Chapter 335
Chapter 335: The Final Battle
Wu Ming knew he couldn’t win head-on, so he planned to use the Heart Sutra of Non-Abidance to force someone else to break through, thus disqualifying them from the competition.
“I didn’t expect it—this bald monk is truly shameless.”
“Reputation-wise, the disciples of Reversal Mountain have always been upright. This monk is really going to great lengths for victory. Now that everyone sees through him, if he still loses and tarnishes Reversal Mountain’s name, it’ll be the biggest joke.”
“Don’t underestimate Reversal Mountain. Who knows what’s really on their minds?”
“I think it’s not that simple…”
Wang Jie listened as Wu Ming softly recited the sutra. A breakthrough? No, he couldn’t. The Lock Force had yet to fully merge into his blood and bones.
Even if the Heart Sutra of Non-Abidance could aid breakthroughs, it was only effective on those at the peak of Full Star Realm, those who were a mere step away from Wandering Star Realm, or cultivators deliberately suppressing their realm. It had no effect on him.
As for Ting Chen, she also seemed unaffected.
If she had been influenced, she would’ve acted by now.
Which meant Wu Ming’s true target was—Jing Hong.
Jing Hong stepped forward to the edge of the arena, confronting Wu Ming directly. He smiled and said, “Bald monk, you’re targeting me, aren’t you? What’s your intention? Removing me as an obstacle for this woman, letting her win? Trying to convince yourself you’ll only lose to the strongest?”
“Such self-deception is laughable.”
Wu Ming ignored him, continuing his quiet chant.
Jing Hong turned toward Ting Chen, saying, “Lady, just finish him already. He’s wasting everyone’s time.”
But Ting Chen also ignored him.
Speechless, Jing Hong sighed internally, [What a rude group.] He glanced toward Wang Jie, giving a friendly smile as he fanned himself gently with his red envelope.
Wang Jie shifted his gaze, looking at Wu Ming instead.
[Another one with no manners.] Jing Hong silently rolled his eyes.
Not long after, Wu Ming’s complexion turned pale, sweat droplets formed on his forehead, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
The blood mixed with sweat fell onto the arena, a tragic sight.
Jing Hong shook his head. “Such meaningless effort, wasting everyone’s time.”
Suddenly, his expression changed sharply as he stared at Wu Ming again.
Wu Ming’s body seemed to be shrinking.
Ting Chen and Wang Jie stared intently.
Outside, countless spectators also noticed. Could a person shrink? It didn’t seem like a battle skill—it genuinely looked as if he was shrinking.
On Reversal Mountain, Han Zhang closed his eyes and whispered, “When the outer robe is empty, the self advances. You’ve truly grasped this level.”
Many were stunned.
Those who knew Reversal Mountain deeply understood the shocking significance of what Wu Ming was doing.
This was an extremely profound state of the Heart Sutra of Non-Abidance, nearly equivalent to Nirvana itself.
Reaching such a state meant that over time Wu Ming would inevitably ascend beyond the Small World Realm, becoming the next master of Reversal Mountain. The mountain’s successor was decided.
In the arena, Jing Hong’s brows tightened as he stared at Wu Ming. In his ears, the chanting grew louder. Slowly, he clenched his fist, even putting away his red envelope.
“You bald monk are really unreasonable. I’ve never offended you, yet you’re fixated on me. What’s your problem?”
“If my next match is against that woman, wouldn’t defeating her count as revenge on your behalf?”
The chanting of the sutra grew louder still.
Wu Ming became smaller and smaller. His robe seemed to flow downward with the chanting, surrounding Jing Hong.
Taking a deep breath, Jing Hong praised with genuine feeling, “I thought there was nothing fun left in this lower realm. I never expected a bald monk to stab me in the back. No matter—I’ve already seen everything worth seeing. There’s no surprise left, so I’ll leave the rest to you all. Perhaps I’ll return for the next Wandering Star Tournament.”
“I’m leaving.”
