Book 2 Chapter 75: Battle - Martial God

Chapter 75: Battle A sudden breeze swept through, causing the mountains and forests to rustle. The whispers were a chorus of countless blades of grass and leaves brushing against one another, a gentle yet powerful sound. Amidst this breeze, a voice, decisive and as resounding as clashing metal, abruptly rose. It pierced through the seemingly silent royal gardens, landing heavily on the hearts of all present. "If you wish to fight, then I shall fight..." A figure strode forward confidently, compelling everyone nearby to instinctively step back as he passed. The trim figure, determined face, sharp gaze, and tightly sealed lips—all exuding a will as strong as steel, swept through the hearts of those present like a tempest. A hint of a smile touched Shui Xuan Jin's eyes. He had suspected as much when He Yiming had brought up the topic earlier. When Cheng Fu unexpectedly issued his challenge, Shui Xuan Jin understood that He had somehow foreseen this situation. Since He was willing to stand as a martial champion for Tianluo Kingdom, he would certainly be the one to step forward and take the challenge. This was a feeling, a pure intuition. Although the two did not exchange any words, there was an indescribable tacit understanding between them. His smile seemed to grow, for he was genuinely pleased. Not because someone was bailing him out, but because he had found a friend for life just before his potential death. He moved with steps that seemed slow but were actually swift, emerging from the tent and in just a few strides, stood before Cheng Fu. With a bow of his hands, He spoke in a clear, loud voice, "Master Cheng, please..." Cheng Fu's expression was one of utmost seriousness. The look he gave He was complex, and he sighed lightly, saying, "Master He, I am here today representing Kai Rong Kingdom to challenge Tianluo's martial champion. You really shouldn't interfere." He burst into laughter, exuding an intensely powerful aura. "Master Cheng, you might not know, but just moments ago, I accepted Master Shui's invitation to become the second martial champion of Tianluo Kingdom." The surroundings, previously quiet, erupted as if a lid had been lifted off boiling water. The onlookers, despite forgetting for a moment that two grandmasters stood before them, were eager to express their excitement. Among the northwestern countries, except for the three great powers, fewer than ten countries had two martial champions. If He's statement were to spread, it would surely stir up the entire region around Tianluo Kingdom. Cheng Fu's eyes instantly turned sharp, while the faces of the prince and princess from Kai Rong Kingdom showed signs of disappointment and irritation. They hadn't anticipated He would so swiftly accept Shui Xuan Jin's offer. For an innate martial artist, this seemed too hasty. Cheng Fu's gaze finally fixed firmly on He. As he silently assessed the aura emanating from He, a peculiar smile appeared on his face. Not just him, but even Shui Xuan Jin, standing not far away, had a glimmer of surprise in his eyes. Both being innate martial artists, they sensed the strong metallic power radiating from He's aura. This was a mastery of the essence of metal—sharp and seemingly indestructible, like a spear capable of piercing through anything. Shui Xuan Jin was incredibly shaken. Having been in contact with He for so long and even sensing his epiphanies, he had always believed He to be a water-attribute grandmaster. It was only during his cultivation of the Swift Ear technique that his hidden wind talent had been awakened. But never had Shui Xuan Jin expected He to suddenly unleash such a formidable metal force. His eyes shone brightly, filled with new expectations for this seemingly bottomless young man. Perhaps He truly could, in such circumstances, defeat the renowned and once-epiphany-experienced Cheng Fu. Lowering his gaze slightly, Cheng Fu asked with a playful smile, "Master Shui, is it decided that Master He will accept our challenge on behalf of Tianluo Kingdom?" On this matter, he directly queried Shui Xuan Jin, even bypassing the ruler of Tianluo. But Yu Rupei showed no dissatisfaction, instead, casting an anxious glance towards Shui Xuan Jin. With a casual wave of his large hand, Shui Xuan Jin stated, "Since Brother He is our martial champion, he naturally has the right to take the field. Master Cheng, surely you understand this?" Cheng Fu shook his head with a wry smile, his aura swelling robustly. It was akin to a long-dormant volcano beginning to erupt. "Master He, I cultivate the power of fire. If you know you're outmatched, there's still time to step down." His voice, though solemn, carried an undertone of disdain. Were it Shui Xuan Jin's wind power, he might have been cautious. But seeing He rely on metal power, he had fewer concerns. Under his fire's might, any metal would surely meet the same fate and be melted away. He gave a proud smile, extending both hands forward, gradually clenching them. His fists emanated a metallic sheen. As he advanced, his fists crossed, creating a myriad of fist shadows, rolling towards Cheng Fu like a giant boulder. Cheng Fu's face registered a hint of surprise. To him, this fist technique was nothing remarkable. Yet the aura emanating from He instilled in him a trace of apprehension. In his eyes, He seemed to transform