Chapter 300: The Fight Ends

Today is the last day of the Turtle Mountain tournament.

Li Yan is fighting the seventh match. It is already dusk, the orange-red sunlight shining on the mountains and rivers, and the Yangtze River below is dyed blood-red.

The evening wind blows, and bamboo leaves roll.

Bang!

On the ring, a dull loud noise.

Li Yan retreated two steps, his right foot supported backward, dragging out a long trace, and the brick floor under his feet also shattered in response.

He shook his hands, palms crossed, looking opposite.

"Hah!"

Wu Qu let out a low roar, his whole body muscles coiled, also setting a stance, bones crackling.

Strangely, the dust around him also shook with it.

Of course, his arms were also trembling slightly.

The two didn't talk nonsense and directly hit hard against each other, just comparing whose cultivation was deeper.

The result, evenly matched!

Li Yan narrowed his eyes, a bit surprised.

He practiced the Great Cloud Thunder Sound, and also borrowed Thunder Method to attract Yin and Yang thunder to temper, the effect far stronger than others.

How did this guy practice?

He didn't know that Wu Qu was equally shocked in his heart.

His family's Baji could make a name in Cangzhou, naturally extraordinary, and he also borrowed Dharma Sect secret methods to practice.

The Huaguang Sect worshipped "Five Manifestations Huaguang Great Emperor," also known as Marshal Ma Lingguan, one of the four great protectors of the Daoist sect.

The Huaguang Great Emperor's thunder fire was fierce, so the Huaguang Sect also passed on the Five Thunder Method, a powerful Dharma sect whose influence spread to the entire Divine Land.

His Qi-refining secret method could borrow Gang Sha qi to temper, and he had practiced since childhood, and was now in his prime.

How old is this Li Yan...

Although surprised in his heart, Wu Qu laughed, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, his eyes full of excitement. "Good, hard enough!"

After speaking, Dark Jin erupted under his feet, rubbed forward, used an "Open Door Lifting Hand," accompanied by a wild wind, and arrived in front of Li Yan instantly.

This move, Open Door Lifting Hand, also has the meaning of "lifting hand to open the road," seemingly reckless but flexible and changeable, can be used for defense or attack.

No matter how Li Yan responded, there were targeted moves afterward.

Li Yan didn't give way at all, a twisted step double chopping fist, smashing directly at the opponent's head, the momentum even fiercer.

And Wu Qu suddenly raised his left arm, hard-carrying Li Yan's punch, followed by turning around and elbowing, which was a top

The Eight Extremities elbow technique is overbearing. According to martial arts lore, it is said, "Better to take ten strikes than one elbow," which shows how formidable it is.

If you take this elbow strike, you'll definitely end up with broken bones and severed tendons.

Even Li Yan didn't want to take it head-on. He suddenly changed his move, turning his body to shift his shoulder, while simultaneously twisting his wrist to use the "Entangling Fist and Sleeved Hand" from the Red Fist's Thirty-Six Rows, locking onto the opponent's wrist.

Red Fist excels at close-quarters, tricky strikes; the current distance was the most suitable.

However, Wu Qu changed his move just as quickly. He lifted his left foot, scuffing the ground to kick up dust, and kicked directly at Li Yan's lower leg.

Eight Extremities emphasizes "walking like wading through mud, feet not crossing the knees," but that doesn't mean its leg techniques aren't sharp.

This "scuff-kick" is a classic move; not only is it hidden and swift, but it also has great power—a single kick can split monuments and crack stones.

Fighting an Eight Extremities master, if you are careless and get hit by this "scuff-kick," your lower leg could be fractured on the spot.

However, this was exactly what Li Yan was waiting for.

With the opponent left on one foot, he turned his body again to shift his shoulder, lowered his stance, and directly hooked the opponent's other foot, executing a "Sword-Carrying Leg."

Whoosh!

Wu Qu even went flying sideways while spinning. Before he could land, Li Yan followed up with a "Combined Inner Leg" strike.

With a bang, Wu Qu was kicked flying. Just as he was about to fall off the ring, he suddenly twisted his body and stomped his feet hard onto the ground.

Bricks and stones splattered, and he used this to steady his stance.

After stepping into the Hua Jin Layer, one's internal strength flows as one wishes; combined with the powerful force generated by tendons and fascia, one can block an enemy's force.

