Chapter 21 - 17: One Move, Just One Move

Shen Jianfeng was enraged, but his speed was no match for Shen Lang’s. Left with no alternative, he exposed his greatest secret: his Dual Martial Souls.

A Martial Artist possessing Dual Martial Souls could truly be considered a genius.

They were extremely rare, and anyone with them would be vigorously cultivated by the major powers. The fact that Shen Jianfeng had kept it hidden for so long spoke volumes of his mental fortitude.

He had previously assaulted Shen Lang with a tempest of attacks, yet failed to even graze his clothes. This had already sent a wave of panic through his heart.

The onlookers probably couldn’t see what was happening, with the exception of the old-timers in the pavilion. But for Shen Jianfeng, who was in the thick of the fight, it was a different story. He knew with absolute clarity that while his every move appeared ferocious, he had actually lost control.

He felt as if he were trapped in a massive whirlpool. Most of the time, he wasn’t attacking intentionally; his body was moving against his will.

The entire flow of battle was being controlled by Shen Lang, the one who was supposedly just dodging.

This shocked Shen Jianfeng to his core.

He had fought countless battles, but never before had anyone managed to do something like this!

In his panic, he, who had originally believed he could easily defeat Shen Lang without even using his Martial Soul, finally unleashed it...

He never imagined that not only would using his Martial Soul fail to help, but he would be taken down by Shen Lang in a single move the moment he did!

This was a disgrace, an absolute humiliation!

’But this also proved my earlier suspicion correct,’ he thought. ’That piece of trash Shen Lang is no trash at all! He’s been hiding his Cultivation!’

’Otherwise, how could he possibly be this fast?’

’How could he so effortlessly evade my ferocious attacks?’

His heart reeling from shock, Shen Jianfeng had thrown all caution to the wind and unleashed his Martial Soul. The moment it appeared, his power doubled, and he had intended to crush Shen Lang in a single blow.

However, something even more shocking had occurred. Shen Lang, whom everyone knew possessed no Martial Soul, acted as if he had an expert’s understanding of them. With a simple, light grasp, he had seized Shen Jianfeng’s Vein Gate and sent him flying with a kick...

The kick sent him flying. Although he wasn’t injured, it was an utterly pathetic sight.

Because he had been kicked squarely in the butt!

This was beyond intolerable!

Enraged, Shen Jianfeng threw all restraint to the wind. He unleashed the other Martial Soul hidden within him—the Rock Martial Soul—and simultaneously summoned his Spiritual Armor!

With this, not only did his power surge, but his defense was also fortified to an extreme degree. It was now clearly impossible for Shen Lang to use the same tactic of seizing his Vein Gate...

In the arena, Shen Lang and Shen Jianfeng presented a study in contrasts. One’s movements were agile and graceful, while the other was solid and unwavering.

One focused on an agile Body Technique, his kicks as swift as the wind; the other focused on defense, as immovable as a mountain.

Only now did the two seem to be evenly matched.

Shen Lang became a black shadow, constantly flickering around Shen Jianfeng. Taking advantage of his superior agility, he relentlessly aimed kicks at his opponent’s vital points. However, despite the speed and ferocity of his attacks, Shen Jianfeng was now going all out. Not only had his power multiplied, but his defense was now astonishing.

No matter how Shen Lang attacked, Shen Jianfeng remained rooted to the ground like a boulder. He met relentless change with steadfast defense, intercepting Shen Lang’s lightning-fast kicks.

To an outsider, he seemed to be at a disadvantage, constantly on the defensive. A discerning eye, however, could see that he was successfully mitigating the damage from Shen Lang’s fierce attacks to a bare minimum.

Meanwhile, the fiercer and faster Shen Lang’s attacks became, the more energy he consumed...

Fighting like this didn’t seem like a sustainable strategy.

The fierce clash—one on offense, one on defense—had everyone’s eyes glued to the stage. Shouts of encouragement from the crowd merged, echoing over the Martial Arts Arena like rolling thunder.

Because of this, more and more people gathered at the Martial Arts Arena.

"BOOM!"

When Shen Jianfeng’s fist, encased in thick rock, once again collided with Shen Lang’s foot, the resulting recoil immediately forced Shen Lang back several steps.

