Chapter 272: The Bearing of Martial Kings — How Could I Break My Word?

“How powerful!” On the viewing platform, Zheng Rulong’s eyes revealed shock.

Others might not fully grasp Feng Qingcang’s terrifying strength, but Zheng Rulong knew it well.

With four centuries of martial foundation and a deadly spear technique, Feng Qingcang could have secured an even higher ranking on the Heavenly Rankings.

But he likely found it unnecessary, so he stayed at rank 97.

Before this, Zheng Rulong had thought his own strength was sufficient, but after fighting Feng Qingcang, he realized the gap was significant.

It would take him decades of training to bridge that gap.

And yet, this Southern Region champion, only in his early twenties, was already holding his own against Feng Qingcang!

What an awe-inspiring level of potential!

If this young man reached the Royal Path Realm in the future, wouldn’t he have the chance to become one of the legendary Martial Kings?

Martial Kings!

—

In the martial arena…

“This boy!” The more Feng Qingcang fought, the more astonished he became.

At the start, the young man’s combat style was somewhat stiff and simplistic.

But after 20 moves, it became polished and fluid. Clearly, he had already adapted to the pace of a battle at the Marquis Realm!

Such terrifying comprehension!

And most alarmingly, the young man seemed to grow stronger as the fight went on.

“This can’t continue!” Feng Qingcang swung his spear, unleashing a storm of spear shadows while his figure vanished in a burst of speed.

In an instant, he appeared right in front of Meng Changqing, mere inches away.

“You’ve lost!” Feng Qingcang’s eyes shone with confidence.

This was his trump card, something he had seldom used.

Against martial artists of the same realm, almost no one could react to it.

Thud!

Yet, when the spear tip touched Meng Changqing’s back, it didn’t pierce through as expected.

Instead, it collided with something incredibly sturdy.

Only a crisp sound echoed out.

The spear tip could only press against the surface of Meng Changqing’s skin. It couldn’t penetrate at all!

“Impossible!” Feng Qingcang’s pupils shrank.

He couldn’t break through this young man’s physical defenses!

“This… is a body-refining technique!” Seeing the crystalline glow emanating from Meng Changqing’s body, Feng Qingcang gasped.

Within that glow, he could detect the presence of law power!

And not just one trace!

A body-refining technique that incorporated the power of laws had to be at least high-tier Heaven-grade!

High-tier Heaven-grade techniques were incredibly rare.

Even Feng Qingcang himself only possessed one high-tier Heaven-grade spear technique, which was a legacy of his predecessors.

It was a key factor in his place on the Heavenly Rankings.

But in terms of body refinement, he had only cultivated a mid-tier Heaven-grade technique.

Ordinary sects or ancient clans typically had no higher than mid-tier Heaven-grade techniques.

Only the top-tier sects or clans might possess high-tier Heaven-grade techniques.

“This is trouble!” Feng Qingcang quickly retreated.

To defeat someone, one must first injure them.

If he couldn’t even break through Meng Changqing’s defenses, how could he hope to win?

And this young man’s body-refining technique was extraordinary.

At just the first level of the Marquis Realm, it already contained multiple strands of law power!

Unless Feng Qingcang could elevate his spear technique to the next level, it would be impossible to injure him.

“No wonder you’re a Titled Marquis. A martial expert with four centuries of experience is truly formidable.” Meng Changqing turned around and looked at Feng Qingcang.

That burst of speed earlier was imperceptible without a highly advanced spiritual cultivation.

Fortunately, Meng Changqing had cultivated the Body of Truth, giving him terrifying defenses.

He could respond to any situation without needing to counterattack.

“This should be the end.” Meng Changqing took a deep breath, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

The previous move was likely Feng Qingcang’s trump card. He doubted the latter had a better ace up his sleeve.

Having witnessed the strength of a Titled Marquis, Meng Changqing had gained valuable combat experience.

He also identified areas where he needed improvement.

“I didn’t expect you to cultivate such a high-level body-refining technique!” Feng Qingcang said, his expression solemn.

“Only recently started training it, still needs work.” Meng Changqing smiled faintly.

He wasn’t lying.

The Body of Truth had no limits.

So far, he had only absorbed three strands of the power of law. Who knew what level the sect master’s Body of Truth had reached?

But Feng Qingcang interpreted these words differently.

“Still needs work?”

Even with his high-tier Heaven-grade spear technique at its peak, he couldn’t break through this “unfinished” technique.

If it were perfected, wouldn’t even touching the young man cause self-inflicted damage?

“Though I may not be able to injure you, it’s equally impossible for you to defeat me. This will end in a draw,” Feng Qingcang spoke confidently.

A draw would allow him to remain on the Heavenly Rankings.

The crowd was stunned.

Contrary to expectations, the Southern Region champion, a newcomer to the Marquis Realm, hadn’t been suppressed by Feng Qingcang.

Instead, he was holding his own.

“What profound martial foundation!”

“Completely beyond what someone his age should possess!”

“Ending in a draw is already impressive.”

“Indeed. He’s just stepped into the Marquis Realm. With a bit more time, not even those ranked higher on the Marquis Rankings might be his match!”

“A draw, is it?”

Meng Changqing shook his head. “Since I said I’d make you step down, how could I break my word?”

“Break your word?” Feng Qingcang’s face turned cold.

How arrogant!

Even now, he still believed he could win?

“You’ve already used your full strength. What are you still fantasizing about?” Feng Qingcang sneered.

“Who said I used my full strength?” Meng Changqing’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Before Feng Qingcang could respond, the ground trembled!

Boom!

The heavens quaked as a boundless radiance of fists emerged behind Meng Changqing.

It was his second True Domain!

“What?!” Feng Qingcang’s pupils contracted, his face showing utter disbelief.

A second domain?!

This young man not only possessed a sword domain but also a fist domain!

Meng Changqing simultaneously wielded two domains!

Feng Qingcang staggered backward, his spear slipping from his grasp and clattering to the ground.

At that moment, he finally understood why the Southern Region champion dared to challenge him and spoke so boldly.

This was not arrogance.

It was absolute, undeniable strength!

To wield two domains was no trivial feat.

Even within the Marquis Rankings, only the top-tier martial artists could accomplish such a feat.

The surrounding spectators were utterly dumbfounded.

Two domains…

Even knowing Meng Changqing had three perfected martial intents, how could he form another domain so quickly?

“Amazing…” someone finally broke the silence, gasping in awe.