But this also requires techniques to dissipate force. Wu Qu was kicked in the side of the chest, and even though both sides were just sparring, it nearly knocked the wind out of him.

The reason was simple: in the past two days, Li Yan had taken plenty of beatings from Zhang Xiaoshan, and that old man's techniques were far superior to Wu Qu's.

Therefore, he was caught off guard for a split second, and Li Yan seized the opening.

"Good!"

Wu Qu let out a cold snort, and anger rose in his heart.

After all, this moment was truly a bit embarrassing.

Knowing that Li Yan's fist and foot skills were powerful and no less than his own, the man didn't continue, but instead cupped his hands. "Brother Li's fists and feet are tough enough. Let me learn a thing or two about your mystic arts!"

Having said that, he pulled a yellow talisman from his bosom, formed a sword-finger seal, stomped his left foot on the ground, and chanted in a low voice: "Great Luo God, Earth Luo God, people leave calamity, calamity leaves the body... I serve the Great Emperor Huaguang, decree!"

Whoosh~

As soon as the words fell, the paper talisman instantly ignited.

The sound of wind whistled all around, and a wisp of green smoke swirled up and down around him, like a green silk curtain covering his entire body.

Li Yan's expression also became solemn.

He could smell a surge of fierce, baleful qi appearing out of thin air, mixing with Wu Qu's aura, as heavy as rock.

Li Yan already had a guess in his heart; he narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Huaguang Martial Method, Counter-Strike?"

Wu Qu nodded. "Brother Li, be careful!"

As soon as the words fell, he had already leaped forward.

This move immediately showed a difference; the sound of wind whistled around his body, his feet stomped on the ground with thumping sounds, and the bricks and stones along the way all shattered.

It felt like a majestic deity statue rushing toward him. As he was about to get close, Wu Qu suddenly exerted force with both legs.

Crack!

Bricks, stones, and dirt splattered on the ground, and Wu Qu executed a "Heart-Piercing Elbow," his whole body rushing forward like a cannonball with a whoosh.

Li Yan's figure flickered, and he hurriedly dodged.

However, Wu Qu suddenly turned in mid-air and landed with another foot. With a thud, the ground seemed to tremble.

And he used this force to rush toward Li Yan at an even faster speed. This move displayed the Eight Extremities characteristic of "moving like a taut bow, striking like an exploding thunderclap" to the fullest.

Li Yan couldn't dodge in time and retreated repeatedly, while simultaneously kicking bricks and stones from the ground toward Wu Qu with a swishing sound.

Under the explosion of hidden energy, the bricks and stones whistled through the air, but Li Yan didn't expect to hurt the opponent; he just wanted to obstruct him.

However, although Wu Qu was forced to land, his speed didn't slow down at all. He used the "mud-wading step," and with a "Yama's Flicking Hand" move, alternating fists and palms as fast as light and shadow, he smashed the bricks and stones with bang-bang-bang sounds and quickly approached Li Yan.

Seeing the opponent was within arm's reach and there was no time to dodge, Li Yan wanted to test his mettle, so he simply exerted force from his waist and back and directly struck Wu Qu's chest with a "Bent-Step Drilling Fist."

The Pigua style requires breaking through the gate. For this move, Li Yan used the "flipping and pulling" force, and combined with the Drilling Fist's metal element, it was full of power. If it had been the previous Wu Qu, he would definitely have suffered a great loss.

However, as soon as they made contact, Li Yan secretly thought, "Not good."

Thud!

The opponent's body was simply as hard as steel. His punch hit, shaking his own wrist with pain, while this Wu Qu was like nothing had happened.

And while Li Yan was executing this move, he also revealed his opening.

Wu Qu didn't say a word, stepped forward, turned his body, and slammed his shoulder into him.

Thud!

With a muffled sound, Li Yan felt as if he had been hit by a locomotive. Before he could react, his vision went black, and he flew backward.

Just as he was about to fall off the ring, he also performed a "Harrier's Somersault," hooked a claw into the gap between the ring's bricks, turned his body sideways, and stood steady again.

"Good fellow!"

Li Yan felt his brain buzzing, his eyes went black, and his chest felt tight. He took two deep breaths before he recovered.

The Eight Extremities Fist's leaning techniques are equally fierce.

