Inside the main hall of the Yuan residence.
Yuan Shuo and Liu Long sat in the host and guest seats.
As for Li Hao... he was not qualified to take a seat. As Yuan Shuo's final disciple, seniority and generation mattered greatly on such occasions.
It did not matter whether Liu Long was his superior; even if he were Li Hao's subordinate, Li Hao was only permitted to stand here, fetching tea and pouring water.
Such was the rule!
This was the rule of the martial master path. Supernaturals now operated purely on the principle of might making right, paying little heed to traditional etiquette. While neither approach could be deemed strictly good or bad, the martial master circle generally looked down upon such unrefined dynamics.
To revere strength alone while abandoning respect for masters and veneration of the way seemed, in the eyes of older martial masters, far too primitive and barbarous.
Li Hao first poured tea for his master, then for Liu Long.
Afterward, he stood obediently beside Yuan Shuo, waiting for the two to speak.
Liu Long cast a glance at Li Hao without speaking, then shifted his gaze to Black Panther lying not far away... and suddenly felt an urge to laugh.
A completely unprompted urge to laugh!
At a moment like this, he was actually in the mood to think: *I lack a disciple by my side too. Why doesn't this dog have any sense and come pour me a cup of tea?*
After all, Liu Long had taught martial arts to this dog as well.
Even earlier than Yuan Shuo!
Liu Long had genuinely imparted the Nine Refinements Force—not just the method, but the techniques too. Last time, he had even taught the hound the Triple Layered Force.
*The beast has no discernment at all!*
...
Meanwhile, Li Hao noticed Liu Long glance at him before shifting his eyes toward Black Panther... Li Hao froze for a moment, then looked slightly embarrassed.
*What does that mean?*
*He thinks I'm on the same level as Black Panther?*
Li Hao remained silent, feeling somewhat helpless. *To think the captain harbors such petty thoughts—and here I was praising him for being forthright!*
Yuan Shuo used the tea lid to skim the surface of his tea, then took a small sip.
Setting down the teacup, his gaze settled on Liu Long. "Li Hao briefed you on everything?"
"He did."
"If you can advance, would your newly attained Thousand-Battler strength be enough to match three Solar Radiances?"
Yuan Shuo did not mince words. "It isn't that this old man looks down on you. Your Liu family's Nine Refinements Force possesses formidable explosive power; I know that well enough. But beyond that?"
Liu Long's brow furrowed slightly.
"Are you fast?"
Yuan Shuo spoke casually, then gave a faint smile. "Can you fly?"
"How many steps can you take through the air?"
"If your opponent escapes into the earth or soars into the sky, how will you pursue them?"
"'In the realm of martial arts, only speed remains unbroken'... That might be an exaggeration, but should even one of the three supernaturals specialize in speed and manage to flee, could you, Liu Long, use the Nine Refinements Force to strike them dead from afar?"
Liu Long parted his lips to speak, but after a long pause, he chose silence.
He could not!
Yuan Shuo said calmly, "My explosive power might not necessarily rival yours—there is no need to deny that. But my strength lies in versatility. I can pursue, I can flee, I can attack, and I can defend. As for any slight deficiency in offensive might, I possess treasures on my person that can compensate for it."
"What about you?"
He looked at Liu Long. "If I pay an immense price to help you step into the Thousand-Battler realm, only for you to fail against three Solar Radiances in the end—letting the enemies escape and exposing both Li Hao and me—could you shoulder the consequences then, even if you were willing?"
Liu Long's expression shifted repeatedly before he shook his head. "I could not!"
The bold words he had harbored earlier were swallowed right back down.
Indeed, if the opponents excelled in escape arts, how would he counter them?
The Liu family's Nine Refinements Force was best suited for head-on slaughter. The ideal opponent was one who clashed with him directly without fleeing—that was the type of enemy the Liu family loved to face most: a clash of raw power to see who died first.
Yuan Shuo was pragmatic and direct. "Liu Long, you are a martial master. My student may not understand, but you ought to! What does it mean for a martial master to be helped into the Thousand-Battler realm—into the so-called Land Deity realm?"
"My idiot disciple even suggested that I borrow a secret treasure to heal your injuries... You know full well how difficult it is for a martial master to recover from chronic ailments! How many martial masters have died at this very step? He makes it sound so effortless—he who doesn't run the household doesn't know the cost of firewood and rice, selling the family fields without a pang of regret, thinking mere lip service is enough!"
Yuan Shuo chuckled in mild amusement. "This fellow even threw out a price, claiming the mysterious energy would belong to you... Are you joking? If I were to announce publicly right now that I could help someone advance to the Thousand-Battler realm in exchange for slaying three Solar Radiances after their breakthrough... Liu Long, let me ask you: would every single martial master at the Hundred-Breaker perfection stage come flocking to beg me?"
"Furthermore, those people have already grasped momentum, making it far easier for them to break through than for you!"
Liu Long's expression shifted slightly, and he nodded. "Elder Yuan speaks the truth! That condition alone would be enough to make any martial master dedicated to the martial path risk their life! Even death would be a small price to pay!"
Yuan Shuo was not wrong.
Just that single prospect—advancing to Thousand-Battler—was something almost no martial master who had not abandoned the dream of breakthrough could refuse.
Therefore, Yuan Shuo was right to say that no further conditions were needed; for that alone, Liu Long ought to stake his life.
