Chapter 234: Acting Vice Hall Master Presides, Welcome to Come Fight!

Relying on the physical body to cross the Star Sea requires at least a breakthrough of the thousand-point barrier of Qi Life Force.

Even reaching the qualifying line, one cannot survive long-term in Outer Space.

Setting aside terrifying phenomena like cosmic natural disasters and Netherworld viruses.

Just the high-energy Light Particles from Supernova explosions, the intense Radiation released by stellar celestial bodies, are enough to extinguish the Flesh Vitality inside a Professional-Grade Expert's body.

Only by breaking through to the fourth stage of the Heavenly Pass, touching the Grandmaster's Threshold, and possessing powerful characteristics can one remain unaffected.

An old man wearing cool Slippers and Floral Shorts, with an extremely cool posture, rushed out of the observation deck.

The vacuum environment could not cause any disturbance to that body on its last legs.

On the contrary, the old man's speed was fast like a cannonball leaving the barrel.

Only a "Boom" was heard, the withered figure that looked buried in yellow earth up to the Neck, soared into the sky!

That body of the old man, hard like high-grade Alloy, its Kinetic Energy not reduced in the slightest, directly crashed and shattered a fighter jet!

Bang!

Bright flames suddenly lit up in space, metal fragments exploded and flew horizontally!

"Invigorating! Just right to loosen the Tendons and Bones! Sitting this long, the old bones have all Rusted!"

Lao Zhang laughed heartily, beard and hair all bristling, standing erect like swords and halberds root by root.

He raised his fist and shattered the fighter jet's shell, spread his five fingers and tore hard, forcibly ripping open the hatch.

Immediately after his figure flashed explosively, like a razor Sweeping across, dense atmosphere scattered outward, directly piercing through the incomparably solid Military Level space fighter jet from one side to the other.

Then Lao Zhang leaped suddenly, using this place as a springboard, pouncing toward another "target" shaped like a falcon firing strafing shots.

The terrifying firepower that pulverizes the vast majority of materials struck the withered body, like beans of heavy rain, making Lao Zhang's colorful loose short sleeves sink half an inch, not even touching the Skin, the violent Kinetic Energy dissipated into nothingness.

The Mortal Body forged by the Old Martial Arts Path, sturdy like a massive War Ship, completely ignored the fighter jet's firepower, bare-handedly blowing up one after another, putting on a fireworks show for the pitch-black Universe.

Not even two Minutes had passed, the Jie Lue Pattern of about seventy or eighty people was completely wiped out, turning into dust in Outer Space, buried in the Magic Scorpion Corridor along with those fighter jet wreckage.

Lao Zhang, like finishing Morning Training at a park, very leisurely jumped back to the observation deck, passed through the open passage, and returned to this civilian cargo ship.

The bearded Captain and First Mate on the Upper Layer returned with faces full of awe, they drove away the onlookers, treating him like an ancestor, welcoming Lao Zhang.

"Predecessor... didn't know you were on the ship before, if there was any negligence, please be forgiving."

The bearded Captain stared at the metal wreckage of over thirty fighter jets, his heart chilling.

In this territory of the Magic Scorpion Corridor, Ajie Lue Pattern possessing this level of armed strength is absolutely top-tier.

Result: like clay chickens and tile dogs, swept clean without a trace left.

Without a doubt, this is a great Buddha!

"The food on your ship is a bit lacking, but nothing else is wrong."

Lao Zhang waved his hand grandly and said:

"Taking a ship, buying a ticket, is only right and proper, this old man isn't like a certain guy, specializing in White Eating."

Hearing the three words "food is lacking", the bearded Captain hurriedly turned to the First Mate and seriously instructed:

"Must improve food quality! Use the freshest ingredients, have the chef cook on site, must ensure the Predecessor enjoys a satisfactory dining experience."

The First Mate rallied with twelve points of spirit, as if the lives of the hundreds of passengers on this ship all rested on his shoulders.

"Don't let idle people disturb this old man."

Lao Zhang had no interest in idle chat, hands behind his back, slowly returned to the Room.

"Captain... what's this Predecessor's background?"

Waiting until Lao Zhang's back disappeared at the end of the dining hall, the First Mate's taut spirit finally relaxed slightly.

"At least a Grandmaster."

