Martial Ascent to Divinity

Zhang Xinglie released his hand and said helplessly, "I naturally triggered my body refining power, couldn't control it well."

"Is the outburst of body refining that strong? I felt like your strength suddenly doubled."

Zhang Xinglie retreated while saying, "My physical talent is relatively strong, and it has obviously enhanced after entering the Body Refining Stage."

"Come, the second round of this technique duel. Let me see how your Heart and Mind Shadow fares, and let's see where you would rank in Yunhua."

"Come on!"

The two circulated their True Qi, but it was not released outward; they only compared martial arts techniques.

Zhou Leng's movements carried the Eight Trigrams Clouds beneath his feet, combining fists and palms with the Mountain Overlapping Waves, occasionally lifting his leg into the Feiyun, using the purest style of attack.

Zhang Xinglie also used the Mountain Charging Fist, his steps executed with the Earth-Splitting Step.

Unlike Zhou Leng's elegance, Zhang Xinglie's stepping technique was fiercely aggressive, as if ready to kick at any moment.

And indeed, the Earth-Splitting Step cracks the ground upon touchdown and cracks people upon its lift.

Combined with the corresponding Mountain Splitting Leg, it was exceptionally vicious.

Their fists and palms clashed, arms collided, and the sound of clapping resounded without end.

The two figures moved like a bird fluttering and a rhinoceros charging, engaging fiercely, hard to determine a winner.

"I'm going to use the Mountain Splitting Leg!"

Zhang Xinglie's aura suddenly changed, his whole being resembling a giant mountain.

With every step, punch, and kick, every move brimmed with an unstoppable spirit.

Zhou Leng fearlessly met him head-on.

Boom boom boom...

Pa pa pa...

The loud sounds echoed through the Martial Arts Room.

Before long, Zhou Leng seemed to have the upper hand, and Zhang Xinglie continuously retreated.

After more than thirty moves, Zhang Xinglie's momentum strengthened again.

Zhou Leng began to slowly retreat, even showing a slight hint of confusion in his eyes.

Because, although Zhang Xinglie couldn't perform the Heart and Mind Shadow or merge as one, the feeling he gave off was very much like that black-clothed man in the Celestial Ladder.

As if the world was his alone, striking with no return.

Slowly, Zhang Xinglie's attacks grew faster.

The advantage of the Body Refining Stage exploded comprehensively.

Zhou Leng's consciousness kept up, but his body ultimately couldn't match Zhang Xinglie, who had both the Body Refining Stage and extraordinary physical talent.

Finally, both parties withdrew.

Zhou Leng asked puzzled, "How did you do it?"

Zhang Xinglie chuckled and said, "You had an encounter in the Celestial Ladder, and I got guidance at the Innate level, fighting with experts in Yunhua every day, so I've naturally improved too. This is the 'No Return Battle Technique,' and it's actually quite simple."

"It means having an invincible and fearless heart—not that I can necessarily defeat my opponent now, but having the confidence that one day, I will definitely defeat them."

"With this mindset, no matter who I face, I always feel that in this battle, I'll either win, or if I don't, I'll gain experience increasing my chances for the next fight."

"Even against Li Shenkong, I would attack with momentum, unlike others who cower."

Zhou Leng nodded, recalling the combat technique of the man in black.

It somewhat mirrored the No Return Battle Technique.

Zhang Xinglie asked, "Your Heart and Mind Shadow is also very strong, it's just that this kind of indoor battle doesn't suit you. In a complex environment, if I were restricted, I might very well fall to you."

"A loss is a loss, no excuses. Let's Qi duel."

The two of them steadied their stances, pushed out their arms, and four palms met.

Upon contact, both of their hearts shook, their gazes growing more focused.

In Zhou Leng's perception, Zhang Xinglie's Ten Directions Storm Technique was swift and fierce, like a typhoon, demolishing everything in its path. A slight weakness on his part would result in total obliteration.

In Zhang Xinglie's perception, Zhou Leng's True Qi was vast and infinite, layer upon layer, boundless like a vast ocean.