After a moment of silence, Liu Long added, "I don't need any of the mysterious energy... Though if others participate in the battle, I hope some can be shared with them. It won't need to be much, just distributed according to merit."
Beside them, Li Hao looked at his master, biting his tongue.
Giving the mysterious energy to Liu Long had not been his own idea; his master had agreed to it previously. Yet now his master had suddenly changed his tune, leaving Li Hao to ponder what was going through his master's mind.
Yuan Shuo remained composed. "I have no shortage of this bit of mysterious energy, whereas you might need it more... In truth, it doesn't matter! I said all this merely to remind you that while my student might not understand, you, who do, must not take it for granted!"
Liu Long said in a deep voice, "I wouldn't dare! It's just that I didn't consider things thoroughly before... I was indeed remiss; please excuse my ignorance, Elder Yuan! Taking action this time is partly my duty, and partly for personal vengeance. I shouldn't be accepting any benefits to begin with... but unfortunately, my strength falls short. As a mere Hundred-Breaker, I fear I would be unequal to the task!"
He truly had not thought that far ahead. When Li Hao mentioned that he could obtain over a thousand cubic meters of mysterious energy, he had been entirely consumed by shock.
Now that Yuan Shuo laid it bare, Liu Long also felt that it was indeed inappropriate.
Yuan Shuo smiled. "As a martial master, you may well become the second Thousand-Battler martial master of Silver Moon. Let us speak openly to avoid future friction and resentment."
"Elder Yuan is right!"
Yuan Shuo continued, "The ruins go to Li Hao! The mysterious energy will be split evenly between you and me! If there are any other spoils, Li Hao will take nothing, and we will divide them equally. Of course, if you feel it's unfair for Li Hao to take the ruins..."
"Not in the slightest!"
Liu Long replied solemnly, "Although Li Hao has not formally acknowledged me as his master, he cultivates the Nine Refinements Force and has already achieved the Triple Layered Force. He can be considered the inheritor of my Liu family's martial arts. Elder Yuan must know that my family's Nine Refinements Force has never been passed to outsiders. Since that is the case... Li Hao growing stronger is an outcome I wish to see!"
Yuan Shuo nodded slightly and smiled.
"Since you agree, all the better! For martial masters like us, lineage and inheritance transcend all else! Enough talk. I'll tend to your injuries first. The damage to your arms is too severe. As for whether you can achieve nine layers and grasp momentum after you heal... that will be up to you. If you can comprehend momentum and advance, our collaboration stands; if you fail, consider everything said before as nothing more than hot air!"
"Naturally!"
Liu Long nodded.
Taking a deep breath, he felt a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
The injuries to his arms were not just from the recent clash, but chronic damage accumulated over years of wielding the Nine Refinements Force. Did Yuan Shuo truly possess a way to heal them?
He did not know, but since Yuan Shuo had promised, it was worth a try.
If it succeeded... then... At that thought, Liu Long could not help feeling a surge of excitement.
"Very well, no time like the present... let us begin!"
Yuan Shuo waved his hand and gave Li Hao a pat. "Go outside and keep watch. Order a few dishes as well, and say that I am hosting Liu Long for lunch today. I doubt they'll dare pry into our affairs!"
"Yes!"
Li Hao promptly complied and soon exited the main hall. He reached up to touch his neck; the small sword was already gone. It seemed his master had decided to extract the sword energy himself.
His master had not revealed that the treasure belonged to Li Hao; granting such a favor openly carried unnecessary risks.
One could never be too cautious around others.
Both Li Hao and Yuan Shuo believed Liu Long would not cause trouble, yet they still refrained from directly disclosing that the treasure belonged to Li Hao. Just like Liu Yan and Chen Jian, who knew Li Hao could emit some form of healing power, neither of them had ever brought it up either.
In some matters, turning a blind eye was the only sensible choice.
...
Outside the door.
Li Hao brought Black Panther along... The hound had lingered inside earlier, hoping to sneak a few sips of sword energy, only to be kicked out by Yuan Shuo. Now it trailed dejectedly behind Li Hao.
Paying the dog no mind, Li Hao walked over to a pavilion near the courtyard gate, left behind by the Night Watchers earlier.
Inside sat a communicator.
Without needing to dial any number, Li Hao picked it up and said, "Prepare some wine and food and send them in around lunchtime. Also, keep a tight watch on the perimeter—no one is permitted to step inside!"
A voice acknowledged from the other end. Without caring who it was, Li Hao hung up directly.
Standing in the pavilion, Li Hao toyed with a wisp of inner force between his fingers. With a gentle surge, he instantly achieved a second layer.
External projection of inner force, stacking force outside the body.
*This is merely a technique, not momentum!*
At this moment, Li Hao was still contemplating the concept of momentum.
Whether stacked internally or externally, it was only a technique, not momentum.
Momentum was also known as spirit intent.
It pertained to the so-called spiritual plane.
*The spiritual plane... The ancient texts contain records of it, referring to it as intent, will, and the like. Gathering momentum before striking, intent born from the heart, invincibility within oneself!*
*The ancient texts also record that during the era of the ancient civilization, some firmly believed themselves invincible. Even without comprehending genuine momentum, they could form a great momentum. The only danger lay in a single defeat, which could shatter their spirit completely, breaking their invincible momentum and leaving them utterly broken.*
He recalled many of the ancient texts he had memorized.
