157: Unbreakable defense

Xuanling Canyon stretches eight hundred li in every direction.

The abundant Spiritual Qi within the valley attracted countless Cultivators from the Spirit Realm.

But today, all Cultivators within the eight hundred li radius collectively retreated a hundred zhang outside the valley.

No one dared to disobey Young Master Xu's command.

Yet, the Cultivators who exited the valley had no complaints, because they had the chance to witness the Spirit Realm Young Lord's ultimate technique, Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth.

"Someone actually dares to challenge Young Master Xu, truly oblivious to their own demise."

A bald monk in black robes, with a large string of fist-sized buddhist prayer beads hanging on his chest, crossed his arms and continuously scoffed.

"The Spirit Realm's ultimate technique, Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth, each form can shatter mountains and crack stones. Even when facing Cultivators two levels higher than himself, Young Master Xu is still the top master in the Spirit Realm, second only to the Realm Lord."

This bald monk was clearly an ardent admirer of Young Master Xu, praising him endlessly whenever he spoke of him.

As soon as he finished speaking, a Sword Cultivator with a sword on his back behind him also said, "Great Master Name is absolutely right. Young Master Xu's Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth is incredibly overbearing.

Just the first form, 'Wind Sweeping the Fallen Leaves', shattered my sword a hundred years ago. If Young Master Xu hadn't been kind enough to give me a new sword, I, Sword Wolf, would have long since vanished from the Spirit Realm.

Now, a hundred years later, Young Master Xu's Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth has improved significantly compared to back then; no one can stand against it."

Name: "I wonder what that person who dared to challenge Young Master Xu was thinking. Such an act of self-humiliation is truly perplexing."

Sword Wolf: "Young Master Xu's fame spreads far and wide, naturally attracting countless despicable people who wish to use his name.

These people are unwilling to work diligently and only want to assert their presence by taking shortcuts."

Name raised his fist: "I knew it, I should have taken on this battle for Young Master Xu and let that arrogant fool witness the power of my Seventy-Two Vajra Fists."

Outside Xuanling Canyon, the crowd was boisterous. All nearby Cultivators who received the news wanted to quickly witness this rare challenge and, even more, to see the splendor of the Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth.

No one believed Young Master Xu would lose, because Young Master Xu was the Young Lord of the Spirit Realm, representing the honor of the Spirit Realm.

Inside Xuanling Valley, on both sides of Solitary Peak, two solitary figures stood unmoving, looking at each other in silence.

A moment later, Young Master Xu spoke first: "Friend, do you not even leave yourself a shred of dignity, even in death?"

Shen Lian closed his eyes and lightly fanned himself with his Folding Fan, not even having the desire to glance at the other party.

Young Master Xu sneered: "Not speaking, are you trying to get my attention? If so, then this Young Lord will give you a chance.

As long as you shout 'I was wrong' three times in front of all the Cultivators, I will make an exception and forgive you. How about it, is this condition suitable?"

Shen Lian closed his Folding Fan and suddenly opened his eyes: "Do you know who is standing before you?"

Young Master Xu: "Just an ant who is about to die by my hand, or kneel before me begging for life."

Shen Lian curled his lips: "I grant you this confidence; it brings me a trace of exhilarating stimulation!"

Then, he pointed a finger: "Come, let me witness your peerless demeanor, and see if you can break the myth of my Human Emperor's invincibility."

"Utter arrogance!"

Young Master Xu immediately clenched his fists, and the true essence within his body surged.

Immediately, a fierce wind arose in Xuanling Valley, gradually forming a hurricane that enveloped Young Master Xu.

"It's here, it's here! This is 'Wind Sweeping the Fallen Leaves' from the Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth. After so many years, I finally get to see it again."

Name saw this scene and was so excited he nearly jumped up and down.

Sword Wolf next to him was also full of excitement: "Compared to a hundred years ago, Young Master Xu's mastery of this form has at least doubled. I definitely wouldn't be able to block it."

