Chapter 357: Ning Zhuo vs Han Zhou
Small Contest Day.
On the large martial arts stage, Ning Zhuo and Han Zhou stood opposite each other.
There were many spectators.
The cultivators were very familiar with Han Zhou, but for most of them, it was their first time seeing Ning Zhuo.
"Is he Ning Zhuo from Huoshi Immortal City?"
"From what I see, he's quite ordinary. How could he have caught the attention of the young lady?"
"Whether he's ordinary or not, we will see from this battle."
Countless scrutinizing gazes landed on Ning Zhuo.
Among them was Lin Shanshan, disguised.
Since she had promised Ning Zhuo that she would come to watch the battle, she had kept her word. However, she had heard some irritating rumors over the past few days, so this time, she slightly disguised herself, not revealing her true appearance.
Blending into the crowd, Lin Shanshan went unnoticed.
Unbeknownst to her, a gaze silently descended, scanning the entire martial arts stage, pinpointing Lin Shanshan within the crowd.
The owner of this gaze was none other than Lin Bufan, the master of the Myriad Medicine Sect.
He was always swamped with tasks, especially during this particularly busy period, so he normally wouldn't have the opportunity to hear such trivial news.
However, those around him sought to curry favor, worrying on his behalf. They took advantage of Lin Bufan's rest to report the matter.
"Shanshan has never shown such interest in a male cultivator before. Who is this Ning Zhuo? Go and investigate."
After issuing this command, Lin Bufan also remembered the date of Ning Zhuo and Han Zhou's duel.
Now, he had deliberately paused his work, activated a formation, and although he was far away in Yuanshan, he could still view the battles on Xiao Zheng Peak, big and small, with great clarity.
"Quite the handsome fellow..." Lin Bufan nodded slightly upon first laying eyes on Ning Zhuo.
Lin Bufan himself was of refined appearance, and Ning Zhuo’s bearing gave him the impression that Ning Zhuo's background was not simple, likely from a family of cultivators.
Lin Bufan’s first impression of Ning Zhuo was positive.
Ning Zhuo carefully observed Han Zhou.
Han Zhou was thin and pale.
His face was marked with signs of weathering and erosion, making him appear worn and exhausted. However, his gaze was very calm, revealing a firm will and a fearlessness toward hardship.
His hair was sparse and disheveled, showing streaks of gray as if it were the remnants of melted snow. It was tied haphazardly at the back of his head with a simple hemp rope, in no particular order.
He wore a tattered gray robe, full of patches and tears. On his feet were worn-out straw sandals, making a rustling sound as he walked, the soles already worn through, exposing his frostbitten toes.
His skin was rough, covered in frostbite and scars, and his fingers were tinged with a layer of white frost.
Generally speaking, even when cultivators were not well off, they still kept themselves relatively clean, at least wearing tidy clothing.
But Han Zhou was different. He seemed intent on letting others 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. In today's duel, I hope to experience the power of your Bitter Cold Sutra."
Han Zhou’s voice was hoarse, "Fellow Daoist Ning, fate has brought us to this duel, so let us both do our best."
Han Zhou was quite straightforward. As soon as he finished speaking, he charged toward Ning Zhuo.
His fists clenched, cold air dispersed, forming frost flowers.
The white frost quickly spread, covering the surface of his fists.
Frost Fist!
Ning Zhuo’s face grew solemn. As soon as Han Zhou made his move, Ning Zhuo retreated simultaneously.
While retreating, he cast a spell.
In an instant, green vines burst from the ground, agile like snakes, wrapping toward Han Zhou.
Han Zhou suddenly accelerated, trying to avoid the vines.
Ning Zhuo extended his spiritual sense, controlling the vines, making them grow rapidly and chase after Han Zhou.
Seeing that he couldn't dodge, Han Zhou simply stood still, muttering under his breath, and his fists flew through the air.
His punches struck the vines, freezing them instantly. Cold air spread outward, quickly enveloping the surroundings.
Ning Zhuo had already learned from his intelligence gathering that the cold air Han Zhou emitted was imbued with profundity, a result of cultivating the Bitter Cold Sutra, forming the Bitter Cold Qi.
This aura was difficult to defend against, easily seeping into a cultivator's body, corroding both their physical body and spirit.
At first, this corrosion was negligible.
But as time passed, accumulating steadily, the effects of the corrosion became more and more pronounced.
