Chapter 162: Savage Gang Fighting God, Buto Soul-Cleansing Shrine

On the other hand.

The capital of the Sha'e Empire, Saint Petersburg.

Inside the Kremlin, the symbol of the Empire, the center of power, and the residence of the Tsar.

Several Cabinet ministers gathered in the magnificent council chamber, looking through the intelligence in their hands.

Tsar Alexander III, dressed in a black monarch's military uniform, sat upright in the main seat, his aged face full of indescribable majesty.

Soon, the Cabinet ministers spoke one after another:

"Your Majesty, this proposal from the Jin Dynasty seems worth participating in."

"Whether it is to punish the murderer and extract benefits from the Jin Dynasty, or to suppress the Shenluo people and expand the Empire's influence through this Martial Arts Tournament, it is of no small significance."

"The International Martial Arts Tournament... with so many countries participating, if we can achieve final victory in this tournament, we can also demonstrate the Empire's strength and majesty to the world; it should not be missed."

"I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"

Alexander III spoke slowly:

"What you say is not wrong, but the premise is that we can achieve final victory in this tournament. What kind of lineup do you think the Shenluo Holy See will send? Do the Empire's experts have enough confidence to defeat the Shenluo people?"

As his voice fell, the room was silent for a moment before several ministers spoke solemnly:

"The strongest in the Holy See is undoubtedly the current Pope. According to intelligence, this person has reached the level of the so-called Human Saint, the Eighth Rank."

"However, the current Pope is nearly a hundred years old. As the supreme leader of the Shenluo and the Heavenly Lord Holy Church, it is impossible for him to personally travel across the ocean to participate in this Martial Arts Tournament."

"Therefore, those sent by the Holy See should only be peak experts of the Seventh-tier. Our Empire's peak War Gods will definitely not be weaker than them, and we do not need to disturb His Majesty Alexander I!"

The Sha'e Empire is the world's second most powerful nation, with a profound study of the path of extraordinary cultivation, constantly innovating, and naturally knows that the Seventh-tier is not the limit of cultivation.

After all, although the path of cultivation was first introduced from Shenzhou, the Sha'e people's Savage Martial Arts have a history of development of over a thousand years, and they have never experienced a generational break like the Jin Dynasty's destruction of mountains and temples, burning of books, and banning of martial arts. Generation after generation has continued to inherit and study, long ago researching the method to break through to the Eighth Rank.

The Eighth Stage of the Savage Martial Arts path is known as the Savage Gang Fighting God. Practitioners at this stage have life essence condensed into substance throughout their bodies, their life essence undergoes a significant leap, and their strength, physique, speed, and reaction all exceed the limits of the human body. Every movement possesses a terrifying force of one hundred thousand jin, and by unleashing Savage Gang Battle Qi, they can kill enemies from a distance and defend against firearms and cannons!

Such an existence, even on a battlefield where ten thousand cannons fire at once, cannot be harmed; they can be called a Human God.

Of course, with the current degradation of the world's environment, the Seventh-tier is the limit for everyone, including outstanding geniuses. It is extremely difficult to break the limit and reach the Eighth Rank, requiring extremely vast resources, talent, and opportunities that are hard to come by. Therefore, in the thousand-plus years of development of the Sha'e cultivation path, the number of experts who have reached this level to date is less than a handful.

Currently, the Sha'e Empire possesses such an expert.

That is the grandfather of the current Tsar Alexander III, Alexander I.

Of course, this former Tsar has long since abdicated and is now nearly a hundred years old, an existence like a pillar of the sea; naturally, it is impossible for him to come out of seclusion to participate in any Martial Arts Tournament.

Alexander III said calmly:

"In that case, who do you recommend?"

The ministers immediately recommended:

"Currently, the most famous among the Title War Gods is naturally General Alexeyevich, commander of the First Army. As far as I know, he has been at the Title War God level for many years, and his strength is among the best at this level."

"Also, Romanov, the previous head of the Ulrich family, is also a peak War God famous in the Far East, and his strength is no weaker than Alexeyevich's."

"Romanov is advanced in years and probably not suitable to fight on behalf of the Empire. I think it would be better to let Julius go."

"Your Majesty, since we have chosen to participate in this grand event, our War Gods must achieve final victory. I suggest immediately summoning all Title War Gods who are interested in participating for a selection competition. The two or three strongest can then go to Jinjin to represent the Empire!"

In the vast Sha'e Empire, besides the twelve Title War Gods on the surface, there are many others who have long since retired behind the scenes. The strength of many new and old generation War Gods is on par, but because they almost never fight each other at this level, it is difficult to distinguish who is superior.

Hearing the discussion of the ministers, Alexander III smiled:

"In that case, draw up a list and invite these War Gods to an internal competition to select two War Gods to represent the Empire."