While the onlookers were thrilled to witness the ultimate technique again, Shen Lian, who was directly facing the Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth, didn't move an inch, merely watching Young Master Xu's performance with cold eyes.

"Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth: Wind Sweeping the Fallen Leaves!"

With Spiritual Qi gathered, Young Master Xu struck out a confident palm.

Instantly, a hurricane filled with intense killing intent formed a vortex and roared towards Shen Lian.

"Heh."

Facing the incoming killing move, Shen Lian let out a disdainful laugh.

Then he turned his back to the killing move.

Boom~

Wind Sweeping the Fallen Leaves, capable of shattering mountains and cracking stones, directly slammed into Shen Lian. Instantly, a sky-high cloud of dust rose from Solitary Peak, affecting the entire eight hundred li radius.

"What a pity, why didn't he cherish his life? Alas."

Young Master Xu, confident that his move had already dealt with his opponent, couldn't help but sigh, displaying a demeanor of invincibility being too lonely.

But soon, an unexpected scene appeared before his eyes.

The towering yellow sand suddenly paused for a moment in the Void Realm, then rapidly fell back to the ground.

In just a moment, Solitary Peak, where Shen Lian stood, returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened.

"What?"

When Young Master Xu saw Shen Lian's back facing him, a trace of disbelief flashed in his eyes.

"How can a mere breeze shake a giant like me! If this is all your strength, then I can only say..."

As he suddenly turned around, Shen Lian's eyes were filled with fury.

"You are so weak that it makes me want to kill you!"

With that one sentence, an inexplicable fear surged within Young Master Xu.

But he quickly composed himself: "Good, to be able to withstand the first form of my Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth, you are worthy of being my, Young Master Xu's, opponent. Now, let me show you this Young Lord's true strength!"

Young Master Xu clenched his fists and suddenly aimed at the Void Realm.

In an instant, crimson flames erupted around him.

"Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth: Burning Fire Scorching the Plains!"

His fist strike unleashed a curtain of raging flames.

The extremely overbearing fist force caused the earth to crack and the empty valley to tremble wherever it passed.

"Tch~"

However, Shen Lian merely snorted disdainfully. The moment the flames approached him, he casually swept his hand.

Immediately, the flames scattered into sparks that fell to the ground, not causing even a trace of harm to Shen Lian.

Young Master Xu's face instantly turned crimson, and he unleashed another ultimate move.

"Eight Forms of Heaven and Earth: Icy Coldness."

After the scorching wave, came an extreme winter.

Snow-colored Spiritual Qi, condensed into a ball of light, shot directly towards Shen Lian's vital points.

Boom—

The moment the ice ball made contact with Shen Lian, it instantly transformed the entire Solitary Peak into an ice mountain. All living creatures vanished in an instant under this attack.

"Ultimately, you couldn't withstand my three moves, but you performed very well. Dying under my icy power, you should rest in peace."

Young Master Xu looked at Solitary Peak, now an ice sculpture, feeling quite satisfied.

Boom—

But before he could finish gloating, the originally frozen mountain suddenly exploded.

All the ice and snow enveloping Solitary Peak transformed into ice cones, hurtling towards Young Master Xu.

"This is bad!"

Young Master Xu didn't expect such a change and immediately activated his Indestructible Protective Qi to defend against the continuous onslaught of ice cones.

However, the number of ice cones was simply too great, and they resonated with Young Master Xu's own cultivation. Even though he exerted all his power to defend, he was still left covered in wounds.

"How could this happen?"

Looking at the various wounds on his body, Young Master Xu, already suffering from internal injuries, was filled with disbelief.

Just then, Shen Lian's voice came: "Now, it's my turn to attack. Are you ready?"

Young Master Xu suddenly looked up and saw Shen Lian already leaping high into the cosmos, striking down at him with a palm.