163: Chapter 122 The blood-stained high platform

Senior Sister Wen Yao's twin swords slashed against Fa Ming.

The sword light, like a silver snake, tore through the morning breeze and hacked fiercely at Fa Ming's horizontally blocked arms.

Sparks flew in all directions.

Fa Ming did not budge an inch.

The golden luster on his skin flared briefly before dimming, and Senior Sister Wen Yao's sword edge was forcibly repelled.

She retreated three steps, her hands going numb.

Fa Ming looked down at his arms, where two shallow white marks remained.

He smiled, mocking her:

"A sword from the Fifth Layer of Foundation Establishment can't even break my skin."

"Did you not eat? Use some strength, little girl!"

Senior Sister Wen Yao did not answer.

She drew her sword again; this time, it was not a slash, but a thrust.

The tip of her blade pointed straight at Fa Ming's throat.

Fa Ming did not dodge.

He raised his hand and slapped his palm against the blade of Senior Sister Wen Yao's sword.

The force of his palm, like thunder, shattered the silver Dragon-like sword light into pieces.

Senior Sister Wen Yao let out a muffled groan as a trace of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.

Yet, she did not retreat.

She thrust her sword out again, faster and fiercer this time, a streak of silver Sword Qi condensing at the tip.

That was the Liu Family Secret Technique, the Red Lotus Sword Qi.

Chen Xuan stood beneath the high platform, his hand gripping his sword hilt so tightly his knuckles turned white.

He could see it.

Senior Sister Wen Yao was risking her life.

Every strike used her full strength, leaving no room for defense and offering herself no path of retreat.

Fa Ming saw it too.

His smile faded.

"You are courting death."

Senior Sister Wen Yao did not speak.

Her sword had already reached Fa Ming.

Fa Ming raised his hand and slapped the blade.

The blade bent, then snapped back straight.

Senior Sister Wen Yao was sent flying; she flipped through the air and landed on the edge of the high platform.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and the hand holding her sword trembled.

Yet, her gaze remained resolute.

Fa Ming looked at her, silent for a moment.

"You are not bad."

He paused.

"But it is not enough."

He took a step forward and threw a punch.

The force of his punch, like thunder and wreathed in golden light, smashed toward Senior Sister Wen Yao.

Senior Sister Wen Yao blocked with her sword held horizontally.

The force of the punch slammed into the blade, shattering it.

Shards flew, grazing Senior Sister Wen Yao's cheek and leaving a bloody gash.

She was blasted backward by the force, crashing onto the high platform and rolling several times before coming to a stop.

The Red Lotus Petal Mark on her forehead flashed frantically, its blood-red light causing her face to flicker in and out of shadow.

Fa Ming did not stop.

He walked up to Senior Sister Wen Yao and looked down at her.

"Admit defeat."

Senior Sister Wen Yao raised her head to look at him.

"I will not."

She propped herself up using the broken hilt and stood.

The light from the Red Lotus Petal Mark grew brighter, and her aura began to climb.

Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer.

Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer.

Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer.

Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer.

Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer.

The Red Lotus Petal Mark burned through all her potential, forcibly pushing her cultivation to Foundation Establishment Perfection.

Fa Ming's pupils constricted slightly.

"A secret technique?"

Senior Sister Wen Yao did not answer.

She pulled another sword from her Storage Pouch and thrust it at Fa Ming.

This strike was several times faster than the last, with red flames burning along the blade.

That was the Fire of the Red Lotus, a secret technique left by the Liu Family ancestors, specifically designed to break body-protecting Divine Abilities.

Fa Ming's expression shifted.

He raised his hand to block, golden light condensing in his palm.

The sword tip pierced into his palm, puncturing the layer of golden luster.

Fresh blood splattered.

Fa Ming let out a muffled groan and slapped Senior Sister Wen Yao's sword away.

His palm was bleeding, and red flames burned at the wound, preventing it from healing.

Fa Ming looked at the wound, his expression darkening.

"You injured me."

Senior Sister Wen Yao did not speak.

She thrust her sword out again.

But this time, she was slower.

The Red Lotus Petal Mark was burning away her life force, her mana was draining rapidly, and her Meridians ached.

She could not hold on for much longer.

Fa Ming saw this too.

He did not give Senior Sister Wen Yao another chance.

