Life-Saving Grace

The next moment, Zhang Lingyu's Golden Light Spell vanished completely.

[Life Imprisonment: The linked target will automatically have one type of energy within their body sealed.]

The energy Zhang Lingyu had sealed was naturally his Innate One Qi. Without Innate One Qi, the Golden Light Spell dissipated immediately.

The current Zhang Lingyu was merely a martial artist without Qi.

From the explosive start of the battle to the light chains entering his body, everything had happened in the blink of an eye.

The sudden reversal of the situation caused bursts of gasps from the spectators. Lingyu Zhenren of Dragon Tiger Mountain was actually being suppressed!

"What sect's technique is this?"

"I've never seen it before, it shouldn't be a technique from our country!"

"This Tianxia Association's iron turtle isn't just strong in defense, their techniques are also very powerful!"

"Mhm, it's very strong, but it doesn't seem to have any Qi fluctuations!"

Feng Shayan, however, ignored the spectators' chatter and gazed at the green glow in Wang Changle's hand. This must be the killing move he had hidden for so long!

Lu Linglong, Yun, and the others looked at the scene before them, exchanging bewildered glances. Was this person really this powerful?

One move, a powerful seal, instantly incapacitating Zhang Lingyu!

"That should be some kind of sealing technique! I saw something similar when I was traveling the states."

Liu Ergou spoke with a hint of recollection, but his eyes were grave. He had seen many sealing techniques before, but most required preparations like setting up an altar, or even multiple people assisting.

This was the first time he had encountered such a technique that didn't require an altar or assistance, could be activated on the spot, and take effect instantly. Judging by Lingyu Zhenren's state, it was very troublesome!

"Daoist Zhang, I apologize, but I must win this match!"

He looked at Zhang Lingyu, who leaped down from the air, took a few steps forward, and maintained the light chains in his hand.

"What did you do to me?"

Zhang Lingyu frowned deeply. He realized that ever since the green glow entered his body, all his Qi had been sealed. It wasn't just sealed, either.

His Innate Qi was draining, his physical condition was weakening, and even his thoughts were becoming sluggish.

He stopped speaking and flew up, his hands transforming from fists to claws, grabbing at Zhang Lingyu's shoulder.

Zhang Lingyu executed the Seven Stars Step, dodging to the side. As he evaded, he lowered his shoulder and used an Iron Mountain Lean, pushing Wang Changle back several steps.

As long as the light chains existed, the sealing effect would remain.

He quickly regained his footing. This seemingly fierce Iron Mountain Lean hadn't caused him any damage. This close-quarters combat could be fought!

He wasn't some villain responsible for live commentary!

With that thought, he twisted and attacked again, turning his fists into palms and ferociously striking at Zhang Lingyu.

Zhang Lingyu, having lost his Innate Qi, still possessed sharp fist techniques and swift footwork, but without the enhancement of the Golden Light Spell, he was not much stronger than Wang Changle.

His punches and kicks could no longer break through Wang Changle's defense. Now, he just needed to last four minutes, and victory would surely be his!

This was why he had been holding back. He needed to ensure that this move of his would hit, because the skill had a long cooldown. If he missed, he would lose a trump card.

Therefore, he had to make people believe he had no long-range abilities, that he was just a coward with strong defense. Zhang Lingyu, a proud disciple of a Heavenly Master, would never use the Lightning Method right from the start.

Techniques had their pride. What Wang Changle intended to do was to exploit that pride.

A snake only had a chance to hunt if it hid its fangs!

Seeing that the opponent refused to retreat no matter what, sticking to him even if he was slapped in the face, Zhang Lingyu's eyes flickered. He immediately understood. These light chains had a range limit!

Realizing this, Zhang Lingyu immediately sidestepped, stomped on Wang Changle, and used the force to charge in the opposite direction, instantly creating a significant distance between them.

"Zhang Lingyu, Zhenren Zhang! Truly agile. Is this how you took Xia He's virginity from Quanxing? Truly a role model for us all."

His voice wasn't loud, and it happened to reach Zhang Lingyu's ears as he pushed off to turn around, filled with mockery.

"That's why you can only use Yin Five Thunders and not Yang Five Thunders! Oh, and you can't even use Yin Thunder Water Contamination anymore. That's why you're so jealous of Zhang Chulan all the time, because you know you're not worthy!"

Each word was like a steel needle piercing Zhang Lingyu's heart. His body involuntarily froze.

"Shut up, who are you!"

Zhang Lingyu's expression turned cold upon hearing this. He turned back and unleashed a palm strike, rage surging in his eyes.

With a "clang," Wang Changle's helmet flew off, his head bleeding profusely.

"You fell for it, Zhenren Zhang!"

He lunged forward again, pressing down with both hands, locking Zhang Lingyu's arms.

"Let go, who are you?"

Zhang Lingyu was in a state of disarray. Every word spoken by this person struck at his deepest "shame," yet he was unable to do anything about him. It was infuriating.

"No, I want to win! If I win against you, I'll definitely be in the top three of this competition!"

Blood streamed down his forehead, blurring his vision, but the corners of his mouth curled up.

