Chapter 204: The Battle Begins, Tushan Qingxuan Smiles

Chapter 204: The Battle Begins, Tushan Qingxuan Smiles

"It just so happens that I've been wanting to challenge you," Ming Yaozi declared as he slowly rose to his feet.

He faced Chu Xiu, his expression unreadable, his handsome features impassive.

"Is there anyone else?" Chu Xiu scanned the assembled group, his gaze lingering briefly on Man Shenzi, who remained silent, then shifting to Tushan Qingxuan.

The fox girl, Tushan Qingxuan, covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes twinkling as she smiled playfully. "Don't worry, Taisu Saint, I won't challenge you," she said, her voice light and teasing.

Beside her, the Butterfly Emperor waved her fan-like hand gracefully. "We are all here in good faith," she assured with a sincere smile.

Chu Xiu nodded, then turned to Yaoguang Saint, who shook his head. "You and I are both human, Chu. It isn't the right time for us to clash."

Despite his covetous gaze on the Three Lives Stele, Yaoguang Saint restrained his desire. "Attacking you now would only bring shame upon my name," he admitted. "Rumors would spread across the Sky Continent, painting me as a villain exploiting your misfortune."

Moreover, the timing was inopportune with the Great Sage, the Saint King, about to enter the secret realm. "Whoever holds the stele now risks becoming a prime target," he concluded.

Zhou Yi, standing a bit apart, shrugged and smiled. "Brother Chu, facing you in battle isn't something I can manage."

Ye Fan, Taisu Saint Bai Susu, and Yaochi Saint remained by Chu Xiu's side, silently supporting him.

Chu Xiu returned his attention to Ming Yaozi before glancing down at the stone tablet at his feet. To everyone's astonishment, the tablet appeared to be melting like ice.

"What's happening?" Zhou Yi exclaimed in confusion.

"Why is the stone tablet melting?" others murmured, frowning.

Without hesitation, Chu Xiu bent down, grasped the stone tablet, and hoisted it onto his shoulder. The tablet, massive and towering, weighed heavily upon him. The ground beneath his feet cracked, spreading outwards.

The melting halted abruptly once Chu Xiu took hold of the stone. "Hiss, even he finds it heavy..." Zhou Yi observed the shattered ground, impressed. "The weight of this stone tablet must be extraordinary."

"Could it be that the stone tablet only stops melting when someone carries it?" Man Shenzi speculated, identifying the crux of the phenomenon.

Nods of agreement followed, as understanding dawned upon the group.

He swung his hand with formidable force.

Wuuwuwu— The air whimpered.

Bang bang bang— Nine lotus petals sliced towards the stone tablet but left no marks; they were all repelled.

Carrying the stone tablet, Chu Xiu activated the Xing character secret and vanished from the spot. This time, he didn't pursue Ming Yaozi. Instead, he materialized in front of Tushan Qingxuan.

His eyes blazed scarlet, yet his face wore a gentle smile. The index finger of his left hand targeted the center of his forehead. The motion seemed painfully slow, as if crossing through eons, yet it was faster than the blink of an eye, reminiscent of a fleeting white horse.

The eerie scene of the Wangchuan River emerged around them. Shock registered on Tushan Qingxuan's beautiful face, freezing there as her consciousness was pulled into the depths of Wangchuan's mystical state. Her eyes became empty, reflecting her confusion.

"Stop..." Manshenzi, standing nearest, shouted. His right fist enveloped in black light, he lunged at Chu Xiu's waist.

Chu Xiu, without turning, sidestepped and countered with a high kick to Manshenzi's abdomen.

Boom—

Wow, puff~ Manshenzi, a towering figure, doubled over, spitting blood. He flew backward, hurtling more than ten miles before slamming into a mountain wall.

Though Manshenzi fell quickly, he bought a crucial moment.

Ming Yaozi acted swiftly, his fingers weaving a spell that merged the nine lotus petals into a complete, verdant lotus, which soared above Tushan Qingxuan's head. Fairy light cascaded down, forming a protective green light shield.

Bang— Chu Xiu's finger struck the shield, mere centimeters from Tushan Qingxuan's forehead, unleashing a burst of terrifying power. The shockwave caused Tushan Qingxuan's internal organs to shudder, and she vomited blood, jolted awake from her trance. She stared at Chu Xiu in horror and stumbled backward.

She had never expected such a ferocious retaliation for her minor provocation during his earlier fight. The gentle smile on the young man in the black robe belied the fury of his actions. Her heart raced with regret...

But in this world, there are no remedies for regret.

Chu Xiu, undeterred by his failed strike, raised both hands, summoning Dao patterns on the Three Lives Stone Tablet underfoot.

Boom—

He vanished, leaving a thousand-meter-wide crater.

Reappearing before Tushan Qingxuan, he wielded the massive Sansheng Stone Stele, smashing it down on her like a giant fly swatter.

"Brother Ming Yaozi...save me!" Tushan Qingxuan screamed in desperation.

Zhou Yi shook his head, lamenting her choice to provoke such a formidable opponent. "Now that he's targeted you, he likely won't stop until he ends you. It's a pity for such a beautiful girl."

Ming Yaozi was quick but not as swift as the Xingzi Secret. It seemed too late for him to intervene.

Boom— The violent explosion echoed for miles. Tushan Qingxuan, shocked and grounded, spat blood.

The Qinglian light shield cracked under the onslaught.

Chu Xiu's grim smile widened as he raised the stone tablet again, smashing through the shattered light shield.

Boom— The force obliterated the shield, crushing Tushan Qingxuan beneath. Her bones shattered, and blood from her ruptured organs spurted...

"Brother Dao, spare my life... I was wrong!!" She coughed up blood, her voice filled with terror.

Chu Xiu, unrelenting, lifted the stone tablet high and brought it down once more.

Bang—crash— Tushan Qingxuan's body, delicate and previously nimble like a fox, was smashed beyond recognition, staining the ground red around her.

Splatters of red adorned Chu Xiu's pale face, making him appear even more demonic.

Silence fell over the scene, broken only by the crisp dripping of blood from the stone tablet to the ground.

Tick-tick—tick-tick— Each drop resonated, harsh and chilling.

Chu Xiu turned slowly to face Ming Yaozi, his grin malevolent. "The fly is dead, let's continue!"

He then muttered to himself about his disrupted biological clock, a bizarre end to a brutal confrontation.