Yu Daohun yielded the arena, and Zhang Xiaoqiang and Wang Ming stepped into the center.
Zhang Xiaoqiang smiled, "I hope the Holy Lord shows mercy."
Wang Ming clasped his hands together, "Benefactor Zhang, please do not hold back."
As soon as Wang Ming finished speaking, Zhang Xiaoqiang drew his copper coin sword with his left hand and two talismans with his right, charging towards Wang Ming.
Most Daoist battles involved coordinated attacks with talismans or formations.
As he approached Wang Ming, Zhang Xiaoqiang flicked the talismans over his shoulder, chanting an incantation.
The talismans exploded when they were ten centimeters from Wang Ming. Seizing the moment, Zhang Xiaoqiang's fingers traced the copper coin sword, emitting waves of red light as he slashed at Wang Ming.
Despite wearing a suit, Zhang Xiaoqiang's speed was in no way hindered.
*Bang~*
Zhang Xiaoqiang slashed at Wang Ming, and the sound of copper coins striking metal echoed.
As the smoke cleared, Wang Ming was seen encased in a golden Buddha statue.
Zhang Xiaoqiang's expression changed. Just as he was about to retreat, Wang Ming raised a palm and struck at him.
The palm, imbued with the power of the Buddha statue, slammed directly into Zhang Xiaoqiang.
Zhang Xiaoqiang quickly pulled dozens of talismans from his bag, threw them into the air, and activated the incantations.
The dozens of talismans enveloped the incoming Buddha palm.
Zhang Xiaoqiang shouted, "Explode!"
*Bang~*
As Zhang Xiaoqiang's voice faded, the talismans surrounding the Buddha palm detonated.
Zhang Xiaoqiang was repelled. Just as he reached for more talismans from his bag, a golden light flashed in Wang Ming's eyes.
Zhang Xiaoqiang froze on the spot, having fallen victim to the illusion of the Golden Silkworm Pupils.
The onlookers were excited by the battle.
"That Buddha statue must be the True Buddha Seal, one of the Five Absolutes of Buddhism. I've never seen it before."
It took Zhang Xiaoqiang about twenty seconds to break free from the illusion of the Golden Silkworm Pupils.
Zhang Xiaoqiang panted, looking at Wang Ming opposite him, and waved his hand, "I concede."
Wang Ming clasped his hands together and bowed, "Amitabha."
Zhang Xiaoqiang walked to Yu Daohun's side and sighed, "It seems there's still a huge gap between my strength and the Holy Lord's."
Yu Daohun patted Zhang Xiaoqiang's shoulder, "Alright, Qiangzi. That Holy Lord is incredibly powerful. It's my turn now."
With that, Yu Daohun walked to the center of the arena, his heart filled with excitement.
To be able to spar with a prodigy of the younger generation was truly exhilarating.
Their eyes met, and they exchanged a smile.
Wang Ming attacked first, conjuring the True Buddha Seal, the great Buddha striking towards Yu Daohun.
Yu Daohun's finger traced the Kanglong Mace, and a fierce flame engulfed it.
Yu Daohun gripped the Kanglong Mace and struck the Buddha statue. He then took a deep breath, formed a hand seal, and spewed a torrent of flames from his mouth.
The Buddha statue was consumed by the flames. Wang Ming retreated two steps, and suddenly an ancient bell enveloped him.
The moment Yu Daohun finished spewing flames, he raised the Kanglong Mace and slashed. The flames on the mace transformed into a fiery blade that struck towards Wang Ming.
The fiery blade cut through the air and hit the ancient bell, but it did not shake it in the slightest.
Yu Daohun's expression changed. The Golden Bell Shield, one of the Five Absolutes of Buddhism, lived up to its reputation as the number one defense in the world.
Wang Ming retracted the Golden Bell Shield and struck at Yu Daohun with a palm.
Yu Daohun raised the Kanglong Mace to block Wang Ming's palm, then threw a punch at Wang Ming.
Wang Ming immediately activated the Golden Bell Shield, and Yu Daohun's punch landed squarely on the ancient bell.
*Bang~*
With a loud bang, Yu Daohun felt his entire arm go numb.
Wang Ming threw another punch at Yu Daohun, who quickly dodged.
After a few exchanges, Yu Daohun was already panting from exhaustion.
Every time he attacked, Wang Ming would activate the Golden Bell Shield.
Just as Wang Ming was preparing to attack again, Yu Daohun's left eye narrowed, and black liquid filled his entire eye socket.
Yu Daohun looked at Wang Ming, "Today, I want to see if your Golden Bell Shield is harder or if my Samsara Blood Tear is harder."
As he spoke, Yu Daohun condensed his index finger, and a drop of Samsara Blood Tear floated in the air.
The onlookers marveled, for the Samsara Blood Tear was something from legends.
Yu Daohun waved his hand, and a drop of Samsara Blood Tear shot towards Wang Ming.
Seeing the Samsara Blood Tear flying towards him, Wang Ming stomped his foot, and the Golden Bell Shield emitted a stronger, brighter light.
The moment the Samsara Blood Tear touched the Golden Bell Shield, the two forces began to resist each other.
The Golden Bell Shield shattered into several pieces like glass.
Wang Ming slightly turned his head, and the Samsara Blood Tear grazed his cheek before shooting past.
Blood flowed from his cheek. Wang Ming wiped away the blood, a sinister smile spreading across his lips, "The Samsara Blood Tear indeed lives up to its name. This humble monk is impressed."
Yu Daohun responded with equal malevolence, "The Holy Lord is too kind. Let's end this with one move."
Wang Ming clasped his hands together and bowed his head, "This humble monk has the same intention."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Ming opened his hands. The surrounding air began to solidify, and a golden light emanated from within Wang Ming, slowly transforming into hands that opened behind him.
The onlookers looked at Wang Ming's move with confusion.
"Does Buddhism have such a technique?"
"I don't know. I've never heard of it."
Zhang Xiaoqiang, standing nearby, also asked in confusion, "Brother Wang, have you seen this move of the Holy Lord before?"
Wang Fubao shook his head, stroking his chin as he observed. "Judging by the posture, it doesn't seem to be one of the Five Absolutes of Buddhism. I vaguely sense a trace of evil energy, but this golden light is indeed the Buddha's light of Buddhism."
Yu Daohun's brow furrowed at the situation. He had never seen this move before either.
Author's Note:
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. May the new year be prosperous and full of good fortune.