[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha":3,"chapter-global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-chapter-23":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Global High Martial Arts, Starting Off with a Sharingan",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2318751,4534,"Chapter 23","global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-chapter-23",23,"\u003Cp>“Old Xia, facing Ling Zhantian in the finals—got any tricks?” In the infirmary, Wang Teng gripped Jiang Xia’s arm, his voice tense with anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia gazed out the window, his tone resigned: “He’s a full realm above me, and his talent is top-tier. Beating him is harder than climbing to heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Lingxi, just bandaged, nodded: “Among peers, aside from your blue giant, Ling Zhantian’s speed and strength are unmatched—even the offspring of top experts in my grandfather’s camp can’t match him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since we’re here, we make the best of it.” Jiang Xia took a deep breath, his gaze darkening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And he doesn’t know my true strength—I held back in the semifinals. Maybe I’ve got a hidden card.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hidden card?” Wang Teng’s eyes lit up, leaning in to press. Jiang Xia said nothing more, pulling out a spirit stone and beginning cultivation in the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, when Jiang Xia opened his eyes, spiritual energy flowed through his fingertips—nearly thirty percent denser than yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just pinched the bridge of his nose when Wang Teng entered with a food box: “Awake? Eat up—the finals arena’s being set up. Ling Zhantian’s been warming up since early morning; his aura scared off half the spectators.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The box opened, releasing the aroma of rice porridge. Jiang Xia scooped a spoonful, then looked up: “Where’s Lingxi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She watched Itachi cultivate last night, finished bandaging Itachi, then went back to the dorm,” Wang Teng mumbled around a meat bun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they finished eating, a sharp bell rang, followed by an announcement: “All competitors, proceed immediately to the Central Training Ground!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Teng leapt up, clapping Jiang Xia on the shoulder: “By the way, Itachi’re fighting that Chouwangbake  this morning. Two fighters got seriously hurt in yesterday’s top-five match—Itachi’ll rest half an hour after yours, then go straight to finals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they headed for the arena, they found Ye Lingxi waiting. “Why are Itachi so late? The match’s about to start!” She hurried forward, voice urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We got held up eating breakfast,” Wang Teng scratched his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, the referee hurried over: “During yesterday’s top-five match, two competitors were severely injured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So after your match, Itachi’ll rest half an hour, then proceed directly to the finals.” He turned and hurried off to find other contestants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This pace is insane,” Wang Teng muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Xia and Zhou Hao, please take the stage! First match of the semifinals—begin!” The referee’s voice echoed from the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay calm! Me and Lingxi are cheering for Itachi!” Wang Teng slapped Jiang Xia’s back. Jiang Xia nodded, waved, and turned toward the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the stage, Zhou Hao’s face was grim: “I’ve watched your matches—I know I can’t win, but I want to try!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia nodded; his Kusanagi sword instantly hummed with Chidori’s electric crackle. Zhou Hao growled, “Stone Armor!” Yellowish spiritual energy wrapped his body, forming thick, heavy armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Xia, break this turtle shell and avenge me!” Wang Teng shouted from below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia didn’t move his grip on the sword; the Chidori’s hum grew louder: “Your courage deserves respect—but I won’t hold back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly what I intended! Rock Prison!” As Zhou Hao spoke, four stone walls erupted, trapping Jiang Xia in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared again: “Rock Spike!” The ground split, sharp stone spikes surging toward Jiang Xia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia exploded spiritual energy beneath his feet, retreating like an arrow, barely evading the spikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the spikes rose behind him, and the prison walls pressed inward, shrinking the space instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now! Stone Crush!” Zhou Hao slammed his palms down; the prison’s ceiling collapsed into a massive stone hammer, while the spikes below merged into a cage, sealing all escape routes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kai!” Jiang Xia’s Sharingan spun; his body phasing through the prison. As his gaze met Zhou Hao’s, the crimson tomoe in his Sharingan whirled rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Hao saw only a flash of red—when he blinked again, Jiang Xia was still trapped in the stone cage, the hammer crashing down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kusanagi flew from his hand; Jiang Xia’s body plummeted straight to the ground. “Did I win?” Zhou Hao stood frozen, disbelief on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, Wang Teng’s eyes widened; Ye Lingxi turned pale; even Ling Zhantian on the opposite side of the arena frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Hao strode toward the fallen Jiang Xia, ready to speak some polite words—when Jiang Xia’s body suddenly dissolved into a wisp of blue smoke, vanishing into air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wrong!” Zhou Hao’s heart tightened; he barely reacted before a faint sting pierced his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Itachi lost. But your turtle shell was tough to crack.” Jiang Xia’s voice came from behind. Zhou Hao looked down—his protective armor was already shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience below gasped in disbelief: they’d watched Jiang Xia relentlessly strike Zhou Hao’s armor while he stood there, offering no resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Hao stared at Jiang Xia’s crimson eyes, murmuring: “A mental ability? No wonder Itachi beat Wang Shichen—Itachi’re the real dark horse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Illusions strike where least expected,” Jiang Xia sheathed his sword, voice calm. “Your defense is strong—but Itachi’re weak against spiritual attacks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee stepped onto the stage, announcing loudly: “Semifinal Match One: Jiang Xia wins! Contestants, exit and rest. Finals will begin shortly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Hao nodded, turned, and walked off—his steps heavy. Jiang Xia watched his back, then glanced toward the arena’s edge. Ling Zhantian was watching him; the disdain in his eyes had faded, replaced by genuine gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five minutes later, as the referee announced, “Semifinal Match Two: Ling Zhantian vs. Zhao Feng—begin!” the air in the arena snapped taut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ling