Chapter 475: Still Two Moves Left
Yan Shaoxuan bowed to Zhong Wuwang in farewell, then hugged Fang Zhenxiu tightly. With tears streaming down her face, she said, “Little brother, follow Young Master Zhong and cultivate diligently. Do not slack off. Big Sister might not return, so take good care of yourself.”
Fang Zhenxiu held her hand, reluctant to let go. “Sister Xuan’er, didn’t Father tell you to find a good man to marry and not seek revenge?”
Yan Shaoxuan pulled her hand away. “The Yan Family’s blood feud must be avenged! My brother, my sister, my father, my grandfather—all died at that bastard Chen Shi’s hands. This hatred is irreconcilable! Little brother, follow the Young Master and train well!”
She turned and left.
Fang Zhenxiu burst into tears, chasing after her out of the mansion, but she had already vanished.
After he finished crying, Zhong Wuwang finally said, “If crying could kill Chen Shi, he’d be dead a thousand times over. Come with me.”
Fang Zhenxiu followed him with reddened eyes. “Will Sister Xuan’er come back to see me?”
“No.”
Zhong Wuwang said, “If she kills Chen Shi, Chen Shi’s friends and family will kill her. If she can’t kill him, she’ll die at his hands. Either way, she’s doomed. She traded her actions for my acceptance of you as my disciple, so she has to go. Seize this opportunity—don’t let your sister’s blood be shed in vain.”
Fang Zhenxiu wiped away his tears. “Then how can I become your disciple?”
Zhong Wuwang looked at him, admiration shining in his eyes. He smiled, “You have the same drive I had back then. When my father sold me, I swore I would become a disciple of Despair Slope, by any means, at any cost. Because that was my only chance to defy fate and change my destiny! A thousand children took the Despair Slope exam alongside me. The trials were brutal, but I was the one laughing at the end.”
He patted Fang Zhenxiu’s head. “This time, a thousand others will take the exam with you. You need to use every method to eliminate them.”
Fang Zhenxiu asked, “What if I fail the exam?”
Zhong Wuwang chuckled. “Back then, many of the children who took the exam with me didn’t survive.”
Fang Zhenxiu shuddered.
Zhong Wuwang stepped onto the Blue Phoenix treasure carriage waiting outside. “But before that, I need to see how much trouble my twelve moves will cause Chen Shi.”
Fang Zhenxiu climbed aboard. The two blue phoenixes spread their wings and soared into the sky, pulling the carriage into the distance.
Yan Shaoxuan headed toward Xinxiang, eventually arriving in Beimeng Province.
She stopped at Tianyu County to rest and catch her breath. She went to the market to buy some black dog blood, intending to paint a few talismans for self-defense. Just then, a familiar figure caught her eye. Yan Shaoxuan froze for a moment, then blurted out, “Yang Bi! It’s really you! You’re alive!”
The man was indeed Yang Bi. He turned at the sound of his name, his face paling slightly, and quickly walked toward her.
Yan Shaoxuan noticed that Yang Bi had a slight limp in his right leg.
He was crippled.
Yang Bi grabbed her arm and pulled her into a nearby alley. “Red Mountain Hall is hunting down every member of the Yan Family everywhere, and you dare show your face? Do you have a death wish?”
Yan Shaoxuan was thrilled. “I thought you died in the catastrophe of the Upper Realm, Brother Yang!”
Yang Bi shook his head. “When the immortal from Despair Slope attacked the Upper Realm, he killed using the peach blossom tucked in his hair. When he activated the peach blossom, two thousand Realm of Emptiness cultivators were all drowned in flowers. I’d never seen such immortal magic, but I spotted a flaw and survived by sheer luck.”
That immortal was Feng Ruotong. With one immortal art, he shattered two thousand Realm of Emptiness in the Upper Realm, ruining everyone’s cultivation. It was a peerless, breathtaking move, but he never noticed that in an obscure corner, someone had broken his immortal art.
And the one who broke it was just a teenage boy in the Unity realm.