Momentum did not necessarily require directly observing and mimicking nature like his master did.
In the ancient civilization, some had forged unique paths of momentum.
Some firmly believed themselves invincible, holding that conviction from beginning to end until death—that, too, was a form of momentum.
In ancient times, some embarked on the path of invincibility, constantly nurturing their momentum along the way—nurturing a momentum of certain victory, a momentum of invincibility. Once their great momentum matured, they swept across the realm, unmatched under heaven, undefeated in a hundred battles, rising to the pinnacle on gathered momentum.
This was entirely different from the momentum practiced by his master and the others.
*Different eras, different cultivation methods, yet they all share one common thread... suppressing others with momentum! Once momentum is formed, it nurtures one's spirit, and momentum is generated from within!*
The reason powerhouses were formidable lay not merely in physical destruction, but also in psychological pressure.
Once great momentum was unleashed, weaker opponents could easily collapse in an instant.
*How should I accumulate my momentum?*
He thought of himself.
Should he accompany tigers and leopards in the mountains like his master?
Or watch a tsunami sweep across heaven and earth like Liu Long?
Or walk the path of invincibility like the ancients, or simply believe himself unmatched under heaven, victorious in every fight?
He looked down at Black Panther.
The hound was currently fiddling with its paw, seemingly attempting to mimic Li Hao by stacking force outside its body... But since it hadn't even reached the Hundred-Breaker realm and couldn't project inner force, external stacking was out of the question.
Li Hao chuckled. "Black Panther, are you a martial master dog or a supernatural dog?"
Black Panther didn't seem to have become a supernatural. Could it be that this dog was turning into a martial master hound instead?
"Woof, woof!"
Black Panther barked. Li Hao did not understand dog language, but seeing its eyes look down at the ground, it seemed to be declaring its desire to become an invincible hound.
"Momentum... spirit intent..."
Ignoring the dog, Li Hao murmured softly, "Tell me, for someone low-profile like me, what kind of momentum should I comprehend? An invincible momentum? Walking the path of invincibility... That's impossible. I'm no ancient, nor do I have their circumstances. No one can suppress the world for me to ensure fair fights among peers; no one can keep powerful enemies at bay for me..."
It was unfeasible.
An invincible momentum required prerequisites: a formidable backing capable of suppressing all directions.
*If I tell you to fight at the same level, you fight at the same level!*
Or perhaps an era of peace, where one sparred to exchange martial insights.
Otherwise, in this era, if Li Hao went to Red Moon to challenge their Hundred-Breakers to a duel... an expert above Three Sols would rush out immediately to butcher him. Going into an enemy's lair for a duel would require reckless audacity... he would certainly be beaten to death!
"If that won't work, then I can only comprehend the momentum of nature."
Li Hao murmured, "Heaven and earth inspire awe, and the power of nature is boundlessly immense. With my mere Hundred-Breaker strength, I have no right to look down upon nature's might! Not to mention Hundred-Breakers, even Thousand-Battlers or those at higher realms have no right to belittle it."
"Therefore, I can only comprehend nature!"
"The might of tigers and leopards falls short of the natural world. If judged purely from the Five Animals Art and the Nine Refinements Force, the power of a tsunami surpasses that of beasts. Of course, it also depends on how one wields it. If a tsunami is reduced to mere footbath water... it becomes a laughingstock!"
"Black Panther, what kind of natural force do you think can apply across land, sea, and air? I'd like to comprehend something like that... A surging wave cannot destroy the land, nor can a hurricane. Lightning can pierce the sky, yet it leaves the earth unharmed..."
As Li Hao spoke, he sank into deep contemplation once more.
"Man stands upon the earth. The earth has existed for countless eons; no matter if mountains crumble and the ground splits, the earth remains... True crises rarely come from the sky or the sea, but from the ground beneath our feet!"
At that moment, he thought of earthquakes.
When an earthquake struck, it shuddered from within, shaking heaven and earth, shattering mountains and splitting the ground, striking terror into all living things.
He had seen it.
He had truly witnessed it!
A minor earthquake had once struck Silver City, yet even that small tremor had claimed lives.
A martial master must plant their feet upon the earth.
No matter how high a supernatural could fly, there would always come a moment when they had to land.
At this moment, Li Hao stared at the ground. He seemed to realize what he needed.
No one could live in the sky forever!
Only the momentum of the earth, the power of the earth, was inexhaustible.
He stamped his foot down, unleashing the Triple Layered Force.
A pit caved into the ground.
Beside him, Black Panther mimicked the motion, slamming its paw down. The ground shuddered slightly, sending a faint numbness through Li Hao's foot.
Meanwhile, Black Panther was jolted up and down by Li Hao's force.
Li Hao looked at Black Panther, and Black Panther looked back at Li Hao. In the next moment, one foot and one paw traded stomps in great amusement.
Black Panther was playing, but Li Hao was not.
He was thinking: who said the Nine Refinements Force was modeled after ocean waves?
Liu Long merely believed that waves stacked upon waves, so the momentum he comprehended was that of a wave!
Li Hao, however, believed the essence of the Nine Refinements Force lay in stacking—the stacking of vibrations. Waves were not the only phenomenon that behaved this way; earthquakes did too. Powerful seismic waves propagated one after another, causing destruction no less devastating than a tsunami.
