She prepared to pierce him down with her spear, seizing his moment of confusion.

At this time, although Gu Fengchen was still defending, his thoughts wandered off a thousand li, recalling every dull event from his past twenty years.

He remembered the stormy night years ago when he ran for his life to recover stolen scriptures. He recalled the very next day after finding them, when his master mistakenly thought he had stolen the scriptures to flee, crippling most of his martial arts with a palm strike and expelling him from Shaolin Temple. Since this year, he had first been poisoned, then fallen off a cliff, and been captured repeatedly, needlessly dragged into countless conflicts. All this left him ever more disheartened.

Just by looking at his eyes, Ling Ling saw his mind was adrift. She didn’t know his thoughts but understood: he was lost, and this was her chance. So she suddenly changed her spear technique—from slow enough to make people sleep to swift as lightning in an instant—and thrust straight at Gu Fengchen’s throat.

The crowd watching the duel had been puzzled, dozing off. Some suspected the pair had agreed to put on a show. But upon seeing this spear thrust, they cried out in unison.

So fast a spear.

As their shouts rang out, the spear tip was already less than a foot from Gu Fengchen’s throat.

Gu Fengchen seemed oblivious. Instinctively, he swept his bamboo rod upward, but with his mind mostly gone and strength lacking, it missed the spear. The Lover’s Spear stabbed straight inward.

Gu Fengchen’s thoughts lingered on—recalling the Yang Guan Thief, reminiscing about training in Heaven-Defying Divine Art, and thinking of meeting Hua Yuehen at Lake Chao.

Hua Yuehen!

Suddenly, Gu Fengchen pictured Hua Yuehen’s face. It wasn’t the charming face from their drunken time in Broken Heart City, but the utterly grief-stricken face he’d seen in the iron cage.

In that moment, Gu Fengchen seemed to hear Hua Yuehen’s sorrowful wail!

With a crack, all the bleak and somber feelings vanished. Hua Yuehen’s face struck like a giant hammer, shattering every swirling thought in his mind; Gu Fengchen could even hear the clanging sound. His mind instantly cleared, his body shaking violently back to normal. He snapped his head up to see a bowl-large spear flower blooming before his eyes.

That was Ling Ling’s spear—the Lover’s Spear.

One more instant delayed, and Gu Fengchen’s throat would have had a bleeding hole. Yet at that critical moment, he woke up.

Was it providence, or was this just Gu Fengchen’s counter method from the start? No one could tell, not even he himself. But nobody cared now; Gu Fengchen’s life still depended on an instant. He felt the icy sting brought by the approaching spear tip, and the skin on his throat prickled with goosebumps.

Had this been months earlier, Gu Fengchen couldn’t have dodged this spear. The time for evasion was too short—utterly insufficient to ready a stance or gather energy. Thankfully, he practiced Heaven-Defying Divine Art.

What Heaven-Defying Divine Art ignited was human potential itself.

In that split-second flash, Gu Fengchen’s head jerked violently backward, as if his neck had been broken. His whole head whooshed back like a rock launched from a catapult. Fortune favored, as his head was still attached to his neck, so his body was flung up with the motion.

Gu Fengchen’s entire form didn’t fly out so much as it seemed blasted away by a thousand-jin massive stone. The unnaturalness of his shape surpassed what mere human strength could achieve.

No one could have anticipated Gu Fengchen actually dodged that spear thrust. His launch into the air spurred astonished gasps that swept the entire arena; people surged to their feet, unable to believe their eyes. Some even began to wonder if Gu Fengchen had ropes tied to his body, if someone behind was pulling on him.

Ling Ling too hadn’t expected her spear to miss. In that moment of stunned disbelief, Gu Fengchen had already shot backwards over twenty feet through the air, flipping backwards twice, mid-air, before landing solidly on both feet. Though still shaken and breathless, he was miraculously unhurt—an immense stroke of luck.

Even so, Gu Fengchen felt his heart hammering wildly in his chest, his breath catching. Simple as his backwards escape seemed, it represented cultivation at the seventh level or higher of the Heaven-Defying Divine Art. This level of attainment was ingrained in his being—his mind, bones, marrow—a fundamental part of his physiology. It manifested as an instinctive reaction in peril, bypassing conscious thought entirely. It far exceeded normal human capabilities; without a profound foundation of Internal Energy, emerging unscathed would be impossible. Had anyone without the Heaven-Defying Divine Art attempted this maneuver, their heart would have ruptured instantly. Though Gu Fengchen had mastered the art, even he suffered sharp chest pains, nearly vomiting blood.

Fortunately, his move was so bizarre it startled Ling Ling, preventing her from pressing the attack. Had she followed with another spear thrust while he struggled to regulate his breathing, he would likely have been unable to evade.

Gu Fengchen understood this danger acutely. He desperately channeled the Heaven-Defying Divine Art once more, striving to calm his internal energies, forcing down the violently churning qi within him.

Only then did the crowd erupt in cheers. Someone shouted, “Superb spearwork! The Red Lotus Sect truly broadens our horizons!” Others rallied for Gu Fengchen: “Brilliant footwork! What a beautiful dodge!” Nearby, someone asked one of the cheering onlookers in a hushed tone, “You’ve seen much, brother. What kind of movement technique is the masked man using?”

The praised man, keen on preserving his reputation and unwilling to admit ignorance despite never having witnessed such a technique before, blurted out nonsense: “That technique has been extinct for ages. Judging by its form… it resembles the Thunderous Thousand-Mile Body Technique, said to be created by that scourge of an era, Li Remo, four centuries ago. Heh, formidable, truly formidable.”

The questioner was convinced, raising a thumb in admiration. “Truly, your knowledge spans vast horizons. Admirable!”

Yet, having praised, a doubt suddenly pricked him, and he pressed further: “If that’s the case… this young fellow knows an ice silkworm palm lost for two hundred years and another body technique extinct for four hundred… Could he be a grave robber? But I’ve never heard of any secret manuals surviving for either of these martial arts. How do you explain it?”

The questioned man shot him an annoyed glance and pointed at Gu Fengchen. “If you don’t believe me, go ask him yourself.” The other man stuck out his tongue and said no more.

Leaving aside the spectators’ chatter, focus returned to Ling Ling. That missed thrust sent a cold weight sinking through her heart. Shocked, she reflected that she’d never failed to land that spear technique before, even against opponents like Gu Quilai. Once ensnared within its rhythm, their willpower would shatter, helpless to evade the follow-up lightning-fast strike. Yet this masked man before her had actually escaped. It was truly baffling.

Though inwardly reeling, her face betrayed nothing. Her hesitation lasted but an instant. Stepping forward immediately, her spear shot out again. This time, she abandoned the Heart-Stealing Spear Art of Drifting Petals and Flowing Waters. Instead, it was pure speed—fast as falling stars—a blur of seven or eight thrusts launched in the time it took to blink.

Ling Ling discerned that while Gu Fengchen dodged her initial spear, he hadn’t escaped unscathed. His labored breaths betrayed his struggle to calm the tumultuous churning of qi and blood within his chest. She couldn’t miss this second chance. This blistering onslaught aimed to deny him any chance to recover.

Her strategy proved devastating. Just two more breaths—that’s all Gu Fengchen needed. Two more breaths to suppress the rebellion within his meridians, to harmonize his Inner Energy. Yet, precisely at this critical juncture, Ling Ling’s spear shot toward him again, swift as lightning, dense as torrential rain, granting him not a single moment to draw that crucial, steadying breath.

Left with no choice, Gu Fengchen whirled his bamboo stick, parrying left and right. The rapid thwack-thwack-thwack of bamboo meeting steel blended into a continuous, almost unbroken drumbeat—a testament to the inconceivable speed of Ling Ling’s thrusts. Suddenly—Crack! Gu Fengchen’s bamboo stick split down the middle. Two more sharp cracks followed. It shattered completely, splitting into two pieces.

