Chapter 417: Shi Cheng

Chapter 417: Shi Cheng

Little Situ hadn’t planned to speak the truth.

If she could make Su Mo believe that the *Poison Dragon Alchemy Scripture* could cure her, perhaps he wouldn’t continue taking risks?

However, her intentions were too obvious.

Wei Ziyi, watching idly, noticed it immediately and cut straight to the point: "It’s useless."

"Since Su Mo has already come to this island, if he doesn’t turn the place upside down, he wouldn’t be the *Old Su* we know.

"And given how things stand, even if we stop now,

"the people of Dragonwood Island won’t just let us walk away.

"So rather than worrying pointlessly and missing our chance, it’s better to be honest with Su Mo."

Wei Ziyi’s words rang in her ears:

"Little Situ, you’re always doing silly things.

"But when the one you care about risks their life for your sake,

"it’s only natural to worry."

At this thought, Little Situ’s face turned bright red.

Was she that obvious?

Her eyes flicked to Su Mo.

She saw his face unreadable—no disappointment, no frustration.

Just a strange glint in his eyes.

Su Mo was puzzled.

The *Poison Dragon Alchemy Scripture* being useless to Little Situ was actually what he’d expected.

After all, Du Longzi had originated from Xuanhu Pavilion.

If the scripture truly came from him, however skilled he was, he probably couldn’t outdo the collective knowledge of Xuanhu Pavilion’s current generation of physicians.

Even they had been helpless, so placing hope on an ancient scripture left behind by someone long gone was a long shot.

But… if it didn’t work, why the blush?

He gave a slight shake of his head:

"It’s fine. This was expected."

Little Situ lowered her head slightly and murmured an "Mm," then said:

"But, Eldest Brother Su… that flower isn’t just the main ingredient in the *Bone Broth* antidote—it’s also what makes the *Bone Broth*."

"You say it's called the 'Bana Flower'?"

"Not really."

"I know the real Bana Flower... Even if this flower shares the name, it's entirely different from the true one."

"Bana Flower?"

Wei Ziyi couldn't help but glance up at them upon hearing this:

"Supposedly grows along the River of the Dead, a miraculous flower connecting life and death?"

"It's not that mystical."

Little Situ chuckled. "People just made up meanings for it. Plenty of tall tales sprung up around it, but I doubt anyone here is interested. In reality, the Bana Flower is just a beautiful flower."

But she hesitated:

"However, this one is different.

"Though I don’t yet fully understand its specifics, based on what we know so far...

"Its effects change depending on the mix with other medicines.

"That defies all medical logic.

"How can something this illogical even exist?"

"This whole island defies reason."

Su Mo smiled. "But the crazier it gets, the more convinced I am about the secrets behind the Island Master.

"Little Situ, your legs might actually be fixable.

"On this unreasonable island, your unreasonable condition might not be hopeless after all."

"This..."

Little Situ was stunned, realizing she couldn’t refute it.

Finally, she just nodded: "Then I’ll leave it to you, Eldest Brother Su."

"Don’t mention it."

Su Mo then glanced at the long-neglected Sick Prince and said with a smile:

"How’re you holding up, Senior?"

"Barely alive..."

Sick Prince couldn’t help but shoot a look at Zhen Xiaoxiao:

"If you’d stop locking me up with this maniac, I might fare a little better."

"Yeah, no—since you asked, we’ll keep it just like this."

After saying this, he shut the box with a snap.

Sick Prince didn’t fight it—just exhaled hard, like he’d dodged a bullet.

It's a bit noisy inside the box, but it's perfectly safe.

"Alright."

Su Mo turned to look at Little Situ and the others, then spoke:

"Little Situ, you and the four cardinal ladies of East, West, South, and North continue your research.

"Xiaoxiao, you stay here and guard the place.

"Madam, and... Wei Ziyi (Tiger Girl), come with me to see some excitement.

"Tonight is the Island Master selection—such a grand event is definitely worth watching."

Wei Ziyi's face lit up with excitement:

"Let's go, let's go, let's go have some fun!"

She had long grown tired of waiting around idly in the courtyard.

But alas, her martial arts were completely ineffective, and going out would only cause trouble for Su Mo.

