Chapter 587 - 195: The Grand Competition Concludes, Final Rankings
Upon seeing this, Yang Jing’s expression turned grim. He didn’t dare let his guard down for even a moment.
He took a deep breath. The three fused streams of Inner Qi in his Dantian roared to life, pouring entirely into his fists as he simultaneously pushed the Heart Method of the Mountain-Breaking Seal to its absolute limit.
A brilliant golden light erupted from his fists, carrying a ferocious power that seemed capable of splitting the heavens and the earth. He fearlessly met Chu Yunhai’s Refining Gang Palm head-on.
On the platform, fist and palm crashed together with a deafening, thunderous BOOM. Roiling waves of energy radiated outward from the two of them, kicking up a sky full of dust.
The disciples standing closer to the platform felt their eardrums ringing as if pricked by countless fine needles. Their blood and qi roiled violently within them, and a panicked tightness constricted their chests.
They couldn’t help but retreat again and again, terrified of being caught in the terrifying aftershock.
The impact from the fierce collision sent Yang Jing stumbling back five or six steps. Each step he took left a shallow crater in the bluestone slabs.
Chu Yunhai didn’t fare much better. His body swayed as he retreated four or five steps, and the stone slab beneath his feet cracked with several fine lines.
Seeing this, Chu Yunhai’s expression tightened, and a flicker of disbelief crossed his eyes.
’He never imagined that the full-power palm strike he’d delivered after activating his War Body would be blocked so easily by Yang Jing. To think his opponent’s defense was this formidable!’
Yang Jing steadied himself and shook his numb arm, silently sighing in relief.
’Thankfully, the defensive True Skill I cultivate is the Indestructible True Skill, and I’ve spent the last few days tempering my body with Bone Marrow Tempering Pills. Otherwise, I really might not have been able to withstand that sudden explosive burst from Chu Yunhai.’
The two exchanged a brief glance, a fierce glint flashing in both their eyes. They immediately charged at each other again, fists and palms meeting in a frenzied exchange of blows.
After activating his War Body, Chu Yunhai’s strength, speed, and Inner Qi all surged significantly. For a moment, he overwhelmed Yang Jing, his palm strikes as sharp as blades, each move carrying lethal force.
Yang Jing, however, relied on the formidable body he had tempered with the Indestructible True Skill and his potent, fused Inner Qi to forcibly endure Chu Yunhai’s onslaught.
The momentum of his Mountain-Breaking Seal was as solid as a mountain. He switched between defense and counterattack, refusing to be outmatched in the slightest.
The two went back and forth, fighting to a standstill. They were perfectly matched and inseparable.
They exchanged thirty to forty moves, the battle reaching a fever pitch.
Chu Yunhai’s Refining Gang Palm was unpredictable. At times, his palm strikes were like lightning, aiming for vital points. At others, his attacks were heavy and ferocious, powerful enough to split a mountain.
Yang Jing met every change with a constant strategy. Golden light flickered as his fists danced, and every block produced the sound of clashing metal. His counter-punches carried an indomitable momentum, forcing Chu Yunhai back on the defensive.
On the platform, waves of energy churned and dust billowed. The two fighters moved as fast as lightning; only two afterimages could be seen colliding repeatedly within the dust cloud. A continuous series of muffled THUDS made the hearts of the crowd pound in their chests.
...
「On the high platform.」
The Sect Leader of Xuanzhen Sect, Cao Zhen, paused the hand stroking his beard, watching the deadlocked battle on the platform with some surprise.
’He had originally thought that Yang Jing would be defeated soon after Chu Yunhai unleashed his War Body. After all, with the enhancement from his War Body, Chu Yunhai’s power far surpassed that of his peers.’
’But unexpectedly, while Yang Jing was at a slight disadvantage, his skills were well-rounded in both offense and defense. He revealed no flaws in his techniques and was actually able to trade blows with Chu Yunhai, fighting him to a virtual standstill.’
Cao Zhen narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze fixed on Yang Jing. He carefully studied the faint golden light circulating around him and his formidable physical defense.
He was certain that, unlike Chu Yunhai, Yang Jing wasn’t currently employing any kind of special constitution. His ability to contend with the War Body-enhanced Chu Yunhai came purely from his own concrete strength.
Cao Zhen pondered for a moment, and a thought suddenly struck him. ’This method of circulating Inner Qi, and this style of physical defense... why does it look like the Indestructible True Skill?’
’Did that kid Yang Jing switch to cultivating the Indestructible True Skill?’
’But can one really become this strong just by switching to the Indestructible True Skill?’
’Could it be... that he’s cultivating the complete version of the Indestructible True Skill?’
...
「On the other side.」
Peak Master Lingxi, Bai Bing, also watched the two combatants on the platform quietly, a hint of approval flashing in her cool, detached eyes.
’This is where the power of the Indestructible True Skill truly shows.’
Although the Infinite Body that Chu Yunhai cultivated was also a Top-grade True Skill with astonishing effects that greatly enhanced a Martial Artist’s strength, speed, and defense...
...it was precisely because it tried to cover all aspects that it lacked the specialized advantage in physical development and pure defense.
The advantage of the Indestructible True Skill, however, lay precisely in its absolute defense and the extreme development of the physical body, pushing one’s defensive capabilities to the pinnacle for their rank.
Even if Chu Yunhai’s power increased significantly after activating his War Body, giving him an edge over Yang Jing in terms of raw power...
...when they clashed, a portion of the Inner Qi and force directed at Yang Jing was already being neutralized by the defensive aura of the Indestructible True Skill.
As for the remaining Inner Qi and force, someone with a body as formidable as Yang Jing’s could easily withstand it on his own.
Bai Bing raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. ’This battle is getting more and more interesting.’
...
「On the platform.」
The battle between Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai grew ever more intense. Both were now fighting with real fury.
They were almost evenly matched. Every head-on collision sent the other’s blood and qi into turmoil.
Each had sustained considerable injuries from the violent collisions of Inner Qi, and trickles of fresh blood seeped from the corners of their mouths.