into a massive boulder, rolling heavily towards him. The power of metal is sharp and unyielding, the spearhead of an assault, unstoppable in battle. Nonetheless, in this moment, He imparted a new meaning to the art of metal. His fist style, while fierce, lacked the terrifying sharpness characteristic of other metal techniques. Instead, it was imbued with a continuous, enduring spirit. Cheng Fu even sensed a flow akin to a gentle stream. Harnessing a metal skill, yet imbuing it with the essence of water technique. For a moment, Cheng Fu found himself in a quandary... As those intertwined fists neared, Cheng Fu finally let out a cold snort. His palms instantaneously turned fiery red, lightly intersecting as the very air seemed to heat up. In an instant, a wall of fire seemed to appear before the onlookers, a network of phantom palms ablaze with fire knitting together a fiery mesh. Countless dull thuds resonated from between the two, each akin to a deafening roar right beside one's ears. It took but a few moments, yet many had to cover their ears and retreat, only stopping at a safe distance, their eyes wide with fear as they gazed back at the scene. The wall of fire abruptly dissipated, with Cheng Fu's nimble feet gliding as if they were flames dancing unpredictably at the top of a blaze. Where he tread, the ground was marked with clear footprints, surrounded by charred earth. His movements were swift, within moments the footprint patterns overlapped thickly, turning into an indistinguishable mass—an expanse of burnt land scoured by flames. Sparks flew, fire raged. The true essence of fire energy was perfectly executed within his strikes. And yet, despite the formidable energy, despite the blaze-like essence of his skills managing to encircle He entirely, they failed to break this peculiar metal technique. He's hands moved tirelessly, his figure weaving as if casually practicing his routine. Within him, his Ripple Technique flowed like water. With his potent water-based internal energy and the profound meaning of metal technique, he unleashed a unique Rolling Stone Fist. Rolling like a boulder amid a blaze, his presence remained unmoved by the flames' ferocity—unyielding and resilient. He's aura grew stronger, and the Rolling Stone Fist's ability to amass momentum began to manifest. Gradually, within the sea of flames, the boulder's presence appeared to grow larger and larger, reaching an unimaginable scale. "Hah..." He gathered his breath in his dantian, his shout booming like thunder, a furious cry piercing through the calm sky. Raising his hands high, the energy accumulated by the Rolling Stone Fist erupted with this motion, finally and utterly detonating. Mountain Cleaving Thirty-Six Techniques, the Sixteenth Technique... A colossal, unavoidable force shattered through the fiery sea, piercing past the firewall, and surged toward Cheng Fu's chest. At this moment, He's fists were no longer akin to a massive boulder but had transformed into a celestial halberd, purified and refined by the flames. Carrying an unstoppable, ferocious momentum, he now seemed to be a hell-dwelling king, breaking through the void and charging forward with an all-consuming force. Here, the full potential of metallic power was finally on display. Cheng Fu's eyes narrowed to a point; he realized that the metal's strength could be compounded in this manner and ultimately unleashed with explosive force. This final outburst, exceeding any typical power level, was He's trump card in challenging Cheng Fu. Under this overwhelming momentum, Cheng Fu found himself with nowhere to hide. With a deep sigh, his hands crossed, pulling back the fiery iron rod-like arms into his sleeves. His arms waved, and like a gusting storm, his sleeves met the assault head-on. The resounding boom between their fists and palms was like an explosion in one's heart, shaking everyone to their core. The crowd retreated once more, including He Quanxin and his son, who watched in awe at the superhuman contest before them. Their every strike wasn't merely physical; it was a clash drawing upon the natural elements—fire's ferocity against metal's sharpness, entwining incredibly, threatening to swallow the world whole. Having seen He's previous battle with Lu Xinwen, it became clear to them now how vast the gaps between innate grandmasters could be. Compared to the current He and Cheng Fu, Lu Xinwen seemed like a toddler just learning to walk, unworthy of the stage. Father and son shared a glance. When did He gain such formidable strength? In just a few months, he transformed as if reborn. With progress like this, to what heights might he one day soar? Within a 200-meter radius around He and Cheng Fu, no one dared to intrude. Even Shui Xuan Jin stood back, hands clasped behind, unwilling to influence the grand duel. Yu Xiaoyi and others were struck with overwhelming awe. They were aware that innate warriors possessed immense strength, beyond ordinary individuals' ability to withstand. Even those who had just stepped into innate realms held immense power, capable of taking on tens of thousands. Yet witnessing an innate battle for the first time revealed just how incredibly powerful humans could become. The two in the arena no longer appeared human—they were fire incarnate and a blade personified. A flame consuming all, and a halberd cleaving through the