The cause was clear. Unable to catch his breath, Gu Fengchen’s Inner Energy flow was stuttered and impure. One frantic parry struck with this flawed force met the iron shaft of the spear, and the bamboo simply couldn’t bear the impact; it fractured apart.

Gu Fengchen frowned inwardly. Without the stick, empty-handed, he’d surely find it even harder to regain his rhythm. At this crucial moment, the only path to create enough breathing space to regulate his Inner Energy was to launch a risky counteroffensive.

Seizing his chance after barely blocking another thrust, Gu Fengchen suddenly flicked one of the broken halves of his bamboo stick straight at Ling Ling’s face. Although his Inner Energy was muddled, the throw still carried significant force. The fragment whistled through the air. Girls care deeply about appearance, Gu Fengchen reasoned internally, especially exceptionally beautiful ones like her. Protecting their looks is paramount. She can’t help but be distracted. A fraction of distraction is all I need to draw one full breath and recover.

His prediction was half right. Seeing the bamboo flying towards her face, Ling Ling instinctively leaned back, turning her head to avoid it. Yet her spear technique didn’t waver for an instant. The spear tip, as if endowed with eyes, continued its trajectory undeterred by her dodge, aiming precisely for Gu Fengchen’s chest.

Gu Fengchen sighed inwardly. This truly is a damned phantom spear!

This left him no room for hesitation. His disordered Internal Energy remained unsettled; his movements began to turn sluggish and stiff. Two thrusts narrowly avoided were already pushing his limit. If he couldn’t gasp that life-saving breath soon, he’d either drown in his own chaotic qi and vomit blood or be impaled by Ling Ling’s spear through the chest.

Gu Fengchen hadn’t crossed blades with Ling Ling before. This girl’s spearplay, he realized coldly, was absolutely no jest.

The situation demanded a life-or-death gamble.

Since missing her spear thrust, Gu Fengchen had been put on the defensive—like a drowning dog beaten by the waves. Yet, unlike the sword-wielding man earlier, he retained icy calm. He forsook reckless offense. Instead, mustering every shred of his remaining strength, he propelled himself backwards, flying through the air like he was yanked by an invisible tether.

This backward flight wasn’t preceded by any crouch or bend; it erupted without warning. Though lacking the uncanny unnaturalness of his spear-dodging maneuver, it was equally startling. Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd of gathered heroes.

Startled as she was by this sudden retreat, Ling Ling reacted with lightning speed. Her foot instinctively slid forward; her spear tip stayed locked on target, a silver streak chasing Gu Fengchen’s heart. The distance closed as he flew backwards and she sped forward, her spear tip never wavering, piercing towards his center.

Gu Fengchen aimed his desperate retreat towards a dense patch of woods behind him. With his remaining bamboo fragment, he continued to deflect Ling Ling’s relentless thrusts. Suddenly—Thump! His back slammed squarely into a thick tree trunk. The impact halted his momentum violently—old energy spent, new energy still coalescing. Seizing the split-second advantage, Ling Ling delivered a sharp cry. Her spear lunged forward with deadly intent, poised to skewer him through the chest and pin him to the massive oak.

In that life-or-death splinter of time, Gu Fengchen couldn’t muster breath, let alone twist his body to evade. Utterly cornered, he could only attempt a final, desperate parry with his bamboo fragment. Crack! Depleted Inner Energy rendered the defensive block pitifully weak. The bamboo splintered completely in his grasp. Only a roughly two-foot-long section remained. Ling Ling’s spear showed no pause; its killing point flashed inexorably closer.

Gu Fengchen’s mind processed this with blinding speed. Bracing the remaining two-foot sliver of bamboo in his trembling hand, he thrust it forward directly towards the approaching lethal spear tip, point meeting point. His vision narrowed into crystalline focus. Unerringly, the tip of the bamboo sliver clashed dead center against the bright, sharp edge of Ling Ling’s flashing spearhead.

Swish! The bamboo sliver split apart once more, leaving Gu Fengchen holding little more than a fragment as thin as a chopstick. And finally—imperceptibly, but crucially—Ling Ling’s spear thrust faltered. Momentum slowed by a fraction.

Gu Fengchen snatched half a ragged breath. Focusing every shred of will, he channeled the Heaven-Defying Divine Art. The dregs of his Inner Energy surged into the fragile thread of bamboo. With grim determination, he pushed it forward, pressing it against the cold, menacing point of the spear that sought his life.

With a crisp crack, the bamboo strip broke off, reduced by a foot, while Ling Ling’s spear thrust had already closed to less than two feet from his throat. Gu Fengchen thrust the remaining bamboo strip forward once more, still aiming to meet the tip of Ling Ling’s spear.

Another sharp snap echoed, and what remained in Gu Fengchen’s grasp was merely a few inches long, though he had managed to halt nine-tenths of Ling Ling’s spear momentum. It was a force on its last legs.

Even so, the remnant of the spear’s momentum was more than enough to pierce Gu Fengchen’s throat.

Now weaponless, with no path to retreat, and with the last vestige of his vital Internal Energy depleted, Gu Fengchen was truly cornered, facing certain death—no weapons to use and nowhere to retreat, utterly spent.

His Heaven-Defying Divine Art could no longer ignite even a final spark of potential. Death was inevitable.

Among the gathered spectators, some shook their heads and sighed. Perhaps they were thinking, Even such a hero couldn’t escape death. It seems the Red Lotus Sect’s divine spear truly is unmatched.

As the spear tip bore down on his throat, Gu Fengchen executed a bizarre move no one could have anticipated: he abruptly lowered his head and clamped his teeth onto the spear tip!

A faint grinding noise arose between teeth and iron spear—inaudible to others, though Gu Fengchen later felt it was the sound of his own teeth screaming in agony. Since Ling Ling’s strike had lost ninety percent of its force earlier to the bamboo strip, only a tenth of its power remained. Coupled with Gu Fengchen’s meticulously maintained, strong white teeth, he clamped down with formidable force, securely biting the spear tip within his mouth, preventing any further advance.

Had it advanced even an inch, Gu Fengchen would have had his throat pierced.

The stunned spectators gasped in unison. Ling Ling herself froze momentarily, her spear held still.

Seizing the moment, Gu Fengchen drew a sharp breath. Though the iron spear tip in his mouth hindered the inhale, his nose remained clear. This single breath felt like a drowning man bursting through the water’s surface—inexpressibly relieving.

With this breath drawn, Gu Fengchen finally calmed his inner energy; his vital force once again flowed freely within him.

As Ling Ling regained her wits, she surged her strength into both hands, intending to drive her Lover’s Spear forward and end Gu Fengchen. Biting the tip though, he knew this couldn’t last—it wasn’t a tasty bone, after all. The instant his Internal Energy surged, he snapped his head backward, releasing his teeth and spitting out the tip. When Ling Ling thrust again, Gu Fengchen dodged aside. With a thunk, the tip buried itself deep into a tree trunk, the sheer ferocity obvious.

Missing her strike, Ling Ling hadn’t yet withdrawn the spear when Gu Fengchen lunged to counter-attack. Unexpectedly, she channeled her Internal Energy with a violent shiver of her arms. With a sharp crack, bark and wood splinters exploded from the spear tip, flying towards Gu Fengchen’s face. Simultaneously, the tip freed itself, the entire spear bending like a whip towards his temple.

Now disarmed and bare-handed, Gu Fengchen was at an even greater disadvantage. He retreated rapidly, circling back into the arena’s center.

The stalemate persisted, yet Gu Fengchen’s situation worsened.

Though wary of his Internal Energy, and reluctant to engage him unarmed herself, Ling Ling couldn’t voice her reluctance. A frown creased her brow, and inspiration struck. Feinting several thrusts at Gu Fengchen, she suddenly spun and drove her spear towards a man wielding an iron rod standing at the arena’s edge.

The attack came without warning. The man had never imagined the Leader of the Red Lotus Sect would target him. By the time he realized it, the spear’s bowl-sized red tassel was almost upon him. With a startled yell, he lacked the time to block with his rod. Instead, he flung himself sideways in an awkward roll, scrambling away. Ling Ling had successfully driven him back.

