Boxers from all over the world are watching Jiang Liu's trip to Japan. His crushing victory over a nation's martial arts is incredibly domineering and powerful.
At this moment, Xuan Yang, who had been singled out by Jiang Liu for a duel, was kneeling upright on a cushion on the floor of the Songtao Hall. He had no expression whatsoever, and the fact that most of the Japanese martial artists had died had no effect on him whatsoever.
His name was Genyo, full name Kawashima Genyo, and he shared the same surname as Kawashima Yoshiko. His original surname was Aisin Gioro, and he was a descendant of the Qing Dynasty imperial family.
This person was not wearing clothes on his upper body, revealing skin and flesh as white as topaz.
However, that wasn't the most noteworthy thing about him. On his topaz-like skin was a huge tattoo!
The enormous tattoo is of a huge, ferocious black dragon. The dragon's head is on the man's chest, but its body is wrapped around him all the way to his waist. It exudes a powerful aura and appears incredibly aggressive, as if it possesses a demonic energy that wants to devour everything.
"The five grandmasters all failed to assassinate them. I am no match for them, and Iga Gen is even less so. If I were to fight now, it would be tantamount to suicide... Iga Gen's strategy is correct. The tide of war is not on our side now. We can only endure... endure until that person makes a move and kill them all..."
Xuan Yang looked up at the sky. A dark cloud obscured the moon, and a storm was brewing!
"That person will be here soon!"
Chapter Forty-One: Divine Descent
The five great alchemy masters were quickly carried away, and Iga Gen and his group also left.
Ba Liming looked up at a dark cloud overhead, feeling the howling autumn wind, and said in a muffled voice, "You should all leave too! A storm is brewing! Jiang Liu, this time a true master has arrived, and a master among masters. When the Dragon King travels, storms follow. He has brought me so much pressure even before getting close. Who exactly is this person?"
Jiang Liu quietly felt the pressure emanating from the air, and the image of the man called God involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
The air was so stuffy it made people anxious. To ordinary people, this feeling might seem like a sign of an impending downpour, but to martial arts masters like Jiang Liu, Naihe, and Ba Liming, it had a different flavor.
"Grandmaster Uncle, what's wrong?" Pai Hsien-yung asked.
"You should leave now! There's another big battle coming soon, and I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you. The newcomer is very strong, strong enough to be called a god!"
Bai Xianyong, Jiang Hai, Yan Qing, and the others looked at each other, wanting to say something but remaining silent. They then immediately left, standing hundreds of meters away looking at the dark ruins.
A dozen minutes later, a heavy rain arrived as expected, sweeping in and large raindrops pattering down, quickly turning into a downpour.
Along with the heavy rain came a man wearing a straw hat!
Silently, he stood in the darkness not far away. Ba Liming's ears twitched slightly, and then he and Jiang Liu looked over at the same time. They both heard a clue in the sound of the torrential rain.
At their level of skill, they can perceive subtle changes. This is their sixth sense; even while asleep, they can be suddenly awakened if someone looks at them with hostility from afar. It's just not as powerful as the ability to foresee danger and avoid it through "the way of utmost sincerity."
However, even a master can conceal their killing intent, like Ito Oto, who only unleashes it the instant he draws his sword, killing in the blink of an eye. The man wearing the straw hat clearly understood this as well; his breathing, the sound of his footsteps, and the frequency of his pulse were almost perfectly synchronized with the falling rain. In other words, he was walking in the rain. His entire being was in harmony with the movement of the rain and the wind.
This person's martial arts cultivation has surpassed Jiang Liu's, reaching a level that even Ba Liming has not achieved.
He stood quietly in the heavy rain, wearing a straw hat, just like a chivalrous hero from Gu Long's novels.
He was the number one person in the world before Wang Chao grew up, the leader of the GOD organization, nameless and surnameless, only known by the name "God"!
He is called "God" or "DOD".
Jiang Liu knew he would inevitably have to fight him, but he never expected this day to come so soon, so quickly that he would encounter him before he had even achieved great success in his martial arts. This person's strength was unimaginable, and his mere appearance instilled deep fear in Jiang Liu and Ba Liming.
As Ba Liming said, "When the Dragon King travels, wind and rain follow." Calling himself a god is indeed not an exaggeration. In this world devoid of spiritual energy, he has already broken through the limits of the human body, and is only one step away from the realm of "breaking through the void"!
Both Jiang Liu and Ba Liming were only at the Gang Jin level, having reached the limits of the human body but not yet broken through!
Moreover, this person's every move blended seamlessly into his surroundings—a state of perfect harmony between man and nature! Unfortunately, he hadn't yet achieved true "harmony between man and nature," otherwise Jiang Liu and Ba Liming wouldn't have been able to perceive him. Even so, Jiang Liu felt as if the wind and rain outside were incredibly close to this person, inseparable companions. To oppose this person was to oppose the wind and rain of the entire world.
When the Dragon King travels, wind and rain follow!
He arrived riding the wind and rain; this was an unstoppable force. No one could break the momentum of this force, which borrowed the power of heaven and earth.
