Chapter 572: Great Battle

"Bang!"

The astral qi released by Zhu Ying directly blocked Gu Santong's fist, successfully saving Zhu Wushi's life!

Seeing this scene, Zhu Wushi was naturally deeply moved.

"Imperial Grandson!"

"This subordinate thanks the Imperial Grandson for saving me!" Zhu Wushi immediately knelt before Zhu Ying and repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude.

However, Zhu Ying ignored Zhu Wushi, instead fixing his gaze upon Gu Santong.

"You are this Gu Santong?"

"The so-called number one martial arts expert of the Ming Kingdom?"

Zhu Ying's tone was incredibly cold, giving off an aura that made one feel as if they were standing in the freezing cold.

To be honest, when Gu Santong saw Zhu Ying appear before him, a flicker of panic flashed across his face, but that panic quickly transformed into fury!

Because at this moment, Gu Santong suddenly remembered that his son, Cheng Shifei, had died at the hands of this very Zhu Ying.

"This old man is indeed Gu Santong!"

"Are you perhaps the Imperial Grandson of the Great Ming?"

Gu Santong questioned Zhu Ying fiercely, to which the latter responded with a calm expression: "It is I."

"I must say, since you were able to defeat Zhu Wushi, you must be a peak expert of the Divine Ability Realm. How about this: I will give you a choice. If you follow me, I will naturally guarantee you wealth and honor!"

As Zhu Ying's voice fell, Gu Santong burst into loud laughter toward the sky.

"Asking this old man to surrender to the Great Ming Empire? This is simply utterly ridiculous!"

"You killed my son, and yet you want me to surrender? You are surely insulting me!"

Having said this, Gu Santong flew into a rage.

In an instant, Gu Santong immediately activated his Indestructible Vajra Body, and a massive amount of true qi began to flow continuously from his body!

There was no doubt about it.

At this moment, Gu Santong intended to kill Zhu Ying directly today!

Suddenly, relying on the power of his Indestructible Vajra Body, Gu Santong charged toward Zhu Ying. To onlookers, Gu Santong's speed was incredibly fast.

However, in Zhu Ying's eyes, Gu Santong's movements were nothing more than slow motion.

"Bang!"

Just as Gu Santong swung his heavy fist violently toward Zhu Ying's body, a massive amount of astral qi erupted around Zhu Ying!

Immediately!

This black astral qi protected his body, forcefully blocking Gu Santong's fatal strike!

"What!"

"What kind of power is this!"

Gu Santong was sent tumbling to the ground by the shockwave of the astral qi, and a look of confusion and shock appeared on his face.

It was no exaggeration to say that within Gu Santong's knowledge, he had never felt such terrifying power!

"My Indestructible Vajra Body actually has no effect on you? You... just who on earth are you!"

Gu Santong asked Zhu Ying with a trembling voice.

However.

Zhu Ying did not answer Gu Santong's question, because in Zhu Ying's eyes, Gu Santong was already a dead man.

In the next second.

Zhu Ying indeed wasted no more words with Gu Santong. He immediately mobilized the astral qi within his body and swiftly unleashed the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms!

In an instant, the previously clear sky was suddenly obscured by darkness!

At the same time, the astral qi released from Zhu Ying's body directly transformed into over a dozen giant dragons!

Then!

These giant dragons charged toward Gu Santong with lightning speed.

In this moment of extreme crisis, Gu Santong could only once again employ his Indestructible Vajra Body to protect himself.

Unfortunately.

Zhu Ying's Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms had long been mastered to perfection, and furthermore, Zhu Ying's realm had already broken through to the Astral Qi Realm.

Therefore, once Zhu Ying unleashed the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, the astral qi he released instantly evolved into giant dragons, all of which rushed toward Gu Santong simultaneously.

At the critical moment, Gu Santong felt immense pressure. For him, his only option was to use as much true qi as possible to block the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms released by Zhu Ying!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

However.

Gu Santong was, after all, only an expert of the Divine Ability Realm; his practiced Indestructible Vajra Body was naturally no match for Zhu Ying!

Now.

The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms unleashed by Zhu Ying directly destroyed Gu Santong's Indestructible Vajra Body.

Clearly, the outcome of this duel had been decided.

But Zhu Ying had no intention of letting Gu Santong go.

In the next second.

Zhu Ying suddenly rushed in front of Gu Santong and immediately employed the Great Skill of Absorbing Energy!

In a brief moment, the true qi within Gu Santong's body was being continuously sucked into Zhu Ying's own body!

"What!"

"The Imperial Grandson actually knows the Great Skill of Absorbing Energy as well!"

