Chapter 259 - 248: Decisive Battle (Part 2)
Two sharp shrieks cut through the air.
The Sky-splitting Slash and the Sealing Wolf Slash shot past one another, heading straight for their respective targets’ vitals.
In the stands, the eyelids of the Primordial Realm Elders twitched uncontrollably. ’Are these two trying to get themselves killed?’
A strike that powerful would cripple them, if not kill them outright.
Upon seeing this, Basang’s master, Sa Tianshi, was overjoyed. For Zhao Lin to dare trade blows with his beloved disciple in a contest of physical toughness was simply courting death!
Before joining the sect and beginning his formal martial arts training, Basang had lived like a wild man on Fenglang Mountain.
Relying on his formidable physique and a grueling tempering process comparable to that of a body-forging warrior, he had survived countless life-or-death struggles against wild beasts and even stranger creatures.
As a Primordial Realm Elder of Wuzhu, Sa Tianshi had seen thousands upon thousands of martial artists, yet not a single one could compare to Basang’s natural physical gifts.
THUD! THUD!
Zhao Lin and Basang were both struck by the force of the other’s slash.
Zhao Lin felt as if he’d been struck by lightning, sent flying backward to crash heavily onto the ground.
Imbued with the potent Inner Strength of the Thunder Attribute, the Sealing Wolf Slash was incredibly destructive. Agony instantly spread from his chest throughout his entire body.
The world spun around him. Though his mind remained clear, he couldn’t even move a single finger.
’Did I... lose?’
Zhao Lin’s heart sank. He struggled to lift his eyelids and glanced across the platform.
And then, relief washed over him.
Just like him, Basang was also lying on the ground, unable to get up.
To enhance the power of his Sealing Wolf Slash, Basang had held almost nothing back, channeling all his Inner Strength into the attack. As a result, the immense impact of the Sky-splitting Slash sent him flying.
His body skidded across the ground for several yards, stopping with half his torso hanging over the edge of the platform.
Basang felt the Sky-splitting Slash had scattered his Inner Strength to the winds. His mind was perfectly clear, but his muscles and bones felt frozen solid, completely unresponsive.
The two lay motionless on the platform. The crowd was stunned speechless, and even Elder Ruan, the arbiter, was momentarily dumbfounded.
A fall meant defeat, but what was the ruling when both fighters fell at once?
Elder Ruan quickly pulled out a sheepskin scroll, reread the rules, and then announced them loudly.
"A fall results in defeat. If both fighters fall simultaneously, and neither can stand within ten breaths, the match is declared a draw."
"If one fighter stands within ten breaths and the other cannot, the match is over, and the one who stood first is the victor."
Even many of the elders were unaware of this rule, as such a situation had not been seen at the grand martial assembly for many years.
"I shall now begin the count. One breath..."
Elder Ruan shouted, but he stopped as soon as the words were out.
Because Zhao Lin and Basang were both already getting up.
Panting for breath, Zhao Lin listened to Elder Ruan recite the rules, then immediately propped himself up on an elbow and slowly got to his feet.
Basang rolled over, knelt on one knee, and gradually pushed himself upright, barely supporting his body with his hands.
Though both had managed to stand, they cut a sorry figure.
A large hole was torn in Zhao Lin’s training uniform, leaving only scraps of fabric hanging from his shoulders and arms. Basang’s short robe was ripped down the middle, its hem shredded and scattered.
"He... He actually got back up!"
Sa Tianshi was so astonished his jaw hung open.
Lu Chaohuan, Yang Lin, and the other elders of the Xingyun Sect clenched their fists nervously, breaking into a cold sweat on Zhao Lin’s behalf.
Elder Ruan coughed once and asked, "Are you two able to continue? If your injuries are too severe and you wish to withdraw, you may signal by raising a hand."
Neither Zhao Lin nor Basang uttered a word.
Elder Ruan nodded. "Very well. The match continues."
Bolta, Mai Kun, Li Taiqing, Mu Heli... The high-ranking disciples who originally thought they could compete with the pair were now completely humbled.
Setting aside the power both had already displayed, just considering the Sky-splitting Slash and the Sealing Wolf Slash alone was enough. They knew that if they had been hit by either move, there was absolutely no way they could have stood back up in one piece like Zhao Lin and Basang.
Feeling some of his strength return, Zhao Lin fixed his gaze on Basang and began to assess the situation.
His chest and ribs throbbed with a dull ache that became a piercing agony with the slightest movement. His main meridians were damaged, preventing his Inner Strength from circulating freely, and his limbs felt weak and numb...
