: Yuan Dasheng vs Meng Chong (Rematch)

2025-01-15 Author: Gu Zhenren

Ning Zhuo's bedroom.

The cultivation cubicle was now fully constructed. Though compact with limited internal space, it was perfectly sufficient for Ning Zhuo's needs.

Infused with magical power, the Floating Cloud Handkerchief billowed clouds of mist.

Dense clouds filled the entire small cultivation chamber, leaving Ning Zhuo immersed in an environment where he couldn't even see his own hand in front of him.

This double layer of protection left the four Ning family guards sighing helplessly.

They reported the situation, but Young Clan Leader Ning Xiaoren dismissed it casually: "What secrets could a minor figure like Ning Zhuo possibly have? Our previous intelligence gathering has already uncovered everything about him."

"Ha, young people... still thinking they can keep a few secrets to themselves."

"Let him indulge in that feeling; it's fine."

With that thought, Ning Xiaoren refrained from ordering further probing.

If Ning Zhuo discovered such actions, it would undoubtedly damage the good relationship he had painstakingly built through friendly gestures.

Ning Xiaoren wasn't willing to take that risk.

This reaction was well within Ning Zhuo's expectations.

Vital energy surged like crimson streams, coursing through Ning Zhuo's lower dantian before converging at its center.

A small pool of refined blood had already accumulated there, resembling a tiny pond.

As the vital energy continued to pour in, the pond suddenly trembled, its edges rapidly expanding until it tripled in size.

A breakthrough.

At this moment, Ning Zhuo had advanced to the fourth layer of Refining Essence!

"Continuous accumulation of refined blood, reaching its limit, will result in a volume four times greater than before. Such a massive increase."

"Hmm, the refined blood has undergone a subtle qualitative change, allowing blood-energy membranes to form faster—saving at least thirty percent of the time previously required."

"Operating at full capacity, the rate of digesting medicinal efficacy has more than doubled!"

Ning Zhuo quickly assessed the various aspects of his improvement.

What surprised him most was the enhanced rate of medicinal efficacy digestion.

Generally, the effectiveness of all cultivation methods slows down in the later stages.

The Demonic Blood Tendon Art was no exception.

But with the digestion rate more than doubling, it meant that as long as he had sufficient resources, he could maintain his previous pace of progress.

This was exceptionally rare!

"Great Master San Zong's philosophy seems to revolve around the idea of transformation at the third level."

"Whether it's the mechanical setups in the Molten Rock Immortal Palace or the three cultivation methods, once you pass the third layer, a qualitative leap occurs."

Ning Zhuo deduced this pattern because the other two techniques had also broken through in recent days.

It was a natural progression.

Previously, all three of his cultivation methods had reached the peak of the third layer, just a step away from the fourth.

After obtaining the subsequent techniques, Ning Zhuo invested a little time in cultivation and easily surpassed his previous limits.

Upon reaching the fourth layer of the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art, his Five Elements magical power not only accumulated more abundantly but could also be freely separated and merged.

Previously, when using Five Elements magical power, Ning Zhuo had to concentrate intensely to extract a specific type of energy to cast spells like Embrace Ice or Grasp Fire.

Now, with just a thought, he could effortlessly decompose a mixed stream of Five Elements power.

Often, it wasn't a lack of practice but insufficient foundation.

Just like a child needing to jump to reach a windowsill, then tiptoeing as they grow taller, and finally, as an adult, the sill only reaches their waist—a slight stretch of the hand is all it takes.

Among the three techniques, the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art had progressed the most.

It had already reached the fifth layer.

Ning Zhuo wasn't entirely sure why.

When he practiced the subsequent stages of the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art, his progress was exceptionally fast, as if it came naturally.

Ning Zhuo had a vague feeling that this rapid advancement in the Buddhist scripture was related to his grasp of the opportunity to obtain the embryonic form of the Life Thread Divine Ability.

"Buddhist cultivation methods share a common characteristic: they emphasize sudden enlightenment. Sometimes, a single moment of insight can equal a century of arduous effort."

"The embryonic Life Thread Divine Ability I comprehended is closely linked to the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art."

"The Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art allows communication with all spiritual beings, the Life Thread can forcibly control a target's actions, and combined with the Heart Seal of my Buddha Heart Demon Seal to influence consciousness and guide thoughts..."

Ning Zhuo had glimpsed the general framework of Great Master San Zong's methods for controlling mechanisms.

After breaking through to the fourth layer, the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art also underwent a qualitative change.

Ning Zhuo discovered that the mental mirrors formed at the third layer of spirit refinement could merge into a larger mental mirror, complete with a base.

