Book 2 Chapter 47: Endless Energy - Martial God

Chapter 47: Endless Energy In the heart of winter, with the land encased in ice, the world resembled a vast freezer. Mountains shivered in the cold, rivers froze solid, and even the air seemed to hover on the brink of congealing. Yet, in front of the Yuan Family Manor, the air was warm with anticipation. Under Yuan Ze Wei's leadership, members of the Fan Family, carrying an eight-person sedan chair, approached the Yuan Family's manor. Although the Jinlin Nation had decrees that forbade ordinary people from using such grand sedan chairs, in the world of powerful noble families, these rules were ignored. Even the royal family of Jinlin turned a blind eye to such infractions. The gates of the Yuan Manor had been opened in advance, and Yuan Cheng Zhi personally came out to lead them to the martial arts field behind the manor. Yuan Ze Wei had anticipated this. He was intimately familiar with every part of the Yuan Family Manor. Only the martial arts field in the backyard was the perfect venue for today's competition. Yuan Cheng Zhi's gaze frequently swept over the visitors, holding a mix of curiosity and assurance. Yet, when his eyes landed on the mysterious sedan, a feeling of foreboding gripped him. On the field, led by Yuan Ze Yu, He Quan Xin and others had been waiting for some time. However, just like Yuan Cheng Zhi, when they saw the extravagant sedan chair being carried into the backyard, each person couldn't help but feel a tinge of surprise. Even the composed He Quan Xin began to speculate about what could possibly be inside such an ostentatious chair. If it was a single individual, their self-importance was astonishingly excessive. Some who knew of recent events subconsciously linked this sedan to the mysterious figure who had appeared at the manor gate days before. Yet, without confirmation, they preferred to deceive themselves, feigning ignorance. The group naturally divided into two sides. Yuan Ze Yu withdrew his gaze from the sedan and declared aloud, "Master Fan, though our Yuan Family isn't a grand household, we never turn away guests. Might I ask which esteemed individual occupies that sedan, and why they remain hidden?" Fan Shu He inwardly chuckled bitterly. Truthfully, he was as bewildered by Lu Xin Wen's request—to remain in the sedan and not reveal himself—as anyone. Yet, regardless of the perplexity, he dared not inquire further. He flashed a cryptic smile and replied, "Master Yuan, inside the sedan is one of my elders. He prefers the comfort of the sedan. The question remains, does anyone here merit his presence?" Yuan Ze Yu felt a tightening in his chest. Could the person inside truly be the enigmatic visitor from the other day? However, the knowledge of Lu Xin Wen’s visit was confined to only Fan Shu He and his son within the Fan Family. Even their servants remained blissfully unaware of such a master. And to the Yuan Family, the guest's presence was purely speculative, so they showed no sign of unease. Yuan Ze Wei stepped forward, loudly proclaiming, "Second Brother, since we've come all this way, as kin born of the same mother, I advise you to pack up and leave. Should it come to a bloody confrontation, retreat might prove difficult." Yuan Ze Yu smiled faintly, "Brother, isn't it a little premature to say such things now?" Yuan Cheng Zhi echoed with a hearty, "Indeed, who claims the victory remains to be seen." At that moment, trailing beside the sedan, Fan Hao Ri caught a soft whisper from within, "Who is that man with long fabric strips across him?" The voice, not loud but unmistakably Lu Xin Wen's, was clear to him. Fan Hao Ri dared not neglect the inquiry and, after a quick glance, solemnly replied, "Great Uncle, that is He Yi Ming from the He Family, here at the Yuan's invitation." "The He Family?" The voice from the sedan adopted a peculiar tone, before continuing, "Is there anyone here related to him?" "There's also He Quan Xin with his internal energy at the tenth level, and his son He Yi Tian. Both are closely related to He Yi Ming," Fan Hao Ri responded respectfully. "Good," the voice from the sedan turned calm, "Both you and your father must kill them." Fan Hao Ri looked aghast, his eyes filled with alarm. "If you succeed, I'll take you as my disciple, to inherit my legacy. Perhaps one day you'll reach innate realms," Lu Xin Wen intoned, unhurriedly. In that moment, Fan Hao Ri's eyes flashed with fierce determination, and he made up his mind. This opportunity was worth risking everything. Resolutely, he approached Fan Shu He and whispered a few words. Fan Shu He’s face mirrored the same resolve, his fists clenching tightly. He Quan Xin was an internal energy master at the tenth level, and by all accounts from the Xiao brothers, he wielded earth-based internal energy, directly counteracting their own water-based