Chapter 118

Battle is a process of seeking victory and deciding life and death; every detail in this process will affect the battle's outcome. Zhou Shuo and Ma Xianhong were both observing each other in the recent battle. Compared to Zhou Shuo noticing some clues of the Three Treasures Pearl, Ma Xianhong felt especially under great pressure.

He had clearly discarded his flying sword, yet why did it still feel so strong? What kind of monster is this guy?" Ma Xianhong looked at the figure bowing toward him, gritting his steel teeth slightly. Relying on the protective effect of the Three Treasures Pearl, in the few close‑quarters exchanges of fists and feet with Zhou Shuo, he had also launched several counterattacks, but these attacks felt like scratching an itch. All the powerful magic treasures he had relied on seemed to have become mere petty tricks at this moment.

Zhou Shuo looked at the boy gritting his steel teeth opposite him, involuntarily cracking a smile. He was very satisfied with how this battle was going. Ma Xianhong's combat strength was considerable; if experts like Bishihua or Yanzhenzong stood before him, they probably couldn't survive a single round and would fall before his myriad magic treasures. Having such a person firmly under his control is a manifestation of his cultivation achievements. Next, he must break his Three Treasures Pearl.

Almost at the same moment, Zhou Shuo and Ma Xianhong ended their thoughts and instantly rushed at each other. Zhou Shuo's punch struck the golden light on the opponent's exterior, using all his strength. As his punch shattered the protective golden light, it pierced straight into the opponent's body, but before he could react, Ma Xianhong swept it aside with both hands.

Indeed." Zhou Shuo dodged the lunging Ma Xianhong, exchanged a move, and his fist struck the other's forehead. Instantly a force rebounded his fist, and his punching power began to rebound.

You Zhou, don't blame me." Ma Xianhong looked at Zhou Shuo, his eyes turning fierce, and while pushing him away, he reached down, grabbed a handful of stones and dirt from the ground, and clenched his five fingers tightly.

Blame you for what?" Zhou Shuo looked at the Sect Leader Ma picking up sand from the ground, and involuntarily narrowed his eyes.

Go." Ma Xianhong threw the stone and sand he had pinched toward Zhou Shuo; whether large pebbles or tiny dust, they instantly shot like missiles toward him.

Oh, in just a moment you performed control and transformation of objects—truly living up to the Divine Machine Hundred Reflections." Zhou Shuo looked at the oncoming cloud of earthen dust and sand, hastily retreated backward, and at the same time saw some clues.

I admit, with the magic treasures I currently have I cannot defeat you; you are strong, strong enough to seem inhuman. But my Divine Machine Hundred Reflections is one of the Eight Extraordinary Skills, specializing in the way of refining artifacts. As long as I am willing..." Ma Xianhong lowered his body with a grim face, his hands touching the ground below, true qi flowing continuously into it. The dust and stones on the ground were infused with true qi, instantly completing control and transformation of objects, flying up from the ground. He could continuously produce small things; if he seized the opportunity, he could achieve success in one strike, and he did not believe anyone in this world could be unbeatable.

Mm, correct, good method. I may not seem human, but I am still human; as long as one is human, there are weaknesses. If we truly talk about a prolonged battle, I'm not sure I could really be worn down or schemed against by your little trinkets, but I must remind you of one thing." Zhou Shuo shifted his body backward to retreat, dodging the incoming sand and stones, while extending his index finger, his fingertip lightly trembling, instantly forming a talisman.

I also have an Eight Extraordinary Skill." The talisman emitting spiritual light, as Zhou Shuo spoke, instantly burst out black smoke, five black humanoid shadows lunging out; these five smoky humanoid figures met the incoming sand and stones head‑on and pushed them back.

What…" Ma Xianhong looked at the black smoke spreading from Zhou Shuo's body, falling into shock and bewilderment. He had known from the start that Zhou Shuo possessed the Heaven‑Reaching Talisman, but seeing Zhou Shuo never use it, he assumed the other had hastily obtained the secret manual and hadn't begun practicing. Yet now, this was not a lack of practice—he had practiced, and his skill was quite profound; the Supreme Clarity Five Warriors Talisman was completed in the blink of an eye.

Come, let's have a showdown of Eight Extraordinary Skills! Talisman versus artifact refinement." Zhou Shuo used a Five Warriors Talisman, employing the Five Ghosts to block Ma Xianhong's indefensible little trinkets; spiritual light seeped from his pupils, his right index finger twitched slightly, and a talisman instantly formed. The moment the talisman was completed, lightning surged like a bursting tide, rushing toward the bewildered Ma Xianhong. Under the lightning, Ma Xianhong's pupils contracted, his hands instinctively rose, and the instant the lightning struck him, it dissipated to the side.

Double Lightning Talisman." Zhou Shuo looked at the boy clutching his head under the lightning, his fingertip lightly pointing at the spiritual symbol in the air; the lightning‑infused talisman flickered instantly, splitting into two parallel talismans, and the electric current surged greatly, like a river gate opening another sluice.

Oh no, the Three Treasures Pearl can't hold up." Ma Xianhong felt the electric current filling his vision, his eyes narrowing involuntarily; the three beads on his neck and the string of copper coins hidden in his clothing simultaneously cracked, irreparable fissures appearing.

