CHAPTER 149: CHAPTER 150 SOUTHWEST MARTIAL PATH NO.1

The last Stabilizing Needle of the Assassination Swordsmanship has fallen, and even if the Security Bureau doesn’t intervene, it’s a case of the tree falling and the monkeys scattering. Moreover, under Pengdi’s influence, the Assassination Swordsmanship Stream has long been doing evil deeds.

Doomed.

The Qianyin Group will also face sanctions, and the previous fund outflow is likely to be intercepted...

It’s over, everything is over!!

Seeing the disciples of the Assassination Swordsmanship Stream glaring at him despairingly, wishing they could eat his flesh raw, Lu Ren calmly turned around and prepared to leave.

His face was cold, and he showed no sign of backing down because of their angry stares. If they dared to approach him, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to take down a couple with his dual swords.

Despite being covered in wounds, with his wide Martial Arts Uniform sliced to rags by the longsword and his Combat Suit beneath also cut in many places, nearly soaked in blood.

After this life-and-death battle, Lu Ren’s body had been pushed to its limits, yet not a single disciple of the Assassination Swordsmanship School who wore anger on their faces dared to step forward and stop the man who was turning to leave.

If anyone dared to attack Lu Ren, he wouldn’t even need to act personally; the expert from the Military Department that Zhang Li invited would teach them a lesson.

Today’s era is far from ancient times, though there are loyal people within the fist technique schools, even they are shaken by such blatant adherence to the old ways.

Since the millennium, there have been very few such life-and-death matches set in the Martial Arts Realm.

The Southwest Martial Arts Realm had only seen a handful of such occurrences, and to most people in today’s martial arts scene, issuing a challenge letter is something new.

In the hateful, murderous, and angry eyes of the Assassination Swordsmanship School, there was also an unmistakable fear and hesitation.

The man before them was undoubtedly a top martial artist!

Even if they didn’t want to admit it, they were already conquered by this man’s skill, willpower, and courage from the earlier battle.

Finally, Huang Jixuan’s chief disciple Yang Yanxi stepped forward and shouted at Lu Ren: "You, dressed in armor-defending clothes, are unworthy of the title ’Martial Arts Master’!!"

Lu Ren raised an eyebrow, wondering what trick they were trying now. He had carefully studied the rules beforehand, and such defense methods were not an issue. This duel was critical, and the Security Department wouldn’t let anyone capitalize on loopholes, but if they found an opportunity, they might take it.

He stood still, his nearly two-meter-high frame towering over the opponent.

"Whether I am or not, it’s not up to you to judge here."

With that, Lu Ren proceeded forward, his tightly held dual swords slightly raised, ready to strike if Yang Yanxi dared to obstruct him.

As someone bringing him skill level, Lu Ren wouldn’t mind.

Faced with Lu Ren’s extremely dangerous gaze, and with the duel now completely over, if the Assassination Swordsmanship School pulled any tricks, they’d risk being eliminated. Better to ensure he could avoid getting enmeshed in Pengdi’s illicit businesses; that way, the punishment might not be as severe.

But to make a move now...

Yang Yanxi glanced around at the disciples of the Assassination Swordsmanship School and finally sighed deeply, choosing not to speak further.

While he had the courage to follow his master, the other disciples did not.

Lei Wenfeng watched the figure covered in scars but standing so upright that his blood pumped vigorously. Such a scene hadn’t happened for a very, very long time.

If not for the Dragon Elephant Rock Stream requiring an immense amount of resources for cultivation, turning the body into such a weapon, he too would have liked to emulate Lu Ren, wielding his sword with ease, moving like a dragon or snake, earning people’s admiration.

Now he was genuinely convinced; Lu Ren’s abilities were genuinely impressive, and Tie Feng’s defeat was not unjust, nor was Huang Jixuan’s death in vain.

Not just him, but also not only the disciples of the Assassination Swordsmanship, everyone present from the Southwest Martial Arts Realm was won over by this battle.

In this era of peace, living a life of tranquility, many of them for the first time realized just how intensely bright the shine of the life-and-death struggle between two Great Perfectionists of Fist Technique could be.

The sharpness brought by the sword wind made people in the Memorial Hall retreat repeatedly until they stood against the wall.

Number one in the Southwest Martial Arts Realm!!

Everyone couldn’t help but have this thought. Before this, it was Huang Jixuan who gained recognition through his astonishing sword skills.

Though he’d not taken action for more than a decade and had faded from people’s sight, replaced by newcomers,

older generations understood that Huang Jixuan’s strength was undoubtedly at the top.

His Swordsmanship was divine, his sword strokes fierce.

What was more noteworthy was that Lu Ren seemed to excel even more in Fist Technique; his Swordsmanship was just a sideline, and often his sword’s power style carried the routine of Fist Strength.

In other words, in terms of Fist Technique, Lu Ren seemed to be even more formidable.

Looking at the tall figure striding away, unafraid of anyone, everyone remained silent for a long time.

After a while, an old man with his hands behind his back chuckled softly.

