Chapter 1243 - Love

Chapter 1243:Love

With just one sentence, Ye Ziling’s heart was already thundering and her footsteps quickened subconsciously.

Going around a towering dark-green bamboo forest, Ye Ziling finally saw the final target of this battle.

Tang Zhen stood right in the middle of a 30-foot-square open space. His figure and bearing were magnificent as he waited for Ye Ziling to approach before suddenly laughing.

“Three years ago, This Tang had a chance encounter with Lady Ye. At that time, I felt that in the entire universe, there were few whose talent could surpass her. Seeing her again today just confirmed that. Greetings, Lady Ye.”

Tang Zhen greeted Ye Ziling with an imperceptible nod in her direction.

In just one sentence, Ye Ziling had been singled out from the twelve seed masters. Although the other people did not say anything about it, these twelve seed masters were all geniuses. It was inevitable that they would feel some resentment. The Devil Lord’s methods were extraordinary!

Ye Ziling nodded to Tang Zhen. It would count as a return greeting. However, her expression was bashful and her face flushed. She clenched her teeth and remained silent.

Ye Ziling couldn’t help but love and, at the same time, hate this statuesque man in front of her.

She loved him for his extraordinary talents and his stunning looks; she hated him because they were on opposing sides, destined to fight to their deaths!

Tang Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly and looked around. An infinite amount of pressure seemed to fall onto the bamboo forest with that one tiny movement. The air seemed to have solidified and the pressure made it hard to breathe.

At this time, other than Ye Ziling, there were ten people around Tang Zhen. They were the rising stars of the pugilistic world in recent years. Twelve seed masters, each of whom was among the most powerful people in the pugilistic world.

However, at this moment, their bodies were drenched in a cold sweat as if they were facing their greatest enemy.

The reason was, they were facing Tang Zhen!

Three hundred years of experience with impressive accomplishments in cultivation and unmatched by any, the Devil Lord Tang Zhen!

Seventy years ago, Tang Zhen was 360-years-old and already an accomplished cultivator. He, alone, triumphed over all of the universe’s forces on the pugilistic world. Fifteen of the biggest families suffered heavy casualties and three were completely decimated. Fifty years ago, he was already invincible and tired of the illusions of the world. He retired and never fought personally again. Otherwise, would the pugilistic world have such a chance to take a breather for so many years?

At this moment, this mythical figure stood before them.

The unparalleled Devil Lord looked up at the sky that had been covered by dark clouds. He couldn’t help but sigh. “Fifty years ago, This Tang was invincible and no longer had any opponents left to fight. That was why I took a long hiatus and allowed you peace. However, you have disappointed This Tang. What a joke.”

An awe-inspiring killing aura was felt!

Ye Ziling felt it and hurriedly asked, “Tang Zhen, can you spare them?”

A cold glint flashed in Tang Zhen’s eyes. He said coldly, “Apologies, I suddenly feel like killing a few people. Let them know that I, Tang Zhen, might not have fought in the past fifty years, but that does not mean that I have forgotten how to kill.”

Ye Ziling’s heart clenched violently. Knowing that the others had done something they should not and angered the unparalleled Devil Lord who had always been upright and made good on his words.

Tang Zhen sighed helplessly again and lifted his foot gently before lowering it to stamp gently on the ground.

A thunder-like sound rose from the ground as if the heavens were trying to communicate with mankind. Then, a lightning strike with the thickness of a water bucket flashed downward!

A piece of earth two feet away from Tang Zhen exploded and a human figure flew out from it. The figure was flung in the opposite direction of where Tang Zhen was. It changed direction abruptly in midair and seemed to have attained the ability of free flight.

Tang Zhen snorted. Using one hand, he made a few blades of bamboo leaves rise from the ground and sent them shooting straight at the figure in a flash.

Although it was just a few bamboo leaves, the sound they made slicing through the air was scalp-numbingly terrifying! Just by the speed alone, it was obvious these bamboo leaves were no less powerful than spiritual-level mechanical spring crossbow bolts!

A muffled noise was heard and the figure slumped to the ground, no longer breathing.

No one imagined that Tang Zhen had reached the level where he could use falling leaves as weapons of death!

Tang Zhen sneered as if what he did was insignificant. “When This Tang stepped into the bamboo forest, I already knew that there was a person buried underground. However, I did not expect him to ignore all the chances I gave him to reveal himself. This Tang cannot be blamed for killing him!”

Everyone shuddered.

The dead man had planned the sneak attack ten days ago and had already buried himself in the ground three days ago. He had made his physical state almost near death. Yet, he was still detected by Tang Zhen!

After killing the enemy in just one move, Tang Zhen took two slow steps. To those present, it looked as if time and space had distorted. To the eye, it seemed as if he was moving exceedingly slowly, but their minds could sense that his movement was actually extremely fast. His movement was in no way slower than their combined attack speed. The most horrifying part was that none of them were able to predict where Tang Zhen’s two steps would take him and where he would appear next.

While seeming exceedingly slow, they felt that he had somehow moved himself to a spot right in front of them in an instant. The distance moved was obviously huge, but it looked as if Tang Zhen had not moved at all.

The contrast between time and space made everyone’s chests feel uncomfortable. They felt a need to forcibly vomit out some fresh blood to soothe the uncomfortable feeling.