"An earthquake... also centers on vibration!"
Li Hao had witnessed that terrifying might firsthand, and recalling it now still sent chills down his spine.
With that thought, Li Hao seemed to make a decision.
He did not necessarily have to copy the two martial masters. A martial master's path was forged by oneself; no two people shared the exact same momentum.
Right now, he needed to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground, so taking the earth as his foundation was the perfect choice.
He stamped his foot once more!
Recalling that past scene and feeling that world-shattering power, Li Hao brought his foot down. With a thunderous boom, this strike unexpectedly unleashed four layers of stacked force!
Not only that, but in Black Panther's eyes, there seemed to be something distinctly different.
At this moment, Li Hao appeared rooted into the earth. Though he swayed slightly the instant he stamped his foot, he stood unyielding, as if a towering mountain loomed behind him.
"Woof, woof!"
Black Panther barked, a hint of bewilderment in its eyes.
*What was that?*
Li Hao, however, revealed a faint smile. He had not mastered momentum yet.
Yet he seemed to have found his direction.
How to accumulate momentum, and how to nurture it.
*The ancient texts also record that ancients nurtured a sword for years, shocking heaven and earth the moment it was drawn! Hiding ferocity within the sword, concealing the sword within the sheath, nurturing the blade to nurture momentum. As for me... merging into the earth, concealing myself within the land; so long as the earth endures, I shall not perish...*
Of course, this was an ideal, nearly impossible to achieve.
Yet Li Hao did not care!
Today, Liu Long had come to comprehend momentum, yet before Liu Long had grasped it, Li Hao had already caught a glimpse of it. Who knew how Liu Long would feel if he learned of this?
Thus, sometimes talent lay not in the physical body, but in the mind.
The height of one's thoughts determined the height of one's realm.
A strong physique only determined the present; the breadth of one's vision determined the future.
"Black Panther, you need to learn to read and study more!"
Li Hao smiled. "If you don't understand principles and the nature of heaven and earth, you will never understand how vast the future is... You only see what's in front of you, whereas I can see the future!"
"Woof, woof, woof!"
Black Panther barked, its eyes still carrying some confusion, yet it etched those words into memory.
Li Hao closed his eyes and fell silent.
After gathering his focus for a moment, he suddenly stamped his foot again.
This time, inner force erupted from both of his legs, projecting outward and penetrating into the earth. Rather than gouging a crater beneath his feet, the ground seemed to ripple with a vibration. In an instant, the shockwave rippled outward two to three meters, shattering an ornamental jar outside the courtyard.
Li Hao beamed!
"Projection from all four limbs!"
In that single moment, he had achieved inner force projection through all four limbs, fully enabling his legs to project inner force while even catching an inkling of something deeper.
Inside the room, an angry shout suddenly erupted: "Li Hao, if you break anything else, I'll swat you to death with one palm!"
*What is that brat doing out there?*
*Clattering and shattering sounds—is he trying to demolish the house?*
*Even the dog doesn't tear the place apart, yet you, Li Hao, are wrecking things?*
*More troublesome than a dog!*
Li Hao, who had just been riding high on his epiphany, immediately pulled a long face, feeling utterly helpless.
*I didn't mean to break things... All right, I did break something.*
He had shattered a jar and cracked several paving tiles. He only hoped his master wouldn't make him pay for repairs. He had no money; Liu Long could pay for it instead. Even if Liu Long lacked personal funds, he was the department head and could cover it with public expenses.
...
Inside the room.
Liu Long's arms were rapidly recovering. Hearing Yuan Shuo's furious shout, he felt an urge to chuckle.
Yuan Shuo, however, raised an eyebrow and muttered in a low voice, "What are you laughing at? I have a faint feeling... that kid outside will surely shock the world in the near future!"
"His talent is indeed decent, but Elder Yuan might be exaggerating a bit."
"It's not about talent. Physical talent has never mattered to me!"
Yuan Shuo wore a proud, cold expression. "Your talent for martial arts is undeniably first-rate—top-tier, even! But I, Yuan Shuo, don't care about that. What I value is intellect, responsiveness, and decisiveness! That is the foundation for a martial master to go far! A martial master without thoughts of their own, who only follows rote routines, will struggle even to reach Thousand-Battler. And even if they do, they're merely picking up scraps left by others!"
Liu Long was left speechless. *Is this... praise or an insult?*
*My talent is good, but you look down on it, meaning my brain is deficient, is that it?*
Liu Long had never considered himself stupid, yet in Yuan Shuo's eyes, he seemed perpetually branded a fool.
At this moment, Liu Long couldn't hold back: "Elder Yuan, even if I wasn't that sharp, I was still just a child back then. Did you really determine from a single glance that my intellect was lacking and that I couldn't meet your standards?"
He still felt somewhat indignant about this.
Yuan Shuo sneered. "Did I need a second look? Back then, when your father brought you to me, I asked why, since your father's Nine Refinements Force was so formidable, you still wanted to learn an outsider's art. How did you answer me?"
Liu Long thought back for a moment before replying, "I... I said that while the Nine Refinements Force was powerful, it carried the drawback of harming the body. My father held the Five Animals Art in high esteem, so I wanted to study the Five Animals Art under Elder Yuan!"
*What was wrong with that?*
He remained baffled.
