Chapter 191: Chapter 187: Alliance
Their attacks clashed, and Xiang Ji was actually forced back half a step!
The Path of Overlord knows no retreat.
To take even half a step back meant he had lost the upper hand!
WHOOSH!!
With a light tap of his foot, Xiang Ji instantly created distance from Zhao Xuanqi. The surging Qi and Blood within him subsided, returning to normal. He stood in silence, saying nothing.
The exchange had gone far enough. To continue would mean a battle to the death, with all their trump cards laid bare. Given their respective positions, they could not take that step.
As it stood, the strength Zhao Xuanqi had displayed was staggering.
Lu Yuanxiang and the others watching from the side had not expected this outcome either.
A great reputation casts a long shadow.
In Jinmen, and indeed throughout the entire civilian Martial Arts Realm of the Divine Land, the reputations of Zhao Yuan and Xiang Ji were immense. They loomed like two great peaks in the minds of countless people.
And yet, in this probing exchange, both had unexpectedly suffered a subtle disadvantage at Zhao Xuanqi’s hands. While they hadn’t reached the point of a life-and-death struggle where all cards were on the table, this alone spoke volumes.
’Could it be that, based on his performance just now, Zhao Xuanqi’s strength was now faintly superior to both of theirs?!’
It was simply incredible!!
’Could a mere month and a half bring about such a drastic change in a person?!’
Incredulity filled the eyes of Zhang Hongyun and Lu Yuanxiang. They knew all too well what Zhao Xuanqi’s level of strength had been less than two months prior.
Shi Huai’an, however, wasn’t nearly as surprised. After all, he had watched with his own eyes as Zhao Xuanqi used the Five Evils Technique to achieve Heart Tongxuan in just one week.
’A month and a half? Too short?!’
’No! For Zhao Xuanqi, that was more than enough time for a world-altering transformation!!’
"The Hundred Beasts Fist... I never imagined it could possess such overbearing fury. You’ve truly opened my eyes. It is worthy of its reputation as the strongest of all legendary Beast Form Boxing Techniques, the undisputed overlord among them."
Xiang Ji took a deep breath and addressed Zhao Xuanqi, cupping his hands.
"It’s not just the overbearing fury. The transformations between techniques, the seamless blend of firm and gentle... I am truly impressed."
Zhao Yuan chimed in from the side.
Xiang Ji had experienced the most firm and overbearing fury of Zhao Xuanqi’s Force and Intent. Zhao Yuan’s clash, on the other hand, had perfectly showcased the unpredictable transformations between techniques. Their repeated struggles for the upper hand were dazzling to behold.
It was safe to say that both men now held genuine admiration for Zhao Xuanqi’s strength.
"You’re both too kind. The wonders of the Primordial Dragon Secret Technique and the Celestial Dragon Extreme Breakthrough have been a true eye-opener for me as well. If you are willing, I hope we can exchange more knowledge. Please, let’s sit and talk."
Zhao Xuanqi said to the two men, gesturing for them to take a seat.
’I know I only gained the upper hand because in my past life, I had long since surpassed this realm. My perspective, my experience, even the fundamental strength of my will—they are on a level these two can’t compare to.’
’Honestly, if I were to fight either of them as my past self at this same realm, I doubt I could’ve gained an advantage. We would have been evenly matched.’
The strength of their Martial Dao already made them worthy of being called overlords of their realm.
Zhao Yuan and Xiang Ji readily took their seats. Zhao Xuanqi introduced them to Shi Huai’an, Zhang Hongyun, and the others. And while the two were outwardly polite to everyone, the level of respect they showed these men was worlds apart from the deference they gave Zhao Xuanqi.
Strength is the only true foundation for mutual respect. This has been an unchanging truth since time immemorial.
"For you two to come together, I must admit, is quite a surprise. After all, when it comes to your respective Secret Transmissions, one cannot ignore certain historical entanglements."
Zhao Xuanqi said, personally pouring tea for the two men.
After the Primordial Dragon Emperor’s death, the world was plunged into chaos. Warlords rose from every corner, and in the fall of the Great Qin Empire, the Ancient Overlord played an undeniable part. By all rights, their descendants should be mortal enemies.
"History is a torrential flood, always rolling forward," Zhao Yuan began. "More than two thousand years have passed. The grievances of that era have long since been scattered by the winds of time. Our enemies today should not be each other."
"Indeed. Times have changed. Though Daqian has fallen, the Eight Great Warlords have taken its place, and the Great Powers of the Six Nations are still lurking. The Neon People are about to take a shit on the head of the Divine Land’s Martial Dao, and not only do the Eight Great Warlords just stand by and watch, they even plot to seize our Secret Transmissions! It’s utterly foolish. Their poison runs deep. They are the ones who should be our enemies."
Xiang Ji said in a low voice, a frightening light gleaming in his Heavy Pupils.
As bearers of powerful Secret Transmissions from ancient legends, they had often been the targets of schemes by the Eight Great Warlords and the forces of the Six Nations. Even after the World Martial Arts Conference began, they were constantly monitored by spies from all the major powers, their every move watched.
If the Jinmen Martial Arts Association hadn’t provided them with some protection back then, they would likely be unable to show themselves in public, forced to hide in the shadows like their ancestors. In that regard, they owed a considerable debt to the Three Elders of Jinmen.
"The Eight Great Warlords are going against all reason. They actually want to use outsiders to suppress the civilian Martial Arts Realm of the Divine Land just to make it easier for them to control. It’s tantamount to welcoming a wolf into your home. Little do they know, the Neon Nation is exploiting that very mentality. We in the civilian Martial Arts Realm must unite."
"Only by transforming the Jinmen Martial Arts Association into the World Martial Arts Conference can we do more for the Martial Arts Realm of the Divine Land."
Lu Yuanxiang nodded and said grimly.
"Zhao, in this matter, the two of us will stand with you and with the Martial Arts Association. We will face the pressure from the Eight Great Warlords and the Six Nations together."
Zhao Yuan said to Zhao Xuanqi, his expression grave.
"Thank you both. If you ever find yourselves in trouble in the future, I will not stand idly by."
Zhao Xuanqi replied to them with a smile.
"Your word is enough. Martial artists don’t stand on ceremony. Let the three of us toast with tea in place of wine."
Xiang Ji said, raising his teacup.
"I see heroes and champions all around me. To stand against the Eight Great Warlords and the Six Nations, the three of us alone will not be enough. When it comes to allies, the more the merrier. Why don’t we all drink this cup together? From now on, we can watch each other’s backs."
Zhao Yuan, clearly more worldly than Xiang Ji, added.
"Agreed!"
Everyone readily agreed. As members of the civilian Martial Arts Realm, it was in all of their interests to unite during such a chaotic time.
The six of them raised their teacups, clinking them together lightly before downing the contents in one gulp.
In the courtyard, starlight shimmered. High in the sky above, a bright moon hung amidst a scattering of stars.
There were no vows, no ceremony of a blood oath. Everyone present was a dragon among men; a gentleman’s word was his bond, a promise worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.
The bright moon was their vow; the vast universe, their witness.
After they had drained their cups, the men looked at one another and broke into hearty laughter. In that moment, their heroic spirit was on full display.
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