Zhou Leng felt a stir in his heart; using the technique previously shown by Elder Song Juesi, he combined it with the properties of the Overlapping Waves Palm and Sea Suppression Map to alter his True Qi.

Like a vortex spinning, a grand river overlapping, ocean waves slapping the shore, undercurrents surging, the sea's vastness, and river's perpetuity...

At first, Zhang Xinglie could hold his ground, but Zhou Leng's True Qi was no weaker than his, and his True Qi Manipulation was far superior.

In a moment, Zhang Xinglie's body began to sway.

Like a lone boat in turbulent waves.

Before long, Zhang Xinglie leaned backward, quickly retracting his hands to support himself on the ground.

"Your True Qi, it's unusual. Are you in the Extreme Realm?" Zhang Xinglie looked at Zhou Leng in surprise.

Zhou Leng nodded.

Zhang Xinglie grinned and said, "Impressive! I thought among us, I was the only one in the Extreme Realm. Good! I have a feeling that your True Qi quality is actually above mine. It's just that you haven't cultivated enough to fully integrate it."

Zhou Leng said, "Your insight is indeed extraordinary."

Zhou Leng now contemplates the Sea Suppression Map daily, deeply understanding that what he has learned is but a fraction.

The power of the Sea Suppression Map far exceeds imagination.

Yet such a strong Sea Suppression Map seems like just a fragment of a complete Cultivation Technique.

Zhang Xinglie looked carefully at Zhou Leng and said, "Your comprehensive strength in Yunhua now can only rank low. In terms of actual combat, you could rank mid-tier. As for potential, you're certainly not less than me."

"You really know how to flatter people."

"No, no, no, I'm combining your growth in the past few months with the Celestial Ladder to calculate."

Zhang Xinglie continued, "Although the Celestial Ladder is only the First Layer, it's the weakest level, it's not ordinary."

"Look at Rao Mingxian, he didn't show much potential back then, but now he's making great strides, potentially breaking into the top twenty of the Rucheng Freshman Chart."

"You're a step ahead of him, potential top ten, is that fair to say?"

Zhou Leng said, "Rao Mingxian should be reaping the benefits of a long period of accumulation; the medicinal effects are starting to show."

Zhang Xinglie frowned and said, "Maybe I haven't seen him for a long time, but I feel like Rao Mingxian seems different from before. Never mind, let's keep sparring."

The two of them went back and forth, exchanging pointers.

After sparring, they discussed martial arts with each other.

Zhou Leng mainly talked about Heart and Mind Shadow, True Qi Manipulation, and insights gained from the Celestial Ladder.

Zhang Xinglie focused on momentum, techniques, and his experiences at Yunhua Martial Arts Academy.

They verified each other's insights, occasionally recording them on their Demonized Watches for later study.

Training late into the night, they simply got mats and light blankets from the Martial Arts Hall and slept in the Martial Arts Room.

In the morning, they woke up.

Finding the nearest bun shop, they ate while continuing to chat about martial arts.

As they talked, they brought up the Rucheng freshman leader, Mountain and River Origin.

Zhang Xinglie sighed, "Mountain and River Origin is very strong, not only in strength but also in True Qi. With these two advantages, True Qi Manipulation is not a weakness anymore."

Zhou Leng put down his bun and asked, "If you were to fight him, what would be the outcome?"

Zhang Xinglie thought for a moment and said, "Among the freshmen below Mountain and River Origin, I am confident. As for Mountain and River Origin, it's hard to say; I might only be able to use guerrilla tactics to deplete his stamina and True Qi. If I can't outlast him, it's hard to say."

At the nearby table, four young men were sitting, and one laughed, "Dude, you talk big."

Zhang Xinglie smiled but didn't respond.

Zhou Leng glanced at the person and said, "He just returned from Yunhua."

The four were stunned for a moment, then all lowered their heads to drink their porridge.

One of them even pretended to drink from an empty bowl.

After finishing their meal, the two walked out of the bun shop, continuing their conversation.