Yuan Shuo looked at him with disdain. "That's precisely why you're an idiot! I didn't even need to test you further; there was no point. You came to beg me—keep that in mind! Even your father came begging me. You weren't that young back then, were you? Around ten years old?"
"About that."
"At that age, you didn't use an ounce of brainpower. Remember, I was stronger than your father. I was merely exchanging pleasantries by saying your family's Nine Refinements Force was impressive... Yet you actually agreed, saying your Nine Refinements Force was mighty, making it sound as though you were only learning my Five Animals Art because you had no other choice! Me, the grand master Yuan Shuo, reduced to your backup option?"
Yuan Shuo gave a cold laugh. "I gave your father face by calling him formidable. If I didn't care about face... even if all Three Spears of Silver Moon came at me together, I would have beaten every last one of them to pulp! If it were Li Hao back then, he would have certainly said that while the Nine Refinements Force was strong, it was far inferior to the Five Animals Art, and that in practicing martial arts, one should only cultivate the strongest art!"
Liu Long stared, dumbfounded.
*Just because of that?*
*You deemed me stupid over a single sentence?*
*I was just a kid back then! Besides, my family's Nine Refinements Force really is powerful—that was simply a fact. So in your eyes, one has to flatter you to get anywhere?*
Liu Long had never imagined that his rejection had been solely because he failed to flatter Yuan Shuo.
Where was the justice in that?
In his memory, someone of Yuan Shuo's status and stature—a grandmaster-level powerhouse—ought to prefer hearing the truth. Yet... his only mistake had been not piling on the flattery!
*Damn it!*
Liu Long was practically fuming. He would never admit he was stupid; Yuan Shuo was just shameless.
"*Sigh!*"
Yuan Shuo let out a sigh. *You still don't understand.*
Liu Long was far too rigid... He might harbor a few petty schemes, but those little thoughts were utterly useless before someone like Yuan Shuo. Before cultivating martial arts, one must cultivate the heart; before becoming a powerhouse, one must learn how to conduct oneself.
At ten years old, a child from an ordinary family could afford to be naive. But as the son of a martial master whose father was nearing his grave and whose enemies spanned the world, if you still didn't use your head, who would want to take you in as a disciple?
It would bring endless trouble for nothing, forcing one to shoulder all the enemies your father had accumulated across the realm—and you still didn't comprehend this.
To fail to understand even today—no wonder you nearly practiced yourself to death.
"I'm not your father, and I can't be bothered to lecture you, so... that's enough of that!"
Yuan Shuo didn't bother elaborating further. A moment later, the final surge of sword energy poured forth. Liu Long's arms creaked and cracked. With a sweep of his arm, like a heavy hammer tearing through empty air, the atmosphere exploded with a sharp boom.
Liu Long's eyes flickered, and looking at Yuan Shuo, he was visibly shaken. "What kind of energy is this?"
It was too potent!
The injuries to his arms were not entirely gone, but they were close enough to make almost no difference; even his years of chronic damage had been cured.
No wonder Yuan Shuo could recover even from a ruptured heart.
What was this power?
Yuan Shuo said indifferently, "What, am I a prisoner who owes you an explanation? You never think before speaking. Keep in mind that whether martial master or supernatural, who doesn't have a few secrets? Just because you saw it, do I have to explain it all to you?"
Liu Long felt aggrieved. *I didn't mean it that way.*
Before Yuan Shuo, he was a junior. Not only that, he could neither outtalk nor outfight the man. It was thoroughly exasperating. If not for the breakthrough... he would have walked out right now. It was infuriating.
"I didn't mean that..."
"Meaning it or not, you shouldn't have asked!"
Liu Long's expression darkened, and he kept his mouth shut, inwardly cursing. He truly wanted to pummel this infuriating old bastard to death.
He had always considered himself possessed of decent temperament, yet a few words from Yuan Shuo made his fists itch.
"Can you stack nine layers?"
"I should be able to."
Seeing that Yuan Shuo had dropped the subject, Liu Long breathed a slight sigh of relief. *Fine, I won't ask.*
"Not 'should be able to'—you must!"
Yuan Shuo picked another bone, snapping displeasedly, "I didn't spend such an immense price just for you to say you 'should' be able to, understand? If you can't, selling your Hundred-Breaker life to me wouldn't even cover the cost of this energy!"
"I definitely can!"
Liu Long's voice rose, tinged with irritation. "One hundred percent, I am certain I can!"
"Good, then!"
Yuan Shuo broke into a smile. At that moment, Liu Long truly wanted to smash his face in; that grin looked utterly detestable.
"Li Hao, get in here!"
A moment later, Li Hao entered the room.
Yuan Shuo hadn't paid much attention at first, but just as he was about to speak, he froze slightly. He looked at Li Hao, his brow furrowing slightly as he examined the air around him, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
He had told Liu Long earlier that Li Hao would surely shock the world in the future and become a grandmaster.
Yet he had been referring to Li Hao's intellect and temperament.
At this moment, however, he faintly sensed an extraordinary aura.
*Momentum?*
*How could that be?!*
Li Hao stacking force outside his body earlier had already astonished him, leaving him thoroughly pleased with his disciple's performance.
Yet right now, doubt crept into his mind.
After a brief silence, Yuan Shuo said slowly, "Your strength improved?"