If a cultivator lacked proper means to dispel the Bitter Cold Qi, their injuries would worsen, and their condition would deteriorate drastically.
Many of Han Zhou’s past opponents had fallen to this Bitter Cold Qi.
Ning Zhuo activated his Five Elements Mana, rotating it to purify it into the fire element.
He extended a finger, and immediately, a pillar of fire erupted.
At first, the fire pillar was thin, but as it traveled halfway, it expanded like a giant serpent. By the time it reached Han Zhou, the pillar had swollen to the size of a column supporting a palace.
Han Zhou remained motionless, not even attempting to dodge, allowing the fire to envelop him entirely.
The flames burned for a moment, but the powerful Bitter Cold Qi infiltrated the fire, causing it to wither quickly.
No matter how much mana Ning Zhuo injected, he couldn’t make the flames grow any stronger.
After a few breaths, the flames that had once covered Han Zhou were reduced to a few lingering embers, clinging to his hair and clothes.
"Impressive fire element," Han Zhou commented lightly, continuing to charge at Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo took a deep breath and then cast an earth element spell.
In an instant, yellow sand flew, sweeping across the entire martial arts stage.
The sand attached itself to Han Zhou, accumulating until it gradually encased him, forming a clay statue.
Earth Element Spell—Clay Sculpture Technique!
But soon, large patches of white frost began seeping from the statue, inside out.
The frost froze the sand into blocks, breaking down its structure, causing it all to fall away.
Han Zhou stepped forward from the clay sculpture, his face calm, his eyes resolute, his expression sorrowful, merely saying, "Impressive earth element."
Ning Zhuo showed no expression and immediately cast a metal element spell.
His hand sliced through the air like a blade, slashing toward Han Zhou. Each slash manifested into golden blades in midair, chopping toward Han Zhou.
Han Zhou advanced steadily, still refusing to dodge.
The golden blades struck him, finally tearing more holes in his tattered clothing and leaving wounds on his flesh, from which some blood seeped out.
"Impressive metal element!"
Han Zhou’s face grew even more sorrowful, but his momentum soared to its peak.
Though he was merely taking blows, he gave off an incredibly dominant impression, the pressure weighing down on Ning Zhuo like a massive boulder.
The spectators were buzzing with discussion.
"Han Zhou is going all out from the start."
"Even as an onlooker, I can feel the respect Han Zhou has for Ning Zhuo! It's because of this respect that he's fighting with full force, displaying his Suffering Body right away."
"Ning Zhuo’s spellcasting is very skillful, but even the offensive prowess of the metal element only caused Han Zhou minor injuries. He's in danger!"
Hidden in the crowd, Lin Shanshan heard the comments and couldn't help but agree in her heart.
She grew anxious, knowing that Han Zhou’s offensive would become even more intense and violent next.
This was because the "Suffering Body" was a physical technique similar to the "Diamond Body." The latter increased one's defense, while the former greatly amplified one's abilities by enduring external attacks.
As long as Han Zhou had the strength to continue fighting, the heavier the blows he endured, the stronger he would become.
"Young Master Ning’s metal element spell had little effect. It couldn't break through the Suffering Body in one strike. What will he do now?" Lin Shanshan worried anxiously.
She desperately hoped Ning Zhuo would win.
It wasn't just because she had developed strong feelings for Ning Zhuo, but also because she had put in a great deal of effort to help train him.
The more she invested, the more she sided with Ning Zhuo.
Han Zhou stomped on the ground, causing the stage tiles to crack! His speed increased dramatically, like a cannonball, charging toward Ning Zhuo.
The distance between them closed rapidly!
Ning Zhuo raced against time, pushing out both palms, casting a water element spell.
Three waves of water manifested out of thin air, crashing toward Han Zhou with tremendous force, trying to push him back.
In the first wave, Han Zhou’s momentum decreased significantly, but by the second wave, his strength had increased enough to hold his ground.
By the third wave, he charged through directly!
The more attacks Han
Zhou endured, the stronger he became. This peculiar Suffering Body naturally sapped the fighting spirit of his opponents.
Han Zhou, using his body like a blade, split through the water and finally reached Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with sharp light. After days of special training, he was ready to use this battle to test the fruits of his labor!
The two engaged in close combat, exchanging punches and kicks.
At first, they were evenly matched, but soon, Han Zhou seized the rhythm.
His fists and feet alternated in attack, striking like a storm.
(End of Chapter)