"Hahaha, you piece of trash! We’ve been fighting for so long, have you even gotten close to breaking my defense? The gap between someone with a Martial Soul and someone without is insurmountable! The chasm between the Martial Power Realm and the Qi Martial Realm is just as vast! Did you really think you could fight me just because you learned some shoddy Body Technique from who-knows-where? You’re too naive! You’ve wasted so much energy—how are you going to fight me now? I believe it’s my turn to counterattack!" Shen Jianfeng roared with unrestrained laughter.

Many in the crowd below shook their heads in pity...

"What Shen Jianfeng said isn’t wrong. The gap between them really is too big."

"It’s a shame. Shen Lang shed his ’trash’ image and has been incredibly valiant, but his Cultivation is just too far behind. He doesn’t have enough power, he doesn’t have a Martial Soul, and we haven’t seen him use any powerful Combat Techniques. He’s guaranteed to lose."

"That’s right. So what if Shen Lang is fast? He can’t even break through his opponent’s defense. In the end, all he can do is take a beating."

The corner of Shen Lang’s mouth curled into a smirk as his gaze swept slowly across the arena. When the onlookers below met his pitch-black eyes, they all flinched and timidly looked away.

He lightly patted the clothes on his chest and chuckled. "Dual Martial Souls... one for offense, one for defense. That’s actually a little interesting."

"Interesting? Heh, I think it’s interesting too. In a moment, you’ll find it even more interesting!" Shen Jianfeng sneered. His body trembled, and his aura began to climb even higher!

Shen Lang frowned slightly and rubbed his stomach. "I’m getting a little hungry... Oh well. I’ve had enough fun. I thought your Dual Martial Souls might offer something new, but they’re just so disappointing. In that case, let’s just end this."

"Had enough fun? End this? Such shameless boasting! I haven’t even gotten serious yet! Shen Lang, you’ll pay for those words in a moment!" Shen Jianfeng roared, becoming somewhat hysterical. "Trash will always be trash! Even now, you’re still trying to win with your mouth. In a moment, I’ll make you wish you were dead!"

"One move," Shen Lang said nonchalantly. "I only need one move. If you can take it, I’ll concede immediately."

"Whoa!" The crowd instantly erupted.

That was too arrogant! Utterly, outrageously arrogant!

Facing Shen Jianfeng, a user of Dual Martial Souls, and he was talking about a single move!

Was this born from immense confidence, or had he simply lost his mind from the fight?

"Forget one move, you couldn’t touch me in a hundred!" Shen Jianfeng was practically insane with rage. Spiritual Power rapidly condensed in his fists, and the massive wolf’s head projection swelled to more than double its previous size. "Mad Wolf Fist!" he bellowed. "Die!"

"Dual Martial Souls? Is that all you’ve got?" Shen Lang shouted. He dropped into a solid horse stance, pressed his palms together, then abruptly pulled them apart. Instantly, the very space between his hands began to distort. An arc of electricity connected his palms, and a soul-shaking crack like muffled thunder erupted from it.

Then, he clenched his right hand into a fist. His fist, though not particularly large, now seemed like that of a Giant, enveloped in a crackling ball of lightning. It tore through the air, and the sharp whistle of displaced air mixed with a low sonic boom, converging into a sound that felt like it was exploding in one’s heart. Without a hint of retreat or hesitation, he blasted it straight toward the giant wolf’s head.

’A Thunder Element Technique! How could this piece of trash possibly know such a powerful Thunder Element Technique?!’ Shen Jianfeng, who had been certain of his victory, couldn’t help but feel a flicker of fear toward this fist, which pulsed with terrifying Thunder Power.

However, the feeling of fear lasted only an instant in Shen Jianfeng’s heart before he forcibly cast it aside. Faced with Shen Lang’s lightning-fast assault, he had no time to make adjustments. He could only meet it head-on!

’Even if it’s a Thunder Element Technique, I refuse to believe that some punk who hasn’t even reached the Qi Martial Realm can be stronger than me! I’m at the Qi Martial Realm Third Heaven, and I’m using the power of my Martial Soul!’

The fist, wreathed in terrifying electrical light, slammed into the giant wolf’s head. Amid a blinding flash, Shen Lang’s fist instantly shattered the wolf’s head. Its momentum undiminished, it continued forward and, before Shen Jianfeng’s disbelieving eyes, slammed heavily into his chest...

The violent Thunder Power seemed to quiet for a split second before erupting like a volcano, releasing an unbelievably tyrannical force!