"Tell them, whoever can suppress the experts of the Shenluo Holy See, when they return in triumph, I will ask His Majesty Alexander I to personally commend them."

The ministers all agreed:

"Yes, we will certainly convey your will."

"In this battle, the Empire will surely win!"

Including the Sunlight Country.

In the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion, the center of supreme power, a fierce discussion was also taking place.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, this International Martial Arts Tournament is a rare opportunity. Our Sunlight Empire must participate no matter what, and we must win."

"In the Jin-Sunlight Naval Battle, we achieved an overwhelming victory, and the national confidence is unprecedentedly high, but there are still two great mountains before us: Shenluo and Sha'e."

"They occupy the advantage of vast territory, and our comprehensive national strength cannot yet compare with theirs, but in the path of cultivation, we are the strongest in the world today. This time, let the Empire's experts teach those arrogant and conceited Shenluo people and Sha'e people a lesson, and let them know who is the most excellent nation in the world!"

"Indeed, in this International Martial Arts Tournament, our Great Sun Nation can only win and not lose; we must never let the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor be humiliated!"

"I already know your intentions... but who among you thinks we should invite which expert from the country to come out of seclusion to win this International Martial Arts Tournament? Is it necessary to invite that legendary priest from the Buto Soul-Cleansing Shrine?"

As his voice fell, the ministers' voices became hesitant:

"Your Majesty the Emperor, the priest Tian Zhi Yu Zhong has stepped into the Legendary Realm for many years; inviting him out for such a Martial Arts Tournament is like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken."

"The Pope of Shenluo and Alexander I of Sha'e are unlikely to go out in person, so we do not need to disturb him."

"However, we can invite the legendary priest's own True Disciple, the current Great Priest of the Buto Soul-Cleansing Shrine, Ueda Masaaki. He is the head of all priests in the country, and the Soul-Cleansing Divine Way he practices has long since stepped into an unimaginable realm. Inviting him to represent the Empire is most appropriate."

"There is also the current Ninja King of the Miyamoto family, Miyamoto Shinichi. He is the recognized leader of the current martial arts world, an existence that has made many Ninja Martial Arts Grandmasters prostrate themselves in admiration and concede defeat. With him and Great Priest Ueda taking action, they will surely win back supreme honor for the Empire!" The Yushen Emperor's voice pondered for a moment, then said slowly:

"Very well, then let it be as you all say."

Just like that, a disturbance gradually formed into a vast wave from an inconspicuous beginning, sweeping across all countries.

Only three days later.

The three major Consulates of Shenluo, Sha'e, and Sunlight all replied, agreeing to participate in this International Martial Arts Tournament.

And with the agreement of the three major powers, the news spread in a short time, sweeping through the entire Jinjin like a hurricane.

Soon, people on the streets, in restaurants and teahouses, peddlers and pawns, etc., were all astonished and discussed it:

"What? The imperial court actually organized an International Martial Arts Tournament to resolve the dispute with the Shenluo people?"

"And they invited Sha'e and Sunlight as well. What does the imperial court mean by this? Why can't I understand it?"

"Regardless of whether you can understand it or not, at least there's no need to fight a war; that's a good thing!"

"Wait, the imperial court wants to use this Martial Arts Tournament to resolve the dispute with the Shenluo people. It's fine if we win, but what if we lose?"

"You haven't heard about this? News came out from the Martial Arts Association two days ago, saying the Shenluo People have proposed four conditions: first, to punish all principal offenders and accomplices in the missionary case riots; second, to open up the right to proselytize in the thirty-six provinces; third, to lease Nine Dragon Island as a Concession; and fourth, they want the hands of Lu Yuan, master of Guangwu Hall!"

"Hiss—doesn't that mean if the imperial court loses this International Martial Arts Tournament, they will have to accept all these treaties?"

"Exactly. I hear the Holy See of Shenluo is full of powerful experts, and with the top fighters from Sha'e and Sunlight Country added in, I don't know which Grandmasters the court will send, or if they can hold them off."

"If we lose and agree to such treaties that humiliate the nation and forfeit its sovereignty, we will have failed our ancestors!"

"What 'which Grandmasters'? Your information is completely unreliable. I have a relative who works at the prefectural office, and he said the court has already decided that Lu Yuan, master of Guangwu Hall, will be the ringmaster, and then experts from various countries will come to challenge him!"

"What? How could it be Master Lu?"

"And this—isn't this a gauntlet match? Those coming to participate are all experts comparable to Grandmasters. No matter how strong Master Lu is, there will come a time when his strength is exhausted. This method has no fairness to speak of; why would the court decide on such a format?"