techniques. Yet, thinking of the tightly veiled sedan, Fan Shu He felt a surge of heat within. Lu Xin Wen had promised that if they could kill the He Family duo, it would pave the way for Fan Hao Ri to advance to innate mastery—a promise that was worth the entire Fan Family's allegiance. Though an internal energy tenth-level master was pivotal for a family, compared to an innate master, they were worlds apart. If the Fan Family produced an innate master, they might one day become a lineage of a millennium-old grand aristocracy. Fan Shu He drew a deep breath, ready to act, when Fan Hao Ri held him back. "What are you doing, Hao Ri?" Fan Shu He asked, dissatisfied. "Father, allow me to go first." "You?" "Yes, Uncle Xiao mentioned that He Quan Xin's son, He Yi Tian, has inherited his father's earth-based internal energy," Fan Hao Ri's eyes glinted with a sinister intent. "I’ll challenge and take him out first, that way He Quan Xin's focus will be shattered, and when you strike, he’ll be an easier target." Fan Shu He’s eyes lit up, but he shook his head, "No, your skills, like mine, are water-based and at the seventh level of internal energy. You might struggle against him." Confidence laced Fan Hao Ri's voice, "Father, Uncle Xiao mentioned, although his internal energy is at the seventh level, it's far from its peak, only at mid-level at best. I've reached the peak of the seventh level, far exceeding him. If steady and strategic, victory is assured." Fan Shu He hesitated briefly before slowly nodding. He knew that although the Xiao brothers were a rank below him in internal energy mastery, their keen perception was unparalleled. If not for this, he wouldn't have asked them to pose as his family's retainers to gauge the opposition's strength. Fan Hao Ri strode forward confidently, arriving in the center of the field. His abrupt intrusion silenced Yuan Ze Wei, who’d been verbally sparring with Yuan Ze Yu and the others. Fan Hao Ri cupped his hands in salute and declared, "Esteemed guests, circumstances demand action over words. I, Fan Hao Ri, a minor player, intend to provoke stronger talents. May I inquire who would step forth for a bout?" Both sides regarded him with slight surprise. All understood the day wouldn’t be won with words but through a contest of skill. None expected Fan Hao Ri to be the first to step up. Yuan Ze Yu frowned deeply. He knew Fan Hao Ri’s strength, but among their younger generation, they lacked a genius at the seventh level of internal energy. Yet to field someone from the second generation was unthinkable. Fan Hao Ri laughed heartily before saying, "Sir He Yi Tian, your father's duel with my Uncle Xiao and his brother left a lasting impression. Though I dare not challenge your father, I seek a match with you. Would you oblige?" He Yi Tian, slightly taken aback, then beamed with confidence, replied, "If you seek a duel, I shall oblige." He gracefully waved his sleeve and stepped forward without hesitation. As He Yi Tian moved, both Yuan Ze Yu and the others relaxed a bit, knowing he was among the best to handle this scenario. The two arrived in the middle of the field, and neither reached for a weapon, choosing instead to bow in acknowledgment before squaring off. However, the stalemate was brief. Fan Hao Ri's movements flowed effortlessly like water, initiating the bout. His mastery was water-based, while He Yi Tian’s was earth-based. By taking initiative, he would avoid losing momentum in under similar circumstances. In a fluid motion, he advanced as though gliding forward, appearing as if invisible rollers had been fitted beneath his feet on an impossibly smooth surface. Almost simultaneously, one hand rose to a vertical position, bringing his water-based internal energy to peak readiness. Despite being under thirty, Fan Hao Ri had reached the pinnacle of the seventh layer of internal energy, poised to break through to the eighth at any moment. His current strike concentrated all his energy, intending to end the conflict in a decisive blow. He Yi Tian trained in earth-based techniques, which emphasized steady progress. If forced back by the first strike, the stability he prided himself on would be shattered. Fan Hao Ri had planned in advance; if He Yi Tian retreated, Fan's follow-up attacks would cascade like a relentless torrent, each move a lethal blow, willing to endure serious injury to vanquish his opponent. He Yi Tian's potential demise would inevitably unbalance He Quan Xin due to their familial bond, reducing his effectiveness significantly when using his full strength. If Fan Hao Ri and his father could indeed eliminate the He father and son, their mission from Lu Xin Wen would be fulfilled. The prospect of being accepted by an innate master and the chance to become one himself filled Fan Hao Ri with fervent excitement. Yet, at this critical juncture, He Yi Tian raised