Chapter 23

At this moment, the balance of power between the two seemed to have reversed. Controlled by the spirit of the Light Cloud Sword, Zhuang Wudao launched a series of strong attacks from the left, leaving Beiting Wan'er struggling to cope. The piercing force of the Armor-Piercing Sharp Finger was still formidable, but it had been forced to contract to a mere few inches in front of her, unable to extend outward at all. The threat to Zhuang Wudao had been reduced to a minimum.

However, despite appearing to be on the defensive and gradually losing strength, Zhuang Wudao knew this was actually due to the continuous pressure from Yun'er's fist technique. Each punch seemed to be meticulously calculated, forcing Beiting Wan'er to block, evade, and retreat! Although she had the intention to counterattack, whenever the finger shadow showed the slightest sign of extending outward, she was forced to retreat.

Zhuang Wudao did not know what Beiting Wan'er was thinking at this moment. But just by watching, he could feel her discomfort.

The second deck of the ferry was cluttered with many objects, leaving few places to stand. An ordinary martial artist might find it difficult to move here. However, under the control of 'Yun'er,' Zhuang Wudao's dragon-shaped tiger steps were not only unaffected but became even more agile, like a fish in water. His figure moved and turned continuously in the narrow space, like a predatory tiger.

In contrast, Beiting Wan'er was gradually being forced into a corner of the cabin, able to only defend a small area. The residual force from their exchanges had already punctured the cabin walls, leaving them riddled with holes.

"Excellent! Hands like capturing a dragon, momentum like a mad tiger."

Beiting Cangjue watched from the side, his eyes slightly approving: "To be able to suppress Wan'er to this extent with the Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Fist, in terms of technique alone, this person has already reached a divine level in this set of fist techniques!"

"This Zhuang Wudao indeed has the reputation of a mad tiger in the northern city, being quite brave and fierce. Many people are optimistic about his future."

Beiting Qin, trying to hide her shock, said with a dismissive tone: "But although this boy seems to have the upper hand, his situation is actually quite precarious. It's out of necessity that he is doing this. Once his strength wanes or he relaxes, giving Miss the opportunity to counterattack, the outcome will be decided. It's like a child pressing an empty wooden bucket into the water; the more you press, the greater the rebound force."

Beiting Cangjue smiled faintly, not contradicting her, and said calmly, "It's already nearly sixty rounds."

Beiting Qin's face stiffened. Zhuang Wudao's fist technique was so fast that Beiting Wan'er had to speed up to adapt. In just a moment, they had already exchanged over sixty blows.

Beiting Wan'er had previously said that if she could last ten rounds, she would spare Zhuang Wudao's life. If she could last thirty rounds, his two friends would also be safe. If she could last forty rounds, she would reward him with three hundred taels of silver.

Now, it was far beyond that!

Three hundred taels of silver was not much, but if Zhuang Wudao really won, would they really give him a place as an inner disciple of the Lichen Sect?

Even for the Beiting family, the first family of Yuecheng, sending someone to the inner circle of the Lichen Sect would require a great deal of effort! Beiting Wan'er alone had given away countless favors. The few spots in the Lichen Academy were coveted by many. Even with money and power, it might not be possible to achieve.

Thinking of this, Beiting Qin shook her head slightly, a self-mocking expression on her face. With Beiting Wan'er's overwhelming strength, she would never lose like this!

Ma Yuan and Lin Han's expressions relaxed slightly, and they loosened their weapons. If Zhuang Wudao couldn't last thirty rounds, they would have to prepare to fight to the death.

However, the number of exchanges had already far exceeded that. Today, the three of them might be able to leave the ship unscathed. The Beiting family had been prominent in Yuecheng for a hundred years, with vast influence. It was best to avoid provoking them if possible. Moreover, in front of Beiting Cangjue, the three of them together were no match for even one of his fingers.

Zhuang Wudao also let out a long sigh of relief. After sixty rounds, it was now up to 'Yun'er' to determine how to lose, so that Beiting Wan'er wouldn't lose face.

Actually, it didn't require much thought; he just needed to pretend to run out of strength. If he hadn't practiced the Bull Demon Yuan Body, he indeed wouldn't have had the endurance to sustain such a prolonged attack.

Since forcing Beiting Wan'er into a corner of the cabin, Zhuang Wudao felt his strength in each punch gradually weakening.

In a few more breaths, he probably wouldn't be able to suppress her anymore. When Beiting Wan'er burst out, he could then concede defeat.

However, when their gazes accidentally met, Zhuang Wudao's heart stirred.

He saw that the woman's eyes were still filled with fierce determination, eight parts of frustration and two parts of resolve.

No!

Zhuang Wudao was secretly alarmed. He saw that Beiting Wan'er's movements had changed, retreating instead of advancing, and the finger shadows also retracted. Then, a loud crack echoed from below! She had actually used her foot strength to crack the deck of the second level of the cabin!

