Chapter 32: Buddha's Lotus
Bai Dong broke free and channeled that energy again, so Zhao Hengyu had no choice but to use a fraction of his ancient bloodline, "You're strong, Brother Dong", Zhao Hengyu started, breathing out and in till his breath color changed, then he created a condensed energy attack with petals, making it resemble a fully sprouted lotus floating on the river.
He let it float towards Bai Dong, who charged head first into the attack and exploded with it, "But it ends here", he said, his arms rupturing as his meridians began to explode, "Xiao Zhao!", Wei Shaotian shouted, as he ran to help his nephew, "Uncle Wei, I guess I still haven't mastered that technique yet", he said, standing as his arms laid limp by his side, "You did well. Buddha's lotus isn't about mastering it...", Wei Shaotian said, about to start a lecture but they were interrupted by the sect master of the wind mountain peak but before he could approach them, everyone was quickly transported back into the arena.
The crowd was ecstatic about the match and everyone was cheering for Zhao Hengyu, who looked around him, and saw his people in the past in these same people here, bringing a smile to his face.
Zhao Hengyu stood at the center of the arena, "Young one, there are two arenas left and since you're the only one left. You can decide your next opponent for those two", the elders who sat said, one after the other, as they descended from their respective seats, "Thank you elders", Zhao Hengyu said, paying his respects, and earning nods from them.
Zhao Hengyu turned around and called his uncle as his first opponent, earning a knowing smile from Wei Shaotian who was already prepared, "What? Another fight between two ancient cultivators again! Today is really exciting", the audience were amazed and shaking in their seats for the action.
As Zhao Hengyu was about to pick his second opponent, Bai Dong called out, "Wait!", turning everyone's attention to him as he walked to Zhao Hengyu, holding one of his arm, "Brother Hengyu, please I ask that you give this last choice to me", Bai Dong asked saluting him.
"Why should I give it to you?", Zhao Hengyu asked, his arms still limp, "There's someone here I want to teach a lesson", Bai Dong explained.
Qingyin who was watching instantly appeared before them the moment she saw her senior brother begging, "You fool, master said to bow to no one and...", she spat, but was cut off when Zhao Hengyu raised his hand, "Continue. Who is this person?", he asked.
"Senior brother, is he really worth it?", Qingyin asked with concern, but Bai Dong just smiled shakily and turned to answer, everyone listening as well as they waited to hear the name of the person who had the ability to provoke a core disciple, "L... Luo Zeng", he uttered after a while, embarrassed to add that he was a mere guard in the sect so as not to lose face in front of the elders and everyone else.
His proclamation caused everyone to exclaim in shock, "Luo Zeng?", Zuo Hai repeated, taken aback by the sudden announcement. He knew Tang Feng was strong, but he didn't know he was strong enough to go against a core disciple, "Brother", Luo Ning said as she stared wide-eyed in shock.
"Who's Luo Zeng?" Zhao Hengyu asked, but Bai Dong was unwilling to answer for the fear of losing all face in public, "He's a guard of the sect", Wei Shaotian whispered into his ear, and he nodded in response, "Is he strong?", Zhao Hengyu asked further, "I don't know. I haven't fought him, he's so good at escaping and playing tricks with people", Bai Dong explained, resulting in surprise from Zhao Hengyu, "I can't wait to meet him", he said sounding excited, "So where is he?", he asked.
"He didn't come to watch the match today", Bai Dong said, "but his sister and coworker are there", Bai Dong said, pointing at where Zuo Hai and Luo Ning were sitting.
Zuo Hai and Luo Ning bent down and tried to hide. The entire arena were expressing different feelings, some showing pity for messing with someone he shouldn't have, some showing excitement at the drama that will arise from it, "My next opponent is Luo Zeng", Zhao Hengyu said after a long pause leaving everyone roaring with excitement, Zuo Hai and Luo Ning collapsing in devastation.
"Luo Zeng, whatever you do, don't come back from where you are", Zuo Hai said, looking at Luo Ning who clutched her pendant and tightly closed her eyes, a tear dropping from her eyes into the pendant, "Ge'ge".
< Fusion: 65% completed...Error! Error! Elements of chaos are not fully compatible with host...Initiate cleansing >, Su Yan said in Tang Feng's head as the panel showed the words before the unconscious Tang Feng.
When the cleansing began, Tang Feng screamed as if he was being torn apart, < Aborting cleansing...pausing fusion until compatibility is resolved...pausing...pausing...pausing...paused >, immediately Tang Feng's eyes flipped open, his irises glowing gold as he began rising up causing the heavens to exude a terrifying roar, earning everybody's attention.
When they turned around to look at what it was, Tang Feng was already in front of his sister, "Ning'er, I'm here", he said softly, wiping the non-existent tears from her eyes.
Everybody gave space for Tang Feng after seeing him there, "Luo Zeng, Luo Zeng is here!", Bai Dong and the others all looked at him. Zhao Hengyu wanted to ask if he was Luo Zeng but he already had his answer from the look Bai Dong was showing.
< Searching for solution to fusion compatibility >, Su Yan notified Tang Feng with the system now showing the information on the digital panel, "Zuo Hai, Take care of Ning'er", Tang Feng said, as he turned back to leave, but Luo Ning grabbed a hold of him, "Ge'ge be careful, those guys are strong and one of them wants to teach you a lesson", she said.