Breaking the Limit, Secondary Growth! Invulnerable to Blades and Guns, Changing an Era!

Silence! The entire square suddenly fell dead quiet. A pin-drop stillness reigned. On the ground lay a headless corpse, shocking and gruesome to behold. A thick stench of blood hung heavy in the air. Seeing this scene before them, many people trembled slightly from head to toe. It was too bloody, too brutal. With a single palm strike, he had driven a pellet force master's head straight down into his neck. Just how terrifying was that power? Not to mention, the pellet force master had even unleashed his pellet force. Lu Yuan had pushed past his opponent's pellet force and hammered his head into his neck regardless. Such strength was practically inhuman. "A pellet force master is dead?" "This... once pellet force erupts, its power is terrifying beyond measure, yet it still couldn't match Lu Yuan?" "Lu Yuan definitely wasn't born with innate divine strength. After creating the Limit Martial Dao style, he cultivated Limit Martial Dao himself, and his physical constitution grew to such a dreadful degree that even the pellet force unleashed by a pellet force master can be casually shattered by him." "Are force-refining martial artists truly... utterly useless?" "The Limit Martial Dao is terrifying to such an extent..." "Is there any point in continuing this arena match?" For a time, many people looked at one another in utter dismay. In particular, the force-refining martial artists felt as though their very spirit and will had completely collapsed at this moment. For the first time, their faith began to waver. After all, they were all too familiar with Lu Yuan. They had investigated Lu Yuan's ancestry eighteen generations back until everything was crystal clear. They knew full well how long it had been since Lu Yuan created the Limit Martial Dao style. At the very most, it had been a mere four months or so. Four months, fighting one against a hundred! He had even brazenly slain a pellet force master. Which pellet force master hadn't endured decades of bitter cultivation to hold the pellet and settle into the hips, finally becoming a master? Yet Lu Yuan's Limit Martial Dao style had thoroughly buried their decades of effort in just four months. The force-refining martial masters had actually experienced such a feeling once before. The last time was when guns and artillery rose to prominence. No matter how powerful a martial artist was, they were utterly meaningless before firearms. And this was the second time. What they faced was not guns and cannons, but the Limit Martial Dao style, yet the feeling was identical to facing firearms back then. "There is no retreat on the stage." "He might be able to beat one pellet force master to death, but there are still more than a hundred of us. We can wear him down to death." "How many can he kill?" "Since ancient times, there have always been martyrs. Now that martial arts have fallen to this state, there must be martyrs as well." "We are the martyrs of martial arts now. Do not bring shame upon martial arts..." Among the more than one hundred martial artists on the arena stage, there were indeed those wholeheartedly dedicated to the martial path. Even having reached this point and knowing they could not win, they still resolved to fight. Some even harbored the determination to become martyrs. Toward such people, Lu Yuan also showed respect. He would go all out and beat these martyrs to death. That was the greatest respect he could give them! "Limit Martial Dao, Sweep the World!" Lu Changsheng resumed his assault. He had not spent much effort studying martial techniques and forms. After all, forms and moves were minor arts; their actual utility was limited. A martial artist's foundation had to be their physical constitution. Techniques merely needed to be sufficient for use. Therefore, Lu Changsheng had synthesized several techniques and ultimately established a set of practical combat maneuvers for the Limit Martial Dao style. They were called "Limit Techniques." When his Limit Techniques were paired with his physical constitution and unleashed in actual combat, their might was terrifying. Lu Changsheng charged into the crowd once more. A direct sweep. *Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!