Seeing Zhu Ying perform the Great Skill of Absorbing Energy, Zhu Wushi's face was filled with great shock.

At this moment.

For Gu Santong, the true qi in his body was being sucked dry by Zhu Ying, to the point where he showed signs of imminent death.

Seeing this, Guihai Yidao, Shangguan Haitang, and Duan Tianya immediately used their remaining true qi to attack Zhu Ying.

Unfortunately.

All these efforts were in vain!

With a light wave of Zhu Ying's hand, the Great Skill of Absorbing Energy simultaneously sucked the true qi from Duan Tianya, Guihai Yidao, and Shangguan Haitang.

Just like that, in an instant, the true qi within all three was completely drained by Zhu Ying.

Gu Santong, Duan Tianya, Guihai Yidao, and Shangguan Haitang were instantly transformed into withered corpses.

At this time, Zhu Wushi also hurriedly arrived before Zhu Ying and praised him from the bottom of his heart: "Imperial Grandson, your martial arts are indeed extraordinarily high. I did not expect even Gu Santong could be killed so easily by you. We are filled with admiration."

The usually arrogant Zhu Wushi was quite low-profile in front of Zhu Ying.

Zhu Ying spoke to Zhu Wushi in a cold tone: "Where is the Emperor of the Ming Kingdom?"

Hearing this, Zhu Wushi quickly replied: "Reporting to the Imperial Grandson. The Emperor of the Ming Kingdom is within the Imperial Palace. I beg the Imperial Grandson to remain calm. This subordinate will personally bring the Emperor to you."

Seeing Zhu Wushi's proactive attitude, Zhu Ying did not refuse, but instead said directly: "In that case, I will give you a chance. Immediately bring the Emperor of the Ming Kingdom to see me!"

As Zhu Ying's voice fell, Zhu Wushi immediately accepted the command and rushed into the Imperial Palace alone.

At this time, Wu Longhui, the Great General of the Ming Kingdom, seeing Zhu Wushi entering the palace, naturally did not dare to be negligent. He quickly led his troops to charge toward Zhu Wushi.

Unfortunately, these Ming soldiers were no match for Zhu Wushi at all.

Zhu Wushi killed them all in short order.

Even the Great General Wu Longhui had his internal strength sucked away by Zhu Wushi using the Great Skill of Absorbing Energy.

Afterward, Zhu Wushi fought his way into the Imperial Palace.

Meanwhile, inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The entire civil and military bureaucracy of the Ming Kingdom was in a state of panic.

As the Emperor of the Ming Kingdom, Zhu Houzhao, paced back and forth incessantly within the hall, occasionally glancing out toward the palace gates.

At that moment, a guard rushed hurriedly into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Reporting to the Emperor, something terrible has happened! Gu Santong, Duan Tianya, and the others have all been killed by the Imperial Grandson of the Great Ming Empire. Furthermore, Zhu Wushi is about to charge into the Imperial Palace!"

Just as the guard finished speaking, a dense surge of true qi suddenly struck from behind him.

In an instant, the guard exploded within the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Seeing this, despair filled everyone's eyes.

Simultaneously,

At the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Zhu Wushi appeared in everyone's sight.

Seeing this, Emperor Zhu Houzhao's mental state had long since fallen into despair.

He hurriedly said to Zhu Wushi, "Imperial Uncle, must you take my life today?"

Zhu Houzhao attempted to play the emotional card with Zhu Wushi.

But clearly, it had no effect.

Zhu Wushi spoke to Zhu Houzhao in a cold tone: "Your Majesty, this humble official has advised you many times before not to make enemies of the Great Ming Empire. Unfortunately, Your Majesty repeatedly refused, even ordering Cao Zhengchun to gather martial arts experts to fight the Great Ming Empire. Now, Your Majesty has no way out."

Having said this, Zhu Wushi took a sudden step and rushed in front of Zhu Houzhao.

At this critical moment.

Other martial arts experts within the palace also began to exert themselves.

The first to strike was Zhang Sanfeng, the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect.

Currently, Zhang Sanfeng had successfully broken through to the strength of the Half-Step Astral Qi Realm.

Therefore, he was more than capable of dealing with Zhu Wushi.

Zhang Sanfeng performed Tai Chi.

An invisible wave of astral qi rushed toward Zhu Wushi. Seeing this, the latter immediately used the Great Skill of Absorbing Energy, but unfortunately, Zhu Wushi's skill was completely useless against this astral qi.

In a flash.

The astral qi released by the Tai Chi struck directly into Zhu Wushi's body.

The latter was instantly heavily injured.

"What? Astral qi? I didn't expect you, Zhang Sanfeng, to have cultivated to the Half-Step Astral Qi Realm. How is this possible?"

