Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 207 - 200: A Martial Trial for the Heroes

One move. It was truly just one move. There were no wasted motions—just a simple palm thrust!

All seven members of the Northern Martial Alliance lay unconscious on the Martial Arts Arena. Below, the crowd was silent. Everyone was stunned by the magnificent scene they had just witnessed, unable to regain their senses. Even the disciples of the Northern Martial Alliance couldn't react in time, so for a moment, no one stepped onto the Martial Arts Arena to check on the condition of Zhong Wu Heng and the other six.

"If no one comes soon, you'll probably just be collecting their corpses."

Zhou Yuanjue said, glancing over at the Northern Martial Alliance's seating area.

Only then did the members of the Northern Martial Alliance seem to wake from a dream. They scrambled onto the stage and checked the condition of the seven unconscious men. Upon feeling that their vital signs were stable, everyone breathed a small sigh of relief.

These seven were the very pillars of the Northern Martial Alliance. If they fell, at least half of the Alliance would fall with them.

The group hastily called for the medical team on standby below to come up. One by one, they carried all seven men off the stage. Throughout the entire process, not a single person dared to raise their head and look at the lone man still standing on the Martial Arts Arena.

It was a scene no one would likely forget for the rest of their lives. That was power beyond the limits of humanity. The man on the Martial Arts Arena had a human form, but the power he wielded was no longer something an ordinary human could possess.

The crowd below fell silent again. The image of the Flaming Giant Bird, condensed from blazing red light, was still vivid in their minds. Its immense pressure and terrifying might were things they had never witnessed before—things that even they, with their many years of martial arts practice, had never dared to imagine.

In modern society, the Martial Dao had declined. The power of the individual had long since fallen by the wayside, as manpower could not contend with guns and cannons. Though the fists and feet of a Martial Artist were terrifying, they were useless on a large-scale battlefield, relegated to special operations, raids, and assassinations.

But now, the power of Saint Awakening completely subverted that notion. Judging by the might of that single strike, a person like that could play a decisive role even on a large-scale battlefield. Their formidable speed and power, coupled with that profound and mysterious energy, could even influence the outcome of a campaign. Light firearms were likely useless against them; only heavy weaponry could pose a threat.

In a way, they were Superhuman!

It showed them infinite possibilities. So this was how strong a human's own power could become.

A difficult road is not to be feared; what is truly frightening is a road with no hope in sight.

And now, Zhou Yuanjue's strike had done more than simply defeat the Northern Martial Alliance. More importantly, it had elevated their perspective and vision to an entirely new level.

"This isn't something a human can do..."

Weng Long muttered to himself over and over, his eyes vacant. If he hadn't personally felt that immense heatwave and pressure, he would have thought he was watching 3D special effects.

The others remained silent, lost in a strange mix of emotions from which they couldn't escape.

Zhou Yuanjue watched as the members of the Northern Martial Alliance and the medical personnel carried Zhong Wu Heng and the other six off the Martial Arts Arena. Once the arena was calm again, he turned to face the Northern Martial Alliance's seating area. "Does anyone else from the Northern Martial Alliance wish to come up and spar?"

His voice shattered the silence. Everyone present turned their gazes back toward the Northern Martial Alliance's seats.

Within the Northern Martial Alliance, the two families and one sect were the strongest, but the other schools and lineages were not without their own experts.

But upon hearing Zhou Yuanjue's words, the Northern Martial Alliance's section fell silent. Everyone lowered their heads, staring at the floor, doing their best to hide and avoid being noticed by the man on the stage.

That single strike had utterly shattered their confidence. No one wanted to go up on stage to face such a monster.

Zhou Yuanjue's gaze swept across the stage. The sight of all those lowered heads reminded him of his time as a lecturer; his students would react in much the same way whenever he asked a question. He couldn't help but feel a little exasperated.

'Still, since the Chief Commissioner wants the power of Saint Awakening revealed to the world, it would be too simple, too abrupt, to let this assembly end here.'

'Spreading the Martial Dao across the world is something I desire as well.'

'The Martial Dao is my life's pursuit. If the Martial Dao were to flourish in this world, I would be overjoyed.'

'The path of the Martial Dao requires fellow travelers to support one another and contribute their wisdom to journey further.'

'I can't help but think of Zhang Dongwei. He surpassed his era, but he was alone. It's lonely at the top. He could only watch as his years ran out, ultimately succumbing to the temptation of a Celestial Demon and his own obsessions.'

'I don't want to repeat such a tragedy.'

'Only if the fire of the Martial Dao burns brightly across the land can it illuminate the path forward for Martial Artists all over the world.'

'For that, I'm willing to pay the price. I'm willing to lead by example and do something for this world.'

Zhou Yuanjue's gaze swept across the entire venue. He then spoke again. "I have recently achieved Saint Awakening and wish to travel the world. I came to the Northern Three Prefectures with the intention of experiencing the northern Martial Dao, and it was a happy coincidence that this assembly was taking place. However, since it is named the 'Hero Assembly,' and so many experts from both the northern and southern Martial Arts Realms have gathered here, would it not be a disservice to the event's prestigious name if it were to end like this?"

"In modern society, the Martial Dao has declined. But the spirit of the Martial Dao will never lose its luster. The meaning of the Martial Dao cannot be defined by simple terms like 'useful' or 'useless.' In this era, the path of the Martial Dao will surely be revitalized with new Vitality. For this, I am willing to offer what little strength I have, to light a lamp for the Martial Artists of the world, and to fan the embers of the Martial Dao."

His voice boomed like a great bell and rolled like thunder, capturing everyone's attention.

All eyes were fixed on the stage. They listened to Zhou Yuanjue's words, wondering what this terrifying being intended to do.

Zhou Yuanjue slowly sat down cross-legged in the center of the Martial Arts Arena. He lowered his eyes, drew his Spirit inward, and ignited his Heart Fire.

A red glow appeared on the surface of his skin and gradually spread out to a radius of more than thirty meters. The light was most intense closest to him and grew weaker with distance.

"Today, at this Hero Assembly, I shall test the heroes of the realm. I will create a barrier with my own body. Anyone present is welcome to try and breach it. If any of you can walk within ten steps of me, I will grant you one reasonable request."

"But be warned: do not force yourselves. How far you can walk, and how much you can comprehend, will depend on your own strength and fortune."

Zhou Yuanjue's voice rang out again.

This time, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar!

To test the heroes and pass the flame to the world.

To sit there, unmoving, and be certain that no one could get within ten steps of him?

What terrifying confidence! What incredible spirit!

Everyone was intensely curious about the power of a Saint Awakening, but they hadn't dared to act rashly due to its sheer might. Now, however, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity lay before them. They could experience the mysteries of a Saint Awakening's power while being assured they wouldn't be seriously injured. And if they managed to get within ten steps, they would even be granted a request by a Saint Awakening.

And that request was not to be underestimated. Backed by the power of a Saint Awakening, even a small favor held immense value.

'What on earth is he trying to do?!'

This time, even the faces of the Northern Martial Alliance members in the audience changed color. They had a vague premonition that after this assembly, a new storm was about to sweep through the entire Donghua Martial Arts Realm.