After speaking, a surge of energy erupted from his body, rushing into the heavens. Countless people were astonished. Was he breaking through?
Breaking through to Wandering Star meant Jing Hong could no longer participate.
Jing Hong had withdrawn from the competition.
His figure vanished from the arena.
Though no one could witness his exact breakthrough, it was certain he’d surpassed Full Star.
At the same moment, Wu Ming opened his eyes. His body returned to normal, and with exhaustion, he looked toward Ting Chen and Wang Jie, saying, “May fortune favor you both.” His body then vanished as well.
Now, only two competitors remained in the Full Star Realm Tournament:
Ting Chen.
Wang Jie.
The champion would emerge from these two.
No one had anticipated such a result. Jing Hong, the tournament favorite, had suddenly withdrawn, leaving two overlooked cultivators as finalists.
Wang Jie, a Lock Force cultivator, doubted by countless people from the start, didn’t even dare speak openly.
Ting Chen had been entirely ignored.
Yet, step by step, they had eliminated famous prodigies and now stood as the final contenders.
Whether people accepted it or not, they deserved to be here.
Wang Jie and Ting Chen stared at each other, feeling the absurdity of the moment.
After all, this woman was the target given to him by his casual master.
The scene shifted.
When he opened his eyes again, Wang Jie had returned to the Lock Path Interval. Exhaling slowly, he wondered whether Ting Chen herself knew about their connection. [Probably not,] he thought, feeling somewhat uneasy. It would’ve been easier if there was only one target—but now it was both sisters.
“Are you confident?” the casual master asked behind him.
Wang Jie stood and turned around, replying, “No.”
During the tournament, two people were impossible to read. The first was Jing Hong, and the other was Ting Chen.
Whether it was Zhou Ye, Hou Qing Ge, or Gui Xiao Die, he had methods to handle them, regardless of how strong they were.
But these two—they were too strange.
Shu Rang smiled lightly, explaining, “The technique she uses is called the Three Tribulations of Time.”
“It is a technique that transcends the ages.”
“This technique’s conditions are incredibly harsh. Even your master never imagined that lass could master it. But perhaps it’s better this way—the stronger she is, the greater your fighting spirit to conquer her, hahaha!”
Wang Jie smiled bitterly, saying, “But first, I have to conquer her. Master, do you know about the Three Tribulations of Time?”
“I’ve heard of it, but I won’t tell you. Otherwise, wouldn’t that be cheating?” Shu Rang said, his eyes turning complicated as he continued, “If you can’t even pass this obstacle, then the task your master entrusted to you isn’t even worth considering. It’ll be far more difficult than this.”
Wang Jie fell silent for a moment, then quietly said, “Disciple wishes to be alone.”
Shu Rang nodded, “Don’t burden yourself too heavily. You were never meant to bear responsibility for others’ fate. If you lose this battle, your master will find a way to sever our ties. Even without my backing, your past achievements alone will let you live comfortably here in Black White Heaven.” After speaking, he departed.
Wang Jie watched Shu Rang disappear. [Severing our ties? My clever master really has thought things through thoroughly.]
Elsewhere, within Star Dome Visage, a deep voice echoed, “Wang Jie absolutely must not win, and the Three Tribulations of Time certainly must not lose.”
“I, old man, already said, scram. I won’t involve myself in your petty schemes.”
“There is right and wrong in the world, but the Star Palace is never wrong. Only unifying the Star Palace can usher in the pinnacle of this era. Anyone obstructing our grand design must die, and your Star Dome Visage cannot remain aloof.”
“This is your reason for harming him? Ridiculous.”
“Wasn’t it you who pushed away Blue Star? Hasn’t everything long been arranged?”
“So what if it was, so what if it wasn’t?”
“Old friend, heed my advice: the Star Palace has a place reserved for you. Why must you defy Heaven?”
“The position, if I, old man, want it, you’ll have to give it. If I don’t, you’d best hold onto it yourselves. Don’t mistake me, old man, for him—otherwise, even you lot, I could turn you upside down. Now scram!”