With a twist of the spear, its shaft bent like a hook, catching the iron rod and flicking it into the air.

Just as Gu Fengchen puzzled over how to attack, Ling Ling spun her weapon, hurling the iron rod towards him. “This Cult Leader doesn’t bully barehanded men,” she declared. “Have a weapon!”

Naturally, this iron rod was far sturdier than the bamboo. Gu Fengchen caught it in one fluid motion. “Thanks,” he muttered. He dared not speak more, wary that Ling Ling might recognize his voice. Swinging the rod like a spear, he employed a move known as Striking Straight to the Heart — a technique copied from Duan Wenbo’s duel against the Yang Guan Thief at that remote inn where he first glimpsed Ling Ling. Intentionally avoiding Shaolin staff forms, he mimicked the move precisely.

Ling Ling chuckled inwardly: Still too slow to grasp my purpose, stubbornly clinging to weapons. Matching your weakness against my strength? You court defeat.

As she predicted, Gu Fengchen’s fear of her spear haunted him, convinced her techniques were inscrutable. He believed clutching a weapon offered some defense, while bare hands invited vulnerability. The lesson eluded him.

He remained oblivious, but Qing’er, observing nearby, understood perfectly. Unable to warn him aloud, lest Long Xielan and others from the Four Great Clans saw her assisting an outsider, she dared not speak up.

Written thus, esteemed readers might wonder: why would Qing’er, a disciple of the Four Great Clans, assist Gu Fengchen in seizing the treasure instead of her own faction? Explaining this would take us too far afield presently. Later, all shall become clear. Qing’er’s actions held deep intent, far exceeding ordinary foresight.

Wielding the iron rod against Ling Ling, Gu Fengchen was forced back onto the defensive within moments. Ling Ling held her special technique, the Crushing Spear of Ecstasy, opting instead to match Gu Fengchen’s speed. Heavy as the iron rod was, Gu Fengchen’s profound Internal Energy sustained him for a time, but the exertion was immense. His strength was failing; defeat loomed.

Only then did Qing’er spring to Gu Fengchen’s mind. A spark ignited. Parrying several attacks, his gaze flicked towards her. He saw her holding a straw, repeatedly tossing it down, picking it up, and tossing it down again.

Understanding dawned instantly: Qing’er meant for him to discard his weapon!

The thought sparked action. Feigning clumsiness as he blocked another spear strike, Gu Fengchen deliberately let the iron rod slip from his hand and clatter to the ground. Ling Ling, ever swift, thrust instantly.

Gu Fengchen summoned his Divine Kung Fu, reaching out his hand to seize the tassel beneath Ling Ling’s spear tip.

He was about to confront the spear empty-handed.

The moment Ling Ling saw him discard his staff, she knew trouble was coming, silently questioning how he had come up with such an idea. Her vision was exceptionally sharp; a moment before, Gu Fengchen’s eyes had briefly flickered to the side before he abandoned his staff. Could someone be cueing him?!

Thinking this, Ling Ling followed the direction of Gu Fengchen’s glance and indeed spotted someone on the grassy slope there. Amid the grass, a face was faintly revealed.

It was a girl, a very young girl.

She hadn’t gotten a clear look at Qing’er, for Qing’er, being extremely careful, had hidden herself in the grass as soon as she saw Gu Fengchen understood her cue. Peering through the gaps between the blades, she watched the scene. Even if someone saw her, her features wouldn’t be distinct.

Ling Ling, upon seeing this, mentally sneered. So someone was signaling him. Heh heh! And so what? Let’s see whose signals are quicker, or my spear is faster!

With this thought, seeing Gu Fengren reach out to grab, she suddenly lifted her back hand and pressed her front hand down. The spear tip dipped sharply, plunging downwards. The entire spear bent into a bow shape, its point stabbing straight at Gu Fengchen’s instep.

This move was exceedingly bizarre. That Ling Ling could force the spear to bend like a bow clearly demonstrated her formidable Internal Energy. Gu Fengchen’s grab missed, and the spear tip was already piercing towards his foot. He hastily leaped backward to dodge.

Sensing the advantage, Ling Ling was relentless. She stepped forward, her spear executing the move “Golden Rooster Nodding Wildly.” The spear tip transformed into numerous icy stars, each strike aimed directly at Gu Fengchen’s feet.

With the spear tip positioned so low, Gu Fengchen couldn’t reach the shaft with his hands. He had no choice but to suck in a deep breath and leap high into the air to evade. Ling Ling raised her spear and unleashed eight consecutive moves with unthinkable speed. In an instant, she sealed off all escape routes beneath Gu Fengchen. The moment his body descended, he would surely be grievously wounded.

Gu Fengchen activated his Heaven-Defying Divine Art. Surprisingly, instead of falling, his body somersaulted sideways, flying seven chi away. Ling Ling stayed utterly relentless, pursuing and stabbing as Gu Fengchen moved. Gu Fengchen suddenly employed the “Thousand-Catty Drop,” dropping at lightning speed toward the ground. Ling Ling’s spear whizzed past right above his scalp, almost grazing it. Gu Fengchen stopped dodging. Like lightning, his hands shot out and snapped shut with a thump, firmly seizing the spear shaft.

Instantly, both figures froze. The scene fell utterly silent, save for the heavy breathing of the onlookers.

The furious exchange they witnessed just moments before had set their blood boiling with excitement. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they could never have imagined such swift spear techniques or such bizarre body skills existing in the world.

With the spear finally in his grasp, Gu Fengchen breathed a long sigh of relief. Ling Ling’s spear skills had been a true headache for him – more bizarre and unpredictable than he’d ever anticipated. Securing the spear felt like securing victory. For any spear wielder, having the shaft seized by an enemy, rendering them unable to deploy their skills, was fatal. Therefore, every school of spear technique possessed devastating contingency moves, precisely to force the enemy to let go.

The Lover’s Spear naturally was no exception.

The moment Gu Fengchen gripped the shaft, Ling Ling flicked her wrist, attempting to jolt his fingers loose. But Gu Fengchen was no longer the same breathless man. He summoned his Internal Energy, forcefully suppressing the energy transmitted through the spear. Simultaneously, he mobilized his divine strength, aiming to wrest the spear from Ling Ling.

Though her spear was controlled, Ling Ling remained calm and composed. She sensed her opponent exerting force to take the weapon and another cold sneer crossed her mind: This spear, since it was passed down to her father from the previous Cult Leader, had never been taken from its master, no matter how powerful the opponent, over decades. To lose this spear meant its owner was unworthy as its master and naturally unworthy to be the Red Lotus Sect Leader. Therefore, consecutive generations of Cult Leaders cherished this spear as life itself. Precisely because of this, many leaders had imparted, to varying degrees, a few ultimate techniques upon this spear – techniques reserved for moments of crisis.

Gu Fengchen possessed incredibly powerful Internal Energy. Now that the spear was in his hands, this indeed counted as a crisis moment. Moreover, he seemed absolutely determined never to relinquish his hold on this weapon again.

Naturally, Ling Ling would not comply. Suddenly, she leaped forward, moving with the spear, and incredibly sat herself right atop it! Her hands still held the shaft as if she were riding a swing. This caught even Gu Fengchen by surprise; he didn’t know what she was playing at. Sitting on the spear shaft offered Ling Ling multiple advantages: Firstly, it added weight to what Gu Fengchen had to hold. Secondly, it allowed her to switch from defense to offense and seize the initiative.

Indeed, before Gu Fengchen could even register what was happening, Ling Ling had already slid along the shaft towards him while seated. She propelled herself forward by pressing her hands alternately against the shaft, sliding swiftly and reaching the middle section of the spear in the blink of an eye.

Gu Fengchen felt the weight in his palms increasing. He had never encountered such a bizarre move from Ling Ling. Now he was caught in a dilemma. Both hands were occupied holding the spear shaft, leaving him unable to free one to fend off Ling Ling. If he let go with one hand, he doubted he could support the combined weight of the spear and Ling Ling. The moment the spear touched the ground, control would revert to Ling Ling, and he’d be back in a passive spot. The safest option would be to hurl the spear away entirely and restart the fight with Ling Ling unarmed. Yet, that would mean all his efforts thus far were wasted.

