Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Fool Is Not Foolish

Another half hour passed. Sweat beaded more heavily on Wang Dashan’s forehead, and the cold iron hammer in his hand seemed to grow heavier with each swing, making every movement a struggle. In contrast, Yu Yongming remained at ease, circling around Wang Dashan and occasionally thrusting his sword unexpectedly, forcing Wang Dashan into a fluster.

He’s lost! Lin Xiaobao realized Wang Dashan had already lost, and quietly gripped the Seven Star Sword in his hand. Should Wang Dashan find himself in true danger, Lin Xiaobao was determined not to care about the rules of the Snowy Wind Pavilion—he would save Wang Dashan without hesitation.

As for the defensive array atop the stage, it was no obstacle for Lin Xiaobao.

“What are you trying to do? If you rush in, you’ll be punished for breaking the sect’s rules!” Noticing Lin Xiaobao’s intent, Cen Shuya became anxious as well. She didn’t want anything to happen to Lin Xiaobao, as she hoped to ask a favor of him in the future—a matter far more difficult than what a storage pouch could buy. She didn’t mind showing him some goodwill at this moment.

“You’re done now, it’s my turn!” Yu Yongming echoed the very words Lin Xiaobao had spoken the day before. Suddenly, his aura surged, and he quickly retreated several steps to open the distance between him and Wang Dashan, swinging his True Martial Sword in a rapid dance.

Phantom Ghost Sword Technique!

In a flash, Yu Yongming’s figure shimmered, and a dozen afterimages appeared on the stage, attacking Wang Dashan from every direction and angle. Unless one possessed superior spiritual sense, it was impossible to distinguish which was the real body.

“Dashan, front left!” Lin Xiaobao’s spiritual sense was far keener than Yu Yongming’s. The moment the images split, he locked onto the real one, and, worried that Wang Dashan would fall for the trick, called out loudly.

“I know, Xiaobao, don’t worry!” Without turning his head, Wang Dashan fixed his gaze on Yu Yongming’s true form. His voice was full and vigorous, showing none of the exhaustion from before, as if he had already determined Yu Yongming’s position.

Pressing Mountains and Rivers!

With a thunderous shout, Wang Dashan swung the cold iron hammer once more. Now there was no trace of fatigue; he seemed even stronger than when he first took the stage.

Charging directly at Yu Yongming’s true body, Wang Dashan ignored the True Martial Sword and swept the massive hammer straight at his opponent’s waist.

It was a fighting style that risked both their lives. If neither withdrew at this moment, there was only one outcome: Yu Yongming would be struck by Wang Dashan’s hammer, and whether he lived or died would depend on his resilience, while Wang Dashan would certainly perish under Yu Yongming’s sword.

“Madman!” Lin Xiaobao cursed under his breath, not daring to make a sound for fear of distracting Wang Dashan.

“Don’t worry. This boy may act foolish, but as a Body of Divine Strength, he’s a legendary combat genius. He’ll reveal a talent you can hardly imagine,” Old Mo’s voice suddenly entered Lin Xiaobao’s mind.

Sure enough, even as Old Mo’s words faded, Yu Yongming immediately changed tactics. The True Martial Sword switched from a thrust to a slash. He had no wish to gamble his life against this seemingly simple-minded brute. Though changing moves now put him at a disadvantage, he had no other choice. Pouring his spiritual power into the sword, with a shrill cry, he met the cold iron hammer just as it was within two feet of him.

With a tremendous crash, the two powerful forces collided. Both figures were hurled apart, followed by the sound of metal striking the ground—the cold iron hammer and True Martial Sword were both knocked from their owners’ hands and flew off.

“You’ve forced me to lose my weapon; you can consider it an honorable defeat!” A glint of malice flashed in Yu Yongming’s eyes. Between his hands, a dozen talisman slips appeared, which he flung toward Wang Dashan even as he spoke.

“Well said! Today I’ll beat you into an honorable defeat!” Wang Dashan’s seemingly clumsy form now moved with astonishing agility, deftly dodging the oncoming talismans and closing the distance between them.

Yu Yongming’s hands seemed to produce talismans without end, flinging them out in a relentless, impenetrable barrage. At last, Wang Dashan was struck by a scarlet fire charm, which exploded and sent him tumbling several yards away. He rolled across the ground, smothered the sparks on his body, and stood again.

After witnessing Wang Dashan’s brute strength time and again, Yu Yongming had no desire to engage in close combat. His talismans shot out like bullets from a machine gun, never giving Wang Dashan a moment’s respite.

Unlike Lin Xiaobao, Wang Dashan had no way to catch talismans midair. He was knocked to the ground over and over, but thanks to his Body of Divine Strength, his resilience was beyond belief. Each time he fell, he stood again, tattered clothes and all, under the shocked gazes of the crowd.

With victory in hand, Yu Yongming called out, “You’re not bad at taking a beating, but let’s see how much longer you can last!”

With each fall, Wang Dashan took longer to rise. Yu Yongming was confident that he could bring the opponent down before his talismans ran out—not to mention he still had one immensely powerful talisman in reserve, one he would use only as a last resort.

“Let’s see how many talismans you have left!” Wang Dashan climbed up once again, wiped the blood from his lips, and declared, “I promised a woman I’d make it to the top five. Even if I die, I’ll die on that list!” With that, he charged again.

For reasons she could not name, Nie Feiyan’s body trembled at Wang Dashan’s words, and a strange, unspeakable feeling arose within her. She even felt a tinge of regret for what she had said before. Just then, Lin Xiaobao’s cold snort sounded in her ear, leaving her feelings in turmoil.

“If you force me, don’t blame me for what happens next!” As the time for a stick of incense to burn passed, Wang Dashan still stood stubbornly on the stage. His fearless resolve earned the respect of many disciples, but also struck fear into Yu Yongming’s heart. Now, he had no choice but to reveal his trump card: the Scarlet Sun True Talisman.

“Not good! Dashan, concede now!” The instant the talisman appeared, Lin Xiaobao sensed the immense power inscribed upon it. Even he would suffer greatly if struck by such a charm.

“Xiaobao, I’ve listened to you all my life, but let me make my own decision this time!” Although he could not read the array on the talisman, Wang Dashan could feel the immense surge of spiritual power. He turned and gave Nie Feiyan a steady, reassuring smile, then roared at Yu Yongming, “I’ve been waiting for this very moment!”