Jiang Liu's overwhelming mastery of Japanese martial arts lies in forging his fist intent and fist power; he is only just beginning, while "GOD's" fist intent has already reached its peak. This kind of overwhelming power is even more powerful than Ba Liming's "The Emperor's Star is in Turmoil, and the World is in Rebellion".
Ba Liming's martial arts intent is still at the human level, representing the domineering nature of a tyrant. But "GOD's" martial arts intent has reached the realm of heaven and earth, becoming that of a "god" who rules over all things!
Jiang Liu quietly watched the person wearing the straw hat.
"I knew we'd eventually clash, but I never expected it to happen so soon. What price will they pay for your help?"
The "god" stood silently before Jiang Liu, with a raging storm roaring behind him. In Jiang Liu's perception, the other party truly seemed to be the king of dragons, capable of summoning clouds and rain, coldly watching him.
"You're not as strong as I imagined!"
His voice boomed like thunder, and then he looked at Ba Liming and said, "There are many experts and top figures in this world, but you are at least in the top five. You are qualified to fight me!"
Only Ba Liming is qualified to fight him! What he means is that a master like Jiang Liu doesn't even have the qualifications to fight him!
"As domineering as ever! Old Ba, this guy's still as strong as ever, I'll back you up!" Jiang Liu secretly put a spirit stone into his pocket; his internal energy had recovered to about 70-80%. In a battle against this number one expert in the world, Jiang Liu could only fight using his internal energy to avoid defeat. If it came down to pure martial arts, Jiang Liu knew he was no match for him and might be killed in the first exchange.
Ba Liming had been observing the man in the straw hat, but he couldn't find a single flaw in him. Even his face was shrouded in the hat, and only two long eyebrows could be vaguely seen.
Such a master! There really is such a master in the world! A surge of fervor welled up in Ba Liming's heart. He was also a martial arts fanatic. Masters were hard to find, but now that he had encountered one, he would give up the fight because he was no match for him.
Victory is determined by the fight, not by who has the higher skill level. Like boxing, if your punch has 300 pounds and mine has 290 pounds, does that automatically make you the winner? Only when every punch lands squarely and knocks the opponent down can a winner be decided. The underdog triumphing over the strong, the weak overcoming the strong—this is commonplace in the martial arts world.
Ba Liming knew Jiang Liu's abilities; he had witnessed both lightning and internal energy. He knew that aside from having a slight edge in fist techniques, he was no match for Jiang Liu in actual combat. However, this long-browed young man had misjudged him; his own strength was still only at the mortal level, not yet truly transcendent.
Since he was just a mortal, he could be defeated. Ba Liming's fighting spirit surged; his muscles trembled rhythmically, and his large clothes gradually inflated like balloons.
Chapter Forty-Two: The World Rebels
A true master is hard to find, and a worthy opponent is even rarer!
Now, facing a formidable opponent, Ba Liming instantly entered a state of focused concentration, his mind and spirit perfectly aligned. He stomped his feet on the ground with barely a sound, his movements silent and effortless. Though his legs were thick and large, like elephants, they barely touched the ground, as lightly as a swallow skimming across the water, creating only a ripple. Yet, his speed was astonishing, like a streak of black light shooting across the surface.
The distance of a hundred meters from the man in the straw hat was covered in the blink of an eye, and he was already in front of him!
The tiger-shaped pounce, which traveled 39 meters in a single leap, was like child's play in the face of this agility!
The saying goes that all martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin. This particular movement technique is "Fragrant Elephant Crossing the River" from Shaolin's Pictographic Boxing. There is also a corresponding move called "Antelope Hanging Horns," both of which are extremely exquisite movement techniques.
It can be said to be the most outstanding movement technique in the world! It is in no way inferior to the Yu Step, which involves stepping on the Dipper and spreading the energy.
In a single step, Ba Liming darted to within a meter of the man in the straw hat. Jiang Liu could hardly achieve such a feat. Although he had learned "Elephant Crossing the River" and "Antelope Hanging its Horns," he was still far from matching the power Ba Liming displayed.
Elephants cross the river!
What is Xiangxiang?
Only when elephants are in estrus will they emit a special fragrance from their ears and sideburns to attract male elephants for mating. During this period, elephants should not be easily provoked, as they are exceptionally ferocious and possess the strength of ten ordinary elephants at other times.
The "Fragrant Elephant Crossing the River" technique is not merely a movement skill; with each leap, it carries with it a ferocious power. And now, with each step and collision, Ba Liming is no different from a real fragrant elephant!
Under the force of this violent impact, Ba Liming suddenly threw a punch!
This punch encompasses everything: Wudang Cotton Palm, Bagua Dragon Roll, Laoba Fist's Chaotic Arrow Strike, Shaolin's signature Sun Wheel Fist, Jiang Liu's "Zhen" technique...
Ba Liming is proficient in various martial arts styles, having mastered hundreds of them, and is extremely skilled in each one.
After eliminating the dross and simplifying the complex, only this punch remains!
