Chapter 112: Ambush!!

Hiss!

Hiss!

Accompanied by two hissing sounds reaching his ears, Niu Dingtian had not yet landed when opposite Yi Deng pressed his palms together, released both hands, and two invisible streams of qi shot rapidly toward his face and left shoulder.

One Yang Finger?

Niu Dingtian's eyes narrowed slightly.

While executing the swift retreat of the Lingbo Light Step, he thrust both palms together, launching two Splitting Sky Palm forces simultaneously, slamming them toward the One Yang Finger force.

Bang!

Hiss!

Immediately afterward, a circle of dense yet invisible force surged along their feet, sweeping outward across the bamboo forest.

At this moment, there was no intact green bamboo left in the forest; Niu Dingtian grew increasingly alarmed as Yi Deng's footwork floated like a deity, ever unpredictable, and the trajectory of his shifting steps even bore hints of Lingbo Light Step.

Ambush!!!

Thank you, Miss Han, for stepping in!

Bang! Bang!

After the two bangs shattered it, the subsequent two finger forces followed closely, continuing to fire rapidly.

Puff—hiss! Puff—hiss!

After the two hissing sounds, the two emitted finger forces vanished into nothingness just before Niu Dingtian's pressing palm strike.

At this point he faintly sensed a bottleneck within his body; the Grandmaster's barrier seemed right before his eyes, and though he tried to surge toward it, he always felt a short distance away.

With a soft clang, as the finger force collided with the palm force, surrounding qi burst outward; Niu Dingtian felt a fierce surge strike, but the finger force had already pierced the palm force and kept firing at him, forcing him to dodge backward to steady himself.

Niu Dingtian did not retreat; he charged at the finger force, launching Splitting Sky Palm through the air to shatter it repeatedly. His Lingbo Light Step surged beneath his feet, and when he reached Yi Deng's front and back, he turned and delivered another palm strike straight to Yi Deng's chest.

Seeing those two streams of qi shooting straight at him, Niu Dingtian retreated swiftly and couldn't help voicing praise.

Master, excellent finger technique!

From afar, Zhu Ziliu saw the perilous scene and couldn't help shouting loudly.

Yi Deng did not pause; he switched from defense to offense, lunging forward toward Niu Dingtian, his finger techniques shifting unpredictably, firing in succession—sometimes like a mountain pressing down, sometimes as gentle as flowing water, sometimes as swift as a gale, sometimes as terrifying as thunder.

Master, be careful!

It turned out that while Miss Huang shouted, she had already pushed Lingbo Light Step to its limit, leaping toward the dark shadow behind Niu Dingtian.

She instantly steadied her mind, evading Yi Deng's One Yang Finger while simultaneously fully activating Arhat Subduing Demon Skill and Nine Yang Divine Skill.

Zhu Ziliu hurried over to thank her, but Han Xiao Ying's thoughts were clearly elsewhere; after a light nod, she anxiously turned her attention to the two in the bamboo forest.

Meanwhile, Niu Dingtian and Yi Deng remained standing, palms opposing each other, a surging, mighty aura continuously radiating from their bodies outward in all directions.

Hiss!

At this critical moment, Miss Huang couldn't help shouting; she had just seen Niu Dingtian gain the upper hand, only to be beaten back repeatedly in an instant, and her heart was pounding in her throat.

After unleashing a series of Splitting Sky Palms, each palm rolled like a wave, layer upon layer, the Splitting Sky Palm force stacking continuously, pressing against Yi Deng's One Yang Finger force.

The front and back lasted only an instant,

Uncle Duan! Brother Niu! Even if you two are even, what then?

But when faced with Han Xiao Ying's fierce sword, the incoming palm did not dodge; it met the thrusting blade head‑on.

Before the bursting strong force dissipated, Yi Deng, moving with dragon‑like stride and tiger step, his aura imposing, pressed his palms together and pointed at Niu Dingtian from afar.

Yi Deng's complexion changed drastically; he hurriedly activated Precelestial Skill, converting his fingers into palms, meeting Niu Dingtian's horizontally thrusting palms.

Although Miss Huang's martial skill was lacking, she had heard her father say that the Southern Emperor's One Yang Finger is formless and excels at long‑range attacks. Seeing Niu Dingtian constantly countering from a distance, she naturally felt the need to warn him.

Bang! Bang!

Another pair of booming crashes rang out, the opposing strong forces colliding again, the erupting invisible qi hissing in the air; the two had already exchanged two hundred moves!

The bamboo forest now bore little resemblance to its former self; the lush green was gone, leaving only a dense carpet of half‑foot bamboo nodes exposed on the ground.

Hiss!

Just as he felt the palm wind about to strike his heart, a phantom flickered; Han Xiao Ying, sword in hand, sped toward the dark palm and thrust.

