At that moment, upon the ridge, Liu Yun's silken robes fluttered in the wind, her bearing like that of a celestial maiden clad in rainbow gauze, flawless and pure, yet now radiant with heroic spirit. Smiling faintly, she said,"Senior, receive my strike!"
With a push of her toes, her body soared upward, slanting into the air like a streak of lightning. With a cry, she drove forth a punch. Ghost-bane threw both palms to guard his chest, feet flashing aside as he warded her blow. In the whistling roar of palm winds, the two figures split and merged in rapid succession. In but the blink of an eye, twenty furious exchanges had passed, the fight even fiercer and more breathtaking than those before. Their inner strength and techniques grew ever more refined.
It was then that Ghost-bane realized, with growing dread, that this young maiden's martial prowess was extraordinary. In haste, his left hand lashed out toward Liu Yun's wrist—an improvised defense in a desperate instant. Quick though the move was, its force was feeble.
Their palms clashed, changes flashing faster than thought. Liu Yun at once sensed the truth: since consuming the Tianshan Snow Lotus, her inner strength had increased by thirty years. Her power now far surpassed her opponent's. With a twist of the wrist, she prepared to test strength against strength. Rather than dodge, she shifted her stance with a delicate step, her form as light as catkins upon the wind. Spinning gracefully aside, she evaded his strike, while her left palm flipped over, drawing breath and force into a soft yet deadly surge. A wave of yin-gentle palm energy drove straight for Ghost-bane's chest!
Ghost-bane, alarmed, summoned all his inner force into his arms, crossing them desperately to block. Palms struck palms, energies burst forth, and the spectators heard only the howling of the gale in their ears—the duel had reached its blazing peak!
Knowing the peril, Ghost-bane leapt sideways, feinting with his left palm. But Liu Yun was swifter still: her right palm lashed out with a crack, then both legs kicked in succession, her twin palms following in relentless attack. She drove two blistering punches, forcing Ghost-bane back two steps. Her innate qi surged through her veins like a river in flood. Suddenly she unleashed "Return to the Infinite."
Ghost-bane recoiled hastily. But in that instant, Liu Yun's will shifted; she darted forward, palms flashing too fast to follow. Twice her strikes landed—bang, bang! Ghost-bane's footing faltered. In a spark of lightning, Liu Yun's fingers tapped his chest points. With his acupoints sealed, Ghost-bane stiffened, unable to move.
"Forgive my offense, senior," Liu Yun said calmly. She turned toward the Tianshan Sect:"Please, take this elder aside from the field."
Ghost-bane's face contorted."Girl, what are you doing?"
Liu Yun answered gently yet firmly:"Senior, this Ghost-Hunt Assembly has but one true purpose—to slay the Heavenly Lord of Yinshan. Moments ago, the Old Monster of Tianshan lost in fair combat, only to be executed mercilessly by that fiend. For your own safety, I have sealed your points. Once this matter is ended, I shall release you."
At her word, Tianshan disciples stepped forward and carried Ghost-bane from the arena.
Wu Tong now strode forth at ease, his voice resounding:"Yinshan Sect is already defeated. If you will not yield now, what are you waiting for? Old demon, stop skulking in the shadows! Send out whoever dares fight, and I, Wu Tong, shall answer them with this Dragon-Slaying Blade and save us all the trouble!"
He had resolved this day to rely upon the Crouching Dragon Blade to awe the gathering. The Heavenly Lord of Yinshan well knew he stood on perilous ground. If even Ghost-bane had been subdued, how could lesser men prevail? All under heaven feared the saying: 'When the Crouching Dragon Blade is drawn, no demon can withstand it!' And indeed, Wu Tong was not to be trifled with.
Yet the Lord still commanded sword and saber masters. Better to wager all on a single desperate throw. He shouted,"Boast not, cur! Yinshan Sect is no easy prey. Since Wu Tong invites battle—Very well! The Errant Envoy 'No Survival,' the False Envoy 'No Death,' the Soul-Chaser 'No Rescue,' and the Lone-Soul Star-Seeker 'No Slaying'—step forth together!"