Yan Shaoxuan said, “Since you survived, why didn’t you go back to the Yang Family?”
Yang Bi shook his head again. “I’ve already died once. I have nothing more to do with the Yang Family.”
His face darkened as he shook his head. “There’s already Yang blood on my hands. Shaoxuan, Chen Shi was right. The Thirteen Great Clans are indeed filthy. They are the greatest evil spirit in the Western Ox New Continent. If the Western Ox New Continent wants peace, the Thirteen Great Clans must be eradicated.”
Yan Shaoxuan flew into a rage. “Yang Bi, that bastard Chen Shi has put some worm in your brain! Peace? Wasn’t the world at peace before the Calamity? It was Chen Shi’s ambition that threw everything into chaos!”
Yang Bi hesitated for a moment, considering whether to kill her.
But Yan Shaoxuan had studied with him in the Upper Realm, often seeking his advice on Dao techniques. There was some friendship between them, and he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Yan Shaoxuan gritted her teeth. “You betrayed the Yang Family, but I will never betray the Yan Family! Even if only one member of the Yan Family remains, we will take revenge on Chen Shi!”
Yang Bi shook his head. “The gap between you and Chen Shi is enormous. His cultivation has far surpassed yours, and his Dao techniques and divine abilities are beyond your reach. You’re no match for him.”
Yan Shaoxuan’s expression shifted. Suddenly making up her mind, she told the truth: “I received guidance from Zhong Wuwang. I’ve learned the nine spells he created, specifically designed to counter Chen Shi’s Dao techniques.”
Yang Bi’s heart stirred. “Zhong Wuwang? The senior disciple of Despair Slope, Zhong Wuwang? That man has an Innate Dao Embryo. He’s incredibly powerful, already wielding immortal-level methods. Show me those nine spells he taught you.”
Yan Shaoxuan was also worried that Zhong Wuwang’s techniques might not be enough to deal with Chen Shi. She knew Yang Bi was exceptionally intelligent and had a sharp eye, so she wanted his advice. She immediately began demonstrating the nine spells Zhong Wuwang had taught her, one by one.
But she was cautious. She only demonstrated the first nine moves, holding back the last three.
The first move, “Blazing Star Offends the Southern Dipper,” was a spell. The Blazing Star had always been known as a star of calamity, outside the Heavenly Cycle of stars. To break Chen Shi’s Dao Field, Zhong Wuwang used this unpredictable star of disaster to cut into Chen Shi’s Yin-Yang Dao Field as the opening move.
The second move, “Guardian Star Enters the End Gate,” was a body technique. Pacing the Dipper, it gathered immense palm force to strike directly at the central palace. The Guardian Star was Saturn; the End Gate was the southern gate of the Purple Forbidden Palace. The Guardian Star invading the southern gate would seize the master’s position, further disrupting Chen Shi’s Dao Field celestial phenomena.
The third move, “Heavenly Dog Devours Sun and Moon,” was a divine ability. It condensed a Heavenly Dog Manifestation to swallow the sun and moon, breaking the sun and moon formed by Chen Shi’s yin and yang energies, dismantling his yin-yang purgation.
The fourth move, “Rage Unleashes Floodwaters,” was a swordsmanship technique. Chen Shi’s Yin-Yang Dao Field had evolved into heaven and earth, showing signs of becoming a Realm of Emptiness. On the ground, the mountains were the spine and bones, the rivers were the blood vessels. Using swordsmanship to break the rivers and unleash floods would disrupt Chen Shi’s qi and blood.
The fifth move, “Venus Shifts the Northern Dipper,” was a Ghost and God Domain. Venus and the Big Dipper could never meet, but in this move, by disrupting Chen Shi’s celestial phenomena, Venus and the Big Dipper would shift positions, throwing the star signs into even greater chaos.
The sixth move, “Buzhou Mountain, Heaven and Earth Tilt,” was a hand seal technique. Buzhou Mountain was the divine mountain supporting the sky. When Buzhou Mountain fell, heaven and earth would tilt. This move was meant to throw Chen Shi’s Dao Field’s heaven and earth into chaos.
