In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged over two hundred moves. Their martial prowess was on an entirely different level, leaving Wu Tong and the others deeply astonished.
Chen Jinfeng suddenly unleashed seven palm strikes in rapid succession, as swift as lightning and as fierce as thunder. Each strike cut through the air like a flying arrow. Master Yiye's frosted brows lifted slightly; calm and unhurried, he met each attack in turn, returning seven palms of his own—each carrying the force of a thousand catties, powerful enough to shake mountains.
Their palm forces collided violently. Chen Jinfeng shifted to palm-blade techniques, chopping east and slashing west, her movements sharp and unpredictable. Master Yiye, however, adjusted his stance with subtle precision. Each movement of his was steady and composed, his defense airtight, leaving no opening to exploit.
Both fighters exerted their full strength, their surging energies whipping the air into spiraling currents. Yet Master Yiye's martial art, though seemingly plain, concealed profound ingenuity. Chen Jinfeng found no chance to gain the upper hand.
Suddenly, Chen Jinfeng swept her palms in an arc and unleashed her ultimate move—"Nine Heavens Thunderbolt."
"Monk, I'll send you to the Western Heaven!" she shouted.
Master Yiye instantly recognized the deadly technique. In that split-second moment, hesitation meant defeat. Without delay, he executed his own move—"Infinite Buddha of Longevity." His expression turned solemn and dignified as he chanted:
"My Buddha delivers countless beings, accomplishing boundless merit and virtue!"
Their palms collided head-on.
Both staggered back three steps—then abruptly stood still.
In the next instant, Master Yiye struck three consecutive palms, each elegant yet lightning-fast. Chen Jinfeng had no room to retreat; she was forced to meet all three strikes head-on.
This was pure force against pure force—no room for evasion or trickery.
With each palm, Chen Jinfeng was driven back three steps. On the third exchange, both unleashed their full power simultaneously. After pushing out his palms, Master Yiye withdrew and ceased his attack, bringing his hands together respectfully:
"Amitabha. Compassion above all."
Chen Jinfeng's body trembled violently. She staggered backward, unable to stop. Suddenly, her throat tightened—
She spat out a mouthful of blood.
The crowd gasped in shock.
The Four Sacred Maidens—Taohua, Lihua, Mudan, and Lanhua—rushed forward to support the Western Matriarch Chen Jinfeng.
Wu Tong stepped forward, his voice deep and resolute:
"Chen Jinfeng, Master Yiye spared your life out of compassion. If you continue your wicked deeds, I, as the leader of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, will act in the name of Heaven. Take heed."
Gravely injured, Chen Jinfeng could only endure in silence. Supported by her maidens, she withdrew slowly.
Seeing the tide turn against them, the Gale Four Fiends attempted to flee. But in a flash, Wu Tong and Ling Xian'er leapt into the air and blocked their path. The six met midair—then landed separately.
Wang Bao growled:
"Do not push us too far!"
Xin Feng shouted:
"What do you want from us?!"
Ling Xian'er replied coldly:
"We want nothing—except that today, you will not come and go as you please."
She turned to Wu Tong:
"These fiends have committed countless evils. We must not let them escape!"
Wu Tong nodded:
"Master Yiye is a realized monk who has enlightened us today, yet you remain stubborn and unrepentant. As the leader of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, I cannot stand idle!"
Fear crept into the hearts of the four. Wang Bao, burning with resentment, shouted:
"If you have the guts, Wu Tong, put down your blade and fight us barehanded!"
Wu Tong thought to himself that today was not a day for killing, yet if he did not teach them a lesson, they would continue their atrocities.
His gaze turned icy.
"You tyrannize the weak and commit unspeakable crimes. Were it not for Master Yiye, you would already be dead. Very well—let us fight barehanded. I shall test your skills!"
With that, he sheathed his blade and tossed it aside.
"Xian'er—catch!"
Ling Xian'er caught the Wolong Saber with ease.
At that very moment, Xin Feng—the "Soul-Chasing Hand"—and Qian Ming—the "Half-Palm"—leapt forward together, launching a sudden assault. Their fists were fierce, their coordination flawless.
Though momentarily pressured, Wu Tong quickly steadied himself. Circulating his inner energy, he shifted his stance, moving like a drifting cloud—dodging left and right with effortless grace.
Suddenly, Qin Hong—the "Charming Lady"—struck with her technique "Embroidered Pillow," aiming for his vital points.
Wu Tong surged with internal energy, parrying and evading. Wang Bao then rushed in, his palm-blade slashing down like thunder. Together with Qin Hong, they attacked from both sides.
Four attackers in two coordinated pairs surrounded him.
Wu Tong stood alone against five.
After several exchanges, he moved like floating clouds, his strikes swift and unpredictable. His palm force surged like crashing waves, forcing the four fiends to retreat again and again.
Wang Bao let out a sharp cry and charged again. Wu Tong stepped forward to meet him, his arms sweeping out like lightning—
A scream rang out as Wang Bao was sent flying.
Qin Hong followed with "Embroidered Hook Hand," but Wu Tong turned, seized the moment, and struck with devastating force. She too was blasted away.
Xin Feng and Qian Ming attacked in fury, but Wu Tong's palms struck again—
Two figures were sent flying.
Xin Feng was still airborne when Wu Tong thrust out a palm. The force struck his back—
A scream—he crashed to the ground, blood spraying from his mouth.
Wu Tong then spotted Qian Ming attempting to flee.
"Stay!"
With a roar, he struck through the air. The invisible force hit Qian Ming squarely in the back. He fell heavily, blood pouring from his mouth like a fountain.
The crowd was utterly stunned.
Wu Tong's overwhelming power had crushed the Gale Four Fiends before their eyes.
The four struggled to their feet, staggering, vomiting blood with every step. Seeing their grievous injuries, Wu Tong chose not to press further. Had he struck again, they would surely have died on the spot.
Ling Xian'er said coldly:
"If not for Master Yiye, you would already have gone to meet the Buddha in the Western Heaven!"
The bandits were utterly terrified. None dared to continue the fight. They scattered in panic, vanishing in moments.
At this time, Master Yiye stepped forward, palms joined once more:
"Amitabha. Compassion above all."