Chapter Ten: The Second Divine Martial Contest Section Seventeen: Martial Sovereign (Part Two)

Section Seventeen: Martial Sovereign (Part Two)

Ling Luo had never once entertained the notion of defeat. Yet at this moment, he felt no shame or shock in losing; instead, he was completely convinced and at peace.

He, along with Chu Gaoge and all the experts from Beiling Mountain and the Feixian Sect, those blessed with divine eyes and mystical abilities, had all discerned the abnormal use of spiritual energy by Li Yijian. They had pondered deeply but gained nothing.

But before him now stood July, who had unraveled the secret behind Li Yijian’s spiritual energy manipulation. Using this advantage, she devised a strategy that forced Ling Luo to concede defeat with just a single palm strike. With this profound mastery of spiritual energy, Ling Luo was certain that July’s victory today was undeniable.

Ling Luo cupped his fist in respect.

“Martial Sovereign, your talent is astonishing, your mind sharp and perceptive. This humble lord concedes with full conviction,” Ling Luo said, yet could not help but inquire, “But I find it hard to believe how you could unravel such a profound mystery in so short a time?”

“Simply because I—have suffered more than you,” July replied enigmatically.

This answer puzzled Ling Luo; in his memory, July had never spoken in such cryptic and inscrutable terms. She was always straightforward and direct.

As Ling Luo stepped down from the arena, he cast a deep, lingering glance back before ascending the stairs.

Those watching, unaware of the underlying circumstances, assumed this was no mere contest—that the Zheng Kingdom had long since arranged the outcome.

Ascending the stairs, Ling Luo smiled and said, “I am ashamed.”

“Brother, you jest. It was merely your intention to allow it,” Chu Gaoge’s words were clearly a way to give Ling Luo a graceful exit, but King Zheng sensed there was more beneath the surface.

Seated, Ling Luo addressed Bu Jinxian, “I hope you will forgive this lord’s embarrassment.”

Bu Jinxian feigned ignorance and instead asked, “Lord Ling’s concession is understandable, but I am curious—what exactly did Martial Sovereign July say on the stage?”

Ling Luo chuckled, revealing nothing.

“This lord admires Martial Sovereign’s swift progress in cultivation, so I sought to learn. Martial Sovereign said it was not because she is more gifted, but simply because she has suffered more than I.”

At this moment, Zheng Linran’s heart swelled with joy. He never expected this food-loving junior sister to suddenly display such wisdom. For July to have deciphered Li Yijian’s martial arts today, it seemed no one could match her in the arena! With Li Yijian’s speed wielding the formidable Ten Directions Nine Five Sovereign Divine Art, who in the world could stand against him?

Only Bu Jinxian thought otherwise. He was certain that Li Yijian’s speed and force were so overwhelming that no technique could be executed against him. This was why Li’s sword was fast but without elaborate moves. Nonetheless, even without unleashing ultimate skills, July’s palm strike was far harder to defend than Li’s sword, for she also understood how to accelerate spiritual energy.

Bu Jinxian felt a pang of shame. As one who had personally faced Li Yijian’s martial prowess, he had failed to unravel its secrets, yet July, merely an observer outside the arena, had already glimpsed the hidden truth. Though ashamed, he felt happy for July—but this happiness was tinged with worry. If July pursued him, he would have no escape.

He had exerted all his strength just to withstand Li Yijian’s three consecutive sword strikes; victory over Li depended on the shield of spiritual energy, but July’s palm power was less easy to block, and she knew how to stimulate her spiritual energy.

July remained on the arena, surrounded by countless expert gazes, then suddenly spoke.

“I, July, disciple of Zheng Feixian, bear the name of Martial Sovereign bestowed by my master. Heroes of the world, if you dissent, step forth and fight. The Ten Directions Nine Five Sovereign is unparalleled in tyranny, ruthless and unyielding in every strike. Do not blame fate for life or death.”

Since Ling Luo’s return, King Zheng had remained silent, his gaze fixed on July as he scrutinized her.

Suddenly, he said to Qi Ye, “Martial Sovereign Qi Ye, why does this July… seem so much like my sister Feixian in her youth?”

Qi Ye smiled, cupping his fist in salute. “Your Majesty is wise. July is indeed the second Martial Sovereign, and your observation is accurate. This is likely why Master showed such exceptional favor to Sister July.”

King Zheng stared at July on the arena, recalling the past.

“When the royal family was struck by misfortune, my sister led over eight hundred disciples of the Feixian Sect to aid us. At that moment, I and the queen were besieged by a band of martial artists, while Chief Left Guard alone held off tens of thousands in the canyon. My sister arrived, coldly surveying the crowd as she did now, saying, ‘Our sect’s palm power is tyrannical and unyielding. Those who oppose the Zheng Kingdom oppose Feixian Sect. If you do not retreat swiftly, do not hope to see tomorrow’s sun again.’ Back then, the Feixian Sect had only begun to make a name for itself in the southwest, not yet a great martial sect of the world. The heroes were unafraid. But once combat began, my sister killed one with a single palm strike, unleashed thirty-seven consecutive palm strikes, killing thirty-seven masters, and the remaining three thousand scattered in terror.”

King Zheng gestured to July. “Even then, she was victorious without arrogance, calm and confident. Many knew my sister’s temper was fierce and presumed she fought recklessly, but in truth, she was extremely composed in battle. Only her youthful heart was kind, and knowing her strikes would kill, she would often weep bitterly.”

Qi Ye knew those tears were born of a frenzied talent, uncontrollable at first. King Zheng mistakenly thought Feixian wept for the fallen—an amusing misunderstanding.

