: Ning Zhuo vs. Han Zhou

2024-10-21 Author: Gu Zhenren

: Ning Zhuo vs. Han Zhou

The day of the minor contest.

On the large training ground, Ning Zhuo and Han Zhou stood facing each other.

There were many onlookers.

Most cultivators were very familiar with Han Zhou, but this was the first time many had seen Ning Zhuo.

"Is that Ning Zhuo from Fire Persimmon Immortal City?"

"In my opinion, he looks rather ordinary. How did he manage to win the young lady's favor?!"

"Whether he's ordinary or not will be clear from this battle."

Numerous scrutinizing gazes lingered on Ning Zhuo.

Among them was Lin Shanshan, who had disguised herself.

Having promised Ning Zhuo she would come to watch the battle, she kept her word. However, she had heard some annoying rumors over the past few days, so this time, she disguised herself slightly, not revealing her true appearance.

Blending into the crowd, Lin Shanshan went unnoticed.

Unbeknownst to her, a gaze quietly descended, overlooking the entire training ground and accurately pinpointing Lin Shanshan in the crowd.

The owner of this gaze was none other than Lin Bufan, the sect master of the Ten Thousand Medicines Sect.

Extremely busy with myriad affairs, especially during this hectic period, he would not normally have had the chance to learn about such trivial gossip.

However, those around him, seeking to curry favor and share their master's concerns, took the opportunity to report it to him during a break.

"Shanshan has never been like this with a male cultivator since she was young. Who is this Ning Zhuo? Investigate him for me."

After issuing the order, Lin Bufan also noted the date of the match between Ning Zhuo and Han Zhou.

Now, he deliberately paused his work, activated a formation, and from afar at Origin Mountain, could clearly observe every fight on Minor Contest Peak.

"Quite a handsome appearance..." Lin Bufan nodded slightly upon his first glance at Ning Zhuo.

With his own refined looks, Ning Zhuo's demeanor gave him the impression that the young man came from a notable background, at least from a cultivation family.

Lin Bufan's first impression of Ning Zhuo was fairly good.

Ning Zhuo observed Han Zhou.

Han Zhou had a thin, gaunt figure and a pale complexion.

His face bore traces of harsh weathering, making him appear weary and worn. Yet, his gaze was exceptionally calm, revealing a resolute will and fearlessness in the face of suffering.

His sparse, disheveled hair was a grayish-white, like remnants after snow melts, tied haphazardly at the back with a simple hemp rope.

He wore a tattered gray robe, full of patches and tears. On his feet were worn straw sandals that rustled with each step, the soles so worn that his frostbitten, bluish toes were visible.

His skin was rough, covered in frostbite scars, and his fingers were coated with a layer of white frost.

Generally, even cultivators with limited means would keep themselves relatively clean, with at least neat clothing.

But Han Zhou was different; he seemed almost afraid others wouldn't know he came from a beggar's background.

Ning Zhuo cupped his hands in salute. "Brother Han Zhou, I have long looked forward to this battle. Today, I hope to experience your Bitter Cold Scripture."

Han Zhou's voice was hoarse. "Fellow Daoist Ning, fate has brought us to this fight. Let us both do our best."

Han Zhou was very direct. After speaking, he stepped forward, charging actively toward Ning Zhuo.

He clenched his fists, cold air spreading out, forming frost flowers.

The white frost rapidly spread, covering the surface of his fists.

Frost Fist!

Ning Zhuo's face was solemn. Almost the moment Han Zhou moved, he retreated backward.

As he retreated, he activated a spell.

Instantly, green vines burst through the ground, flexible as snakes, entangling toward Han Zhou.

Han Zhou suddenly accelerated, attempting to bypass the vines.

Ning Zhuo spread his spiritual sense, continuously controlling the vines, making them grow and twist toward Han Zhou.

Seeing he couldn't evade them, Han Zhou simply stood still, let out a low shout, and his fists flew like shadows.

His punches struck the vines, immediately freezing them. The cold air overflowed, quickly spreading outward.

Ning Zhuo had already gathered intelligence and knew that the cold air Han Zhou emitted was profound, the Bitter Cold Qi cultivated through the Bitter Cold Scripture.

This qi was difficult to defend against, easily seeping into a cultivator's body, eroding both their physical form and spirit.

Initially, this erosion was negligible.

