Zorro had previously used this forbidden technique to encircle and attack Jiang Wuming in the Genius Group competition, only to have it broken by Jiang Wuming's True Dragon Treasure Technique.
However, this was not due to the weakness of the Nine-Headed Serpent Forbidden Technique, but rather the vast disparity in strength between Zorro and Jiang Wuming.
Taylor's overall strength surpassed Ren Xiaoyao's. After the battle commenced, he continuously suppressed Ren Xiaoyao, holding an absolute advantage on the field. After Ren Xiaoyao desperately dodged, Taylor struck again, delivering what was effectively a fatal blow to Ren Xiaoyao!
This much was evident to all the Five-Star War Gods present.
Among them, the Five-Star War Gods from Europa, led by Saint Lun @ Roman, as well as representatives from the Ninja Kingdom's Heavenly Palace Wuhong and the North American Alliance, all wore cold smiles.
Meanwhile, Qi Wufu and Yun Tianjian both wore grim expressions.
On the martial arts arena, Ren Xiaoyao also sensed the immense danger. Disregarding his own disheveled state, he immediately made hand seals, intending to use the forbidden technique of the True Dragon Treasure Technique to counter Taylor's Nine-Headed Serpent Forbidden Technique!
However—
Before Ren Xiaoyao could complete his hand seals, the nine-headed serpent, manifested from black true qi, roared and slithered towards him.
As it glided, its nine heads swayed up and down, mouths agape, flicking their forked tongues in a truly terrifying manner.
As the nine-headed serpent approached, the area where Ren Xiaoyao stood was enveloped by black true qi, resembling a hellish realm filled with an eerie, malevolent aura.
Seeing that he had no time to deploy his forbidden technique, Ren Xiaoyao made a decisive choice. He immediately abandoned his hand seals, swung his right hand sharply, and a palm of true qi shot out, striking the rapidly approaching nine-headed serpent.
Boom!
The palm of white true qi struck one of the serpent's heads. The head's luminescence dimmed slightly, but it did not disappear.
Furthermore, the nine-headed serpent's speed was virtually unimpeded!
Swish!
Ren Xiaoyao's expression changed, and he dodged sideways once more!
However—
As if possessing sentience, the nine-headed serpent shifted its attack direction to pursue Ren Xiaoyao when it saw him move.
Locking onto its target, it would not rest until its prey was dead!
This was the terror of the forbidden technique, the Nine-Headed Serpent, one of its formidable aspects!
When faced with this forbidden technique, one could only break its attack; otherwise, the Nine-Headed Serpent would never dissipate and would relentlessly pursue.
Ren Xiaoyao clearly understood the fearsome nature and characteristics of this forbidden technique. While evading, he rapidly moved his hands, conjuring a gate of true qi to block behind him.
Boom!
The nine-headed serpent did not dodge. It directly smashed through the gate of true qi!
The gate of true qi could not halt the Nine-Headed Serpent, nor could it even delay its speed!
Moreover, due to using the gate of true qi to defend, Ren Xiaoyao's speed was affected, and he was caught up by the pursuing Nine-Headed Serpent.
Time seemed to slow down at this moment.
In the eyes of all martial artists below the Four-Star War God level, including Jiang Wuming, the nine-headed serpent, manifested from black true qi, submerged Ren Xiaoyao.
And in the eyes of powerful figures like Qi Wufu, the Nine-Headed Serpent caught up to Ren Xiaoyao, and all nine heads opened their mouths simultaneously, biting down on him.
Boom!!!
The nine heads of the black true qi serpent exploded like nine cannonballs, unleashing a thunderous roar. A terrifying energy storm instantly engulfed the entire area.
Within the storm, a splash of red was exceptionally vibrant.
It was Ren Xiaoyao's blood!
Was it over?
Seeing this, almost everyone inwardly asked themselves this question.
Then, the answer was revealed.
As the storm dissipated after striking the true qi energy walls surrounding the martial arts arena, it gradually vanished.
A large pit had been blasted into the ground. Ren Xiaoyao lay motionless within the pit, covered in blood, his life uncertain.
This scene was captured by the cameras on-site, and through the live broadcast, it was clearly visible to all the members of the various national delegations and the audience in the God Network live stream.
"Xiaoyao!"
"Master Ren!"
"Grandpa Ren!"
Witnessing this, the entire Dragon Country delegation stood up, calling out to Ren Xiaoyao with intense worry.
Among them, elders like Qi Wufu and Yun Tianjian called out "Xiaoyao," while others addressed him as Master Ren. Jiang Wuming, however, called him Grandpa Ren.
There was no response.
Above the pit, dust swirled, and black true qi permeated the air. The pit was dead silent!
Moreover, including Jiang Wuming, the martial artists of the Dragon Country delegation could sense that Ren Xiaoyao's aura was incredibly weak, on the verge of death at any moment.