* Over a dozen martial artists were swept off their feet, thrown backward through the air, and slammed heavily onto the ground, devoid of any breath of life. Dead! In a single strike, over a dozen hidden force and transforming force martial artists were dead. Only now was Lu Changsheng going all out. Before this, he had not even used his full strength. The gap between the two sides was simply beyond imagination. "Is this the Limit Martial Dao style?" "It seems the world truly has changed..." "Guns and artillery buried martial arts, and the appearance of the Limit Martial Dao style has driven the final nail into martial arts' coffin..." Many martial artists lost all spirit. Some even felt a profound sorrow. It was as though they were utterly powerless beneath the torrent of the era. Facing firearms back then, martial arts had been this powerless. Now, facing the Limit Martial Dao style, martial arts were just as powerless. Lu Changsheng displayed terrifying might on the stage. With muscles knotting across his body, he resembled a miniature giant. Yet he was incomparably agile, not inferior in the slightest to those force-refining martial artists. He even surpassed them. His defense far exceeded that of those force-refining martial artists as well. Under such circumstances, the outcome had long been predetermined. After about the time it took an incense stick to burn, bodies lay strewn haphazardly across the entire square. Not all of them were corpses. However, half of the martial artists were dead. The remaining half, though merely injured, were more or less crippled. Only a very small fraction of lucky martial artists suffered wounds that could still be treated without permanent impairment after recovery. Yet the eyes of these fortunate survivors were filled with vacancy. There was no sorrow greater than a dead heart. At this moment, they knew that martial arts were finished... "Who else?" Lu Changsheng glanced at his surroundings. In truth, several martial artists had planned to step onto the arena, but had held back for various reasons. And now, seeing Lu Yuan on the stage, every one of them remained silent. It was simply too shocking. The horrifying strength Lu Yuan displayed was practically inhuman. How could they dare step onto the stage now? Today's battle had completely shattered the courage of these force-refining martial artists! "It seems no one dares step onto the arena anymore." "Remember this: from now on, Pan City will only have the Limit Martial Dao style. I do not want to see a second martial arts hall." With that, Lu Changsheng walked straight out of the square. Disciples of the Limit Martial Arts Hall immediately brought fresh clothes for Lu Changsheng to put on. All the Limit Martial Arts Hall disciples cheered with joy. From this day forward, the entire Pan City would have only one martial arts hall—the Limit Martial Dao style! At this moment, a television host asked, "Master Lu, does your Limit Martial Dao style count as martial arts?" This was quite a sharp question. Did the Limit Martial Dao style truly count as martial arts or not? Lu Changsheng smiled. He shook his head and said, "My Limit Martial Dao style is not martial arts, but Martial Dao!" "Though separated by only a single word, the difference is like night and day!" "As for the exact difference, come to the Limit Martial Arts Hall to learn the Limit Martial Dao, and you will naturally find out." Having said that, Lu Changsheng left directly, accompanied by the students of the Limit Martial Arts Hall. Meanwhile, those so-called martial artists, each sporting a long string of titles—some acclaimed master this, some grandmaster that—now looked as ashen as death. Starting today, Pan City would no longer offer a market for their survival. This battle caused an even greater uproar across the internet. After all, it had been live-streamed in its entirety! Whether someone understood martial arts or not, watching Lu Yuan take on a hundred opponents alone, kill a pellet force master with a single slap, and kill or injure over a hundred people was unmistakable. Anyone of normal intelligence could tell just how terrifying Lu Yuan's strength was. He was definitely not something those force-refining martial artists could be compared to. And Lu Yuan had only created the Limit Martial Dao style four months ago. "I'm going to Pan City! I want to learn the Limit Martial Dao!" "Unbelievable, this is a brand-new era! Force-refining martial arts are completely finished. Lu Yuan slapped a pellet force master to death in four months. Given a bit more time, will he be able to slap an astral force master to death too?" "Indeed, four months compared to several decades—is there any comparison?" "I've practiced martial arts since childhood, and it took me over a decade just to cultivate hidden force. Yet only now do I realize that it was all useless, that I walked the wrong path from the very beginning. I want to switch to the Limit Martial Dao." "I'm also going to Pan City to learn the Limit Martial Dao..." For a time, countless people on the internet voiced their intent to travel to Pan City to learn the Limit Martial Dao style. As time passed, discussions between the Limit Martial Dao and force-refining martial arts raged with growing fervor on the internet. The popularity showed no signs of waning; instead, it showed every