The bearded Captain was equally shocked and terrified, although he hadn't personally witnessed Lao Zhang blow up fighter jets and Sweep the Jie Lue Pattern, he could infer the intensity from the chaotic Zhan Chang.

According to his Cognition, only a Grandmaster who has entered the Heavenly Pass can do this.

"A Grandmaster Driving Divine Machine, how fierce would that be."

The First Mate's eyes full of Longing.

"Guessing could blow up a War Ship, bore through a Satellite Fortress!"

The bearded Captain exercised his imagination.

He wasn't too sure, after all the most formidable figure he'd ever Contacted was at most the Satellite Fortress's Sequence Army Commander.

A Grandmaster of the Martial Path, placed in the vast Dongxia, is also few and far between.

"The He Xie Star Region only has two Dao Guan total, don't know which one this Predecessor is."

The First Mate's thoughts raced, muttering softly:

"Judging by this Predecessor's style of conduct, looks like the bearing of an expert who doesn't sweat the small stuff."

The bearded Captain stopped him, didn't let the First Mate continue.

Regardless, discussing a Grandmaster behind their back is unwise.

The temperament and preferences of such figures cannot be guessed by common sense.

In the Ancient Era, that was the Supernatural Class wielding the power of life and death.

"That Divine Machine, I feel like I've seen it somewhere."

Sending off the First Mate, the bearded Captain scratched his head.

He recalled the fleeting glimpse just now, that Divine Machine with the holy posture of an Immortal or Buddha.

"Where exactly was it?"

The bearded Captain just couldn't remember.

"The Bixiao Imperial Edict - Hunyuan Doukui of Nanhuang Dojo made its first appearance at the Star Cup. Master never revealed how he obtained this Divine Machine."

Third Senior Sister Yu Weiwei propped her chin with her hand, a tranquil smile on her face as she watched Qin Shi eat heartily.

"Master was forced into a dead end by Qi Wuxiang, awakening the Hunyuan Doukui, one man one machine in the Ancient Star Great War. Pity, that year's Qi Wuxiang had not yet met He Lanchan, precisely at the peak of his spirit, an invincible state.

Master still lost."

While digesting the dark cuisine, Qin Shi sighed with emotion that Old Zhang's luck was too poor.

Just starting out not long ago, piloting a King-level Divine Machine, he should have been in the limelight, showing his full prowess.

As a result, he didn't even make the top ten before running into the Star Cup's biggest boss, Qi Wuxiang.

Miserably eliminated!

"After that, Master devoted himself to settling down, finally creating the 'Universe Furnace Secret Canon', and then his first opponent was the one who, with a single cry, startled the Star Sea, He Lanchan."

Third Senior Sister Yu Weiwei spoke of these past events with endless sighs; the martial path places great emphasis on a contending momentum.

If one always falls slightly short, lagging a step behind, it becomes very difficult to catch up again.

Back then the First Generation Ten Outstanding burst onto the scene, shining across the Galaxy.

Why were only Qi Wuxiang and He Lanchan the most watched?

The reason is very simple.

Everyone anticipated which of these two would contend step by step, horizontally suppress a thousand years, and become the Martial God!

The result was deeply regrettable.

He Lanchan passed away in meditation, Qi Wuxiang withdrew from the world.

Neither managed to take that final half-step.

"If Master had just a trace of luck, perhaps it wouldn't have been like this."

Yu Weiwei lamented; as a disciple, seeing Master growing old, she couldn't help but feel a touch of sorrow.

"What realm is Master Zhang exactly at?"

Qin Shi asked curiously.

"Heavenly Pass Fourth Stage, Master is probably stopped at the 'Zhuhuang Threshold Threshold' threshold. One step further is the ultimate leap, utmost sublimation, reaching the level of He Lanchan and Qi Wuxiang."

Yu Weiwei said.

"Tsk! Master Zhang truly has bad luck, it's no fault of his skill."

Qin Shi wiped his mouth, feeling the same regret.

If Old Zhang tried a bit harder, he himself could live the comfortable days of hugging a legendary big hand.

After all, not many of the First Generation Ten Outstanding remain alive; a living fossil of this level, placed anywhere, commands a few points of thin face.

If Qi Wuxiang showed his face, even the Martial Association Headquarters Chairman would have to address him as Predecessor, respectfully performing the junior's rites.

