Before long, Cui Fujun called out loudly, "Which of you shall claim the White Lotus will be decided by the outcome of this duel."
Life-and-Death Judge Pen Li Yan raised his voice and announced, "We invite White Lotus Sect Leader Huangfu!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Judge Blade Sun Tian followed with a booming voice, "We invite the Western Sacred Matron!"
At that moment, bathed in the lingering glow of the setting sun, the two figures drifted gracefully into the arena. Their eyes met at once—old enemies face to face, hatred flaring all the more fiercely. The Western Sacred Matron Chen Jinfeng had yet to quell her anger. She raised her brows slightly, her fair face hard with killing intent, and said pointedly, "If Sect Leader Huangfu were truly a hero, you would not have fled without a word that day."
Huangfu Song replied awkwardly, "Sacred Matron, if you and I were to cultivate together, our immortal bond could be renewed. Why trade harsh words?"
The phrase "cultivate together and renew our immortal bond" struck Chen Jinfeng like a spark to tinder. Rage surged instantly. She snapped, "Huangfu Song, do you know who I am? With such shameless words, such wanton disrespect—were it not for restraint, I would tear you limb from limb!"
Both harbored grievances, each with schemes of their own. Huangfu Song raised his swordlike brows and declared, "Once I consume the White Lotus, I shall dominate the world. You will kneel before me!"
Chen Jinfeng shouted angrily, "The White Lotus is mine! No one else may touch it!"
The words had barely fallen when she tapped her foot lightly and rose like a swallow in flight. Green sleeves fluttered as she suddenly thrust out a palm. The strike surged forth like a tidal flood overturning mountains, carrying sand and flying stones straight ahead. Huangfu Song dodged and spun, then roared as he countered with a palm of his own. A thunderous boom followed, as if heaven and earth shook, waves roared and mountains howled. Their palm forces collided through the air and canceled one another out—clearly, their inner strength was evenly matched.
Chen Jinfeng's fair face turned icy. In several swift bounds she closed in, flipping her palms in rapid assault. Huangfu Song raised his wrists and circled his palms calmly to meet her. Chen Jinfeng shifted her lotus steps suddenly and struck with her left hand straight toward his body. Huangfu Song formed his palm like a blade, blocking and chopping sideways. Pa! Pa!—the palms clashed sharply. As Chen Jinfeng raised her palm to parry, Huangfu Song angled his hand aside and suddenly kicked out with his right leg, attacking her lower body. Chen Jinfeng lifted her lotus foot, but Huangfu Song instantly thrust out his right palm. She met it with her own—bang!—and felt numbness surge through her arm. She used the force to leap aside, landing lightly, then cried sharply, "Huangfu Song! Submit to my sect—the seat of the Western Sacred Lord awaits you!"
Huangfu Song's expression darkened. "Defeat you first," he retorted, "and you may submit to my sect!"
Chen Jinfeng ignored him. Just as she gathered herself to attack, Huangfu Song suddenly felt a fierce wind rush toward his face. He saw her fingers slightly curved like an orchid blossom, striking out with streaks of clawing force. It was her famed ultimate technique—Orchid Jade Claws, similar to Eagle Claw Skill. Instantly, Huangfu Song was enveloped in clawing gusts; the five-fingered energy hissed sharply through the air. With a rip, he was flung sideways—his sleeve torn from his arm, leaving a long, bleeding gash exposed.
The viciousness of the Orchid Jade Claws made all the heroes shudder. Huangfu Song had not yet stabilized his footing when Chen Jinfeng leapt after him, pressing her advantage. Like a startled phoenix streaking through the sky, she flipped and dove downward, attacking at close range with relentless speed. Huangfu Song responded with Eagle Claw techniques of his own. After several exchanges, Chen Jinfeng suddenly changed her style—grappling, twisting, hooking, striking, stabbing in rapid succession. Huangfu Song dodged sideways with astonishing speed, then sprang upward, rising five or six zhang into the air like a hunting falcon. With the move "Falcon Rises, Hare Falls," he plunged downward.
Their palms clashed again—faster than the eye could follow. Back and forth they went, strange and ingenious techniques appearing one after another, unfathomable in skill. Each attack was met with a counter, each move sealed precisely. Chen Jinfeng blocked the rushing palm wind, while Huangfu Song unleashed chained palm strikes. Chen Jinfeng answered with the Heavenly Gang Palm, storing rigid force within while displaying softness without. Though Huangfu Song's palms were powerful, she guided them aside, drawing and deflecting their force with uncanny footwork, borrowing strength to neutralize strength.
Palm met palm, fist pressed fist—this was a direct contest of inner power. Huangfu Song could no longer steady himself. With a dull bang and a muffled groan, he was blasted several zhang backward by the overwhelming force.
Before the assembled heroes of the martial world, the Western Sacred Matron—though a woman—had consecutively defeated Zhu Feng and now the White Lotus Sect Leader himself. It was a moment of triumphant vindication. Having beaten the Huashan Sect leader soundly, she now sent Huangfu Song flying with a single palm. Though her own inner strength was nearly exhausted and her face had grown pale, she slowly drew her palms in a circular arc and said calmly, "Fists and feet know no mercy. Today, I have offended you all."
Huangfu Song was gravely injured. He quickly produced a pill from his robes, swallowed it to treat his internal injuries, and sat down cross-legged to regulate his breathing, unable to speak. White Lotus disciples surrounded him tightly, standing guard.
The sun sank toward the west, the dying light crimson like blood. Under the sunset's glow, the sky seemed dusted with gold, the distant sun rimmed in fire. The afterglow spread across the earth—a scene of breathtaking beauty.
Chief Judge Cui Fujun stepped forward and proclaimed loudly, "Victory by combat—the White Lotus belongs to the Western Sacred Matron!"
He removed the White Lotus from his pouch, displayed it to the crowd, then returned it inside.
Chen Jinfeng leapt forward and seized the White Lotus. Led by Peach Blossom, Plum Blossom, Peony, and Orchid, the Western Sacred Sect disciples knelt to the ground, chanting loudly:
"The world is void—who dares say suffering is false?The Sacred Matron descends, arriving in the West.Beneath heaven's vault and earth's embrace,The Western Sacred Sect shall endure for ages unending.Rising with wind and water, spanning the realm,The Western Sacred Sect shall dominate the world.The Western Sacred Matron aids all under heaven,Hearing cries of suffering and granting salvation."
Chen Jinfeng, having unleashed her full feminine might and defeated the foremost masters of the martial world, accepted the worship of her followers. A smile spread across her fair face; pride and exhilaration filled her heart. She nodded repeatedly, raising her hand to signal the crowd to rise.
At that very instant, a shadow flashed.
Chen Jinfeng spun sharply to evade—but it was already too late.
The White Lotus in her hand had vanished without a trace.
Her palm was empty.
She cried out sharply, "Who's there?!"