Chapter 72
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Chapter 72: Battle Against Hong Yi
It’s worth noting that the mechanical steel bear had been charging at full speed, as was Black Bear. Moreover, Black Bear had taken defensive measures, using both arms to shield his vital areas.
Under these circumstances, Zhen Hong Yi launched a single needle. It struck the charging mechanical steel bear, ricocheted off its armor, altered trajectory, and pierced Black Bear’s unprotected neck with pinpoint accuracy—all while both targets were in rapid motion!
Such absurdly precise needle technique left Black Bear utterly awestruck. He couldn’t fathom such divine skill existing in the world, making his defeat in this match completely deserved.
"Elder Sister, I yield to your superiority!" Black Bear clasped his fists toward Zhen Hong Yi. "This arena is yours! I’ll seek another!"
With that declaration, he simply leaped off the platform and vanished into the distance, clearly heading to challenge elsewhere.
After Black Bear’s departure, the crowd erupted in murmurs, all stunned by Zhen Hong Yi’s supernatural needle mastery. Many speculated she’d likely hold this arena unchallenged.
Even Ice Second Brother, Fang Huo, Poison, and Longxing Tianxia appeared rattled.
"Boss, perhaps we should relocate?" Ice Second Brother suggested. "This woman’s too dangerous. Best avoid confrontation."
"Exactly," Fang Huo added tactfully. "A true man shouldn’t battle women. Victory would bring no honor. Let’s find another arena."
"Big Brother," Longxing Tianxia urged, "Zhen Hong Yi’s momentum is unstoppable. Notice how the eager challengers have all retreated? There’s no shame in avoiding this fight."
Fang Lie shook his head resolutely. "Retreating from difficulty isn’t the Fang Family’s way. I’d rather face defeat than withdraw without combat!"
Seizing the momentary lack of challengers, Fang Lie spread his wings and soared toward the referee. He tossed a Canghai Stone—a high-grade spirit stone—before landing on the arena.
Halting dozens of yards from Zhen Hong Yi to prevent misunderstandings, he touched down gracefully.
Before Fang Lie could introduce himself, Zhen Hong Yi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "You’re Fang Lie! Those wings are magnificent! Where’d you get them? I want a pair!"
"Afraid I can’t provide them," Fang Lie replied with a wry smile.
"Tch! Stingy!" Zhen Hong Yi pouted, mistaking his reluctance for secrecy. Changing subjects, she inquired, "They say you’ve become a Great Pill Master overnight. Truth or tale?"
"I wouldn’t claim that title yet. Many spirit pills still elude me—I’ve merely glimpsed the threshold," Fang Lie demurred.
"But you’ve produced numerous Flawless Pills?" she pressed.
"Merely fortunate chances," Fang Lie conceded.
"Luck alone can’t explain such quantities," Zhen Hong Yi countered. "Else Great Pill Masters would litter the streets! But why’s an alchemist brawling in arenas instead of refining pills?"
"Necessity drives me," Fang Lie shrugged. "This is my only path to the inner gate."
"A Great Pill Master should enter effortlessly! Your talents…"
Fang Lie chuckled bitterly. "My enemies hold considerable sect influence. Surprisingly, you show me courtesy. Surely your family’s suffered my… attentions?"
"Undoubtedly!" Zhen Hong Yi laughed. "Among the Eight-Hundred-Generation Families, few lack disciples you’ve battered or slain. My own younger brother fell to your cudgels!"
"Yet here you stand, amiable? You scarcely strike me as the forgiving sort."
"Hah! Forgiving? Hardly!" Her laughter turned sharp. "That brother sprang from a concubine who rivalled my mother. Her whelp challenged my clan position. His death? Splendid! Marvelous! An occasion for celebration!"
Zhen Hong Yi’s mirth subsided as she leaned forward. "Listen well, handsome—descend now, and I’ll host you for tea. Refuse, and…"
The crowd erupted at her brazen offer.
"Accept! Be together!"
"Fang Lie! Prove your manhood—advance!"
"The Red Demon’s never invited men before! Don’t waste this chance!"
Faced with the crowd’s jeers, Fang Lie gave a bitter smile and refused helplessly, "Forget the tea. Let’s settle this through actual combat!"
"Oh, why must you be so dense?" Zhen Hong Yi complained irritably. "If not for your alchemy skills, I wouldn’t bother with you at all. Yet you reject my kindness – how infuriating!"
She then stated bluntly, "With such pitiful strength, why embarrass yourself here? Scram already! This lady doesn’t want to bully weaklings!"
"We’ll see who’s bullying whom after you defeat me," Fang Lie retorted with a mix of amusement and frustration.
"What challenge is there in beating you? I could handle fifty of you single-handedly!" Zhen Hong Yi sneered, curling her lip.
"Perhaps you’ll be the one losing!" Fang Lie narrowed his eyes, his voice tinged with anger.
"Me? Lose to you?" Zhen Hong Yi stared at him with utter disdain. "If you somehow win, I’ll adopt your family name!"
"Remember those words!" Fang Lie snapped, his pride stung by her contempt. "Shall we begin then?"
"Whenever you’re ready. This will be over quickly!" Zhen Hong Yi declared arrogantly.
"Fine! Let’s start!" Fang Lie focused intently on Zhen Hong Yi’s hands, anticipating her first move.
The arena’s rules were simple – combat could commence once both parties agreed, no referee required. With their verbal sparring concluded, the match officially began.
Yet both combatants remained motionless, locked in a tense standoff.
"You first, Fang Lie," Zhen Hong Yi said casually. "If I make the first move, you’ll never get an opportunity."
"The Fang Family never needs concessions, least of all from women!" Fang Lie scoffed. "Since etiquette demands ladies first, I yield the initiative. Show me how you’ll prevent my retaliation!"
"Spoken like true Fang stock!" Zhen Hong Yi mocked. "In that case… lie down!"
Before the last syllable faded, Fang Lie gasped as searing pain shot through his right foot. A flying needle had pierced through his sole, traveled up his leg, and embedded itself in his internal organs!
Unbeknownst to Fang Lie, Zhen Hong Yi had secretly launched the needle underground during their conversation. Completely focused on her upper body, he never anticipated an attack from below.
This proved nearly fatal. Zhen Hong Yi’s formidable cultivation – her Qi Sea spanning over five hundred zhang – empowered the needle with pure Magic energy that immediately suppressed Fang Lie’s own Magic reserves.
Overwhelmed by her superior strength, Fang Lie found his Magic paralyzed. With pierced limbs, damaged organs, and crippled cultivation, most cultivators would have collapsed from the agony and despair.
But Fang Lie was no ordinary mortal. Having endured the three unyielding tortures, he remained standing despite the torment. With a furious roar, he bellowed, "Explode! EXPLODE!"
His Qi Sea detonated violently. Through the Explosion Qi Technique, Fang Lie’s Magic surged tenfold, instantly overpowering Zhen Hong Yi’s suppression and expelling the needle.
Terrifying energy erupted from his body, forming a raging Magic tornado.
Zhen Hong Yi gaped in disbelief. "The Explosion Qi Technique? Heaven’s mercy! I considered myself reckless, but you make me seem sane! One ambush and you resort to self-mutilation?"
Consumed by wrath from her trickery, Fang Lie ignored her taunts. "DIE!" he thundered. His golden wings snapped open, propelling him forward in a blinding golden streak aimed directly at his opponent.
