Feng Zikang laughed aloud. He flew back, the pressure of this second stage of technique, like flowing water, left him with no way to evade; he could only put as much distance as possible between himself and the Venerable Wuguo to slightly lessen the spiritual weight of the move.
Within a few staff lengths, Feng Zikang’s Li Shi Fu Qian Jun divine ability had reached its conclusion. At this point, the technique's might intensified twofold. Feng Zikang's bones clicked audibly, nearly forcing blood from his mouth.
“Nephew Feng, if you cannot withstand it, you must speak up early!”
The Venerable Wuguo proclaimed a Buddhist chant and spoke again as a reminder. He also noticed the pressure on him suddenly ease. Clearly, the divine ability Feng Zikang had just employed was now inert!
“No need for the Venerable Master’s concern; I shall manage!”
Feng Zikang smiled arrogantly, struggling to endure amid the sky full of technique shadows.
“This is not good,” Mr. Xuwan clapped his hands. “This second stage of staff work is already this formidable. Given Senior Brother Feng’s cultivation, it seems he won’t last until the third stage.”
“Ah?”
Luo Kedi grew anxious. “Mr. Xuwan, is it truly so? Then… then what is to be done?”
He regretted his earlier verbal sparring with Mou Canglang, which had led to this predicament. He shot a resentful glance at Mou Canglang, anger simmering within. “With Senior Brother Feng’s skill, enduring the thirty-six techniques of the second stage should not be a major issue… only…” Mr. Xuwan shook his head. “If he cannot get past these thirty-six strikes of the second stage, then so be it. But if he can endure them, that is where the trouble lies!”
He sighed. “Wuguo’s One Hundred and Eight Mad Demon Techniques are one mightier than the next. By the time we reach the final thirty-six strikes of the third stage, I fear even if he wishes to stop, he won’t be able to. At that point, it’s inevitable that there will be casualties on the field!”
“You mean,” Luo Kedi’s face turned instantly pale, “Uncle Feng might… might face…”
“A threat to his life!” Mr. Xuwan nodded decisively.
※
“This Mad Demon Staff Technique is truly not simple. If things continue like this, there will indeed be a threat to my life!”
Mother Zikang struggled to hold on, his heart experiencing immense turmoil.
Without directly facing this mad demon technique, one could not truly appreciate its bitterness. No wonder Mou Canglang believed he couldn't withstand all one hundred and eight techniques. Even the Venerable Wuguo had advised him to admit defeat during the second stage.
If he allowed the technique to progress to the third stage, it was feared that the skill would harness the might of heaven and earth, at which point he would be utterly unable to defend himself.
Speaking of which, this mad demon technique was terrifying. In the third stage, its power would be more than ten times that of the first technique—not far behind skills like Mie Shi Jiu Po that doubled attack power.
Especially since this was a continuous assault, unlike Mie Shi Jiu Po, which ended after one move, allowing for many opportunistic countermeasures. For example, his Feng Sheng He Li Cao Mu Jie Bing divine ability could break the strongest blow of Mie Shi Po, but against this Mad Demon Staff Art, it was entirely different. Even if he could block one strike with such a method, it would be useless against the relentless, continuous techniques that rendered his divine ability without application.
He still possessed the Xiang You Yi You Xiang Xi Yi Xi divine ability, which he could use to put pressure on the Venerable Wuguo, which would be somewhat useful. Unfortunately, the effect of this divine ability lasted for only one move. It would only become truly useful when the staff technique's power exceeded what the Venerable Wuguo himself could bear.
However, judging the timing was difficult.
Striking too early, even if it managed to injure the Venerable Wuguo, would fail to halt the sustained assault of the Mad Demon Staff Art.
Striking too late, and he himself might be unable to withstand it, rendering the move pointless.
“Sixty-one!”
“Sixty-two!”
“Sixty-three!”
The situation on the field was changing in an instant. Amidst Feng Zikang’s contemplation, the thirty-six techniques of the second stage were reaching their final phase. The Venerable Wuguo’s expression gradually grew solemn, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
In contrast, Feng Zikang was naturally far more haggard.
Under the assault of the Mad Demon Staff Technique that almost enveloped heaven and earth, Feng Zikang, despite using every trick at his disposal, was covered in wounds, yet he gritted his teeth and persisted, without uttering a word of surrender or cessation.
“Sixty-four!”
“Sixty-five!”
