荒墟牧神 - 第128章 雲跡雀痕 - 文瀾書苑

Shen Mu laughed aloud. With a shake of his body he flung Xue Hu'er flying, sank into a crouch on bent knees, then suddenly sprang up, both hands thrusting at the sky, charging to meet the great Buddha that came pressing down, dragons coiled about it and elephants seated beneath!

The sixth stance of the Eight Thunderpeal Arts: Ten Thousand Buddhas Pay Homage, Thunder Coiled Within!

BOOM!

In midair the thunderbolts crossed and clashed; of the two figures, one shot skyward, the other plunged earthward.

A mad light came into Shen Mu's eyes as he raised his head, waiting for that figure to fall. Yun Que had barely touched ground when thunder rolled at his ears, and Shen Mu's fists came crashing at his face, each punch bursting with thunder, boom after boom, seizing the soul.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Shen Mu's steps were heavy as a giant elephant's on the earth; every sinew in his body leapt and worked, muscle upon muscle, driving his strength to its uttermost.

Their fists met. Yun Que's face changed; he felt the other's vital essence surging vast and boundless, crushing his own as though grinding it underfoot.

He stumbled back in haste, fending off Shen Mu's fists like a madman as he retreated, and found that every trick he had, every exquisite move, every technique honed to perfection, could not be brought forth at all; he could only meet fist with fist.

There was no time for his moves and spells; there was no way to use them.

"Lotus Seat Seal, Lotus Treasure Body! Precious Vase Seal!"

Yun Que roared, and golden light suddenly blazed from his whole body. He struck out a palm, and a lotus throne appeared beneath his feet; Sanskrit characters circled his body without cease, forming the shape of a precious vase, and Yun Que hid himself within the vase.

Shen Mu's fist came crashing, thunder detonated, and golden bell, lotus throne, precious vase, all shattered. Yun Que's fist was smashed to pulp; blood sprayed out and fell on his spotless robe, bright red, like plum blossoms one after another.

But the plum blossoms soon vanished; his white robe must be a treasure too, for no stain clung to it.

Yun Que's arms went weak and sore, he could barely lift them, his moves slowed, and he thought, This is bad. Then Shen Mu's fist smashed into his face. With a smack he was pinned against the jade wall of the broken cliff, then slid down and lay senseless.

"So the Grand Academy does have its experts."

Shen Mu felt light in body and mind; only, he had barely warmed up and had not yet had time to stretch his limbs when the white-robed monk was knocked out, which left him somewhat regretful. He thought: "A monk who just happens to run out can take so many of my blows. The Patriarch was right. There are some truly skilled people in the Grand Academy; one must not look down on the natives of the Kingdom of Jingping."

"Young Master, is it over already?"

Xue Hu'er had only just steadied herself and had not had her fill of watching when the fight ended. Somewhat disappointed, she hurried forward and began rummaging through Yun Que's clothes, searching for anything of value.

After a moment the little fox said indignantly, "A penniless monk!"

"Ling'er, his robe is fine work; it should be worth something," Shen Mu kindly reminded her.

Xue Hu'er stripped the monk's robe off him; sure enough, the garment was spotless and could not be torn. The little fox was delighted: "This monk will surely pay a good sum to get this robe back! By the way, Young Master, what's his name?"

Shen Mu leapt up onto the jade cliff and walked toward the Scholars' Lodge, shaking his head. "How should I know? I asked him just now and he wouldn't say. Probably afraid of losing face after his defeat. That monk does have a bit of spiritual foresight; he knows himself well."