The Three's Harrowing Experiences
"Receive!"
Using his powerful physique, he forcefully absorbed the immense force, while simultaneously employing techniques from the "Water Moon Precious Mirror"—the principle of "the highest good is like water"—to minimize energy loss and instead absorb it.
"Change!"
The high-frequency vibrations in space merge with one's own Fist Intent, disrupting the opponent's intention attached to the move, stirring up Primal Qi, and transforming it into pure energy.
"Transport!"
By converting Primal Qi into one's own and combining it with one's own internal power, one can unleash an attack that surpasses the limits of one's own cultivation. Ordinary people's physical bodies are unlikely to withstand such power and will inevitably suffer backlash and injury. However, Si Ming's physical qualities far exceed his Internal Cultivation, so this backlash is like a mosquito bite to him.
Just as Si Ming was about to take the final step and retaliate tenfold, Ke Chajing said, "Junior Brother Si, they've already run far away."
"What!"
Looking up, there was no sign of Ximen Chou.
This guy actually used his attack and ran away!
Si Ming shoved the Primal Qi in his hand toward the masked assassin, causing him to explode and fall to the ground, blood and flesh flying everywhere. He clenched his fist and said angrily, "Don't think you can escape my grasp like this!"
Hu Jixian said, "Not only did he put on a villainous expression, but he also uttered a classic villain line."
"You all forced me to this!"
Si Ming immediately used his internal energy to rush after them, locking onto a figure fleeing in panic not far away, and gave the signal to attack.
Suddenly, a streak of blood-red light shot out, transforming into a blood-red curtain that blocked Ximen Chou's path.
Although going around it was an option, it would waste time teleporting. Having witnessed Si Ming's true strength, Ximen Chou had no intention of fighting and only wanted to leave as soon as possible. As for the disciples left behind, let them die; it was more important to save his own life anyway.
Get out of the way!
With a loud shout, Ximen Chou condensed his Yin Qi into a ghostly claw, swung it fiercely, leaving four scratches in the air before cleaving the blood curtain apart.
Just as he was about to rush forward, he suddenly felt a tightness under his feet. Looking down, he saw a blood whip wrapped around his ankle. He immediately exerted his strength and shook it off.
However, this caused Ximen Chou to be delayed. The blood curtain that had been shattered earlier reassembled and transformed into a giant fly swatter, which slammed down on his head.
Ximen Chou instinctively raised his arm to block, but found that the blow had no power; it only contained a strong impact force that pushed him back the way he came.
In an instant, Ximen Chou understood the reason and felt an extremely dangerous aura rapidly approaching from behind. Turning his head, he saw a giant Asura hand grabbing at him, gradually covering his vision.
"No--"
The terrified screams stopped abruptly. Si Ming, having commanded the Asura Wrathful Form to grab Ximen Chou, slammed him into the ground, followed by a "Dragon-Elephant Stomp," which caused the earth to tremble and collapse many nearby houses.
"Oh no, I forgot this is a town."
If the enemy takes innocent civilians hostage, Si Ming will naturally not accept the threat and would rather sacrifice the hostages to kill the enemy to prevent future attacks. However, he would not be able to actively harm innocent people.
He immediately withdrew his Asura Wrathful Form, descended from the sky, and pressed down with a palm strike. The immense force of the palm caused the ground below to sink, suppressing Ximen Chou, who was trying to escape.
Ximen Chou channeled all his inner strength, absorbing the yin Yin Qi from all directions to form a protective shield, and barely managed to receive the blow. He was immediately shaken so badly that his bones and muscles cracked, his internal Qi and Blood surged, and blood flowed from his seven orifices, causing him to be seriously injured.
Just as Si Ming was about to press his advantage and not give his opponent any chance to escape, he saw Ximen Chou suddenly leap down like a tiger.
"This posture... could it be Toad Skill?"
Si Ming was startled and secretly became wary.
"I surrender, I admit defeat, please don't kill me."
Chapter 581 The Tribulations of the Three
Ximen Chou's surrender was not a ruse, nor did he launch a sneak attack with a hidden weapon when Si Ming turned around. Instead, he truly surrendered without resistance, allowing Si Ming to seal his Qi and Blood and suppress his Cultivation Body by striking his acupoints.
Since this person was so sensible and obedient, Si Ming couldn't bring himself to kill him. After all, he was now considered a leader of the righteous path, and he had to protect him to some extent. Just like the protagonist in a movie, when the enemy hadn't surrendered, he would kill them one by one with a single shot, making it clean and efficient. Of course, this kind of approach was usually aimed at minor characters, since minor characters have no rights.
However, once the enemy surrenders, one cannot kill them unless one reveals a weakness that gives the enemy an opportunity to commit further crimes. Only then can one exercise legitimate self-defense.
"How could someone like this advance to the Nascent Spirit Transformation? Isn't it said that to become Spirit Transformation, one must possess unwavering faith?"
Having witnessed Ximen Chou at first and obsequious at second, Ke Chajing looked at him with more disdain, even though the other party had a higher cultivation level.
This is like how having money doesn't necessarily mean someone is worthy of respect.
As a martial artist, treachery, cunning, and ruthlessness can be tolerated and even respected by a small number of people. However, cowardice is universally despised because courage is the backbone of a martial artist. A person without backbone will be inferior to an expert of the same level. It would be good if they could exert 70% of their full strength. A martial artist who is not even qualified for combat will naturally not be recognized by others.
Si Ming, "Perhaps this person's belief is simply to live, and to live longer; survival is, after all, one of the instincts of living beings."
Is being afraid of death considered a belief?
"Simply being afraid of death doesn't qualify as a belief, but being willing to pay any price to survive can be considered a conviction. After all, for many people, survival is just one of many desires, not the only one. For example, if your house is on fire, and you know it's dangerous inside, but you risk rushing into the fire to save your belongings, only to not come out and lose both your money and your life, then you're not exactly fearless. It's just that people die for money and birds die for food, so their fear of death cannot be considered a conviction."
Those who truly live by the belief that survival is paramount speak of the saying, "Even a wealthy man would not risk his life if his wealth were to be destroyed. What does it matter if all his possessions are burned? As long as he is alive, he can earn them back. Not only can he sacrifice wealth, but he can also sacrifice his wife, children, and reputation."
Don't think this is a simple matter. Suppose you were a Spirit Transformation, could you beg for mercy without regard for your status or shame, just like him?"
Ke Chajing said thoughtfully, "What you said seems to make some sense, but I still look down on people like that."
"I didn't say he deserved to be respected. I was just explaining the rationale for someone who was afraid of death to become a Spirit Transformation. As for whether this guy became Spirit Transformation based on that reason, I can't guarantee it."
Ke Chajing said irritably, "So, in the end, you're just guessing?"
"These kinds of matters concern one's conscience; only the person in question can know the answer."
Si Ming kicked Ximen Chou, signaling him to answer his question.