So she had no choice but to wait obediently here.

Now that Su Mo had taken the initiative to invite her, why would she say no?

Zhen Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, had no interest in the commotion.

Unless it was food, everything looked the same to her.

Everyone nodded in agreement and went about their respective tasks.

Su Mo then took Yang Xiaoyun and Wei Ziyi to the practice arena within the City Lord's residence.

The practice arena was located in front of the Qilong Hall of the City Lord's residence.

Now, the night covered all of Dragonwood City, yet this place was brightly lit.

On the three fighting platforms, people were already engaged in combat.

The crowd was clearly excited.

Unable to see the situation on the platforms clearly, Su Mo and the two women just leaped up and landed lightly on the eaves of Qilong Hall to watch the fights.

And there were quite a few people standing here as well.

"The numbers... are greater than I imagined."

Su Mo glanced around and said quietly.

"Because it's not just those who arrived on the island this time."

Wei Ziyi glanced at Su Mo and whispered:

"The 'Test of Martial Skill' in the Island Master's three trials didn't start until after we arrived on the island.

"Most of these people are from previous groups who came to the island."

"Seems you haven't been wasting time these last couple days."

Su Mo couldn't help but smile upon hearing this: "You've heard quite a few rumors, haven't you?"

"Of course."

Wei Ziyi crossed her arms, looking smug.

But after chewing on Su Mo's words for a moment:

"Wait, why does that sound a bit sharp?"

"Not at all."

Su Mo immediately put on a serious expression: "I really was complimenting you."

Seeing that Wei Ziyi was about to say more, Su Mo quickly changed the subject:

"It's a shame Miss Zhou and the others aren’t here... Who are all these people?"

Aside from those who came ashore with them—whom Zhou Wenjing had briefly introduced to Su Mo during the morning banquet—the rest were complete strangers.

"Had we known, we should’ve brought Yin Xiaoyu along."

Yang Xiaoyun said with a laugh.

"No way..."

Su Mo shook his head. "These are all martial peers from the South Sea. If the Sea Witch, Yin Xiaoyu, showed up, they’d likely lose their nerve for vying for the Island Master title."

"Hmm... isn't that Shi Cheng?"

His eyes fell upon an arena where a victor had already been decided.

Stepping onto the platform once more was none other than Shi Cheng, who shared the same courtyard with them.

This man had been lured to the island under the pretense of a "bridal tournament" but later joined the Island Master selection instead.

Unexpectedly, he had yet to meet his match until now.

Yang Xiaoyun and Wei Ziyi immediately turned their attention to that arena and were both surprised.

Because Shi Cheng's opponent was someone they had seen before—

Xia Qiuliang, nicknamed "Little Divine Fist"!

The final disciple of Gu Renzheng, the "Nine-Armed Vajra" of Yukun Island.

During the morning feast that day, he had attempted to unveil the curtain hiding the Island Master but was blocked by two servants in green, almost ruining his good name in an instant.

It was only after Su Mo secretly helped him with a hidden finger technique, transferring some qi, that he managed to overcome the obstacle.

He even almost pulled it off.

However, in the end, the Island Master's internal energy blasted him back, causing his efforts to fall short.

Now, as he took the stage, his inner energy seemed even stronger.

Clasping fists in greeting:

"Xia Qiuliang."

"Shi Cheng."

Shi Cheng also cupped his fists, and the two exchanged a word:

"After you!"

With that, both launched their attacks at the same time.

As members of the younger generation in the martial world, Xia Qiuliang had long earned the title of "Young Divine Fist."

While this owed partly to the reputation of Gu Renzheng, his own martial prowess was no small feat.

In contrast, Shi Cheng was a virtual nobody in the martial world.

Thus, spectators of this match expected a foregone conclusion.

Unexpectedly, they were deadlocked from the first exchange.

Xia Qiuliang's skills were learned under Gu Renzheng, the Nine-Armed Vajra—specifically, the "Vajra Formless Fist" and the "Great Calm Demon-Subduing Palm."

His movements carried the fury of wind and thunder, not only swift but backed by immense power in every strike.

Gu Renzheng's origins were also a legend in the martial world.

