Over the small island, large swathes of smoke-like white mist were drawn by an unseen force, churning and surging towards the high platform like a myriad of rivers returning to the sea. Half of the high platform was enveloped in this cloud-mist. Within the mist, radiant light cascaded like a waterfall. Amidst the vast, hazy, and indistinct scene, it seemed as if one could perceive an immensely tall and solemn white jade portal slowly materializing. Upon this portal, inscribed like a brand of the Heavenly Dao, were the two characters: "South Heaven."

However, the other side of the high platform was consumed by pure, eerie coldness. It was as if the gates of the Netherworld had swung open, unleashing a torrential wave of Death Qi. This miasma stained the heavens and earth with a gloomy, deathly hue. On the decaying land, amidst the lingering ruins, wandered the souls of the dead and walking corpses...

One side featured the gates of the Heavenly Palace, lofty and aloof, indifferently observing all living beings. The other was the kingdom of the Netherworld, devoid of life, a realm of decay and chilling darkness. One side was sublime and lofty, the other deep and obscure. One side was clear, the other turbid.

In this direct confrontation, not a single spectator on Martial Saint Island could discern the details. All they could perceive was the clash of two distinctly different powers—a battle between the Heavenly Palace and the Netherworld. Countless onlookers were horrified. They simply couldn't fathom what immense willpower and vitality were required to conjure such an unbelievable and majestic phenomenon. It was as if a myth was materializing into reality. Even Grandmasters of Pure Martial arts were affected, unable to distinguish the boundary between reality and illusion. The two overwhelmingly powerful auras erupting from the high platform had surpassed the conventional limits of martial prowess, reaching a truly Legendary Level. At that moment, numerous Pure Martial fighters felt an overwhelming urge to prostrate themselves in worship.

A Pure Martial myth! This is a true Pure Martial myth!

Heaven Lord Wu Chao was somewhat understandable; after all, he had become a legend in the martial arts world several eras ago. Seated atop the Summit of Penglai, he had overlooked the entire Ancient Martial Arts World for nearly two hundred years. Lu Yuan, however, was the most terrifying. This man, making a forceful entrance under the title of the current Evil Emperor of the Evil Martial Association, had defeated dozens of Grandmasters and the Penglai Five Elders at the white square. He had ascended to the summit and was now contending with the Heaven Lord. From start to finish, he hadn't released even a sliver of Evil Energy fluctuation. He relied solely on his attainments in the realm of Pure Martial arts.

How old is he? Is he truly a prophesied demonic star, destined to bring an end to an era?!

"BOOM—"

The sound of fists colliding echoed from the high platform. It wasn't loud, nor did any earth-shattering momentum ripple outward. Only the roiling cloud-mist and radiant light, stirred by the aftershocks, confirmed that the clash was indeed occurring. Yet, in the eyes of the spectators below, their vision was intensely distorted, and countless illusions flickered hazily.

"The Martial Arts of these two have reached an unfathomable realm beyond Grandmasters!" someone exclaimed.

Below, a man was kneading his temples, murmuring in a daze, "Their clash isn't just about power and technique; it's more a contest of spiritual will, or perhaps... this is a confrontation of two Daos, a collision between entire systems!"

"Beyond Grandmasters? Is there truly a path beyond the Grandmaster Realm?" someone couldn't help but ask.

A Grandmaster Level figure, hearing this, raised his hand towards the high platform and, with a peculiar expression, enunciated each word, "Those two... *are* the path!"

「」

On the high platform, two figures battled, intertwined like phantoms.

Skills comprehended and learned flowed through Lu Yuan's mind like water from his [Fighter] panel, gradually integrating into his very bones and blood. His spirit, will, blood—every cell in his body screamed and boiled with fervor. Yet, his mind remained utterly calm, like an icy lake with scorching magma roiling beneath its surface.

Heavenly Palace Sect's Martial Arts... Heaven Lord Wu Chao...

Lu Yuan silently contemplated these names, his pupils already a pure silver-white. At their center, a vortex seemed to spin rapidly. His Level 3 [Unconquerable Instinct] had activated the moment their battle began. Previously, as Lu Yuan had ascended the three tiers of the high platform, sweeping aside all opponents, he had never needed to activate [Unconquerable Instinct] or summon his "stand-in." But against Wu Chao, it was different. Lu Yuan sensed that without his max-level [Unconquerable Instinct], he would be swiftly overwhelmed within moments.