The seventh move, “Darkness Shines on All Lands,” was a spell. The eighth move, “Darkness Veils the Eyes,” was a close-combat technique. The ninth move, “Jupiter Invades,” was a star spell. The first would darken Chen Shi’s Dao Field, leaving the sun, moon, and stars without light. The second would blind Chen Shi. The third would have Jupiter invade and ruin Chen Shi’s luck.
After demonstrating these nine moves, Yan Shaoxuan stepped back and waited silently for Yang Bi’s assessment.
A look of surprise crossed Yang Bi’s face. He had once dueled Chen Shi and knew something of his abilities. These nine moves were indeed all aimed at Chen Shi’s weaknesses. They were incredibly clever and vicious!
“There are more than nine moves.”
Yang Bi frowned slightly. “The first nine moves are all about breaking his techniques. Executed rapidly, in an instant, they just destroy Chen Shi’s Dao Field. The tenth move is the real killing move.”
Recently obsessed with Dao techniques and eager to test his skills, he grew excited. “After these nine moves, there should be more. Three more, at least. No, that’s wrong. Four… Five more!”
He paced back and forth, muttering to himself, trying to deduce how the remaining moves should be executed.
Yan Shaoxuan was stunned speechless.
When Yang Bi said there were three more moves, she was genuinely shocked, and she couldn’t help but admire his intellect. But when he said there was a fourth and even a fifth, her mind couldn’t keep up.
Had Zhong Wuwang hidden two moves from her? Or did even Zhong Wuwang not know about a thirteenth or fourteenth move?
Yang Bi reenacted the nine moves Yan Shaoxuan had just performed. Soon, he had mastered them. Then his techniques shifted, and following the ninth move, he executed the tenth!
The tenth move, “All Stars Lose Their Form,” was a technique between close combat and spells. It used his own power to pull Chen Shi’s Dao Field’s star river, borrowing its strength to turn it against him. By using the power of Chen Shi’s Dao Field’s star river, it would severely injure him.
After executing this move, Yang Bi let out a long cry. In one breath, he also performed the eleventh move, “Mountains and Rivers Shattered,” and the twelfth move, “Ghosts and Gods Wail in Anguish.”
But the thirteenth move, he hesitated for a long time, unable to bring it out.
Yan Shaoxuan watched him nervously, hoping he could create the thirteenth move.
After a long while, Yang Bi gathered his energy into a sword and executed the thirteenth move: “Sorrowful Winds Rise from All Directions.”
If this move landed, Chen Shi would likely shatter along with his broken Dao Field, blown into every limb, every joint, every major acupoint by the sword wind. His flesh and bones would dissolve, leading to a most miserable death.
“If Chen Shi escapes this move, there’s a fourteenth.”
Yang Bi stopped. “Figuring out this move will take more time, maybe three to five days. Can you wait, Shaoxuan?”
Yan Shaoxuan gritted her teeth. “I can wait!”
Yang Bi walked out of the alley. “Stay at my place for now. I’ll perfect this move and then teach it to you.”
Yan Shaoxuan agreed and followed him.
Yang Bi had bought a house in Tianyu County. As Yan Shaoxuan followed him inside, she heard a baby voice: “Daddy! Daddy!”
Utterly shocked, Yan Shaoxuan followed the sound. A toddler, about two years old, wobbled toward Yang Bi with short arms spread wide.
Yang Bi crouched down, picked up the child, his face brimming with joy. He bumped noses and foreheads with the baby, laughing heartily.
Yan Shaoxuan had never seen Yang Bi act so childish, nor had she ever seen him so cheerful.
Just then, a young woman walked over. Seeing Yan Shaoxuan behind him, she was startled but remained composed. “Husband, who is this young lady?”
“The eldest young lady of the Yan Family.”
Yang Bi didn’t hide it. “She’s an old acquaintance, fleeing here. I told her to stay for now. I’m helping her perfect her techniques for killing Chen Shi, and then I’ll kick her out.”