sign of growing hotter and hotter. Online, various self-proclaimed martial arts "grandmasters" and "famous figures" severely criticized Lu Yuan and the Limit Martial Dao style. Their methods of criticism were endlessly inventive. Some even escalated to personal attacks on Lu Yuan. They claimed Lu Yuan's lineage came from the Flying Crane style and that he practiced Spiral force. Then, drawing inspiration from it, he created the Limit Martial Dao style. By all rights, it should have been considered a major branch of martial arts. Yet Lu Yuan had turned around and trampled martial arts underfoot. Betraying one's master and ancestors! A traitor to the martial arts community! In short, various "famous figures," "grandmasters," and "experts" slandered Lu Yuan in an almost hysterical manner. These so-called famous figures and grandmasters were not even pellet force practitioners, let alone astral force. Not a single martial artist who had watched the video dared step forward to issue a challenge. Even astral force martial masters were no exception. Seeing Lu Yuan's terrifying display in the video, every one of them remained completely silent. Only those grandmasters and famous figures, who were merely flashy frauds relying on web traffic for profit, made noise. They had used martial arts to swindle and deceive, and now that the Limit Martial Dao style had torn away martial arts' grand facade, they could not resist jumping out. Yet they were nothing more than claptrap clowns. The Limit Martial Arts Hall ignored them, and Lu Changsheng ignored them as well. Ever since the battle of Pan City, the other martial arts halls had kept their word. They either relocated one after another or closed down completely and left Pan City. The Limit Martial Arts Hall seized the opportunity to expand across the entirety of Pan City. In a small place like Pan City, there were nearly several dozen branches of the Limit Martial Arts Hall. Students numbered in the thousands, approaching ten thousand. Were it not limited by Pan City's population, the number of students at the Limit Martial Arts Hall might have been even greater. However, after the battle of Pan City, Lu Changsheng lived simply and kept a very low profile. Many new students of the Limit Martial Arts Hall had never even laid eyes on Style Master Lu Yuan. At this moment, Lu Changsheng was inside the training room of the Limit Martial Arts Hall. As the style master now, Lu Changsheng had become "wealthy." He had taken over the entire third floor to serve as his private training room. No one would come to disturb him. *Swish.* Lu Changsheng opened his eyes. The attribute panel instantly materialized before him. Host: Lu Yuan Limit Martial Dao style: primary growth (99%) "Still only at ninety-nine percent?" Lu Changsheng's brow furrowed slightly. A full half-year had passed since the battle of Pan City. It had been more than ten months since he entered the secret world. Yet ever since last month, when Lu Changsheng saw on his attribute panel that the primary growth progress had reached ninety-nine percent, his body had not improved in the slightest over this entire month. It was as though he were "stuck." Lu Changsheng knew that this was the limit. The human body had its limits. This was determined by nature. A ninety-nine percent progress in primary growth was the physical limit. According to Lu Yuan's deduction, once he broke through this limit, it would be secondary growth. That would most likely set him on the path of transcendence. However, this step was exceedingly difficult. For a mortal body to forcibly break through the limit and step onto the transcendent path was no easy feat. In truth, if Lu Changsheng's true body could descend into this world, or if his true body could project power into this world, embarking on the transcendent path would be effortless. However, there were still two years left before his true body could project its power. Moreover, the duration of that projection would be very brief. If he could not step onto the transcendent path now, even if his true body's power projected in two years later, what would be the point if he had not condensed a Martial Dao? Thus, Lu Changsheng still had to strive to step onto the transcendent path and condense a Martial Dao on his own. Lu Changsheng had pondered deeply for a month. He had conceived of three methods to break through the limit. The first method was to let nature take its course and accumulate slowly. He could proceed methodically, practicing Limit Martial Dao daily and consuming various tonics without pause. Even if there was no improvement, he would not be discouraged. Slowly accumulating. Day after day, year after year, perhaps on some future day, the body would naturally break through the limit. However, this method required a great deal of