26: Chapter 26 Indestructible

When Tie Sha stepped onto the arena, the entire Coliseum fell silent. He was even larger than Iron Rhinoceros, standing fifteen feet tall and weighing over a thousand catties. The keratin layer covering his body was not gray, but a dark gold that shimmered with a metallic luster under the sunlight. With every step, the arena trembled, producing a dull "thud-thud" sound. The pressure of the Early Stage Shentong Realm was almost tangible, enveloping the entire Coliseum. The Yao Race in the audience felt this pressure and their expressions changed one after another.

"Is this the Vajra Indestructibility Divine Ability?" someone whispered.

"Tie Sha hasn't lost in three years. His last opponent was rammed to death by him."

"That Human Race kid is finished."

Chen Yuanji stood on the other side of the arena, his figure appearing exceptionally thin and small before Tie Sha. He was not affected by the pressure; his Neutralizing Power perception told him that although Tie Sha's pressure was strong, it was "scattered rather than concentrated." The Martial Will of the Early Stage Shentong Realm was not yet refined enough to suppress perception at the Neutralizing Power level.

"You are that human with the fifteen-game winning streak?" Tie Sha looked down at him, his voice like muffled thunder. "Too weak. I can turn you into a meat patty with a single punch." Chen Yuanji did not speak, only standing there quietly.

"Start!" the referee ordered.

Tie Sha did not charge like other members of the Rhino Tribe. Instead, he walked forward slowly, his fists clenched tight. A faint glow appeared on his dark-gold keratin layer; it was the Vajra Indestructibility Divine Ability in operation. Chen Yuanji also moved, walking toward him. When the two were thirty feet apart, Tie Sha struck first, throwing a punch. This punch was not flashy at all; it was the simplest and most direct straight punch. However, bolstered by the strength of the Shentong Realm, the power of this punch far exceeded the Peak Guiyuan Realm. The wind from the punch was like a blade, tearing through the air and emitting a piercing shriek. Chen Yuanji dodged to the side while simultaneously reaching out with his right hand, placing his five fingers on Tie Sha's wrist. The moment his fingertips touched Tie Sha's wrist, Chen Yuanji's brow furrowed slightly. Tie Sha's skin was as hard as iron, and Hidden Power could not penetrate it at all. Hidden Power needs to pass through the skin to take effect, but Tie Sha's Vajra Indestructibility Divine Ability had strengthened his skin to the extreme; Hidden Power hitting it was like a stone sinking into the ocean.

"So hard," Chen Yuanji thought to himself.

Tie Sha grinned. "It's useless. My Vajra Indestructibility Divine Ability can even withstand attacks from the Middle Stage Shentong Realm. That little bit of strength of yours isn't even enough to tickle me." He grabbed back, trying to seize Chen Yuanji's arm. Chen Yuanji shifted his feet and retreated thirty feet, opening up some distance. The first probe had not yielded ideal results. If Hidden Power was ineffective, what about Neutralizing Power? The core of Neutralizing Power is to "neutralize," to dissolve or redirect the opponent's strength. But Neutralizing Power requires borrowing force; if the opponent's strength far exceeds one's own, it is difficult for Neutralizing Power to take effect. Tie Sha's strength far surpassed his.

"Then I'll change my approach." Chen Yuanji no longer tried to attack Tie Sha's body, instead turning his targets toward his joints and eyes. Joints are the weak points of any defensive system, and the eyes even more so. No matter how strong the Vajra Indestructibility Divine Ability was, it was impossible to turn the eyeballs into iron plates as well. Tie Sha charged again, throwing a barrage of punches. Chen Yuanji used the Bagua Footwork to maneuver, avoiding direct confrontation. Every dodge was by a hair's breadth.

In the audience, the Yao Race watched with bated breath. "That human's speed is so fast!" "But just dodging is useless; he can't even hurt Tie Sha." "He's bound to lose."

