Facing the great King Zhu, Mu Bai's countenance was cold and serious. A perfected Heavenly King who had stepped into the realm of Saint was bound to be far beyond any ordinary Saint.
Mu Bai could tell the old man's spirit sea was injured, yet he could still suppress anyone in the same realm with ease.
Without wasting words, Mu Bai moved. He had always been a man of few words.
Great King Zhu's colossal dharma avatar emerged with terrible momentum, descending like a meteor that destroyed everything in its path. The entire mountain range trembled violently under its might.
Heavenly King Mu Bai roared, his sword shone with dazzling bright light. A strong sword intent that pricked peoples skin flashed, it was extremely fast. It clashed against the dharma avatar, leaving a deep dent before shattering. Mu Bai was forced a few steps back, while King Zhu's expression grew serious as he too retreated three steps. In that instant, he had already gauged Mu Bai's strength.
"An ordinary Heavenly King could never cross the bridge to fight a Saint, but a perfected Heavenly King can. Still, I am no ordinary Saint, and my cultivation has reached the middle stage. This youth has crossed an entire major realm and a small realm to face me… such talent!" The old man thought secretly, he wasn't angry, even admired Mu Bai a bit. He appreciated talent. "But alas! I have no choice, he has to die today." The old man sighed with pity.
He glanced at Mu Bai who wasn't far away and spoke deeply, "you are a rare talent, i don't want the eastern territory to lose a genius like you. If you turn away now, i will act as if nothing happened."
"As a sword cultivator, my will is like a sword. If i meet an obstacle i will cut it with the sword in hand, never afraid of battle." This was the first time Mu Bai had spoken after climbing the mountain.
The old man's eyes flashed and nodded approvingly. "Sure enough… you are different. Then, as respect for your sword heart, I shall use all my strength to defeat you." At that moment, his presence was like an unshakable mountain, his broad back proud as if he had returned to his youth.
The heavenly King Mu Bai's eyes gleamed with battle intent and excitement.
Both side clashed fiercely, mountains collapsed, ground was razed, sky above rolled violently. Strong gales swept across the space. Everyone had taken shelter beside the dao portal because it was the only thing that stood strong as a boulder. People were shaken, disbelief written across their faces.
"Is this the power of a heavenly King? This has clearly crossed the upper limit of a heavenly King." Someone spoke with emotion.
"Everyone thought the great king Zhu had left the scattering wind sect long ago, but this time he returned and strong as ever."
"Even though great King Zhu is strong but what's surprising is that heavenly king Mu Bai could keep up. At this moment they both showing battle prowess close to the late stage saint."
Heavenly King Mu Bai was bathed in blood. His body had shocking wounds all over and was on the verge of collapse. But even so, his figure stood tall and proud with an expressionless face. Old man zhu wasn't any better either. His whole body was filled with sword marks as blood poured like fountain. One of his arm was almost cut in half. A deep gash could be seen on his left shoulder. His aged eyes were dim with fatigue.
"Father!" Mu Yan and Mu Yun, who was watching from far away felt a lump in their throats. Seeing their father's bloody figure, they were worried and pained.
"Let's end this." The old man spoke, his voice was hoarse.
Heavenly King Mu Bai moved as well, "indeed."
King Zhu's body flared with blinding light, far more powerful than before. His hands formed a mudra, a deafening boom followed, and in the heavens, a massive black lotus bloomed with a terrifying aura. The sky collapsed and the ground sank beneath its pressure. Mu Bai felt a violent force crash into him, making him grunt and cough blood.
"Back in those days, I created this move as my final card. Its name is 'Era Devouring Lotus'. Fellow Daoist, please be careful," the old man said respectfully, no longer seeing Mu Bai as a junior.
Mu Bai smiled faintly. "You are a worthy opponent. As respect to you, I will give my all."
Then, to the shock of all, Mu Bai put away his sword. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Everyone was dumbfounded. Why is he putting away the sword in the middle of the battle. Isn't this tantamount to suicide? While everyone was confused, only king Zhu was intrigued.
Mu Bai clasped his fist, then raised one finger. A grand sword light erupted from it, piercing the sky.
The black lotus above rotated violently, space churning as if twisted by some terrible force. It descended toward Mu Bai like a black hole, ready to erase everything.
One sword light and the black lotus clashed, creating destructive shockwaves which caused a thousand miles to become barren. If this battle wasn't happening inside the ancient ruin who knew how many lives would have been lost.
Heavenly King Mu Bai's sword light clashed against the lotus and disintegrated instantly. It couldn't stop the black lotus even for a second.
Mu Bai was calm and raised his second finger. Another sword light flashed, far more powerful than before. With a boom sound it collided with the lotus. The lotus was only halted for few breaths of time, then the sword light disintegrated again.
Heavenly King Mu Bai raised his third finger, another sword light flashed. It created a huge crack on the black lotus but still couldn't stop its advancement. But everyone could see the power of the lotus had diminished a lot.
The fourth finger, a silver sword light shot out, as soon as it came out, heaven and earth roared. People felt their treasured swords leaving their sheaths. The silver light cleaved the sky and instantly cut through the black lotus like tofu. There was no delay no suspension. Everything was destroyed under the bright silver light. People closed their eyes because couldn't watch directly.
When everything returned to normal, old man Zhu's figure fell on the ground with a loud sound. Mu Bai has won!
Mu Yun and Mu Yan cheered happily and cried tears of joy.
Mu Bai's bloody figure stood tall and unmoved, like a mountain untouched by worldly dust.
"Fellow daoist, why didn't you kill me?" Old King Zhu, spoke faintly. His voice was barely audible.
Mu Bai glanced at him and spoke. "It's not that i didn't kill you but i couldn't. As you can see, i am exhausted."
"Hahaha…." Old king Zhu laughed weakly. Such a blatant lie couldn't fool him.
"I shall remember this grace." The old king stood up, his body shaking. Few disciples from the scattering wind sect came and helped him up.
Heavenly King Mu Bai didn't care and waved his sleeves.
"What is the name of that move fellow daoist and how many moves does it have?" The old man couldn't contain his curiosity and asked.
Mu Bai was silent for a while before answering, "i named it sword finger. As for how many moves, let that stay as mystery." With that said heavenly King Mu Bai turned and flew away.