It was said he had been a foundling, left at the foot of the mountain where the "Vajra Temple," the preeminent monastery of the Southern Sea, stood.

Discovered by the temple's monks, he was raised within the temple.

From childhood, he trained in the temple's Great Vajra Divine Arts, yet never ordained as a monk.

An orphan untouched by worldly temptations, ignorant of the martial world, and with his origins unknown—why should he be forced into monkhood just because the temple's monks found him?

This made no sense to him.

The temple's elders agreed he could learn the lay disciples’ martial arts.

Once his martial skills matured and he came of age, he would make his way in the jianghu to uncover the truth of his origins before deciding whether to take the robes.

Yet, Gu Renzheng's talent proved extraordinary. Even the techniques taught to lay disciples were transformed into something extraordinary in his hands.

A diligent student and sharp thinker, his ability to grasp broader principles far surpassed his peers.

Through sheer effort, he rose as the top martial artist among the younger generation of the Vajra Temple in his era, despite being a lay disciple.

Later, he roamed the martial world, making waves wherever he went.

Ultimately, he neither left the secular world to become a monk nor sought enlightenment, but instead withdrew into seclusion on Jade Kun Island.

Only in his later years did he take on his last disciple, imparting all he had learned.

Though young, Xia Qiuliang had indeed mastered a fraction of his master's genuine skills.

In his past journeys through the martial world, he had relied on his skills to overcome all obstacles.

Yet here, on this tiny Dragonwood Island, he almost got humbled.

Now, however, his chest tightened further.

His opponent before him, much like himself, relied on punches and kicks.

Yet despite his Vajra Formless Fist, which could split mountains and shatter boulders, he always sensed something was lacking when striking against Shi Cheng.

Even as he repeatedly drove Shi Cheng back, he could never truly knock him down.

This man truly seemed like a stone—unflinching and fearless.

But claiming Shi Cheng had peerless skills would be a stretch.

The techniques he used were all basic moves, the kind you’d pick up at a cheap dojo.

But in his hands, these ordinary methods somehow turned miraculous.

As a result, despite their extended fight, Xia Qiuliang still couldn't defeat him.

Su Mo and the other two watched the fight from the rooftop, trading confused looks.

Yang Xiaoyun mused aloud:

"In terms of technique, Shi Cheng is no match for Xia Qiuliang.

"In terms of internal energy, he also doesn’t measure up.

"However, his combat experience seems incredibly rich.

"His insight in battle is keen—feints and tricks don’t work on him.

"Even some of the dirty tricks used by street brawlers crop up...

"Just... what kind of background does this man have?"

Wei Ziyi listened in surprise:

"Yang Xiaoyun, you know street-fighting moves?"

"You wouldn’t get it," Su Mo rolled his eyes at Wei Ziyi.

"In her youth, my wife used her Azure Dragon Eight Desolations Cloud-Piercing Spear, ruling Sunset City unchallenged.

"Wherever she went, every thug would clear out three blocks ahead.

"She was so feared they called her 'Yang the Tyrant'!"

Yang Xiaoyun fumed, digging her nails into Su Mo’s sleeve.

What was this idiot saying now?

Not that he was wrong...

Wei Ziyi couldn't help but clasp her fists repeatedly: "I'm impressed! Truly worthy of being called Little Yun."

"Pfft, as if!"

Yang Xiaoyun scoffed lightly, then glared at Su Mo:

"Doesn't Shi Cheng seem a bit off to you?"

Su Mo chuckled:

"This man is trying to hide his real skills, so the martial arts he uses look pretty basic.

"Though seemingly ordinary, they always pull off amazing moves at critical moments.

"Clearly, his real martial arts are way beyond what he's letting on.

"Xia Qiuliang possesses exceptional skills, but right now, he can't force Shi Cheng to reveal his true techniques.

"Makes you wonder... just how capable is Shi Cheng?"

A man hiding such extraordinary skills, only displaying an average Joe act.

It seems he intends to rely on just toughing it out to oppose his opponent.

What's he really hiding?

If his goal is to become the Island Master, is his current demeanor meant to avoid tipping his hand to other competitors, or... does he have something else up his sleeve?

