Chapter 140: Transcendence

Time flew by swiftly. In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

Li Pin set the battleground for his fight with Lin Yuzhi to be at the martial society.

His courtyard had just undergone a round of repairs and couldn't withstand another ordeal.

These days, rumors were circulating about Lin Yuzhi's impending transfer. With Lian Hongchen set to act as the interim chairman of the Jiang Province Martial Society, his influence within the society was rapidly increasing.

Over the past few days, well-informed senior members of the martial society had visited Lian Hongchen more than once, expressing their allegiance. Consequently, Lian Hongchen's control over the martial society greatly strengthened. With that, arranging a duel between Li Pin and Lin Yuzhi was a simple task for him.

At noon, Li Pin arrived at the martial society's first training arena, quietly waiting for Lin Yuzhi. He hadn't informed any family members about this duel. Aside from a few individuals like Lian Hongchen, Cao Tianyou, Zhao Yuan, and Lian Xiyue, no one else knew about it.

Many were unaware that Lin Yuzhi, who was supposed to be leading a team in preparation for the national competition, would suddenly return to Jiang Province. After all, the top ten in the capital city had yet to be determined, and the national competition was not over.

***

"Though we could still settle old scores with Lin Yuzhi and bring him down once Li Pin returned triumphantly to Jiang Province after winning the World's Top Martial Competition, a life-and-death duel can certainly solve the problem once and for all."

"Let's wait for Lin Yuzhi to show up. I just hope he doesn't back out at the last minute."

"He wouldn't dare to back out! Otherwise, the consequences will be far worse than just a transfer. I'm more concerned about him using underhanded tactics, like taking banned substances. We need to be particularly vigilant about that."

"Their duel is a life-and-death battle, not a ring match. Even if Lin Yuzhi uses banned substances, it's still within the rules. So, if he does come to fight, he will likely rely on external aids."

Lian Hongchen and Cao Tianyou were discussing the situation.

Not long after, Li Pin sensed something. Lian Hongchen and Cao Tianyou also felt it and stood up abruptly.

"This qi and blood...."

"What did he take!?"

A vast and powerful aura rapidly approached, so intense that even the juniors Zhao Yuan and Lian Xiyue could clearly sense it.

In Li Pin's perception, a blazing flame appeared on the horizon, surging into the sky and radiating endless heat like a rising sun. A powerful Sword Intent accompanied the scorching heat, so powerful it seemed to pierce the heavens.

Even though it had not yet arrived, its presence could be felt, godly and overwhelming. It disrupted Li Pin's qi and blood flow across his body. Both Cao Tianyou and Lian Hongchen were also affected.

"Such overwhelming sword intent!"

"Who is it!? This can't be Lin Yuzhi! He isn't this powerful!"

Amidst Lian Hongchen and Cao Tianyou's uncontrollable exclamations, a figure appeared outside the main entrance of the first training arena.

His pace was steady, and with each step, he effortlessly covered ten meters. After a few more movements, he stood in the center of the arena.

If it weren’t for his hair, which had turned white, he would have been instantly recognizable.

He was none other than Lin Yuzhi, the chairman of the Jiang Province Martial Society, the top official overseeing the Jiang Province Martial Arts Community, and the great grandmaster of swordsmanship who had remained undefeated across Jiang Province a decade ago.

"How is this possible...."

Upon recognizing the figure, Lian Hongchen shook. He knew Lin Yuzhi was powerful. The reputation of him dominating Jiang Province with one sword a decade ago meant no one would dare to underestimate him.

"Lin Yuzhi had diligently maintained his rigorous training over the years, never allowing himself to slacken in his swordsmanship practice."

Nevertheless, in theory, he was already advanced in age. No matter how much he practiced, maintaining his peak condition from ten years ago would be his limit.

Yet now, the terrifying aura he exuded, the Sword Intent that seemed to soar into the sky and dominate Jiang Province and even the world.... it all proved otherwise.

Cao Tianyou’s mouth went dry. "How could he.... be this strong."

He had a premonition that if he were to face Lin Yuzhi at this moment, he might not be able to withstand even a single strike from him. This kind of strength was beyond his imagination.

Lin Yuzhi and Li Pin locked eyes from ten meters apart, sizing each other up.

"This is our first official meeting," Lin Yuzhi said.

"You don't seem quite right," Li Pin remarked. "It’s as if—"

"I know," Lin Yuzhi's expression was calm. "Over the years, as the Jiang Province Martial Society Chairman, I have focused so much on maintaining my position and its benefits that I have missed out on so much.

"It wasn't until three days ago that I suddenly realized how fragile everything I had clung to, longed for, and pursued, was. It was like withered leaves drifting in the wind, unable to withstand a gentle push, much less a storm...."

He extended his hand, as if trying to grasp something, but ultimately....

He let it go.

"Flying away." Lin Yuzhi looked at Li Pin. "I have reviewed your records more than once. You are a true martial arts genius. But when I learned that you had killed Chi Tiexin and Qi Feng, I suddenly realized that no amount of description could capture even a fraction of your true talent.

