Chapter 182: A Wood Full of Blood and Trees

The air pressure increased. It was heavier than last time. Zen looked around, the grass was as flat as paper on the ground and the water tension of the protective water sphere he and Lu Daomeng was in began trembling as it struggled to hold together but with each step Zen and Lu Daomeng took closer to Lou Shan, the more the protective water sphere shrunk and shrunk.

Zen followed Lu Daomeng who continued on forward. He saw the long blade of his sword begin to shine with Lu Daomeng’s snow white ki. The brighter it shone, the smaller the sphere protecting them was getting.

Zen was starting to get scared. Although he could not breath while inside the sphere, he knew if it popped, he would be stranded when the outside air preasasure crushed him to the ground.

They got closer and Zen prepared to attack but was stopped by Lu Daomeng. His shifu continued forward, their single water sphere separating as he was left behind with some while Lu Daomeng continued forward with most of it.

Lu Daomeng’s sphere popped and he swung the sword, sending out a bright and massive arc of ki at Lou Shan. They looked out and saw Lou Shan summersault away, having dodged the attack.

Zen’s water sphere popped and the air pressure brought him to his knees as he looked at Lu Daomeng who chased Lou Sha into the forest, a little slower than usual because of the air preaasure.

Lu Daomeng entered the woods. The trees in this section were growing more closely together. Lu Daomeng looked about, he could not see her.

Two trees suddenly fell on him. He swung his sword and spit them apart. He chased after the direction they were most likely cut in but he could not see her. He stood at the ready, looking around.

More trees fell on him. He deftly cut them apart but still could not see her. He walked further in, sending his senses out as best as he could. While it was true that the stronger one is, the harder it was for one to hide themselves, Lou Shan was using a well known trick.

She was radiating her power out a large area, making it difficult for Lu Daomeng to track her. He knew where about she was but could not pin point her exactly.

“Focused Air…”

Lu Daomeng felt the breathe of her voice on his neck. He turned around and thrust his blade out at his enemy but there was no one there. He turned back around in time to see Lou Shan swing her hand which glowed in the collected wind energy.

“…Mega Wind Slash!”

A giant arc of focused air was sent blasting at Lu Daomeng. He countered with his own ki arc slash. The two attacks met and Lu Daomeng’s was found wanting as he was slashed across the side of the abdomen.

He stumbled back, holding the wound.

Lou Shan smirked before thrusting her other arm out. “Focused Air: Wind Spear!”

Air shot at Lu Daomeng.

“Grass Thrust!” Lu Daomeng grunted as he thrusted his glowing sword out. Three giant leaf blade shaped ki constructs grew form the ground and combined in a thrust with Lu Daomeng’s sword. The air collided with the attack and just as it seems his answer would hold out, the wind attack destroyed the ki grass blades and sent Lu Daomeng back.

Lu Daomeng’s back hit the bark and he coughed out blood. He looked out and saw that she was once again gone, vanished in the woods.

Lu Daomeng wiped the blood from his mouth. He could already feel his lifeforce seeping away with each second and each drop of blood that escaped his wound and leaked out from between his fingers.

The air pressure finally died, allowing Wang Zen to ge back on his feet and move freely. He joined up with Shibi and entered the woods after his Shifu and Lou Shan. He summoned his short sword as they went deeper into the woods. He gulped, steeling himself for he did not know what awaited there, not knowing that there would be death.