Chapter 66: On the Brink of Death

"Pfft~"

Visible dark energy gradually rose from Fang Can’s body as he regarded the scene before him with cold indifference.

The tall man who had just been roaring with menace now lay lifeless, his shoulders bare and empty.

His entire head had been crushed by Fang Can’s previous punch, the flesh and muscle along his neck torn clean away.

『Seems I’ve become a bit cruel lately.』

As the Evil Tiger’s Embrace faded, the dark energy dissipated from Fang Can’s brow; he stared at the bloody chunks before him and calmly reflected.

Just a few days ago, he hesitated before killing several thugs who tried to rob him.

Now he shattered an enemy’s brain matter without a word.

Looking at the believers gathering around, Fang Can wiped his fist lightly and said: “Clean this up, then drag his body out and display it.”

“Display it?” one believer asked, confused.

“Yes. Tell everyone outside this is the fate of those who break the rules.” Fang Can said casually, then felt more clearly the coldness that had slipped from his lips.

『Heh, what’s wrong with that?』 A faint smile touched Fang Can’s lips:

『Martial cultivation isn’t a dinner party. My current mental state is still under control, and this suits the world better.』

Stepping out of the small courtyard, Fang Can raised his hand slightly, and a believer immediately handed him a stack of visiting cards.

“Lord, these are the challenge cards submitted by the challengers—over a dozen have gathered within an hour,” Ye Yonglie said beside him.

Fang Can flipped through them; each card detailed the opponent’s realm and title.

“Only a dozen?” Fang Can was dissatisfied, but he understood the difficulty of generating a Heart Image.

Across the entire Dayan Empire, there weren’t a million Heart Image martial artists, and those above the Ascension Path numbered fewer than a thousand.

This only highlighted the terrifying scale of Fang Can’s own cultivation—his presence had inflated the number of Ascension Path cultivators to the millions.

“Forget it. Let them all come at once.” Fang Can said offhandedly.

In just one day, facing ordinary Heart Image martial artists now brought him no real pressure—they couldn’t even provide sufficient strain.

As for what counted as unusual? Naturally, the scions of great clans backed by Ascension Path martial artists.

The three martial arts he relied on—Evil Tiger’s Embrace, Stone Gaze, and Tiger Subduing Dragon Body—were surely matched by similar techniques in these noble families; their ancestral foundations must not be underestimated.

The Heart Image martial artists coming to challenge him now were merely small fry; the scions of great clans had no time to spare.

These scions each stood at least at Xuanguan Eighth Layer, mastered one to five secret arts, and reached the peak of the Transformation Body realm.

But according to Liu Qingmeng, the opponents he’d face at the grand tournament a month from now would all be monsters like these.

As he pondered, Fang Can stepped out of the Rising Sun Martial Hall, where a massive training platform had already been erected outside.

A dozen challengers stood on the platform, their expressions resentful as they watched Fang Can approach from afar.

They all thought Fang Can was being arrogant—taking on over a dozen opponents at once, as if he were the number one on the Qilong List.

But in the next instant, they saw Fang Can pull a black silk ribbon from his robe and, as he walked, blindfold his eyes.

“What are you doing?”

Seeing Fang Can’s appearance, the martial artists vaguely guessed his intent, their faces darkening.

“Oh, just adding a bit of difficulty to this fight.”

Fang Can covered his eyes, feeling only darkness before him, then immediately activated the Tiger Dark Energy technique.

As the dark energy surged, he felt his body’s strength still climbing, and he said apologetically:

“Sorry, due to my realm, I can only use a secret art to boost my power—it feels a bit unfair to you.”

As he spoke, he drew his long sword from his back: “Fine, I’ll let you have three strikes.”

“Let… let us three strikes?” The martial artists on the platform’s expressions turned utterly grim.

Blindfolded, and letting them strike first—how could this man be so audacious?

Those who reached the Heart Image realm naturally possessed exceptional talent; they could not tolerate Fang Can’s contempt.

They could already feel the mocking glances from the onlookers surrounding them.

Many among them were Fang Can’s own believers, who wouldn’t miss his battle for anything.

As Fang Can appeared, the cheers around him erupted like a pop star concert.

『Ugh~』

『These Heart Image martial artists are pathetic.』

『Our Divine Lord is invincible!』

…

Each believer’s eyes burned with fanaticism, staring at Fang Can with worship, hands raised high, clapping wildly.

But in the next instant, the sound of a blade piercing flesh silenced the entire crowd.

『Ssshhhh—』

A sharp long sword pierced through the chest, then tore through flesh and muscle, impaling Fang Can’s body.

And the one who struck? It was Fang Can himself!!!

『Huh…』 He exhaled softly, withdrew the sword gently, then raised it again to stab himself.

One of the challengers couldn’t help shouting: “Hey, what the hell are you doing?!”

This was outright fraud—was he trying to extort them? Unthinkable!

Hearing the martial artist’s question, Fang Can paused his sword arm, his tone still calm: “Didn’t I say I’d let you have three strikes?”

As he spoke, two more thrusts followed; his chest was now torn open, blood soaking his robe crimson.

Three gaping wounds made Fang Can sway precariously, his cheeks pale.

『So… letting you three strikes means THIS?』 One martial artist’s composure cracked; his eyes widened in disbelief—he thought the man before him was insane.

But Fang Can felt his inspiration and other innate talents surging as his blood drained.

Watching the steady flow of blood from Fang Can, the entire crowd fell utterly silent—everyone was left speechless by his actions.

Suddenly, someone slapped their palm: “I get it!”

“What do you get?” Someone beside him asked instinctively.

“It’s because these martial artists are too weak—they’ve robbed the Divine Lord of any fighting spirit.”

The speaker declared confidently: “The Divine Lord is pushing himself to his absolute limit, then seeking breakthrough in battle.”

“Ah, so it’s these martial artists who are pathetic!” The crowd immediately burst into boos.

But the man was utterly wrong—right now, the bloodied, near-dead Fang Can was in his strongest state.

His inspiration, technique, intuition, and luck—all attributes had reached their peak.

“So… come at me all at once.”

Blood-soaked, Fang Can smiled; blindfolded and on the brink of death, he looked like a savior incarnate.

Below, the believers erupted in howls, raising their hands higher, clapping even more fiercely.

『Caw! Divine Lord, we adore you!』

(End of Chapter)