time. Not a day or two, nor a year or two, but possibly ten, twenty, or thirty years... One might even fail to break the limit in an entire lifetime. This involved the physical structure of each individual and, under certain circumstances, required an element of luck. As for the second method, it was to find some kind of natural treasure that could directly provide an immense surge of energy and essence to the body at the cellular and genetic levels in an instant. In that case, it might forcibly rupture the limit. However, this method required exceedingly rare natural treasures. At present, Lu Changsheng had not found any such natural treasure in this world. The third method stemmed from Lu Changsheng's cultivation as an Earth Saint and his deep understanding of the human body. The human body possessed three treasures: essence, qi, and spirit—none of which could be lacked. Essence referred to the physical body. Qi referred to origin qi. Everyone possessed origin qi, but without replenishment from the outside world, it could not grow. If world spiritual energy existed, it could directly replenish origin qi. As for spirit, it referred to the mind and faith. Upon reaching the human body's limit, a martial artist could use various methods—such as life-and-death battles, nurturing their own grand momentum, seizing the title of number one under heaven, or cultivating qi for many years— In short, one had to be able to ignite their spirit. By igniting the spirit and converting it into essence, one could naturally break through the limit, prompting the body to undergo secondary growth and stepping onto the path of transcendence. For ordinary people, the first and third methods were tangible and accessible. However, the first method depended on luck and required decades to verify. What if, decades later, one still failed to break through? Wouldn't that be a waste of time and energy? Therefore, the most effective method was likely the third. Igniting the spirit! Of course, this was the path to breaking the limit that Lu Changsheng had designed for the ordinary people of this world. He himself had no need for it. His consciousness was that of an Earth Saint. Under the control of an Earth Saint's consciousness, the cellular and genetic levels were laid completely bare before him. There were no secrets. Using his consciousness to stimulate the body's cells and genetic level, stepping onto transcendence and allowing his body to undergo secondary growth was all too easy. Yet this method was only suitable for Lu Changsheng himself. To condense a Martial Dao, having Lu Changsheng alone break the limit, undergo secondary growth, and step onto the transcendent path would not suffice. A large group of people had to be able to continuously break through their limits and step onto transcendence. That was why Lu Changsheng had pondered deeply for an entire month. He needed to find a "path to transcendence" for ordinary people. And now, he had basically outlined three paths to transcendence for ordinary mortals. With his preparations complete, Lu Changsheng prepared to make his breakthrough. "The path to transcendence..." Lu Changsheng closed his eyes, and his vast Earth Saint consciousness instantly acted upon the depths of his body's genes. *Boom!* The next moment, it felt as though Lu Changsheng had "detonated" a specific point within his genes. Instantly, his entire body roared. Every inch of flesh and blood boiled. Every inch of flesh and blood "craved." It wanted to madly devour something. His body had become "hungry." However, Lu Changsheng was already prepared. He immediately brought out a large quantity of tonics and swallowed them down in great gulps all at once. As Lu Changsheng swallowed this massive amount of tonics, his consciousness directed the nutrients, madly permeating them deep into his cells. Lu Changsheng's consciousness even seeped into the cellular and genetic levels. He did not need to alter any genes. Every strand of genetic code had its unique function. What Lu Changsheng could do was control the vast flow of nutrients into the cells. *Boom!* Lu Changsheng felt as though a volcano had erupted within him. He could clearly sense the human limit and his own limitations. Yet now, that limit was broken. It was breached in an instant. His limitations also seemed to vanish without a trace in that very breath. In their place was a vast "new world." *Crack!