The four cried, "Yes!" Their eyes gleamed cold, hands upon their hilts. In unison they drew blades and sprang into the field. But at that moment, a figure descended from the sky—Cui Fujun, Chief Judge of the Underworld Sect. His voice rang like thunder:"Hold! Yinshan Sect seeks to overwhelm by numbers—this is against the code of Jianghu! Wu Tong of Loyalty Hall, do you desire aid?"
Wu Tong clasped hands respectfully."My thanks for your righteous words, senior. Yinshan Sect thinks to win by numbers—but it shall avail them naught. Such shrimp soldiers and crab generals, I, Wu Tong, can yet manage alone!"
"No Rescue" of the Soul-Chaser sneered:"Wu Tong, you are arrogant beyond measure. Yinshan Sect is not to be mocked!"
Wu Tong's qi steadied, his steps broad and calm. Robes snapping in the wind, his visage hardened, righteous as a mountain:"You four serve Yinshan, aiding tyranny and preying on the innocent. Today, with the Crouching Dragon Blade in hand, I shall not show mercy!"
"No Slaying" the Lone-Soul spat:"Dead men need no words!"
With that, he lunged first, blade flashing in a storm of thrusts. The other three surged behind, weaving together a deadly net of steel. In an instant, Wu Tong was engulfed in their sword web.
But then—blade-light flared like lightning. The Dragon-Slaying Blade whirled, its voice keening like steel storms. Wu Tong's strokes tore through the net, ringing clash upon clash.
So the five fought fiercely, until all sprang apart, breathing hard. Yet though Wu Tong faced four, his wondrous blade-work gave him the clear advantage. Victory was already in his grasp. He intoned:"I will not repeat myself. Cast down your blades, and I shall let you walk free from this place."
But "No Survival" the Errant Envoy snarled:"Enough prattle! Our swords shall take your life!"
Wu Tong's gaze flashed cold."I had wished to spare you. Since you choose death, then on the Yellow Springs road, may the four of you keep each other company!"
His heart clear, his spirit focused, he unleashed the Dragon-Slaying Blade. Its fury erupted, dazzling like thunder from the Ninth Heaven. Sunlight glinted on its edge, a rainbow of death. The four envoys rushed together, their swords raining down like storm and squall, sword-qi crossing in blinding arcs.
Yet the Dragon Blade was merciless. With a sudden twist, Wu Tong's blade reversed and stabbed. Like lightning, it pierced the belly of "No Survival." The envoy gasped, staring down at the gushing fountain of blood. With a scream, he toppled backward, dead where he fell.
"No Death" roared, his saber cleaving down in wrath. Wu Tong's eyes blazed. With a whirl he turned, steel met steel in a thunderous clang. Sparks flew. Then the Dragon Blade swept sideways like a tidal wave, its edge shrieking through the air. "No Death" felt the chill of doom—but too late. The blade flashed across his waist. In an instant, his body split apart, blood pouring like a crimson waterfall.
"No Rescue" and "No Slaying," horror written across their faces, spun to flee. But Wu Tong's form flickered like lightning. He ghosted after them, unstoppable. Before they had run ten paces, death was upon them.
From midair, the Dragon-Slaying Blade fell in a cleaving arc, swifter than sight. The cold edge bit through flesh and bone alike. Neither had time to scream before they were hewn in half. Four severed pieces tumbled to earth, and blood rained down like a crimson storm, soaking the ground.
The Yinshan disciples watched in dread. Their very marrow froze. Staring at the mangled corpses of their champions, terror gripped their hearts. Knees buckled, some collapsing to the ground, pleading for mercy.
Wu Tong swept his gaze across the field, his voice cold and level:"Those who aid tyrants must die! Any who refuse to submit—step forward now!"
Not one voice answered. Faces blanched, the sect stood mute. A deathly silence cloaked the mountain.