Ironclad Hui Xing, the Blacksmith Su Min

The sky was a dazzling battlefield of annihilation light and golden fists.

Both combatants were drenched in cold sweat—such an intense clash was draining even for Nascent Soul cultivators. But this level of output couldn't last forever. Soon, Su Min's prismatic radiance faded, leaving only one of Hui Xing's fists remaining.

Yet, just before the light vanished completely, Su Min flicked out a single feather.

BOOM!

An explosion erupted as the last fist slammed into Su Min's body. Meanwhile, Hui Xing wasn't faring much better—a miniature Vermilion Bird Saint Image had detonated right in his face.

The next moment, the spectators watched as both figures plummeted from the sky and crashed against the edges of the barrier.

(Note: Due to previous injuries among the monks, the battlefield had been enclosed in a special barrier.)

Both Su Min and Hui Xing lay at the base of the barrier, clearly battered.

"Is that woman really just an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?"

"Who knows? But both are first-generation talents. This is insane."

As the two staggered to their feet, panting and glaring at each other, many monks twitched at the corners of their mouths. Had Su Min been at the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, they wouldn't have been so shocked. But she was only at the early stage. No wonder she had claimed the top spot on the Heavenly Leaderboard.

"Agh… hurts… hurts…"

Su Min groaned as she forced herself up, feeling like her entire body had been disassembled. That single punch had sent her flying—if she had taken the full barrage, she'd have been reduced to paste.

Hui Xing, on the other hand, looked even worse. Severe burns covered his body. While Su Min had at least partially blocked his attack, he had eaten a point-blank explosion. Yet, his resilience was absurd. His kasaya (monk's robe) was clearly a high-grade Earth-tier artifact—otherwise, he wouldn't have walked it off so easily.

"I'm wearing a mid-grade Mystic-tier armor, while he's got high-grade Earth-tier gear. In a way, I've already won."

Hui Xing's expression was grim. Without his kasaya's protection, he'd have been knocked out instantly. Su Min had exploited the brief weakness after his ultimate technique—her combat instincts were terrifying.

"Regardless of her cultivation, Benefactor Su's battle IQ is frighteningly high."

"Indeed. Though she used a pill to temporarily boost her strength, the gap between their armors far outweighs that advantage."

Kong Chen, the elder overseeing the match, watched with calm approval. He was almost looking forward to his disciple's defeat.

"Not completely crippled, but not in great shape either."

Su Min assessed her injuries—then suddenly, a flash of golden light streaked toward her.

THUD!

A jarring metallic clang rang out as the two collided midair.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

In the blink of an eye, they exchanged dozens of blows, neither gaining an edge.

"You—!"

Hui Xing stared at his numb arms, then at the massive greatsword in Su Min's slender hands. He had rushed her despite his injuries, expecting her to falter in close combat. Female cultivators usually specialized in weapons or spells—but Su Min?

Where did this petite woman get such monstrous strength?

"A true expert leaves no weakness. Thus, mastering both internal and external arts is essential."

Su Min smirked. Her weapon had two forms: one for sword techniques, the other—this greatsword—for pure melee brutality. Hui Xing's physique was formidable, enhanced by Buddhist techniques, but it still fell short compared to the Great Desolate Sacred Body. Given that he was at the late-stage Nascent Soul realm yet struggling against her early-stage self… frankly, Su Min was a little disappointed.

"Well, if that's the case…"

She popped another pill into her mouth. Instantly, cyan light erupted around her.

"The match is decided!"

Elder Kong Hui's voice rang out. Hui Xing's rapid cultivation had left his foundations unstable—against Su Min's flawless execution, he stood no chance. As soon as the words left Kong Hui's mouth, Su Min lunged. Her greatsword smashed into Hui Xing's bracers with enough force to make his organs quake.

BAM!

This time, even his enhanced physique couldn't withstand the blow.

"Indestructible Golden Bell!"

A massive golden bell materialized around him—another high-grade Earth-tier treasure. Su Min's response?

She raised her sword high and brought it down like a blacksmith hammering iron—the "New Year's Swordplay" she'd learned from a certain game character.

BONG! BONG! BONG!

The arena echoed with the deafening strikes of her flaming greatsword against the bell.

"Hiss—"

Even the Divine Transformation monks in the audience winced. The sight was surreal: Hui Xing, a 2.3-meter-tall mountain of muscle, was being pummeled into using a defensive artifact by Su Min—a 1.7-meter-tall woman with a slender frame.

"Ironclad Hui Xing, the Blacksmith Su Min."

CRACK!

The golden bell finally shattered, revealing Hui Xing inside. Seizing the moment, he thrust out a palm, unleashing a colossal "卍" (swastika) symbol that sent Su Min flying.

"Oh, you wanna play that game?!"

Su Min sneered, her aura flaring as she shattered the symbol. Then, clasping her hands together, she conjured her own "卍" alongside a "雷" (thunder) character, sandwiching Hui Xing between them.

"Ten Thousand Thunder Prison!"

Lightning erupted from the thunder character as Su Min channeled residual heavenly tribulation lightning into it.

"ARGHHH—!"

Hui Xing screamed as golden veins—like gilded branches with leaves—spread across his skin.

"A branch of the Bodhi Ancient Tree?"

Su Min raised an eyebrow. The Bodhi Ancient Tree, like the Fusang Divine Tree, had absorbed eons of heaven and earth's essence. Its power was immense, but it was nearly impossible to refine. Now, under the lightning's assault, the branch within Hui Xing was glowing fiercely.

"Here's a little surprise."

With a flick of her wrist, Su Min summoned a golden pagoda, which expanded to dozens of meters in size before crashing down onto Hui Xing. The monks' jaws dropped.

"She… comprehended the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra's pagoda technique without any supporting Buddhist arts? Just how monstrous is her comprehension?"

Unbeknownst to them, Heavenly Dao Insight had filled in the gaps for her. Under the pagoda's weight and the dual symbols' pressure, Hui Xing was completely suppressed.

Silence.

"Senior Brother… lost to an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator? Am I dreaming?"

"He could fight late-stage Nascent Soul experts from the fourth or fifth generations! How…?"

Whispers erupted as the reality sank in.

"Ahem. Since the match is concluded, Benefactor Su, please release him."

Elder Kong Chen stood, his tone diplomatic. Losing was one thing, but being publicly suppressed was embarrassing.

"Fine."

Su Min formed a seal, and the pagoda vanished, leaving behind a dazed Hui Xing. When he looked toward the elders' platform, even his master and most revered uncle wore faint smiles of… satisfaction?

"…Huh?"

His misery deepened.