Volume One: The Celestial Cloud Palace Chapter 45: A Skill That Amazed the Crowd

Chapter Forty-Five: Astounding the Audience

Clouds billowed, mist swirling in the vast sky, where the Rainbow Bridge stretched across a world of pure white. At its heart stood Ascension Platform, the foremost symbol of this celestial realm.

“The first round is now concluded; sixty contestants have advanced!” declared a representative from among the sixteen Palace Masters. On the stage, sixty figures stood in neat formation. Though some showed signs of fatigue, most brimmed with confidence and fighting spirit. For them, this day had been long awaited—glory and the pursuit of strength were their abiding motivations.

Now, to become one of the three strongest disciples, they had to fight with all their might, sparing no effort.

"The second round is about to begin! This round is a defense match. You sixty will be divided into six groups, and the strongest defender in each group will be determined!"

At the announcement, an uproar swept the audience. Whether among the hundred disciples eliminated earlier or those now standing proudly on the platform, everyone’s heart tightened. For this second round was particularly brutal—unlike other competitions, defense matches were inherently unfair. Imagine: the first to step up was bound to be the unluckiest. Even if he was the strongest among ten, facing the relentless challenge of the other nine could hardly guarantee victory. By contrast, those who appeared last—especially eighth, ninth, or tenth—had a much better chance, luck playing a decisive role.

Thus, victory in a defense match required two things: absolute strength and god-like luck.

“Now, the Palace declares the second round officially open!”

The Celestial Palace Congress never allowed lengthy rest between rounds. As soon as one contest ended, the rules for the next were announced, and the match began immediately. This was not cruelty but training for true adaptability. In the treacherous Celestial Domain, there was no time for rest or healing. One must learn to make the most of every moment, every second of fleeting safety.

Sixty figures split into six groups, taking their places on the vast Ascension Platform for the defense match. All stood at the ready, battle aura surging forth like true celestial soldiers, their fighting spirit uncontainable.

Zhou Hao was assigned to the sixth group. Among the Cloud Veil Palace, only he, Su Qing, Yu Nan, Nangong Ying, and Fei Ling remained; the other five had been eliminated in the first round.

“What’s going on here? All the other groups have started, but no one in our group is stepping out to defend!” Zhou Hao muttered in confusion. He knew none of the other nine in his group, and glanced at them, unable to help himself.

“No one wants to be the first target. Who’ll fire the opening shot?” someone replied.

“Since you spoke up first, you can be the initial defender!” another said, directing the focus at Zhou Hao.

He looked at them; each eyed him with detached indifference, lips curled in faint disdain.

“No one wants to start? Compared to the other groups, our group’s resolve is rather lacking!” Zhou Hao shook his head in resignation, deliberately emphasizing his last words.

“If you think you can do it, then step up!” came a mocking voice.

Zhou Hao said no more. In a swift stride, he stepped out from the line of ten, flashed a cheerful smile, and announced, “Today, I’ll be the first to step up. Any of you who are dissatisfied, come challenge me!”

“Hahaha, kid, you’ve got guts! I, Chang Gongmao of the Fierce Mountain Palace, will test you!” No sooner had Zhou Hao spoken than one of the remaining nine in his group leapt forth.

The newcomer stood two meters tall, simply clad in a beast-hide skirt, his body an expanse of bulging muscle, a paragon of masculine vigor. Slung across his back was a black ancient bow, imposing and solid, with no arrow quiver in sight.

“Zhou Hao of Cloud Veil Palace, please instruct me!”

Though his opponent was clearly formidable, Zhou Hao showed no fear. Now that he was the first defender, he had to win; conviction was the first key to triumph.

With a hiss, his golden sword flashed from its sheath, Zhou Hao striking with the speed of a hurricane. Chang Gongmao responded instantly, yanking the black bow from his back and swinging it at Zhou Hao like a cudgel.

Clang! Sparks flew, and the ringing of metal resounded as strength clashed with strength. Bow and sword collided dozens of times, yet neither showed the slightest fatigue, prompting admiration among the spectators.

Especially when they looked at Zhou Hao—their eyes regarded him as some kind of monster. He seemed an ordinary, refined youth, so how could he possess such strength, matching Chang Gongmao blow for blow?

It was well known that among the sixteen Celestial Palaces, Fierce Mountain Palace boasted one of the strongest physical disciplines. They were famed as “body refinement specialists,” training amid extreme environments—deserts, oceans, wastelands, glaciers.

But what of Zhou Hao? No one in Cloud Veil Palace had heard of him. How could he withstand Chang Gongmao’s might?

Bang!

Sword and bow met again in a thunderous clash, then the two quickly separated. In the next moment, Chang Gongmao drew the bowstring!

The ancient black bow’s string gleamed gold. As Chang Gongmao pulled it taut, the bow hummed, and the sound of wind and thunder echoed from its body—a truly astonishing sight.

Dazzling light danced along the golden string, and as he drew, a radiant golden arrow formed. Though not physical, its murderous aura was palpable to all.

Zhou Hao gripped his sword, eyes locked on the arrow aimed at him. In the next instant, both moved again. Zhou Hao raised his sword horizontally, evidently intending to block the arrow, while Chang Gongmao fired. For a fleeting moment, a golden rainbow seemed to illuminate the sky as it shot toward Zhou Hao’s heart!

A piercing sound rang out. When all looked closely, Zhou Hao’s golden sword was poised at Chang Gongmao’s neck, though the latter had managed to block with his black bow.

As for the golden arrow, it caused Zhou Hao no harm at all—he simply tilted his head aside and dodged it, letting it shoot off into the distant clouds.

Bang, bang!

