Chapter 145: Sparring

"Team Leader Yuan," Lian Hongchen interjected quickly. "Grandmaster Li is unlike any other grandmaster from Taibai. I can personally vouch for the authenticity of those videos..."

"

Heh

, it's perfectly normal for martial artists to test each other's skills through sparring. I don't know much about the Taibai Kingdom, but in the Blackbird Kingdom, that's common practice," Zhao Tianqiong said with a smile before Yuan Fang could respond. "Besides, it's just a friendly spar, not a life-and-death battle. What’s the harm in that?"

Lian Hongchen was startled. "Blackbird Kingdom?"

He hadn't expected these people to be from the Blackbird Kingdom.

The Tianyuan Federation was one of the Six Extremities, comprising dozens of countries of varying sizes. Within this federation, the Tianyuan Dynasty held an overwhelming dominance, far surpassing all other nations.

In addition to the Tianyuan Dynasty, there were three other powerful nations: the Central Dynasty, the Xiya Republic, and the Blackbird Kingdom. Together, they stood as guardians and complemented the Tianyuan Federation.

Among these three countries, the Blackbird Kingdom was famous for its thriving martial arts culture, where a passion for combat was deeply ingrained. In recent years, the nation has seen a continuous emergence of powerful martial artists.

Just in the past twenty years, this nation had produced the second-highest number of Martial Saints and those who ascended to become Top-Tier Astral Cultivators within the entire Tianyuan Federation, second only to the Tianyuan Dynasty.

Even the Central Dynasty, which established the Dragon Gate Hall, paled in comparison.

Of course, a belligerent nature often led to destruction. As a result, the Blackbird Kingdom lagged behind Taibai in terms of economy and population.

In terms of economy, population, and quality of life, the more developed Taibai Kingdom far outshone the Blackbird Kingdom. Taibai had consistently ranked first in the Tianyuan Federation for resident happiness, even the Tianyuan Dynasty had to tip their hat to them.

Lian Hongchen carefully picked his words before speaking. "The Blackbird Kingdom has a strong martial arts culture, and we respect your nation's traditions. However, Grandmaster Li's strength is far more profound than it appears on the surface. If we're only talking about grandmasters—"

However, before he could finish his sentence, Zhao Tianqiong interrupted, "If you think Su Song is just an ordinary grandmaster, you’re gravely mistaken."

Yuan Fang took the opportunity to chime in with a smile, "There’s something you two might not know. Su Song is the top disciple of the Iron Blood Sect—the most renowned sect in the Blackbird Kingdom.

"He has received the sect's full inheritance, including cultivation methods, combat techniques, nurturing techniques, secret arts, and everything in between. His Iron Blood Battle Intent, which he has been nurturing ever since he stepped into the grandmaster realm, has finally reached perfection."

Zhao Tianqiong joined in, "Indeed. Had he not been involved with the World's Top Martial Competition's organizing committee, which prevents him from participating in it to avoid any appearance of favoritism, his strength would have undoubtedly earned him an invitation.

"Several elders of the Iron Blood Sect have asserted that as long as Su Song fully unleashes the Battle Intent he has cultivated, he can definitely generate Spirit Force and earn the title of Taibai—"

Zhao Tianqiong was about to continue, but just as he mentioned the Taibai Martial Saint, Yuan Fang cleared his throat, reminding him to be respectful.

He took note of this and adjusted his words, "Su Song has a junior disciple who had perfected the Aura Cultivation realm. At this year’s Blackbird National Competition, he unleashed Spirit Force and made it into the top ten, with the potential to reach the top three.

"He, too, received an invitation to the World’s Top Martial Competition. However, in a sparring match six months ago, Su Song emerged victorious."

Li Pin's interest was piqued as soon as he heard that Su Song had even defeated experts capable of unleashing Spirit Force.

However, considering that Su Song had already refined his blood, strictly speaking, they were at a similar cultivation level. it would be unfair for Li Pin to assume that only he but not the others could possess extraordinary combat prowess.

Furthermore, Su Song’s martial arts originated from the Blackbird Kingdom, and he also mastered secret arts.

As the saying goes, "Stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade."[1]

For that reason alone, it was worth having a match.

As Lian Hongchen was about to say something more, Li Pin directly took over, "Let's proceed with the sparring match then. I’ve been recuperating for half a month. That period without training has made my body grow a bit rusty. A match with you would be a good way to adjust my condition before the World’s Top Martial Competition."

Su Song nodded slightly. "I couldn't agree more."

Only through battle could a martial artist truly prove their strength and worth.

Seeing that Li Pin had agreed, Lian Hongchen gave up on stopping them and led everyone to the training area.

The martial society was never short of enclosed arenas, practice halls, and training areas.

Soon, Li Pin and his group arrived at the Second Training Area.

Li Pin didn't need to say anything; Su Song stepped forward directly. Keeping his upper body still, he unleashed a burst of power from his legs, propelling himself forward. In just a few strides, he covered over ten meters and landed steadily in the center of the arena. His gaze, sharp as lightning, fixed directly on Li Pin.

He generated this incredible speed without engaging his core, relying solely on the explosive power of his legs. From this alone, his skill was top-tier among grandmasters. His movements subtly resembled those of Qi Feng, the great grandmaster swordsman.

It was clear that Su Song had not only refined his fist techniques but had also mastered his body movements. In contrast, Li Pin appeared somewhat plain and dull. Utilizing the power of the Eight Enormities True Fire Force, Li Pin also launched himself into the arena with a powerful leg technique.