A sly grin suddenly appeared at the corner of Su Mo's lips.

At that moment, Xia Qiuliang finally ran out of patience.

He lowered his stance, fists and palms poised at his waist, and called out:

"Be careful!!"

Being one of the righteous, and this being an official match, he still reminded his opponent before unleashing his ultimate move.

The moment those words reached Shi Cheng's ears, Xia Qiuliang's power reached its limit.

Like a raging storm, his fists came down like a hurricane.

The "Nine-Armed Vajra" Gu Renzheng didn't earn his name from having nine arms.

Rather, it was due to the special tricks in his fighting style.

Now, Xia Qiuliang embodied this. As his storm-like fists rained upon Shi Cheng, a golden, nine-armed Buddha seemed to appear behind him!

This was clearly the "Demon-Subduing Wind," a technique from the Vajra Formless Fist!

Each punch carried a faint golden glow, whipping through the air, shaking the whole place and making the entire arena tremble.

When the fist winds brushed past Shi Cheng and struck the ground behind him, the earth exploded, leaving deep craters in their wake.

After the storm, nothing was left standing!

Within this tempest of fists, Shi Cheng was like a leaf in the wind, battered but unbroken.

Though struck multiple times, he remained unyielding.

Xia Qiuliang's pupils kept shrinking involuntarily.

His move, the Demon-Quelling Gale, lasted no more than three breath-counts. After that, he'd be left completely spent.

In martial arts duels, practitioners often keep three-tenths in reserve.

These three-tenths preserve both face and inner strength.

Losing face completely inevitably leads to a mortal enmity.

Therefore, preserving the opponent's dignity also leaves oneself a three-tenths retreat.

As for reserving inner strength, it is to prepare for unexpected needs.

In combat, everyone has their trump cards, often capable of delivering a finishing move.

However, Qi reserves aren't infinite. After using such techniques, one's inner strength is often exhausted.

Under such circumstances, one must always keep an exit strategy.

If this move fails to defeat the opponent, the reserved strength can be used for maneuvering.

Otherwise, once all moves are exhausted and energy depleted, deathly vulnerabilities will be exposed.

To put it in Su Mo's gaming terms from his past life—don't button-mash, keep meter for your roll...

But now, for Xia Qiuliang, it felt like just one more punch would be enough to defeat Shi Cheng.

As his breath was about to run out, he finally took a deep breath, forcefully gathered his inner strength, and unleashed a crushing fist strike.

A golden glow coalesced into a massive fist, surging forward with turbulent shockwaves.

Shi Cheng's visage went ashen as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, brought up his guard.

He was about to resist...

But at that moment, Xia Qiuliang's expression suddenly changed.

He felt a tidal wave of power surge from behind, channeling through his fist and erupting outward.

The originally condensed Vajra Formless Fist energy inexplicably intensified, now carrying a faint draconic bellow.

"Hmm?"

Shi Cheng's shocked expression locked up—this wasn't right!

This punch...

Before he could think further, he swiftly snapped up a single finger and struck.

KRAK!

The two forces collided, and the Vajra Formless Fist energy convulsed wildly.

Gale-force winds lashed Shi Cheng's robes, his long hair streaming behind him.

Yet, his finger remained unwavering.

Another resounding crack—the Vajra Formless Fist energy disintegrated before that fingertip technique.

A sudden gale tore through the area.

Before anyone could react, Shi Cheng was already in front of Xia Qiuliang.

His finger hovered an inch away from Xia Qiuliang’s brow.

Xia Qiuliang’s eyes widened, his body went limp, helpless before Shi Cheng.

In his heart, he couldn’t help but curse—which bastard just took a cheap shot at me?

Same trick as the morning banquet!

"...It wasn’t you."

Shi Cheng, however, frowned and muttered, his face all innocence:

"This is troublesome..."

Meanwhile, on the eaves, Su Mo smirked:

"Now that’s some fancy finger work..."

He cut off mid-sentence, whipping his head around:

"We’ve got company!"

"Who?" Wei Ziyi pressed.

"All in good time."

Su Mo chuckled. "You guys keep watching the drama. I’ll be back in a flash."

—