Both gripped their weapons fiercely, now employing their feet as well. Zhou Hao kicked at Chang Gongmao’s muscular thigh, and his opponent responded quickly, swinging his own leg to block. The collision sounded like a drum, the dull thud evoking the crack of bones to the onlookers.

No one expected this new disciple of Cloud Veil Palace to be so adept at body techniques. Facing Chang Gongmao, the genius of Fierce Mountain Palace, he was not only undaunted, but seemed subtly superior. For a moment, all eyes turned to this new disciple.

The geniuses of the sixth group watched with keen interest. “Cloud Veil Palace has produced such a figure, and we never knew!”

“To reach this level in body techniques, he must train diligently. Fierce Mountain Palace has its own unique methods, but for Zhou Hao to match them is no small feat!”

“Look, the outcome is about to be decided. Will Zhou Hao win, or will Chang Gongmao lose? Wait, no, will Chang Gongmao lose, or will Zhou Hao win... Ah, my tongue is all twisted!”

Sword returned to defense, bow withdrawn, Zhou Hao and Chang Gongmao separated and immediately squared off, both gazing coldly at each other, searching for a moment’s vulnerability.

Boom!

Chang Gongmao seemed impatient; after only a brief standoff, he struck again—this time without weapons, sending a domineering punch flying. A black fist imprint, whistling through the air, shot straight for Zhou Hao’s face. Zhou Hao knew well how fierce this blow was; even mountains might be shattered by it. He didn’t attempt to counter force with force. Though his Great Sun Palm could easily overwhelm Chang Gongmao, its consumption was vast—unless facing a truly terrifying foe, Zhou Hao would not use it lightly.

Instead, this was where the prowess of the Lingxu Celestial Step, taught to him by Yun Fang, came into play. Zhou Hao stepped onto the seven-star eight-trigram positions, his body moving with his footwork. In an instant, he avoided the black fist imprint and launched a surprise attack at Chang Gongmao!

In the next moment, Zhou Hao’s sword struck mercilessly. No matter how skilled his opponent’s body technique or how quick his reaction, the Lingxu Celestial Step far surpassed Chang Gongmao’s speed, and the golden celestial sword was a weapon of the Golden Immortal.

Together, these advantages left only one outcome—Chang Gongmao fell, wounded in four places by the sword.

“Indeed, Fellow Daoist Zhou’s skills are superior! Next, let this humble monk test your prowess!” One of the remaining eight in the sixth group stepped forward.

Like Zhou Hao, he was clad in white, from head to toe, save for his eyebrows and pupils, giving a sense of monochromatic beauty. More notably, he was bald—a monk, and a genius disciple of Weituo Palace: San Yi.

San Yi’s features were handsome, a true beauty, gentle and refined like a noble gentleman. Aside from the sandalwood prayer beads around his neck and the rosary in his hand, he carried no weapons.

Zhou Hao had spent thirty years in Cloud Veil Palace and had heard of Weituo Palace—part of the Buddhist sect, where disciples mainly cultivated body techniques. Their celestial bodies were many times sturdier than their peers.

“Please instruct me!”

San Yi was polite and smiling, gesturing courteously before initiating the battle, striking with a reverse palm.

“Fearless Lion Seal!”

From the palm imprint, bursts of lion’s roars emerged, as a radiant golden lion coalesced and charged at Zhou Hao, its momentum awe-inspiring.

“Looks like I’ll have to show my true skill!”

Facing the Fearless Lion Seal—a martial secret of the Buddhist sect—Zhou Hao dared not underestimate it. He stepped onto the Lingxu Celestial Step, ethereal and elusive, raising his right hand above his head and shouted aloud.

A roar shook the heavens; dark clouds gathered above Ascension Platform, startling the crowd. In the next moment, they saw Zhou Hao’s right hand erupt in lightning!

“Destruction!”

He swung his right palm, and in a flash, the Fearless Lion Seal was obliterated, transformed into a dazzling rain of light.

“That’s... Lightning in the Palm? How can a disciple cast Lightning in the Palm?”

“It really is Lightning in the Palm! Impossible! Even Golden Immortals cannot condense a thunder talisman, yet this disciple can?”

The sixteen Palace Masters and all the elders were stunned, the scene before them shattering their understanding.

Thunder boomed and lightning intertwined as Zhou Hao, having destroyed the Fearless Lion Seal, pressed his advantage. Like a tiger pouncing, he rushed at San Yi, who soared up gracefully in white robes, rapidly forming hand seals. With a sudden cry, he conjured a ** to clash with Zhou Hao’s lightning.

It was no contest. The ** formed by celestial force was instantly swept away by the lightning. No matter how many seals San Yi formed, they were useless—the Lightning in the Palm was the “Buddhist nemesis!”

Finally, San Yi had no recourse but to use the prayer beads around his neck. Inside, he was deeply frustrated—never before had he been so overwhelmed, unable even to retaliate.

“Universal Buddha’s Radiance!”

He tossed the sandalwood beads into the air, and instantly, dazzling golden light burst from each bead, as if a hundred and eight ingots of gold had been arrayed together.

Om!

The beads emitted golden light, forming a vast shadow. San Yi stood beneath it, hands pressed together, his face bearing a look of compassionate sorrow.

“The Buddha’s shadow! San Yi has summoned the Buddha’s shadow with his beads—this battle’s outcome is still uncertain!”

Indeed, Zhou Hao’s Lightning in the Palm had stunned everyone, making them nearly certain he would win. Yet with the Buddha’s shadow now present, it seemed possible to resist the thunder’s might.

Crack!

Thunder rolled, lightning surged, and the golden thunder talisman on Zhou Hao’s right palm unleashed a sea of lightning.

Opposite, the immense Buddha’s shadow sat three feet above the ground, shrouded in a hazy seven-colored glow. Even a thousandfold lightning could not break through its barrier.