Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 68: Firebird

But what was most terrifying was their wills, which continuously rose as they collided and fought.

In the eyes of the Seven Spirits Sect’s eldest disciple, the figures of the giant bird and Bailong grew increasingly real and massive as they intertwined.

The impurities representing "falsehood" within their Spirits were repeatedly forged and purged, becoming ever more solid and brilliant.

As they remained locked in this struggle, the duration of their Heart’s Desire Bursting Out steadily increased. This signified a continuous improvement in the state of their Spirits and the degree of fusion between their minds and bodies.

One second...

Three seconds...

Five seconds...

Combat stirred their blood. Life burned intensely. Battle intent soared. They advanced with courage and valor, forged into steel through a hundred battles!

BANG BANG BANG BANG!

Amidst the ceaseless exchange of blows and collisions, it appeared that He Runlin had the upper hand.

In reality, however, the raging fire in Zhou Yuanjue’s heart had begun to spread throughout his body without him realizing it.

The feathers of the soaring giant bird caught the light of the flames as it let out a piercing cry.

He Runlin saw Zhou Yuanjue’s body turn completely crimson. His blood was flowing rapidly, his internal energy systems were running on overload, and a massive surge in various hormones drastically enhanced his physical functions.

Fueled by this powerful surge of physical energy, his eyes grew terrifyingly bright, like golden, fiery pupils.

He had unlocked the Samadhi Lamp Burning Realm!

Seeing the change in Zhou Yuanjue, He Runlin’s eyes narrowed. In his perception, his opponent had become like a raging, burning flame.

He couldn’t help but feel a sense of danger rise in his heart.

SKREEE!!

A sharp sonic boom echoed as a dark shadow flashed before his eyes. A palm, wreathed in a Qi Blade about an inch wide, slashed across his shoulder. The Qi Blade instantly tore through his tough skin, drawing dark red blood.

’His opponent’s physical abilities have increased too much, too fast. His attack speed is just too quick, and my body can’t keep up. I can’t use my Martial Force in time to shatter his Qi Blade, and my Physical Strength alone isn’t enough to block his attacks...’

SKREE!

However, he had little time to think. Zhou Yuanjue’s next attack was already upon him, heralded by a piercing sonic boom.

’Fine, then!!’

He Runlin’s eyes flashed. Blood surged hot through his veins. He took a deep breath, then stomped forward, every muscle, tendon, and even his skin vibrating violently.

CRACK!

Every inch of his skin erupted with Martial Force, once again forming a shield of qi around him.

But that wasn’t all.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

He took five consecutive steps, cracking the ground and leaving deep footprints. The surface of his skin never ceased its violent, repetitive vibrations.

A miraculous sight appeared around him: a visible shield of qi continuously manifested, firmly protecting his body.

Zhou Yuanjue’s Qi Blade shattered against his Protective Gang Qi, instantly neutralizing its most dangerous aspect.

Although it came at the cost of immense physical stamina, in that moment, He Runlin had also transcended his former self.

After five steps, he was already in front of Zhou Yuanjue.

"Excellent!!"

Seeing his opponent had actually managed to manifest the Protective Gang Qi, Zhou Yuanjue couldn’t help but give a low shout. The giant bird in his will was now completely wreathed in flames.

His body temperature soared as his organs worked furiously. His entire body turned red, especially his palms, which glowed like red-hot branding irons. An ordinary person with such a high body temperature would suffer from a scrambled brain and organ failure.

But he was, after all, no ordinary person.

At that moment, he forcefully tensed every inch of his skin, causing his pores to constrict tightly. When his body temperature reached the absolute limit of what he could endure, he suddenly relaxed the pores on his palms.

The immense heat trapped within his body found an escape route, rushing madly toward his palms. Beads of sweat seeped from his pores and were instantly vaporized by his intense body temperature, forming a mist that swirled around his hands.

At first glance, the mist swirling around his palms uncannily resembled a pair of spread wings.

In He Runlin’s eyes, Zhou Yuanjue at this moment and the flame-wreathed giant bird from his will had become one.

CHIRP!!