Up to this time, the remaining eleven seed masters, who were the results of countless years of manpower and material resources from the entire pugilistic world, had not even managed to make a single move. They barely even had enough energy to speak.

The pressure in the air suddenly increased. Tang Zhen held his hands behind him and slowly said in a soft voice, “This Tang recently heard that Ye Ziling’s sword, Fan Xiuxuan’s sword, Ren Chenghan’s feet, and Wang Mingxin’s spear were the ultimate best in the universe. However, after meeting them today, I find they are just average. Since you’re already here, will you all be attacking one by one or all at the same time? Whichever way it is, This Tang will take you on.”

Once he finished speaking, Tang Zhen glanced coldly at them. The strongest masters of the younger generation in the pugilistic world found that their hands were clammy. Not one dared to step forward.

Only Ye Ziling gritted her teeth and stepped forward with a determined look in her eyes.

Tang Zhen looked at the beautiful woman standing quietly in front of him. A gentle breeze blew, causing her coat and hair to fly and make her look like a fairy. He remembered the first time he met her and felt a sudden wave of sorrow.

Three years ago.

At that time, Lady Ye Ziling was just a young girl of seventeen or eighteen, in the prime of youth. When she met him, the infamous Devil Lord, she was unafraid and even said, “You’re Tang Zhen? One day, I will kill you with my own hands!”

Tang Zhen smiled as he looked at the fairy-like Ye Ziling and asked gently, “Lady Ye, This Tang has two questions. I wonder if Lady Ye would be willing to answer them?”

Ye Ziling blinked her crystal clear eyes and said suspiciously, “Ask.”

Tang Zhen asked, “If This Tang is not wrong, Lady Ye should be the direct disciple of Heroine Yan Liuwei from the Swirling Smoke Pavilion. The highest level of her Swirling Smoke Skill, Level 9, Gentle Wind in the Clouds and Mist, requires one to immerse themselves in society before renouncing it. After that, one has to put an end to all their worldly affairs and attachments before one can attain the level. I wonder how far is Lady Ye from that?”

Ye Ziling: “I’m one level away. I’ve not immersed myself in society yet.”

Tang Zhen continued asking, “If I give you 3 years, will you be able to cut your ties to this world and complete your training?”

A self-confident glint flashed across Ye Ziling’s eyes. She said proudly, “Master says I’ll only need two years to learn the skill. My Master will not lie to me.” When she finished speaking, Ye Ziling stood with Tang Zhen. Her coat flew in the gentle breeze. Both of them together looked like immortals in a painting.

Tang Zhen smiled and said, “Your master really did not lie to you. You’re so talented. Even with everything This Tang has seen, I think you are amazing. But This Tang is very curious. When you have reached the level of cutting all ties with the world, what will the struggles and resentment in this world have to do with you? Why do you have to kill This Tang?”

His words struck Ye Ziling speechless.

Ye Ziling stomped her foot in exasperation and left angrily. However, the Devil Lord’s image was deeply etched in her heart and she was unable to erase it.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

Tang Zhen shook his head and said, “Although Lady Ye has almost succeeded in learning the Swirling Smoke Skill, she has not taken the last step of severing all emotions. Now she has a death wish. She would not be able to use even 60% of her usual power. How can This Tang take advantage of her like that? I would rather forgo this challenge.”

Sure enough, she couldn’t hide it from him!

Ye Ziling teared and choked up. She said, “Will I not even be allowed to die by your hands?”

Tang Zhen said with a bitter smile, “Lady Ye, it’s not that I wish to be cruel, but good and bad have always been on opposing sides. This Tang is not a man who would destroy something beautiful without thoughts or qualms. There should be no more mention of what might have been between the two of us. You must know that it’s hard to get past love. If you insist on dwelling on it, it will be detrimental to your future training.”

Tang Zhen sighed softly and looked away from Ye Ziling’s inconsolable face. He then took a step forward. Although it was only one step, he had bypassed Ye Ziling who had slumped to the ground in front of him and instead grabbed a young man holding a sword.

This sword wielder was the young talent Tang Zhen had mentioned earlier, Fan Xiuxuan!

While he was still nervously waiting for Tang Zhen to move, there was a flash and Tang Zhen was already six feet in front of him.

When the powerful invisible force hit his chest, Fan Xiuxuan didn’t even have time to react. He had already missed the chance to escape.

Tang Zhen’s black hair fluttered in the wind like flames and his eyes flashed. It was an intimidating sight.

Seeing Tang Zhen’s attack, Fan Xiuxuan gathered all his strength and retreated in an attempt to avoid Tang Zhen’s attack, but he didn’t expect another strike to come from behind. It was as if there were two Tang Zhens simultaneously attacking him, one in front and one from behind. The Devil Lord’s strike was composed of a push as well as a pull force. It was unexpectedly shocking.

With only one strike, Fan Xiuxuan was tossed about like a sandbag. He flew through the air in a beautiful parabola and fell to the ground a distance away.

Tang Zhen squeezed the spiritual-level sword in his hand into a lump of iron and threw it on the ground. In a flash, he returned to his original position. It looked as if he had not moved from there at all. As everyone stared at him dumbfounded, their breathing became ragged and tense.

It was only at this moment that they finally understood how big the difference was between the Devil Lord and themselves.

The expression in Tang Zhen’s eyes was lonely. He sighed. “Fan Xiuxuan’s sword is nothing more than that, nothing more than that!”