As Beiting Wan'er's figure fell, the distance between her and Zhuang Wudao increased. The fierce finger force was no longer suppressed by Zhuang Wudao's fist momentum and finally gained the space to be unleashed.

Beiting Wan'er's eyes were now exceptionally serious. The tips of her slender fingers gathered a faint white glow. The aura swelled and surged, sweeping across a ten-meter radius like a wall.

Zhuang Wudao's heart skipped a beat. He wondered what kind of technique this was, causing such a commotion even before it was activated.

Then he heard Beiting Wan'er say calmly, "This is a pseudo-mystic technique I have practiced for seven years, the Hundred Cuts and Thousand Blades! You are the first person, besides my senior sister, to force me to use this technique in the year since I mastered it. You should be proud!"

As she spoke, Beiting Wan'er's feet landed on the bottom deck. Before Zhuang Wudao could react, his body, controlled by 'Yun'er,' darted out like a hungry tiger, pouncing from the air!

Beiting Qin, who had been smiling, was momentarily stunned, and Beiting Wan'er was also surprised but immediately struck forward without hesitation! Not only did the force shatter the rock, but it also brought up a dozen huge wind blades formed by the aura, slicing through the air!

Zhuang Wudao's figure seemed even faster, diving down and forcing himself in front of Beiting Wan'er as the wind blades appeared. Seeing the finger shadows and blade light coming at him from all angles, he almost instinctively closed his eyes, his heart stopping. Not dodging but advancing was essentially suicide!

'Yun'er' showed no fear. The two fists struck out, and the sound of dragon roars and tiger growls echoed faintly. The fist technique was not one of the thirteen Dragon Subduing Strikes that Zhuang Wudao was familiar with, but rather a combination of the Dragon Shaking Strike and the Dragon Shaking Strike, with some similarities and differences.

As the fists struck, Zhuang Wudao's entire body's aura exploded, the dragon-shaped aura swirling around him. He forcibly shattered two of the huge wind blades! His figure moved like a dragon, weaving through the blades.

Then, Zhuang Wudao saw the confidence and pride in Beiting Wan'er's eyes vanish, replaced by a look of panic and helplessness. The aura gathered at her fingertips continued to surge, and new blades kept forming around her, but her figure seemed unable to move, standing awkwardly in place.

'Yun'er' showed no mercy. His hands changed from fists to grabs, one 'Dragon Capturing Strike' forcefully grabbing Beiting Wan'er's left arm.

Then, with a violent shake and throw, he sent her body flying to the side, causing her aura to scatter and her to fall clumsily onto the deck. The aura blades triggered by her pseudo-mystic technique, the Hundred Cuts and Thousand Blades, also scattered and were easily defused by Zhuang Wudao.

The entire ferry fell into a dead silence. Ma Yuan and Lin Han were stunned, and Beiting Qin's almond eyes were wide with shock. She had been sure that her young mistress would win. Her relaxation had prevented her from intervening in time. By the time she reacted, the two at the bottom of the ship had already decided the outcome.

—Her young mistress, who had the First Heaven of the Armor-Piercing Sharp Finger and a pseudo-mystic technique, had actually lost?

Only Beiting Cangjue's expression remained largely calm, though his eyes showed a hint of surprise. His gaze on Zhuang Wudao was now more inquisitive.

As for Beiting Wan'er, she lay motionless on the broken deck, which was now partially submerged in water, unable to stand up for a long time.

Zhuang Wudao's mind was also blank, first feeling lost and then filled with countless thoughts. Was the Hundred Cuts and Thousand Blades that Beiting Wan'er used just now a pseudo-mystic technique? Where did 'Yun'er's' counterattack come from? It seemed to be based on 'Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming,' but in terms of both intent and power, it surpassed the original Dragon Subduing Strike!

And how did 'Yun'er' win? How should he end this? Would Beiting Wan'er be enraged by her loss? How could he leave unscathed?

Beiting Cangjue's voice broke his thoughts.

"Observing your cultivation potential, you are only between the fifth and fourth ranks. However, your martial talent is truly remarkable. I wonder if you would be willing to become my disciple? The Beiting family can treat you as a second-class offering, and if you achieve success in cultivation, the Beiting family will certainly give you a future."

Zhuang Wudao raised his eyebrows and looked up. Beiting Cangjue, with a kind and benevolent face, was looking at him with apparent appreciation.

However, for some reason, Zhuang Wudao felt a chill run through his body, as if two extremely sharp knives had cut into his flesh.

His heart stirred. With Beiting Cangjue as his teacher and the Beiting family's second-class offering, the cultivation resources might not be inferior to those of an inner disciple of the Lichen Sect.

With 'Yun'er's' guidance, he might not need to seek the top cultivation techniques from major sects.

As for the inner disciple qualification of the Lichen Sect promised by Beiting Wan'er, it was not worth considering. Before the exchange, Zhuang Wudao hadn't expected the young mistress of the Beiting family to keep her word.

In this case, accepting the invitation to join the Beiting family seemed like a good choice—

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