"There are basically only two ways for us to beat Mountain and River Origin."

"One is speed and agility. When humans fight larger opponents, they mainly rely on this method. It's like the battle videos we see nearly all follow this approach."

"The second is to obtain a powerful Odd Body. Whether it's Qi, blood, body, or power, having any one of these gives you a chance to compete."

"Mountain and River Origin's strength is based on a giant's body, which means he has an extra Body of Wonders compared to us. Once we close that gap, everything is negotiable..."

The two returned to the Martial Arts Room in Minghe Martial Arts Hall and resumed sparring.

Soon, the people they had eaten with the day before started to arrive.

Zhou Leng stepped back while Zhang Xinglie instructed the others.

Zhang Xinglie occasionally asked Zhou Leng for guidance, but Zhou Leng politely declined.

Zhang Xinglie knew Zhou Leng disliked drawing attention, so he didn't insist.

The others looked at Zhou Leng regretfully, worried that his severe poisoning might hinder his progress.

By noon, the group had a simple lunch and then saw Zhang Xinglie off.

Zhou Leng, familiar with Rao Mingxian, ran back to Ruda with him.

They chatted while running, discussing martial arts, school, life, and trivial matters.

These past two days of exchanging ideas with other friends had been very rewarding for both of them.

They gained insights into martial arts and life.

Rao Mingxian sighed, "I always thought Zhang Xinglie would thrive in Xiong City—a tiger gaining wings, a fish finding water. Who knew he'd struggle and tread carefully just like us."

"I didn't expect it to be so tough for him either. But thinking carefully, he probably hasn't told us the real difficulties."

"Exactly, Zhang Xinglie has always been like that, never bowing his head. But this kind of personality is bound to suffer in a prominent place like Xiong City."

"He's a quick learner; he won't run into big problems."

Rao Mingxian sighed, "I'm just worried he's learning too fast. He's clearly a promising candidate for Extreme Martial Arts. If he branches out and leaves martial arts, opting for Martial Mansion or the Pioneer Company, humans might lose a Grandmaster or even a Martial Saint."

"I believe he will make the best choice," Zhou Leng said.

Rao Mingxian looked ahead and said slowly, "Didn't he also say that often it's not about not wanting to choose, but about having no choice? We're all the same."

Zhou Leng also stared silently ahead.

The asphalt road stretched forward, leading straight to Ruge Mountain.

On one side was Xiaoru Village, on the other, the Ruda campus.

Nearing Ruda, they parted ways; Zhou Leng headed to Xiaoru Village, entering the Fierce Beast World.

Under the Frost Giant Tree, Zhou Leng slowly practiced his punches, consolidating his gains from the past two days.

Zhang Xinglie, along with Yunhua Martial Arts Academy, was indeed not renowned for nothing, greatly broadening Zhou Leng's horizons and elevating his martial arts realm.

Especially Zhang Xinglie's "No Return Battle Technique," combined with the combat experience of the black-clad fighters, deepened Zhou Leng's understanding.

"The white-clad person's combat technique primarily centers on Heart and Mind Shadow."

"The black-clad person's combat method also incorporates the power of Heart and Mind Shadow but includes the No Return Battle Technique."

"No wonder I could never grasp the concept of being all in one."

"Without the indomitable spirit of the No Return Battle Technique, achieving the integration of many into one is impossible..."

"Previously, I was completely clueless about being all in one, but after sparring with Zhang Xinglie, I faintly touched upon the threshold..."

"The essence of being all in one is seeing through all techniques, abandoning all illusions, and fearing no consequences."

"Being all in one is not about choosing the most correct punch; rather, whatever I deliver is correct."

Zhou Leng vaguely understood the highest realm of the No Return Battle Technique, and his perspective broadened.

After training, Zhou Leng sifted through his Magic Spirit Bag and took out a blood-stained backpack.

This was the spoils acquired from counterattacking the nine who pursued him.

For the past days, he had been battling inner demons and hadn't had time to tally.