At that moment, a towering and robust figure appeared on stage.

All recognized him as Kaer, the foremost expert of the Black Wolf Tribe. He had narrowly missed defeating the Martial Sovereign before; now, with Qi Ye absent from the contest, he was even more determined.

His skin was dark, eyes round and fierce like a hellish demon. Yet around his neck hung a string of sandalwood Buddhist prayer beads, evoking an involuntary smile.

Kaer was not a Buddhist, but his martial arts were rooted in the Buddhist tradition, hence his habitual wearing of the beads—whether out of gratitude or habit, no one knew.

“I had hoped to fight Martial Sovereign Qi Ye again, but she refuses to compete this year and passes the title to such a delicate girl. Martial Sovereign is not a role for a little girl like you. Hand it over obediently!” Kaer said, then released his power. A golden light surged around him, like a golden Buddha descending, illuminating the entire arena.

His physical strength was 4000, internal power 3000, spirit 10, spiritual energy 13. Combat power 14,000; absolute combat power 180,000.

“Ha! Ah!” Kaer roared loudly, his golden light expanding further, covering nearly half the viewing stands of the Divine Martial Arena.

With such astounding strength, it was no wonder he had once escaped Zheng Feixian’s grasp.

Qi Ye gasped in awe.

“Kaer’s skill has risen again. The Buddhist heart method is truly formidable!”

The crowd was shocked to witness Kaer’s overwhelming power.

Though King Zheng did not know the full extent of Kaer’s abilities, he bore a deep impression of him and grew serious.

“Martial Sovereign Qi Ye, do you think July will win?”

“Your Majesty, July’s victory is certain. But whether she can slay Kaer on the arena remains uncertain.”

On the arena, July shed the Martial Sovereign’s robe. The judge immediately took the garment and respectfully presented it, returning the Martial Sovereign’s robe offstage.

“Oh, the little girl knows my strength and wants to surrender?”

July donned her original Feixian Sect pink robe, her gaze cold.

“I’m just waiting for you to step up and leave your life.”

With that, she raised her face to the sky and howled, accelerating her power.

A whirlwind suddenly arose, golden qi bursting forth with such force that those near the arena’s edge scrambled to shield themselves.

Teacups on the table before the pavilion shattered from the shock.

The golden whirlwind spiraled skyward, visible to all citizens of Zheng Capital, who watched in astonishment.

At this moment, July’s stats were: physical strength 10, internal power 5390, spirit 10, spiritual energy 7. Combat power 10,800; absolute combat power 75,600.

She finally unleashed her second-tier talent, no longer hiding her strength.

The Ten Directions Nine Five Sovereign’s tenth-tier special effect placed her in a state where physical strength transformed into internal power. Her surge rivaled Ling Luo’s earlier display, silencing all doubts with awe.

Protected by the golden whirlwind, her eyes burning with hatred, tears streaming down her face.

Suddenly, she spun swiftly. The swirling sleeves carried a surge of golden light, converging into a dazzling glow. As she swung her sleeves rapidly, those golden whirlwinds all surged toward Kaer.

“Supreme sovereignty! How could Sister cultivate this?” Zheng Linran exclaimed, astonished. The Supreme Sovereignty Divine Art required the fifteenth-tier of the Ten Directions Nine Five Sovereign heart technique to master, and only Zheng Feixian and Qi Ye had ever truly mastered it. Yet July could unleash it at only the tenth tier.

Only Qi Ye remained unfazed. She had long known of July’s many miracles—often mastering the divine arts of the Ten Directions Nine Five Sovereign ahead of others. At first surprised, she later recalled that when Zheng Feixian created these arts, her heart technique was not so advanced. She conjectured the true limit was not the heart technique’s tier, but the physical and internal power values.

Like Zheng Feixian, July possessed a frenzied talent, far surpassing others, enabling her to master ultimate skills much earlier.

Seeing July unleash the most devastating ultimate skill of the Ten Directions Nine Five Sovereign at the outset, Qi Ye confidently declared, “Kaer is surely doomed today!”

Kaer, stunned by July’s overwhelming internal power, laughed wildly.

“You little girl really thinks you are Zheng Feixian!” he shouted, then gathered his energy, condensing his outward qi into his palms, and thrust forth his Great Vajra Palm to meet July’s strike.

The clash of internal energies thundered like lightning!

Kaer’s internal power was inferior to July’s at this moment, and his Great Vajra Palm lacked the ruthless power of the Supreme Sovereignty. He was instantly forced back several steps, losing his footing.

Amid the dissipating qi, July spun again, releasing several cold, sharp projectiles from her sleeves, striking Kaer’s body.

Several diamond-shaped hidden weapons embedded deeply in Kaer’s flesh, although too small to cause serious injury.

July leapt high, flipping swiftly in midair, her robe suddenly slipping off. Grasping the garment, she shook it toward Kaer below, scattering the hidden weapons concealed within, propelled by her internal power.

“Trifling tricks!” Kaer’s palms swept through the air, sending gusts of wind, but the weapons carried abundant internal power and moved swiftly, pinning over a dozen to his body.

Zheng Linran on the pavilion noticed the pattern of hidden weapons on Kaer formed the shape of the Big Dipper.

“Qi Ye, could this be the Big Dipper Lock?”

“Exactly.”

Ling Luo recognized the technique and said, “It seals the Ren and Du meridians, cutting off an opponent’s internal power supply. Legend says this lock has slain countless internal martial masters. Today, we finally witness it.”