He is an unparalleled prodigy, who, by leveraging various methods of the new era, has lived for over two hundred years. Two centuries of Martial Arts accumulation—his experience, techniques, awareness... every facet has reached an unprecedented peak. The state he's in now is equivalent to my own max-level [Unconquerable Instinct]!

Facing such a living "Martial Legend," Lu Yuan had no choice but to rely on his panel; otherwise, he could never bridge the gap forged by those two centuries of accumulation.

But the greater the challenge, the more exhilarating it is, he thought, the silver vortex in his pupils spinning ever faster. His mind was like still water, yet his body blazed like a wildfire. An overwhelming battle intent raged in every fiber of his being.

I am on the verge of achieving an unprecedented, world-shaking Extraordinary Grandmaster Realm... And it is precisely such a peerless individual that I need as kindling to fuel my ascent!

Lu Yuan's eyes blazed with silver-white light. His form resembled a great bird soaring into the sky, arms spread wide. In a diving posture, he pressed his arms downward, striking towards Wu Chao below. Around him, an initially transparent and invisible, yet distorted, airflow swirled and intertwined. The dark-golden Martial God Strength coursed through his entire body. Vaguely, it seemed as if a pale, round moon had quietly emerged behind him. Beneath this moon, countless black crows beat their wings and cawed in unison.

"Nether Crow Sect: Praise the Moon!"

Wu Chao's expression was serene. He extended his hands, fingertips lightly touching to form an arch, deftly intercepting Lu Yuan's strike.

"Heavenly Palace Sect, Second Move: Construct Rainbow Bridge!"

As fist met palm, the mists around Wu Chao billowed, and another strange phenomenon manifested. Amidst the vastness, behind the towering White Jade South Heaven Gate, a nine-colored rainbow bridge seemed to appear. The conceptual images collided. The round moon wavered, and the crows praising it beneath exploded one by one. Yet, the nine-colored Rainbow Bridge remained steadfast, growing ever more magnificent and brilliant.

Lu Yuan's expression remained unchanged, but his fist technique quietly shifted.

"Nether Crow Sect: Devour the Moon!"

His fist morphed into a claw, the dark-golden light interweaving on it as it swept upwards. The phenomenon created by this move showed countless crimson-eyed black crows, like a dark cloud, madly surging upwards from beneath the round moon. The pale, cold moon itself was tinged with a faint bloody hue. At this moment, Lu Yuan was completely enveloped in distorted airflow. The light was dim, obscuring his figure, yet one could sense a chilling, bloodthirsty, and cruel aura emanating from within.

Wu Chao's expression remained unchanged as he continued to press his hands downward. The nine-colored Rainbow Bridge in the white mist swayed gently, and a vast, majestic force crashed down.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—"

The aura around Lu Yuan exploded outwards layer by layer, and the illusion of the crow flock beside him rapidly disintegrated. Just as Wu Chao's pressure forced his hands to their lowest point and his aura was nearly depleted, Lu Yuan abruptly brought his hands together. Palms facing upward, fingertips like a sharp blade, he thrust upwards. The previous two repulsions and collapses seemed to have been mere preparations for this very strike. All the secretly accumulated power and momentum erupted fully at this instant.

"Nether Crow Sect: Moon Snatching!"

Nether Crow Sect: Praise the Moon, Devour the Moon, Moon Snatching! These were the three combination killing moves of the Nether Crow Sect, which Lu Yuan had created by integrating the Sure-kill techniques of the Crane Sect with his Level 2 Super Kill, [Thousand Crows Singing at The Moon], as the core. While the God Elephant Sect focused on "Power," the Nether Crow Sect centered on "Intent." This distinction was vividly demonstrated at this moment.

As Moon Snatching was unleashed, Lu Yuan's aura erupted once more. A terrifying presence radiated outwards, distorting the surrounding air into blackness. The desolate, cold, round moon behind him instantly turned a pure blood-red. Within this blood-red, a speck of pure black flickered, resembling the eye of a crow. The blood moon phenomenon collided with the South Heaven portal and the nine-colored Rainbow Bridge.

"BOOM!"

