chsdbacks Chapter 86 One Sword Through Flowers
Chapter 86 One Sword Through Flowers
Chapter 86 A Sword Through Flowers
The battle situation suddenly changed!
Without the Golden Light Mantra, a powerful shield that combined offense and defense, Zhang Lingyu found himself in grave danger under Lu Linglong's ghostly close-quarters combat.
Her movements could no longer be simply described as "fast," but rather as "unpredictable." She would appear in front of him one moment and behind him the next, each step landing on a rhythm that was unsettling. She could always appear at the angle where Zhang Lingyu was least likely to exert his strength, at the very moment when he was shifting his old power or his mind was slightly distracted.
Fists, palms, elbows, knees—every part of her body seemed to have been transformed into the most refined weapon.
The attack appeared simple and straightforward, but in reality, the force was as sharp as a drill. Each strike caused Zhang Lingyu's blood and qi to surge and his protective qi to tremble incessantly.
"Bang bang bang!"
In the blink of an eye, Lu Linglong unleashed three consecutive punches, like a sudden storm, targeting Zhang Lingyu's face, chest, and left ribs!
Zhang Lingyu spun around quickly, stepping in the Nine Palaces formation, and drew circles with both palms. He barely managed to deflect the first two punches with his exquisite technique, but the third punch was a beat too slow, and the edge of the fist grazed his soft ribs.
"Ugh!" A burning pain shot through Zhang Lingyu, causing her to sway slightly and her breathing to become disordered.
This can't go on! Alarm bells rang in his mind.
Under the pressure of the opponent's movements, which are completely beyond the scope of conventional close combat, simply defending will only lead to being gradually eroded until defeat.
In close combat, he was already at a complete disadvantage.
His persistence may stem from his unwillingness to admit, in front of everyone, that he had lost to a younger woman in the most basic martial arts skills.
At this thought, a resolute glint flashed in Zhang Lingyu's eyes.
He gritted his teeth, disregarding the risk of being hit again, and his innate energy surged at an unprecedented speed. His palms suddenly glowed with a layer of shimmering white light. Instead of retreating, he advanced to meet Lu Linglong's next possible attack and struck out fiercely!
The palm wind howled, faintly accompanied by the sound of thunder and lightning; it was actually the power of the Thunderclap Palm, another unique skill of Longhu Mountain!
This desperate counterattack was completely unexpected by Lu Linglong.
"Huh?" Lu Linglong exclaimed in surprise. She lightly touched the ground with her toes, and her figure moved as gracefully as a willow catkin blown by a strong wind, retreating just in time to avoid the edge of the sharp palm strike.
However, what Zhang Lingyu sought was precisely this fleeting moment of respite!
Taking advantage of Lu Linglong's retreat and the resulting distance, he moved his feet rapidly, his figure retreating quickly, and at the same time, his aura underwent a dramatic change.
The originally calm and peaceful breath suddenly descended, becoming deep and dark, as if a viscous, inky tide was awakening within him, about to surge forth!
boom-!
A deep chant, with a strange intonation, rang out.
Strands of jet-black, viscous lightning began to emanate from his pores and fingertips!
This lightning was completely different from the explosive brilliance of the previous palm lightning. It appeared exceptionally heavy and turbid, and as it meandered and flowed, it exuded a strange aura that was cold, slippery, and seemed to be able to absorb all heat and vitality!
Yin Five Thunders - Water-Dirty Thunder!
Due to his physical limitations, he was unable to cultivate the extremely yang and powerful Yang Five Thunders. His master, Zhang Zhiwei, then took a different approach, guiding him to use kidney water to lead liver wood, causing yin energy to emerge first, and then refine it after he had replenished his pure yang energy.
This is Yin Wu Lei, also known as "Water Dirty Thunder".
Its nature is heavy and turbid, yet strange and unpredictable, unrestrained and free-spirited. When it is used, it is like mercury spilling onto the ground, penetrating everywhere, specializing in sucking out bones and marrow, impure hearts and eroding wills!
"The Azure Pools of the North!"