* The bones throughout Lu Changsheng's body roared. At the same time, he clearly felt himself begin to grow. His height began to increase, and his muscles began to swell. His frame was developing frantically. Secondary growth! This was secondary growth! Lu Changsheng's body had originally stood around one point eight meters tall. Yet now, through secondary growth, he grew a full twenty centimeters, reaching roughly two meters. This was not the end of it. Over the coming period, he would continue to grow slowly. He would certainly exceed two meters, perhaps even surpassing two point one meters. Furthermore, his muscles and bones were multiplying in mass. His strength multiplied. Every facet of his physical constitution was surging. "Is this the secondary growth of breaking the limit?" "It seems my prior deduction was correct. So-called secondary growth is essentially the human body gaining another opportunity to develop, allowing physical constitution to naturally multiply." "Right now, my strength—or rather, my overall comprehensive combat power—can almost reach the level of the Divine Strength Realm." "While the Divine Strength Realm breaks through certain shackles, it is still far from truly stepping onto transcendence..." "According to the divisions within the Saint Domain, above Divine Strength lies Divine Gang. Yet whether it is Divine Strength or Divine Gang, neither belongs to transcendent power. Only the Divine Treasury above Divine Gang, comparable to an Immortal Master of Qi Refinement, can be considered truly stepping onto transcendence..." Lu Changsheng made an assessment. In truth, Divine Strength and Divine Gang shared the same fundamental tier; the difference lay in their degree of power. After secondary growth, Lu Changsheng's Limit Martial Dao style could still improve slowly. As long as growth continued, improvements would follow. Once secondary growth reached its peak, it should be comparable to Divine Gang. As for stepping onto transcendence to rival Qi Refinement and the Divine Treasury, it would likely require tertiary growth. "Tertiary growth, is it?" "There are still more than two years before my true body can project its power. That should be enough time to reach tertiary growth..." Thoughts flashed across Lu Changsheng's mind. Then, he summoned the attribute panel. Host: Lu Yuan Limit Martial Dao style: secondary growth (1%) On the attribute panel, it had indeed changed from primary growth to secondary growth. "I wonder if my physical defense after secondary growth can withstand ordinary firearms?" A thought stirred in Lu Changsheng's mind. He drew a knife and lightly drew it across his skin. *Scrape.* It did not leave even a white mark. Then, he gradually increased his force. Even after applying considerable strength, he still failed to cut through the skin. Only when he exerted roughly a third of his power did it finally slice through the skin, producing a thin trace of blood. In truth, this defense was already terrifying. And this was merely his skin. Factoring in his muscles, bones, and everything combined, Lu Changsheng's physical defense had reached a frightening level. Firearms were uncertain for now. However, sharp tools like knives and daggers certainly posed no threat to Lu Changsheng anymore. This was the terrifying aspect of secondary growth. "Style Master." "It's time for your lecture." At this moment, Senior Sister Xiang's voice came from outside. Hearing this, Lu Changsheng rose to his feet. However, his height was now too imposing. Exceeding two meters, he nearly touched the ceiling. Being so tall was indeed somewhat inconvenient for everyday life. Yet this posed no problem for Lu Changsheng. With a thought, he immediately exerted control over the muscles and bones throughout his body, shrinking them rapidly. This was merely control over flesh and bone; practically anyone who practiced the Limit Martial Dao style to its limit could achieve it. Soon, Lu Changsheng returned to around one point eight meters. In the future, with secondary growth progressing and even tertiary growth occurring, Lu Changsheng's body would undoubtedly become even taller and more massive. Yet it did not matter. Martial artists who broke the limit through the Limit Martial Dao style possessed immense control over their flesh, so there was no need to worry about appearing abnormal compared to ordinary people. At least outwardly, it would have little impact. His massive form during secondary or even tertiary growth could simply be deployed as a "combat state." "Mm, let's call this technique the Limit Transformation." "Secondary growth shall be called the Limit Second Transformation!" Lu Changsheng casually gave a name to his secondary growth physique. Afterward, Lu Changsheng opened the door and walked out. The Limit Martial Arts Hall now had numerous students, almost all of whom had come drawn by his reputation. They had come to the Limit Martial Arts Hall specifically for Lu Changsheng. Yet with so many people, Lu Changsheng naturally could not instruct them all individually. Thus, he could only set aside a day or two each month to publicly teach and guide the students. This month's teaching session happened to fall on today. "Style Master." As