The situation no longer allowed him lengthy contemplation. Ling Ling, exuding killing intent, slid towards him. Once she got close enough, countless potential attacks could rain down upon him.

In desperation, Gu Fengchen desperately mustered his Internal Energy and violently jerked the spear upwards into the air.

This made things even worse. While Ling Ling’s hands still gripped the shaft (she hadn’t relinquished her hold), her entire body was now positioned directly above Gu Fengchen. Suddenly, one of her feet shot out like lightning, stomping towards the top of his head.

At the same time, a flash of insight struck Gu Fengchen. He had a countermeasure! He abruptly swung both arms, summoning his entire body’s strength, and hurled the spear – along with Ling Ling – through the air.

This throw contained force enough to move a thousand catties. Ling Ling and her Lover’s Spear flew like an arrow released from its bow towards the woods! Ling Ling, indeed resourceful, was able to adjust her posture mid-air as easily as strolling through a garden. In the blink of an eye, she shifted her grip back towards the rear of the spear, her hands never leaving the shaft.

The instant he hurled the Lover’s Spear, Gu Fengchen soared upward. He took one colossal breath, pushed his physical limits to the extreme, and launched himself through the air after Ling Ling. Mid-flight, he delivered a punch, packed with immense force. The spectators perceived what seemed like a streak of lightning flash before their eyes – frighteningly fast, even faster than the hurled spear!

Ling Ling had just stabilized herself when she heard a vicious wind rushing at her back. She didn’t need to turn to know it was Gu Fengchen pursuing her attack. She was positioned backward on the spear, the tip pointing forward, and she herself was suspended in mid-air. How could she possibly block this punch?

This sudden countermove by Gu Fengchen seemed devastating. Throughout the Red Lotus Sect’s ranks, from Gui Qulai down, faces turned grave with shock, stunned by both the speed of Gu Fengchen’s change and the swiftness of his movement. Tie Furong blurted out, “Leader, watch out!”

Hearing the wind roaring behind her, Ling Ling knew Gu Fengchen was striking. Directly before her eyes lay the dense woods; a large tree blocked her path. And behind her was Gu Fengchen, putting every ounce of his power into this strike, determined to incapacitate his opponent in one blow.

At this moment, the situation was truly critical.

Yet Ling Ling remained unflustered. This very composure earned the grudging admiration even of those from the Four Great Clans watching the fight. They all felt that this young woman, despite her tender years, already possessed the unshakeable bearing of a grand master in the making.

Ling Ling’s spear was on the verge of piercing the tree trunk right before her. Only at this precise instant did Ling Ling press her back hand downward, extend her left foot, and kick the shaft of the Lover’s Spear!

The spear whooshed and spun a full circle in empty air, shifting its tip to point behind her and the shaft towards the front. Simultaneously, the force imparted by Gu Fengchen’s throw was nullified.

With the spear now reversed tip-to-tail, Ling Ling stabbed backward with her reversed grip. Her strike thrust directly towards the fist of the charging Gu Fengchen.

No one expected this sudden shift in tactics. Gu Fengchen had originally been striking towards Ling Ling’s back, only to abruptly find the spear tip coming right at him. He was badly startled and hastily mobilized his Supreme Skill. Twisting mid-air, he forcibly arrested his momentum and plummeted downward.

Both landed simultaneously. Astonishingly, Ling Ling didn’t turn around. Her spear thrust backward from beneath her ribs, as if the back of her head had eyes, aimed directly at Gu Fengchen’s throat.

Gu Fengchen, still unbalanced from his abrupt descent and unable to stabilize himself, saw the spear tip closing in and had no choice but to retreat. Ling Ling matched his backward movement, reversing along with him. Seven consecutive jabs, each one targeting Gu Fengchen’s throat without fail.

Their battle now raged in reverse retreat. Ling Ling never once glanced behind her, yet her spear unfailingly struck only vital points. Her martial arts were truly bizarre and unparalleled. And Gu Fengchen was utterly unprepared for this “Backward Horseman’s Spear”; he could only focus entirely on dodging.

He evaded several thrusts in succession when suddenly, Ling Ling unleashed her final strike – a throw. Only then did she whirl back around, simultaneously following the trajectory of her own hurled spear.

Gu Fengchen had never imagined she would throw her weapon. He had maintained a distance of several feet from the spear tip, managing to dodge, but now the entire spear shaft came flying at him. There was simply no space to evade. Driven to desperation, he could only risk it. In that frantic instant, he clapped his palms together with a soft thwack, catching the spear shaft between his hands.

But he’d acted in haste, his skill invoked abruptly without its full power. The spear forced its way brutally through his palms, advancing another foot. With a sharp shuua sound, it sliced a rent in the clothing over his shoulder. The Internal Energy imbued in the spear vibrated intensely, tearing the rent wide open. The front of Gu Fengchen’s chest was practically exposed.

At the same moment, Ling Ling had already grasped the shaft of the spear. She prepared to thrust with all her might, intending to skewer Gu Fengchen through and bring him down.

Ling Ling’s change of tactic had been too swift. Gu Fengchen had no time to draw a breath and channel his Internal Energy. Now, his techniques were exhausted, his strength spent. He had no ability left to ward off this Lover’s Spear.

The moment Ling Ling pushed her arm forward, Gu Fengchen would suffer the horror of a pierced heart.

A chill pierced Gu Fengchen’s own heart. He knew his life was forfeit. Ling Ling would never miss such an opportunity. In that fleeting instant, Hua Yuehen’s flower-like face flashed across his mind.

Farewell, City Lord, Hua Yuehen. I tried my utmost, yet still failed to save you. I must go ahead and wait for you in the underworld. Perhaps… the underworld won’t hold you either, since you are likely a fairy amidst mortal blooms, destined to join the celestial ranks upon death…

His mind raced with disorganized thoughts as he awaited the fatal thrust. Deep down, he also felt a strange sense of fortune. To die by Ling Ling’s spear was to cement her heroic name. From then on, the fame of Ling Ling, Leader of the Red Lotus Sect, would shake the Jianghu (Martial World), while I… would be nothing but her stepping stone.

When she discovers it was Gu Fengchen she pierced with her spear, what will she think? Will she feel remorse? Sorrow? Perhaps. But all of this, I believe, will soon become just a sad memory buried deep within her heart… or perhaps it will gradually fade before long.

Countless notions flitted through Gu Fengchen’s mind in that heartbeat. Yet, Ling Ling’s spear… unexpectedly didn’t plunge down.

Stunned, Gu Fengchen opened his eyes. He saw Ling Ling, her gaze wide and fixed upon his exposed chest, as if scrutinizing something unknown.

Her expression held far more shock and confusion than anyone else present.

What was Ling Ling looking at? What was on Gu Fengchen’s chest?

There was nothing particularly strange—just a scar, below Gu Fengchen’s shoulder. It was clearly recent, the mark still tinged red. His torn clothing had only just revealed it.

A gunshot wound.

Ling Ling recognized that scar perfectly. Months ago on Mount Taiyue, she had pierced someone’s shoulder cavity, gravely wounding him. Later, that very man climbed the mountain and collapsed unconscious on the peak. Ling Ling had tended his wounds then, seeing this scar.

Without question, that man was Gu Fengchen.

And this person before her now, who had come to seize the treasure and was locked in mortal combat with her… could it be…?

Once this thought formed, Gu Fengchen’s voice, his stature, even his martial arts style—one by one surfaced in her mind. The more she considered, the more certain she became. This masked man… was Gu Fengchen.

Was it truly him? Him?…

Ling Ling raised her eyes. They locked onto Gu Fengchen’s. The instant his gaze met hers, it felt like the sting of a needle. He flinched, his eyes darting away.

