Section Six: A First Test of Skill

Bu Jingxian cut down several soldiers who were closing in from both sides, gripped the heavy sword's hilt, and with a burst of strength from his legs, soared high into the air, spinning as he hurled the heavy sword once more. This move mimicked Chu Gaoge's "Dragon Diving into the Sea" technique used against Ling Luo in the past.

The heavy sword crashed to the ground, pinning a soldier in place, its massive impact shaking the earth within a radius of thirty feet, causing the ground to collapse and crumble. Soldiers nearby couldn't keep their footing and fell in disarray. As Bu Jingxian landed, he seized the heavy sword and swung it in a whirlwind of slashes and thrusts. In mere moments, nearly eighty percent of the soldiers who had struggled to rise lay dead.

The spears surrounding him were utterly powerless against the heavy sword wielded by his divine strength. Spears snapped and flew, and many soldiers, unable to let go of their weapons in time, were flung aside; even those who managed to release their grip had their hand bones shattered by the force. Not a single soldier could approach him.

In short order, Bu Jingxian had slain more than fifty soldiers, leaving the remainder retreating with raised spears, unwilling to advance any further.

He stood gripping the heavy sword with both hands, his armor drenched in blood; the sword itself was nearly transformed into a blade of crimson.

He exhaled softly, feeling his stamina still abundant, almost undiminished.

"Soul Technique truly isn't just an empty doctrine. I now possess the same combat power as the other disciples atop North Spirit Mountain. Master truly labored for my sake, truly labored for my sake..."

At that moment, a larger force approached, led by ten cavalrymen who spurred their horses and leveled their spears from afar, shouting orders for the soldiers to surround Bu Jingxian.

Seeing one cavalryman leading the charge, Bu Jingxian sheathed his sword and strode forward, pressing a palm against the horse's chest as it galloped toward him, pushing it back with force. The cavalryman's spear barely grazed his shoulder armor, leaving a deep scratch. The horse staggered backward, nearly unseating its rider.

Bu Jingxian moved faster still; two riders behind, unable to avoid the retreating horse, were knocked to the ground. The horse retreated quickly, but Bu Jingxian's advance was even swifter. In moments, the rider lost contact with the ground, flipping backward and crashing into four or five other charging horses.

The infantry who had been ordered to pursue stood frozen in shock, no longer daring to approach. The remaining two cavalrymen hurriedly reined in their mounts, and the hundred or so soldiers behind them formed ranks, staring in disbelief at the eight warhorses that lay neighing and struggling, grievously wounded and unable to rise.

Bu Jingxian, still dissatisfied with his display of might, thrust his heavy sword into the ground and called out to the two halted cavalrymen, "Come, both of you, let me test your horses' strength again."

As he spoke, Bu Jingxian activated his heart technique, gathering power—his physique grew rapidly tougher, strength surging like a tide. With a mighty shout, he dispersed excess force through his feet.

The ground within thirty feet couldn't withstand the shock, instantly covered in cracks.

Bu Jingxian himself hadn't expected his own strength to be so astonishing, able to unleash such impact with just a hint of release.

The soldiers, witnessing this, grew even more terrified, their will to fight utterly broken.

Just as their commander hesitated, a man dashed forward on horseback.

"Who is this madman! Watch as I deal with you!"

After channeling his power, Bu Jingxian noticed that his opponents were enveloped in layers of multicolored light. Recalling Ling Luo's mention of the Divine Eye ability, he was secretly delighted, suspecting he had suddenly grasped its secret. He carefully observed the light covering the body of this so-called Hero Li, and indeed, as Ling Luo had described, the distinct colors manifested his stamina, inner strength, spirit, and soul.

He guessed the Divine Eye ability was linked to the badge Lady Li had given him; otherwise, he couldn't have mastered it out of nowhere.

He remembered that each advancement of the Sovereign’s Divine Technique increased natural stamina and inner strength by fifty percent and doubled their recovery rates. From the fifth stage onward, each level increased soul power by one. The damage range of techniques also doubled. At the tenth stage, special energy field effects allowed for flexible transformation of stamina and inner strength, and doubled their values.

