Chapter 288
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Chapter 288: Invincibility Ends in Loneliness
When Wu Qiankun took a few steps towards Zhao Hu, his entire body contorted, and his facial features began to transform.
His true identity was now revealed before everyone’s eyes.
“It’s Wu Qiankun!”
“Ranked second on the Spiritual Refining List, the leader of the Wuji Association, Little Martial Saint Wu Qiankun!”
The martial arts heroes observing the battle experienced dramatic shifts in their expressions.
A name can cast a long shadow.
The Wuji Association was built upon the blood and bones of an entire generation of martial artists.
Though Wu Qiankun’s name might not be as renowned as the Martial Saint’s, he still commanded a fearsome reputation in the martial arts world.
People in the martial arts community say that the Wuji Association is even more terrifying than the inhuman forces.
While the inhuman may be more powerful, they have always looked down on martial artists and harbored deep contempt for ordinary practitioners. As long as one stays away, one might avoid losing their life.
But the Wuji Association was fundamentally different.
Whether it was the Martial Saint or Wu Qiankun, both rose to power through the “Martial Saint Spiritual Technique”, systematically feeding on and hunting down high-quality martial artists for years.
The crowd erupted in tumultuous murmurs at this moment.
Several individuals had already begun employing light skills, preparing to escape at the first opportunity.
On one side stood the descendants of the Spear Saint, on the other side was Wu Qiankun, and the two sides were locked in conflict, with onlookers unwilling to become entangled in the confrontation.
Among the crowd, some remained remarkably calm.
“Wu Qiankun? Could it be that he has another underlying purpose for sneaking into Xishan Village where the descendants of the Spear Saint are based?” Long Shankong, a young man with black hair, stood within the crowd, deep in contemplation.
At this moment, he had untied the ponytail at the back of his head, letting his long hair cascade over his shoulders, and discreetly tucked a human skin mask into his pocket.
Long Shankong was one of the three fastest climbers to reach the summit of Xishan Mountain.
He quietly blended into the crowd while Wu Rulong was preoccupied with his unpredictable fighting, swiftly altering his appearance just as Wu Qiankun had transformed his own.
Long Shankong was no ordinary martial artist. He was a top-tier martial artist from the past and the grandson of the Eight-armed Heavenly Dragon.
Forty years ago in the martial arts world, the second-best was the Spear Saint, and the third was the Eight-armed Heavenly Dragon.
Apart from the Earth Sword Immortal, who was unrivaled with a sword, the Spear Saint and the Eight-armed Heavenly Dragon, ranked second and third, possessed remarkably similar strength.
If the Spear Saint was the former leader of spear techniques,
Then the Eight-armed Heavenly Dragon was the pinnacle of martial arts in the past martial world.
The fastest fists, the quickest feet, known as the world’s fastest, unmatched by anyone.
The book “Eight Armed Heavenly Dragon Fist” and “Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps” were both considered top-tier martial arts globally.
Decades ago, these two top martial artists had numerous encounters, with the Eight-armed Heavenly Dragon ultimately falling slightly short.
The Eight-armed Heavenly Dragon was a proud character who refused to be considered inferior.
He admired the Earth Sword Immortal but felt challenged by the Spear Saint, who was only marginally stronger, which led to ongoing conflict.
Today, Long Shankong’s arrival was not motivated by the “Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear”.
After all, he already practiced top-tier martial arts, so why would he need to learn the skills of his grandfather’s lifelong rival?
“Xishan Village always feels peculiar to me… Surrounded by tens of thousands of mountains and monsters, yet devoid of supremely skilled individuals. How can they maintain the place’s safety? Relying solely on the Spear Saint’s reputation or the perpetual lingering mist?”
Long Shankong stood among the crowd, observing with a detached, cold gaze.
His agility was exceptional, unlike others who were panicking.
Although he was not in the superb rank and recognized that he was no match for Wu Qiankun, he believed his mastery of the Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps would ensure his safe escape.
At this moment, however, sharp sounds pierced the air, causing some martial artists to fall as they attempted to flee.
Wu Qiankun released a handful of sand, allowing the fine yellow grains to drift downward.
A single strand of yellow sand in Wu Qiankun’s hand became a deadly hidden weapon.
“Might makes right, the strong are respected,” he stated calmly.
“Since it’s the strong’s turn, the weak should not deceive themselves or entertain any thoughts of escape,” he added.
These martial artists who had come because of the “Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear” possessed varying skill levels.
From Wu Qiankun’s perspective, he naturally viewed them with contempt.
However, their collective numbers were substantial, with hundreds of martial artists providing significant support.
Even if he didn’t require their assistance, he could easily hand them over to the rest of the Wuji Association.
Despite their recent killings of numerous cultivators, many martial artists had also fallen at cultivators’ hands in recent months.