At that moment, ten thousand needles seemed to pierce Ling Ling’s heart. The pain was suffocating.

That spear thrust… how could it possibly descend?

A pang also stabbed through Gu Fengchen’s heart. In the blink of an eye, he was utterly unmoored. His eyes flickered about and inadvertently landed on Qing’er’s direction.

Qing’er was baffled. Why wouldn’t he counter during such an opportunity? So she continuously made a gesture: pressing her palms together and thrusting them forward.

Gu Fengchen’s mind was in chaos, confused. He simply mimicked Qing’er’s movement, pressing his palms together and thrusting forward.

His palms were already clasped around the spear shaft. Ling Ling hadn’t thrust, nor had she withdrawn her spear; she was frozen in place. Gu Fengchen’s motion was essentially like taking hold of an iron staff and lunging forward. Lost in anguish, Ling Ling never expected him to exploit this moment to counterattack. She held zero resistance in her grip.

Consequently, as Gu Fengchen pushed, the spear shaft followed his hands, grazing along Ling Ling’s arm and striking squarely into her own shoulder socket.

Although it was just the shaft, the butt end still bore a spear’s pommel. It wasn’t as sharp as the spear tip, but it was still pointed. With a ‘thunk’, it pierced her flesh, and blood spurted out.

Only then did Gu Fengchen snap out of his daze. Shocked, he hastily released his palms, took a step forward, wanting to check Ling Ling’s wound.

At that very moment, a figure flashed before his eyes. Xue Wuhen had closed in stealthily, soundlessly interposing himself between them. He raised his palm and struck towards Gu Fengchen, shouting, “Our Leader intentionally gave you a chance, and you repay kindness with enmity? Now you seek to kick someone when they’re down? So shameless…”

Tie Furong and Shen Rou rushed over simultaneously to support Ling Ling.

Moments earlier, when the Red Lotus Sect members saw Gu Fengchen’s palms could no longer hold the spear shaft, they knew Ling Ling was about to win. Smiles appeared on their faces, believing the last duel was secured, and their treasure would return to the sect.

But the subsequent turn of events left everyone utterly bewildered. No one understood why Ling Ling refrained from delivering the final thrust. Just then, Gu Fengchen’s counterattack had already wounded her.

Xue Wuhen possessed unparalleled lightness skills. Though he couldn’t intercept Gu Fengchen’s counter-action, he was already moving when it happened. By the time Gu Fengchen tried to step forward, Xue Wuhen had arrived.

Tie Furong and Shen Rou supported Ling Ling and urgently examined her injury. The wound wasn’t deep or wide, just a cut about an inch long—not a serious injury. They sighed with relief. In truth, Gu Fengchen had been mentally unsettled in that moment and hadn’t channeled his internal energy. Had he used his full power, Ling Ling’s arm would have been crippled.

Chaos temporarily erupted in the arena. Xue Wuhen’s eyes were red with fury. He surged forward, launching a flurry of strikes. Distracted by his worry over Ling Ling’s injury, Gu Fengchen didn’t think to fight back. Barely parrying a few blows, he was hit three times consecutively by Xue Wuhen, forcing him back several paces. Fortunately, his profound internal energy protected him. The blows only made his energy surge violently and felt extremely unpleasant; he didn’t sustain any internal injuries.

Xue Wuhen prepared to press the attack, but the Colorful-Robed Maiden elegantly descended into the arena, positioning herself between them. Raising a hand to stop Xue Wuhen, she said, “Teacher Xue, hold. The victor is decided; no more fighting. Go see to your Cult Leader first.”

The last sentence was highly effective. Xue Wuhen glared hatefully at Gu Fengchen, cursing, “Shameless wretch!”

The spectators understood clearly. Gu Fengchen’s victory was pure luck. Had Ling Ling simply thrust the spear at that moment, not only would the outcome have reversed, but Gu Fengchen would have lost his life. However, everyone remained puzzled: why hadn’t Ling Ling thrust the spear? Why had she allowed her opponent to counterattack and wound her?

The crowd buzzed with discussion, all expressing pity for Ling Ling.

Meanwhile, the Red Lotus Sect members had helped Ling Ling back to their area. Being male, the others couldn’t look closely. Only Tie Furong and Shen Rou stayed by her side. Tie Furong, infuriated, asked, “Leader, why let him go at that moment? Running him through would have been best, wouldn’t it?” Shen Rou gently shook her head, observing Ling Ling’s expression. “Leader,” she asked softly, “did you recognize that man?”

Ling Ling gritted her teeth, refusing to answer. Heartbreak filled her. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she struggled not to shed them. In such a public setting, she, as the Cult Leader of the Red Lotus Sect, could not be seen weeping openly. To do so would shatter the sect’s formidable reputation. This she knew well, so she suppressed her bitterness and remained silent.

Tie Furong, ever impatient, asked Shen Rou, “You say the Leader knows him? Could it be…” Shen Rou sighed. “Can’t you guess who he is?” Tie Furong froze momentarily, then suddenly understood. “That ungrateful traitor! The Leader almost gave him her heart, and this is how he repays us?” she gnashed her teeth. “How utterly vile! I won’t let him get away with this…”

She turned to charge back towards the arena floor, but Ling Ling grabbed her arm tightly. “You cannot go!” Ling Ling whispered urgently. “He must have compelling reasons for acting this way.” Tie Furong raged, “Leader, even now, you defend him? What’s so good about that…”

Shen Rou cut in sharply, “Keep your voice down! Unless you want everyone to hear?” Tie Furong immediately understood her error and hushed her tone. “I was thoughtless. I won’t raise my voice. Leader, are we just going to accept defeat?”

Ling Ling fought back the ache in her heart. “He won. We must acknowledge it, or we’ll be laughed at.” “Right,” Shen Rou agreed. “I observe the expressions of others. They all know you yielded; we didn’t lose to a lack of skill. Though the Red Lotus Sect lost this duel, we didn’t disgrace ourselves. To fight on pointlessly now would be the true disgrace.”

Tie Furong typically deferred to Shen Rou’s judgment. She nodded grimly. “We’ll settle the score with that lout another day.”

At that moment, the Colorful-Robed Maiden’s clear voice rang out, “The final duel is concluded. The ultimate victor is this hero.” She gestured towards Gu Fengchen. Gu Fengchen barely registered her words; his entire focus was on Ling Ling. I hope her wound isn’t serious, he thought anxiously.

He looked towards the Red Lotus Sect area, but couldn’t see Ling Ling, as several people had gathered around her. Unsure of her condition, his thoughts were thrown into turmoil.

The Lady Xueyi made a gesture behind her. Several Colorful-Robed Maidens carried forward a bamboo sedan chair. Lady Xueyi drifted towards it, elegant as a celestial maiden, and seated herself. She smiled at Gu Fengchen. “Hero, please follow me now.”

Gu Fengchen, dazed and disoriented, walked numbly after her. The Red Lotus Sect members were already departing. Gu Fengchen strained to see Ling Ling. She walked normally, unaided, clearly not seriously injured. A faint sense of relief washed over him. But Ling Ling walked away with her back turned towards him. Though she moved slowly, her steps were unwavering. She walked on, steadily increasing the distance, never once glancing back at Gu Fengchen.

Gu Fengchen felt as if struck by lightning. His body swayed, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

The Heroes’ Gathering had officially concluded, and dusk was falling. The Colorful-Robed Maiden ordered a banquet prepared and invited everyone to drink their fill. Naturally, the Four Great Clans delegates did not linger. Zhuge Ren exchanged a few words with the maiden, who naturally didn’t dare insist. She apologized to Zhuge Ren and let them depart. Few guests actually stayed for the drinks. Having witnessed an impressive fight, most chose to leave, seeking inns elsewhere.

Among the crowd, the more experienced and cautious individuals felt uneasy. For them, this Gathering seemed merely a prelude; greater clashes surely loomed ahead. With both the Four Great Clans and the Red Lotus Sect departing empty-handed, and an unknown man stealing the spotlight by defeating Wan Chongshan and the Red Lotus Cult Leader, they wondered about his origins.