Zhang Lingyu gave a low shout and suddenly pressed his hands down on the ground beside him!
"Sizzle—!"
As if the gates of the underworld had been opened, a large amount of viscous, pitch-black lightning, like living black mud, surged and spread wildly from beneath his feet!
In the blink of an eye, it covered a vast area of several dozen feet in radius centered on him!
"Wow!"
"Is this...is this still thunder?!"
"This dark, gooey thing feels so eerie! It's sticky and cold, it gives me the creeps!"
Gasps of surprise erupted from the stands. Many of the young supernatural beings were witnessing the bizarre form of Yin Wu Lei for the first time, and they all felt a sense of oppression.
The ground was quickly stained with a flowing layer of black, and the air was filled with a damp, cold, decaying, and extremely uncomfortable atmosphere.
This area, covered by dark lightning, seemed to have transformed into a deathly swamp that devoured all light and heat, exuding an ominous stillness.
The moment Lu Linglong's toes touched the edge of this "Azure Pool," a bone-chilling cold immediately seeped into her feet through the meridians!
What's more troublesome is that an invisible field with a strong suction force spread out, as if countless cold tentacles were wrapping around her, not only slowing down her movements, but also quietly sucking away her strength and vitality, making her blood circulation slightly sluggish, and causing a faint soreness in her limbs.
"This is bad, we shouldn't stay here any longer." With a thought, Lu Linglong quickly moved backward.
However, the "Northern Azure Pool" spread extremely quickly, and with Zhang Lingyu's full power, the Yin Lightning spread and pressed towards her retreating direction as if it were a living thing.
In just a few breaths, Lu Linglong was forced to the edge of the field, with her back against the reinforced stone wall, with nowhere to retreat!
The viscous, black, dark energy inevitably seeped onto her shoes.
"Buzz"
A strong tingling and chilling sensation instantly spread throughout the body, not just a physical sensation, but also penetrating the spirit, making one feel restless and causing even the circulation of magical power to seem to slow down.
And at that very moment—
"Wandering Earthworm Thunder!"
Zhang Lingyu's offensive came one after another!
He pointed forward with his fingers like a sword, while the azure pool beneath his feet churned and lightning crackled around him! Several long, thin, and swift black bolts of lightning, twisted like earthworms, shot out!
They did not move in a straight line, but twisted and turned strangely in the air, their trajectories unpredictable, like living venomous snakes, devouring Lu Linglong's major acupoints and vital points from all sorts of tricky angles!
Even before the thunder arrived, the bone-chilling cold and energy fluctuations were enough to send shivers down one's spine!
"Sucking, slowing, and the unpredictable and difficult-to-defend corrosive attack—it's indeed troublesome." Lu Linglong felt a chill in her heart, but her movements did not stop at all.
Faced with the ever-present "Wandering Earthworm Thunder" and the "Azure Pool" that kept causing trouble beneath her feet, she finally took the light pink paper umbrella that she had been carrying on her back—"Seizing the Moment of Longevity and Supporting the Flower"—in her hand.
The umbrella remained closed.
She simply twisted her wrist slightly, either using the tip of the umbrella to precisely point at the front of the incoming lightning bolt, or gently blocking it with the curved side of the umbrella.
"Sizzle—hiss!"
An amazing scene unfolded!
Those cunning and ruthless black lightning bolts, whether they struck the tough umbrella surface or grazed the seemingly thin umbrella ribs, seemed to hit an invisible yet dense barrier!
The surface of the Yin Lightning flickered, twisted, and spewed out tiny black rays, but it was still unable to truly break through that layer of protection, let alone effectively transmit the Yin cold corrosive power contained within to Lu Linglong's hand holding the umbrella!
This paper umbrella, which appears delicate and fragile to outsiders, is clearly made of special materials and using secret methods to refine its canopy and ribs. It has extremely strong isolation and resistance to energy attacks! It is truly a carefully crafted protective magic weapon!
Zhang Lingyu's pupils suddenly contracted.
He had always thought it was just an ornament or an ordinary weapon, but he never expected it to be a magical artifact that could effectively counter lightning magic!