Lu Changsheng stepped outside, over a hundred students greeted him respectfully. Gaze after gaze turned toward Lu Changsheng, burning with fervor. Lu Changsheng's fame was colossal right now. Online, videos of Lu Changsheng's battle were circulated repeatedly. He had practically been elevated to divine status. Even though Lu Changsheng had not made another move for half a year, his popularity remained sky-high. Lu Changsheng looked at the group of students. He was in high spirits today and wished to show these students something new. "Regarding the Limit Martial Dao style, I trust you have all come to understand it clearly during your time at the hall." "Hearing of something a hundred times is not as good as seeing it once. Did you not come to the Limit Martial Arts Hall to witness the true Limit Martial Dao?" "Then today, I shall show you what the human limit truly is." Lu Changsheng said to Senior Sister Xiang, "Go fetch some weapons—sharp knives, swords, or daggers will all do." Senior Sister Xiang was somewhat surprised, but she complied and went to prepare them. Soon, Senior Sister Xiang returned with a variety of sharp weapons, including knives, swords, and daggers. Lu Changsheng held a dagger, swept his gaze over the students, and said, "Who wants to give it a try?" The students naturally raised their hands one after another, eager to participate. A flicker of curiosity shone in their eyes. Thus, Lu Changsheng selected a student who looked familiar. "You were a student of the former Flying Crane Martial Arts Hall, correct? You can be considered a senior student of the Limit Martial Arts Hall. Come, strike me hard with this broadsword. Hold nothing back, and aim wherever you wish." As soon as Lu Changsheng spoke, the crowd of students erupted into clamor. "What? The Style Master wants to withstand a sharp broadsword with his bare flesh?" "Even an astral force grandmaster wouldn't dare be so reckless!" "Although the Style Master's self-created Limit Martial Dao style grants immense strength and comprehensive physical enhancement, can it really withstand a sharp broadsword?" Many students found it difficult to believe. The chosen student also hesitated. "Style Master, here I come." "Come on, put your strength into it." Lu Changsheng stood quietly where he was. *Whoosh.* The next instant, the student gripped the broadsword with both hands and slashed fiercely toward Lu Changsheng's arm. He still did not dare chop directly at Lu Changsheng's head. If Lu Changsheng couldn't withstand it, a strike to the arm wouldn't be fatal. Yet Lu Changsheng did not care. Head or arm, it was all the same to him. He remained completely motionless, letting the broadsword strike his arm. *Thud!* The student used great force. After all, he was a veteran student who had been practicing the Limit Martial Dao style. After such a long time, his physical constitution had improved substantially. Consequently, this chop carried formidable momentum and terrifying weight. Even a steel plate would likely have been notched by such immense power. Yet Lu Changsheng did not budge an inch. As for the arm struck by the broadsword, it bore not even a white mark. The student felt as though he had struck a tough piece of seasoned ox hide; he could not pierce Lu Yuan's skin in the slightest. "Come, strike my head with all your might," Lu Changsheng barked. The student gritted his teeth and swung the blade with everything he had straight at Lu Changsheng's head. *Thud!* This strike was delivered with tremendous force, letting out a muffled crack. Yet the next moment, the student's entire body jolted. He saw that the sharp edge of the broadsword had curled over. A notch had even chipped out of the blade's edge. *Whoosh!* Instantly, the onlookers burst into an uproar. "It couldn't cut him? Not even a scratch was left on the Style Master's body, yet the blade curled..." "Is this invulnerability to blades? Even an astral force grandmaster cannot be invulnerable to blades! Can our mortal flesh truly reach such an extent?" "Incredible, truly incredible! This is practically miraculous..." "Can the Limit Martial Dao style make a person invulnerable to blades?" "With such horrifying defense, I wonder if it can stop firearm bullets?" For a moment, many minds immediately turned to firearms. In the era of guns and artillery, martial arts had long lost their purpose. What did an astral force grandmaster amount to? More than a few had been shot dead by a hail of gunfire. The decline of martial arts was precisely because guns and cannons were too lethal. Yet now, the Limit Martial Dao created by Lu Yuan was entirely different from force-refining martial arts. Now, it could even withstand a sharp broadsword. If it could stop bullets, it would immediately shake the entire world. It would even change an era!