Gu Fengchen paid no attention to this speculation. He followed Lady Xueyi to the lake shore and boarded a small boat. Paddled by several Colorful-Robed Maidens, they reached the opposite shore.

Two sedan chairs were already waiting there. “Did I really win?” Gu Fengchen asked. “Of course,” Lady Xueyi smiled. “Then where are you taking me?” Gu Fengchen pressed. “Naturally, to retrieve the Treasure Armor,” Lady Xueyi replied.

“It’s just some armor,” Gu Fengchen said impatiently. “Since I won, just give it to me. Why complicate matters?” Lady Xueyi’s expression turned serious. “This armor is no ordinary suit. It holds secrets far beyond that. Don’t be impatient. Follow me.”

With that, she entered her sedan chair without further explanation.

Gu Fengchen had no choice. He entered the smaller sedan chair beside hers and let them carry him away.

The sedan chair was very comfortable, moving at a steady pace. After about the time it took to finish two cups of tea, it touched ground. The sedan bearers lifted the curtain for him.

Gu Fengchen stepped out and saw they had arrived in a small courtyard. The courtyard was exceptionally quaint, with flowers, trees, rockeries, stone paths, and secluded residences, creating a very tranquil atmosphere. Was the Treasure Armor here?

He turned to look at Lady Xueyi descending from her sedan. Lady Xueyi smiled and said, “Please come in; make yourself at home.” Saying this, she led the way, pushing open the door to the main hall and walking in. Gu Fengchen followed, walking behind Lady Xueyi as they traversed a corridor and entered the rear residence.

In the rear residence, there was a bedroom. By the time they reached here, only Lady Xueyi and Gu Fengchen remained; the Colorful-Robed Maidens had all stayed outside.

Gu Fengchen looked around and asked, “Is the Treasure Armor here?”

Lady Xueyi shook her head. “This is hardly a place to keep treasures. Please follow me.” So saying, she walked to the wall, reached out, and twisted a copper lamp. With a whoosh, a hole opened in the side wall – it turned out to be a hidden door. Lady Xueyi led the way in.

Gu Fengchen thought to himself: This woman is extremely cunning, could she be trying to harm me? But then reconsidered: Right now, there’s no other way. Even if it’s Hell’s Judgment Hall, I must brave it. He followed closely behind Lady Xueyi, keeping a deliberate distance – not too close, not too far – ready to guard against any sudden sneak attack. Secretly gathering his divine skill in his palms, he was prepared to strike at any moment.

Beyond the hidden door was a tunnel. Judging by its state, it hadn’t been constructed recently. Oil lamps lit every dozen or so steps, so it wasn’t particularly dark. The echoing sound of their footsteps in the tunnel felt slightly eerie.

Gu Fengchen couldn’t help but ask, “Madam, where are you taking me?”

Lady Xueyi replied, “To meet someone.” Gu Fengchen frowned. “I’m here for the treasure, not to meet anyone.” Lady Xueyi said, “Don’t you want to know the secret within the armor? Only this person knows that secret.”

Gu Fengchen stated, “What secret? I have no interest. I only seek to obtain it as quickly as possible.”

Lady Xueyi asked, “Generally, those who come seeking the treasure always ask why it’s considered a treasure. Why don’t you…?” Gu Fengchen interrupted, “I contend for the armor not for myself, but to save people.” Lady Xueyi laughed lightly. “I imagine, it must be for a woman?”

Gu Fengchen said, “Correct. But not one woman; it’s for four or five.” Lady Xueyi gave a charming smile. “I didn’t expect you to be such a romantic soul.” Gu Fengchen clarified, “Those young ladies are good friends of mine, not that kind of relationship.”

Lady Xueyi responded, “Whatever the relationship, braving death to contend for treasure for the sake of others, not yourself, marks you as a remarkable man.” Gu Fengchen felt a pang of bitterness. Remarkable? Well, this ‘remarkable man’ lives up to the name. Capable of injuring a girl devoted to me and stealing her sect’s precious treasure – remarkable, indeed. But not in a good way. Remarkably terrible, that was the word.

Seeing him silent, Lady Xueyi didn’t press further. They walked for a while until they reached the end of the tunnel. Steps led upwards. Lady Xueyi pushed open a door and walked out. Gu Fengchen followed and emerged into bright light. It turned out to be a small courtyard filled with lush greenery. Beyond the courtyard was dense bamboo forest, creating a serene and secluded environment.

Gu Fengchen scanned the surroundings and realized this courtyard actually had no gate, clearly designed to prevent entry from outside. Moreover, the thick bamboo made it nearly impossible to spot the courtyard from afar, making it an extremely well-hidden location.

Lady Xueyi walked forward and opened the door to the house. She said to Gu Fengchen, “Please, come in.”

Gu Fengchen strode inside. The first thing he saw was a person.

This person sat in a grand master chair in the center, facing away, dressed entirely in white, with long silver hair cascading down like a snowy waterfall.

Lady Xueyi approached gently and said, “He has arrived.”

That person slowly raised his head and asked, “Is it someone from the Red Lotus?”

The voice was extraordinarily clear and resonant, naturally inspiring a feeling of alertness. Lady Xueyi answered, “No. He is an unaffiliated master.”

The man nodded. “That’s best.” After saying this, he lightly swiveled the master chair on its base to face Gu Fengchen. Apparently, the chair had wheels underneath, allowing it to move freely.

When the man turned around, Gu Fengchen was startled.

He saw a figure robed in white, crowned by hair like spun silver. Two white brows arched over eyes of deepest jet, the only darkness in a visage otherwise pale as alabaster – skin so white it was nearly translucent, making age impossible to gauge. Drawn from the edges of sight were three wisps of purest white beard, like threads of cloud. Yet, despite the stark coloration, the features were of breathtaking perfection, seemingly carved by a master’s hand, devoid of any flaw, forming a countenance of near-divine beauty.

Undoubtedly, this White-Headed Man was a peerlessly handsome man.

Standing together with Lady Xueyi, they truly resembled a pair carved from flawless jade, so dazzlingly pale it was hard to look at them directly.

Gu Fengchen searched his memory; he had never heard of such an extraordinary man. Seeing him now, he felt only confusion. Could this person be the true owner of the Treasure Armor?

Gu Fengchen cupped his hands together and announced clearly, “I won the contest through good fortune. I hope the master of this residence will fulfill his promise soon.” The White-Headed Man’s expression remained impassive. “Take off your hood.” The voice was not loud, but it held immense authority, carrying a will that dared not be disobeyed. Gu Fengchen retorted, “If I refuse, you won’t give it? Is that it?”

A hint of icy menace flickered in the White-Headed Man’s gaze. “You had the courage to win this contest; do you lack the courage to show your true face?” Already irritated, Gu Fengchen shot back, “Enough of the nonsense! Will you give it or not!” Hearing this, the White-Headed Man actually smiled. He said to Lady Xueyi, “This brother has quite the temper.”

Lady Xueyi replied, “It’s not just his temper that’s big. His skill is formidable too. To have defeated both the Four Great Clans and the Leader of the Red Lotus Sect – there might be no one else like him in the world.”

The White-Headed Man smiled and nodded: “Indeed. Xueyi, you may leave now. I wish to speak with him alone.” Lady Xueyi acknowledged and said to Gu Fengchen: “I shall prepare the wine and food. I’ll return shortly.”

After speaking, she walked straight out of the door.

Now only Gu Fengchen and the White-Headed Man remained in the room. Gu Fengchen repeated his demand: “I don’t care for wine or food. Fetch the armor quickly. I must hurry to save someone.”

The White-Headed Man gestured toward a nearby chair, inviting him to sit. “It seems, young brother, you are a rising star in the Jianghu (Martial World). You must not have seen this old man before.” Gu Fengchen nodded: “I’m a nameless nobody. What chance would I have to meet someone as exalted?” The White-Headed Man replied: “Exactly so. I certainly haven’t seen you either. So if you reveal your face, I still wouldn’t recognize you. What difference would it make?”