A moment later, Ting He, watering flowers, brightened with joy and hurriedly approached with a sweet smile, “Great Grandfather, what brings you here?”
The elder approached Ting He warmly, saying with a gentle smile, “I just had an argument and felt upset, so I came to see you.”
Ting He affectionately hugged the elder’s arm and playfully asked, “Who could possibly make Great Grandfather upset? They must be amazing!”
“Just a shameless old fogy, that’s all. Where’s Ting Chen?”
“She hasn’t come out yet.”
“Call her here.”
Very soon, Ting Chen came out and stood beside Ting He. Except for their temperament and gaze, no one could tell the sisters apart.
The elder carefully studied the two young women before suddenly asking, “What do you both think of Wang Jie?”
Both were stunned, confused about why he would suddenly ask such a thing.
Ting Chen, who carried herself coldly, replied directly, “Great Grandfather, just say what you have in mind.”
The elder coughed lightly, seeming slightly embarrassed, yet after a moment’s hesitation, continued, “Behind him is a Star Path Grandmaster who once made a proclamation.” He paused, then continued cautiously, “He said his disciple would one day marry a descendant of mine from the Ting Clan.”
Ting Chen immediately frowned deeply.
Ting He blushed crimson, shyly lowering her head in embarrassment.
“Right now, this disciple is Wang Jie, and my descendants are you two, so…” Before the elder finished, Ting Chen interrupted coldly, “Don’t even dream of it. How can a mere Lock Force cultivator ever deserve to marry us?”
Ting He glanced at Ting Chen secretly. She thought Wang Jie was wonderful, but marrying him… [Ahh, this is so embarrassing! Why is Great Grandfather suddenly talking about such things?]
Ting Chen stared sternly at her sister, “What are you thinking?”
Ting He blushed even more furiously.
“I know you’ve helped him before, but don’t even entertain the thought. He’s unworthy,” Ting Chen said harshly.
Ting He pursed her lips softly, “No, I wasn’t thinking anything.”
The elder smiled warmly as he observed the sisters. “Those words were spoken, but no promise was ever made. So, if he truly wishes to marry either of you, he must strive on his own. Great Grandfather won’t force either of you, so rest assured.”
Ting Chen’s gaze grew colder, “Tomorrow is my decisive battle with him. I’ll make sure he abandons any such foolish idea.”
Ting He softly urged, “Sister, please go easy on him.”
Ting Chen once again fixed her sister with a severe glare, silencing Ting He instantly.
The elder then walked away, his gaze complicated.
That old man intended his disciple to marry my descendants, hoping to pull me into the conflict against the Star Palace. Likewise, those old fogies within the Star Palace would encourage their heirs to marry my descendants as well.
Both sides are trying to win me over using this method.
The two girls will have plenty to fret about from now on.
[Wang Jie… When I pushed Blue Star away back then, was all this destined by fate? Otherwise, how could this boy have become that old fogy’s disciple?]
Impossible to say clearly.
Meanwhile, the outside world buzzed with excitement, everyone fervently discussing this year’s martial tournament champion.
Videos of Wang Jie and Ting Chen’s battles replayed endlessly as people analyzed and compared their strength. Eventually, a consensus emerged: Ting Chen had a ninety-nine percent chance of victory, leaving Wang Jie only a pitiful one percent.
Wang Jie had indeed shown incredible skill. His strength, Lock Force, footwork, Star Method, and sword techniques were all exceptional. The consecutive defeats of Yuan Mu, Gui Xiao Die, and Zhou Ye had proven that Star Dome Visage’s judgment wasn’t wrong; he indeed deserved the Enlightenment Tea.
But Ting Chen was even more mysterious and unfathomable.
The overwhelming pressure Wu Ming displayed against Hou Qing Ge was utterly dismantled when he faced Ting Chen.
If Wang Jie were matched against Wu Ming, most still believed Wu Ming would win.
That was the gap between them.
Unless Wang Jie still had a hidden trump card.