Yet as Yi Deng retreated rapidly, his fingers extended and relaxed effortlessly; the ever‑changing One Yang Finger flowed like clouds and water, continuously firing at the approaching Niu Dingtian at breakneck speed.

If he had arrived a step later today, his senior martial brother would likely have met a grim fate!

Bang!

Another off‑distance exchange followed; after a hundred moves between them, Yi Deng's expression grew increasingly solemn.

When the duel reached over 150 moves, Yi Deng had already employed thirty‑six distinct techniques, each One Yang Finger released instantly, unbelievably swift.

Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

Just as Niu Dingtian was about to close in on Yi Deng, two finger forces surged ahead, followed by another, the hissing sounds repeating as they shot again.

Whenever Niu Dingtian attempted to press forward, Yi Deng would retreat and pivot, attacking then withdrawing. Each aggressive move was executed with exquisite subtlety; in the flow of attack and defense, he seemed as swift as a fish and as elusive as a rabbit.

Hearing Miss Huang's shout, Niu Dingtian's hair stood on end in shock!

Seeing a broken bamboo about to be thrust toward the crowd, Zhu Ziliu shouted a warning, lifted a young monk with one hand, and quickly leapt onto the roof.

At the instant the sword tip met the palm, a crisp sound rang out, the treasured sword snapped, and Han Xiao Ying's complexion changed dramatically.

Confronted with the sudden fierce finger force, Niu Dingtian halted his rapid retreat.

An hour later,

The palm wind behind Niu Dingtian had already arrived in an instant!

After repeated exchanges, he realized Yi Deng's strength could not be less than his own; the opponent's internal force was equally profound, and his One Yang Finger was wielded with unparalleled mastery and exquisite subtlety.

Immediately, a figure in black flashed behind Yi Deng; his eyes glinted fiercely, and the dagger in his hand lunged mercilessly toward Yi Deng's back heart.

What a Splitting Sky Palm!

It must be pressed forward!

Half an hour later,

The aura waves emanating from Niu Dingtian and Yideng gradually weakened, retracted, and finally vanished into nothing.

At a critical moment, Niu Dingtian erupted with a burst of latent power, directly forcing Yideng to step back sideways.

Just as the shout was uttered, Zhuziliu, leading the temple's young novice, had already arrived at the edge of the bamboo grove; seeing that more than half of the grove was destroyed, with the two figures exchanging blows and afterimages flickering, Zhuziliu felt shocked.

As his mind followed his intention, two streams of true qi instantly circulated through his Eight Extraordinary Meridians; upon breaking through the Ren and Du meridians and gathering at his dantian, the two violent streams of true qi began to run wildly.

As the circulation kept accelerating, Niu Dingtian swiftly retreated while his aura began to rise rapidly.

At the instant the four palms met, a tremendous sonic boom exploded in the bamboo grove, like thunderclaps, leaving the onlookers such as Xiao Ying with ringing ears.

"Pfft!"

However, the confrontation between them had not ended, for the ground beneath their feet began to crack, and the internal force leaking out was clearly being diverted underground.

After two soft sounds rang in the air, the invisible current formed by the One Yang Finger energy shot over again at high speed.

Thinking this through, Niu Dingtian exerted the Arhat Subduing Demon Skill to the fullest, mobilizing the yin and yang qi within his body, activating the Lightning Wave Microstep, and flashed toward Yideng at extreme speed.

Upon sensing Niu Dingtian's intention, Yideng displayed his footwork and darted backward; his speed was actually not much slower than Niu Dingtian's Lightning Wave Microstep.

After pulling apart some distance again, he brought his hands together and continuously shot sharp finger energies at Niu Dingtian in succession; Niu Dingtian thrust his palms forward, pressing in close without cease.

Feeling the approaching barrier of a grand master, Niu Dingtian gritted his teeth, stared fiercely, made up his mind, and increased the force of his assault on Yideng once more—this was already his limit.

Seeing that the two showed no sign of ending, Miss Huang grew anxious; she, Xiao Ying, and Zhuziliu wanted to rush forward, but the overbearing force kept them all from approaching within ten zhang.

The force was unmatched, like a colossal dragon-shaped gale; wherever it passed, sand and stones flew, and it pushed straight toward the scattered bamboo, shoving Xiao Ying and the others at the perimeter sideways.

Yideng grew more alarmed as he fought; sensing Niu Dingtian's rapidly rising aura, his expression turned grave, his hands turned into blurs, continuously shooting One Yang Finger energies while swiftly circulating his innate skill within.

"Bang!"

"Boom!"

As his aura kept rising, the moment his palms came together, another two seemingly invisible currents shot from his fingers, speeding toward Niu Dingtian.

Niu Dingtian displayed his body technique, raised both palms to blast them apart, then swiftly swept his palms horizontally, preparing to close in and engage Yideng in close combat.

Xiao Ying did not speak, but upon seeing the finger energy brush past, her palms were already drenched in sweat.

