Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

The Shocking Wind Palm, when unleashed by Zhu Yang, was indeed more imposing and domineering than Yang Jun’s version.

Coupled with the immense True Qi of a Qi Gathering Great Success master, the Shocking Wind Palm truly possessed an aura worthy of its ’shocking wind’ name.

Xu Yang moved as well.

His body blurred into a black streak as he shot forward, charging straight at Zhu Yang.

He was taking this fight a bit more seriously than his last one against He Dong.

The muscles along his spine rippled like an awakening dragon as Force flooded his arm. He retracted his arm and then snapped it forward, unleashing a strike that tore through the air like a bolt of lightning.

"BANG!"

As their palms met, Vigorous Energy erupted in all directions. The arena stage beneath their feet trembled, letting out a startling, muffled boom.

If not for the True Qi protecting their bodies, the terrifying burst of Vigorous Energy would have shredded their clothes to pieces.

’What powerful Palm Force.’

Zhu Yang shuddered. It felt as if he had just slammed his palm against an iron plate. His hand went numb instantly, and he could feel cracks forming in many of his meridians.

He glanced at Xu Yang, who seemed to have a similar reaction. Their first exchange had been a dead-even draw, with neither of them taking a single step back.

Zhu Yang’s heart sank. ’This is going to be a tough fight.’

’But I still have a killing move like the Heart Shattering Palm, while he only has the Mountain-Shaking Bear Fist. The advantage is mine.’

Xu Yang’s expression was placid as he unleashed his second attack. His fist, like an iron hammer, shot straight for Zhu Yang’s Chest Acupoint.

"Die!"

But Zhu Yang completely ignored the incoming fist. A cold sneer played on his lips as he thrust a palm toward Xu Yang’s heart.

A peculiar True Qi lay dormant in Zhu Yang’s palm, giving Xu Yang a terrible premonition that made the hairs on his arms stand on end.

’The Fuwei Escort Agency’s Heart Shattering Palm.’

’This is the same trade-your-life-for-an-injury tactic Zhang Hong would use. Zhu Yang is counting on his Heart Shattering Palm killing move. He plans to tank my punch with his body and then use his palm to shatter my heart.’

’I’m confident I can kill Zhu Yang with this punch, but I don’t know if my Physique, tempered by the Vajra True Qi, can withstand the Heart Shattering Palm. I can’t take that risk.’

’Besides, it would expose my true strength, and there’s no need to get into a life-or-death struggle with Zhu Yang.’

He withdrew his fist and simultaneously shot out his other hand, meeting Zhu Yang’s Heart Shattering Palm head-on.

"BANG!"

Their palms collided. The sound this time wasn’t as loud as before; it was lower, more subdued, and there was no explosive blast of Vigorous Energy.

Xu Yang felt a peculiar True Qi vibrate through his palm, causing the bones in his hand to tremble and ache faintly.

’It really is similar to the Wind and Thunder Strength in some ways, but it’s not as profound, nor is it as domineering.’

’I feel like even if it had hit my heart, the Heart Shattering Palm probably couldn’t have seriously injured me.’

He looked over at Zhu Yang. After their second clash, a fleeting expression of pain crossed Zhu Yang’s face. Xu Yang had sent his palm flying back, and it was now trembling violently.

’When he uses the Heart Shattering Palm, his overall power is greatly reduced. If he’s struck from the side at that moment, he’ll suffer a backlash.’

Xu Yang had instantly analyzed the Heart Shattering Palm’s weakness. His wariness of the technique diminished significantly. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Having the upper hand, he was relentless. His body shot forward, and he unleashed a barrage of punches, each one powered by Bear-Bursting Strength.

Zhu Yang was unafraid, responding calmly, countering each move as it came, and striking back when he saw an opportunity.

"They’re evenly matched. It’s hard to tell who will win," Yang Lin said.

"Why isn’t Zhu Yang using his Heart Shattering Palm?" Lu Ren wondered.

Gu Fang said, "Xu Yang is attacking relentlessly, not giving Zhu Yang a chance to use his Heart Shattering Palm. But he can’t keep up this kind of fighting style for long. Sooner or later, Zhu Yang will find an opening."

In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged over twenty blows. Zhu Yang gradually sensed something was wrong.

His hands were almost numb from the repeated impacts, and he didn’t know how many of his internal meridians had cracked.

Xu Yang, on the other hand, still looked perfectly calm.

’It’s about time!’ Xu Yang thought.

’We’ve exchanged over twenty blows. I’ve put on enough of a show. A sudden attack now won’t seem so out of place.’

’If I keep up this act, Zhu Yang is bound to notice something is off, and he might even surrender.’

Just as Zhu Yang threw another palm strike, Xu Yang suddenly changed his own palm into a claw. His five fingers, like steel talons, clamped down on Zhu Yang’s wrist.

Zhu Yang tried to channel his energy to break free as before, but an overwhelming force suddenly erupted from Xu Yang’s grip. His five fingers twisted with brutal force, like wringing a wet towel—it was the technique of Tearing Sinews and Shattering Bones.

"CRACK!"

With a sickening crunch, Zhu Yang’s already battered wrist was twisted and snapped. White bone pierced through the skin in a gruesome display.

A sharp glint flashed in Xu Yang’s eyes. He yanked hard, and with a sickening RIP, he tore Zhu Yang’s severed hand clean off his arm. Blood sprayed everywhere.

"Senior Brother Zhu!"

"Oh no!"

...

Below the stage, the faces of Kong Yu and the other Gale Hall disciples contorted in horror.

"Ah..."

The pain of the severed arm made Zhu Yang’s vision go black, his body swaying on the verge of collapse.

At the same moment, Xu Yang closed in like a phantom, his hand slashing through the air toward Zhu Yang’s throat.

"CRACK!"

The sound of a shattering throat echoed. Zhu Yang’s scream was cut short. Blood gushed from his mouth, but he was utterly silent.

His face was full of terror. He opened his mouth, trying to surrender, but no sound came out. He could only scramble desperately towards the edge of the stage.

"Xu Yang, you dare!"

"Stop!"

"We surrender!"

...

Kong Yu, Ji Jincheng, and the others from Gale Hall roared.

They knew Xu Yang had crushed Zhu Yang’s throat to stop him from surrendering—to ensure the kill. Their eyes widened with rage, nearly splitting at the seams.

Xu Yang turned a deaf ear. Zhu Yang had provoked him time and again, wanting him dead. His own killing intent had been stirred long ago; how could he possibly pass up this chance?

Besides, they were now sworn enemies. Killing him was the only way to be done with it for good. Leaving him alive would just cause more trouble down the line.

He took a step and caught up to Zhu Yang, his fist shooting out like a great spear, tearing through the air to smash into his temple.