Chapter 287: The Peerless Final Battle

Zhu Wushi had already cultivated the Great Law of Absorbing Power to the pinnacle of perfection; at this moment, relying on his profound True Qi, he uprooted the courtyard and, amidst the flying debris of countless stones and soil, smashed it heavily toward Zhu Puzhao.

Yet, this palm strike from Zhu Puzhao was like the Buddha descending to the world, terrifying to the extreme.

The moment the palm force made contact with the courtyard, power beyond mortal imagination erupted with a boom.

The courtyard wall that had been lifted became the first to suffer; in an instant, it was torn into countless fragments by the palm force and scattered in all directions. Immediately following, the courtyard completely disintegrated and flew apart. Stones and giant timbers filled the sky, whistling as they flew horizontally in every direction.

Boom—!

Amidst a series of tremors, the entire courtyard was continuously split apart, the momentum terrifying to the extreme; even the Four Great Secret Agents standing far outside Hulong Hall could feel the terrifying fluctuations of the two clashing.

After tearing the courtyard apart, the palm strike's remaining momentum did not cease, continuing to envelop Zhu Wushi.

Zhu Wushi's expression was solemn; he let out a long whistle, sank his waist, and blasted out a punch with his incomparably mellow True Qi.

Bang!

The instant the fist and palm collided, there was no expected sound of impact. Zhu Wushi's figure was torn and shattered in an instant.

But in the blink of an eye, he reassembled ten zhang away.

He had actually used the "Meiying Shenggong" to take this palm strike.

But a trace of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Even with the Meiying Shenggong, he could not completely ignore the power of this palm strike.

"Impossible, how could this brat have such terrifying power?" Zhu Wushi was astonished and uncertain in his heart, suddenly shouting, "Where are the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits and Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends?"

Swish, swish, swish, swish!!

One could see figures flickering all over the sky; the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits and Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends, a total of one hundred and eight people, moved simultaneously, surrounding Zhu Puzhao in a tight circle.

"Form the Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Fiends Life-Ending Array."

At Zhu Wushi's sharp shout, these one hundred and eight people moved their feet, each darting toward a different position.

"Good, I would like to see what tricks you can play."

Zhu Puzhao stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and composed. If he wished, he could have completely destroyed the array before it was fully deployed. But he wanted to use this array to further probe the mysteries of the "Meiying Shenggong."

Within a few breaths, the "Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Fiends Life-Ending Array" was already set up.

The one hundred and eight experts' Qi connected, their essence, energy, and spirit echoing from afar, as if they had transformed into an unbreakable whole.

And the moment the array was formed, the momentum of these one hundred and eight people rose sharply, carrying a tragic and fierce killing intent that permeated the air like a blanket, making the heavens and earth seem to turn bleak and dim.

This array contained the words "Life-Ending," meaning not only to slaughter the enemies within the array, but also because this array stimulated their own life essence to the extreme; even if they could kill their opponent, they themselves would suffer heavy damage.

Therefore, once this array was used, one had to have the mindset of perishing together.

And once this array was established, it was almost invincible in the world.

"Kill!"

The Heavenly Spirit located at the eye of the array gave a sharp shout, and the array began to operate; a dozen long swords stabbed toward Zhu Puzhao, the sword light connecting to the sky, the killing intent growing thicker, almost drowning everyone.

Zhu Puzhao laughed aloud, stirring the long sky, his fists wheeling and striking out like wind, thunder, and lightning.

For a time, sword light and fist wind whistled incessantly.

Watching Zhu Puzhao trapped deep in the great array, Zhu Wushi secretly calmed his churning Qi and Blood and True Qi, then suddenly shook his head and sighed softly, "A pity... a pity..."

He had originally intended to seize the opportunity to strike while Zhu Puzhao was dealing with the array, killing this nephew in one blow.

But Zhu Puzhao's martial arts were truly highly skilled; even now, he remained calm and composed, without revealing the slightest flaw.

"Is he really Zhu Puzhao?"

A question swirled in Zhu Wushi's heart, but seeing the array being torn apart at a speed visible to the naked eye, he knew the great array could not hold the opponent for long.

"Time to go!"

The sound of robes breaking through the air rang out; Zhu Wushi's movement technique unfolded, swift as lightning, the scenery retreating rapidly. He was not fleeing like a headless fly, but had his own goal.

