Chapter 292: Martial Hero Stance

In 2040, London suffered an attack by an alchemist’s “Golden Alchemy,” and hundreds of thousands who were meant to die that day were saved by a traveling martial artist who intercepted the “Golden Alchemy” with his flesh and blood; the martial artist was instantly turned to gold and fell from the sky, yet remained standing in place. Later, to commemorate this martial artist…

Not to commemorate.

“Xiang… it’s been confirmed…”

The tall, muscular red-haired man patted the girl’s shoulder; though his tone hesitated at first, he soon made up his mind and clicked open the image on the screen.

A familiar figure appeared on it.

A golden statue of a human form, frozen in the stance of a martial hero, completely naked, muscles bulging, short bristly hair standing rigidly upright, body standing like an unshakable mountain, its hollow eye sockets holding two perfectly round golden orbs that seemed filled with rage, staring straight ahead as if searching for an enemy.

Frowning with fierce eyes, terrifying and monstrous, any ordinary person who approached within fifty meters felt as if a wild beast had locked onto them, as if the statue were watching them.

Though merely a statue with no signs of life, it possessed a spiritual essence no sculptor could ever replicate.

“Though I hate to believe it, that must be…”

Feng Ming Xian Shilang’s expression grew grim; though he knew the world harbored hidden, wondrous powers, he had never imagined the man who had once defeated him would fall victim so quickly.

Undoubtedly, this was the work of some unknown heretical technique—turning a living human into precious metal.

If such a technique could be used freely, the consequences would be unimaginable…

After much inner struggle, he finally prepared himself to tell Xiao Xiang, who was already burdened with troubles—after all, she had the right to know.

Besides, hiding it was impossible; on the day it happened, at least hundreds of thousands witnessed the golden humanoid descending from the sky. No matter how hard the British government tried to suppress the news, online rumors had already swept across the world like a storm.

Within mere minutes, not only the Western powers but nearly every nation or organization with any strength turned their gaze toward it.

What was that massive fireball?

Why did he fall from the sky?

Who created this golden statue?

Could it be a new species of Noise?

All these questions stirred the hearts of everyone.

Afterwards, the government sent teams to move the statue, but it remained fixed as firmly as the legendary sword of the hero or Thor’s hammer—no matter how many heavy machines were deployed, it could not be budged; even attempts to move the ground beneath it failed utterly.

The Martial Hero Stance… still stands.

This bizarre phenomenon once again fueled the growing urban legends, turning the whole world into a frenzy.

Thus, after more than ten days, the humanoid statue still stood motionless in place.

“Master…”

Xiang stared at the familiar face, murmuring to herself.

Yet her expression showed little surprise—as if she had already known.

“Xiang…” Feng Ming Xian Shilang took a deep breath and gently stroked the girl’s head. “Zi Zi arrived yesterday. Trust her—she will bring your master back.”

Do you know synchronicity?… All the world’s heretical technique researchers moved simultaneously.

Their target: the “Thing from the Sky” in London’s zero-time zone!

All manner of strategies, policies, and plans began to revolve around this strange object.

Xiang nodded, but her mind involuntarily recalled the message Jia Ji had left her in the group chat on the day of the “Golden Alchemy” incident.

Leave these final words here.

…

【Forever Seventeen: Lately there’s been a surge in people trying to subdue demons—most are just overreaching fools, yet they keep showing up to die… ugh, so annoying! Let Lan go kill them all】

【Snow Woman: Lately some annoying people keep hanging around me, can’t shake them off…】

【Xia Na: Even demons and demon lords have such troubles?】

【Ice Queen: The Empire has grown impure again… Would you like to see their fate?】

【Yin Yang Eye Jianzi: No, I’m too soft-hearted to watch】

The group chattered excitedly; Xiang occasionally shared her own troubles—like accidental quarrels with friends, admiration for the two seniors from Division Two, being scolded for staying up late watching anime, and her worry for her distant master…

Just as she mentioned her recent unease, Jia Ji appeared.

…

【Great Demigod: This life I have no regrets / Offering my body to the Big Dipper, never weary / Let us meet again in the next life】

【Yin Yang Eye Jianzi: Jia Ji = SAN, why suddenly post a haiku in the chat?】

【Changmen Great God: Next life?】

【Lan Yuanyan Zhu: What?! Is Jia Ji brother going to die?! No way!】

【Angel After Death: Will the soul go to the afterlife after death? (eager)】

【Xia Na: What’s going on? Explain clearly! (っ`-c)】

【Great Demigod: Briefly—I met an alchemist. My body is now gold, fallen beneath the great bronze bell of the Thames in London, immobile, about to lose consciousness】

【Forever Seventeen: You’re really unlucky… If I were there, I could’ve easily fixed it with my realm power】

【Great Demigod: Haha, what good are these comforting words now? If I move now, the technique will lose its target and keep falling… @Xiang, only you can save me—punch now—】

【Great Demigod: Goodbye, everyone!】

【Xiang: Ah, Master, why punch? At whom? How? I don’t understand! Please explain more clearly!】

【Xiang: Master?】

【Xiang: Hey?!】

From then on, the group’s active members temporarily decreased by one.

Though everyone in the group joked as if such things happened often, Xiang could not calm her heart.

He was completely cut off—why didn’t anyone worry?

“And now, only I can help Master…”

Compared to her earlier petty teenage worries, a far greater burden now lay before the newly formed Battle Maiden Li Hua Xiang. She opened her hands and stared at her palms.

“But I don’t understand anything about punching!”

(End of Chapter)