This outcome left Jiang Wuming and the others with heavy hearts.
Especially Jiang Wuming!
His eyes were bloodshot, and his fists were clenched tightly!
Although Shen Zui had predicted before the battle that Ren Xiaoyao would not be Taylor's match, seeing Ren Xiaoyao so overwhelmingly defeated by Taylor, on the brink of death, made Jiang Wuming feel as though his heart had been stabbed, causing him unbearable pain!
Ever since he had known Ren Xiaoyao, Ren Xiaoyao had shown him exceptional care, a care akin to that of a grandfather for his grandson!
Furthermore, Ren Xiaoyao, guilt-ridden over Jiang Zhan's death in the past, had transformed that guilt into doting affection, compensating for it through Jiang Wuming, loving him even more than the concept of intergenerational affection!
While Jiang Wuming and his compatriots were in deep sorrow, all the delegations, whether it was the Europa branch of the God of War Hall led by Saint Lun @ Roman, or the representatives from the Ninja Kingdom and the North American Alliance, wore expressions of smug amusement.
Although they had long anticipated this outcome, they felt an immense sense of satisfaction seeing Ren Xiaoyao on the verge of death.
This was because, in the Genius Group and Two-Star War God level competitions, Jiang Wuming had utterly dominated them, inflicting too much anger and humiliation upon them!
Their hopes, pinned on Gordin, who with his heroic spirit and integrity refused to be a tool for those in power, had chosen to settle the match with a single move against Zhujian, failing to allow them to wash away the shame Jiang Wuming had inflicted.
Only now did they get their wish!
"Master Taylor has won!"
"This isn't a win, it's a crushing victory!"
"Yes, Dragon Country's Ren Xiaoyao was almost defenseless and was heavily injured by Master Taylor, and is about to die. How satisfying!"
"Are the martial artists of Dragon Country not boasting now? What's the use of winning in the Genius Group and Two-Star War God competitions? In the high-level matches, you are all trash!!"
...
At the same time, the God Network live stream was once again flooded with barrage comments. Martial artists from various countries, like petty victors, celebrated Taylor's triumph and mocked the Dragon Country's martial arts community.
The martial artists of Dragon Country were speechless.
If Zhujian had merely lost to Gordin, then Ren Xiaoyao had suffered a crushing defeat!
Under such a complete loss, any verbal rebuttal was bound to be feeble and ineffectual!
"We lost this match!"
Just then, Qi Wufu let out a low shout. He first declared the Dragon Country delegation's surrender. Then, with a flash, he leaped onto the martial arts arena, stepped into the pit, quickly retrieved healing medicine from his怀 and administered it to Ren Xiaoyao. He then manipulated his true qi to gently lift Ren Xiaoyao, carrying him towards the Dragon Country delegation's area to avoid aggravating his injuries.
Seeing this, Xivier @ Roman, acting as the referee, did not intervene.
This was because Qi Wufu had already announced their surrender before undertaking any of these actions.
Furthermore, in his view, Ren Xiaoyao's injuries were extremely severe, leaving him with only a sliver of life, beyond any hope of recovery.
Xivier @ Roman remained silent, while Taylor stood with his hands behind his back, a cold smile on his face. He loudly declared:
"The East Sea Martial Arts Academy is hailed as one of the sacred halls of the global martial arts world, and Ren Xiaoyao is known as a master theorist of the global martial arts world, bearing the title of Saint Master. Yet, he is this weak?!"
Taylor's voice echoed throughout the entire venue and, through the live broadcast, reached every corner of the globe.
Even though Ren Xiaoyao was on his last breath, Taylor did not forget to humiliate him, simultaneously trampling on the dignity of the Dragon Country's martial arts community!
"You..."
Qi Wufu's expression changed, and he glared furiously at Taylor.
"Marshal Qi Wufu, do you have any objections to my words?!"
Taylor said with a mocking laugh.
Qi Wufu was enraged but ultimately remained silent. Instead, he flashed forward, bringing Ren Xiaoyao to the Dragon Country delegation's area.
Li Lianyi, Li Xiaoman, and other members of the medical team were already prepared. Seeing Ren Xiaoyao placed on a stretcher, they immediately stepped forward to provide treatment.
The other members of the Dragon Country delegation glared angrily at Taylor, wishing they could tear him to pieces, but they could only indulge in such thoughts.
At this moment, they felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation and frustration!
And at this very moment, Jiang Wuming turned his head, his eyes bloodshot, and looked at Shen Zui, asking, "Eldest Senior Brother, can you defeat that old scoundrel?"
"Yes."
Hearing Jiang Wuming's words and looking at his bloodshot eyes, Shen Zui knew what Jiang Wuming intended. He first nodded slightly, then his gaze swept over Taylor on the martial arts arena like a blade, and he let out a low roar:
"Shen Zui of the Nether Hall, challenges!!"
...