"Yes, I can project inner force through all four limbs now. I suppose I'm at the peak of early Hundred-Breaker."
Li Hao grinned happily.
Liu Long was surprised, but Yuan Shuo paid it no mind. A mere early Hundred-Breaker, no matter how close to the peak, wouldn't draw much concern from him.
That wasn't what he wanted to ask.
Yet Yuan Shuo said nothing more on the subject. Instead, he turned to Liu Long. "Come, let me feel your wave intent! Hold nothing back, don't worry about Li Hao... and don't mind that dog. Unleash your strongest state!"
Liu Long was somewhat surprised, but since Yuan Shuo had said so, he was itching to try anyway.
Time to test it!
In the next instant, he threw a punch like a rushing ocean wave. Inner force surged across his arms, wave upon wave.
By the end, one could faintly sense the roar of crashing ocean waves!
When Yuan Shuo had stepped into the Thousand-Battler realm that day, there had been no grand prelude; he had crossed over naturally and smoothly.
Yet now, observing Liu Long's attempt, Li Hao noticed a difference: Liu Long needed to build momentum!
He needed preparation; he had to erupt to his absolute peak before he could grasp spirit intent.
*Liu Long isn't as natural as Master...*
At this moment, Li Hao had an epiphany. Even if Liu Long succeeded in stepping into the Thousand-Battler realm, it would be strained—nowhere near the effortless ease his master had displayed. Had his master not been held back by his injuries, he likely could have crossed into the Thousand-Battler realm directly without any external aid.
Just then, a surging wave of force rolled toward Li Hao.
Li Hao remained impassive, his feet planted like roots into the earth.
The Nine Refinements Force erupted!
The incoming force entered his body, drifting like flotsam and churning restlessly within him. In the next instant, Li Hao let out a muffled grunt and stamped lightly on the ground, diverting the surging wave into the earth.
The floor shuddered!
A paving tile cracked... Li Hao's face shifted. *Damn it!*
Peeking toward Yuan Shuo, he saw his master staring wide-eyed... *It's over, Master saw it. It's completely over; I really don't have the money to replace your floor tiles.*
Li Hao had asked before—they were exorbitantly expensive, costing over five hundred yuan apiece. Replacing them meant redoing the entire room... It would easily cost eighty to a hundred thousand yuan.
At that moment, Yuan Shuo's eyes were wide!
*Momentum!*
*That is definitely the embryonic form of momentum, without a doubt!*
He couldn't be mistaken. He had suspected it moments ago, but now Li Hao had actually borrowed force to deflect force, redirecting the energy through his own body into the ground to link with the earth. That was by no means a simple application of force—it was an application of momentum!
*How is that possible?*
Yuan Shuo could hardly believe it. He hadn't taught him any of this. Even when he had spoken of it, he had only mentioned mimicking the five animals, which was the easiest path to comprehension.
Yet Li Hao... seemed to have gained his own insight.
Over there, Liu Long was still unleashing his power, but Yuan Shuo paid him no attention. What was there to see? It shouldn't be a problem, but even if he reached Thousand-Battler, he would only be an ordinary one—lacking unique traits, devoid of distinct personal character.
A Thousand-Battler like Liu Long would have drawn some interest in the past, or if Yuan Shuo hadn't just witnessed Li Hao comprehending momentum.
Yet right now... Yuan Shuo couldn't even be bothered to look at him!
He stared wide-eyed, his gaze fixed entirely on Li Hao.
Li Hao, meanwhile, felt intensely guilty. He kept his head lowered, wishing his master couldn't see him.
*Stop staring!*
*Isn't it just one cracked tile?*
*Liu Long trampled several to pieces already, why aren't you looking at him?*
"*Ha!*"
At that moment, Liu Long's low shout drew the attention of both master and disciple. Only then did Yuan Shuo shift his gaze, while Li Hao wiped away non-existent sweat from his forehead. It was terrifying—his master's glare had been far too fierce!
*Was it really that serious?*
Li Hao felt helpless. As for redirecting force into the ground... in his view, it wasn't much.
Just some basic application. His grasp of momentum remained hazy; he knew he hadn't truly comprehended it, merely clearing away a bit of the fog through some fundamental understanding.
Little did he know that in Yuan Shuo's eyes, even this single step meant Li Hao had found the correct path.
Li Hao possessed sufficient physical conditioning and had grasped the embryo of momentum. Barring unforeseen accidents... the shackles of the Thousand-Battler realm were already falling away before him!
Incredible!
Yuan Shuo's heart was churning with profound shock, yet words failed him. In the next moment, he barked, "Striking at empty air is useless! You're too weak. Taking this long just to comprehend momentum—the nine stacked waves are utterly wasted in your hands!"
With those words, he struck with blinding speed, throwing a punch!
Liu Long swung his fist to meet it. In the blink of an eye, Li Hao saw only fists!
In another blink, it was no longer a fist, but a fierce tiger descending the mountain, pouncing upon its prey.
Liu Long appeared like a giant wave, yet at this moment, he seemed like a mere creek, toyed with in the tiger's paws. The gap between them was glaringly obvious.
"Not enough! Is that all? Useless!"
Yuan Shuo's furious shout rang out again. In Li Hao's eyes, he now resembled a giant bear descending into the world, its massive paw slamming down onto the wave. With a resounding crash, the wave shattered. In reality, Liu Long was struck by Yuan Shuo's palm, his inner force thrown into disarray, his face filled with sheer shock.