"Thunder Control Divine Technique—Five Thunders Bombardment!"

A low shout accompanied the terrifying Thunder Power, which made Shen Jianfeng’s expression change drastically. The power surged like a torrential flood, pouring entirely onto his transparent Spiritual Armor!

In that instant, lightning flashed. A horrifying ripple of Energy erupted from the point of contact between the fist and the Armor, spreading outward in a violent, circular wave...

"CRACK"

As the Energy ripple expanded, a muffled sound suddenly echoed in mid-air. A web of cracks rapidly spread across Shen Jianfeng’s sturdy Spiritual Armor. Then, with another sharp crack, it shattered into a million points of light, detaching from his body and dissipating into the air.

"CRACK! CRACK!"

Another muffled crack sounded at almost the same moment. The Rock Armor that Shen Jianfeng had been so proud of was instantly covered in fissures before completely crumbling!

"PTOOEY!" As if his chest had been struck by a massive boulder, Shen Jianfeng’s pupils constricted. He immediately coughed up a wild spray of blood, his body flying backward like a kite with a snapped string. Under the stunned gazes of the crowd below, he crashed heavily onto the ground beneath the platform!

"I told you that Rock Martial Soul of yours was garbage, but you refused to believe me. Don’t listen to your elders, and you’ll suffer the consequences right before your eyes." Shen Lang shook his head and walked off the platform.

"Wait!" Shen Jianfeng struggled up from the ground and called out weakly, "What is your Cultivation right now?! If you don’t tell me, I’ll never accept this, not even in death!"

"Martial Power Realm, Ninth Heaven," Shen Lang said flatly, without turning back.

An uproar swept through the crowd.

The crowd immediately broke into a commotion. Fervent gazes fixed on the black-robed young man’s back as they began to gossip wildly. The eyes of some of the women, in particular, were brimming with a frankly absurd level of adoration.

To have reached the Ninth Heaven of the Martial Power Realm at his age—even if it didn’t make him a genius, it certainly meant he was a far cry from being trash.

Most importantly, with that level of Cultivation, he had jumped realms to defeat Shen Jianfeng, who was at the Third Heaven of the Qi Martial Realm!

And a Shen Jianfeng who possessed Dual Martial Souls, no less!

With a single punch!

Just one punch! It had shattered the power of the Wolf Martial Soul, broken through the Spiritual Armor, and finally, crushed the defense of the Rock Martial Soul...

He was too strong, simply too strong!

There was a massive chasm between the Martial Power Realm and the Qi Martial Realm, a great watershed.

Defeating an opponent from a higher realm wasn’t unheard of, but it was exceedingly rare. Even when it did happen, it was usually a narrow victory achieved by relying on a Spiritual Artifact or a powerful Combat Technique.

But Shen Lang hadn’t just defeated a Basic Level Qi Martial Realm opponent. He had defeated Shen Jianfeng, who was at the Third Heaven of the Qi Martial Realm and possessed Dual Martial Souls!

If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, who would have believed any of it?

Shen Jianfeng simply could not accept Shen Lang’s claim of being at the Ninth Heaven of the Martial Power Realm. A surge of rage overwhelmed him, and he coughed up another mouthful of blood before fainting on the spot.

Jingle, jingle! A red figure flashed, and Xue Dangdang was already standing on the platform, a lovely smile on her face.

Shen Lang’s smile froze. He stammered, "Dingdang, don’t mess around. I really don’t want to fight you..."

"Hee hee!" Xue Dangdang giggled. "I didn’t say I wanted to fight you. But you just defeated Shen Jianfeng, don’t you want to say something? Look at everyone’s faces down there. If you don’t say a few words, I don’t think they’ll be satisfied!"

"Uh... let’s skip it. I’m not good with words, and I don’t like these kinds of situations. My words will just come out in dribs and drabs, like sheep droppings..." Shen Lang said, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Hahaha..."

The crowd below roared with laughter, but then he continued, "It’s not to everyone’s taste, so I hope you can forgive me."

"..." Everyone’s laughter instantly froze on their faces.

In the pavilion not far from the Martial Arts Arena, Sima Yan’s face was flushed with excitement. "Incredible. Truly incredible. To think that Shen Lang has actually practiced the ’Thunder Control Divine Technique’ from the Profound Dao Sect, a Profound Iron Level Sect!"