Although he hadn't had the chance to practice or test it, he could sense that this mental mirror's spirit communication ability far surpassed that of the smaller mirrors.

"At least three times more effective!"

And now, with the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art at the fifth layer, the change was quantitative rather than qualitative—an additional large mental mirror had formed.

"Hmm?" Ning Zhuo's heart stirred slightly.

There was movement from the Golden Blood War Ape, Yuan Dasheng.

"Could it be..." Ning Zhuo quickly halted the Demonic Blood Tendon Art and activated the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art. Through the large mental mirror, he observed Yuan Dasheng's situation.

Sure enough, it was as he had guessed—Meng Chong.

"Come on, come on, come on!" Meng Chong roared incessantly.

Charging recklessly with unparalleled ferocity, his wooden body crackled with thunderous shadows. In close combat, he forced Yuan Dasheng to retreat step by step!

Startled, Ning Zhuo immediately used the Mirror Platform Spirit Communication Art to connect with the spiritual energy, manipulating the power within Yuan Dasheng's body to cast Embrace Ice.

One moment, Meng Chong was exulting in battle; the next, he was sprayed with freezing frost.

Ice coated his joints, drastically slowing him down.

Seizing the opportunity, Yuan Dasheng counterattacked, his long fists striking like spears aimed straight at Meng Chong's chest.

Danger!

Knowing his defenses were extremely weak, Meng Chong realized a direct hit would mean certain defeat.

"Galloping Thunder Rush!" he roared inwardly. The thunder shadows around him swelled abruptly, transforming into intense arcs of electricity that enveloped his entire body.

In the next instant, he shot forward like a bolt of lightning.

Yuan Dasheng's punch met empty air. He remained in place, maintaining a fighting stance as he faced Meng Chong.

Cowering in a corner, Meng Chong was shaken. He hadn't expected this mechanical monkey to cast spells!

This raised the danger level by at least twofold!

"Since you failed to take me down with one strike, you've exposed your last trump card. Big monkey, today you're doomed!" Regrouping, Meng Chong's fear vanished within moments, replaced by burning battle spirit.

The wooden puppet Meng Chong charged again.

Crackle, crackle...

Thunder shadows accompanied his every move, allowing instant acceleration.

Yuan Dasheng engaged him once more.

The former's speed was far inferior to Meng Chong's. After a few exchanges, he was once again forced into a passive position.

This time, Ning Zhuo, observing from the sidelines, understood completely: "Meng Chong has improved again."

"Since his return, his mastery of Galloping Thunder Rush has reached a new level."

"Although his top speed hasn't exceeded his previous limit, his precision has improved explosively."

In terms of pure martial skill, Yuan Dasheng still held an edge over Meng Chong.

But every one of Meng Chong's movements was far faster.

As the saying goes, in martial arts, speed is invincible. In a life-or-death fight, even a slight advantage in speed can be overwhelming.

And Meng Chong was much faster.

That Yuan Dasheng could hold out this long was due to his inherited combat prowess, allowing him to fight slow against fast, predicting his opponent's moves by observing their openings.

"However, Meng Chong, if this is all you've got, it's still not enough." A sharp glint flashed in Ning Zhuo's eyes.

The next moment—Grasp Fire!

Yuan Dasheng's hands suddenly ignited, flames coalescing into two fireballs.

Clutching them like dual spheres, Yuan Dasheng then heard Ning Zhuo's silent incantation:

"First grasp fireballs like crimson hearts,

Mind guides the dance, power surges.

Blazing armor erupts fiercely,

Crimson currents guard the body."

Building on Grasp Fire, he cast another spell.

Grasp Fire—Bathe in Flames!

The fireballs crumbled at Yuan Dasheng's touch, scattering into countless sparks.

The sparks bloomed into streams of flame, rapidly spreading across Yuan Dasheng's entire body.

Enveloped in fire, he seemed clad in armor!

The blazing flames radiated intense heat.

Meng Chong was dumbfounded.

He stared at the roaring inferno over ten feet tall, then at his own wooden puppet body, before finally fixing his gaze on Yuan Dasheng's golden bones and red stone muscles.

Envy!

Yuan Dasheng feared no fire, but Meng Chong certainly did.

Yuan Dasheng stood motionless, merely crooking a finger at Meng Chong as if taunting him: "Come on, hit me."

"Damn it!" Meng Chong couldn't help but curse.

Swallowing his rage, he gritted his teeth and attacked again.

Moments later, Meng Chong was entirely aflame, his body charred into large chunks of charcoal scattered across the ground.

(End of )