Use You To Break Through 2 . . .
Bing Xin-Yue, who had initially watched the duel between her disciple Wen-Ren Chu-Chu and Cha-Eun Xiao, soon lost interest. She noted that while Wen-Ren Chu-Chu possessed superior cultivation capabilities, Cha-Eun Xiao's experience gave him the upper hand. This spar, in her view, was a test of willpower and practical combat experience, which she believed to be valuable for her disciple. In fact, she secretly hoped that Wen-Ren Chu-Chu would lose this time, as the lessons learned from defeat could be more lasting. The sting of shame often served as a catalyst for growth, and a genuine fight would provide her disciple with practical combat experience. Furthermore, given their current low levels, Bing Xin-Yue felt confident that she could swiftly intervene should the situation become too perilous. To her, this was merely a playful exchange between two young individuals.
However, she couldn't help but notice the visible anger on Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's face, which had turned green, and the contrast with her slim, petite frame, accentuated by her tiny waist. Bing Xin-Yue couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
Indeed, there was no denying Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's beauty, both in her facial features and body. Anyone labeling her as "fat" would be blatantly lying. Even a person lacking sight would not make such an error. Wen-Ren Chu-Chu undoubtedly possessed one of the slimmest waists in the entire Land of Han-Yang.
[Feng Zhi-Ling,] Bing Xin-Yue thought, [You have dared to tell such an outlandish lie. You've called her fat and large...]
She recognized that Feng Zhi-Ling, despite his outrageous statements, had his reasons. He understood that he stood little chance of winning this bout, yet he refused to yield. He even resorted to using derogatory language. It was evident that he was trying to enhance himself by confronting Wen-Ren Chu-Chu.
Bing Xin-Yue knew Cha-Eun Xiao's capabilities well. He had mastery over both fire and ice elemental powers, and if he were to combine them in an explosion, it would be far more potent than merely compressing his spiritual energy. However, he refrained from doing so, making his intentions clear.
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu, fueled by intense anger, suddenly clapped her hands together and declared, "I'll teach you the importance of showing respect, you foul-mouthed imbecile!"
A sudden surge of frigid qi erupted from Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's body, a living entity that formed swirling vortexes in the air. Their numbers multiplied rapidly, eventually coalescing into a serpentine dragon that ensnared Cha-Eun Xiao.
It was the Ling Xiao Ice Art!
The appearance of this foundational martial art from the Misty Cloud Palace within the confines of the Land of Han-Yang was nothing short of astonishing. Despite Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's relatively limited cultivation prowess, her employment of this martial art already conferred a remarkable boost to her combat capabilities. Her attack had become at least three times more potent than before.
Cha-Eun Xiao found himself overwhelmed, a crushing burden of stress descending upon him like an insurmountable mountain. Fear coursed through him.
The resurgence of the Misty Cloud Palace and its ascension to become the foremost among the Three Palaces became understandable. Their unyielding quest for the Regeneration Ink Lotus, even in the face of its impending extinction, made sense. The potential offered by the Ling Xiao Ice Art, capable of tripling one's strength in an instant, was nothing short of phenomenal.
Cha-Eun Xiao now grappled with the immense power wielded by Wen-Ren Chu-Chu, who could be considered an average practitioner of this formidable martial art. He couldn't help but wonder about the capabilities of Bing Xin-Yue if she were to employ the Ling Xiao Ice Art. And if the legendary grandmaster and Misty Cloud Palace guardian, Xuan Bing, harnessed its full potential, the consequences would be world-altering.
Reflecting on this, Cha-Eun Xiao realized why Wu Fa, the top cultivator of the Qing-Yun Realm, harbored such deep-seated animosity towards the Misty Cloud Palace yet refrained from acting on it. The enmity between Wu Fa and the Misty Cloud Palace remained unresolved, but Wu Fa had always maintained a degree of restraint.
It dawned on Cha-Eun Xiao that this restraint might stem from Wu Fa's apprehension regarding the Ling Xiao Ice Art under Grandmaster Xuan Bing's control. Cha-Eun Xiao speculated that if Xuan Bing fully unleashed this martial art, she could easily deliver a blow so devastating that Wu Fa might never recover.
This, perhaps, was the most compelling reason why Wu Fa had refrained from launching an all-out assault on the Misty Cloud Palace. It was a rationale that held undeniable logic.
Otherwise, he would never have allowed his most formidable adversary to continue residing there unchallenged.
Unless one was utterly obtuse...
A colossal force bore down upon Cha-Eun Xiao, intensifying as Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's hands drew nearer. It was as though the very air around him grew oppressive, making every breath a laborious struggle. He sensed a profound unease accompanying each inhalation, a sensation he associated with total dominance in combat.
For Cha-Eun Xiao, this sensation was all too familiar, one that only manifested when he found himself unequivocally outmatched in a battle.
As Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's energy-infused strikes closed in, he realized that her attacks possessed an extraordinary quality capable of affecting his psyche. This subtle, insidious power compelled his admiration, for it was precisely how such influence operated. By amplifying the disparity in physical might and exerting a profound mental impact, it coerced an adversary into submission. This influence could penetrate the very core of an opponent's being, leaving them not only physically defeated but also bearing deep-seated psychological scars.
This, Cha-Eun Xiao recognized, was the most disconcerting aspect of the Ling Xiao Ice Art—a truly astonishing power.
Cha-Eun Xiao acted with resolve. In an instant, he concentrated on his dantian and let out a resounding shout. Under the relentless pressure, the East-rising Purple Qi surged forth with unrestrained intensity. The dantian, which had been tightly compressed since the onset of their confrontation, suddenly relaxed and then explosively expanded.
His fists became a tempestuous storm, unleashing a ferocious assault.
—Boom!— A deafening explosion reverberated through the surroundings. Cha-Eun Xiao's full-powered strike created a brief, ephemeral rift in the fabric of space, though it vanished in an instant. In that very moment, a brilliant shade of light purple enveloped his entire form.
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu retorted with a derisive snort. "How dare you call me fat?"
[Not enough energy...] Cha-Eun Xiao inwardly lamented. He snorted in response. "Facts are facts. Justice prevails. You are plump! Your waist, like a barrel! I can scarcely discern where your posterior begins! Do you genuinely believe that resorting to violence will silence the undeniable truth?"