One crisis after another!
Zhao Xuanqi’s body, organs, and Qi and Blood pulsed in unison as he forcibly broke through the momentary stiffness following his attack, launching another assault on Pu Xiangrong.
The ferocity of his techniques was like a raging ocean tide. It wasn’t just the sheer power and skill that bore down on Pu Xiangrong, but an unparalleled aura of overbearing fury.
The sudden turn of events in the great hall startled everyone, drawing all eyes to the commotion.
For a moment, the newly joined disciples from the Five Sects were stunned by the ferocious assault that erupted from Zhao Xuanqi. Even though they weren’t his target, as bystanders they still felt a terrifying pressure that made their breath catch in their throats.
Zhao Xuanqi had always fought using the Flying Bird Form, leading them to believe he specialized in an agile fighting style. But with this sudden explosion of power, they finally understood his true specialty.
At the same time, they noticed Zhao Xuanqi’s opponent.
A hazy, indistinct shadow.
’Evil Spirits?!’
’No, that seems to be an Escape Technique!’
The disciples from the Five Elements Gang, however, instantly recognized the technique.
’This is a Composite Escape Skill, a blend of multiple Five Elements Escape Techniques. It’s incredibly potent. Of all the Five Elements Gang members who entered the Ghost City, only the Young Master can do this, can’t he?’
The palm wreathed in Golden Fire loomed large before Pu Xiangrong’s eyes again. But he was, after all, one of the most exceptional prodigies of the Heqing Five Sects’ Blood Strengthening realm, and he managed to react in time.
The world before Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes suddenly blurred, and the lock his Spiritual Sense had on the man vanished. Pu Xiangrong seized the opportunity, his figure shrinking. Though his Escape Technique could momentarily disrupt his opponent’s lock, his body couldn’t follow up with a perfect counter. All he could manage was a clumsy donkey roll to the side, narrowly avoiding a direct hit from the palm.
BOOM!!
But in the next instant, Zhao Xuanqi’s Force shifted from firm to yielding. With a sudden vibration, the Golden Fire detonated again. Pu Xiangrong hadn’t managed to fully evade, and the shockwave from the explosion slammed into his body.
WHOOSH!!
The blast of Golden Fire Primordial Qi instantly dispersed most of the Escape Technique Primordial Qi cloaking Pu Xiangrong. The shadow dissipated, revealing his form and appearance. The force of the impact sent him tumbling another half-turn across the ground before he finally steadied himself and scrambled to his feet.
With the Escape Technique gone, Zhao Xuanqi saw that his opponent was human. His brow furrowed slightly. He stared at the man, ceasing his pursuit but not lowering his guard. Golden flames still danced upon his palms.
"Pu Xiangrong of the Five Elements Gang?"
The moment the man’s figure was revealed, Zhuang Li recognized him and called out.
"Senior Brother Zhao, hold your hand! He’s one of us!"
He Xijun also called out at once.
’It really is the Young Master of the Five Elements Gang, Pu Xiangrong?!’
The others now stared in astonishment at the figure who had just gotten to his feet after that clumsy roll.
A man is known by his reputation, and Pu Xiangrong’s was well-known. Only a handful of people were considered the strongest within the Blood Strengthening realm of the Heqing Five Sects, and everyone had heard of them. The Young Master of the Five Elements Gang was said to have exceptional talent, a master of the Five Elements Escape Techniques and the Composite Escape Skill. He could come and go without a trace, his movements as unpredictable as ghosts and gods. They had all heard the rumors, and seeing him today, they knew it was true.
’He had managed to sneak up on so many of them without making a sound. Even during the fight, he had perfectly concealed his aura and form. His Escape Technique was truly uncanny and unpredictable.’
But what astonished them even more was Zhao Xuanqi. Not only had he detected Pu Xiangrong’s approach, but he had also forced this renowned master of Escape Techniques into such a corner in just a few exchanges.
’That kind of power was downright terrifying.’
Under everyone’s gaze, a faint blush crept up Pu Xiangrong’s handsome face. A rather awkward smile formed on his lips, and he wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole. After all, that last evasive maneuver had been anything but graceful.
However, despite his freewheeling personality, he was a good sport. His attempt to show off had backfired, but he had no one to blame but himself. He had been thoroughly outmatched, and there was nothing more to be said.
He quickly calmed his racing heart, put a smile back on his face, and clasped his fist toward Zhao Xuanqi. "Your strength is truly admirable, my friend. I must admit my respect. I saw you use Golden Fire just now. Might you be Lu Dong of the Red Heart Sect?"
"No. You can call me Zhao Qi," Zhao Xuanqi replied, his expression calm. "If you’re one of us on this mission, why were you sneaking up on us?"
As he spoke, his Qi and Blood settled, and the Golden Fire on his palms vanished. His posture returned to normal. With a casual flick of his hands, he used his Force to completely disperse the runic patterns of the technique, leaving his palms clean.
Seeing Zhao Xuanqi retract the Golden Fire, Pu Xiangrong breathed a small sigh of relief. But the follow-up question made him feel awkward all over again.
"Ahem, ahaha... I was just trying to give everyone a little surprise," Pu Xiangrong said, scratching his head with a laugh. "I didn’t expect your Spiritual Sense to be so sharp, Zhao. My apologies, I was being presumptuous."
"If there’s a next time, I won’t hold back."
Zhao Xuanqi’s expression remained unchanged, as cold as ice. His gaze seemed to tell Pu Xiangrong that his idea of a "surprise" was anything but welcome.
Hearing Zhao Xuanqi’s words, the smile vanished from Pu Xiangrong’s face. His brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing more.
"This isn’t the place to talk. The commotion has already attracted the attention of nearby Evil Spirits. Let’s find another place before we continue."