Apotheosis

Ryan realized Zen's predicament, and a big, cynical grin grew on his handsome face. His eyes narrowed as he studied his target. Ryan knew that Zen had potential. His combat experience and his skills had given Ryan a challenge. Although Zen had come from a low-level clan, he had a strong mind and excellent cultivation abilities.

However, Zen had sealed his fate when he dared to offend the Fang Clan.

Killing him during the blooded test and ensuring that Zen could no longer attain his dream, which had been spun by faith, willpower, and endeavor, were very alluring for Ryan. It made the blooded test more interesting.

Zen stood in the corner. The filament net was behind him. If he took even one small step backward, the net would cut him into small pieces. He would die right away. Ryan stalked toward Zen. A thick layer of chaotic filaments writhed in his hand.

For Zen, this seemed like the end.

'Alas, will I lose this time?'

Zen did not want to lose. He could retake the blooded test and join Cloud Sect next month! But he had worked hard and thought that he deserved this win.

Every time Zen thought of Yan and her predicament, he felt pressed for time. She was trapped in Hell Mountain, and he had no idea what had happened to her. Equally, Yan had no clue what was happening in their Clan. A small voice inside Zen kept urging him forward. 'Don't waste time. Hurry up! You have to save Yan as soon as possible!' were the thoughts that drove Zen to accomplish his goals.

'The filaments are lethal, and I am trapped. What can I do? My bones withstood Evil Lan's attacks. Perhaps they are strong enough to resist damage from the filaments.' In his moment of despair, Zen stumbled on a risky but brilliant idea. He decided to roll the dice. He put one of his hands behind his back and touched the net with one finger.

The moment his finger touched the net, Zen felt a sharp pain. He knew that the filaments had cut through the skin of his finger. In spite

ht.

Over and over, both of them rolled on the ground, like two children fighting.

The difference was that their attacks were intended to kill the opponent on the spot.

The two men didn't follow any particular movements nor techniques of martial arts during the fight. They simply followed bodily resistance to attack.

Who could be better than Zen in bodily resistance to attack?

Slowly, as time went by, Ryan became weaker and weaker. His body could barely resist Zen's attacks. Zen closed his eyes for a brief moment and called forth the eerie purple light. Then before Ryan realized what was happening, Zen punched Ryan three times.

Each fist carried the full force of the Purple Fist Strength.

Muffled sounds came from Ryan's body.

Since Zen could manage seven damages with each blow of the Purple Fist Strength, twenty-one lesions could be worked on Ryan's body. Ryan could not help but writhe in pain. Panic overwhelmed him as Ryan realized that he had lost.

Seconds later, bright light spots enclosed Ryan, and he disappeared from the Bloody Mountain. Although he had lost, Ryan couldn't help wondering what Zen's body was made of and why his dagger and the filaments had failed to cut him into pieces.

Now the fight was over, and they had a winner. Obviously, Ryan was out.