Chapter 134: The Big Dummy

Lu Fang's expression turned grave; he knew his realm was vastly inferior to Master Yi Hui's, so he immediately activated the transcendent power: Conceal Heaven and Cross Sea.

A semi-transparent barrier unfolded, enveloping the surroundings.

Under the stunned gazes of Master Yi Hui and Li Yu, Lu Fang's entire body swelled rapidly, as if being inflated.

In a few breaths, Lu Fang had grown into a giant over a hundred feet tall. He clenched his fists tightly, smiling with satisfaction— in this state, every aspect of his being had been enhanced.

He pointed a finger, and a thrust of qi shot toward Master Yi Hui.

The speed was so swift that Master Yi Hui was horrified; even though he barely dodged, his monk's robe was pierced through.

Lu Fang nodded in approval. The Six Meridians Divine Sword was even more effective than he'd imagined, especially in his current state, where its power had greatly increased.

"This is your burial ground!"

Master Yi Hui said gravely.

As he spoke, he clasped his hands together and chanted sutras. Countless black Sanskrit characters, like swarming flies, rose from his body, thickening the space around him.

Almost simultaneously.

Li Yu's righteous qi surged forth—boom, boom, boom! Explosions of energy erupted before her, hurling her backward.

Puff!

Li Yu stabilized her stance and spat out a mouthful of blood. With a grave expression, she warned Lu Fang: "This evil monk's attack is strange—I didn't sense it at all."

Lu Fang replied firmly: "It must be a technique similar to a realm. He altered the surrounding space—likely some special transcendent power."

"No… no… impossible! How are you unharmed?!" Master Yi Hui's eyes were filled with disbelief, astonished that Lu Fang showed no sign of injury.

Where had things gone wrong?

Just now, his "Sanskrit Realm" attack had been powerful enough to kill a sixth-rank, second-tier Confucian scholar—yet Lu Fang appeared untouched.

After sensing carefully, Master Yi Hui's expression cleared in sudden understanding. He muttered to himself: "So that's it. My 'realm' cannot affect the space around you. How did you block it? Is it 'shi'?"

He had never encountered such a thing before.

Someone using 'shi' to resist his 'realm'.

"I'll block this evil monk's 'realm'—you buy me a moment." Lu Fang finished speaking, raised his hands diagonally, gripped tightly, and began channeling the transcendent power: Azure Dragon Crescent Blade.

Li Yu reacted swiftly; sensing the space around her lighten, she realized Lu Fang had used the Heavenly and Earthly Shi technique to counter Master Yi Hui's realm force.

Within the 'realm', she was at an absolute disadvantage against Master Yi Hui—but without its constraints, she believed she could hold him off for a while.

"Die!"

Master Yi Hui roared, clenching his fist—but the expected effect did not occur. Li Yu and Lu Fang stood unmoved, unaffected by the 'realm'.

His face darkened as he stared at Lu Fang. When he sensed the sixth-rank, second-tier Confucian's 'shi' gathering at a terrifying rate, he made no hesitation and charged straight at Lu Fang.

He had a gut feeling.

If Lu Fang completed his channeling, he might truly die here.

Yet, as Master Yi Hui moved, Li Yu appeared before him, blocking his path. Before her, a square inkstone spun slowly, radiating brilliant light that marked it as extraordinary.

Master Yi Hui took a deep breath, clasped his hands together, and said: "We can make a deal. I'll let you go—you may leave now."

Li Yu raised an eyebrow slightly: "That won't do. But if you hand over all your treasures, I might consider it."

"Foolish!" Master Yi Hui saw through her delay tactic and immediately summoned a dark-glowing skull staff, striking at Li Yu.

Among fourth-rank, third-tier cultivators, Master Yi Hui was strong.

But that strength existed only with the 'realm''s enhancement.

Since Li Yu was unaffected by the realm, even as a fifth-rank, third-tier cultivator, with the Great Confucian Inkstone—Square Inkstone—she was at a severe disadvantage at first contact, yet still managed to hold her ground.

Lu Fang, still channeling, furrowed his brow. Using the Heavenly and Earthly Shi technique to resist Master Yi Hui's realm force was far more difficult than he'd anticipated.

This caused the channeling speed of his transcendent power—Azure Dragon Crescent Blade—to slow drastically.

Precisely because of this, Lu Fang had decided to use Azure Dragon Crescent Blade instead of relying on Heavenly and Earthly Shi—he feared the latter wouldn't be enough to kill Master Yi Hui.

Fortunately, Li Yu, wielding the Great Confucian Inkstone, could fully block Master Yi Hui, granting him ample time.

Hum!

Master Yi Hui smashed Li Yu away with his staff. The prolonged battle had already frustrated him.

Li Yu forcibly stabilized herself midair, panting heavily as she stared at the cracked Square Inkstone before her, heart aching. Without turning her head, she called out: "Little Master, are you done yet? How much longer must I hold him?"

Before Lu Fang could answer, Master Yi Hui sneered, transforming into a streak of light and appearing before Lu Fang. He swung his dark-glowing staff downward.

At the same moment.

Lu Fang's lips curled. Under the state of Conceal Heaven and Cross Sea, he had channeled ten soul-strengths of Azure Dragon Crescent Blade—and slashed at Master Yi Hui.

A blade of light flashed.

Master Yi Hui's pupils shrank. Just as he tried to dodge, his body suddenly froze. He felt his head spinning—was it an illusion? He saw his own headless body.

A geyser of blood erupted from Master Yi Hui's neck. His severed head tumbled to the ground, staining the earth crimson.

Li Yu, standing farther away, gasped in shock. She hadn't expected Lu Fang's slash to be so powerful—or so swift.

She had just seen the blade's flash—and Master Yi Hui's head was already severed.

She judged that even with the Great Confucian Inkstone, she could not have withstood even one such slash.

"The rest is up to you."

Seeing Master Yi Hui dead, Lu Fang immediately withdrew Conceal Heaven and Cross Sea. His body shrank rapidly back to normal size.

Just now, while transformed, he had expended too much shi to resist the realm and to channel Azure Dragon Crescent Blade. As soon as the state ended, he plunged into extreme weakness.

This was unavoidable.

Seeing Lu Fang barely able to stand, Li Yu hurried over and supported his arm, concerned: "Your hands are so hot."

"I…"

Lu Fang opened his mouth to speak, but exhaustion overtook him. He closed his eyes and collapsed into unconsciousness. This weakness was worse than he'd imagined.

Li Yu startled, frantically catching him. As she realized he had fainted, she blinked her bright eyes, as if struck by a thought, and gently pinched his nose, whispering:

"Little Master, don't you fear I'll kill you and steal your fortune? You're such a big dummy."