Gu Fengchen thought this reasonable. He removed the cloth sack from his head and exhaled a long breath.

The White-Headed Man observed his rugged, imposing features and nodded with a smile: “If I possessed such formidable looks, I wouldn’t hide my face.” If you were me, you’d do the same, Gu Fengchen silently retorted.

Not wishing to prolong the exchange, he stated: “I’ve shown my true face. Will you still withhold the Treasure Armor?”

The White-Headed Man assured him: “I shall give it to you. Since you bested us, the armor is yours.” Gu Fengchen pressed: “Yet I still haven’t laid eyes on it.” “I do not lie,” the White-Headed Man said, “nor is there need. More importantly, I must tell you: this armor is no ordinary piece.”

Gu Fengchen’s impatience surfaced: “Ordinary or not matters little to me. I only wish to take it swiftly and depart.”

The White-Headed Man paused: “Why? Do you not realize? To possess the armor without knowing its secrets is tantamount to never having it at all.” Gu Fengchen replied firmly: “I desire no secrets. I must take it to save someone!” The White-Headed Man suddenly understood and chuckled: “A woman, I assume?”

Gu Fengchen shrugged: “You and that Lady Xueyi truly resemble each other. She posed the same query. Let me state it plainly this final time: Someone has captured my friend. I must bring this Treasure Armor as ransom—otherwise, a fate worse than death awaits my friend. Understood?”

The White-Headed Man nodded slowly: “If that is the case, then knowing its secrets becomes all the more critical.”

Gu Fengchen was puzzled: “Meaning what?” The White-Headed Man leaned forward: “Do you intend to remain enslaved by their coercion without fighting back?” Gu Fengchen frowned: “Fight back?” “Indeed, fight back!” The White-Headed Man’s voice turned sharp. “Today they hold your friend hostage for this task. Tomorrow, they may seize another—or demand yet another deed. An endless cycle. If you do not strike back, what do you await?”

Gu Fengchen pressed: “By knowing these secrets… I could strike back?”

The White-Headed Man offered a cryptic smile: “Perhaps yes. Perhaps no. That entirely depends on your capability.”

Gu Fengchen considered this for a moment and slowly sank into the chair. “Very well. What secrets does this armor hold?”

The White-Headed Man nodded approvingly: “That’s better. Sit calmly and listen.” He extended a hand and lifted the teacup by his side. Gu Fengchen noticed: his hand, fingernails included, was deathly white. The nails stretched over an inch long. Each skeletal finger resembled wrought iron—five ghostly hooks. A chilling sight.

The White-Headed Man sipped his tea, seeming to savor it, before murmuring: “It has been many years since I last conversed with a third soul.” “I’d prefer you spoke faster,” Gu Fengchen retorted. The old man gave a detached smile: “Where to begin? The genesis of the armor, I suppose. You wouldn’t know its origin.”

Gu Fengchen interrupted: “I know some. It is one of the three sacred treasures of the Red Lotus Sect. The others: the Lover’s Spear, and the Heaven-Defying Formula.”

“Correct,” the White-Headed Man acknowledged. “Yet this Earth Evasion Armor harbors the deepest mystery. The Lover’s Spear is mere metal. The Heaven-Defying Formula none truly mastered. But the Earth Evasion Armor? Its secret is this…”

He set down the cup and extended his other withered hand: “Draw near. Gaze at my palm…” Gu Fengchen leaned forward, peering intently. Suddenly, the White-Headed Man flipped his palm skyward.

His palm held nothing.

Before Gu Fengchen could react, the White-Headed Man lurched forward. His grandmaster chair slid soundlessly across the floor, halting before Gu Fengchen. Simultaneously, that skeletal hand shot toward Gu Fengchen’s throat like lightning!

The assault was utterly sudden. Gu Fengchen, caught off guard, had no warning. The strike’s power rivaled Wan Chongshan’s Eagle Claw Technique! A direct hit meant instant death. Thankfully, he possessed the Heaven-Defying Divine Art—tailored for such desperate moments. Instinct superseded thought.

His head snapped back. Feet kicked. Though his chair lacked wheels, it flew backwards as if propelled by them! Four deep grooves scored the stone floor beneath the chair legs, each cut three fen deep.

The floor was laid with blue bricks—proof of Gu Fengchen’s profound Internal Energy.

The White-Headed Man’s grasp found only air. Seemingly surprised by the evasion, his reaction was flawless. The wheeled chair rolled forward relentlessly, the clawing hand unretracted, still seeking purchase on Gu Fengchen’s neck.

Gu Fengchen had managed only three chi of retreat. His lack of wheels made retreat laborious, reliant solely on channeled Internal Energy, creating drag. His attacker, gliding effortlessly, closed the gap instantly. Now two hands struck: one aiming for the throat, another for the knee.

The dual attack was unnervingly unnatural. Moving with spectral grace, the White-Headed Man resembled a vengeful ghost.

Gu Fengchen knew retreat was futile. Seeing the twin assaults, he thrust his own hands to seize the other’s wrists. Yet the White-Headed Man’s shoulders and arms remained inert. Impossible! His wrists seemed boneless, twisting unnaturally to capture Gu Fengchen’s own!

Gu Fengchen recoiled in shock! The grip felt alien—limbs bending beyond reason. He desperately surged his Heaven-Defying Divine Art, projecting a shockwave through his wrists to break those bone-white fingers.

But as he channeled the force… the White-Headed Man released his hold.

He released Gu Fengchen’s wrist and said, “Are you not…”

Gu Fengchen replied, “Not what?” As he spoke, he withdrew his internal energy. Suddenly, the White-Headed Man swiftly extended both hands and clamped his wrists again. Gu Fengchen had just released his internal energy, and according to conventional Internal Energy cultivation, it was impossible to gather it again in an instant. Engaging in such exertion was a major taboo in martial arts—like forcing an ebbed tide back to the shore. The backlash could be devastating; mild cases caused internal injuries, while severe ones could result in death through bleeding from all seven orifices.

However, the Heaven-Defying Divine Art was extraordinary after all. It could permit continuous exertion without hindrance. Thus, Gu Fengchen summoned the energy he had just released and slammed it toward the other man’s palms.

This time, the White-Headed Man did not retract his hands. The two collided head-on.

Gu Fengchen felt that while the other’s internal energy wasn’t overwhelmingly fierce, it possessed extreme resilience and unexpectedly rebounded a portion of his own force. Similarly, the White-Headed Man sensed something deeply wrong with Gu Fengchen’s internal energy—he could exert himself twice in the blink of an eye. Moreover, the second exertion didn’t weaken compared to the first; instead, it showed signs of strengthening.

After just one collision, the White-Headed Man released his grip. Without any visible movement, the mahogany armchair smoothly rolled back to its original position.

Seeing the peculiar expression on the other’s face—a mixture of delight and suspicion—Gu Fengchen didn’t counterattack. He asked, “What was that about? Testing if I truly defeated the Four Great Clans and the Red Lotus Sect?”

The White-Headed Man nodded slowly. “Correct. My treasure map isn’t given lightly.” Gu Fengchen said, “Don’t you believe Lady Xueyi? Think she conspired with me to deceive you?” The White-Headed Man replied, “In this world, I trust only two people: her, and myself.” Gu Fengchen countered, “If that’s the case, why test me then?” The White-Headed Man stated, “She saw your skill. I did not.”

Gu Fengchen said, “Then you’ve seen it now.”

The White-Headed Man smiled faintly. “Much better than I imagined. Young man, come here.” Gu Fengchen asked, “What else do you wish to test?” The other replied, “No testing needed. Only one move, and I knew you had mastered the Heaven-Defying Divine Art.”

Startled, Gu Fengchen blurted out, “How can you be so certain?” The White-Headed Man explained, “There are many methods to exert internal force. But only the Heaven-Defying Divine Art allows one to do what you just did. With any other art, you would have died bleeding from seven orifices long ago. And right now, you hardly look dead.”