He unleashed his Indestructible Vajra Body to its limit, golden light erupting from his body and enveloping him in a golden barrier.

Senior Sister Wen Yao's sword struck the barrier; it was like stabbing an iron plate, unable to advance even an inch.

Fa Ming raised his hand and struck Senior Sister Wen Yao in the chest.

The force of his palm, heavy as a mountain, sent Senior Sister Wen Yao flying.

She crashed onto the high platform, coughing up blood.

The glow of the Red Lotus Petal Mark dimmed.

Senior Sister Wen Yao's aura began to plummet.

Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer.

Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer.

Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer.

She lay on the high platform, covered in blood, her fingers still twitching.

She wanted to stand up.

But her body would not obey.

Chen Xuan gripped his sword hilt.

Liu Lili stood by his side, covering her mouth with both hands.

Senior Sister Wen Yao.

Fa Ming walked up to Senior Sister Wen Yao and looked down at her.

"You have backbone."

He paused.

"But backbone cannot save you."

He raised his hand and struck toward Senior Sister Wen Yao's Dantian.

Senior Sister Wen Yao closed her eyes.

Chen Xuan's sword left its sheath.

But Budong was faster.

He raised his hand, and a golden palm print descended from the sky, shattering Chen Xuan's sword light.

"The match has not ended yet."

Budong's tone was indifferent.

"People of the Southern Region, do not break the rules."

Chen Xuan looked at Budong, killing intent surging in his eyes like a tide.

Fa Ming's palm struck Senior Sister Wen Yao's Dantian.

The sound of shattering bone exploded in the air.

Senior Sister Wen Yao let out a muffled groan, her body arching before she collapsed to the ground.

Her aura was completely extinguished.

The Red Lotus Petal Mark dimmed, and the three petals on her forehead turned gray.

Her Dao Foundation was shattered.

Senior Sister Wen Yao's cultivation plummeted.

It did not just drop from the Ninth Layer of Foundation Establishment to the Eighth; it plummeted from Foundation Establishment directly to Qi Refining.

Her Dantian was shattered, her mana dispersed, and her Meridians severed.

She was crippled.

The area around the high platform fell silent for a moment.

Then, it erupted in chaos.

"Crippled?"

"Senior Sister Wen Yao's Dao Foundation has been shattered!"

"The people of the Buddhist Sect are too ruthless!"

"The match was supposed to be a friendly exchange; is this what they call a friendly exchange?"

"The Buddhist Sect is bullying us too much!"

The Cultivators of The Three Sects were enraged.

Some drew their swords, others summoned their Magical Artifacts, and some rushed toward the high platform.

Budong raised his hand, and a golden barrier expanded from the high platform, blocking everyone from approaching.

"The match has not ended yet."

His tone remained indifferent.

"No one is permitted to interfere."

Master Liu Yun stood on the edge of the high platform, his white hair flowing in the wind.

His face was expressionless.

But his hands were trembling.

Chen Xuan saw it.

Revered Master's hands were trembling.

Master Liu Yun closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was filled only with coldness.

"Take Senior Sister Wen Yao down."

Two Disciples from the Conquest Hall went onto the platform and carried Senior Sister Wen Yao down.

Senior Sister Wen Yao's mouth was still bleeding, but her eyes were open.

She looked at Chen Xuan, her lips moving.

"Junior Brother, I am sorry."

Chen Xuan crouched down and took her hand.

"Senior Sister, you have nothing to apologize for."

Tears fell from Senior Sister Wen Yao's eyes.

"I am crippled."

"You are not," Chen Xuan said in a calm tone. "I will heal you."

Senior Sister Wen Yao shook her head and closed her eyes.

Chen Xuan stood up and looked toward the high platform.

Fa Ming stood in the center of the high platform, golden light flowing over his body.

He glanced at his palm; the wound burned by the Fire of the Red Lotus was still bleeding.

But his face was expressionless.

That was how the people of the Buddhist Sect were.

If they won, it was expected.

If they crippled their opponent, that was expected too.

Liu Lili walked over and took Chen Xuan's hand.

"Junior Brother, you must stay calm."

Chen Xuan looked at her.

"I am very calm."

"They will pay the price."

He released her hand and looked at Master Liu Yun.

"Revered Master, I will take the second match."

Master Liu Yun shook his head.

"Zhang He, you go up for the second match."