If he could win against Zhang Lingyu, his ranking would improve, his quest rewards would increase, and he would also obtain the Heavenly Silkworm Silk. He had no reason to let go.

The two were locked in a stalemate. Zhang Lingyu's all-stats continuously dropped until he collapsed on the ground, losing his fighting ability.

"The victor is Malfurion Ode!"

Master Extreme Night swooped down and embraced his junior uncle.

[You defeated the important story character Zhang Lingyu in the Luotian Grand Ceremony, slightly altering the story world. You have obtained 3% World Origin, with your current World Origin at 13.1%.]

[Your main quest (2) Luotian Grand Ceremony - Stage 2, entering the top 8, your ranking has increased, and the reward has been upgraded.]

[You have gained Feng Zhenghao's attention. Feng Zhenghao's favorability towards you has increased by 10, now at 10/100 Friendly.]

[You have unlocked Feng Shayan's favorability, now at 50/100 Friendly.]

[You have attracted Feng Baobao's attention. She is now Indifferent 0/100, and you might be hunted by Feng Baobao.]

This ball of golden Life Essence in his hand, even without inspecting it, he knew it was at least a blue-tier recovery item.

Having extracted 70% of the opponent's Life Source, it might even possess some peculiar abilities.

"Immediately help True Master Lingyu absorb this, and then absorb this one too! Hurry, or Zhang Lingyu's foundation might be damaged."

He tossed it to Master Xingye, who had rushed over, and then threw another white Life Essence. Master Xingye could see Wang Changle's sincerity and immediately began channeling energy to help Zhang Lingyu recover.

After absorbing two portions of Life Essence consecutively, Zhang Lingyu's body emitted a golden radiance, though the color of the Golden Light Spell was much dimmer than before.

Zhang Lingyu nodded at him with a complex expression, then turned and left with a cold face.

Although this person was calculating and sharp-tongued, he could tell the other party bore no ill will towards him. Still, this feeling of being manipulated wasn't pleasant.

He let out a long sigh. It was clear Zhang Lingyu had sustained some injuries, but they shouldn't be critical.

Getting injured during a match was permissible, but injuring the opponent's core foundation would mean making an enemy.

He didn't want to make an enemy of Dragon Tiger Mountain. Not to mention he was still on their territory, but just considering the number of powerful individuals on Dragon Tiger Mountain, he couldn't afford to offend them!

After watching Zhang Lingyu leave, he gestured a phone call towards Feng Shayan's direction and then headed towards Zhang Chulan.

He still remembered Feng Baobao's cold, gleaming eyes right after the battle ended, the look that seemed to be contemplating where to bury him!

If a girl as cunning as her set her sights on him, he'd probably have nothing else to do but hide in his quarters for the foreseeable future.

"Zhang Chulan, Mr. Xu San, wait, wait for me!"

He shouted loudly as he arrived in front of the four, indicating he had something to say.

"Brother Wang, what's up? Oh right, congratulations on defeating that cold guy Zhang Lingyu, hahaha."

Zhang Chulan said with a grin, but then noticed Wang Changle seemed to genuinely have something to discuss and stopped talking.

"Yes, I do. I'm not interested in the position of Heavenly Master. If I encounter you, Zhang Chulan, later on, I can immediately concede."

He said this to Zhang Chulan with utter sincerity, but his eyes were fixed on Feng Baobao.

"Uh, Brother Wang, why are you suddenly saying this? Why are you looking at Sister Bao'er like that?"

Zhang Chulan's expression turned strange upon hearing this. Could this guy and Sister Bao'er...?

"Because I don't want to become the second Dan Shitong. Also, when Zhang Chulan was captured by Quanxing, I was the one who rescued him, and I took a palm strike from Xia He!"

After saying this, he nodded at Xu San, then glanced at Feng Baobao before turning to leave.

"Sister Bao'er, were you really thinking about how to bury someone just now?"

"Yeah, that one who does Tai Chi and this one are both a bit fierce. I feel like you can't beat either of them. This guy, though, I could go easy on him."

"Sister Bao'er, can you stop thinking about burying people all the time!"

"Baobao, this person cannot be touched. He's publicly associated with the Tianxia Association, and secretly with Western Otherworldly Persons. Mishandling this could lead to international disputes, and we do owe him a favor."

"He really saved me?"

"Yes. This time, I'm siding with Xu San. This person has been hiding his strength step by step, and now he's famous after one battle. He came here shouting and has already attracted a lot of attention. Moreover, he has already extended an olive branch."

"Then that's fine. I'll find an opportunity to bury that Tai Chi guy first then~"

[Notification: Feng Baobao's hostility towards you has disappeared.]

Listening to the Cycle Paradise notification, his steps lightened. He carefully bypassed the motion sensors ahead and turned towards the back mountain.

The night deepened, and a full moon hung high in the sky.

A Black Cat darted through the shadows, its eyes gleaming as it observed the various Taoist temples. Cunning flickered in its beastly eyes.

A pair of young Taoist boys, carrying wooden basins, walked past, laughing and chatting. A dark figure suddenly pounced from the shadows, and sharp blades shot out.

"On Dragon Tiger Mountain, let's see who dares to be so presumptuous!"