his hands calmly; his palms were as steady as a rock, meeting Fan Hao Ri's fervent assault. The two challengers met in a forceful exchange. Suddenly, a vast, unimaginable strength erupted from He Yi Tian's palms, a power both immense and unyielding. Fan Hao Ri yelped as he was flung backward, twisting mid-air before regaining his footing. His astonished gaze fixed on He Yi Tian, unable to grasp how his opponent possessed such strength. He Yi Tian's mastery, though just shy of the seventh layer peak, was nearly there—a breath away. Fan Hao Ri's face darkened. Clearly, Xiao Yi Fan had misjudged; He Yi Tian's internal energy was not mid-seventh layer but nearly peaked. With their energies evenly matched, and the earth techniques countering water, Fan Hao Ri's strategy crumbled as he could not force even the first step back. Maintaining composure in the fight was not an option. Fan Hao Ri gritted his teeth, surging forward again, maneuvering around He Yi Tian like a slippery eel. He adapted his tactics in an instant. While He Yi Tian was formidable, his internal energy still fell short by a margin. If Fan could continuously circle and counter, He Yi Tian would eventually deplete his strength. But after dozens of exchanges, Fan Hao Ri grew increasingly alarmed. He Yi Tian's internal energy progressed at an astonishing rate, each confrontation revealing a greater force in his adversary's hands—as though he were a boundlessly potent freak or a spring, the more pressured, the stronger the rebound. Such unprecedented occurrences struck him with fear and confusion. As the duel persisted, Fan Hao Ri sank into despair; He Yi Tian had reached a level to fully match his power, erasing Fan's advantage. Confronted with this revelation, Fan Hao Ri bitterly accepted that during their battle, his opponent had achieved an incredible breakthrough to the seventh layer pinnacle. Compounding his despair was He Yi Tian's seemingly inexhaustible energy. As their conflict dragged on, even as Fan Hao Ri neared exhaustion, He Yi Tian appeared invigorated, gaining zeal with each trade. Now, Fan Hao Ri's sole thought was: Could this challenger be some kind of prodigy...? --- Within the sedan, Lu Xin Wen's eyes gleamed with clarity. He deduced his three disciples had fallen, and the precious items they carried were irretrievably lost. He Yi Tian must have recently consumed the Vitality Golden Pill. Only the formidable properties of the Golden Pill could yield such extraordinary results. Each of Fan Hao Ri's strikes effectively massaged and facilitated He Yi Tian's absorption of the pill's power. Without this encounter, He Yi Tian may have needed months to realize the pill's full potential. Yet, with such an opponent fueling a direct contest of internal energy, the pill’s effects accelerated, allowing He Yi Tian to rapidly reach the seventh layer's pinnacle. Moreover, the pill's effect was to bolster the body's vitality. Thus, as He Yi Tian's internal energy reached its zenith, the remaining potency continually replenished his expended strength. Fan Hao Ri's tactic of attrition to wear down He Yi Tian proved impossible from the start. The elder quietly closed his eyes, taking deep breaths as his internal energy circulated slowly through him, its rhythm tranquil yet natural, blending him with his surroundings—an embodiment of a gentle, flowing stream. He Yi Ming, observing from the sidelines, turned his head towards the mysterious sedan, listening intently, his expression growing serious. In his perception, the little stream within seemed to be swelling, perhaps destined to become an ocean once the person inside accumulated their energy to its peak. He retreated a step, withdrawing his energy, concentrating it entirely within. In that moment, He Yi Ming was like a drawn bow, a silent force ready to unleash its explosive power. If anyone shifted their focus to him, they'd notice how He Yi Ming resembled an unassuming stone statue. But no one paid this the slightest heed, their attention solely locked on the ongoing duel. He Yi Tian moved suddenly, stepping forward with a raised fist, striking with a sound that tore through the air. It was He Yi Tian's first aerial move and proactive strike of the duel, revealing his optimal state. Fan Hao Ri's face tensed, intending to evade, but his energy faltered—his realization dawned that he could no longer persist. In that vital pause, He Yi Tian unleashed a powerful shout, his fist's momentum swelling with added vigor. A resounding crash marked the collision of their punches. He Yi Tian’s feet adjusted slightly but held firm; his stance exuded unbeatable resilience. Fan Hao Ri staggered back several steps, stabilizing eventually, though a thin trickle of blood marked his lips. Glaring at He Yi Tian, frustration boiled over, prompting him to cough up blood, staining the ground in droplets.