heavens. ※※※※ Following the massive explosion, Cheng Fu was flung skyward, a testament to He's formidable internal energy. Delight beamed on Yu Rupei's face, while the spectators from Kai Rong Kingdom, including the third prince, turned pale, lacking their earlier triumphant joy. Losing to a martial champion negated any glory from hunting beasts. Yet Shui Xuan Jin's expression shifted slightly, lamenting internally. Although southern fire overcomes western metal, He used an unusual method to reach a pinnacle of momentum and instantaneously unleashed it. Not only did this nullify Cheng Fu's fire power, but it also crushed it completely. In such a scenario, even Cheng Fu could only retreat in defeat, losing his ability to continue fighting. However, Cheng Fu wore a long robe of unique craftsmanship—not a treasure, yet matching one in defense. In midair, Cheng Fu's hands moved, and his sleeves fluttered like butterflies. The sleeves were made from fire silkworm silk and steel thread from active volcanoes. Under the innate powers of both grandmasters, they were destroyed completely. He sighed inwardly—had he wielded a weapon like his halberd, nothing would stand, not even a reinforced suit of armor. As he stepped forward to pursue, he noticed the tattered sleeves slicing through the air, whistling sharply towards him. Narrowing his eyes slightly, He's fists intercepted the debris, creating a mesh of defense. The torn sleeve pieces, like nails hitting a hammer, fell harmlessly, no longer threatening. But within that fleeting moment, Cheng Fu landed back on the ground. His appearance was ragged, with bare arms left ridiculously exposed. Yet none watching dared to laugh, still captivated by the earlier fierce bout. The ferocity evoked a deep-seated fear of these two beings who wore the guise of humans—mockery was unthinkable. Despite his disheveled state, Cheng Fu remained composed, showing no shame or anger from his recent setback. His spirit soared to an unprecedented level. Within Kai Rong's Great Master Hall, there were ten innate grandmasters. Among them, Cheng Fu might not be the strongest, but he ranked in the top five. He entered the innate realm just twenty years ago, opting for a grueling path unlike those who secluded themselves, slowly augmenting their natural energy and refining their bodies with innate power. He left his family a year after ascension, journeying barefoot to the distant Southern Archipelago. In the perilous seas, he endured ten years, traversing countless islands, both inhabited and deserted, until a volcanic eruption revealed the essence of fire, granting him the long-coveted epiphany. In an epiphany, one transcends—coursing like a leaping fish transforming into a dragon. His innate power advanced significantly, and his mastery of the fire arts reached unparalleled heights. This achievement emboldened him to challenge Shui Xuan Jin, an elder with over a century of innate cultivation. Challenging a century-old grandmaster with only twenty years of cultivation is not for the faint-hearted or unqualified. Yet facing He, he met an opponent even mightier. In their clash, he discerned His innate power surpassed his own. Briefly, he recalled the information gathered by Zhan Zhichao—those fools, He wasn't just under twenty years old but rather had been in the innate realm for under twenty years... ※※※※ Time seemed to freeze. The two innate grandmasters stood apart, their gazes interlocking, their auras sparking brilliant flares as their powers radiated outward. Without realizing it, their confrontation cleared a broader area. Though unwilling to miss such a rare duel, no one dared enter such a space and risk collateral damage. Cheng Fu slowly raised his hand, his voice deep and resonant, "Master He, years ago on the Southern Archipelago, I glimpsed a volcanic eruption and devised a molten technique. I invite your critique." He braced himself, yet remained composed, "It would be my honor." Cheng Fu nodded slightly, his body moved. Unlike earlier, this time he moved not like a flickering flame but a sweeping red flood. With unmatched speed, he left an afterimage; his red attire became dazzling light. He transformed into lava pouring from a volcano, washing over everything. The ambient temperature soared to unbearable heights instantly. Although the scene was not as exaggerated as it appeared to the onlookers, the sight of Cheng Fu's technique, reminiscent of a volcanic eruption with its spreading molten lava, painted a terrifying picture in everyone's minds. Even without firsthand experience, Cheng Fu managed to project a vivid impression of a volcano erupting into the minds of all present. The ability to replicate such feelings through this elemental exchange is a skill attained through epiphany. At that moment, He Yiming closed his eyes slightly, immediately sensing the immense pressure surrounding him. It was as though he had been transported from the royal gardens to a vast island with an erupting volcano at its peak. The volcano roared like a massive beast, spewing forth hot smoke and raging lava. The surrounding peaks seemed aflame; white-hot hailstones, dark red smoke, and rocket-like lava interwove into a colossal kaleidoscope. And he stood at its very core, seemingly on the verge of plunging into the seething magma, annihilating his existence. Suddenly, He realized that within