The Sect Master of the Joyful Union Sect, Shen Qingzhe, and Ling Tian's second master, Monk Jie Nu, touched palms, causing a violent shockwave.
The collision of their internal energies created a shockwave that spread outwards, sending fallen leaves flying around the courtyard.
At this moment, Shen Qingzhe's entire face changed. He felt as though his right arm no longer belonged to him!
The intense impact had rendered his right arm almost numb, and his body staggered back several steps. His internal organs felt displaced, and his blood churned. A tickle in his throat made Shen Qingzhe realize things were not looking good – it was a sign he was about to vomit blood!
If he were to spit out this blood, it would be disastrous, potentially causing severe damage and rendering him completely unable to fight.
Therefore, Shen Qingzhe suppressed his breath and managed to swallow the blood. Even so, after the fight, he would need to circulate his energy to dissolve this internal stagnation, otherwise, it would become a hidden danger!
In contrast, Monk Jie Nu on the opposite side only retreated one step. Looking at the bluestone bricks beneath Monk Jie Nu's feet, they were all shattered!
Shen Qingzhe's pupils contracted sharply. He was knowledgeable and understood that Monk Jie Nu had channeled the force of their impact into the ground!
This was a mastery of power at its peak, a legendary realm of martial arts!
After staggering back a few steps, Shen Qingzhe shook his arm. He forcefully injected internal energy into his arm, which relieved some of the numbness. Shen Qingzhe knew that in terms of internal energy, he was far from being this monk's match. If they continued to clash head-on, he would only meet his death!
With this thought, Shen Qingzhe charged forward again. His movements were like a ghost, circling Monk Jie Nu, occasionally kicking out or striking with his palm.
He was an extremely intelligent person, using this tactic to leverage his strengths and avoid his weaknesses, employing his footwork and peculiar techniques to find an opening, thereby avoiding direct confrontation.
However, as the fight progressed, Shen Qingzhe became somewhat frustrated. He discovered that the monk's martial arts were quite simple: a set of Vajra Fist and a set of Arhat Palms, both common Shaolin techniques.
Yet, Monk Jie Nu's defense was impenetrable. No matter what moves Shen Qingzhe used, the monk would always employ the most suitable technique from the Vajra Fist or Arhat Palms to neutralize his attacks!
This sense of frustration was immense. Shen Qingzhe was very confident in his own martial arts. However, if his moves were countered by the opponent's ultimate techniques, he could accept it. But now, the opponent was dismantling his attacks with such common techniques – how could he save face!
No matter how he changed his moves or increased his speed, the monk before him could always calmly neutralize them!
At this point, Shen Qingzhe also heard voices from other parts of the Taoist temple. Such a fierce fight between two people would surely attract the attention of others!
Shen Qingzhe became a little anxious. This monk was so difficult to deal with, and if two more helpers arrived, how could he possibly survive!
With this thought, Shen Qingzhe suddenly reached for his waist. He pressed a mechanism on his belt, and with a clang, a segmented steel belt-sword was drawn from his waist.
Segmented steel, also known as soft steel, was a metal with excellent flexibility. This material had existed in China for hundreds of years. Some martial artists forged their swords from segmented steel, wrapping them around their waists like belts. When needed, they could directly use them to injure opponents, catching them off guard. Assassins and killers often used such weapons.
The segmented steel sword was very soft and thin, extremely sharp, and could easily sever human blood vessels and tendons.
Of course, the difficulty of using such a weapon was also very high. To wield it, one had to put in immense effort, otherwise, a slight mistake could lead to self-injury!
The sword in Shen Qingzhe's hand was something he had practiced with since childhood. With a sword in hand, his entire demeanor changed, becoming incredibly sharp.
And this segmented steel soft sword, in his hands, was like a living, spiritual snake!
At this point, Monk Jie Nu dared not meet the attack head-on.
Monk Jie Nu was not foolish. He not only knew but was also skilled in hard qigong techniques like Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Shield. If he were to truly use his body to withstand attacks, ordinary swords and blades would only leave a white mark on him, not even breaking the skin.
However, Monk Jie Nu was not stupid. He could tell at a glance that the segmented steel soft sword in Shen Qingzhe's hand was no ordinary item.
Moreover, Shen Qingzhe's cultivation was profound. Even ordinary swords and blades would have their power greatly amplified in his hands. To block blades with his body was the most idiotic course of action.
Shen Qingzhe wielded his soft sword with fluid movements, his techniques becoming increasingly cunning. Although the great monk appeared to be in perilous situations, he managed to dodge at the most critical moments.
At this time, Shen Qingzhe gritted his teeth, and his hand movements quickened. By now, his stamina had reached its limit. Especially after clashing with Monk Jie Nu earlier, his internal organs and meridians had been injured, and stagnant blood had formed within him.
Coupled with his desperate attacks during this time, his injuries were trending towards a more severe condition.
Suddenly, Monk Jie Nu's body swayed, and he unleashed three rapid punches.
These three punches were as swift as shooting stars and as fast as lightning. The powerful gusts of wind emanating from the punches forced Shen Qingzhe to retreat repeatedly, using his soft sword to block.
Taking advantage of the distance created between them, Monk Jie Nu suddenly pushed off the ground and lunged towards a corner of the wall, where a broom stood.
Seeing this, a cold sneer appeared on Shen Qingzhe's lips. He thought the monk might have lost his mind. Such a broom was woven from bamboo, and his treasured sword could easily cut through the broom's bristles.
He thought, if the monk wanted a weapon, he should at least grab a staff or a sword. Using a broom, did he really think he was a sweeping monk!
But soon, his expression changed. Monk Jie Nu, holding the broom, performed a flourish with it. This seemingly ordinary action made Shen Qingzhe feel a sense of danger.
As the sect master and a martial arts master, he possessed such discernment. The broom, in the monk's hand, seemed to merge with the great monk, as if the broom were not an ordinary cleaning tool but an extension of the great monk's palm!
"Bald donkey, don't think holding something can stop me. A broken broom, who are you trying to scare!"
Shen Qingzhe shouted loudly to bolster his courage, then charged forward with his sword. He flicked his wrist, and the blade of the segmented steel soft sword began to vibrate rhythmically, creating seven or eight sword tips in front of Monk Jie Nu.