’The injuries are severe, but I can still fight!’
’My body has been modified; my resilience is second to none.’
’Basang is at the Second Layer of the Blood Realm, his cultivation is higher than mine. I can’t let him continue to recover.’
With this in mind, Zhao Lin began shuffling slowly toward Basang.
’This is when you have to grit your teeth and endure. As much as I’m hurting, my opponent is probably hurting even more!’
Basang was startled to see Zhao Lin advance, but a ruthless glint soon flashed in his eyes, and he decisively moved to meet him.
He could have waited and conserved his energy, but he was standing right at the edge of the platform and had to immediately move away from the precarious position.
When they were three steps apart, they simultaneously threw a punch, each aiming for the other’s left ribs.
The attacker holds the initiative; in an exchange, they conserve more stamina than the defender. To dodge would mean relinquishing the first move and being forced into a passive position.
Therefore, neither man dodged. They allowed the other’s fist to land, simultaneously putting more force into their own strike to deal a heavy blow.
With two dull thuds, Zhao Lin and Basang staggered back, their faces twisting in pain. They each had to take several deep breaths before they could steady themselves.
They both realized with a shock that their strength had plummeted due to their injuries. Their combat power was now only equivalent to the Early-stage Qi Realm.
Fortunately, the same was true for their opponent...
Without a moment’s hesitation, they lunged at each other again.
With their cultivation levels temporarily diminished, they couldn’t use their powerful Cultivation Techniques. The fight regressed to the most primitive form of brawling—a simple trade of punches and kicks.
The spectators, whether they were Primordial Realm Elders or Blood Realm disciples, were utterly flabbergasted. Even the local staff cleaning the grounds stared in a daze...
Unnoticed, the sun climbed high above the training grounds, baking the two combatants on the platform.
They had fought for nearly two hours. Basang was panting like an ox, his stamina gradually failing, his punches growing slower and slower.
Zhao Lin’s Body Technique had slowed as well, but his spirit was unbroken, and his moves still possessed structure and form.
Having absorbed the Essence Souls of an old ox and a bear, he possessed not only extraordinary strength but also profound endurance.
In this moment, his advantage in stamina became clear.
’My beloved disciple is at his limit,’ Sa Tianshi thought, a worried look flashing in his eyes. ’So how is Zhao Lin still so vigorous?’
Lu Chaohuan saw that Zhao Lin was on the verge of winning and could hardly believe it. He glanced back at Yang Lin and whispered, "Zhao Lin..."
Yang Lin didn’t speak, only giving a slight nod in return.
Basang grew increasingly agitated. He started to completely disregard Zhao Lin’s attacks, employing a desperate, mutually destructive fighting style.
This was a sign of weakness, a sign that his stamina was failing.
Seeing this, Zhao Lin no longer traded blows head-on. Instead, he leveraged his superior stamina to take firm control of the battle.
Now, just an occasional counter-move was enough to leave Basang struggling to defend himself.
After another twenty-some exchanges, Basang suddenly roared. Bringing his fists around from both sides in an encircling motion, he lunged at Zhao Lin.
He was going for a takedown!
Zhao Lin saw through Basang’s intent instantly. He stabbed a palm strike straight down the center, his fingertips pressing against Basang’s chest an instant before the fists could connect.
Then, closing his fingers into a fist, he unleashed a secondary burst of power—like a one-inch punch—that knocked Basang back several steps.
He swiftly followed, raising his arm for an elbow strike.
This was the "Nine Section Lifting Elbow," a move he’d learned from Jiang Pu.
After his fight with Jiang Pu the other day, Yang Lin had taught Zhao Lin the technique while they were reviewing the match.
Zhao Lin had used the move in a sudden flash of inspiration.
Basang had no time to think, instinctively raising a fist to block.
Zhao Lin’s forearm instantly snapped forward like a cocked crossbow. WHAP! His fist struck Basang squarely on the shoulder.
Then, reversing his grip, he seized Basang’s arm and, with every last ounce of his strength, hurled him from the platform.
THUD!
Basang landed flat on his back.
Everyone in the Great Yue stands leaped to their feet, erupting in a deafening cheer. The Sect Leader and the elders, casting aside their dignity, celebrated along with the disciples.
Only Shangguan Xi, the official from the Ministry of Rites, remained seated, tears streaming down his aged face. He looked to the sky and murmured, "Heaven bless Great Yue... Heaven bless Great Yue..."
(End of Volume One)