From the perspective of cultivation technique attributes alone, Shen Muzhi had no advantage whatsoever against Lu Wuming.
After all, he primarily cultivated fire-attribute spells. While he had dabbled in other attributes, when facing a formidable opponent, he would naturally rely on what he was most proficient in.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed his emotions slightly. He looked into Lu Wuming's eyes again, pursed his lips, and then, to everyone's surprise, he put down his weapon. With both hands forming seals, he began to chant incantations rapidly.
He understood very well that his long sword was merely an auxiliary tool.
In a spar meant to end at a stalemate, he couldn't possibly do anything to genuinely harm Lu Wuming. Given that, the significance of using his sword diminished greatly.
It was better to set aside his weapon and focus all his attention on the clash of cultivation techniques. Perhaps then, he might glimpse a ray of victory, though Shen Muzhi himself held little faith in that.
His thoughts reached this point, and all subsequent considerations were forcefully suppressed by Shen Muzhi.
His hand seals completed, he suddenly widened his eyes. As he pushed his hands forward, a wave of heat enveloped the entire martial stage.
Due to the smoke from the initial exchange, the surrounding spectators could not see what was happening on the stage.
It was only when the smoke cleared that they were astonished to see a giant red lotus blooming on the stage. Surrounding the lotus, numerous similar flowers encircled Lu Wuming. Their petals blazed with fierce flames, as if intent on devouring everything in their path, leaving no room for escape.
Even if they hadn't witnessed it firsthand, the audience had heard of this technique.
This was the ultimate, treasured skill passed down through generations of the Valley Master of Medicine Master Valley.
While they were impressed, some began to whisper, questioning if Shen Muzhi was going too far. It was merely a martial arts tournament, and his opponent was a disciple from the Pill Sect whose name they hadn't even heard.
Was Shen Muzhi intending to kill him by employing such a move?
The murmurs grew louder, but Shen Muzhi himself remained unfazed. He knew very well that even by unleashing his ultimate technique, he wouldn't be able to harm Lu Wuming significantly.
Therefore, deploying this move was less about leaving no room for his opponent and more about creating a chance for himself to struggle.
He believed that Liu Buli at the sidelines must have seen it clearly. With the Karmic Fire Red Lotus unleashed, surely no one could accuse him of not fighting seriously anymore.
Mirroring his state, Liu Buli and You Siqi, who were considered family to the participants, showed no signs of tension.
Instead, like two country folk visiting a city for the first time, their eyes gleamed with excitement. You Siqi even nudged Liu Buli's arm, exclaiming, "The Karmic Fire Red Lotus! I'm seeing it for the first time too!"
"This is much more impressive than what you write in your novels," Liu Buli nodded in admiration. "Look at the color, and the patterns. I must say, Shen Muzhi is truly favored as the protagonist. To have such a beautiful move, it almost makes me jealous."
He had spoken casually.
To his surprise, You Siqi glanced back at him and said without hesitation, "Jealous of what? If you like it, why don't you ask him to teach you? I recall you also cultivate fire-attribute techniques, so learning the Karmic Fire Red Lotus should be quite easy for you, right?"
He spoke with such frankness, as if he genuinely intended for Shen Muzhi to impart his knowledge.
Hearing this, Liu Buli showed a rare hint of shyness. He waved his hand and said, "This is, after all, a treasured skill of your Medicine Master Valley. I'm not a member of your sect. It would be inappropriate to have it passed down to me, both morally and logically."
"What's inappropriate about it?" You Siqi shook his head. "Shen Muzhi is no longer the protagonist from the novel. His feelings for this sect aren't as strong as they were in the book. He hasn't taken many disciples, nor has he considered future successors. Moreover, he's leaving this world with me later. If this cultivation technique isn't passed on, wouldn't it be a complete waste? In that case, why not teach it to you? You're staying here, and it might prove useful."
With You Siqi having gone this far, Liu Buli thought for a moment and no longer refused.
He merely curved his lips and looked up at the red lotus blooming on the martial stage in the distance. "If Physician Shen doesn't mind, then I would indeed be willing to learn."
After all, who wouldn't be somewhat intrigued by something so beautiful?
While they were discussing, the two on the stage also felt their gazes.
Lu Wuming glanced towards the spectator stands and saw his master watching the competition with evident excitement. His expression immediately darkened.
He was certain that the reason for his master's excitement had nothing to do with him.
From the start of the match until now, apart from the initial water sword, he hadn't launched any other attacks.
And when he had used the water sword initially, Lu Wuming had discreetly glanced at the spectator stands. At that time, his master's expression had been unchanged, completely different from the excitement he felt now.
Therefore, the reason for his master's excitement must be the fiery flowers surrounding him.
The moment he reached this conclusion, the aura around Lu Wuming intensified.
Shen Muzhi, who had thought the match might end here, twitched his lips and quickly tried to explain, "Wuming, listen to me. I didn't intentionally try to attract your master's attention. My cultivation technique is just like this, so..."
Before he could finish, Lu Wuming raised his hand. His palm was enveloped in mist. As he touched the nearest flower, with a soft sound, the fiery lotus was instantly extinguished by the mist and withered.
The next second, the mist transformed into ropes, entwining all the surrounding lotuses. As the flowers were extinguished, the mist ropes, which had been translucent, turned pitch black.
Finally, all the lotuses withered. The remaining mist ropes coiled on the martial stage like giant black pythons.
Lu Wuming glanced in Shen Muzhi's direction and raised his long sword again.
He truly detested this person.
Sensing Lu Wuming's killing intent, Shen Muzhi immediately raised his hands. "I concede. I forfeit. I've shown you the Karmic Fire Red Lotus. Can I step down now?"