[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds":3,"chapter-high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-chapter-23":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","High Martial Arts Across Two Worlds",{"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},2360994,4616,"Chapter 23: War of Attrition","high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-chapter-23",23,"\u003Cp>At this moment, Chen Da was in a terrible state!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head was covered in bumps, bruised and swollen, looking like a peeled pomegranate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, under Cang Luo’s relentless ambushes, he had been forced to keep running, occasionally lured into using Tiger Subduing Fist, draining both his stamina and Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da wasn’t stupid—he knew Cang Luo’s plan was to wear him down in a war of attrition; if things continued this way, he would inevitably lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t stand it—he’d launch a full-force attack at the slightest sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it! How many pebbles does this waste still have? When will it ever end? I should’ve banned weapons from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fury burned in Chen Da’s chest as he circled, dodging Cang Luo’s pebble ambushes, while searching for a counterstrategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! Chen Da Cat, Grandpa’s right here!” Cang Luo goaded on, his hand never slowing as he kept throwing pebbles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo noticed he was getting better with each throw—even as Chen Da moved swiftly, he still landed hits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hurling his pebbles, Cang Luo smirked strangely and rushed toward Chen Da.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da felt a gust of wind whistle past his ear—he groaned in despair, knowing another pebble was coming, and braced himself to take the hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the sound approaching Chen Da wasn’t the rush of a pebble slicing through air...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo slammed both hands in Thunderclap Palm directly onto Chen Da’s cheek, sending him flying several meters into the crowd of onlookers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlooking disciples, stunned that Cang Luo had dared to strike out, scrambled to avoid Chen Da—no one dared catch him—and Chen Da crashed hard onto the cold ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent, Elder Brother Cang! Strike while the iron’s hot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Brother Cang, be careful! Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhanxing, Liu Xuande, and others cheered Cang Luo’s strike and offered advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo waved back at them but ignored Li Zhanxing’s suggestion—he wouldn’t risk it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Feng had said Chen Da cultivated a Earth-elemental core technique, granting him astonishing defense and strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add to that his two full levels higher cultivation base—Thunderclap Palm alone couldn’t knock him down, not even if it hit his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Cang Luo saw Chen Da slowly rise from the ground as if nothing had happened, shaking his bald head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da noticed the blindfold had slipped, revealing his left eye, so he untied it and re-tied it securely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the blindfold in hand, Chen Da twisted his neck with a series of cracks, his fury boiling over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bastard! I’m going to peel your skin off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da roared: “Kid, your cultivation isn’t just Warrior First Stage, is it? That last palm strike had the power of at least Warrior Third Stage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo froze, surprised he’d been figured out, then calmly replied: “I never said my cultivation was Warrior First Stage—you assumed that yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da first glared, then shook his head and laughed: “Don’t worry—I don’t blame you. I don’t care if you’re Warrior First, Second, or Third Stage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To me, it makes no difference—you’re just a slightly stronger stray dog.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just want to tell you your Thunderclap Palm lacks power—it doesn’t hurt, doesn’t sting, just itches a little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da’s comparison of Cang Luo to a stray dog drew laughter from the onlookers—harsh, but fitting the gap in their strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da, at Warrior Fifth Stage, could easily knock down a Warrior First Stage opponent with one punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one punch didn’t work? Add another!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smirking, Chen Da said: “Enough talk. Let’s continue. You’ve surprised me—what just happened was just warm-up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Chen Da covered his eyes again, assumed a fighting stance, and was about to attack—when he suddenly turned to the onlookers: “Don’t you think the arena is too large? Can you even see clearly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Chen Da’s words, Cang Luo panicked and immediately stepped back two paces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers realized the implication—those who had bet on Chen Da quickly spoke seriously: “Indeed, both senior brothers’ cultivation is profound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Especially Elder Brother Cang’s pebble-throwing skill—it’s divine! We hear the sound but see no shadow. Let’s move closer to watch?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes! Let’s move closer to watch, and cheer them on—let them feel our enthusiasm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good idea! Everyone move closer—senior brothers and sisters in front, crouch down to let those behind see!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Yunjiao watched the shrinking circle in panic—the smaller arena was disastrous for Cang Luo’s hit-and-run tactics. She pleaded with Cang Feng and Liu Xuande.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Feng remained silent. Liu Xuande sighed: “Public opinion is hard to defy. This doesn’t break the rules. We should’ve used the official arena from the start.