The two stood ten meters apart.

"Please!" Su Song said in a stern tone, his energy surging.

Su Song's demeanor had changed the moment he stepped onto the stage. He exuded a fiery aggression, with a sharp edge to his every movement.

"Please," Li Pin responded.

"Stay alert!" Su Song roared.

With an explosive burst of power from his feet, he lunged forward, his stance bold and direct as he aimed a punch straight at Li Pin's face. As he threw the punch, his Vitality, Qi, and Spirit underwent a dramatic transformation.

Prior to this, Su Song, the top disciple of Iron Blood Sect, though a promising young grandmaster, exuded a sunny, positive aura. But as he threw his punch, his Fist Intent, forged through years of rigorous training, ignited into a blazing inferno, turning him into an indomitable warlord at the head of a thousand-strong army.

His punch came forth like a spear!

In the face of this overwhelming Fist Intent, Li Pin felt like a lone warrior facing a charging cavalry of thousands. One false move and he would be trampled into pulp.

"Not bad!" Li Pin remarked.

In that moment, he subtly understood why this grandmaster held all other Taibai masters in such blatant disdain. With the battle and Fist Intent Su Song had just displayed, even Chi Xingyu, the Jiang Province Deputy Chairman, wouldn't stand a chance against him in a life-or-death struggle and would inevitably fall.

If Lian Hongchen had been the one facing Su Song, the opponent's Fist Intent and aura alone would have been enough to shake his mind and immobilize him.

In the next instant, Li Pin let out a thunderous roar. He exhaled forcefully, vibrated his internal organs, and ignited the qi and blood that had been stagnant within him for nearly half a month.

As he crouched slightly, a surge of power rose from his feet and propelled him forward. He met Su Song's powerful punch head-on, countering it not with a fist, but with his palm!

Utilizing his superior physique and precise control over the battle, he thrust out his palm, forcefully catching Su Song’s punch, which had been charging forward like a thousand cavalry.

What transpired was like a commanding general leading his cavalry with unstoppable momentum, thrusting his spear at the enemy, only for the opponent to catch it mid-strike.

Buzz, buzz!

As their fists and palms collided, a visible shockwave burst outward, forming a white ripple with a radius of nearly a meter.

Li Pin’s internal organs vibrated violently. The double-layered force erupted, traveling through Li Pin's right arm before penetrating Su Song’s fist. The double-layered force sent tremors through Su Song's arms and internal organs.

In response, Su Song unleashed his internal force. He twisted his waist and, with a flick of his wrist, sent a burst of force out from his palm. With a surge of strength in his legs, their attacks crossed, narrowly missing each other.

Li Pin didn’t forcefully hold Su Song’s arm but instead shifted his stance, letting him go.

"You’re not using Spirit Force. And you haven't even erupted your Blood Core," Li Pin asked, puzzled. "Are we just playing around like children?"

"Playing around?"

Su Song believed he already had a grasp of Li Pin's strength from their exchange. His expression turned cautious. "If we were to erupt our Blood Cores, given that our strengths are evenly matched, one of us would likely get hurt. That wouldn’t be beneficial for you since the World's Top Martial Competition is just around the corner. Are you sure you want me to do so?"

"Not only should you erupt your Blood Core, you should show me your strongest form and unleash your Spirit Force," Li Pin said calmly. "Otherwise, you won't be able to defeat me."

Su Song’s expression turned grim. "You're full of yourself!"

While he had missed a move earlier, Li Pin had also been unable to gain a decisive advantage. Did Li Pin really think that Su Song would be intimidated as a result?

Li Pin's muscles and bones resonated, and his qi and blood surged violently. "I’ll erupt my Blood Core and attack. If you can’t even muster your Spirit Force..."

He delivered a straightforward palm strike without using special techniques or martial arts; just a simple, ordinary swipe aimed directly at Su Song.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Yet, empowered by the eruption of his Blood Core, this simple palm strike compressed the air, generating a violent, searing white shockwave.

It was as if he wasn't striking with a palm, but unleashing a tsunami that would obliterate everything in its path.

"You... are too arrogant!"

Seeing Li Pin’s direct and unadorned strike aimed straight at him, Su Song’s face darkened.

What kind of technique is this!?

He thought.

Not using any special moves clearly indicated that Li Pin wasn't taking him seriously! Or perhaps... Li Pin thought he could defeat him with a single, ordinary strike, as easily as swatting a mosquito!

Such an attack... was downright humiliating!

It wasn't just him, both Yuan Fang and Zhao Tianqiong also frowned.

Did Li Pin, this Taibai grandmaster, believe that the Blackbird Kingdom's grandmasters were the same as those from the Taibai Kingdom and hadn't faced life-or-death battles with their equals?

A straightforward palm strike like this was no different from admitting defeat.

"The video has been authenticated and verified, and with two confirmed fatalities. It's highly unlikely that Taibai would go to such extreme measures to promote Li Pin...." Zhao Tianqiong muttered, shaking his head. "But a mere twenty-two or three-year-old, repeatedly killing so many veteran grandmasters is deeply concerning.

"Could the Taibai's grandmasters have ended up like their Martial Saints, mere names without substance? We must personally verify this. As it stands—"

"Su Song is about to lose his cool," Yuan Fang said with a smirk.

The real show started now.

1. emphasizes the importance of learning from others and seeking knowledge from various sources. ☜