https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-985-Scarlet-Spear-s-Formless-Movement/13050261/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-987-Knowing-the-Enemy-Avoiding-Confrontation/13058136/
Chapter 986: The Heart-Pounding Pillar's Suppression
Chapter 986: The Heart-Pounding Pillar's Suppression
Zhao Zhenye faced the joint assault of the two, maintaining an unwavering defense with each move and technique executed to perfection.
Even against two opponents, his mastery of techniques allowed him to block and counter every attack, and he even found opportunities to retaliate.
A white aura surrounded him, a force field created by the mastery of the Vast Sky Technique, but it was tightly condensed within half a meter of his body, appearing exceptionally dense and heavy. This caused the incoming attacks to momentarily slow down.
Mr. Zuan also possessed several techniques of the Vast Sky Style and its corresponding Bright Light Style. When they engaged in close combat, their force fields clashed and eroded each other, forming a swirling tornado around them that soared into the sky, filled with flickering light.
Their battle soon expanded beyond the island, spreading to the surrounding sea. Enormous amounts of seawater were drawn into the vortex, swirling around the three combatants. At times, the water was torn into countless droplets, resembling a torrential rain showering outward.
"Old Zuan, this guy has an incredibly solid foundation," the Masked Man communicated through their mental link. "His defense is steady, and his techniques are refined. If we continue like this, we might not see a conclusion even after a day."
Mr. Zuan replied, "Then let's use that thing."
"Use it now? Isn't that a bit early? I feel this kid still has some tricks up his sleeve. Shouldn't we wait a bit longer? Let's wear him down further, and he'll probably try to break the stalemate, thinking we have reinforcements. Then, we can find a way to counter him."
Mr. Zuan didn't respond, indicating his agreement with the suggestion.
They waited for the right moment and executed several combined attacks, but the results were less than ideal. Zhao Zhenye had heightened his vigilance, and whenever they showed signs of launching an attack, he quickly created distance between them. As they had already unleashed their power once, it was difficult to do so again in a short time, so they maintained the current stalemate.
Zhao Zhenye remained calm and unhurried, showing no urgency to defeat them.
For a while, the situation became a deadlock, and all three seemed to be waiting for something.
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye, and one side of the island had been transformed into a vast mudflat due to the impact of their power.
Compared to before, none of the three showed any apparent exhaustion or decline in combat ability. In fact, the noise and destructive force generated by their clashes seemed even greater than before.
However, this was not the case. Maintaining such high-intensity combat continuously resulted in significant power consumption for both sides, and their actual stamina might have dropped to less than half of their initial levels.
All three could regulate their internal power to maintain a certain level of strength, but this method doubled the strain on their Alienation Organization. The longer the fight went on, the heavier the burden on their bodies.
This was a battle of endurance and resilience, as neither side could break through with their techniques. In such situations, any slight deficiency or flaw would be magnified.
"It's about time," Mr. Zuan communicated through their mental link.
The Masked Man didn't argue this time, as continuing the fight might lead to problems for them as well.
Mr. Zuan directed his consciousness, causing the suitcase they had brought to wobble. The suitcase opened, and a stone pillar with engraved scriptures and Zen texts rolled out. As it emerged, it trembled and emitted a buzzing sound.
Zhao Zhenye had been keeping an eye on the suitcase, but he knew that the two had left it unattended, unafraid of him damaging it. Uncertain of its purpose, he had tried to stay away from it. However, upon seeing the stone pillar, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly retreated to a distance.
Mr. Zuan was prepared for this, immediately intensifying his offense, while the Masked Man blocked Zhao Zhenye's retreat.
In an instant, they exchanged over a dozen moves. Although they expended more energy, they managed to hold Zhao Zhenye in place.
At that moment, the sound finally caught up with the three combatants, brushing past them.
The three paused briefly before resuming their battle, but this time, their movements seemed slower. Sometimes, they forgot to dodge, and even when they landed hits, their punches lacked strength, and their Spirit Flame failed to ignite. At most, they could only push their opponents away.
This object, known as the Heart-Pounding Pillar, was a relic of the ancient Chan Sect. According to modern standards, it was at least a third-level relic. The pillar emitted a sound that caused those who heard it to temporarily forget certain things.
It could be a technique they had learned or something inherent to their being. Although the effect was temporary, without proper regulation and mental stabilization, the forgotten knowledge would linger in their memories, continuously influencing them.
The sound affected everyone, regardless of their allegiance. All three combatants experienced the impact simultaneously. However, Mr. Zuan and the Masked Man had undergone repeated mental training, granting them a certain level of resistance to the relic's effects, which gave them an advantage.