"I heard this through the grapevine, so don't go spreading it everywhere. I heard from my relative that this competition format was requested by Master Lu himself. As long as they can defeat him, the Shenluo People's conditions will be met. I don't know what the court was thinking to actually agree to this."

"Strange, very strange. With the fate of the nation and even the interests and dignity of the Great Jin at stake, why would the court so rashly pin all its hopes on Master Lu?"

As the news spread, the masses were completely stirred into a frenzy, and people were discussing the matter in every district, street, and alley.

Lu Yuan, who was inside Guangwu Hall, also received the news sent by Nayancheng's men at the first opportunity, and a smile appeared in his eyes.

Beside him, Chen Zhantang and other trusted disciples said, both excited and reverent:

"The powers really did agree! Master, your brilliant strategy is truly godlike; you foresaw everything!"

"With experts from all nations coming to challenge, Master fighting the crowd alone with his own strength—this has never happened before in history!"

"Master, did the news say when the Jin Dynasty intends to hold this tournament?"

Compared to the excitement of his disciples, Lu Yuan just smiled indifferently:

"There is no 'godlike strategy,' it is merely guiding the situation to my advantage. As for the time, it hasn't been set yet; it is only tentatively scheduled for two to three months from now, which is just right."

An International Martial Arts Tournament is such a massive event that it naturally cannot be held on a whim. Coordinating the exchange of information with countries other than the powers, selecting a venue, and making arrangements—getting it organized within two months is already the most ideal and rapid scenario.

Of course, even waiting two or three months is completely fine for Lu Yuan; it is even highly advantageous.

Because his Dharma Power is now over two hundred and fifty wisps, and at an efficiency of condensing one wisp of Dharma Power per day, in another two months he will be able to cultivate over three hundred wisps of Dharma Power, thereby officially stepping into the middle stage of Refining Essence into Qi!

That's right, every three hundred wisps of Dharma Power in the Refining Essence into Qi stage constitutes a phase. He is currently still in the initial phase. This level of cultivation is not necessarily much stronger than a so-called Eighth Realm Heavenly Gang Grandmaster, but the existence of Daoist immortal arts like the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Arts is unreasonable, which is why he can look down upon all the experts in this world.

Not to mention that after two months, when his cultivation advances to the middle stage of Refining Essence into Qi, he himself can hardly estimate what level his strength and means will reach.

"Master, Master, Wu Taidou from the Martial Arts Association is here!"

At this moment, a disciple ran in to report, followed closely by Wu Yixian, who had come alone with a grave expression on his face.

As soon as Wu Yixian saw Lu Yuan, he sighed:

"The International Martial Arts Tournament—Little Friend Lu, oh Little Friend Lu, you kept this old fellow in the dark for so long!"

Naturally understanding what the other party was referring to, Lu Yuan immediately apologized. He first invited the other party into the reception hall, and only after the disciples had served tea and withdrawn did he smile and explain:

"Wu Taidou, please do not blame me. It is not that I intentionally kept it from you, but that the matter was not yet settled, and I could not ensure that the court and the powers would agree, so I did not disclose it."

"Inviting all nations and setting up a ring to fight the world's experts alone—Little Friend Lu's spirit shakes the mountains and rivers. Even an old man like me, with one foot in the grave, cannot help but admire you."

While Wu Yixian was filled with awe, he also said with concern:

"However, I hear this tournament is to be held in Tianjing. Xici hates you to the bone and will never miss such a golden opportunity. The people sent by the three major powers to participate in the tournament are also by no means easy to deal with. By then, not only will you have to fight the heroes of the world alone, but you will also need to guard against the court's open and secret attacks. It is truly too risky!"

Everything was under control; Lu Yuan's tone was calm and firm:

"Wu Taidou, please rest assured. I have considered all of this. No matter what schemes or tricks Xici plays at the tournament, it will be of no avail. On the contrary, the day the Martial Arts Tournament is held will be the day of her death."

Even a person like Wu Yixian, who had weathered many storms, could not help but gasp:

"You intend to make your move at the Martial Arts Tournament?"

Lu Yuan said with a smile:

"Correct. That old hag's thoughts coincide with mine; we both believe this Martial Arts Tournament is a good opportunity to get rid of the other. Since that is the case, let us see whose methods are more formidable.

Wu Taidou, once Xici dies, the world will surely fall into chaos. When the date of the tournament is finalized, I would like to ask you to once again contact those Han New Army commanders and military governors to prepare in advance for stabilizing the situation."

Although he did not know where Lu Yuan got his confidence, thinking of the other's age and battle record, Wu Yixian still let out a long sigh and said:

"Little Friend Lu, rest assured. You may go ahead and do what you must; this old man will do everything in his power to ensure you have no worries behind you!"