The Venerable Wuguo roared sternly, “Nephew Feng, please do not exhaust yourself. My second stage of the Mad Demon Branch Technique is nearly finished. Once we reach the third stage, I will not be able to hold back!”
“On the battlefield, life and death are decreed by fate. Venerable Master need not worry! If I fall, please only send my body back to the Military Sect of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and that will suffice!”
Feng Zikang replied loudly, though his mind was churning ceaselessly.
This Mad Demon Technique could not possibly be flawless. It must have a flaw; otherwise, it would be a top-tier divine ability. Why would it be so obscure? There must be a major problem with its execution, one he simply hadn't discovered yet!
The Venerable Wuguo nodded upon hearing his heroic words.
“Good. Nephew has seen through life and death; you indeed possess roots of wisdom. Since this is the case, this old monk will no longer be overly cautious!”
He shook his Zen staff, and the might increased further.
The third stage of the Mad Demon Technique was finally unleashed!
“This is bad!”
Mr. Xuwan shook his head and sighed, stamping his foot. “Senior Brother Feng, why must you persist? Even if you lose this wager, we can simply find someone else to defeat this monk. Why endure it so stubbornly?”
“Then what can be done?” Luo Kedi scratched his head in agitation, utterly helpless.
At this point, Mr. Xuwan was also at a loss. He sighed deeply. “Now that the third stage of the Mad Demon Staff Technique is active, unless a Nascent Soul expert intervenes, there’s no separating them… Where can we possibly find a Nascent Soul expert right now?”
The War of Zhou-Tang had, up to this point, only seen the involvement of Core Formation cultivators. Perhaps in the near future, Nascent Soul experts would join the fray, but not now!
Now, as the final thirty-six techniques of the third stage of the Mad Demon Technique were wielded, Lizhou City was enveloped by a violent aura. Even those at the tenth level of Core Formation, like Mou Canglang, could not clearly perceive what was happening within the staff shadows※. Ordinary people couldn't even look in that direction; a mere glance would sting the eyes, bring tears flowing, forcing them to retreat several paces.
“Nephew Feng, forgive me. At this point, I can no longer control the momentum of the technique! You must look out for yourself!”
“Smack!”
The very first strike landed squarely on Feng Zikang’s chest. He spat out a torrent of blood and was sent flying backward.
“So… so powerful!”
This technique was purely the force of nature, completely different from the Earth force of the first stage and the Water force of the second. It could not be avoided, yet it was savagely violent, like sunlight bathing the entire world!
“Smack!”
The second blow followed immediately, smashing into his right shoulder. A faint crunch of bone fracturing echoed in his shoulder, leaving flesh and blood a bloody mess.
Feng Zikang dared not slacken; he barely managed to summon sword light to guard himself.
But the third strike completely ignored the defense of his circle of sword light, hammering directly into his abdomen. A sharp pain surged to his heart, making him nauseous, and he spat out another mouthful of blood!
“No!”
If subjected to this continuous assault, Feng Zikang would likely become a cold corpse within a few more strikes. If he hadn't cultivated the Demon Fetus to forge a Demon Body to a degree of minor success, he would have been smashed to pieces by now.
At this moment, he could no longer afford to hold back. As the fourth strike descended, he activated the Feng Sheng He Li Cao Mu Jie Bing divine ability!
“Smack!”
This strike hit the effigy, immediately shattering it to pieces. However, this caused the technique’s flow to momentarily stagnate, giving Feng Zikang the chance to escape the scope of the continuous barrage and avoid being beaten to death.
“Good divine ability!”
The Venerable Wuguo raised his thumb in praise. “A pity if you cannot withstand my next few strikes, it’s all for naught!” “Whoosh!”
The fifth staff swept toward Feng Zikang’s waist with ferocious technique-wind!
If this strike landed solidly, he would likely be split in two!
Feng Zikang inwardly cried bitterness. “This battle today seems destined for defeat. This technique is ferociously evil. I originally thought that after reaching Core Formation, I would have a way to slip into the Xuan Realm to avoid disaster, but I never expected to have to use it now. Not only defeat, but I’m also exposing my trump card—what a loss!”
That had been his plan all along: regardless of what happened, he had a final fallback route.
Since Feng Zikang entered the Core Formation stage, the Xuan Realm he inhabited could be summoned and linked. Although he couldn't do it at will, in moments of extreme danger, he could smoothly retreat into it. However, using this move meant admitting defeat in this martial wager, and under the watchful eyes of Mr. Xuwan, his secrets might even be seen through.