After hearing the sound, they forgot about their spiritual powers, not just momentarily but completely, as if their bodies had never possessed such abilities.
Since at least half of a fighter's strength stemmed from their spiritual power, this loss significantly diminished their combat effectiveness. Their attacks lacked force, and their movements became less coordinated, making it difficult to inflict any damage on each other.
The three of them fell from above, but just half a second later, they regained their full consciousness and broke free from this state one after the other.
Mr. Zuan and his team, having undergone adaptation training, recovered faster. They were the first to launch an attack on Azure True Industry.
Azure True Industry was powerless, but his Outer Form moved first, blocking the attacks from both men. Although Mr. Zuan's Outer Form then thrust his spear, causing Azure True Industry's Outer Form to disintegrate by half, it bought him a moment, allowing him to adjust and block the subsequent attacks from the two.
Mr. Zuan and his companion intensified their offensive, planning to break through Azure True Industry's defense before his Outer Form could recover. However, to their surprise, just a breath later, his Outer Form condensed again, making the two men sense something amiss and secretly heighten their vigilance.
After several dozen moves, the Heart-Pounding Pillar emitted another deep sound. This time, all three of them forgot they had two hands, and although they didn't truly lose them, their minds misjudged, causing both Azure True Industry and Mr. Zuan to lose their balance.
This was the opportunity the Masked Man had been waiting for.
As a Divine Form, he had no physical body and was unaffected by balance. During the first sound, he forgot how to use his spiritual power, almost losing his sense of self. But this time, he directly kicked through the gap, striking Azure True Industry's shoulder. A burst of starlight scattered, and Azure True Industry's body tilted to one side.
Mr. Zuan also recovered, swinging his scythe towards the opponent's collarbone. Azure True Industry's Outer Form quickly blocked the attack, keeping him at bay. But Azure True Industry's Outer Form then spun his spear and struck the opponent's skull with a 'bang', causing a flash of light.
Azure True Industry was sent flying, and the Masked Man followed in a spiral. Mr. Zuan also stepped forward, increasing the pace of his attack.
Azure True Industry had no choice but to curl up in defense. This strike disrupted his originally flawless defensive rhythm.
A fighter's offense, defense, movement, and dodging, including breathing and thinking, must be executed calmly with preparation. Now that this rhythm was disrupted, control over the situation was lost. Under the continuous attacks of the two, the spiritual flame on Azure True Industry's body was rapidly dissolving.
"Please... you... collect 6... 9... books...!"
The voice echoed in Azure True Industry's ear, "How long do you plan to stall? Their skills are equally refined. If you want to exhaust their strength at the same speed and power, it will take at least a day. By then, people from both Central Cities will have enough time to arrive. Finish them off quickly."
A glint of light flashed in Azure True Industry's eye beneath his bangs. At this moment, the spiritual flame on his body, which had been suppressed, surged outward with unprecedented force.
Mr. Zuan and the Masked Man were both startled. This surge of spiritual flame was too fierce, forcing them to retreat.
Azure True Industry was now suspended in the air, slowly stretching his body. Behind him, a giant shadow hovered, with silver-white flames scattering above and below.
He looked at the two men, "I didn't want to do this, but you are both very strong, so I have no choice but to make this decision."
As he spoke, it was as if a shackle within his body had been unlocked, and his aura slowly grew.
The Masked Man said, "Old Zuan, something's not right."
They could sense that this was definitely not Azure True Industry consuming some drug or using a powerful relic. It was indeed his own power, as if he had released the suppressed energy.
Mr. Zuan looked at his opponent intently, sensing something deeper. He spoke gravely, "Old Tang, it's do-or-die now."
The Masked Man said, "Old Zuan, you're right. It's a life-or-death situation. You must protect yourself. I don't want to miss you next time."
Mr. Zuan said, "No more talk." As he spoke, light began to radiate from his body, indicating he was burning his life energy. His power would surge temporarily, but even if he won, it would increase the risk of self-alienation.
After a brief stalemate, the Masked Man once again took the initiative, drawing a trail of smoke as he charged forward. But just as he reached Azure True Industry, the latter grabbed his mask with his hand, preventing him from advancing further.
Azure True Industry said slowly, "The time is not yet right. I don't want to release this power prematurely, but..." With a tight grip, the mask shattered with a 'crack', and the figure behind it turned into wisps of smoke.
Mr. Zuan's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly felt something was amiss. His body went weak, and as he looked down, he saw a fist piercing through his chest. He heard Azure True Industry's voice in his ear, "If I didn't do this, you wouldn't behave."
Mr. Zuan, feeling the immense power emanating from Azure True Industry up close, struggled to breathe, "Is this... Longevity Temple?"
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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