However, to think that one can rest easy with just this magical artifact would be to underestimate his Yin Five Thunders!
In the blink of an eye, a fierce glint flashed in Zhang Lingyu's eyes as he unleashed his full power!
Within the "Azure Pool," the viscous black lightning suddenly surged violently, like a boiling asphalt swamp!
Several bolts of dark lightning, several times thicker than the "Wandering Earthworm Lightning" and solid as black pythons, suddenly shot up. Together with the fine lightning snakes intertwined in the air, they completely sealed off all possible escape spaces for Lu Linglong from all directions, forming a net that, with an aura of destruction, closed in on Lu Linglong in the corner and strangled her!
A suppressed gasp rippled through the stands as many held their breath for Lu Linglong, knowing she was about to be swallowed by the terrifying black lightning net.
However, just as the giant net of dark thunder was about to close in, at the critical moment—
Despite being in dire straits, Lu Linglong's eyes remained unusually calm.
She held the umbrella to the side, her eyes clear and bright, looking directly at Zhang Lingyu, who was exerting all his strength, beyond the surging lightning.
For some reason, Zhang Lingyu felt a sudden, inexplicable unease rise within her as she was gazed upon by that calm gaze. Victory was clearly assured; her opponent was trapped like a fish in a barrel. Why—
In that moment of unease, he seemed to sense that the speed of the Yin Lightning he was controlling had slowed down for a split second.
And in that very "moment"—
Lu Linglong's figure disappeared from the encirclement of Yin lightning.
She pushed her movement technique to its limit!
"Swift as a Shadow!"
Her figure suddenly became ethereal, no longer simply fast, but as if she had merged into the wind, the light, and even the subtle folds of space!
She clearly saw several streaks of black lightning pierce through her original location, but the next moment, her figure appeared several feet away, leaving only a fading afterimage in her original spot!
Even more astonishing is that she moved at high speed in the viscous, stagnant, and powerfully suction-filled "Northern Blue Pool" without seeming to be greatly affected!
Each step was as light as a feather, moving with ease as if stepping on an invisible lotus leaf, minimizing the absorption and delaying effects of the Yin Lightning!
Ethereal and breathtaking, fleeting and ephemeral.
Zhang Lingyu was terrified and hurriedly urged the Yin Lightning to surge towards the elusive figure like a tidal wave, attempting to trap her once again.
At that very moment, Lu Linglong's right hand, which had not yet exerted any real force, suddenly gripped a certain part of the middle of the "Longevity Supporting Flowers" umbrella handle!
"Zheng—!"
A clear, melodious tremor, like the roar of a dragon and the cry of a phoenix, suddenly rang out from inside the umbrella and spread throughout the entire venue!
Immediately afterwards, at the end of the umbrella ribs, at the seemingly rounded tip, a sharp, invisible sword light burst forth without warning!
The sword light was not scattered, but rather flowed, spread, and condensed along the umbrella ribs as if it were alive!
In the blink of an eye, the originally blunt, rounded tip of the umbrella was transformed into a phantom sword blade about a foot and a half long!
Although this sword is not made of solid metal, it exudes a chilling aura that is purer, more refined, and more indestructible than any divine weapon!
It was the "Golden Sword Talisman" that Lu Linglong had secretly drawn and hidden in the ribs of the umbrella that was fully activated, and its supernatural power was added to the Longevity Flower Umbrella.
"break!"
Lu Linglong's cold shout rang out simultaneously with the clang of her sword!
She stopped dodging and weaving, her figure transforming into a straight bolt of lightning in a state of extreme motion. Instead of retreating, she advanced, her umbrella and sword merging into one, transforming into a dazzling golden line that tore through all darkness and turbidity, rushing upwards against the oncoming, layer upon layer of the giant net of dark lightning!
"Hiss hiss hiss—!"
Wherever the golden thread passed, the violent, viscous dark thunder was like boiling water poured on snow, or darkness meeting the rising sun, emitting a violent melting sound that made one's teeth ache!