"Among the Ten Great Generals, Tie Qing's Iron Armor Army is undoubtedly the most elite force; although there are not many soldiers, they are all capable of taking on ten. As long as I can capture Tie Qing and control the Iron Armor Army, I still have a chance to turn the tables."

A sharp light flickered in Zhu Wushi's eyes as he darted toward the mansion where General Tie was temporarily staying. Even deep in the storm-like desperate situation, he remained tranquil.

This had much to do with his early life experiences.

Zhu Wushi's mother was a palace maid of some beauty; the reason he was born was merely due to the Emperor's drunken indiscretion.

He had no backing in the palace and suffered endless grievances. After reaching adulthood, he roamed the Edo, learned the Great Law of Absorbing Power, and defeated the "Invincible Playful Child" Gu Santong, only then becoming famous throughout the world.

Zhu Wushi was adept at forbearance; no matter what setbacks he suffered, he had the confidence to climb back up.

At this moment, with his light-body technique fully deployed, he could faintly see a beautifully constructed manor.

Just as Zhu Wushi felt a surge of joy in his heart, he suddenly heard a clear and playful voice say, "Imperial Uncle, why are you running? Your nephew will at most kill you with one punch; I won't tear you apart with five horses or execute you by slow slicing, rest assured."

A blur passed before his eyes, and Zhu Puzhao, dressed in yellow robes, was already standing five zhang in front of him. This distance was not close, but for top experts like them, it was reached in the blink of an eye.

"Hmph, my good nephew, it may not be so easy for you to kill me." Zhu Wushi was indeed a peerless hegemon who had dominated for decades; he stood firm, quickly suppressing all negative emotions, and returned to his expressionless, calm-as-an-ancient-well state.

"Is that so? I don't believe it!"

Zhu Puzhao laughed, took a large step, and crossed the five-zhang distance in one stride.

Closing his five fingers, he struck out with another punch; the fist momentum was vast and mighty, carrying wind and thunder, and even if it could not compare to the "Buddha descending to the world" palm strike, it was definitely not to be underestimated.

Furthermore, Zhu Wushi had previously consumed a significant amount of True Qi and was also injured.

A flash of light shone in Zhu Wushi's eyes, and he suddenly made a dangerous decision.

He saw his hands transform, his ten fingers blooming like lotus flowers; in the blink of an eye, he formed dozens of lotus imprints, blooming in layers.

When Zhu Puzhao's fist crashed into these lotus phantoms, its power was unknowingly weakened, and its speed suddenly slowed.

With Zhu Wushi's light-body technique, he could have easily dodged it. But he tilted slightly, and with a "puff" sound, the punch actually slammed into his chest.

However, because of the earlier tilt, he avoided the vital point. Coupled with the vitality of an expert of his caliber, he was not in immediate danger of losing his life.

Zhu Puzhao was slightly surprised; the muscles on the opponent's chest suddenly tightened, and his right hand could not be withdrawn for a moment.

At the same time, Zhu Wushi's two hands had already reached out like lightning, locking onto Zhu Puzhao's other hand.

"Heh, I am still the winner!" Zhu Wushi laughed wildly, frantically driving the Great Law of Absorbing Power; the surrounding airflow surged with a rushing sound, and even the light became dim. At this moment, his entire person seemed to have turned into a black hole that swallowed everything.

His move was incredibly perilous; if he were the slightest bit careless, he could have been pierced through the chest by the opponent's fist.

But if he could succeed, not only would he be able to turn everything around, but he could also elevate his martial arts cultivation to a higher level.

Now that he had succeeded by a stroke of luck, Zhu Wushi was wild with joy.

But soon, his brows furrowed slightly.

Although his Art of Absorbing Power had been successfully activated, the effect was very poor.

If it were an ordinary expert, they might have been sucked dry in a single encounter. Even a top-tier expert like Cao Zhengchun would have lasted at most a few breaths longer.

But Zhu Puzhao was extremely slow; if he continued to absorb at this speed, it would take him at least an hour to drain the opponent dry.

"What a fine Art of Absorbing Power, truly terrifying." Zhu Puzhao felt his entire body's Qi and Blood and True Qi flowing slowly into Zhu Wushi's body, and even his God seemed to sway slightly.

"But wanting to deal with this seat, you are still lacking." Golden divine light suddenly shot from Zhu Puzhao's eyes, his body shook, and his true power, Qi and Blood, and God condensed into one.