There are "Mountain-Leaning," "Gate-Facing Leaning," "Elbow-Holding Leaning," and so on.

Li Yan had previously seen the opponent use "Mountain-Leaning" and had wanted to use the Red Fist's "Nine Rolls and Eighteen Falls" technique of "Falling Body Pulling Dragon" to directly throw the opponent away. He hadn't expected that with the martial method's enhancement, he wouldn't be able to withstand it at all.

Fortunately, the opponent had already held back; otherwise, his chest bones would have collapsed from that strike.

Thinking of this, Li Yan didn't dare to be careless again. His left hand quickly formed a seal, using the Northern Bei Bei Di Yin Lei Palm, and his entire arm crackled with electric light.

"Hahaha..."

Seeing Li Yan use the thunder method, Wu Qu was not surprised but delighted. With two leaps, he rushed over again and smashed a fist toward Li Yan's face.

And Li Yan had long been prepared, having spotted some clues.

The opponent used this martial method, and his whole body was shrouded in fierce, baleful qi, as if he were wearing iron armor, with extremely strong defensive power.

But precisely because of this, the opponent's movement technique was also affected.

Eight Extremities Fist feet don't cross the knees, let alone using these aerial pouncing methods, but the opponent used them time and again, clearly intending to use his powerful strength to increase his speed.

Having figured this out, Li Yan immediately changed his strategy.

!.

The moment Wu Qu pounced, he appeared to lift his elbow to resist head-on, but suddenly turned, changed his footwork, slapped his palm onto his back, and used the force to leap out, opening up the distance.

Sure enough, martial methods must be broken by martial methods.

Li Yan's Northern Bei Bei Di Yin Lei Palm strike didn't cause physical damage, but it penetrated the fierce, baleful qi and directly attacked the opponent's spirit.

Wu Qu felt his brain buzzing, and his body swayed.

Although it was only for a brief moment, the protective method dispelled this yin thunder, but when Li Yan saw it, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He didn't retreat but advanced, exerting force with his feet to rush out, avoiding Wu Qu's first strike, and then his palms flashed with electric light, using the "Black Dragon Coiling Strike," channeling power into both arms like a whirlwind, crackling and slapping out more than a dozen palms in succession.

Poor Wu Qu, despite having great ability, was attacked continuously by the yin thunder, his brain buzzing and his body swaying left and right.

Although it wasn't a fatal injury, he had no power to counterattack at all.

And for the final strike, Li Yan suddenly clenched his fist, the electric arcs crackling, and used the "Heavenly Thunder Demon-Subduing Hammer," smashing a fist onto the ground.

Boom!

With a thunderous roar, bricks and stones splattered.

Wu Qu's body swayed, and after steadying his mind, he looked at the huge crater on the ground, stopped fighting, shook his head slightly, and cupped his hands. "Brother Li's thunder method is extraordinary; I concede defeat."

He knew that this strike couldn't be held back at all; if he had been hit, he would probably have ended up like that Flower Snake Yang Yun, smashed to pieces.

Li Yan also cupped his hands. "You flatter me!"

He knew that this Wu Qu definitely hadn't used his full strength; after all, the Huaguang Sect has many methods, and besides this Counter-Strike, there are also Big and Small Closing Strikes, Shadow Strikes, and Divine Strikes.

It is said that when practiced to a profound realm, there are also marvelous methods like Immobilization, Invisibility, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, and the Five Thunders Great Method.

But after all, it was in public; how could one let people figure out all their cards? So Wu Qu only used the Counter-Strike.

Of course, he had kept even more trump cards.

Looking at the two, many gang leaders off the stage had solemn expressions.

The battle between these two people just now was simply like human-shaped ferocious beasts; the ring originally built of bricks and stones was now pitted and bumpy.

No wonder the status of the Mystic Sect is higher than that of the martial world.

Once a martial method is unleashed, combat power rises sharply, directly capable of crushing martial world experts of the same level, let alone the fact that the two had only revealed a little.

Thinking of this, their desire for new-style firearms became even stronger.

In this Southwest war, the fame of firearms had already spread widely.

Initially, the rebel army of the Jingchu mountain people used a large amount of gunpowder to capture Zhushan County, causing heavy casualties to the imperial army and suffering a great loss.

But during this period, it was the imperial court's turn to show its power.