But over time, as it accumulated, the effects became increasingly apparent.

If a cultivator lacked effective means to dispel this Bitter Cold Qi, their internal injuries would worsen, and their condition would decline significantly.

Many of Han Zhou's past opponents had fallen victim to this Bitter Cold Qi.

Ning Zhuo circulated his Five Elements法力, refined it into the Fire Element.

He pointed a finger, and a pillar of fire shot out.

Initially thin, the fire pillar expanded mid-air, swelling like a giant serpent. By the time it reached Han Zhou, it had grown to the size of a palace pillar.

Han Zhou stood his ground, not even attempting to dodge, allowing the flames to engulf him entirely.

The flames burned for a moment, but the intense Bitter Cold Qi permeated the fire, causing the flames to weaken rapidly.

No matter how much法力 Ning Zhuo poured in, he couldn't make the flames grow stronger.

After a few breaths, the flames burning on Han Zhou's body dwindled to mere embers clinging to his hair and robes.

"Good Fire Element," Han Zhou commented flatly, continuing his charge toward Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo took a deep breath and employed an Earth Element spell.

Suddenly, yellow sand flew, sweeping across the entire training ground.

The sand attached to Han Zhou's body, accumulating gradually, encasing him like a clay figurine.

Earth Element Spell—Clay Figurine Technique!

But soon, large patches of white frost seeped from within the clay figurine, freezing the sand into clumps, breaking its structure, and causing it to fall away.

Han Zhou stepped out from the clay shell, his true form revealed. His expression remained calm, his gaze firm, his demeanor sorrowful. He merely said, "Good Earth Element."

Ning Zhuo's face was impassive as he cast a Metal Element spell.

His hands moved like blades, slashing虚劈 toward Han Zhou. Palm seals transformed into golden blades mid-air, hacking at Han Zhou.

Han Zhou advanced, still not dodging.

The golden blades striking him only made his robes more tattered, leaving wounds on his body that oozed a little blood.

"Good Metal Element!"

Han Zhou's expression grew even more sorrowful, but his aura surged to its peak.

Though passively enduring attacks, he gave a very dominant impression. Ning Zhuo felt this most deeply, a powerful pressure weighing on him like a heavy rock.

The spectators murmured among themselves.

"Han Zhou started with full force from the very beginning."

"Even as an observer, I can sense Han Zhou's respect for Ning Zhuo from his attitude! It's precisely this respect that made him go all out from the start, using his Suffering Body."

"Ning Zhuo's spell-casting is very skilled. But even the offensive Metal Element only caused Han Zhou minor flesh wounds. He's in danger!"

Lin Shanshan,混在在人群中, agreed with the comments.

She couldn't help but feel nervous, knowing that Han Zhou's attacks would inevitably become more fierce and violent.

The "Suffering Body" was a body technique similar to the "Diamond Body." While the latter enhanced one's defense, the former significantly increased one's abilities by enduring external strikes.

As long as Han Zhou could fight, the more damage he took, the stronger he became.

"Young Master Ning Zhuo's Metal Element spells had little effect, unable to break the Suffering Body in one strike. What should he do?" Lin Shanshan felt anxious and uneasy.

She very much wanted Ning Zhuo to win.

Not only did she have a favorable impression of him, but she had also put much effort into helping him train.

The more she invested, the more she viewed things from Ning Zhuo's perspective.

Han Zhou stomped the ground, causing the training ground's tiles to crack! His speed surged explosively, like a cannonball, charging at Ning Zhuo.

The distance between them closed rapidly!

Ning Zhuo seized the moment, pushing both palms forward to unleash a Water Element spell.

Three waves of water materialized out of thin air,冲击向寒洲 with immense force, attempting to push him back.

Han Zhou's momentum was greatly reduced by the first wave. But during the second wave, his strength had grown enough to stand firm.

By the third wave, he charged forward against the current!

The more attacks he endured, the stronger he became. This peculiar Suffering Body naturally weakened the opponent's fighting spirit.

Han Zhou used his body like a blade, splitting the waves, finally closing in on Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with intensity. After days of special training, he intended to use this opportunity to test his results in actual combat!

Fists and feet collided as they engaged in close combat.

Initially, they seemed evenly matched, but soon, Han Zhou seized the rhythm.

His punches and kicks came in rapid succession, like a storm.

(End of )