Chapter 397 - 222: Beating Up the Riddler (Part 4)

Chapter 397: Chapter 222: Beating Up the Riddler (Part 4)

"Amitabha. It’s nothing special."

Upon hearing this, Huie Jue’s eyebrow twitched slightly, and he replied with a wide grin.

"Your mouth is even tougher than that shell of yours."

Xie Yuan scoffed. With another twirl of his long sword, he abruptly accelerated, his blade descending to envelop Huie Jue.

Ever since reaching his current level of Blood Qi and mastering the Cloud Mountain Sword Intent Scripture to a compatible degree, this was the first time he had ever unleashed the Cloud Dragon Nine Forms without holding anything back.

The Cloud Dragon Nine Forms were already tremendously powerful on their own. Now, combined with his current cultivation, he had reached an unprecedented personal peak, even if it fell short of a true Grandmaster’s might.

For a moment, the very air in the alley seemed to shift. Mist and clouds coiled around them, as if they had been transported to a celestial mountain. Within the vast whiteness, a dazzling, cold light would flash intermittently—like a divine dragon, glimpsed for an instant before vanishing without a trace.

The dragon was elusive, but a single misstep would be lethal—the moment the long sword appeared before one’s eyes, it would strike a fatal blow.

Huie Jue’s Golden Bell Shield flickered under the relentless assault of Xie Yuan’s swordsmanship, enduring a flurry of crazed thrusts and stabs. It looked like a dying lantern in a gale, on the verge of being extinguished at any second.

Yet, just when Xie Yuan thought one more strike would finally snuff out the tenacious golden flame, the Golden Bell Shield would flare up again, warm and resolute. It stood firm against the storm, unwavering. No matter how much it flickered, it never failed to protect Huie Jue.

It was as if this golden light, even if battered by endless gales, would always leave behind an ember. And from that single ember, it could achieve nirvana, be reborn, and shine brilliantly enough to illuminate all of creation.

’So this is the true meaning of indestructibility?’

Xie Yuan’s expression grew solemn. It was truly worthy of being Prajna Temple’s world-renowned cultivation technique, a supreme Divine Power of the Martial Dao’s Horizontal Training.

This technique truly integrated the essence of Buddhism and Zen, containing infinite mysteries. It allowed a Martial Artist to withstand a much stronger opponent. As long as the shield wasn’t broken in a single blow, they could endure any attack, no matter how ferocious. The only way to win was to slowly wear them down until their Blood Qi was completely exhausted.

However, Martial Artists from the Buddhist sects were famous for their iron will and immense stamina. Even in a battle of attrition fought to the point of utter exhaustion, it was hard to say who would collapse first.

Xie Yuan mulled it over. ’Setting aside whether a battle of attrition is a good idea, my Blood Qi isn’t my strong suit. I only broke through to this realm recently. I doubt I can outlast Huie Jue, who uses the Indestructible Golden Bell Shield as his foundational Cultivation Technique.’

The opening stances of the Cloud Dragon Nine Forms were profound and their attacks ferocious. Paired with the Sword Intent Scripture, they were even deadlier; every stance, every wisp of cloud and mist, was imbued with razor-sharp Sword Qi. However, when it came to focused, single-point killing power for an ultimate breakthrough, it was still lacking.

’In that case...’

Just as Xie Yuan was about to switch tactics, he heard Huie Jue chuckle.

"Patron Xie, you’ve been on the attack for quite a while. Shouldn’t it be my turn now?"

As soon as he heard this, Xie Yuan was instantly on guard and leaped back.

A large, fair fist materialized right where he had been standing. The punch was so fast that the gale it generated only followed after, surging toward him.

Huie Jue’s figure reappeared. His monk’s robes suddenly seemed a bit tight, as if his entire frame had expanded.

Xie Yuan’s pupils contracted. He felt an oppressive aura radiating from Huie Jue, and his expression turned grave.

"The wrathful gaze of a Vajra, the power of a tiger-taming Arhat... Patron Xie, please appraise this, my Golden Body Arhat’s Demon-Subduing Fist."

Even Huie Jue’s voice seemed to have grown louder, as if he had transformed from a sprightly young acolyte into a great Arhat capable of subduing dragons and tigers. He drew his right fist back slightly, then unleashed a violent, explosive punch!

Xie Yuan felt as if the entire alley had been sealed off. The air caught in his throat, making it impossible to breathe. He executed the Cloud Dragon Step, abruptly moving to flank Huie Jue.

But the instant Xie Yuan moved, Huie Jue moved with him, mirroring his direction perfectly.

They became locked in a state of relative stillness, with Huie Jue’s fist constantly aimed at Xie Yuan. The strategy he had used at the start of the battle was now completely useless!

This was unexpected. Xie Yuan’s face fell. A golden light flashed around his body as he raised his long sword to block Huie Jue’s fist.

BOOM! Xie Yuan felt as if he’d been struck by a true Vajra. An irresistible, immense power traveled up his sword, jolting his entire body. His Golden Bell Shield flickered wildly, on the verge of shattering from that single blow!

’What kind of monstrous monk is this?’

Xie Yuan’s expression changed as he threw himself backward, dodging the residual force of the punch.

But Huie Jue had suddenly seized the initiative. Pressing his advantage, he stepped forward. His seemingly brutish and clumsy body moved with unpredictable agility, and in a flash, he was right in front of Xie Yuan.

His fair face still wore a faint, innocent smile, but his enlarged frame looked like a Vajra descended to the mortal realm, shimmering with a pure golden light.

Xie Yuan looked closer and saw that even Huie Jue’s eyes had turned a pure, brilliant gold, leaving no trace of his pupils.

’He looks like a true Golden Body Arhat!’

"Hah!"

With a great shout, Huie Jue threw a punch at Xie Yuan, carrying the force of a collapsing mountain.

With a grim expression, Xie Yuan thrust his sword upward, focusing all his strength into a single point to meet Huie Jue’s golden fist!

Fist met sword. In that instant, Xie Yuan felt the world fall silent.

It was as if all sound had been absorbed into the point of impact. A blinding light erupted as the incredibly resilient and sharp Profound Weapon, his long sword, was forced back by the fist. It bent to its absolute limit, looking as if it would snap at any moment.

But a Profound Weapon was, after all, extraordinary. It didn’t break, even under such strain. However, the immense force transmitted through the blade sent a searing pain through the web of Xie Yuan’s hand. He could barely keep his grip on the long sword as he was thrown backward.

Xie Yuan let out a muffled grunt in mid-air. He tapped his feet, spun, and landed. A stuffiness tightened his chest, and he tasted the metallic tang of blood in his throat.