One punch and the world will turn against you!
One punch and the world changes color!
One punch can change the dynasty!
This punch aimed directly at the "god's" chest, domineering, fearless, and unparalleled in its ferocity. This punch was not Li Yuanba's hammer, but the halberd of the Western Chu Overlord, a long spear piercing the sky. At the same time, his sleeves fluttered in the wind from the punch, making a whooshing sound, like a giant flag waving in the wind!
Fists like spears, sleeves like banners!
The banners flutter in the wind and clouds, the spears pierce the sky.
At this moment, Ba Liming was like a peerless hero holding a flag and spear. With a single point of his flag and spear, the world around him changed color in an instant!
No matter how strong Li Yuanba was, he could only kill one person with a single blow. With a single swing of his spear, the mighty Western Chu Overlord pierced and destroyed the seemingly impenetrable empire.
"The imperial star is in turmoil, the world is in rebellion, and the landscape is transformed..."
Although Jiang Liu had his eyes closed, his divine sense enveloped Ba Liming and "GOD," keeping their every move under control.
Under his divine sense, Jiang Liu felt the surging power of Ba Liming's fist, and he seemed to see the scenes of countless heroes and warriors rising up in rebellion throughout the ages.
Amidst the storm, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang cried out, "Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?" Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, slew a white snake and sang, "The wind rises and the clouds fly." Huang Chao burned down Chang'an and recited, "After my flowers bloom, all other flowers wither." Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, raised his arms and shouted, and the whole world rebelled.
Jiang Liu rubbed his temples. The "All Under Heaven Rebels" punch had stirred his consciousness, making it almost impossible to maintain. In that instant, it seemed as if all the heroes and warriors who had risen up in rebellion throughout history had been resurrected, their souls and wills instantly converging on this burly man.
The "King of Martial Arts" has finally reappeared in the world!
The man in the straw hat frowned, not because of the "all under heaven rebels" fist intent, but because of Jiang Liu's divine sense.
He sensed the ethereal, formless, and intangible divine consciousness, which densely enveloped him in wisps, leaving him like a fish caught in a net, with nowhere to hide. Although he sensed it, he could not retaliate. This was the power he gained after refining his essence into qi; no matter how strong his fist techniques were, he could not counterattack.
At this moment, a ripple stirred in "GOD's" usually calm heart. He was certain that this was the power of the spirit, but the power of the spirit was all-pervasive and enveloped him. This formidable ability had exceeded his imagination.
Under this strange spiritual power, he felt himself stripped bare, exposed completely naked to the eyes of others. This feeling enraged him. He considered himself a god, capable of being spied on openly and brazenly.
After a brief outburst of anger, he calmed down.
He felt he had made the right decision to come! He wanted to figure out how this spiritual insight was cultivated.
Having reached his current level of strength, advancing any further would be incredibly difficult, but his spiritual cultivation is not yet perfect, because some people have cultivated the "Way of Utmost Sincerity, which allows one to foresee the future," a level he has not yet reached.
Thump!
Jiang Liu felt his heart pound violently! Like thunder rumbling endlessly and the morning bell tolling incessantly, after the heartbeat, the blood in his body roared like a surging river.
One moment still, the next in motion; from a withered state to a boiling state, the transformation happens in an instant.
Jiang Liu frowned. In his divine sense, the pores of this man in the bamboo hat were tightly closed. Or rather, completely blocked. Apart from his two long eyebrows, there wasn't a single hair on his body. Hair is the tip of blood, and also the essence of blood. If one can retain the essence of blood and prevent the growth of body hair, then the blood and qi of the whole body will be stable and heavy, without any leakage. This is the point of reaching the stage of accumulating mercury into lead.
Those who have reached this level of skill have gained such insight and control over themselves that they have seen and mastered their own divine essence.
"This is the Taoist technique of subduing the white tiger, locking in the essence and blood, making it as heavy as lead. He actually reached this level! This is a world without spiritual energy! If this were the world of Journey to the West, wouldn't he have been able to enter the Dao through martial arts and reach the level of Sun Wukong? What a pity, what a lament, such a genius, can only be confined to such a lowly world... Wang Chao, Ba Liming, Tang Zichen, aren't they all geniuses? Alas... fate is cruel!"
Faced with this unprecedented blow that could "rebel against all under heaven," "GOD's" heart pounded wildly. He no longer cared about Jiang Liu's divine sense spying on him. Because Ba Liming was not weak, and a slight mistake could result in his death in one strike.
His blood surged like a river, crashing against the shore, his vital energy almost boiling. This vigorous energy was tightly bound within his body, with only a small gap between his eyebrows. From between his eyebrows, a few round, pearl-like drops of bright red liquid seeped out!
That was blood seeping from his pores!
You can see how much power he unleashed from his body in that instant!
For countless years, it seems no one has ever been able to push him to this point.
This also shows the extent to which Ba Liming's "All Under Heaven Rebels" fist technique has forced him!
A few drops of blood seeped from his eyebrows and rolled onto his face, making his long eyebrows look like those of a demon god.