The two combatants clashed fiercely in the arena, the sounds of fists striking and palms crashing echoing endlessly through the square. Suddenly, both unleashed a powerful palm strike at the same moment. A thunderous explosion rang out as their palms collided. Each was forced several steps backward before leaping apart. Mountain winds swept across the plaza.
The Venerable Wutian's attempt to distract his opponent had only enraged the Holy Mother of the West. In her fury, she immediately displayed the finest skills of her lifetime. Yet Wutian was no ordinary martial artist whose reputation rested upon empty boasts. Possessing extraordinary techniques and profound cultivation, he countered every attack with remarkable precision. As they exchanged blows, both secretly tested the other's inner strength. After another fierce palm collision, each staggered back three steps, their bodies swaying from the tremendous force.
Suddenly, Wutian chanted:
"Within the Wutian Zen Art, internal and external power unite as one. Qi flows through mountains and rivers, its fame shaking heaven and earth. The fist has no fixed intent, the palm leaves no trace. What appears empty is full; what seems full is empty. It is defense yet not defense, offense yet not offense. Its mystery lies within. When the spirit is calm and the qi is steady, one's strikes never miss. Before an enemy, seize the moment without hesitation. Intent leads the movement; attack where your foe least expects."
These words were the secret principles of the Wutian Zen Art.
The moment his recitation ended, a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. Raising his right arm, he struck with a palm technique called "Thunderbolt Lightning." The attack descended with the speed of lightning and the force of rolling thunder, sending dust and gravel swirling into the air.
The Holy Mother of the West was no less formidable. With a graceful sidestep and spinning motion, she soared nearly twenty feet into the air, flipped forward, and brought her palm crashing toward Wutian's crown. Wutian shifted his body and avoided the blow, instantly counterattacking. His left hand shot forward, attempting to seize the vital pulse point on her wrist.
The Holy Mother was startled.
Not only were Wutian's techniques strange and unpredictable, but his ability to evade and counterattack in a single fluid motion was astonishing. His movements were as swift as lightning and as fleeting as the wind.
An expert could recognize another expert at a glance.
Realizing she faced a truly dangerous opponent, the Holy Mother became cautious. With a cold snort, she calmly launched the technique "Breaking Bones and Severing Tendons," aiming to cripple and immobilize her foe by striking vital points. It was a masterpiece of martial skill. Yet Wutian's profound cultivation allowed him to neutralize the attack through a rapid sequence of offensive and defensive maneuvers before immediately counterattacking.
The battle intensified.
The crowd outside the arena watched in fascination, frequently erupting into cheers. Both combatants displayed one ultimate technique after another. Dust billowed into the sky, and stones scattered beneath the force of their attacks.
The Holy Mother's expression changed dramatically. She now realized that the legends were true—Wutian's martial arts were unfathomably deep. Her pride could hardly bear the realization that his cultivation was at least equal to her own, perhaps even greater. If the fight continued, she might well be defeated.
After a brief silence, she sighed.
"Master Liaoyin has already entered the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, transcending life and death and escaping the cycle of reincarnation. Why should we continue fighting on his behalf?"
Wutian glanced at her and replied solemnly,
"Silence! The world knows you murdered the holy monk. Today I may spare your life, but you must kneel before all the heroes present and publicly confess your wrongdoing."
The Holy Mother valued her dignity above all else. Hearing these words, she shouted angrily,
"Demon monk! Out of respect for our shared Buddhist heritage, I tried to reason with you. Yet you continue to press me relentlessly. Do not blame me for showing no mercy!"
Wutian answered,
"You slaughtered a holy monk and still dare call yourself a member of the Buddhist path? Is that not absurd? I seek not my own happiness but the liberation of all beings from suffering. For the sake of the Dharma, I must stand against you today."
Having lowered herself only to be rebuked repeatedly, the Holy Mother's anger finally erupted.
"Demon monk! You are courting death!"
Before the last word had left her lips, she attacked.
With the technique "Untouchable Purity," her twin jade-like palms shot forward faster than lightning toward Wutian's vital points.
Although Wutian had come fully prepared, the attack's strange and ruthless nature startled even him. Twisting his waist, he narrowly evaded the strike. The Holy Mother instantly transformed her palms into finger techniques. Her wrists rotated gracefully, and streams of finger force shot toward him.
Wutian had never expected such a sudden transition.
Taking advantage of the opening, she attacked mercilessly, aiming for three major acupoints on his chest. Caught off guard, he struggled to defend himself. A sharp tearing sound echoed through the air as part of his sleeve was ripped away. Forced to rely on his lightness skill, he retreated swiftly.
Her famed "Lotus Jade Finger" technique was unrivaled in the martial world. Elegant and subtle, its force seemed present and absent at the same time, making it nearly impossible to defend against. She launched three consecutive attacks aimed at his upper, middle, and lower defenses.
For a moment, Wutian could do nothing but evade.
Then suddenly he spun around and thrust two fingers forward toward her vital points.
This was the legendary Zen technique known as "Two-Finger Zen."
A secret art rarely seen in the martial world, it required years of rigorous training to concentrate the body's strength and qi into the index and middle fingers. Wutian executed the move "Buddha Twirls a Flower."
Seeing the deadly force concealed within those fingers, the Holy Mother was momentarily startled and immediately retreated. Wutian pursued her through the air. Their bodies crossed paths repeatedly, shifting through countless variations of movement. Palms became fists, fists became fingers, fingers became claws.
Both were proud masters unwilling to yield.
Their mutual hatred had grown so intense that neither could tolerate the other's existence. From the very beginning, they attacked with relentless speed and deadly precision. Every strike carried immense power and hidden killing intent.
Wutian's eyes shone like icy lightning as he declared,
"The heavens are just. Evil deeds bring evil consequences. Wicked woman, if you do not believe it, look up and see—when has Heaven ever spared the guilty?"
Attempting to weaken her spirit through words, he found the Holy Mother completely unmoved.
Standing proudly, she glanced at him and said loudly,
"Demon monk, enough talk! Today we settle this through combat. Witness my Three Deadly Ultimate Techniques!"
Her voice was cold and arrogant.
With a clear cry, her style suddenly changed. Her footwork became graceful and fluid, like lotus leaves swaying in the wind. This was the technique "Step by Step Lotus Blossom."
A jade-like palm shot forward through the air.
An invisible blast of qi erupted from her hand like an arrow released from a bowstring.
Wutian immediately answered with a palm strike of his own.
The two waves of force collided in midair.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the heavens.
Dust and sand surged upward as a violent shockwave erupted between them, soaring dozens of feet into the sky.
The Holy Mother staggered back three steps, her body trembling.
Wutian, meanwhile, retreated only two steps before immediately regaining his footing. Though his expression remained stern and solemn, he appeared completely composed. His body did not sway in the slightest.
Who had gained the advantage in this clash was obvious to all.