"My limited perspective has blinded me, causing me to overlook that your future is destined to be in the spotlight. You are destined to soar high. Standing against you and using my power to suppress you, I am doomed to fail."

"Congratulations on your awakening."

Li Pin looked back at Lin Yuzhi, observing his eyes filled with unwavering resolve and strong conviction. It was clear that Lin Yuzhi was neither retreating nor fearful, but had instead reached complete enlightenment.

"Thank you." Lin Yuzhi nodded slightly. "Three days ago, I lost everything, but I must still thank you. You made me realize that even when I have truly lost everything, there is one thing that no one can take from me."

He slowly drew the sword from his waist.

"My sword."

At that moment, Lian Hongchen realized something.

Transcendence! It’s transcendence!

He suddenly said, "You are in a state of extreme transcendence! You have chosen to burn yourself, igniting your Vitality, Qi, and Spirit to enter a state that allows you to condense your Martial Will, much like forcibly meditating on the Astral God!

"If you can stabilize this state, you will achieve the true Martial Saint level and end this burning state with your formidable willpower. With top-grade Heavenly Treasures, there is hope for recovery. But if you fail...."

Lin Yuzhi didn’t even glance at Lian Hongchen. His focus was entirely on the sword in his hand and Li Pin standing before him.

He spoke with sincerity, "Please promise me that in this battle, you will definitely kill me. Winning is my only chance at survival; simply losing has no meaning."

Lian Hongchen shouted, "Li Pin, wear down his momentum. In at most half an hour, his transcendent state will end, and you will win without a fight!"

Cao Tianyou placed a hand on Lian Honchen's shoulder, a hint of regret on his face. "He won’t agree to it."

Indeed. Not only did Li Pin not show a shred of intention to back down, but he also echoed Lin Yuzhi’s sentiments....

Or rather, he expressed his most genuine desire, "In this battle, you only have two choices, either you kill me, or I kill you! There is no third option!"

"Good! Good! Good!"

Lin Yuzhi's face didn't show the slightest joy as he said those words. He had severed all lingering thoughts, fully committed to an unwavering resolve. His qi and blood, along with his Sword Intent, surged, burning with the utmost intensity. This was the moment he released the full brilliance and splendor of his entire life's glory in an instant.

"So.... let me witness just how strong you are now that you’ve reached the Martial Saint realm through transcendence!"

Lin Yuzhi laughed heartily. "

Hahahaha!"

In the next moment, he drew his sword!

A Martial Saint at the human body's limits was like a humanoid ferocious beast, with their physique, tendons, bones, and reflexes all enhanced to the maximum, all pushed to the absolute limit of the human body.

A great grandmaster at the peak Internal Cultivation realm could exert several tons of terrifying force. With the explosive power generated from their speed, their punches could shatter even the thickest of walls.

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

But a Spirit Force Martial Saint was different. Under the augmentation of mental spirit, they harnessed their limited qi and blood with boundless mental spirit, exceeding human limits.

Therefore, when Lin Yuzhi, this transcendent great grandmaster of swordsmanship, fully unleashed all his qi and blood and sword intent, an overwhelming and nearly suffocating pressure rolled forth.

This pressure created a distorting illusion in the void.

No! It was more than an illusion!

Shepherded by his Sword Intent, Lin Yuzhi's qi and blood burned recklessly like a blazing furnace. Terrifying light and heat erupted from within him, spreading wildly and creating disturbances in the surrounding air. The temperature variations caused air convection, forming a strange illusion akin to spatial distortion!

As this illusion merged with his Sword Intent and technique, to the ordinary eye, it formed a visible phantom. It appeared as if an unparalleled sword deity was holding the stars, stepping on the sun and moon, rising slowly and descending with a thunderous force, wielding supreme sword intent capable of shattering the cosmos.

Blood Core Eruption! Blood-Seething Secret Art!

Rumble, rumble!

Li Pin did not hesitate to erupt his Blood Core and activate the Blood-Seething Secret Art. A fierce and violent aura also surged from him. He faced Lin Yuzhi, who was now at the pinnacle of transcendence and as powerful as a true Martial Saint, with his utmost strength.

His powerful Fist Intent surged with his punch, soaring into the sky and creating a void from Lin Yuzhi’s sword intent, which seemed capable of shattering the cosmos. This was Li Pin's attempt to counter the overwhelming force that surpassed human limits.

"Good Fist Intent! But.... not enough!"

In an instant, Lin Yuzhi discerned Li Pin’s counterattack. His expression didn't falter as he advanced abruptly, taking a step forward. As he covered the distance between them, the heavenly sword imbued with supreme sword intent pierced through the air and descended.

Lin Yuzhi's sword was clearly an astral equipment-level treasure similar to the Eight Desolate Sword. However, it was longer and more refined!

The sword's edge, wrapped in sword intent, sliced through the air at a high speed. In its wake, A white burst of energy erupted, making the sword’s edge appear as though it was tearing through the air itself.

"Glorious Heaven's Path, Infinite Heavenly Sword!"