"This... how is this possible..." A look of astonishment appeared in Zhu Wushi's eyes.

If one were to say that the previously invincible Art of Absorbing Power still had some effect, it had now completely failed. Zhu Puzhao was like a solid rock, letting the wind and rain of the Art of Absorbing Power blow and the sea waves crash against him, unable to do anything to him at all.

Bang!

Zhu Puzhao shook his arm, and his vigorous True Qi surged, finally pulling that blood-stained palm out from the opponent's body.

And at the moment it was pulled out, all the blood quickly slid off and peeled away, and the entire hand became fair again, emitting a lustrous jade light.

Zhu Wushi staggered backward, his breath weakened to the extreme; if not for his deep and vigorous internal energy, he would have long since returned his soul to the Western Heaven. He raised his head and suddenly looked at Zhu Puzhao: "You... you are not my foolish nephew, you... you are Yu Liancheng."

The moment he heard the other party refer to himself as "this seat" and saw the golden light in his eyes, he finally realized the truth.

And only the Diamond Indestructible Divine Skill could resist the Art of Absorbing Power.

"Not bad, it is indeed this seat; you have finally realized it." Zhu Puzhao... no, to be precise, it was Yu Liancheng, who had recovered his original voice, said indifferently.

"What a pity, what a pity. If my old friend hadn't passed the Diamond Indestructible Divine Skill to you, you might not have been the one to win today."

Zhu Wushi's face was as pale as paper, his body trembling incessantly, as if he might collapse at any moment. Blood gushed from his chest, completely soaking his clothes.

"Perhaps." Yu Liancheng was noncommittal.

In reality, it was not just the Diamond Indestructible Divine Skill that could resist the Art of Absorbing Power. The Wedding Dress Divine Skill could also condense True Qi into one, making it unshakable by external forces. Zhu Wushi wanting to use the Art of Absorbing Power to absorb him was a grave mistake.

Zhu Wushi gave a miserable laugh, his face growing even paler: "It seems I am going to meet my old friend in the underworld now."

"Very well, since you are prepared, let this seat send you on your final journey." Yu Liancheng stepped forward and threw another punch, a straight, direct punch without the slightest variation, yet it was more terrifying than any variation.

"No! No! I will never lose! I am the Supreme Ruler!" As this punch was about to strike Zhu Wushi, divine light shot from his eyes, and his previously withered energy suddenly surged again.

He recovered his former demeanor, becoming once again that peerless expert with overwhelming power, sitting hidden on the throne of the world's number one expert.

Whoosh~

Scorching aura permeated the air, the air burning as if it were warping; in this moment of final reflection, he used the "Pure Yang Finger" once more.

Fist and finger collided, and with a "crack" of a crisp sound, Zhu Wushi's finger snapped instantly, and the remaining force of the punch smashed into his chest.

Zhu Wushi flew backward like a cannonball for seven or eight zhang, then crashed onto the ground with a thud, his breath like a candle in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

"Cough, cough, I lost after all."

Zhu Wushi coughed violently, his expression calm: "Suxin... Suxin... it is a pity to let you sleep forever on the peak of Tianshan."

In these final moments, what echoed in his mind was no longer the ethereal imperial throne, but a beautiful, graceful figure, gently smiling at him... A youth's journey, high-spirited, making many friends, heroic ambitions with a thousand cups of wine. Peach Blossom mouth, a pair of bright eyes, a shy smile, how to look back at the misjudged half-life.

Yu Liancheng's pale golden eyes looked at Zhu Wushi, as if he had seen through his thoughts at this moment, and sighed: "I have already found the other two Heavenly Fragrant Cardamoms, you can go in peace."

Zhu Wushi trembled upon hearing this, his lips parted, as if he had said something, but no one could hear it anymore.

This Iron-Gall Divine Marquis, who had shaken the world for decades, died just like that in the palm of Yu Liancheng; his conspiracies, his ambitions, and his grievances and affections all vanished into smoke from this moment on.

"Your Majesty, are you injured?"

"The Divine Marquis... sigh."

Before long, the Four Great Secret Agents rushed over and saw Zhu Wushi lying on the ground; except for Cheng Shifei, the other three looked somewhat dim.

Yu Liancheng looked at the three secret agents of Heaven, Earth, and Profound: "He is, after all, my imperial uncle; you should bury him."

"... Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."