CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 78: WINNING AND LOSING_1

Thunder Refining Body!

This was the external cultivation method Lu Ming practiced.

With the support of his gifted Saint Body, the Thunder Body, Lu Ming had started refining his body with lightning at a very young age, transforming it into an Indestructible Body.

The defensive power of his skin was extremely strong, making it difficult to injure him even if a cultivator of the same level attacked with their full strength.

So, facing this overwhelming rain of swords, Lu Ming was full of confidence: "Five Thunder Magic!"

Ignoring the surging sword Qi, he let out a low shout and directly summoned five differently colored bolts of lightning from his palm.

These lightning bolts were filled with an extremely violent and destructive aura.

Even a middle-stage Qi Gathering Realm cultivator would not dare to underestimate their power.

SNAP!

Bringing his hands together, the five lightning bolts merged into one, forming a giant, brilliantly shining thunderball that smashed towards Shen Mo.

Wherever the Five Thunder Sphere went, lightning continuously fell, turning the area into a Thunder Pool.

"Kill Life!"

Shen Mo immediately activated the spiritual nature of the Dragon Sparrow Sword. The sword Qi soared and collided with the suddenly incoming thunderball.

BOOM!

The two terrifying attacks exploded on the stage, the sound deafening the onlookers.

As a strong wave of Mana swept across, Shen Mo once again seized the initiative. This time, he advanced, attempting to close in and suppress Lu Ming.

CLANG!

The Purple Mansion Heart Scripture continuously compressed the Mana within his body, transforming it into Spiritual Qi that emerged from the Purple Mansion. Shen Mo eventually gathered this Spiritual Qi in his fist and struck Lu Ming’s chest.

Lu Ming, struck by this punch, was only pushed back a few steps before he dispersed its force.

"Your strength is very strong, much stronger than my previous opponents, but... it’s still not enough to hurt me!"

He pressed his palm against the fist mark on his chest, then retrieved a long banner engraved with thunder patterns from his robes.

"This item is called the Heavenly Thunder Flag. It was forged to complement the ’Five Thunder Magic’ I cultivate."

"With this banner, I can push the power of Five Thunder Magic to its absolute limit and draw down Heavenly Thunder."

Lu Ming looked at Shen Mo seriously and said, "In a match against someone of the same level, I’ve never used this item before."

"So, you’d better be careful!"

Saying this, he slightly raised his palm.

The Heavenly Thunder Flag, now glowing with purple lightning, instantly triggered an extraordinary celestial phenomenon.

Immense Mana flowed from his palm into the Heavenly Thunder Flag.

At the same time, dark clouds obscured the sunlight in the sky above.

The thunder of purple heaven slowly coalesced, quickly locking onto Shen Mo’s position.

This fluctuation...

Gazing at the sky, Shen Mo felt an enormous pressure bearing down. For the first time, he felt as if he’d been plunged into an icy abyss.

This Lu Ming is truly powerful!

Although Shen Mo had previously defeated other elite disciples, some of whom were quite strong, he had never truly felt threatened by them.

Only Lu Ming, after just a few exchanges, had put Shen Mo completely on the defensive, making him feel as if he couldn’t find any opening at all.

"Shangqing Swordplay—Slash!"

He held the Dragon Sparrow Sword, slowly gathering his power. The three Dantians within his body operated in unison, and endless Mana surged into the sword like a torrent.

Facing the thunder of purple heaven from above, Shen Mo felt a grave threat.

He understood that if this sword strike couldn’t shatter the lightning, and its power struck him, he would most likely be heavily injured, ending the battle.

CRACK!

When the thunder of purple heaven, swirling amidst the dark clouds, had brewed to its peak intensity, it finally crashed down towards Shen Mo as Lu Ming waved the banner.

This bolt of lightning was as thick as a baby’s arm, filled with a frenzied, destructive aura.

Never mind newly advanced Qi Gathering Realm cultivators; even those at Layer II or Layer III of the Qi Gathering Realm would feel their scalps tingle when facing this Heavenly Thunder.

Chen An watched from afar, his heart tight with anxiety. Can Shen Mo withstand it?

Cao Ren was equally worried. He’d better not get blasted to death by the Heavenly Thunder! What in the world is this Lu Ming’s background that he can summon Heavenly Thunder?

On the high platform, the three Peak Masters observed the thunderous scene, their regard for Lu Ming deepening.

This technique is powerful enough to defeat a cultivator at Layer III of the Qi Gathering Realm. He only entered the Qi Gathering Realm a few months ago, yet he possesses such combat strength. Stars Peak has truly found a treasure!

Keep a close eye on him. That young fellow certainly can’t withstand this blow. We mustn’t let him actually be killed by it. After all, to be able to fight a Thunder Body to this extent, he can be considered a prodigy.

Everyone, both on and off the field, was watching Shen Mo’s response on the stage.

At this moment, Shen Mo was utterly oblivious to these gazes. All his senses were focused on the Heavenly Thunder above.

SIZZLE!

As the thunder of purple heaven descended, Shen Mo’s sword intent gathered into a long rainbow.

Ultimately, the two collided, setting off heaven-shaking roars.

An endless wave of Mana erupted, kicking up dust that obscured everyone’s vision, making it difficult to immediately ascertain the situation on the Martial Arts Stage.

"What happened?"

"Did that guy withstand it?"

Many cultivators found their vision blocked by the turbulent power, and even their Divine Sense struggled to penetrate it. They waited anxiously for the dust to settle.

But for the three Peak Masters sitting high in the clouds, such power was not enough to obstruct their Divine Sense.

A quick scan gave them their answer.

"As expected, he didn’t withstand it..."

"He’s quite resilient, though. Despite being seriously injured, he isn’t completely incapable of further battle."

"The external cultivation method this young man practices must be extraordinary; otherwise, his injuries wouldn’t be so light."

Through their Divine Sense exchange, the three Peak Masters had also come to hold Shen Mo in high regard.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the dust finally, slowly dispersed, revealing the situation on the Martial Arts Stage.

COUGH! COUGH!

Shen Mo was half-kneeling on the ground, using his sword to support his body and barely maintain his balance.

However, the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and his weakened aura clearly showed he had been heavily injured by the Heavenly Thunder’s assault.

Lu Ming’s eyes were fixed unwaveringly on Shen Mo. I thought I had already estimated Shen Mo highly enough, but it seems I still underestimated him. I assumed this attack would completely defeat him and render him powerless. But now, Shen Mo clearly still has the strength to fight on. "Do you want to continue?"

But Shen Mo’s expression was conflicted. After a long moment, he finally said, "You win."

After some consideration, Shen Mo finally chose to surrender, giving up the opportunity to compete for first place in the New Talent Competition.

It wasn’t a matter of humility or holding back. He genuinely couldn’t defeat the current Lu Ming; his foundation was still insufficient.

This guy... he’s truly something else!

Shen Mo had always thought that with his Heaven’s Mandate Blessing, various Secret Techniques, and the successful opening of his three Dantian, he should have no equal among his peers.

But at this moment, facing Lu Ming, who was even younger than him, Shen Mo was still no match.

Indeed, the Riverside Sect has many Monsters...

Lu Ming didn’t seem pleased by Shen Mo’s surrender. Instead, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Giving up just like that? It seems you still have a trump card. If you have strength remaining, don’t hold back. The New Talent Competition demands one’s full effort."

"You won. That’s that. Why so much nonsense?" Shen Mo couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.