On the supreme platform, the cloud-mist churned like boiling water, white and black intermingling completely. Terrifying aftershocks radiated outwards, scattering much of the cloud-mist and blasting a massive, circular opening in the sky above the platform. This opening was devoid of any lingering cloud-mist, revealing only a pristine, pot-shaped gap emitting white light, from which radiant light cascaded down like a waterfall.

Beneath this light, Wu Chao stood serenely, his jade-like divine bearing intact. His hands were clasped behind his back, his eyes clear and bright. The phenomena of South Heaven and the Rainbow Bridge still floated above his head. At this moment, he truly lived up to the name "Heaven Lord."

Lu Yuan, meanwhile, stood at another corner of the high platform. His aura and the Nether Crow phenomenon had completely vanished. His hands hung at his sides, crimson blood trickling from his fingertips. Yet, Lu Yuan's expression was tranquil.

I haven't reached the Grandmaster Realm yet, but my Spiritual Power and physique already surpass an ordinary Grandmaster tenfold. However, compared to Heaven Lord Wu Chao, a Legendary Level figure who has practically transcended the Grandmaster Realm... there's still a gap. My metamorphosis isn't complete, and my own Martial Arts system is still in its nascent stages, undergoing refinement. Wu Chao, on the other hand, is nearly flawless in every aspect, with virtually no weaknesses or shortcomings. He, much like his Martial Arts, seems to be like the Heavenly Palace itself, standing high above the clouds—lofty, majestic, and disdainful of the world.

Countless opponents and countless victories over two hundred years have forged his nearly invincible conviction. Like the mythical Heavenly Palace, he is unreachably high and seemingly indestructible... Lu Yuan mused as the blood flowed back from his fingers, his aura beginning to climb once more. But I... am almost there too, he murmured softly in his heart.

The next second, his figure abruptly shot up and expanded. His black hair grew wildly, cascading like a waterfall to his waist. His skin turned crimson, and enormous, blood-red lotus-like eyes manifested on his back. Waves of intense heat radiated from his body. He had clearly entered the third stage of his ultimate transformation.

"HUUU—"

Lu Yuan exhaled sharply, transforming into an afterimage as he lunged towards Wu Chao. Around him, the vision of a prosperous, ancient city began to slowly materialize. This phenomenon was vastly different from his previous gloomy and cold aura, and it held no particular peculiarity. The only memorable aspect was perhaps the sense that this vision was like an epic scroll slowly unfurling.

A flicker of surprise crossed Heaven Lord Wu Chao's gentle, jade-like eyes. Without a word, he lightly sent a palm strike towards Lu Yuan.

"Heavenly Palace Sect, Third Move: Rising Immortal Pavilion!"

As this palm was launched, within the boundless, hazy cloud phenomenon above Wu Chao's head, countless pavilions and kiosks seemed to materialize. An indescribable, vast, and majestic aura, ethereal and almost immortal, flowed from his palm.

Expressionless, Lu Yuan, carrying the aura of a flourishing age, met Wu Chao's palm with a punch.

Fist and palm collided.

"BOOM!"

Terrifying shockwaves rippled out. Wu Chao remained unmoved, his expression as calm as ever. Lu Yuan's figure flew backward, only just managing to halt at the very edge of the high platform. He gasped for breath, his aura chaotic. The phenomenon of the prosperous ancient city he had projected seemed to teeter precariously, as if about to crumble under Wu Chao's palm strike. The prosperity had vanished, replaced by a sense of impending doom.

Despite this, Lu Yuan's face remained impassive. He raised a hand and gently wiped away the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Half a meter," Lu Yuan muttered to himself.

In the distance, Wu Chao frowned slightly, apparently perplexed by Lu Yuan's inexplicable words.

"BOOM!"

Lu Yuan's black hair billowed as his aura surged once more. The phenomenon of the ancient city around him began to transform dramatically. In its sky, a black meteor enveloped in raging black flames appeared. Lu Yuan leaped up, his lithe figure merging with the black meteor in mid-air. Like a celestial body crashing down from the heavens, he plummeted towards Wu Chao.

Wu Chao narrowed his eyes, not even deigning to look directly at Lu Yuan's attack. He kept one hand behind his back. With the other, he casually reached upwards.

He murmured, "Heavenly Palace Sect, Fourth Move..."

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