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhanxing gritted his teeth: “Damn! I never thought this brute with the brain of a bumpkin had such cunning. Elder Brother Cang’s in danger now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, you should learn from Chen Da—he wouldn’t get away with extortion otherwise,” Liu Xuande joked suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Old Liu, you’re calling me a brute with a vacant brain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhanxing was instantly offended—how dare they compare him to the infamous extortionist Chen Da?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no, that’s not what I meant,” Liu Xuande waved his hands. “Chen Da is bald—you’re not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Brother Cang said your hairstyle is trendy in his hometown, Earth Village—it’s called a crew cut, very popular with girls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?” Li Zhanxing touched his bristly hair and asked Xiang Yunjiao: “Sister Yunjiao, is my hairstyle popular with girls?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Yunjiao, eyes fixed on Cang Luo, couldn’t smile. She nodded vaguely: “Uh-huh, very handsome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, the onlookers surged toward the arena center, shrinking the circle from ten meters to five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with this, Cang Luo cried inwardly—his confidence crumbled into dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought desperately how to respond, moving silently, shifting positions, daring not to make a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da listened for a moment, hearing no movement from Cang Luo, and chuckled: “Why aren’t you cursing anymore? Didn’t you just enjoy it? Why stop throwing pebbles?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo didn’t dare even curse now, let alone throw pebbles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da stood at the center of the shrunken arena, barely two meters away—any pebble thrown would be instantly detected and countered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with this little space, if Chen Da went berserk and charged recklessly, Cang Luo wouldn’t last long before being caught...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Cang Luo silent, Chen Da smiled: “Fine. Since you won’t attack, I won’t hold back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo’s fears came true—Chen Da prepared to charge. Dust exploded at his feet—his body technique at full power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cultivated the Earth-grade Mid-Class body technique, Leopard Shadow Legs—a technique combining speed and power, also a leg art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da roared, stepped forward, and swept his leg, kicking up a cloud of dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attack was fierce—but missed Cang Luo. Chen Da immediately retracted his leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After retracting, he spun and took two quick steps, then swept his leg again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still missed. He retracted, moved swiftly, changed position, swept again—driving Cang Luo to the arena’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo, via his satellite, saw Chen Da’s speed had increased—several times he nearly got kicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo panted, drenched in sweat—he knew if this continued, he’d be hit soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da relentlessly pursued, alternating Leopard Shadow Legs and Tiger Subduing Fist, forcing Cang Luo into a desperate defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the more he attacked, the more terrifying Cang Luo’s sound-based evasion became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This waste seemed to see with his own eyes—each time he barely avoided my strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chen Da wasn’t worried—he believed he’d land a hit eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers thought the same. Someone cheered: “Senior Brother Chen, mighty! Just one more hit—that kid’s done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Chen’s Leopard Shadow Legs are incredible! Each kick sounds like the air is about to explode!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course—Leopard Shadow Legs is Earth-grade Mid-Class. Only those who reach General rank can claim it for free.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s why! But Senior Brother Chen is only Warrior Fifth Stage—did he buy it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it was given by his boss, Elder Brother Ouyang Lie. Any disciple who contributes to the sect gets techniques and elixirs as rewards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heaven! Such benefits? I’m switching sects—I’m joining Ouyang Lie!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Chen Da dominating, the onlookers began praising him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo had no energy left to care about their chatter—Chen Da’s assault was ferocious; one slip meant instant death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo barely dodged—not just from stamina loss, but also because his Qi used to control the satellite had drained significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He estimated his remaining Qi could power the satellite for only two or three more minutes—without it, defeat was certain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he’d face Chen Da’s merciless beating—being crippled would be the best outcome. Look at the lumps Chen Da had on his head—he’d definitely kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cang Luo guessed Chen Da couldn’t kill him—Cang Feng and others were watching. They wouldn’t let him die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even if he survived this time, with Cang Feng’s help—what about next time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought of dying just two days after being reborn terrified him—he feared never seeing his family again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he’d barely gotten to this world—no concubines, no Earth-style bragging—how could he die now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the bright future ahead, Cang Luo decided to risk everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he still had strength, he’d gamble everything on one direct clash—life or death, it wasn’t decided yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was at a disadvantage, yes—but Chen Da wasn’t faring much better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo remembered: Chen Da had used Tiger Subduing Fist seven times already. After the earlier drain, his Qi must be nearly gone—while Cang Luo still had plenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oddly, since the duel began, he’d been constantly using Wind Rush Step—and yet his Qi hadn’t depleted. It seemed every bit consumed was instantly replenished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t figure it out—but now wasn’t the time to think. Chen Da attacked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die, waste!