As Zhou Yuanjue struck out with a Cunning Hand, the originally sharp, piercing sonic boom changed dramatically due to the heat and water vapor.

Propelled by immense power and augmented by the heat and steam, the Qi Blade around his palm had grown to nearly two inches wide. Its density and sharpness were completely different from a blade formed of mere air.

Even the Seven Spirits Sect’s eldest disciple, watching from the control room, felt his pupils constrict at the sight of Zhou Yuanjue’s incredible technique.

Firebird Flowing Cloud Blade!

HISS!!

With a sound like tearing gas, He Runlin’s Martial Force Qi Shield was sliced open. Zhou Yuanjue’s hand swept across his body, slashing open half of his left arm. Blood sprayed, the wound looking no different from one made by a real sword.

What was more terrifying, however, was that he was given no time to react as a barrage of countless similar attacks followed.

CHIRP! CHIRP! CHIRP! CHIRP!!

Under such a terrifying assault, He Runlin had no choice but to dodge and parry.

But after several seconds of the onslaught, he was covered in more and more wounds, his movements growing sluggish. He could feel it. ’His opponent’s Fist Technique isn’t random. It’s following a specific trajectory, leading me into a certain position.’

’It’s like a great net, constantly tightening, leaving its struggling prey covered in wounds until it has nowhere to run. Once it’s bound, all that awaits is the killing blow.’

’This is the pattern of the Dragon Chasing Hand!!’

’I can’t wait for that moment!’

The will in He Runlin’s eyes was resolute, but by the time he had this premonition, it was already too late.

Just as he dodged, a Cunning Hand—so fast it was a blur on his retina—shot forward, its terrifying Flowing Cloud Qi Blade aimed straight for his heart!

If it landed, it would be like a sword through the heart—a fatal wound that not even a Ghost God could heal!

At this moment of life and death, He Runlin’s eyes became completely calm, as still as the water in an ancient well.

Instead of dodging, he forced his body forward to meet the attack.

HAH!

His skin and fascia trembled violently as he unleashed his own Martial Force, striking straight for Zhou Yuanjue’s chest.

He abandoned all defense for a single, life-risking strike!

’This fist probably wouldn’t be enough to fatally wound Zhou Yuanjue, but even if it meant death, I will not shrink back! I will not willingly accept my end!’

BANG!!

Although Zhou Yuanjue hadn’t fully anticipated this palm strike and couldn’t defend in time, he was still able to dodge just enough to protect his vitals.

CRACK!!

Zhou Yuanjue twisted his body slightly. He Runlin’s desperate strike landed on his upper left chest, near the shoulder. The immense force shattered his bone, sending a wave of intense pain through him.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuanjue’s Cunning Hand, with its sharp Flowing Cloud Qi Blade, had already reached He Runlin’s chest. All it had to do was land, and it would pierce his heart.

However, just as the blow was about to connect, Zhou Yuanjue forcibly shifted his palm. The sharp Flowing Cloud Qi Blade missed the heart, piercing into He Runlin’s lung instead.

For a moment, both of their bodies froze.

DRIP! DRIP!

Blood dripped from He Runlin’s chest.

"You..."

Blood trickled from the corner of He Runlin’s mouth. He felt the pain in his chest, and he knew exactly what had just happened.

He raised his head, his gaze toward Zhou Yuanjue filled with complex emotions.

"Life and death, victory and defeat—in the end, they’re all meaningless. Winning or losing does nothing for me. I’ve already gotten what I wanted. There aren’t many opponents like you in this world. It would be a real pity if you died."

Zhou Yuanjue pulled his hand back. Enduring the searing pain in his left arm, he slowly turned and walked toward the entrance of the arena.

He Runlin was stunned as he watched Zhou Yuanjue’s completely unguarded back and listened to his words.

In that moment, he felt that the figure walking away so calmly possessed a certain sense of grandeur.

Then, he gave a wry smile and shook his head. He slowly stood up straight, his gaze fixed on the departing figure. He let the blood flow from his chest, his expression calm and composed as he said:

"This time, I lost. But next time, it’s not yet certain who will be the victor."