He shook his head. “Still can’t underestimate others…”
Feng Zikang had initially assumed the Venerable Wuguo’s offensive capability was mediocre. Even after seeing him attack Mou Canglang relentlessly, he thought it was nothing special, and his various divine abilities should have ways to cope. Who knew that experiencing it personally would prove immensely difficult!
He actually had other ultimate moves he hadn’t used, but those were hardly things to deploy casually before two armies. For instance, the Five-Clawed Divine Dragon Long Que and the Heavenly Demon Blood Escape method were his final secrets, absolutely not to be revealed now.
If he didn't have these ultimate life-saving trump cards, it was entirely possible he would have perished on the field today!
Having achieved Core Formation, he had inevitably underestimated the heroes of the world somewhat. Awakening now, he felt a heightened sense of vigilance, reminding himself that no matter what, he needed to be cautious in the future and not repeat today’s mistake.
Feng Zikang watched the fifth technique approach, unable to block it, and was about to recklessly dive into the Xuan Realm when a sound suddenly erupted from a Qiankun Pouch at his waist. A blinding golden light burst forth, and an object leaped out on its own!
“Poison!”
The object transformed into a sphere of golden light, resembling a golden bird, and lunged toward the fierce staff energy. With a tremendous crash, it was struck squarely by the giant staff!
Sparks flew, and the golden bird let out a sharp, angry cry.
It had forcefully blocked the inevitable strike!
“This… this is…”
Feng Zikang was astonished. Although he possessed numerous treasures and divine abilities, at this critical moment, he couldn't fathom that this thing was the one coming to save him!
The Star River Shuttle!
He hadn't used this item in a long time. After Luo Lianxin gifted it to him, he had been unable to break the restrictions within it. He could only use its basic concealment and the Laughing at All Under Heaven ability, but both functions had severe limitations, making them rather useless. Thus, it had long been discarded in his storage.
He knew it was a magical treasure, but the restrictions remained unbroken, preventing its use.
Only once, when he and Luo Lianxin were dealing with the mutated Ghost General, did this treasure manifest its power on its own, scattering the Ghost General, whose cultivation was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, with the might of the Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens.
At that time, they were already surprised; recalling it now, the Star River Shuttle was even more miraculous. If he could wield it freely, it would truly be an immensely powerful treasure.
Yesterday, after obtaining the Purple Gold Alms Bowl, he had also taken out the Star River Shuttle for examination.
He saw that many shimmering dots had appeared on the Star River Shuttle, more than when he first received it from Luo Lianxin, and much brighter than when it had dimmed after its display against the Ghost General.
But alas, the first layer of restriction remained unbroken, still unusable. Who knew that today, it would actually spring out on its own?
“Is this a magic treasure that autonomously protects its master?”
Feng Zikang stared blankly as the golden phoenix flew around, warding off the endless staff shadows.
The Venerable Wuguo was also startled.
“Nephew, I didn't expect you to have such a magic treasure. Truly formidable!”
Feng Zikang smiled faintly. “I ask the Venerable Master to instruct me further!”
This item was above board; it was something gifted by Luo Lianxin. Its origin was clean, neither violently seized nor so significant as to invite trouble. That it could leap out and use itself was more than Feng Zikang could ask for!
The aura of this golden phoenix was even fiercer than when he fought the Ghost General in the Earth Element Cave. Perhaps because he himself had entered the Core Formation stage, this magic treasure had also restored many of its functions. Now, with its wings spread, although it suffered losses with every strike, the ferocious Mad Demon Technique could not immediately penetrate the golden phoenix’s defense!
“Eighty-three!”
“Eighty-four!”
“Eighty-five!”
In a flash, the golden phoenix had helped him block seven or eight strikes. Judging by its momentum, although it was battered by the Zen technique, it seemed capable of holding on for a few more blows.
Feng Zikang’s spirits lifted. The interference of the Star River Shuttle suddenly gave him a chance to win this wager again! If the golden phoenix could hold out until around a hundred strikes, then the final eight strikes might not be impossible to manage!
However, he had to be extremely careful, otherwise, the power of every subsequent blow striking him would pose a mortal threat!
※
“Uncle Feng is still holding on!”