Mm." Zhou Shuo sensed Ma Xianhong about to collapse, his gaze shifting slightly; the lightning of the talisman before him turned and bombarded the surroundings. He was about to knock Ma Xianhong down on this side, but on the other side the Five Ghosts summoned by his Five Warriors Talisman were breached by the sand and stones that Ma Xianhong had controlled and transformed.

The lightning circled the arena once; the sand and stones that Ma Xianhong had instantaneously controlled and transformed were instantly crushed to powder. Zhou Shuo did not turn back to attack Ma Xianhong, but instead scattered the talisman in his hand, and the spiritual light in his eyes faded away, revealing his original pupils, because Ma Xianhong opposite him had already given up resistance.

I lost." Ma Xianhong hung his head; if not counting previous memories, this was his most crushing defeat.

Losing to me, you have nothing to be ashamed of." Zhou Shuo looked at the boy exuding a decadent aura, involuntarily raised his eyebrows, and then his tone shifted.

Where is Jin Feng Po Po?

The company isn't insane; you just lied to me. Ma Xianhong slightly raised his head, looking at the guy looking down on him from above.

Then! You think that because the company wants you alive, I can't kill you, right? Zhou Shuo was a bit surprised; in the process of fighting himself, this guy actually still cared about Azure Tour Village—it's the effect of the treasure, Divine Machine Hundred Reflections indeed is convenient, any tool can be made.

Hmph, you want to kill me? Ma Xianhong let out a cold laugh in reply.

Of course not, I'm just here to help; knock you down and that's enough, there are plenty who can treat you. Zhou Shuo looked at the confident youth, shrugged his shoulders slightly, then waved his hand, scattering a series of Immortal-Binding Talismans, wrapping them like ropes around the opponent, restraining his movements and sealing his meridians.

Ma Xianhong...... As Zhou Shuo's action finished, an old, distant voice came, carrying anger and urgency.

Look, speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives; you can speak nicely in front of me, but saying that in front of that old fellow will definitely not pass. Zhou Shuo listened to the sound coming from down the mountain, and shrugged his shoulders at Ma Xianhong wrapped in talisman light.

Facing Zhou Shuo's words, Ma Xianhong closed his eyes and let out a muffled grunt, then waited for Xia Liuqing, Balun, and Wang Zhenqiu to come from afar, just as Zhou Shuo had said—Xia Liuqing was very angry, the consequences severe; he went up and slapped him several times, swelling Ma Xianhong's face.

Tell me, where is Jin Feng, you little wang8... Xia Liuqing grabbed Ma Xianhong's collar, his eyes nearly spitting fire, his words foul, but his urgency could be seen.

Master, please go easy, go easy, Sect Leader Ma, we've already settled things down the mountain; you probably know the situation, just tell us what happened! Wang Zhenqiu looked at the flaring Xia Geging, hurriedly grabbed the old master and at the same time urged Ma Xianhong.

Jin Feng Po Po is safe; besides that, I won't say anything else—I want to see the company's leadership. Ma Xianhong's cheeks were swollen from the slaps; he dared not look at Xia Liuqing in front of him, only answering Wang Zhenqiu, his attitude resolute.

You little wang8, your mouth is still tough, fine, old man I also... Xia Liuqing looked at the resolute Ma Xianhong, his face turned black, his tone gritting his teeth, but before he could finish, Wang Zhenqiu cut him off in one breath.

Enough, Xia Lao Tou, if you keep this up I'll turn against you—I won't let you mess with people like this, and even in front of me, however I say it, I'm still a company person. Wang Zhenqiu looked at the increasingly irate master, and involuntarily turned against him.

Yo, little thing, you're putting on airs of an official before me; I tell you, if today we don't dig up news of Jin Feng, I will absolutely not give up. Xia Liuqing looked at the rebellious disciple who didn't even call his master, letting out a raw, cold laugh.

Xia Lao, Xia Lao, just let Xiao Wang come! He's young, also a company person, interrogation would be much easier than you. Zhou Shuo looked at the irate old man, and hurried forward to soothe him; if we really let this old man act recklessly, things later would be hard to settle.

Facing Zhou Shuo's words, Xia Liuqing could only suppress his anger, handing Ma Xianhong over to Wang Zhenqiu; this refined youth kindly asked Ma Xianhong two questions, softly persuading, but Ma Xianhong remained unmoved; Xia Liuqing wanted to use torture, but Wang Zhenqiu stopped him; this master-disciple pair were also the type to turn against each other and not recognize each other, arguing almost to the point of fighting, but Wang Zhenqiu had more of a way—the youngster knew the old master's weak points, fabricated a matter using Jin Feng Po Po to suppress his spirit, and after a few rounds, completely subdued him.

This master really loses face. Zhou Shuo saw the old master suppressed by his disciple's aura, speechlessly shook his head, put away his flying sword, walked over to Feng Baobao beside him; this girl took the opportunity to pull out all the assorted scattered treasures from Ma Xianhong's body, then held them one by one to play with, her big eyes full of curiosity, exploration, and interest; Zhou Shuo looked at her expression, feeling she seemed to have the urge to put things in her mouth to chew.