Chapter 67: United Martial World Against One Man
Chapter 67: The Martial World United Against One Man
February 2nd, the Dragon Raises Its Head.
Three years had passed since Lü Yang's visit to Wang Boyuan.
During these three years, he had met with other Martial Path of Heaven and Man practitioners—some amicable, some cruel, and some with whom he inevitably crossed blades.
Yet Lü Yang's gains were equally substantial. He had finally achieved a profound understanding of the so-called fourth step of martial arts, "Investigating the Changes Between Heaven and Man." His once-dormant spirit had become extraordinarily vibrant, his vital energy surging as if ready to burst from his body—an utterly marvelous sensation.
That night, the moon was dark, the wind high, and the stars densely scattered.
The usually brightly lit streets were strangely deserted, with many households keeping their doors and windows tightly shut. The vast Tianjing City appeared unusually quiet.
Amid the pitch-black streets, Lü Yang walked alone.
"This Path of Heaven and Man is quite intriguing..."
Maintaining his composure, Lü Yang silently contemplated the circulation of his vital energy. At this moment, it felt unprecedentedly lively, as if imbued with life itself!
"Investigating the Changes Between Heaven and Man—this step actually involves two transformations. The first is the 'Human Transformation,' where a martial artist's vital energy and spirit achieve perfect unity. The second is the 'Heavenly Transformation,' harmonizing the vital energy and spirit within the body with the greater cosmos outside..."
The deeper Lü Yang pondered, the more his state intensified.
Whoosh—
Just then, a flash of blade light suddenly illuminated the darkness. The radiant arc instantly lit up the alleyway, its beauty eclipsing all brilliance between heaven and earth!
Clang! Clang!
In the next instant, golden light erupted around Lü Yang's body, layer upon layer encasing him like an impenetrable golden bell.
The blade light struck the golden bell, exploding into waves of heat and dazzling sparks. It pierced through three layers of golden light before being barely halted by the final barrier. Seeing his strike fail, the attacker withdrew without hesitation, vanishing back into the shadows.
Boom!
No sooner had the assailant retreated than a majestic sword qi descended upon his former position, cleaving a fissure into the ground.
"I wondered who it might be—so it's Fellow Daoist Ding."
Lü Yang raised his head with a faint smile. "A year apart, and Fellow Daoist Ding's Demonic Blade has ascended yet another level, capable of breaking through four of my talismans."
He then glanced at the weapon that had been aimed at him—a crescent-shaped curved blade, radiant as a rainbow yet steeped in such profound demonic aura that a mere glance could ensnare the mind. Seventy percent of the credit for breaching his defensive talismans belonged to this blade.
"Immortal Banished to Mortal Realm, Shakra..."
Ding Feiying's gaze remained calm, yet his tone carried a fervent undercurrent. "Ji Xiongying claims you are a true immortal of this era. Slaying you would surely perfect my blade art!"
Lü Yang shook his head with a chuckle. "With just Fellow Daoist Ding alone, such ambition seems rather overreaching."
"If one is insufficient, what of seven?"
As the words fell, figures emerged from the darkness one after another. At their forefront stood none other than the 'Martial King of Suppression,' Ji Xiongying. The Martial Path of Heaven and Man practitioner's gaze toward Lü Yang was ravenous to the extreme, as if he wished to devour him alive, evoking an instinctive shudder.
Behind him followed the disheveled 'Saintly Scholar,' Wang Boyuan.
Moreover, both ends of the alleyway where Lü Yang stood had been sealed—one side by a monk with a sorrowful countenance, the other by a Daoist holding a horsetail whisk.
From Hanging Temple: 'God Monk of Deliverance,' Xuan Ku.
From Heavenly Master Mansion: 'Barefoot Daoist,' Chang Qingjing.
Upon the roof beams, under the bright stars, stood a tall, graceful woman in a white dress, her jade-like figure gazing downward.
From Hundred Flowers Palace: 'Fairy Mingyu,' Hua Xiangrong.
The final figure was a burly man clad in dragon-shaped armguards. Despite his luxurious attire, his rugged demeanor remained unconcealed.
The rogue cultivator: 'Alliance Leader of the World,' Guan Qiankun.
All seven Martial Path of Heaven and Man practitioners of the current era had gathered in this alleyway, encircling Lü Yang. Beyond the alley, the clatter of armor could faintly be heard—likely indicating the mobilization of the imperial palace's elite guards.
The martial world united against one man!
"What an impressive display."
Lü Yang voiced his admiration, his face still devoid of panic. Instead, he laughed heartily: "But your timing is perfect. This immortal shall borrow your strength today to shatter the void!"
Without waiting for their response, he threw a punch!
First to bear the brunt was Hanging Temple's 'God Monk of Deliverance,' Xuan Ku, who stepped forward to intercept Lü Yang, raising his hands to meet the fist.
Then he saw Lü Yang open his palm, revealing a Sword Qi Talisman concealed within.
Clang! Clang!—
A majestic sword qi erupted instantly, slashing directly at Xuan Ku's brow. Yet when the qi dispersed, an astonishing sight unfolded.
"Amitabha..."
Xuan Ku stood firmly in place, palms pressed together in prayer. His entire body had taken on a golden hue distinct from ordinary flesh, the roar of his vital energy surpassing even great rivers. Lü Yang's Sword Qi Talisman had merely scratched his forehead, drawing a single drop of blood.
"Venerable Xuan Ku's physique is indeed peerless in this world!"
Overjoyed, Ji Xiongying immediately urged everyone to attack together... only to watch as Lü Yang calmly produced a thick stack of talismans.
Ji Xiongying: "......"
Boom!—
In the next moment, dozens—perhaps hundreds—of talismans were unleashed, their dazzling colors and majestic aura reducing the surrounding buildings to dust almost instantly.
Throughout this, Lü Yang's aura continued to climb.
"Hahaha! It's working! This immortal is succeeding!"
His expression manic, Lü Yang laughed uncontrollably: "Shattering the void... This immortal has lived for over a thousand years, and today, I shall finally shatter the void!"
Hearing this, the Heaven and Man practitioners felt their hearts stir.
Shattering the void?
Since attaining the Heaven and Man Realm, they had believed the path forward was utterly severed. Yet Lü Yang's words suggested... could there be a new path beyond?
Even the observing Yun Family Patriarch revealed a flicker of surprise.
"A new path? Impossible!"
His thoughts raced before settling into disdainful dismissal. The fourth step of martial arts had been deduced by him and disseminated through Wang Boyuan. Thus, he could confidently assert this was a dead end—no further paths existed beyond.
How could there be a new path?
"A mere deception—attempting to fabricate a new path? Pity. With me here, no matter how you falsify it, I will expose its flaws."
"So long as flaws exist, your Saint's Theft shall remain incomplete!"
"In the end, you'll have no choice but to step out from that formation and walk right into my trap..."
Despite his words, the Yun Family Patriarch sensed something amiss—as if this karmic confrontation was tilting toward an unfavorable outcome.
"Very well. Best to swiftly eliminate this avatar of his to avoid complications."
With this thought, the Yun Family Patriarch immediately formed hand seals, manipulating karma to implant his will into the unseen: "Do not delay. Act now."
Almost simultaneously, Ji Xiongying—who had been tempted to inquire further about 'Shattering the Void'—felt sudden enlightenment. With cold decisiveness, he declared:
"Do not be deceived by his lies!"
"What 'Shattering the Void'? Mere bewitchment! With all seven of us here, armed with divine weapons and arrayed in formation, slay him first—then we shall share immortality!"