Zhou Yue's Illusion Realm.
In the deserted temple, scarlet flames flickered in and out of sight amid the bleak, cold wind.
Zhou Yue's health bar was almost empty, but he showed no sign of retreat. His eyes were calm as water as he watched the furious old man before him.
Rings of scarlet Killing Intent swirled around the Buddha Carver.
Zhou Yue knew exactly what they were: the power of Karmic Fire.
How many souls had the Buddha Carver slaughtered to incur such terrifying karma? Even in this low-martial world, it had nearly condensed into tangible "energy."
"I'm almost dead... but old man, I've seen through your moves now."
Zhou Yue smiled faintly and raised Kusabimaru across his body.
The Buddha Carver's moves were sweeping and forceful. He fought less like a human martial artist than a ferocious beast, and his attacks changed so quickly that they were extremely difficult to handle.
The Buddha Carver had killed Zhou Yue a full eighty times before Zhou Yue grasped even a little of how to fight him.
This time, he was closer to victory than ever.
His health was now like a candle guttering in the wind, but the Buddha Carver was hardly better off. Under Zhou Yue's relentless Deflects, his posture gauge was nearly full too.
In other words, one strike would decide the fight.
"Come on!"
"Roar!!"
The Buddha Carver let out an inhuman roar. A cluster of scarlet flames glimmered in his chest, and his speed surged to its limit.
"Fast slash... fast slash... slow slash!"
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Zhou Yue caught all three attacks.
"I win, old man!"
The Buddha Carver's posture gauge filled. He stumbled backward, wide open, and Zhou Yue thrust his sword.
Just then.
Scarlet Karmic Fire burst from the Buddha Carver's chest and spread