brother, I yield,” Zhao Feng bowed, then vanished in a blur, lunging forward with twin punches aimed at Ling Zhantian’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ling Zhantian didn’t move a step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He merely tilted his head to avoid the fist, raised his right hand casually, and seized Zhao Feng’s wrist—his palm tightened, and Zhao Feng’s face twisted in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Zhantian twisted his wrist, effortlessly flinging Zhao Feng sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Feng flew through the air, stumbling forward three or four meters before barely regaining his footing, his right wrist hanging limp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could recover, Ling Zhantian’s figure appeared behind him, his palm resting lightly on Zhao Feng’s back. “No need to struggle,” he said flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Feng froze—pressure from the back rendered him unable to move even a finger. He gritted his teeth: “I lose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire exchange lasted ten seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience erupted in stunned shouts—no one expected Zhao Feng, famed for his speed, to be unable to land a single proper counterattack against Ling Zhantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee’s voice, tinged with barely concealed awe, rang through the arena: “Semifinal Match Two: Ling Zhantian wins! Finals will begin shortly—both finalists, prepare!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Zhantian withdrew his hand from Zhao Feng’s back, his gaze piercing through the crowd, locking onto Jiang Xia across the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gravity in his eyes now sharpened into cutting intensity, like a hunter assessing a prize he’d already claimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia walked onto the arena, meeting his gaze—the crowd’s excitement ignited by this final clash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My god! Ling Zhantian crushed Zhao Feng in ten seconds!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Xia’s no slouch either—his mental ability’s impossible to defend against. Even Zhou Hao’s turtle shell couldn’t hold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now this is worth watching! One’s a top senior with the God of War’s power, the other’s a mental-ability dark horse—who’ll win?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the arena floor trembled slightly; four metal bars rose from all sides, swiftly forming a barrier around the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the referee declared “Begin!” Ling Zhantian’s body erupted in golden spiritual energy—he became a streak of light, instantly appearing before Jiang Xia, his right fist driving straight for his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia’s left Mangekyo Sharingan spun instantly; his Rinnegan flared. “Shinra Tensei!” He aimed his palm at Ling Zhantian—a silent gravitational force erupted, attempting to pull his attack off course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Zhantian’s movement slowed slightly—but his fist kept coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia sidestepped; the punch’s wind grazed his shoulder, cratering the barrier behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your ability can’t stop my growing strength! God of War—Battle Heaven, Battle Earth!” Ling Zhantian snarled, his aura surging again; his left fist swung back toward Jiang Xia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia formed a hand seal, his Rinnegan glowing: “Shinra Tensei!” The repulsive force clashed with the punch—explosive shockwaves ripped through the arena; Jiang Xia was blasted backward, his throat filling with coppery blood—but Ling Zhantian used the recoil to vanish, reappearing behind Jiang Xia, his elbow slamming into his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puh—” Jiang Xia was struck, spitting blood—but before he fell, his left Mangekyo spun violently: “Genjutsu: Chains of Illusion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Zhantian’s vision twisted—a crimson void appeared; massive iron spikes pierced his entire body, locking him in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared, unleashing the full might of his God of War power—yet the spikes held firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop wasting energy,” Jiang Xia retreated to the arena’s edge, hand pressed to his bleeding lip, his left Mangekyo streaked with blood from overuse. “No matter how strong your power, if Itachi can’t find your target, it’s useless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I underestimated Itachi,” Ling Zhantian closed his eyes; a golden character “ Zhan ” appeared on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dao Book: Zhan Character!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, the golden character merged into his body; when he opened his eyes, the illusion shattered, his gaze clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Had I not awakened the Dao Book’s inheritance to nullify mental abilities, I’d have lost today!” Ling Zhantian’s gaze held respect—but then hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this ends now! God of War Power—God of War Manifestation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, a golden giant, several meters tall, rose behind him—clad in armor, wielding a battle axe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment it appeared, cracks split the arena floor; the barrier hummed violently, as if ready to shatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s… the God of War Manifestation?” The audience’s screams nearly tore the roof off—even the referee instinctively stepped back half a pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Child’s play is over. Itachi’re the first to force me into this move!” Ling Zhantian commanded the giant to swing its axe toward Jiang Xia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Susano’o—Second Form!” Jiang Xia’s left Mangekyo erupted; bones rapidly formed into a half-giant skeleton, then muscle and meridians wrapped around it, finally sheathed in thick blue armor—standing opposite Ling Zhantian’s God of War Manifestation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is that?!” Ling Zhantian’s pupils shrank; his control of the God of War Manifestation faltered for half a beat—his heart recoiled: the pressure radiating from this blue-green giant was no less than his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Axe met blade; golden and blue energy detonated—half a meter of the arena floor sank; the shockwave slammed into the barrier, ringing like thunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia spat blood, cracks appearing on his Susano’o armor—but his grip on the blade remained steady, his left Mangekyo spinning wildly: “Your manifestation… isn’t that impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Arrogant!” Ling Zhantian roared, commanding the God of War Manifestation to swing its axe in rapid, continuous strikes—each blow tearing through the air with a deafening roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Susano’o swung its blade in defense; sparks flew as sword and axe clashed.\u003C\u002Fp>",1817,"2026-06-20T15:06:04.061Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6b6afcbca180e531f4fe2532f4694252eac797c1ed13f65c7ebc12beaa98936d","global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-chapter-24","global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-chapter-22",162,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fglobal-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-cover.jpg"]