Misaligned Force Showdown, Suppressing the Third Prince's Edge

The Blood Demon Saber was embedded in the stone steps, its blade still trembling as its hum traveled through the ground. Chen Wuya stood where he was, the vortex in his palm slowly dissipating, his fingertips still numb from the reverse flow of Misaligned Force. Rather than pursue, he took half a step back and crossed his arms over his chest. True qi flowed backward from his central chest point and downward, suppressing the churning, sluggish sensation in his meridians.

That strike had nearly drained the last trace of Misaligned Force within him that could still circulate smoothly.

Tuoba Lie looked down at his empty right hand, his face darkening sharply. He suddenly raised his head, bloodlight surging in his eyes. His left palm slammed into the ground, propelling him into the air as his hooked fingers shot straight for Chen Wuya's throat. A thread of bloody stench rode the palm wind—the sign of the Blood Demon Art being driven to its utmost limit.

Bai Zhi raised her sword to block, only to be forced two steps back by a scorching wave of qi. Her heel struck the edge of a stone step.

Yet Chen Wuya did not move.

Just as that hand was about to seize his throat, he suddenly drew in his shoulders and sank his waist, hollowing his chest and abdomen as he let Tuoba Lie's fingertips brush past his lapel. Tuoba Lie's strike missed, his wrist tilting slightly as his assault stalled for a fraction.

That instant.

Chen Wuya kicked off fiercely with both feet. Misaligned Force surged backward from the Yongquan Acupoint into the Governing Vessel Meridian, and his body spun sideways in an almost twisted motion. His right palm snapped out like the tip of a rebounding whip, striking the inside of Tuoba Lie's