"The Eighteen Families of the Southwest have been defeated by someone from a minor fist lineage, claiming the first place in the Southwest Martial Arts Realm."

These words indeed brought extreme shame to the people of the fist schools, making them wish to find a hole to bury themselves in.

Especially those who practice Hundred Fierce Fist, who held disdain for the minor fist lineages, their faces were alternating between blue and white.

Many representatives from the prominent fist schools of the Eighteen Families of the Southwest had solemn expressions, thinking that with such a fierce person appearing now in the Southwest Security Department, they might not be able to hold back the Security Bureau, giving them an opportunity to reorganize the Martial Arts Realm.

Many among them have joined the Security Bureau, but most are mere names on a list, not contributing effectively.

The Martial Arts Conference organized by the officially established Martial Arts Association seems to be something worth watching.

Huaxia has clearly shown a desire to make the Martial Arts Realm public recently. Any resistance might not face the wrath of the Security Bureau but the gunfire of the Military Department.

Moreover, there are quite a few martial arts masters in the Military Department; with vast combat experience from years of border or overseas battles, one of their experts is as good as two others.

Thinking for a while, a member practicing Thunderbolt Fist sighed.

"It seems the spatial rifts are indeed very serious; not only Huaxia, but Russia’s Four Dukes, the United States’ super-modified warriors, and Europe’s Twelve Knights of the Round Table are all subtly wanting to reveal these hidden matters. From Huaxia’s actions, it looks like martial arts boxing training might be integrated into the national education system."

Nearby, Zhang Li glanced at the representative of the Thunderbolt Fist School, speaking softly, "The times have changed, my friend. To survive, one must follow the grand trend."

Lei Li, beside him, slightly shook his head and turned away. He had no desire to touch those messy affairs, as it seemed a waste of effort to him!

As for Lei Wenfeng, he showed no reaction, yet internally sighed. Even though he had cultivated Steel Bones, facing heavy machine-gun fire, he would also be riddled like a sieve.

But the prerequisite is being hit.

Lei Wenfeng smirked slightly. With modern hot weapons, unless they form a crossfire network, someone with the skill of a Great Perfection level martial arts family can easily destroy a special forces unit in a complex urban setting, unharmed.

...

...

Led by Pei Lin driving, Lu Ren arrived at the Security Department’s hospital and had his wounds treated before heading straight home for quiet recovery.

Pei Lin, having witnessed the life-and-death struggle between Lu Ren and Huang Jixuan, was amazed as if beholding a celestial being. She felt that being beaten before was completely worthwhile, gazing at the meditating Lu Ren with admiration as she drove.

To Lu Ren, the turmoil caused by his fight with Huang Jixuan seemed irrelevant. Zhang Li only mentioned in passing for Lu Ren to recover well before introducing him to the senior levels of the Security Bureau.

After several days of recuperation, Lu Ren finally comprehended the True Phoenix Intent derived from Phoenix Falcon Fist. If not for the system aiding his comprehension, he really would have found it hard to understand, though it felt like he had been immersed in Phoenix Falcon Fist for decades, finally touching the insight in a flash of inspiration.

But it required some experimentation to fully discern its nature.

True Phoenix does not perish, my body does not die!

This means, as long as Lu Ren’s will is not extinguished, no matter how severe his injuries, given sufficient time, he can recover to his original state.

Though slightly exaggerated, unquestionably, this recovery power surpassing ordinary martial arts family members provides him with a highly stable assurance.

This aspect is quite abnormal, allowing Lu Ren a lifesaving strategy; as long as his body’s nutrition is sufficiently abundant, he can recklessly employ life-risking techniques unseen by ordinary people.

Most importantly, compared to the usual Great Perfectionists of Fist Technique, his vigorous life energy is far superior, especially highlighted after understanding the True Phoenix Intent. The potential within his body seemed to unlock, and during this recovery period, his physical three-dimensional attributes have been slowly and naturally improving.

Even without practicing fist techniques, just maintaining adequate nutrition leads to continuous enhancement. Lu Ren estimates that once his injuries recover and he resumes practicing fist techniques, his physical abilities will experience a growth spurt.

Moreover, the essence of True Phoenix not dying and the indelible spiritual light allows Lu Ren to touch upon a typical case of "Borrowing False to True Cultivation" he read in the Security Department’s texts.

So-called Bright Awakening, Divine and Clear, Awakening and Acting...

The body is finite, but the mind is infinite.

When the body reaches ultimate strength, it nurtures the spirit and will. When the spirit and will are strong enough, it can affect the physical reality, breaking the limits and shackles of the human body, again elevating physical qualities, and gradually influencing the surrounding magnetic field, to cooperate with the spirit and will to transform the body.

Thus, entering the realm of extraordinariness.

In ancient times, such people were termed as Immortals.

In a concise statement, through extensive experimentation and testing, the conclusion was drawn by the Martial Arts Research Institute under the Security Department that once the spirit starts to slowly affect the body, it indicates that the Path of Awakened is being opened.