this fire, unleashed to its utmost, his metal power faced unimaginable suppression, making it impossible to rely on accumulating momentum to break through. Taking a deep breath, memories of standing on the mountaintop returned. The gentle, continuous rain from the heavens, the clouds veiling the endless mountain ranges. A breeze blew, causing the scene to ripple like a painting, guided by invisible hands moving it behind the scenes, bringing the image in his mind to life. Suddenly, everyone had a strange feeling of drizzle beginning to fall before them. Though the rain was light, it seemed omnipresent. Then, a cloud and mist spread, as if they had always belonged there, existing for countless years. They realized the terrifying sea of fire had vanished, the world-ending lava and magma gone. The once red world was now replaced by white winds, rain, clouds, and mist. Gentle breezes, light rain, endless mist... Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, struggling to comprehend what had happened. But Shui Xuan Jin's eyes widened in awe, even he wasn't immune to the sudden spectacle. With Cheng Fu pushing the fire element to its limits, embodying lava itself, Shui Xuan Jin indeed worried for He. Such extraordinary skills derived from epiphanies were not defenses ordinary innate grandmasters could withstand through long-term accumulation of elemental power alone. Only when a particular force is pushed to the extreme can it resonate with natural forces, creating illusions that others can empathize with. Even for him, encountering such astonishing skills required relying on a century of cultivation to survive. Yet He's performance once more astounded Shui Xuan Jin. This youth, not yet twenty, had completely mastered the elements of wind, rain, clouds, and mist. When these four forces enveloped the sea of fire, Shui Xuan Jin knew the battle had been decided. In silence, the encompassing cloud and rain abruptly dispersed. Everything returned to normal—no fire, no clouds, no rain, no mist. No molten lava flowed here, no mountain rain fell, and no mist wove through. At the center were just two people standing calmly, as if they had never moved. It was only then the spectators grasped that all they had felt was illusion, a reality conjured by these two individuals. Though understanding this, their fear and reverence grew deeper, ingrained into their bones. Innate grandmasters are truly the world's rulers—their power transcending human limitations, daunting even to armies likely to crumble before such might. In that moment, all that remained in their hearts was fear of such power. ※※※※ Cheng Fu raised his hands, his fingers no longer bore the eerie red hue. He clasped his hands toward He Yiming from afar, saying, "I concede." A collective breath was held, and a moment later, they processed the meaning of his words. Suddenly, an explosion of cheers erupted from the crowd, with even Yu Xiaoyi joining in celebration—drowning out any earlier jubilations from Kai Rong's retainers. In a battle between national martial champions, their champion had secured the victory. For Tianluo Kingdom's subjects, this was a moment of unparalleled pride, banishing earlier despondency from the hunting defeat. In stark contrast stood the Kai Rong envoys, their faces grim. Yet their gazes upon He Yiming were filled with a mix of fear and admiration. Having witnessed such a match, even the most rebellious among them now held no thoughts of defiance. Because they understood that before this person, they were as ants—effortlessly crushed at his whim. This is the domain of an innate grandmaster, their power far beyond the reach of any acquired martial artist. Cheng Fu seemed oblivious to the crowd's noise, suddenly asking, "Master He, was it you who stirred the elements that day?" Although he did not specify when, the other three innate grandmasters present understood perfectly. "Yes, it was my epiphany that caused it," He Yiming responded without reservation. "An epiphany," Cheng Fu echoed with a bitter smile. "So it was an epiphany, indeed." He regretted not knowing this earlier, as he might not have so rashly issued such a challenge. But alas, the elemental disturbance observed then wasn't of fire, so without witnessing it firsthand, he couldn't have imagined it to be an extraordinarily rare epiphany. Bitterly, he mused upon his own decade-long journey, skirting death's grasp for insights in the Southern Isles—only for this adversary to achieve a similar experience without straying from Tianluo. Indeed, comparisons among people are futile. He sighed softly, addressing Yu Rupei who dared not approach, "Congratulations to Your Majesty." With that, he turned, bare-armed, and strode boldly away, vanishing from sight moments later. Zhan Zhichao and his sister did not call after him. They knew Master Cheng needed solitude following defeat. They would meet him again upon returning to Kai Rong. Shui Xuan Jin approached, patting He's shoulder lightly and said with a satisfied smile, "How do you feel?" He Yiming smiled gently, "I've gained much." "Come, have a drink with me," Shui Xuan Jin's voice carried an indescribable joy, "It's been long since I've felt this happy." The two shared a smile and walked away together, like the wind. Once the three innate masters had departed, the gardens erupted once more into thunderous cheers...