He felt he was on the verge of that final step!
Yuan Shuo had only broken through a few days ago, yet... yet he was entirely helpless beneath Yuan Shuo's hands.
The disparity between them was too vast!
"This is your tsunami?"
Yuan Shuo's cold voice rang out once more.
"If this is all you have, how do you expect to fight a Three Sols? The moment their momentum flares, you're a dead man! A Thousand-Battler martial master thinks he can match a Three Sols? I want to see a tsunami, not someone giving me a massage in the shower! You're not even qualified to draw my bathwater, you ugly brute!"
Liu Long was enraged!
*Draw bathwater?*
*Who are you looking down on?!*
"Break!"
With a low roar, he thrust his fist forward like a spear, unleashing a towering water dragon.
Another deafening bang erupted. Yuan Shuo seemed to transform into a giant ape—an ape seizing a dragon!
Yuan Shuo's massive hand descended like the heavens, instantly snuffing out the water dragon.
"Heh!"
That dismissive laugh provoked Liu Long to cast all restraint aside. His opponent was too strong, utterly beyond his match. Even though his momentum had flared, he still could not shake Yuan Shuo in the slightest. The man before him was simply terrifying.
Liu Long had initially worried about tempers flaring in the clash... Now he realized he had overthought it. The only one whose temper had flared was himself; Yuan Shuo was merely toying with him!
"Stack!"
A ferocious wave stacked instantly, one surging after another. Three layers, four layers... in a flash, nine stacks!
*Crash... Rumble! Boom! Boom! Boom!*
At that moment, such sounds echoed in Li Hao's ears.
He watched without blinking.
He watched Liu Long's fists and his master's hands. One used the Five Animals Art, the other the Nine Refinements Force—both of which Li Hao knew.
Two Thousand-Battlers... Yes, at this moment, Liu Long seemed to have stepped into the Thousand-Battler realm. Without realizing it, every move he made carried momentum, suppressing his foe with sheer presence... only to be suppressed in turn.
Regardless, this was a battle between two Thousand-Battlers.
And for Li Hao, a newcomer who had just entered the Hundred-Breaker realm, watching from such close proximity was an exceptionally rare opportunity.
He subconsciously mirrored the punches and palms, entirely enthralled.
In the next moment, Li Hao couldn't help putting himself in Liu Long's shoes, feeling his master's five animals momentum, and cold sweat broke out all over him.
Too fast!
Yes, his master was far too fast. Liu Long was completely on the defensive—he couldn't match his master's speed, whether in reactions, variations, or strikes.
Liu Long had no choice but to clash head-on!
Suddenly, Li Hao felt a chill at his throat. Yuan Shuo shifted his fist into a claw, like an eagle's talon, snatching straight toward Liu Long's neck. Liu Long roared, swinging his fist once more to parry, attempting to drive his opponent back with the power of nine stacked layers.
*No... he should retreat, dodge... he can't block that!*
The thought flashed through Li Hao's mind.
In the next instant, Liu Long grunted. Yuan Shuo's hand vanished, and when it reappeared, it was already gripping his throat, squeezing tightly.
Meanwhile, Liu Long's fist was effortlessly pushed aside by Yuan Shuo's other hand, sliding past on both flanks.
Liu Long's face fell in defeat!
Yuan Shuo, however, didn't even look at him. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Li Hao. Liu Long followed his gaze instinctively, and what he saw took him by surprise.
Li Hao was drenched in sweat. Suddenly, his hands spread wide, attacking no one, but looking as though he were desperately pushing something open.
It was Yuan Shuo's non-existent hand!
As his hands spread wide, his body leaned back, his right arm shifting from a prop to a thrust—a palm push!
That push seemed to shove something aside.
In the next moment, Li Hao kicked off the tips of his toes, executed a backward flip, landed swiftly, and rolled across the ground, dodging something on the spot.
Liu Long grew more astonished the longer he watched!
Was this... Li Hao's method of counterattack?
Rolling across the ground, Li Hao was dripping with sweat. Only now did he seem to snap back to reality. Glancing toward the silent hall, he suddenly felt embarrassed. Looking at his filthy clothes, then down at the two floor tiles he had shattered with the tips of his toes...
Li Hao sheepishly stood up and cleared his throat. "Master and Boss's battle was so profound that I couldn't resist trying to learn a bit... Master, Boss is a guest, so even though he cracked a few floor tiles, we can't make him pay for them. I'll cover the cost of repairs..."
Advancing by retreating!
Sure enough, Liu Long's expression shifted slightly, and he quickly said, "No need, I'll find someone to fix them! I got carried away in the heat of the moment and neglected our surroundings. I'll arrange for people to handle it."
Yuan Shuo looked at Li Hao with a half-smile.
Liu Long also seemed to catch on. Glancing at Li Hao, he was left speechless for a long time.
*Did this kid do that on purpose?*
*He... just wanted me to say that so I'd pay for the tiles.*
Of course, right now, he couldn't be bothered with such trivialities.
Staring at Li Hao, it took him a long while before he asked, "When Elder Yuan struck just now, you first pushed his hand open, then shoved back to counterattack..."
"No!"