The young woman was his wife, Xiao Fang. Gentle and virtuous, she asked, “The brothers of Red Mountain Hall are all searching for Yan Family members. Is this not a problem?”
“No problem. She’ll leave once she learns.”
Yang Bi explained, “After she learns, she’ll go kill Chen Shi. And then she’ll die at Chen Shi’s hands.”
Yan Shaoxuan snorted. Yang Bi continued, “Before he kills her, Chen Shi will ask who taught her. She’ll tell him our names—mine and Zhong Wuwang’s. Then Chen Shi will know that Zhong Wuwang and I are no lesser than him. It’ll keep his arrogance in check, stop him from thinking he’s the best in the world.”
Xiao Fang suppressed a smile and invited Yan Shaoxuan to sit. “Have some tea first. I’ll prepare a room for you.”
Yan Shaoxuan didn’t drink the tea. She got up to help.
Six days later, Yang Bi had deduced the fourteenth move. After several rounds of simulation and deliberation, he taught it to Yan Shaoxuan.
“This move is called ‘When Will the Long Night End? When Will the Dawn Arrive?’”
As he demonstrated and explained, this move encompassed spells, divine abilities, and swordsmanship, all executed simultaneously. It vividly portrayed the vision of the long night ending, dawn approaching, light surging from the east, and the horizon turning pale.
The spell formed the dark night, the sword qi formed the dawn light, and the divine ability formed the great sun. The moment the sun rose in the east, sweeping away all darkness, that would be the moment Chen Shi was slain!
It took Yan Shaoxuan a few more days to fully learn this move.
Yang Bi said, “Shaoxuan, you can leave now. This parting is forever. This time next year, I’ll burn incense for you.”
Yan Shaoxuan was indignant. “I’ve learned the first twelve moves from Zhong Wuwang and the last two from you. Even so, can’t I kill Chen Shi?”
Yang Bi said, “The techniques might be enough, but the person is not.”
Yan Shaoxuan froze for a moment, not understanding his meaning.
“The gap between you and Chen Shi is too vast. Even with the fourteen killing moves mastered, facing Chen Shi is like an ant wielding a blade of grass against a giant elephant. You might not even make the elephant notice your attack.”
Yang Bi continued, “Do you know why Zhong Wuwang didn’t teach you the last two moves? It’s not that he hadn’t figured them out. He used you as a stone to test the waters, to see Chen Shi’s reaction and confirm whether his own two moves could kill him. You’re just a pebble he threw to find his way.”
Yan Shaoxuan was dumbfounded.
She was a genius, blessed with a First-grade Divine Embryo, seen by her sect as a prized colt capable of revitalizing the Yan Family. But her talent seemed laughably childish compared to Yang Bi and Zhong Wuwang.
“And you, Yang Bi? Why did you teach me these two moves?” she asked, unwilling to accept it.
Yang Bi said flatly, “I just don’t like being forgotten. I want to show Chen Shi and Zhong Wuwang that I’m still formidable, that I’m no less than them. That’s all.”
Yan Shaoxuan gritted her teeth. “You’re all using me!”
Yang Bi didn’t bother with her anymore. He turned and went to coax the child.
Yan Shaoxuan hesitated for a moment, then left the Yang residence and headed back to Xinxiang.
A few more days passed. She finally arrived at Qianyang Mountain, found Huangpo Village, and saw Chen Shi sitting in front of the small temple on the yellow earth slope from afar.
“Chen! Shi!” Her reason overwhelmed by hatred, she called out loudly.
Chen Shi looked over, then immediately summoned the Tianluo Blood-Transforming Divine Blade.
“Wait!”
Yan Shaoxuan regained her senses. She quickly said, “Zhong Wuwang taught me twelve divine abilities to kill you! Yang Bi added two more for me!”
“Whoosh!”
The blade light shot down from the yellow earth slope like a rainbow, stopping just an inch from her forehead.
On the yellow earth slope, Chen Shi sheathed his blade, looking eager to fight. He laughed, “They want to break my Dao techniques? Don’t die just yet. Show me what you’ve got.”