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da roared, unleashed Leopard Shadow Legs, sweeping his leg through the air above Cang Luo’s head, slicing off a few strands of hair—then he heard Cang Luo rolling on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da chased the sound, leapt into the air, spun, and slammed his leg down—cracking the ground into a deep crater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo rolled several times, narrowly escaping death, stunned by the power of Chen Da’s technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wiped sweat secretly, rose, and crept cautiously behind Chen Da.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Swoosh! Swoosh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo pulled out two pebbles and hurled them at Chen Da’s occiput—but Chen Da didn’t flinch, absorbing the blows without reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da hu turned and roared at Cang Luo: “Every time you hit me, I’ll snap one of your bones. Hurry up—throw all your pebbles at me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Chen Da hu activated his martial technique, Leopard Shadow Leg, and lunged toward Cang Luo, refusing him any chance to react or flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just then, Chen Da hu suddenly felt a chill—this time, he heard no movement from Cang Luo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he too terrified to move?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or had he already left his original position?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—he was a cowardly waste; how could he possibly stay put waiting for me to strike?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, once the kick was launched, he couldn’t hastily retract it—doing so might damage his meridians—but he could reduce the force slightly to conserve Yuan energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da hu’s mind raced: he slowed the rotation of his Yuan Wheel to cut the output to Leopard Shadow Leg, while pondering where to strike next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what Chen Da hu didn’t expect was that this weakened Leopard Shadow Leg actually connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da hu burst into ecstatic delight: “You bastard! After nearly half an hour of wasting time, I finally caught you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—why wasn’t he flying away?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Da hu realized he had struck Cang Luo, but Cang Luo hadn’t been flung back as expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on? Chen Da hu froze for a moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo wasn’t flung back not because he’d grown stronger, but because Chen Da hu had grown weaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a prolonged war of attrition, Chen Da hu’s physical strength and Yuan energy were nearly exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Cang Luo remained nearly at peak condition—though his physical stamina had drained severely, his Yuan energy hadn’t diminished at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added to this, Chen Da hu had held back several degrees of force to conserve Yuan energy, reducing Leopard Shadow Leg’s power by half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this shift in balance, Cang Luo wasn’t flung away—but he wasn’t unharmed either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Cang Luo’s two arms, blocking Chen Da hu’s sweeping leg, throbbed with searing pain; without Yuan energy’s protective reinforcement, they would have been shattered long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo gritted his teeth against the agony in his arms, freed his right hand, activated Thunderclap Palm, and turned palm into fist—then slammed it hard into Chen Da hu’s lower body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One punch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two punches!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three punches!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bang! Bang! Bang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Luo unleashed three consecutive punches within a tenth of a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunderclap Palm is called “Palm,” not “Fist,” because the final acupoints activated by this technique lie in the palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These acupoints are the explosive nodes of Yuan energy—its full power resides in the palm, hence the name Thunderclap Palm, not Thunderclap Fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But due to Cang Luo’s positioning this time, a punch was more suitable, so he adapted on the fly, turning palm into fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the power dropped considerably, the target was the most vulnerable spot on a man’s body—so the impact was just as devastating, if not more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After delivering the three punches, Cang Luo stood still. Chen Da hu remained frozen, one foot planted, the other raised mid-sweep, having struck Cang Luo’s left arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after several seconds, a horrific scream erupted from Chen Da hu’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scream chilled all who heard it; those who saw it instinctively clenched their legs, as if they themselves had been struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds later, Chen Da hu collapsed with a thud, clutching his groin, curled up in agony, moaning...\u003C\u002Fp>",2301,"2026-06-21T06:04:04.528Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","354aef8115a8eb1da17ff3fbd24b06d9dad89897b202ac51c7afe937de033c41","high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-chapter-24","high-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-chapter-22",157,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhigh-martial-arts-across-two-worlds-cover.jpg"]