Above the Three Gorges outside Zigui County, the imperial navy used new-style cannons to directly beat the Tusi alliance into a rout, forcing them to hide in deep mountains and dense forests...

In the Jingchu mountain forests, the Commandant's Office's new-style muskets directly finished off many greenwood experts and evil-path sorcerers...

Of course, the Heavenly Saint Sect also laid out plans to snatch a few guns, and in turn shot and killed several of the imperial court's mobile corps generals...

In this era, firearms, mystic arts, and martial arts each have their own merits; whether it's the imperial court or the rebel army, everyone is learning to adapt.

Many people have already discovered that there is no difference in length between the three.

Martial arts experts and sorcerers who possess investigative supernatural powers are far more formidable when using new-style muskets than ordinary people.

But when ordinary troops fire muskets in full rows, combined with cannon support, both martial world people and sorcerers must avoid their edge.

Some original gaps have also been narrowed.

For example, certain original martial world gangs could dominate a region if led by a hidden-energy expert and some recruited martial practitioners.

Local yamen runners didn't have enough force, and these gangs weren't afraid at all; at worst, if pushed too hard, they would go up the mountain to become outlaws.

But now, the threshold for using muskets is far lower than practicing martial arts, and county yamens will also set up musket teams; although they aren't new-style muskets, they can still suppress the region.

The martial world landscape will also change accordingly...

After the two left the stage, the duels continued.

However, having fought for five consecutive days, everyone was a bit exhausted, so the last three matches were all just sparring, deciding the winner was enough, and naturally, there was much less to watch.

And that Wu Qu found Li Yan after leaving the stage, smiling and cupping his hands. "Brother Li's methods are extraordinary; I didn't expect to run into a talent like you while passing through Wuchang."

Li Yan also cupped his hands. "Master Wu, you flatter me. If you had used your full strength, I wouldn't have dared to take it head-on."

Walking in the martial world, one must also learn to read people.

Wu Qu valued Li Yan's potential, and how could Li Yan not see that Wu Qu was extraordinary? He would definitely be a big shot in the future.

Wu Qu laughed and said, "Brother Li, in a while, there will be a duel in Jinmen, so I'll be leaving in two days."

"During this time, I'll be staying at the Jin Feng Lou. If you're free tomorrow, how about coming over for a drink?"

"Good!" Li Yan agreed without hesitation.

Just at this moment, both felt something in their hearts and looked toward the Qingchuan Pavilion at the same time.

They saw that on top of that high pavilion, the Prince of Wuchang and the Heir had already left, and inside the Qingchuan Pavilion, incense and ash smoke rose, wrapping around a whirlwind, actually forming a thin pillar of fire.

On the ring, streams of fierce, baleful qi were also continuously gathering toward the Qingchuan Pavilion, and places on the mountain like the Yuwang Palace, Ewang Temple, and Guanwang Temple also had visible incense smoke rising.

This scene attracted everyone's gaze.

"Looks like it's done."

Wu Qu laughed heartily. "I was originally hesitating whether to stay and help, but now that the Divine General has appeared, the evil people probably won't be able to stir up much trouble."

Li Yan nodded slightly without speaking.

He had a vague premonition in his heart that this incident might also be related to Zhao Changsheng.

If it really was the other party's handiwork, I'm afraid it won't be so easy to settle...

The Guishan festival was a success, and the martial arts tournament ended. The martial world crowd on the mountain naturally had no intention of staying, and taking advantage of the night, they left the mountain one after another.

Waves rolled at the bow of the boat, the bright moon shone on the river, and in the distance, Wuchang City was brightly lit, reflecting on the river surface, possessing a unique charm.

Standing at the bow, Li Yan felt the cool breeze and was in a very good mood. He turned his head to look at Wang Daoxuan, wanting to say a few words, but saw him holding a compass, constantly shifting his position.

In the distance, the Qingchuan Pavilion and the Yellow Crane Tower were both brightly lit.

Li Yan's heart stirred. He took the official document from his bosom, had the boatman bring a basin of water, formed a spell, and stepped across.

The surrounding scene suddenly changed.

The boat was empty, and on the distant Tortoise and Snake mountains, there were two huge golden-armored divine generals standing tall, seemingly guarding the Yangtze River...

Second update at twelve o'clock.

(End of chapter)