The sharp sword energy, which contained Lu Linglong's essence and the true meaning of the talisman, actually broke through the surface with a single point, forcibly piercing and tearing through the seemingly impenetrable Yin Lightning defense!
Almost instinctively, Zhang Lingyu focused all his mind and energy on defense, instantly deploying layer upon layer of defenses in front of him.
The thick, wall-like barrier of dark lightning, at the same time, caused his figure to rush backward!
However, Lu Linglong's sword strike, which had been built up to its peak, was timed perfectly. It was the exact moment when Zhang Lingyu's old power surged out, his new power had not yet followed, and his mind trembled unavoidably due to shock!
"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"
A series of faint yet incredibly clear penetrating sounds rang out.
That dazzling golden line was unstoppable, piercing through three of the most solid Yin lightning barriers in succession. Its momentum only slowed slightly, but its sharpness was still formidable!
The next moment, Lu Linglong's figure, like a butterfly flitting among flowers, or a fleeting glimpse of a beautiful shadow, passed by Zhang Lingyu.
Time seemed to stretch out infinitely at this moment.
All the crowd saw was a stunning, invisible sword light that flashed and disappeared in the arena.
Lu Linglong stood quietly a few steps behind Zhang Lingyu. The "Longevity Flower Support" in her hand had somehow returned to its light pink umbrella shape, which she easily draped behind her back.
On the reinforced stone wall in front of her, there was a straight cut that was several feet long, with smooth, mirror-like edges and several inches deep!
The scene was deathly silent.
The surging black lightning, as if it had lost all its support, quickly dimmed, disintegrated, and dissipated, as if it had never existed.
The chilling "Northern Blue Pool" beneath their feet silently receded, leaving only large areas of scorched, cracked ground, as if corroded by acid.
Zhang Lingyu's tall figure stood frozen in place. A strand of neatly cut silver hair slowly drifted down from his cheek and fell silently onto the scorched earth.
He slowly and with great difficulty lowered his head and looked at his chest. His robe was intact, but the sharp, murderous aura of the sword seemed to still linger on his skin, reminding him of the trajectory of his sword strike and the mercy he had shown in holding back.
We lost...
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, all the shock, resentment, and frustration in his eyes had subsided, turning into a complex calm like a deep pool.
He slowly turned around to face Lu Linglong, who had also turned around.
Zhang Lingyu's Adam's apple bobbed, and her voice, hoarse from the intense battle, carried clearly throughout the silent arena: "I—"
"We lost."
"The winner is Lu Linglong!" The referee's announcement broke the breathtaking silence.
In the stands, after a brief moment of silence, a tsunami of cheers erupted! Astonishment, discussion, and incredulous shouts blended together. The twists and turns of this duel, and its final outcome, far exceeded most people's expectations!
Xu San, Xu Si, Zhang Chulan, Wang Ye, Feng Xingtong, Zhuge Qingfeng, and Sha Yan all stared at Lu Linglong in the arena, seemingly still reeling from the shocking scene just now.
Lu Linglong exhaled a long breath, cupped her hands in a respectful bow to Zhang Lingyu, and said sincerely, "Master Lingyu, you flatter me. The profound mysteries of the Yin Five Thunders have broadened my horizons and I have benefited greatly."
Zhang Lingyu shook his head and returned the greeting solemnly. His voice had returned to its usual cool tone, but with an added frankness: "Miss Lu's abilities are astonishing, and her skills are superior. Lingyu is completely convinced of her defeat. Thank you for your guidance in today's battle."
Having said that, he said no more, turned around, and walked slowly off the field with his still steady but seemingly heavier steps.
Lu Linglong watched him leave before turning and walking towards the cheering stands, a relieved smile on her face.
On the high platform, Zhang Zhiwei paused slightly as he stroked his beard. Gazing at the girl's back in the arena, his expression shifted, eventually turning into an almost inaudible sigh.
"What an amazing girl! Lingyu's defeat was well worth it."
Lu Jin, however, had his hands clenched into fists behind his back, and the turmoil in his heart was far more intense than that of the audience.
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