Chapter 812 - 805: Power and Technique

Chapter 812: Chapter 805: Power and Technique

Qianyue Jian and Qingling exchanged glances. In the end, Qingling stepped forward. According to the results of drawing lots, he was next.

Since Zhou Yuanjue’s advancement seemed to be purely an enhancement of raw violence, it was highly likely that his Control Power over his Technique Domain had decreased. From this perspective, he didn’t seem invincible after all. With a light tap of his foot, he appeared before Zhou Yuanjue, his expression turning solemn and grave.

"Let’s begin. Our previous battle can finally have a conclusion now," Zhou Yuanjue said with a smile.

"Be careful. I haven’t been slacking these past few months either." Qingling nodded slightly.

HUMM!

A pristine white Sacred Lotus enveloped his body, its petals rotating gently.

SWISH!

He tapped his foot lightly, his figure shooting forward in an instant. The Sacred Lotus disintegrated, swiftly reforming in his hands. It took the shape of a pair of dagger-like short blades.

Originally, this wasn’t a weapon form Qingling had mastered, meaning it shouldn’t have been able to trigger the corresponding changes in his Technique Domain. But now, the situation was vastly different.

As the short blades appeared in his grasp, the Technique Domain rapidly covered his body, its properties shifting according to the weapon’s form. His Technique Domain was shrouded in an obscure and incomprehensible aura. In a trance-like state, he merged with his surroundings, his Body Technique becoming incredibly erratic and elusive, like a phantom. It isolated killing intent and perception, even affecting the five senses.

Hidden Lotus Blade.

This was the newest weapon form Qingling had developed over the past three months. During the later stages of his previous battle with Zhou Yuanjue, his mastered weapon forms had been countered. Forced to use unfamiliar ones, the intense clashes had caused his proficiency with them to skyrocket. In just three short months, he had developed four new weapon forms, bringing his total mastered forms into the double digits.

And the Hidden Lotus Blade was the one with the most outstanding effects. It excelled at close-quarters combat. The tips of the blades were razor-sharp, possessing Armor Breaking capabilities, and were particularly suited for Technique attacks and precise Energy manipulation. Most importantly, the accompanying transformation of the Technique Domain concealed his killing intent and perception while providing a certain degree of acceleration. Paired with an unpredictable Body Technique, it was the ultimate tool for close-range dogfighting.

This form could almost be called the pinnacle of close-quarters combat abilities. Even if an opponent possessed overwhelming raw power, as long as they were slightly inferior in terms of Technique, they would be entangled by this form. The moment they revealed an opening, they would suffer a fatal, ruthless strike.

Seeing Qingling’s phantom-like figure charging at him, Zhou Yuanjue smiled faintly. He was vastly different from before, and he easily guessed Qingling’s thoughts. However, it was far too naive to assume that a purely violent enhancement would lower his Energy Control Level and result in crude Techniques.

On the contrary, the very reason he had been able to subdue Nirut with sheer violence—despite his single Energy Intensity being inferior—was precisely because of his formidable Energy Control Power. By pushing the explosive force of every ounce of Energy to a hundred and twenty percent of its potential, he had achieved such an effect.

Breaking through the First layer Transformation Boundary had allowed numerous structures to integrate more deeply with his body. Instead of decreasing, his level of control had actually increased. Greater Energy output and stronger Control Power would naturally lead to a more profound advancement in his Technique.

SWISH!

He slowly assumed a punching stance.

GURGLE GURGLE!

His digestive system roared as the Energy he had fully replenished during his previous battle with Bolaka was unleashed. It was compressed and accelerated by the Twelve True Meridians before bursting forth through the pores all over his body.

The wind howled, and the clouds surged!

The Technique Domain around him practically materialized into physical substance. Yin and Yang circulated within it, transforming all things, and its range had expanded by at least a third compared to before.

Caught completely off guard, the charging Qingling was instantly enveloped by Zhou Yuanjue’s Technique Domain. His expression changed drastically.

His own Technique Domain was disrupted and compressed by his opponent’s. Even its operational form had been altered, causing its original buffing effects to be significantly diminished. Had his Technique not been so profound, anyone else would have been immediately dragged in by Zhou Yuanjue’s Technique Domain, falling completely into the latter’s rhythm.

His opponent’s Technique Domain was vastly stronger than before!

Previously, his Technique Domain had at least held a certain advantage due to its unique attributes, even putting Zhou Yuanjue in a perilous situation at one point. But now, it wasn’t a match for his opponent at all.

He understood that this wasn’t purely an issue with the Technique Domain itself, nor did it mean Zhou Yuanjue’s Technique had advanced to some terrifying realm. The refinement of Technique wasn’t something that could be achieved overnight. Everything boiled down to the sheer amount of Energy he possessed.

In fact, the underlying principle was similar to the Martial Dao. In a Martial Dao duel, Technique was merely one factor; foundational Power was also crucial. For example, even if a child possessed the same level of Technique, it would be impossible for them to defeat a robust adult.

Now, on a Technical level, the gap between Qingling and Zhou Yuanjue might not be that large. However, in terms of Power, the disparity between them was like that of a child and an adult. But this also proved that the violent enhancement Zhou Yuanjue had gained from his boundary breakthrough was completely under his control. It had fully become a part of his Technique.

A perfect fusion of Power and Technique...

This improvement was simply too massive!

Qingling sighed inwardly. At this very moment, having only just exchanged blows, he already foresaw the outcome of the battle. The truth was that he could no longer be a match for Zhou Yuanjue.

Even so, he didn’t give up on his assault. No matter what, being able to fight an opponent like this was a rare opportunity. At this moment, he was no longer fighting for victory, but to temper himself.

Zhou Yuanjue noticed this as well, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He didn’t end the battle immediately; instead, he began to intentionally guide and accommodate Qingling’s attacks. He could tell that the other party had only just familiarized himself with these several weapon forms. The integration and transition between them weren’t seamless yet. The pressure he applied right now served as the perfect opportunity for his opponent to improve.

The two traded blows back and forth. Qingling’s transitions between his newly comprehended weapon forms—the short blades, halberd, spike, and scimitar—became increasingly proficient. The battle lasted for about an hour before Qingling took the initiative to halt his attacks and disperse his abilities.

"I’ve learned a lot. Thank you." Qingling looked at his opponent with a complex expression. He had originally thought that after the other party’s advancement, they would be able to have an evenly matched battle. He hadn’t expected that he would be completely incapable of contending with his opponent.

Before his Hundred Weapons Sacred Lotus grew strong enough, he couldn’t compete against this fusion of Power and Technique.

Seeing Qingling voluntarily concede, the several spectators fell slightly silent. Of course, they could see that Qingling was no longer a match for Zhou Yuanjue at all.

"This guy... If he hadn’t said otherwise, I would’ve thought he directly broke through the Second layer Transformation Boundary during these three months," Dorobaku muttered absentmindedly, wondering how the gap between them had grown so incredibly wide.