"Time is ruthless, even Martial Gods cannot withstand the washing; they have no choice but to use deep sleep to slow the passing of life."

Yu Weiwei sighed softly; Master drove his Divine Machine through the blockade line, crossing the Star River far away to strangle trouble.

It was not without the desire to indulge freely one last time before the final Great Limit arrived!

Ever since Second Senior Brother Shen Zhangyuan was murdered, Master launched a great killing spree.

He was then targeted by Hengzhou officials, placed on that dangerous list.

Since then confined to a wheelchair, shutting his doors and not going out, silent for a long time.

On one hand unwilling to stir up more trouble, letting Nanhuang Dojo's disciples be made things difficult for by the Martial Association or other forces; on the other hand, his lifespan was short, he couldn't toss about, only able to temporarily swallow that breath.

"The Star Sea is vast; is there truly nothing that can extend lifespan?"

Qin Shi frowned.

"A Grandmaster's body is already extraordinary; ordinary rare resources that nourish life can no longer take effect."

Yu Weiwei shook her head:

"Unless it contains something with a portion of 'Immortal' quality."

Qin Shi raised an eyebrow and asked:

"For example?"

"Most are related to Star Gods. Star Gods are the only creatures close to Divine Spirit Pillars; their bodies can condense a portion of Immortal quality."

Listening to Yu Weiwei's explanation, a pixel-style cute-selling creature from the Stele Panel popped into Qin Shi's head.

"Little Qin Shidi, with Master not at the dojo, Nanhuang Dojo relies entirely on you."

Waiting until Qin Shi finished his meal, Yu Weiwei stood up to clear the trays, smiling gently:

"You should know, dojos issuing challenge letters or visiting to invite battle is quite common. Lacking Master to hold the fort, it's not impossible someone might want to come weigh you."

There's even this kind of good thing?

Qin Shi's eyes flashed, revealing a few hints of eager delight.

He couldn't wait to be beaten by experts, piling on armor on one side, settling down on the other.

Until accumulation leads to breakthrough, unifying the Hundred Aspects Refining Force and Ru Shen Ti, thoroughly stepping into the Professional Domain.

"I'll have Senior Brother Ren open the big door right now, welcome guests from all directions!"

Qin Shi rubbed his hands, planning to move a stool to sit at the doorway.

As his thinking diverged, a bold idea suddenly burst forth.

A moment later, Zhou Ning, who had barely recovered his strength, brought two large buckets of ink with a bitter face:

"Old Qin, won't this be too high-profile of you?"

"Are you speaking to the Executive Deputy Dean of Nanhuang Dojo, the Supernova of the Taian Urban Circle, the Champion of the Hengzhou Hundred Strong Competition, the local number one genius?"

Qin Shi deliberately side-glanced at the other.

"You're reciting a menu here."

The corner of Zhou Ning's mouth twitched.

He watched as Qin Shi hoisted the mop, channeled strength into his arm, and wrote with brush-like strokes, splashing ink!

Two rows of large characters, like a couplet, appeared neatly before Zhou Ning's eyes.

He bared his teeth and said:

"Isn't that a bit too arrogant?"

Zhou Ning hung the characters up outside, where they fluttered in the wind.

Then he turned back to look at Qin Shi, who was sitting at the doorway on a small stool cracking melon seeds, and muttered quietly:

"Why does he look just like my old man going out fishing? Who's going to bite?"

……

……

"'Number One Under Heaven, Peerless in the World Dao'?"

The next day, in front of the Nanhuang Dojo's main gate, three figures appeared on the broad open space, and one of them read aloud the couplet hanging outside.

"Qin Shi left these characters? This Nanhuang Dojo Disciple is quite wild, huh — fits my stereotype of a Martial Path practitioner."

The speaker was tall, his posture ramrod straight, not slack at all, like a soaring long spear; one look and you could tell he had military service experience.

The burly man on his left was like a gorilla, half a head taller still, roughly estimated at nearly two meters; powerful muscles stretched his camouflage fatigues tight.

Flanked by these two, the one on the right appeared "frail and weak" — barely 1.7 meters, fairer-skinned, looking every bit the refined scholar.

"After all, he just stole the limelight; the local strongest Youth Genius, beyond doubt. High spirits, a little showiness is nothing."

Scholar-bro spoke slowly too, rather elegantly.

