Just then, the two figures moved with robes fluttering like clouds, their strikes and counters unfolding in rapid succession.It was by no means a one-sided duel—each maneuver was met with a counter, their footwork and positioning shifting with precision and fluidity. Wu Tong, trained by the Immortal Baiyun and later taught the "Eight Forms of Cloud Hands" by the fearless Lü Qiang, had also mastered the famed Wolong Sabre Technique. His steps alternated between solid and feigned, between dragon-like advances and tiger-like stances. His footing was grounded, breath rooted in the dantian; as his waist turned, his shoulders, elbows, and hands followed, generating a surging wave of palm force.
Each bodily posture produced distinct hand formations—palms, fists, hooks, claws, and finger strikes, all skillfully combined. His palm techniques included the Corrugated Palm, Lotus Leaf Palm, Willow Leaf Palm, Ox Tongue Palm, and the Eight Trigram Palm—each variation blending into the next. As for his fists, he alternated between flat fist, pointed fist, hollow fist, slicing fist, and ribbed fist.
Murong Gui and Tuoba Xingge were both deeply astonished.They had not anticipated that Wu Tong's martial prowess had advanced to such an extent. Murong Gui especially was shaken—he recalled their first meeting at the Pavilion of Vine King, where Wu Tong was but a young novice, unrefined though brimming with internal strength. Then, he was no threat. But now, unease crept into his heart. Tuoba Xingge, too, was astounded. Though he had heard of the famed Wolong Sabre, he had not expected Wu Tong's fists and palms to be so formidable—nor his internal energy, which now rivaled even that of Shi Yong, the famed "Tiger Among Men."
Witnessing this storm-like duel, the gathered martial heroes gasped."No wonder Han Zhen passed the leadership of Zhongyi Hall to Wu Tong. With martial skill like this, none could surpass him under heaven." Beside them, Li Qian and the others watched anxiously. It was known that Shi Yong's martial arts had reached transcendent levels. He was a true eccentric master—cunning with age and steeped in experience.
The clash continued. Wu Tong suddenly spoke:"Senior, your palm force is unmatched—this junior is truly enlightened!"Shi Yong thought, This young man's skills are formidable, and rare is one with such humility.Aloud, he said, "Watch carefully—I'll give you three more moves!"
He shouted, "First move: Clouds Obscure the Heavens!"With a howl that shook the forest and echoed through the sky, Shi Yong's figure flickered like lightning. Darting, feinting, he suddenly launched forth with a thunderous palm strike. True energy surged like a tidal wave—unstoppable and vast. Wu Tong dared not meet it head-on. He twisted through the air and avoided it with the evasive maneuver Waveless Sea.
Palms clashed. The shockwaves echoed like drums.Every strike thudded heavy and true—flesh and bone colliding, blows resonating ceaselessly. The crowd of martial artists was spellbound.
Wu Tong, after prolonged combat, found his inner energy nearly depleted.But just as his strength wavered, a sudden realization dawned. He silently recited the inner formula of Beiming Palm:
"To train the inner arts, one must practice daily and hourly, with utmost diligence. Where thought goes, energy follows.Let the qi flow like springwater—limitless, ceaseless. The essence lies in the mind.Mind guides intention; qi follows intention. Breath anchors in the dantian, stabilizes the body, and energizes every limb.The body fills with qi, smooth and infinite."
As he mentally chanted the line "mind guides intention, qi follows intention," his energy surged forth like a wellspring—boundless, unstoppable.
Shi Yong called out, "Second move: Furious Roar Unleashed!"With a tiger's roar, he leapt like an arrow. Blindingly fast, he launched a vicious palm aimed at Wu Tong's chest. Trapped, Wu Tong called upon the eighth form of Cloud Hands—Vanish Without a Trace.Body followed mind, feet moved with hands—his technique reached sublime harmony. He barely evaded the fierce blow, earning a thunderous applause from the onlookers."Such skill! Such mastery!" they cried.
Shi Yong roared, "Third move: Rampage Without Restraint!"Like a crashing avalanche, his palm strikes fell with the weight of mountains. Each blow carried the force of a thousand catties, sweeping down from all directions. Wu Tong, astounded by the sheer might, had no time to consider odds. But his qi now flowed abundantly—endlessly.This was the key moment of his inner training—the Dragon-Tiger Confluence.Shi Yong struck five successive palms. Wu Tong planted himself in a stable horse stance and met each strike with one of his own.
Bang! With the first impact, Wu Tong held steady, unmoved.Bang! The second came, and Wu Tong's complexion remained vibrant.Shi Yong, impressed and admiring, realized that Wu Tong's meridians were opening under this external pressure.When the fifth palm struck—Bang!—even Shi Yong's immense internal power was exhausted.Yet Wu Tong stood radiant, arms raised above his head, palms facing skyward, slowly drawing his energy back inward. With hands joined, he centered his qi.
The crowd stood speechless.They believed Shi Yong had gone easy on him.Wu Tong bowed deeply: "Thank you, senior, for lending your strength."Shi Yong burst into laughter: "Well done, lad—your training is complete. Congratulations!"
Unbeknownst to them, in that brief moment, Wu Tong's Beiming Palm had reached its seventh level.His martial cultivation had entered an entirely new realm.
Shi Yong said:"You, as the leader of Zhongyi Hall, are noble and loyal. The world honors your virtue, and I admire it greatly.But I do not meddle in martial affairs. With chaos on the horizon, the wise man safeguards himself.To help the world at personal cost—I will not. To harm the world for selfish gain—I will not either."
Wu Tong responded:"Your insight is profound. I will remember your words."
Shi Yong sighed, then said:"The martial world is entering a time of turbulence. Good and evil—how can we draw such clean lines?Soon, the Tang and Yan forces will face a decisive battle. When that day comes, the fate of the realm will be sealed.The court will govern the court's matters. The martial world will settle its own scores. Let each walk his path."
He clasped his hands and said:"This matter is settled. Lord Murong, Lord Tuoba, Master Li—until we meet again!"With a flash, his figure vanished like lightning.
Seeing this, Murong Gui had no choice but to beat the retreat.With a cold shout—"Withdraw!"—his forces turned and left, sleeves billowing.