The outcome of combat depended on the difference between the stamina and inner strength of both sides. If the enemy's stamina was thirty higher than his own, direct confrontation would cost him thirty points of stamina; if their inner strength was thirty higher, he would lose thirty points of inner strength. Inner strength was depleted before stamina, and once exhausted, stamina would be consumed instead.

This was the judgment from the perspective of personal combat attributes. The actual destructive power of martial techniques depended on mastery and proficiency, and the increase varied in real combat. The Sovereign’s Divine Technique generally increased the destructive power of moves by fifty percent; those highly skilled could reach a hundred percent or more.

In real combat, many techniques combined offense and defense; if the enemy successfully defended, the damage received would be greatly reduced. If the opponent excelled at redirecting force, as in the internal techniques of the Northern Martial Sect, he could nullify the attacker’s power, suffering only a fraction of the damage.

At the fifth stage, the Sovereign’s Divine Technique increased soul power; at the tenth, it generated special heart technique effects.

Bu Jingxian calculated that Hero Li’s stamina and inner strength were both 550, innate spirit at nine, soul at six, combat power at 2090, and absolute combat power exceeding twelve thousand. Yet he didn’t know Li’s innate stamina and inner strength attributes, so he couldn’t judge his heart technique mastery.

He said, "I’ve been waiting for Hero Li for some time. I wonder, how many stages of the Sovereign’s Divine Technique have you mastered? Can you withstand a few punches from me?"

Hero Li dismounted in fury, replying arrogantly, "Though I have only reached the ninth stage of the Sovereign’s Divine Technique, dealing with a mad brat like you is more than enough!"

The soldiers of Zheng called out in support.

"Sovereign’s Divine Technique, long live! Hero Li’s fame stretches a hundred miles, undefeated in battle!"

Bu Jingxian had long known of Zheng’s trust and reverence for the Flying Immortal Sect.

Knowing Hero Li’s heart technique mastery, Bu Jingxian quickly calculated that his innate stamina and inner strength were both the optimal one hundred, though lacking the unique talent of Ling Luo. Still, compared to many martial artists, his qualities were exceptional, and with the ninth stage of the Sovereign’s Divine Technique, it was reasonable for him to have earned the title of hero in such a place.

Bu Jingxian himself had only reached the eighth stage of the Soul Technique; though aided by the mysterious badge, his strength had merely returned to the original power of the Soul Technique. He had never discovered any special talent in himself—his attributes might surpass Hero Li, but his combat power in a short-term duel might not be much higher.

He knew, however, that the Soul Technique seemed to offer no boost to inner strength, appearing to be purely a stamina-based external martial doctrine. In terms of stamina values, he ought to surpass Hero Li. In terms of technique, he was no match; in experience, he fell short. Only by direct confrontation might he have a chance.

North Spirit Elder had never revealed the full might of the Soul Technique, but Bu Jingxian knew its recovery abilities were extraordinary.

Hero Li, having not advanced past the tenth stage of the Sovereign’s Divine Technique, couldn’t convert inner strength to stamina. In a direct clash, lacking stamina, it would become a mutual exchange of damage. If the Soul Technique’s recovery speed kept pace, the first to fall might not be Bu Jingxian.

"I’ve long heard that the Sovereign’s Divine Technique is the most domineering martial art in the world. I, born with divine strength, have never met a worthy opponent. Does Hero Li dare to test the world’s most formidable palm technique against me, head-on? Let us see who claims victory!"

The Zheng army soldiers shouted in support.

"Sovereign’s Divine Technique, unmatched and invincible, the arrogant cannot withstand a single strike! Sovereign’s Divine Technique, unmatched and invincible..."

It was known throughout the world that Zheng Feixian’s Sovereign’s Divine Technique was unparalleled, its power unmatched. No one dared face it head-on. Since Zheng had become the dominant nation, the Sovereign’s Divine Technique was a symbol of its supremacy.

Bu Jingxian thus pinned this title on Hero Li, and with the Zheng army’s shouts, how could Hero Li refuse?

To decline would mean losing the prestige of the world’s foremost martial art, and invite the contempt of the surrounding soldiers.

"You arrogant brat, you dare to challenge the might of the world’s most domineering martial art? Very well, I will grant you your wish!"