The two fought fiercely, neither willing to yield even half a move. Every technique they possessed was brought forth. As the saying goes, "A man fights for a breath of pride, a Buddha receives but a stick of incense." At last they began to pit inner strength against inner strength, standing rigidly in place. The gathered heroes looked on in shock, for such contests of internal power were exceedingly dangerous. Wisps of vapor rose from their crowns — thin white smoke curling upward on one side, while a misty aura shimmered on the other. It was clear they had begun a direct struggle of inner force.
Neither combatant would relent, and outsiders could scarcely intervene. Both believed victory would be theirs. With their proud natures, even death would not make them show weakness. Yet in less than half the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Tuoba Xingge's face flushed red. Another half cup later, Long Zhentian's complexion turned pale.
Cui Fujun, Chief Judge of the Martial Underworld Tribunal, had initially thought the two would simply contend until one collapsed in submission. Seeing their condition now, he suspected both might wish to end the struggle. If they continued for another hour, their circulating energies would batter each other relentlessly. He approached and signaled subtly, asking, "Do you truly intend to fight to the death?"
Tuoba Xingge replied with urgency, "That depends on whether Long Zhentian will withdraw." At such a critical moment he could scarcely speak. Slightly easing his internal force, he found Long Zhentian staring back. Both knew their attainments were closely matched.
"Tuoba Xingge," Long Zhentian said coldly, their eyes locking, "today we are evenly matched. Let us fight again another day. What say you?"
Fearing that yielding first would invite humiliation, Tuoba Xingge thought that pressing further might lead to mutual ruin. "Very well. Then why don't you withdraw first?"
For ten years they had battled repeatedly without decisive result. Long Zhentian weighed the situation, wondering whether Tuoba might attempt some hidden trick. His expression changed sharply. "Old fox — why don't you withdraw first?" With that he again drove his internal power forward.
War is the way of deception — feign inability when able, feign disuse when using, appear distant when near, appear near when distant.
On the great square, thousands fixed their gaze upon the duel of these two peerless masters. Their techniques exhausted, they once more clashed in internal force. Smoke again rose from their heads. Tuoba Xingge's face reddened; moments later Long Zhentian's turned ghostly pale.
Tuoba declared that his True Core Secret Manual had reached the sixth level, its power now steadily manifesting. Within the span of a cup of tea his strength surged without end, while Long Zhentian grew even paler. Yet at that very moment Long Zhentian's true qi completed a grand circulation within his body. The medicinal power of the Tianshan Snow Lotus he had consumed finally reached full fruition. Borrowing Tuoba's pressure to steady his breathing, he sank his energy to the dantian, regulating the flow through his meridians. He began to recite the cultivation verse of the Nine Heavens Divine Art:
"Let qi enter the dantian to refine inner power,The true breath circulates in boundless wonder.Now hidden, now revealed, it rises in might —Slow to respond, swift to adapt, its principles unite."
In an instant his internal strength swelled like a rising tide, endless and surging. With a sudden thunderous shout — Bang! — Tuoba Xingge staggered back four or five steps and spat out a mouthful of blood.
The crowd cried out in unison, "There it is!" — "The victor is decided!"
Long Zhentian withdrew his palms and stood composed. At that critical juncture the two Dragon-Tiger Elders, Qin Wei and Wang Tao, rushed forward to protect their lord. Long Zhentian's expression shifted as he shouted loudly, "Tuoba Xingge — do you concede?"
Tuoba's face was ashen. To think the tide had turned when he held the advantage! He cried hoarsely, "I do not!"
At that moment Cui Fujun soared forward and proclaimed, "The outcome is decided. I hereby declare that in this match, Long Zhentian of the Nine Heavens Palace is victorious!"
The great battle had lasted a full three hours.
Just then, a group of newcomers arrived, their voices raised in fervent chant:
"When the White Lotus blooms, the Holy Sect arises;Maitreya descends, the people are uplifted.The White Lotus Master blesses heaven and earth —For a thousand autumns and ten thousand ages, his name shall endure!"
Soon five figures stepped forth — the Five Immortals of the White Lotus Sect — lining up on either side as they announced, "Welcome the White Lotus Master!"
Under the watchful gaze of all present, a man slowly emerged from a sedan chair. It was Huangfu Song, Master of the White Lotus Sect. With a sudden leap he landed in the center of the field, awe-inspiring in bearing, his eyes gleaming like lightning. Throwing back his head, he laughed thunderously, the sound echoing through the valleys and sending a chill through every heart.
"Nine Heavens Lord," he declared, "today your great vengeance is fulfilled — congratulations. With the Sun-Moon Alliance soon to be established, it seems the unification of the martial world is not far off!"
Having just defeated his sworn rival Tuoba Xingge, Long Zhentian now faced yet another formidable foe. Joy turned swiftly to unease. Though shaken inwardly, he showed no weakness.
"Master Huangfu has encountered many rare fortunes," he replied calmly. "To have obtained half a White Lotus blossom from Mount Hua — truly cause for congratulations."
Huangfu Song snorted. "Do not imagine that devouring an entire Tianshan Snow Lotus allows you to look down upon the martial world."
Though anger surged within him, Long Zhentian knew his status demanded decorum before so many witnesses. "May I ask what brings Master Huangfu here today?"
Huangfu Song stepped back, flicking his long sleeve. "I have come to test the famed skills of the Nine Heavens Divine Lord."
The assembled heroes were stunned. After all, Long Zhentian had just endured a grueling battle. Unable to restrain himself, he exclaimed, "Master Huangfu… I have only just fought Tuoba Xingge. To fight again now would hardly be fair!"
Cui Fujun hesitated, intending to intervene — but suddenly both Huangfu Song and Long Zhentian shouted at once. In a flash they leapt into the air. Four palms struck out simultaneously.
Bang! Bang!
Their palms collided, shockwaves of force surging outward as each was driven back five or six steps.
Both men stared in astonishment.