Gu Fengchen smiled mildly, picked up his chair, moved it back beside the White-Headed Man, and sat down. “Can you speak now?”

The White-Headed Man sipped his tea once more before saying, “Before revealing this secret, could you tell me… how you mastered the Heaven-Defying Divine Art?”

Gu Fengchen gave a bitter chuckle. “Truth is, even I don’t know how it happened.” He briefly recounted his cultivation process, omitting the names of the Yin-Yang Twin Immortals. He simply said he was poisoned, his meridians thrown into chaos, and the Heaven-Defying Formula appeared before him. He practiced it accordingly, and unexpectedly achieved mastery, just like that.

He hadn’t known the formula required practice starting from the last page; he was suffering excruciating pain at the time, let alone notice page numbers—especially since the book had no page markings.

After hearing this, the White-Headed Man neither confirmed nor denied it. He merely said, “So, your mastery can only be attributed to heavenly will.” Gu Fengchen agreed, “Exactly. In fact, even my coming here to seek this treasure wasn’t my idea. It could all be called heavenly will.”

He paused before adding, “I’ve finished. Could you hurry? Though hungry and thirsty, there are matters far more urgent than eating.”

The White-Headed Man remained unhurried, “No need for anxiety, young friend. Hearing what I say will bring you great gains. I won’t waste words. Since you’ve mastered the Heaven-Defying Divine Art, you must know the origins of the Red Lotus Sect?” Gu Fengchen said, “I’ve heard it mentioned. Originally called the White Lotus Sect, founded by several eminent masters. Once rallied followers during tumultuous times, later suppressed by the founding Emperor, then slipped into the Jianghu, renamed Red Lotus Sect. That’s all I know.” The White-Headed Man continued, “The three great treasure artifacts of the Red Lotus Sect were indeed passed down by those very founders.

Those masters were peerless experts back then. But grasping the empire couldn’t be achieved by martial prowess alone. After their failure, they understood this principle, shed their imperial ambition, and devoted themselves solely to the Jianghu. Though supremely skilled, the Red Lotus Sect remained outlawed nationwide, forced into secrecy. By the time the masters passed away, it was still but a clandestine fellowship. It wasn’t until later, when restrictions eased, that the Red Lotus Sect rose to fame in the Jianghu. Its reputation rested precisely on those three treasures. The Lover’s Spear technique transcends mortality, no longer mundane. The Heaven-Defying Formula defies cosmic laws. As for the Earth Evasion Armor—beyond being impervious to blades and adept at dispersing heavy blows—it holds one more colossal secret.”

Slowly intrigued, Gu Fengchen asked, “What secret?”

The White-Headed Man said, “The secret is this: this armor is not armor.” Gu Fengchen asked, “Not armor? Then what is it?” He answered, “It is a key.”

Utterly perplexed, Gu Fengchen said, “A key? How can that be?”

The White-Headed Man replied, “Many things in this world are exceedingly wondrous.” Gu Fengchen pressed, “If it’s a key, what lock does it open? Could such a massive lock exist?” “Indeed it does,” affirmed the other. “That lock guards the greatest secret in the Jianghu for over a century.”

Gu Fengchen said eagerly, “Please enlighten me, senior.”

The White-Headed Man declared, “What that lock secures is the burial place of the Red Lotus Sect’s founding Grandmasters.” Stunned, Gu Fengchen repeated, “A tomb?” “Precisely,” the man confirmed. “Yet what kind of tomb, buried where—no one truly knows. Only by assembling the three treasures can clues be found, revealing its location. And to enter that place, possessing the three treasures is also essential.”

Gu Fengchen smiled faintly. “It’s merely a tomb. Entering—what could one do? Salute the Grandmasters’ remains?”

The White-Headed Man countered, “Within lie not just remains, but countless treasuries and Peerless Divine Arts left behind by those masters. How about it? Are these stakes weighty enough?”

Gu Fengchen suddenly understood. “So that’s it. Unrivaled martial arts, kingdom-rivaling wealth—enough to tempt anyone. Is this the secret of the three treasures?” The White-Headed Man nodded. “Therefore, the three treasures must be united to access the trove. Over seventy years ago, the then Cult Leader of the Red Lotus Sect, He Jiemie, once cultivated the Heaven-Defying Formula to the eighth level. Deeming himself sufficient, he alone took the other two treasures to seek the vault. Yet, barely ten days later, he returned to the sect—carried by peasants—on the brink of death. His limbs were horrendously shattered, not seemingly broken by human hands, but as if crushed by immense weight. Back at the sect, he immediately ordered the peasants executed to silence them. Dying, he decreed future Red Lotus Cult Leaders must only seek the treasure after mastering the Heaven-Defying Divine Art completely; otherwise, his fate would repeat. The succeeding Cult Leader disbelieved, cultivating only to the seventh level before seeking the vault. His outcome mirrored He Jiemie’s exactly. Thus, despite possessing the three treasures all these years, the Red Lotus Sect dared not seek the trove. For each time, only the Cult Leader went, fearing disclosure that would draw the Jianghu’s scrutiny. Hence, even now, no outsider knows its location. The more this secret was guarded, the deeper it became hidden. Outsiders naturally knew nothing, and within the sect itself, fewer and fewer knew—eventually, only the Cult Leader held the knowledge.”

Gu Fengchen questioned, “If that’s so, how do you know this?”

A barely perceptible smile touched the White-Headed Man’s lips. “The truth is, what I know far exceeds this.” Gu Fengchen shook his head. “These Jianghu secrets hold no interest for me. Treasures, divine skills—I seek them not. Should I truly acquire them, days would bring uneasy meals, sleepless nights, constant fear of theft. So you telling me is wasted effort. I’d gladly hear more tales, but saving lives presses urgently. I implore you, senior, yield the treasure armor.”

The White-Headed Man showed slight surprise. “Have you considered? Now, mastering the Heaven-Defying Divine Art and gaining the Earth Evasion Armor, you need only seize the Lover’s Spear. Then you’d be unmatched under heaven, wealthy enough to rival states. Is this truly no temptation?”

Gu Fengchen sighed. “I was once a monastic disciple. Decades in the Temple, though lacking great roots of wisdom, extinguished ambition for profit and power. If you seek the treasure, find another fitting candidate, senior. I desire the armor only to save lives.”

The White-Headed Man gazed at him, shaking his head slightly. “Utterly rigid. You seem no scholar, yet reek of pedantic scholar’s fumes. So be it…”

He clapped his hands three times. Two colorfully dressed maidens entered carrying a box—clearly holding the armor—and placed it on the table beside Gu Fengchen. Suspecting a fake, he opened the box. Inside lay the Earth Evasion Armor.

Gu Fengchen stood, wrapped the box in his robe, clasped his hands respectfully at the White-Headed Man, and turned to leave. The other asked, “You depart just like that?” Gu Fengchen replied, “What else would you have me do?” The White-Headed Man said, “I observe your profound internal energy yet crude martial techniques. Facing another with equally strong inner power would put you at a disadvantage.” Gu Fengchen countered, “After completing this task, I shall leave the Jianghu. Martial prowess matters little then.”

“Not unreasonable,” conceded the White-Headed Man. “But… exiting the Jianghu? That feels naive. Some have already devised schemes involving you. Escaping carefree won’t be easy.”

Gu Fengchen stated, “Whatever task anyone might force upon me, I shall refuse. When the time comes, I’ll stride away. See who can stop me.” With that, he strode out without looking back.

The White-Headed Man watched his departing figure, nodding and smiling repeatedly.

Just then, Lady Xueyi entered through the rear door and stood beside him. “You truly gave him the armor?” He smiled. “This one… he’s very good.” She pressed, “I’m asking you.”

He replied, “And I am answering. The armor is safe in his hands. Besides, the one who forced him here seems privy to the secret of the three treasures. Why not seize their plan, sparing us effort?”

Lady Xueyi gently stroked his shoulder. “This is good. We shall be the oriole behind the leaf, watching first as the mantis stalks the cicada…”