Chapter 28: Earth-Tier Mastery—"Wind Commanding Hand"

The fan blade traced a series of arcs through the air, sending bursts of force continually toward Ji Huo, weaving a giant net in the blink of an eye.

Ji Huo's form flickered, evading every sweep of the fan; no matter how it danced, its surface could not cut him. Suddenly, he clasped his hands forward to grab, but You Zhuo shifted his steps, lightly sidestepping with practiced ease.

Hmm?

Ji Huo blinked, and in that brief moment of distraction, several blades of force sliced into him, cutting slits in his clothing and revealing the smooth skin beneath.

"Perfected Iron Shirt?"

You Zhuo, who had been circling around, suddenly widened his eyes in astonishment and cried out. He hated fighting those who had mastered external martial arts—it was like trying to break through a turtle shell, impossible to penetrate.

Such practitioners were usually over thirty, their minds wholly focused on tempering their bodies, rarely encountered in daily life. He had not expected to meet one now, and especially not a youth who seemed so young!

Actually, it’s the ultimate perfection… Ji Huo watched You Zhuo, who kept circling and attacking, undeterred. Since his Iron Shirt had been revealed, he had no need to defend, so he stood with hands behind his back, letting You Zhuo strike.

"Damn it!"

Who could tolerate such a posture? Certainly not You Zhuo. His myriad shadowy forms suddenly coalesced, the folding fan compacted into a short stick that thrust straight toward Ji Huo’s eye!

This strike carried a surging energy along the fan, its speed terrifying, his form ghostly and silent. In a flash, the attack was unleashed.

If you’re protected by Iron Shirt, then I’ll target your weak points! With my speed, I can stab you a dozen times in a single breath, and you won’t be able to resist!

You Zhuo specialized in agility; though he hated fighting those armored all over, it wasn’t without solutions.

Then he saw Ji Huo, calm as ever, swing his right palm—a palm strike delivered late yet arriving first. As the fan was about to strike his eye, the palm force had already landed.

You Zhuo felt as if a sledgehammer had slammed into his chest, and his body involuntarily flew backwards, landing with a heavy thud beside Hu Fu.

What manner of monster is this? I can’t even withstand a single palm strike? You Zhuo’s mind reeled, unable to accept the reality.

He’d spent years in the martial world, renowned among the younger generation, yet he couldn’t withstand a single move from a wild youth just out of the mountains!

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

"Senior brother, perhaps we should stop fighting."

Hu Fu hurried over to help him up, sincerely urging him. He knew well how terrifying Ji Huo was; hadn’t his own fully-formed energy strike been met with a kick that sent him crashing into the wall?

"Move aside!" You Zhuo rose, unwilling to yield, his pupils fixed on Ji Huo.

Ji Huo grinned and said, "Young Master of the Folding Fan, You Zhuo—I wondered why your name sounded so familiar."

You Zhuo’s pupils contracted; that was the nickname he’d earned in the martial world. He asked solemnly, "Since you know my moniker, you must be one of us. May I ask which esteemed master you are?"

Ji Huo smiled mildly. "I’m just a village lad, no nickname to speak of. Show me your true skill—relying solely on your ‘Eighteen Strikes of the Folding Fan’ won’t be enough against me."

He recalled that You Zhuo had been active for years. While not the very best—his reputation couldn’t compare to someone like Little Red Sugar, whose mere name sent crowds fleeing—but he was well respected among the younger generation.

He’d once fought the “Five Tigers of Tang Sect,” slaying all five, and survived the ensuing pursuit by Tang Sect with nothing amiss. The martial world knew him only as the Young Master of the Folding Fan, unaware he was Grandmaster Fei Lian’s eldest disciple, and had managed to stay safe all this time. Tang Sect was known for holding grudges, all petty to the bone.

"In that case," You Zhuo tucked the folding fan into his robe, drew a deep breath, suppressing the pain in his chest. He summoned his internal energy; his long robe billowed as green energy surged upward, twisting and transforming in midair, fierce and unpredictable.

"Ji Huo, be careful. This is a skill I’ve never used in the martial world… my ultimate technique."

Hu Fu glanced over, his face instantly filled with panic. He scrambled frantically into the crowd of onlookers.

Nearby, Ji Xiaoxiong—who had been smiling—now furrowed his brow and cautioned, "Be careful, this is Fei Lian’s ultimate skill, ‘Wind Mastery.’"

The officials of the court were instantly alarmed, and someone shouted, "Guards! Guards! Protect His Majesty!"

Chaos erupted, everyone fleeing as quickly as possible, clearing a wide space. Many overturned tables and chairs in their panic, leaving the hall in shambles.

They’d thought it was just a scuffle between youths—harmless enough for the main hall, unlikely to cause any real damage.

They hadn’t expected these youngsters to use a ground-level martial art, and so boldly in the main hall. If anything happened to His Majesty!

At the cry, the Imperial Guards took positions from all sides, but the old emperor waved them off impatiently.

"Go, go, go! Don’t spoil my fun!"

The guards retreated, crestfallen.

Li Xiu, smiling, casually poured his cup of wine onto the floor. The wine transformed into a cascade, enveloping the two combatants and the ground—even the air above—in a vast, sealed barrier, ensuring the skill’s power would not spill beyond.

"Have you understood?" Li Xiu asked his son at his side.

His son was watching intently, eyes shining as You Zhuo gathered his strength, but at the question, he turned and replied blankly, "Ah?"

Li Xiu: "…"

Ji Xiaoxiong snorted. "The Grandmaster’s method is remarkable—wind is formless, and its destructive power is greater within a sealed cage. Truly a fine technique."

Li Xiu laughed, "Old rascal, are you asking me to give Ji Huo a special favor?"

"No need," Ji Xiaoxiong waved, drained his cup in one gulp, and declared sternly, "My son of Fei Xiong will fight if he must, and he shall win—fair and square!"

The old emperor clapped in delight, his eyes full of admiration. "Well said! That is the spirit of our great Zhou!"

He coughed, then added, "But old Ji, talk as you will, don’t let your hand tremble."

Ji Xiaoxiong awkwardly set down his cup, fixing his gaze on the arena, worry flickering in his eyes. He’d fought Fei Lian many times and knew well the terror of ‘Wind Mastery.’

He only hoped You Zhuo hadn’t fully mastered the skill; otherwise…

Ji Huo examined the barrier with curiosity. This was his first time seeing such advanced sorcery—cast with a mere wave, where all other sorcerers he’d encountered needed lengthy preparation.

Inside the barrier, he sensed his perceptions sealed away, even his connection to the heavens subtly weakened.

Interesting. So this is a grandmaster-level sorcerer’s barrier? I wonder if I could break it with one punch.

"Ji Huo," sweat dripped from You Zhuo’s brow—he was already panting before striking. He explained, "I haven’t perfected ‘Wind Mastery’ yet; every use requires gathering energy for a moment. Thank you for waiting."

"No need for thanks. I’m quite eager to witness General Fei Lian’s supreme martial art," Ji Huo replied with a smile.

"Then prepare yourself. Here I come!" You Zhuo suddenly clasped his hands tightly.

"Rise, wind!"

A fierce gale roared.