Even with the “Taotie Swallowing Heaven Skill”, the Wuji Association still needed to continuously recruit new members to sustain their conflict with the Immortal Gate.
By demonstrating his effortless killing capability, he immediately instilled fear in all onlookers, rendering them utterly immobilized.
In front of Wu Qiankun, Zhao Hu lifted his head:
“Are you Wu Qiankun?” His expression softened slightly, displaying minimal fear, merely a hint of tension.
“Do you want to seize the ‘Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear’ by force?” Zhao Hu shook his head:
“Why resort to violence over such a trivial matter?”
“We are here today to teach outsiders about the ‘Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear’, but you are going against the natural order…”
“Forget it, if you want the secret technique, simply follow me.”
Qiao Mu remained silent, observing quietly.
Qiao Mu was familiar with Wu Qiankun’s strength from their previous encounters.
And Zhao Hu seemed to possess something to rely upon, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.
So he decided to watch from the sidelines, holding the Spear Saint’s notes and reading them with keen interest.
Zhao Hu took a step and walked to a corner of the training ground, positioned in front of the Jingwei filling the sea stone carving.
This stone carving was indeed masterfully crafted, with the Jingwei Bird at the center holding a twig stone in its mouth, carved with extraordinary detail and lifelike precision.
“What do you mean by this?” Wu Qiankun frowned.
“The killer move from ‘Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear’ is the Jingwei filling the sea.”
“Aren’t you here to examine the ‘Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear’ left behind by the Spear Saint?”
Zhao Hu took a step forward, secretly channeling internal strength, and fiercely struck the stone carving with his hand.
With a resounding bang, the stone carving instantaneously shattered into pieces.
In the painting, the lifelike Jingwei Bird fluttered its wings and seemed to leap out of the painting toward Wu Qiankun.
A sharp sound resonated.
The stone Jingwei Bird had transformed into a woman wielding a spear.
This was a slender woman in blue attire, with sharp and resolute eyes, her long hair neatly tied in a ponytail, exuding a rare heroic aura.
“Power List first, Demon Spear Qin Li?”
Wu Qiankun raised an eyebrow and stood motionless.
On his face, a claw mark wound was gradually healing on its own.
Wu Qiankun extended his finger and delicately touched the wound on his face, then licked a drop of blood from his fingertip.
“Blood… the sensation of being wounded. Since arriving in this Southwest Province, this is a first.”
“I see, so this is the Zhao family’s strength… quite intriguing,” Wu Qiankun smirked slightly.
“The martial artists in Jiu Province who qualify as my enemies can be counted on one hand. I hope you possess that qualification, otherwise it would be too mundane.”
The changes in the situation didn’t surprise or anger him; instead, they ignited some fighting spirit in his heart.
In the entire Jiu Province, the number of martial artists qualified to be his enemies could indeed be counted on one hand.
And this Demon Spear Qin Li was definitely not a weak opponent who had suddenly appeared.
Being a disciple of the Spear Saint and holding the top spot in the Power List rankings of the Tide Listening Building storytellers, dominating over all other half-demons, and known as the strongest half-demon.
The renowned warrior Demon Spear Qin Li was already a master fighter.
Many people questioned her half-demon identity, believing her to be a powerful outcast difficult to place on the Martial Arts Ranking List, but few disputed her strength.
Living in Southwest Province, Demon Spear Qin Li’s reputation was well-earned.
The appearance of Demon Spear Qin Li didn’t intimidate Wu Qiankun; instead, it elevated his battle spirit.
He had considered it a simple fishpond situation, but unexpectedly, a significant fish had emerged that demanded his serious attention…
His carefree attitude quickly transformed, and Wu Qiankun’s body trembled, his muscles rapidly changing once more.
“Flesh Changing Skill·Ex-human Transformation.”
Wu Qiankun’s back revealed numerous pores, with air jets propelling him forward like a speeding arrow toward Qing Li.
Ex-human Transformation was a combat stance designed for battle, not only utilizing back pores for agile high-speed movement but also altering internal body structure, making skin, flesh, bones tougher, and muscles more pronounced.
Two figures in the training ground swiftly sparred, with fists and spear shadows intertwining.
In the howling wind, the ground of the martial arts arena continuously cracked from the aftermath of their fight, presenting a grand spectacle.
Watching from the sidelines, Qiao Mu was slightly surprised.
This Demon Spear Qin Li, ranked first on the Power List, should logically possess an extremely robust physical body, far beyond ordinary individuals.
Yet the Qing Li before him displayed nothing extraordinary, just a long spear rendering him elusive and impenetrable.
This renowned Power List leader actually didn’t rely on brute force, but excelled in spear techniques, using remarkable skill to contend with Wu Qiankun.