"Pah! A little calf who hasn't even grown all his fuzz! He has the nerve to call himself 'Number One Under Heaven'? What, he wants to be Qi Wuxiang's Successor? One toxic beating and he'll behave!"

The gorilla-like Captain wasn't so polite; he crossed his arms, squeezing his overly developed pectorals into obvious relief.

"Too vulgar, Lao Lin. He's a top graduate from Southwest United anyway; can't you show some personal quality?"

Scholar-bro shook his head.

"I just find it annoying! A snot-nosed brat pretending to be a master — trash like this should be thrown into the army, properly drilled, and have that nose-in-the-air arrogance beaten out of him!"

The burly man bared his teeth in a grin, two rows of white teeth contrasting sharply with his dark skin, exuding a fierce, wild savagery.

"Lao Jiang, what do you say? You judge fairly!"

Scholar-bro and the burly man both looked toward the central figure.

"Seventeen or eighteen, young and vigorous; a bit arrogant is no crime."

The man spoke slowly:

"'Number One Under Heaven, Peerless in the World Dao' — haha, interesting."

Hands in pockets, he stared at the couplet; the writing was mediocre, but the words were wild.

Professional Army veterans from the military couldn't stand this kind of "provocation" the most.

Those Zhanshi who made it into the Professional Army were all thorns.

Normally they had officers pressing them down, so they appeared honest, obedient, and disciplined.

But once let loose outside, they were like unbridled wild horses running riot, very easily stirring up trouble.

In the early period of the Great Expedition, Zhanshi on leave visiting home clashed over minor frictions, calling in reinforcements back and forth, eventually turning into mass brawls comparable to military exercises.

Such examples are too numerous to count.

Not until Qin Shuai ordered a rectification of conduct, imposed strict requirements, and arranged for Patrol inspections, registration, and punishment did things improve somewhat.

"Hai La said so — told us not to stir up trouble, lest it affect the Division Commander."

Scholar-bro sighed; he knew going out with these two blockheads never led to anything good.

"The other party has been placed on the Fire Seed Preliminary Selection List, under strict protection by the Taian Urban Circle; if you dare make trouble, the Patrol Department can deploy Military Divine Machines to suppress you."

Hearing the words "Division Commander," the gorilla-like Captain felt a pang of fear; a major demerit was trivial to him, but facing the Division Commander's thunderous wrath was worse than Detention.

The Wind Scythe Sequence Army is famous for its severe discipline; hierarchy is crystal clear.

"Forget it; it's their turf, a few bold words — we needn't escalate."

The burly man intended to pull "Lao Jiang" away; they were just passing through.

"I recall that by the Old Era Martial Arts World's rules, a dojo opening its gates means welcoming challenges from all comers, sitting and waiting for experts to come knocking."

The youth surnamed Jiang grinned:

"He is the Nanhuang Dojo Disciple, right? With the Dojo Master absent, he holds the fort. Then I issue a challenge — will he accept?"

Scholar-bro slapped a hand to his forehead; this was bad.

If it were the gorilla-like Wei Tu, he could still talk him down.

But if it's Jiang Shijie, the core backbone, there's no way.

"Lao Jiang... really fight? Even winning looks bad; people will gossip that we're bullying the small with the big!"

Scholar-bro softened his tone.

"We're soldiers — do we still care about that? What's most important in war? Results! The winner holds the discourse power; as for reputation? Who cares!"

Jiang Shijie rubbed his fists, wiping his palms, about to step up the stairs, when suddenly a person ran out eagerly.

"Doorstep challengers? Finally someone's come!"

Qin Shi couldn't wait to rub his hands, looking down at the three figures on the steps, quite satisfied, nodding repeatedly:

"The Nanhuang Dojo is held by me! Let's skip the formalities, keep it simple. Which of the three comes first?"

The three were stunned, bodies freezing.

They looked at Qin Shi's eager energy; to put it in a not-so-nice description:

Like a barbershop owner who hasn't had business in ages, eyeing a passerby, wishing he could forcibly drag them inside.

The scholar took two steps back and looked up at the broad plaque hanging outside.

It is the Nanhuang Dojo, Correct!

The legendary one that stole the Limelight, suppressing Hengzhou's peers of the Chaoyang Level.

Just this sort of goods?

He couldn't help but doubt the overall level of Hengzhou's Martial Path.

(Chapter End)