Li Hao shook his head. "I couldn't counterattack. Master is too strong; pushing his hand was only to divert the force of his claw strike to the side. Master could easily redirect his force to claw at my throat again, so I could only kick off the ground to dodge and escape the area... It was impossible to match him!"
Yes, impossible to match.
So kicking off the ground and rolling like a donkey had purely been to flee the scene, with no intention of countering at all.
Liu Long was lost in thought for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "I couldn't escape. I'm not fast enough!"
Indeed, he couldn't mimic that.
He was too slow!
At this moment, even though he had clearly stepped into the Thousand-Battler realm, he had suffered blow after blow.
He would have been killed by Yuan Shuo; his reactions were not as sharp as Li Hao's; he couldn't even compare to Li Hao... This wasn't a matter of raw strength, but a gap in combat strategy—he relied far too heavily on brute force!
Was this truly a breakthrough?
A Land Deity, a Thousand-Battler?
*Ha!*
Liu Long felt somewhat dejected. He couldn't help asking, "Did you... gain any insights from my momentum just now?"
Li Hao hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, a lot. I learned a great deal!"
Liu Long pressed on, "What exactly did you comprehend?"
Li Hao felt awkward. Just as he was about to make something up, Yuan Shuo said indifferently, "Tell the truth!"
Li Hao sighed, lowered his head, and stared at his toes. "Boss's momentum is formidable! Wave upon wave, each stronger than the last! But... from my perspective, Boss's reactions aren't fast enough—that's the first thing. Second, it's likely because your mastery of the Nine Refinements Force isn't fluid enough; during the ninth stack, there was a slight hitch. Very faint... but I felt it."
"Third, perhaps due to previous injuries, Boss seemed hesitant to exert full power with his arms, leaving a sense of holding back..."
At this point, Li Hao suddenly said, "Water and fire show no mercy! Though I have never seen ocean waves, I have witnessed torrential storms. Boss, water can be violent too!"
With those words, he threw a punch like crashing water!
A cracking explosion!
Indeed, an explosive crack echoed through the air. For a fleeting instant, it was as if a violent storm had arrived, rain hammering down with brutal ferocity!
At that moment, Liu Long actually felt the raw violence of a rainstorm from Li Hao's fist technique!
That explosive impact, that sense of a deluge battering the earth until it cracked open...
This was not water—or rather, this was not the water in Liu Long's memory.
"Water can be swift as a blade, peerlessly sharp!"
*Boom!*
Another punch flew. Li Hao withdrew his fist and caught his breath. "Boss, these are just my own thoughts. If there's anything unrefined about them, please don't take offense."
Liu Long was silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh. "Your master said... you would shock the world!"
*I believe it now!*
At this moment, he was thoroughly convinced.
Water could truly be so violent. It lacked the grand magnificence of a tsunami, yet a single drop of water felt as though it could crack the earth.
In the next instant, Liu Long suddenly threw a punch.
*Boom!*
A deafening explosion rang out in all directions.
Like an artillery shell bursting, like a torrential storm tearing through the heavens!
*This* was water—water that showed no mercy, just like fire.
Liu Long closed his eyes for a moment to absorb the realization. Opening them again, he looked at Li Hao and sighed softly. "It seems Elder Yuan was right not to accept me back then."
Compared to a genius disciple like Li Hao, if he had also been Yuan Shuo's student... Yuan Shuo would have died of frustration.
Stupid and clumsy...
He had been unwilling to admit it before, but today he had no choice but to acknowledge that he was far too rigid.
Beside them, Yuan Shuo folded his arms, wearing a look of smug satisfaction that soon turned into mild approval. "You're not bad either, decent enough! Managing to step into Thousand-Battler by riding the momentum—though you lack your own distinct style, you're a Thousand-Battler nonetheless... Dealing with ordinary Solar Radiances shouldn't be much of a problem!"
Liu Long gave a bitter smile. Gone was his cold arrogance, replaced entirely by admiration. "I didn't understand before, but trading blows with Elder Yuan today, I see that even though you only stepped into Thousand-Battler a dozen days before me, our strength cannot be mentioned in the same breath. Outsiders think it was luck that allowed you to slay a Three Sols, but in my view, even without external aids, you possess the strength to battle a Three Sols!"
This was a true Land Deity!
As for himself, Liu Long reflected for a long time. Perhaps he was merely a Thousand-Battler martial master.
Yes, one was a Thousand-Battler martial master, while the other was a Land Deity. There was no difference in realm between them, yet an immense gulf separated their true strength.
Li Hao, however, shattered the heavy atmosphere, suddenly breaking into a bright smile. "Congratulations, Boss! Congratulations, Master! Our plan's prerequisites are met. Gentlemen, I'll go fetch the food—you two can share a drink at noon!"
If they kept talking, Liu Long was going to give up on himself completely!
He was a Thousand-Battler martial master after all, yet he had been battered emotionally into a pathetic state.
Watching Li Hao turn and leave, Liu Long suddenly laughed. "Elder Yuan... I truly envy you!"
Yuan Shuo said proudly, "He's my student. Don't think that just because the Nine Refinements Force was passed to him, he's your student too... You aren't cut out for it!"
"I understand."
At that moment, Liu Long felt deep envy. Glancing at the hound waving its paws nearby, he let out a sigh. *Damn it, this dog isn't bad either. Maybe I should just take the dog as my student?*
Chapter 58