Qing Li was clearly at a disadvantage.
Yet even so, she remained silent since her appearance, relying solely on the long spear in her hand for support.
“Is this the descendant of the former second-best in the world, Spear Saint?”
Qiao Mu gazed at Qing Li with amazement, then refocused on the knowledge of the Spear Saint at hand.
He appeared very relaxed. While a fierce battle unfolded, he was leisurely reading a book.
But in reality, Qiao Mu was multitasking, simultaneously observing the fight and studying the small booklet in his hand.
“Before my eyes, a disciple of Spear Saint is personally demonstrating spear techniques.”
“In my hands, I have the late-in-life insights of Spear Saint on martial arts skills… with examples and theories both present, this is a rare opportunity, I should observe more closely.”
After losing to the Heavenly Slashing Swordsmanship and mastering the lethal move “Jingwei Filling the Sea,” Spear Saint had gained a new understanding of martial arts skills.
“The essence of martial arts involves maximizing the use of physical strength,” wrote Spear Saint in his notes.
“A martial artist’s training in martial arts skills progresses from shallow to deep, representing the process of gradually increasing the use of physical strength.”
“With each punch and kick, power rises from the ground, gathering strength from the whole body, delivering tenfold power in one strike. The old man calls it ‘coordinating energy.’ At this stage, it can be considered a slight attainment in martial arts.”
“Further progress would be transcending martial techniques.”
“Ordinary people have weak bodies, not as strong as the demon clan, and find it difficult to withstand the magic of immortals, but ordinary people’s bodies also have remarkable hidden potential.”
“One type of advanced martial art is to unlock the body’s hidden potential, mobilizing every muscle, bone, and tendon to unleash over 100% of the body’s strength in a single move.”
Qiao Mu understood that a person could unlock their body’s potential when extremely angry, and then… he forgot what came next.
From this note, it was clear that the Spear Saint in his later years had indeed reached a masterful level. He was studying the fundamental principles of martial arts, seeking to understand not just the technique but also the reasons behind it.
Qiao Mu looked up at the martial arts stage on the mountaintop ahead.
At this moment, the battle between Demon Spear Qin Li and Wu Qiankun had already reached a fierce and intense stage.
Two figures flashed back and forth on the martial arts stage, their clashes blowing away dust and splitting the earth.
Strangely, the physical strength displayed by Demon Spear Qin Li was not impressive, even less so than Wu Qiankun’s.
However, every time she thrust her long spear, the air would explode with a terrifying momentum, forcing Wu Qiankun back at times.
This descendant of Spear Saint had clearly inherited the essence of Spear Saint’s spear art.
When she displayed the set of martial skills called “Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear,” the explosive power was truly amazing. Even to Qiao Mu, each of her attacks seemed to employ extraordinary martial techniques within “Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear,” making her offensive moves swift and powerful like raging waves.
“With someone like Demon Spear Qin Li around, who needs another successor? Is internal strength really that important?” Qiao Mu pondered.
As he stands at the peak of martial arts today, equally proficient in spear techniques, he naturally recognized the extraordinary skill of Demon Spear Qin Li.
Her actual strength was ultimately weaker, not as strong as Wu Qiankun’s.
As the battle continued, Demon Spear Qin Li eventually fell short, her movements with the long spear starting to slow down.
“To hold me back for even a moment, you can be proud of yourself,” he said.
With a determined gaze, Wu Qiankun unleashed a burst of fierce energy from behind, moving like lightning to break Qing Li’s long spear with a punch. His iron fist carried through, piercing through the body of Demon Spear Qin Li.
They stood facing each other, the intense movement suddenly turning into utter stillness.
“In the human world, one less opponent.” Wu Qiankun lowered his fists and looked at the opponent with a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
“There are no worthy opponents in Jiu Province, making the human world lonely in the end.”
Demon Spear Qin Li abruptly stopped moving, and up to this moment, she hadn’t uttered a single word.
At that moment, her figure vanished like a dewdrop under the scorching sun, with the wound on her waist as the center, her whole body disappearing in the blink of an eye, leaving no trace behind.
“Hmm?” Only now did Wu Qiankun realize something.
“Not flesh and blood, not her real body? Is this Demon Spear Qin Li’s magic?”
Thinking of this, his eyes twitched slightly.
After fighting for a long time, did he realize he was actually battling against a clone created by Demon Spear Qin Li’s magic?
Thinking of this, he blushed.
Just now, the words he spoke to his opponent with sympathy had now turned into sharp knives stabbing at his heart, making him feel embarrassed.
Wu Qiankun turned around expressionlessly and looked at the group behind him.
The group unconsciously took a few steps back, like students facing a teacher taking attendance. No one dared to meet his gaze; they all looked down or straight ahead.
