Meng Fuyao was starting to feel pressured with the introduction of Epsilon’s strange, new weapon as true energy continued to be manipulated and reversed constantly. As such, she didn’t dare to use her true energy to unleash any more skills, resulting in her situation becoming similar to Epsilon, resorting to move count. However, in terms of pure martial ability, Epsilon was far above her; largely because she was constantly distracted by her true energy. If she was careless, it could blow up in her face, and then, she would die a terrible death.
The golden claws attacked without stopping, following the flow of Meng Fuyao’s movements. Every time it hooked onto one of her main meridians, it would force her to switch energies, just like how Meng Fuyao forced Epsilon not to land on the ground. Now, Meng Fuyao was forced by Epsilon not to channel true energy as her body flitted to and fro. Yet, no matter how many techniques she used, the weapon seemed to naturally home in on her. The faster she moved, the fasted it followed as well, like a shadow, and soon, a sliver of blood appeared at the corner of Meng Fuyao’s mouth.
Not far away, the sound of robes fluttering in the wind could be heard as one purple, and one black shadow appeared. It was Zhangsun Wuji as well as Zong Yue, who was wearing Shadow Blade’s mask. In a single glance, they could tell that something was wrong and wanted to intervene, but Meng Fuyao immediately said, “No need!”
From today onwards, she had to settle these matters herself.
Moreover, this kind of state, if she faced it, then Zhangsun Wuji and Zong Yue would also face it, and be even more severely affected. Why would she drag them along to face such dangers?
Naturally, she was unable to express her thoughts truthfully, and the two men only saw her refusing profusely and were momentarily stunned by her reaction.
Zong Yue stepped back and reached into his robes for something when Zhangsun Wuji suddenly stopped him and said, “Let her do it.”
Only when one continued to welcome obstacles unyieldingly could there be a far greater yield, and the experience of battling the Top Ten had always been a one in a thousand opportunities. Moreover, Zhangsun Wuji had always tried to let Meng Fuyao face it herself.
Meng Fuyao heard him but remained silent. Zhangsun Wuji watched Epsilon’s moves for a while, then suddenly said, “If you can’t win then you have to win, using extreme softness to overcome extreme hardness if you keep persevering, you will break through.”
Meng Fuyao’s eyes flashed.
She had been hesitating to try it, but with Zhangsun Wuji’s word of approval, her eyes started to brighten.
Then, she immediately unleashed her attack.
Retracting her usual fiery and aggressive form of fighting and switching to a more traditional, simpler way of fighting, Meng Fuyao’s moves were simple as all the true energy in her body channeled itself with efficiency. The speed of the fight instantly slowed as she started to engulf the battlefield with her own true energy, entrapping Epsilon who had already lost his true energy.
The battle styles of both parties changed once again, entering the third stage, finally fighting at a visible speed. However, Epsilon’s lack of true energy was starting to become apparent, his techniques and movements limited, and he was unable to pursue Meng Fuyao as before. Meng Fuyao smiled faintly as she unleashed all kinds of techniques, swords, flying kicks and punches as she manipulated true energy, enticing the golden claw to attack where she wanted it to, contacting all of the main meridians in her body.
Suddenly, she started to reverse her true energy!
The true energy within her body had been condensing slowly during the fight, and suddenly, she flew backward, kicking aside a purple and golden statue and flipping into the air as the true energy started flowing through her meridians!
In an instant, her face flushed red and white as she launched herself forward, her entire body as though it had suddenly tensed up.
Reversing one’s pulse was one of the greatest taboos in the martial arts world. For thousands of years, nobody dared to attempt it, because reversing one’s pulse was usually to break through, but because of the suddenness of the reversal, oftentimes, the result would be death due to the chaos. It was too risky to try.
However, to the Meng Fuyao now, reversing one’s pulse had another meaning.
She was already in the third stage of the seventh level and was but a fraction of a distance from the eighth level. And she had to meet Epsilon, whose techniques were ever-changing, his spiritual weapon causing constant disruption to her flow of true energy. However, this only made the true energy continue to channel the true energy within Meng Fuyao. As such, she might as well let him continue disrupting her true energy, making use of that strange weapon of his to reverse her pulse!
Hence, Meng Fuyao deliberately led him to reverse her pulse numerous times, allowing the claw to hook her entire body as she slowly got used to the reversal and chaos in her meridians. In the midst of the turmoil, she grew stronger; hence, when she went all out to reverse her pulse, the suddenness wouldn’t be so shocking!
A one in a thousand chance to kill two birds with one stone!
Except, although theoretically, it was logical, how many could actually execute it in the middle of a battle? And how many would actually dare to take advantage of Epsilon to do so and achieve a breakthrough?
Zong Yue watched in shock as he murmured, “Fuyao!”
A hint of amusement appeared in Zhangsun Wuji’s eyes as he looked up and gazed at the dark sky, feeling as if he were watching a phoenix flying into the air, spreading her wings as she broke through the heavens. The only question was, would she come back?
