At that instant Li Qian stepped in to shield Zhao Rou, meeting a crashing palm head-on. Her robe sleeves snapped like thunder as she drew upon the Black Tortoise Canon.
Sima Lun's Sixteen Whirlwind Palms burst forth once more. He unleashed the form Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain—one strike, four transformations:
Swift as the Wind: his figure flashed like lightning, charging head-on. Li Qian countered with the Eight Cloud Hands, using the move East Comes, West Goes to slip aside.
Calm as the Forest: his palm slowed, pressing steadily toward her chest. Li Qian flipped her palm upward, striking straight for his forehead.
Fierce as Fire: suddenly his palm force roared, fierce winds sweeping. Li Qian evaded with Shifting Stars, Moving Constellations, avoiding the blazing momentum.
Immovable as the Mountain: the raging energy vanished, replaced by immense solidity, open and unyielding. Li Qian responded with Trace Vanished Like Man Gone, shifting step and body to evade.
Thus the two clashed, each displaying their mastery. Sima Lun, with deep reserves of power, pressed in close with heavy palms. Li Qian, though well-trained, could not match his inner force, relying instead on nimble steps and cunning counters.
Sima Lun's admiration soon turned to anger. He barked:"Girl, your skill is not bad—but your inner strength is still lacking!"
Li Qian's eyes flashed cold. She snapped:"Take this!"
Her foot slid across, palm cutting forward. With Universe in the Palm, her wrist twisted, fingers sharp as blades, thrusting at five vital points upon his chest!
Though his power was great, the sinister precision of the strike startled Sima Lun. He hastily invoked Hidden-Trace Shadow Step, vanishing from before her eyes. But Li Qian's gaze was keen as lightning. With a cold laugh she shifted, five fingers darting like eagle talons—straight for his Life Gate point!
The sudden, merciless strike chilled Sima Lun's marrow. The Life Gate was a deadly acupoint: struck, one's inner force collapsed, death near certain. Alarmed, he leapt back desperately, stumbling in retreat, his former arrogance gone in an instant.
Spectators gasped:"What speed! What a deadly strike!"
Shame and fury blazed in Sima Lun's chest. He roared:"Girl, why strike so ruthlessly? What great hatred lies between us?"
Li Qian's expression remained ice."Stealing a sect's Canon is unforgivable in the Jianghu! Leave the book behind, and I may spare your life!"
Her palms and fingers locked in readiness, each step pressing closer, her will unyielding—clearly she would not rest until the Canon was recovered.
Sima Lun's face darkened. So these people will hound me to the end—very well, then blood must flow! He snarled:"Enough talk! If that is your choice, do not blame me for being merciless!"
His qi surged throughout his body, bones crackling like firecrackers. All watching felt a chill in their hearts. With a sudden stomp he soared skyward, body wheeling like a hawk, then plummeted down like thunderbolt. Gasps erupted from the crowd—"Ah!"
Just as his strike plunged down upon Li Qian, a shadow streaked in with a whistling roar. A palm met his mid-air strike—bang! The two figures split apart from the clash.
The newcomer was none other than Wu Tong.
"Seizing another's Canon is unforgivable!" Wu Tong declared sternly. "I urge you, elder, return it now—or face consequences!"
Seeing Sima Lun's ferocious strike aimed squarely at Li Qian, Wu Tong had known she could not withstand it. Without hesitation he leapt in, intercepting with his own palm.
Foiled yet again at the moment of triumph, Sima Lun's rage boiled over."Enough of this! Do you mean to fight me one after another, a wheel of endless challengers? Very well! I shall face the Beggar Sect's Chief himself!"
The crowd froze in shock. Such audacity—to openly challenge the Chief of the Beggar Sect!
The Black Wind Three Fiends, cornered and desperate, chimed in at once:"Brother Sima's power is boundless! What is a Beggar Chief before him?"
Their flattery was hollow—meant only to puff Sima Lun's pride and bolster their own courage.
Wu Tong snorted coldly:"The Beggar Chief is a hero of the age. For the likes of you—petty thieves—it is beneath his dignity to raise a hand. To sweep you aside requires no more than my effort alone!"
At this, the crowd gasped in awe. Who was this youth, bold enough to speak thus? His words rolled like thunder, brimming with unshakable resolve.
Sima Lun, already swollen with conceit, could not abide such insult. He growled:"Fine boy! Name yourself! The King of Black Eating does not slay nameless whelps!"
Wu Tong's gaze was calm, voice cutting like steel:"I am Wu Tong, Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness."
Sima Lun blinked. The name stirred faint memory. He asked the Fiends:"This Wu Tong—what is his background?"
Zhu the Fiend answered:"Brother Sima, in the Jianghu there is a saying: Northern Jia Yong, Southern Wu Tong. Two heroes of the age, famed across the land. This is that very Wu Tong."
At once Sima Lun understood, muttering: So that's why the name struck me…
Hou the Fiend quickly added:"In times without heroes, brats like him gain renown! Brother Sima's art is peerless—how could such juniors compare? Let this boy witness your invincible skill today!"
Fed a steady diet of flattery by the Fiends, Sima Lun had come to half-believe himself truly unmatched. He threw back his head and laughed:"So this is the so-called young hero Wu Tong? Today, let me see what you can do!"
Wu Tong did not anger at the insult. Instead, he smiled faintly, bowed with courtesy, and replied:"In times without heroes, brats indeed gain renown. Then I beg elder to grant me your instruction!"