To be honest, seeing this, Zhu Wushi's mental state was clearly becoming unstable.

For a long time, Zhu Wushi's greatest wish had been to enter the Half-Step Astral Qi Realm.

However, no matter how hard he worked, he could not break through the bottleneck of the Divine Ability Realm.

Thus, Zhu Wushi wanted to join Zhu Ying, attempting to gain his help to achieve his breakthrough.

He simply never expected that Zhang Sanfeng, who had been at the same realm as him, could actually break through to the Half-Step Astral Qi Realm through his own cultivation.

A massive sense of frustration surged into Zhu Wushi's heart.

"Grand Preceptor Zhang, kill Zhu Wushi quickly! Leaving this man alive will surely lead to endless trouble!"

Seeing Zhu Wushi easily knocked down by Zhang Sanfeng, Zhu Houzhao hurriedly ordered Zhang Sanfeng to kill him to eliminate any future threats.

Zhang Sanfeng nodded slightly; he was well aware of how powerful Zhu Wushi was.

Therefore, upon hearing Zhu Houzhao's command, he did not hesitate. He performed Tai Chi once more, and a fist-shaped surge of astral qi instantly smashed into Zhu Wushi's body.

At this moment, the heart of the Ming Kingdom's Iron-Fisted Marquis was undoubtedly filled with despair.

Fortunately, at the critical moment.

Zhu Ying acted again!

Zhu Ying used the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth. In a flash, an invisible wave of astral qi struck out, successfully blocking Zhang Sanfeng's Tai Chi.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

The violent explosions caused the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony to collapse.

At this time, Zhu Ying appeared before everyone.

"You are the Imperial Grandson of the Great Ming Empire?"

Seeing Zhu Ying act, Zhang Sanfeng's expression turned serious.

Zhang Sanfeng was very clear about Zhu Ying's strength; he could feel the massive amount of astral qi within the Zhu Ying before him.

"Zhang Sanfeng, if I remember correctly, the Great Ming Empire should not have moved against the Wudang Sect, right? As the Sect Leader of Wudang, why are you helping the Ming Kingdom?"

To be honest, Zhu Ying had not expected the Wudang Sect Leader, Zhang Sanfeng, to be present in the Ming Imperial Palace.

Thus, he was somewhat surprised upon seeing him.

Zhang Sanfeng immediately said to Zhu Ying, "The Great Ming Empire indeed did not attack my Wudang Sect, but your Great Ming Empire bloodwashed the Shaolin Temple and killed Grandmaster Bodhidharma, the Sweeping Monk, and all the high monks. My Wudang and Shaolin have a deep connection; naturally, we must avenge Shaolin."

After Zhang Sanfeng explained the reason to Zhu Ying, the latter let out a sound of disdain once more.

"Zhang Sanfeng, you are perhaps being too confident. Although you have broken through to the Half-Step Astral Qi Realm, your strength is still not enough to harm me!"

After saying this, Zhu Ying directly unleashed the Six Meridian Divine Sword!

In an instant!

Six sword-qi formed by astral qi stabbed directly toward Zhang Sanfeng.

As the Sect Leader of Wudang, Zhang Sanfeng naturally recognized the Six Meridian Divine Sword immediately.

What Zhang Sanfeng could not understand was why the Imperial Grandson of the Great Ming would use the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

At that moment.

The Six Meridian Divine Sword unleashed by Zhu Ying rushed directly into Zhang Sanfeng's body.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, Zhang Sanfeng immediately utilized the Wudang Nine Yang Skill to protect himself!

Coupled with the fact that Zhang Sanfeng was now a top expert of the Half-Step Astral Qi Realm, once he performed the Wudang Nine Yang Skill, astral qi erupted within his body.

Using astral qi to contend with astral qi.

This prevented Zhang Sanfeng from being injured by the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

Seeing this, Zhu Ying was somewhat surprised.

"I didn't expect you, Zhang Sanfeng, to actually possess some strength. To be able to resist my Six Meridian Divine Sword is indeed quite good. However, I wonder if you can withstand the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms?"

As Zhu Ying's voice fell, he once again performed his signature technique, the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

Just as he had done against Gu Santong, in an instant, the astral qi within Zhu Ying's body transformed into eighteen giant dragons, charging directly at Zhang Sanfeng.

"Master, be careful!"

Seeing this, Song Yuanqiao, the eldest disciple of Wudang, immediately shouted.

Simultaneously, Song Yuanqiao and his six fellow senior brothers also immediately charged toward Zhu Ying.

At this moment, all of Wudang's combat strength engaged in battle with Zhu Ying at once!