In that instant, Meng Fuyao reversed her pulse, feeling her core suddenly shudder and immediately rotating the other way as her entire body emitted faint clashing noises. Fortunately, because of Epsilon’s technique earlier, her body had already become accustomed to it, and she was able to stop the chaos.
Immediately, her meridians widened as true energy started surging forward like a roaring river, rotating clockwise and anti-clockwise, filling her body like waves crashing against a shore. Meng Fuyao’s eyes widened ecstatically as she laughed out loud and raised her hands, her five fingers amassing a faint, cloud-like mass of energy.
The eighth level of Cleaving Nine Heavens, Heaven Reversal!
Epsilon’s golden claw once again came flying towards her, aiming for the Laogong meridian in her palm. Meng Fuyao’s mouth curved into a smile and reversed her true energy once again, rendering the golden claw’s attack useless. Her fingers had already curled around the claw and a loud crack could be heard.
The longest “middle finger” broke.
Epsilon’s expression changed instantly as he tried to retract the golden claw, but Meng Fuyao reached out again, channeling her true energy and sending the golden claw flying, unable to manipulate true energy anymore. The sleeves of Meng Fuyao’s robes swished around her like knives.
Snap!
The “little finger” broke.
The golden claw spun into the air as Meng Fuyao followed it in a black whirlwind, using her body to reach for the golden claw. Laughing triumphantly, Meng Fuyao grasped it within her hands forcefully!
Snap!
The “ring finger” was broken!
Only one finger remained of the golden claw as it flew into the air. Meng Fuyao smirked and launched herself up once again, waving her fists in the air, spinning like a black tornado!
Ping—
The spiritual golden claw suddenly turned into a pile of unruly golden pieces, no longer recognizable.
Meng Fuyao landed yet another blow, turning the golden claw into a golden pancake.
A faint, cracking noise emitted from within the golden claw and a thin line appeared on its shiny surface, streaking until it reached the wielder’s hands as red marks appeared on Epsilon’s wrinkled hands. They turned redder and redder until finally, with yet another cracking noise, the skin and bones tore apart, revealing white tendons.
Meng Fuyao’s blow didn’t just destroy the golden claw; it also destroyed the user’s hand.
There was a deafening silence all around and only the pattering of rain could be heard as everyone stared at the battle between the top five and the bottom five of the Top Ten, watching the guardian of the Xuanji Royal Family, ranked fourth in the Top Ten, the man who was regarded as a god in the Xuanji Royal Family, fall, lose himself, his reputation, unleashing everything he had in the final battle of his life, yet still losing to the young girl’s bravery and wisdom.
Honor would always eventually die out, just like rotting dirt.
The thousands of people in the princess’ manor were silent as if nobody was there at all as they retracted their gazes from Epsilon and stared at their own hands.
After a long time, Epsilon laughed loudly, but his expression was beginning to calm down.
Meng Fuyao was standing quietly, no longer acting out a victory pose as before; whenever Cleaving Nine Heavens advanced a level, it was a form of renewal and cultivation for her martial arts skills and character. Having just fought one of the strongest people in the world, it was a great boost to her courage and wisdom as she struggled to ascend in the midst of the blood and fire. The most painful and arduous process of cultivation had finally passed and cooled down, set in stone.
Her expression was as calm as still water, and not even a ripple could raise a storm like before.
“Lord Epsilon, let’s end it here,” Meng Fuyao retreated backward and returned Destiny Rebellion back into its scabbard. “I still stand by my words earlier, you should leave.”
“Is this how you treat those who have lost against you?” Epsilon remained unmoving as he glanced at her. “It seems to be different from what I’ve heard about you.”
“You did not lose against me,” Meng Fuyao said frankly. “If not for the fact that we resorted to underhanded tactics to ruin your cultivation, I wouldn’t have won.”
“There’s no such thing as underhanded in the path of martial arts,” Epsilon replied mildly. “Being able to destroy my cultivation is your own ability, moreover…” He suddenly let out a long and sincere laugh. “Perhaps, even if my cultivation had not been destroyed, I might not have been able to win.”
“Thank you for your kind words.” Meng Fuyao bowed. Although she didn’t have any good sentiments towards this guy, she still respected his composure and dignity as a Sect Master who accepted defeat gracefully.
“What that rascal said just now was pretty interesting,” Epsilon said as he stepped back and sat on the ground. Glancing at Zhangsun Wuji, he suddenly said again, “Pity you’re still lacking something.”
Meng Fuyao’s eyes brightened. Was Epsilon trying to give her feedback? The feedback of the first five of the Top Ten was even more valuable than a battle. However, she was pretty embarrassed to ask Epsilon, given that she had destroyed his cultivation. However, Zhangsun Wuji and Zong Yue didn’t seem to care and stepped forward. Zong Yue glanced at Zhangsun Wuji, thinking that perhaps Epsilon was referring to Zhangsun Wuji, he retreated again and ceased moving.
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