Chen Yuanji turned a deaf ear and continued to maneuver. After thirty rounds, he found an opportunity. Tie Sha missed a punch, his body leaning forward slightly, revealing a small gap under his right armpit. That was the place where the coverage of the Vajra Indestructibility Divine Ability was weakest; the armpit has major blood vessels and nerves, and the keratin layer is relatively thin. Chen Yuanji's figure flashed as he closed in, pressing his five right fingers together. With the momentum of the Crushing Fist, he accurately struck Tie Sha's right armpit. Crushing Fist belongs to the Wood element; its power is like an arrow, specializing in breaking hard external arts. The force of Neutralizing Power passed through that thin layer of keratin and seeped into Tie Sha's nerves. Tie Sha's right arm suddenly went numb, his strength instantly weakening by thirty percent.

"Hmm?" His expression changed slightly, and his left fist swept across. Chen Yuanji ducked to avoid it, reaching out with his left hand to strike Tie Sha's left armpit using the same technique. Both of Tie Sha's arms went numb, and the operation of the Vajra Indestructibility Divine Ability suffered a brief stagnation.

Now! Instead of retreating, Chen Yuanji advanced, striking out with both palms in succession against Tie Sha's chest, abdomen, and waist. Every palm strike carried the force of Neutralizing Power—not to destroy, but to "vibrate," shaking the Qi and Blood within Tie Sha's body and interfering with the operation of his Divine Ability. Tie Sha's Vajra Indestructibility Divine Ability required the support of Qi and Blood; once the Qi and Blood were disrupted, the Divine Ability could not be maintained.

Tie Sha's expression changed drastically as he retreated repeatedly. Chen Yuanji gave him no chance to breathe, pursuing him as his palms fell like raindrops, each strike accurately hitting the weakest nodes on Tie Sha's body. Tie Sha's body began to tremble, and fine cracks appeared on the dark-gold keratin layer. The Vajra Indestructibility Divine Ability was disintegrating.

Tie Sha roared, throwing out a punch with all his might. Chen Yuanji did not dodge but met it head-on. With his palms overlapping, he caught the punch using the "Pressing Power" of Taiji. "Bang!" A dull impact sounded. Chen Yuanji retreated five steps, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. However, his hands firmly held Tie Sha's fist, preventing the force of the punch from injuring his internal organs. Tie Sha's fist was clamped between his palms, unable to move. He twisted both hands, and the third stage of Hidden Power, Entangling, exploded with full force. The Entwining Force, like threads of silk, spread up Tie Sha's arm, wrapping around his shoulder, chest, and waist. Tie Sha's body suddenly stiffened, and then he crashed to his knees.

The entire arena was deathly silent! The referee was stunned for a long moment before stammering out the announcement: "The... the winner is Chen Yuanji!"

Cheers erupted like a mountain tsunami. Chen Yuanji withdrew his hands and turned to walk off the arena. Tie Sha remained kneeling on the stage, his head bowed, not standing up for a long time.

Backstage, Chen Yuanji leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. His hands were trembling slightly, the webbing between his thumbs and forefingers torn, with blood dripping from his fingertips. Although he had caught that final punch, Tie Sha's strength had still exceeded his expectations. If it weren't for Neutralizing Power dissipating most of the force, his arms might have broken. He needed to be stronger; he had to achieve a Breakthrough to the Dan Power realm as soon as possible.

Outside the door, the Old Wolf Demon walked in, holding a bulging money bag. "The prize money, eighteen thousand taels," the Old Wolf Demon said, handing over the bag. "Ten times the amount." Chen Yuanji took it and weighed it. "Additionally, someone from the Demon Emperor Palace wants to see you." The Old Wolf Demon lowered his voice. "They are waiting right outside." Chen Yuanji looked toward the door, where a black-robed member of the Yao Race stood. His aura was unfathomable, at least in the Faxiang Realm.

"Chen Yuanji?" the Black-robed Yao spoke, his voice hoarse. "Granny Hu asked me to tell you that the people from the Tiandao Sect already know you won. Tonight, they might make a move."

Chen Yuanji's eyes narrowed. "What does the Demon Emperor Palace say?"

"Granny Hu said she can protect you for three days. After three days, you must leave Heavenly Demon City."

"Three days." Chen Yuanji was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."