In the critical moment, a fleeting shadow flashed by; just as the broken bamboo was about to sweep the young novice sideways, Xiao Ying lifted the novice, leapt aside, then lightly tapped her toes, and both jumped onto the roof again.

Niu Dingtian remained calm, his eyes clear, his Lightning Wave Microstep pushed to the utmost; under Yideng's attacks he repeatedly evaded, continually retreating.

Yideng's finger technique was ethereal, swift and fierce; Niu Dingtian stayed composed, meeting each move and countering it.

"Ding!"

"Sizzle!"

Gradually, the intimidating aura he exuded seemed able to condense the surrounding air into substance, giving a pressure as oppressive as a mountain.

Niu Dingtian's eyes flashed like lightning, Yideng's Buddha gaze was intimidating; their two overbearing auras fiercely opposed each other, sweeping everything within ten zhang with unmatched force, as if time stood still.

"Little master, run quickly!"

Amidst everyone's shock, Xiao Ying was the first to react; after a startled cry, she embraced Miss Huang and leapt up, swiftly landing on a nearby roof.

At this moment, the commotion in the bamboo grove had already awakened the people inside the temple.

"Rong'er, be careful!"

His aura burst forth violently; after his fingertips struck out quickly, internal force condensed, the finger energy crisscrossed, and two more fierce One Yang Finger energies shot rapidly at Niu Dingtian.

"Sizzle! Sizzle!"

Another two invisible currents shot forth at high speed; their powerful force even made the air hiss, and Niu Dingtian waved both palms, the Azure Wave Palm energy carrying Nine Yang True Qi surged forward to meet them.

A single One Yang Finger already wields such power; what then of the upgraded version, the legendary Six Meridians Divine Sword?

In the blink of an thought, those two One Yang Finger energies, bearing fierce momentum, had already shot to his face.

Moreover, Yideng's One Yang Finger kept firing in succession, pressing Niu Dingtian so he could not approach for a moment; he hurriedly shouted at Niu Dingtian:

"Brother Niu! Get close and strike!"

The dagger entered the body, piercing straight into Yideng's left shoulder, yet avoiding the vital spot at his back.

Seeing this sudden development, Miss Huang's pretty face turned pale with shock, and she shouted loudly from afar.

After Zhuziliu reacted, his face changed drastically; he flew toward the black shadow while shouting loudly, "Master! Watch your back!"

Regarding Miss Huang's suggestion, the distant Niu Dingtian and Yideng gave no reply; both were focusing their minds, resisting the tremendous internal force pressing from the opponent's palms, each hoping to break through the grand master's barrier by relying on the other.

At the same time, he also felt a strong, overbearing palm force coming from behind, aimed at his back.

Niu Dingtian's face flushed crimson; he thought, 'This old monk is damn strong!' Yet he knew Yideng was suffering too—sweat poured from the opponent's forehead, even the sweat on his long eyebrows streamed down like rain.

Turning his head, he saw the last young novice still dazed; Zhuziliu could not help but be greatly alarmed.

"Sizzle! Sizzle!"

Yideng's momentum did not wane; two more One Yang Finger shots were fired rapidly.

"Whoosh!"

After a palm split Xiao Ying's treasure sword in two, the black-clad person's eyes flashed with ferocity, and he swung another palm toward Niu Dingtian's back again.

Just as Niu Dingtian again raised his palm to meet that finger energy, Miss Huang and Xiao Ying had hurriedly arrived at the periphery of the bamboo grove.

Seeing the all-around devastation, Miss Huang could not help but shout urgently, "Senior Duan! You are an elder—don't bully the weak with your strength!"

He stepped with the Lightning Wave Microstep, using the endless variations of the sixty-four hexagrams to rush forward, attempting to break through the One Yang Finger's interception, and flew to attack Yideng's front.

Yideng's expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated Niu Dingtian's plan; he saw his body tilt slightly, his fingertip turn lightly, and the One Yang Finger energy actually turned into an arc, set to collide with the palm force.

"Screech!"

"Master! Let your internal force come even more fiercely!"

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Just as Yideng gritted his teeth in resistance, two black shadows suddenly flashed from beside the bamboo grove, one left and one right, lunging swiftly at Yideng and Niu Dingtian!

"Brother Niu, be careful!!"

Two booms sounded, and the energy burst apart.

At that moment she also realized the two were apparently going all out in their exchange, not a deadly battle, but for Niu Dingtian's sake she couldn't worry about her own dignity and directly from the sidelines she took his side.

After leaping back to increase his distance from Niu Dingtian, he gave a soft shout.

"Niu gege, be careful!!"

Pfft! Pfft!

Both palms whirled out instantly; after two pfft sounds, the swift and mighty palm force directly shattered the One Yang Finger energy, and then continued pressing forward against the incoming One Lamp.

"You're courting death!!"

Niu Dingtian roared angrily.

(End of chapter)