The fierce staff energy continued without signs of stopping. A moment had passed, and Luo Kedi felt a flicker of hope as Feng Zikang had not yet appeared.
“Don't celebrate too soon!”
Mou Canglang snorted coldly. “Once the old monk Wuguo enters this third stage, he cannot stop. He must complete all one hundred and eight techniques in one go! Even if Feng Zikang has been beaten into meat paste by now, he won't cease!”
“You… you’re talking nonsense!”
Luo Kedi’s eyes turned red with distress, and he clenched his fists fiercely, disregarding that Mou Canglang’s cultivation was vastly superior to his, glaring at him resentfully!
“Not necessarily,”
At this moment, the previously silent Mr. Xuwan spoke.
His face held an expression of disbelief, and he shook his head. “Senior Brother Feng is truly one who hides his depth. By my perception, he has not yet been defeated and is still struggling desperately. I truly did not expect that with his level of cultivation, he could hold out to this extent… Remarkable, truly remarkable!”
His face showed both reverence and caution.
“Oh?”
Mou Canglang’s voice also turned cold, not just because Feng Zikang hadn't died and was still holding on, but also because of Mr. Xuwan’s reaction.
“Mr. Xuwan, you can perceive the situation within those staff shadows?”
Mou Canglang, as a Core Formation cultivator, could not see what was happening inside the staff shadows at all. Yet, Mr. Xuwan, whose cultivation he couldn't ascertain, could easily sense the situation within. His heart skipped a beat.
This Lizhou City was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers; Mou Canglang, merely a Core Formation cultivator, was truly insignificant! This thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
He asked himself honestly: he definitely could not withstand the thirty-six techniques of the third stage of the Mad Demon Staff Technique by the Venerable Wuguo. Feng Zikang was still persisting; perhaps he truly could achieve it.
He also could not see the situation on the field, but Mr. Xuwan could.
These human cultivators were indeed formidable!
A sudden chill ran down Mou Canglang’s spine, and for the first time, doubt crept into his plan for the demon hordes from the Unreturning Sea to attack the Central Plains!
Luo Kedi, however, was overjoyed. He grabbed Mr. Xuwan, repeatedly asking about the situation.
“Kedi, do not worry!” Mr. Xuwan waved his hand and smiled faintly. “We do not yet know the final outcome, only that your Uncle Feng is still holding on. Since he possesses such a final, profound move, it would not surprise me if he manages to endure all one hundred and eight strikes!”
※
“Hah!”
Feng Zikang roared and swept his sleeve. A divine dragon lunged out with a crash, blocking one strike for the heavily injured golden phoenix!
It was now the ninety-eighth strike!
The golden phoenix formed by the Star River Shuttle had not disappointed. It endured for more than ten strikes consecutively. If it weren't for the concern that too much damage might harm the artifact’s main body, Feng Zikang could have let it take a few more blows.
“Ten strikes left!”
Feng Zikang’s energy was full. Taking advantage of the chance the golden phoenix bought him, he swallowed several Life-Generating Pills and fiercely circulated the Chun Feng Xi Yu Run Wu Sheng divine ability to repair himself. Although his injuries hadn't completely healed, they had recovered by sixty to seventy percent, leaving him with fighting strength.
“Venerable Master, please, do not hold back. Continue!”
The Venerable Wuguo was startled. He had clearly seen the golden phoenix Feng Zikang released earlier; it was the manifestation of a magic treasure. While infinitely powerful, once scattered, it was done for!
The divine dragon Feng Zikang suddenly released from his sleeve appeared only briefly before vanishing. He hadn't seen it clearly, but judging by its appearance—claws spread and teeth bared—it resembled the ancient Five-Clawed Divine Dragon.
However, the Five-Clawed Divine Dragon no longer existed in the world today. The dragon lacked vital energy; could it also be a treasure?
He secretly pondered how terrifying it was that the third-generation disciple of the Military Sect possessed so many treasures!
“Nephew Feng, you must not be careless. Even if you have extraordinary treasures protecting you, my final ten strikes are extraordinary; they carry the power to shatter heaven, earth, and the universe. You must be careful!”
The Venerable Wuguo’s expression was stern, not like he was bluffing with empty words.
Feng Zikang smiled faintly. Since he was prepared, he wasn't afraid of any ‘power to shatter heaven, earth, and the universe.’ He replied loudly, “Venerable Master, no need for more words. Come!”