Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 163 - 157: Confirmation

SCREECH!!

A piercing bird cry echoed. In that instant, Zhou Yuanjue's entire body felt as if it were ablaze. His Spiritual Will vibrated his Life Magnetic Field to its absolute limit, drawing upon the surrounding Power of Nature to an unprecedented degree.

CRACKLE! SIZZLE!

His body made a scorching sound in the intense heat as large patches of his skin began to burn.

This level of Natural Magnetic Field fluctuation had already exceeded his body's limits. However, the Turtle and Snake Form was inherently of water, and the surrounding magnetic field was related to water as well. When their magnetic fields collided, most of the Natural Magnetic Field he had stirred was neutralized by his opponent. The small remaining portion, while scorching his body, was also rapidly altering the weak magnetic fields within his cells.

Even so, the magnetic field was still causing immense damage to his body. But Zhou Yuanjue possessed the Nirvana Fire Secret Technique. His blood surged, his body shape changed drastically, and his body's nutrients were rapidly consumed, immediately beginning the process of repairing the damage.

In this moment, his body's potential was completely squeezed out. The burns, visible to the naked eye, were also healing at a visible rate. Life and Death cycled over and over—it was nothing short of a miracle.

If Zhang Zhizhen of the Celestial Heart Sect were present, he would surely think that Zhang Dongwei had made a grave mistake.

Back when he fought Zhou Yuanjue, Zhang Zhizhen had come to understand a certain truth.

The only way to defeat Zhou Yuanjue was to physically annihilate him as quickly as possible. Otherwise, any pressure would only be converted into fuel for his advancement. This was a man whose Spiritual Will seemed to have fused with a concept itself, making him an existence that could not be destroyed on a spiritual level.

'So audacious, so reckless. Under these circumstances, he actually dares to use me as a whetstone?'

Zhang Dongwei's expression changed noticeably. He had never seen such a person. Or rather, he had seen very few who had achieved Saint Awakening, having explored the path alone for the most part, because a Saint Awakening of old was a rare sight, appearing only once every few centuries.

'Is this what a Saint Awakening of Donghua Country is like today?'

SCREECH!!

As Zhou Yuanjue formed a peculiar Hand Seal, his magnetic field drew upon the Power of Nature, transforming into a colossal Firebird that beat its wings within the black sea manifested by Zhang Dongwei's will.

The sea evaporated under the intense heat, and a hole was blasted through the dark clouds in the sky, allowing brilliant sunlight to shine down upon the giant Firebird.

The Firebird's proud eyes stared at the massive turtle and snake in the sea, fearlessly facing it down, ready to attack at any moment.

"Such a unique 'Qi'. The Southern Vermilion Bird?"

Zhang Dongwei felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing the massive Firebird, but he quickly dismissed the notion.

It was only similar in form; its core was completely different.

This Firebird was proud and unyielding, as if no hardship could ever stop its quest for transcendence.

'This man has already forged his own path.'

'Transcendence over all... If only I'd had such a will back then...'

A faint flicker of a daze passed through Zhang Dongwei's eyes. He knew just how special the man he had encountered truly was.

It was as if he were seeing his younger self, but one with even greater potential.

BOOM!!

At that very moment, Zhou Yuanjue launched his attack. The Flaming Giant Bird behind him took flight, hurtling headfirst toward the Black Tortoise Divine Beast.

Not to be outdone, Zhang Dongwei raised his hands slightly and then thrust out a palm.

BOOM!!

The Turtle and Snake Form and the Flaming Giant Bird crashed into one another.

In reality, red and black light collided, each dyeing half the sky.

The surrounding snow melted from the scorching heat, turning into steam. Meanwhile, the water vapor that had gathered and compressed around Zhang Dongwei's Black Tortoise Dharma Form instantly vaporized and expanded in the high temperature, creating a steam bomb that violently exploded.

SIZZLE!!

Zhou Yuanjue's skin was instantly scalded by the searing steam and the collision of magnetic fields, and the force of the impact sent him stumbling back several steps.

The violent magnetic field spread out in an instant, clearing the area within a hundred meters as the illusions were dispersed.

Zhou Yuanjue was breathing a little heavily. His Nirvana Fire immediately mobilized his body's Energy to repair his wounds.

He looked toward Zhang Dongwei and saw him standing in the same spot. Although the magnetic field around him had been shattered, his Daoist Robe still billowed elegantly, and his soul's true form had not suffered much damage.

'A full-power attack could only shatter the magnetic field around him, but not harm his core. Is the gap in our strength really that great?'

Zhou Yuanjue took a deep breath and adjusted his physical state, his composure unshaken by his opponent's strength.

Because nothing could change his will.

He adjusted his condition, gathered his magnetic field once more, and prepared to attack again.

On the other side, Zhang Dongwei was no less shaken than Zhou Yuanjue.

'The difference in our Qi's intensity is so vast, yet he took my attack and came out unscathed?'

'A thousand years have passed, and the times have truly changed. If the Martial Dao of Donghua Country is now filled with people like the one before me, then it has truly surpassed all imagination.'

'Truly, the new generation surpasses the old.'

He felt both joy and lamentation, his mind still replaying Zhou Yuanjue's answer.

He was extremely satisfied with that answer. All the previous illusions had merely been a test for Zhou Yuanjue.

'The character for "human"?'

'Was my choice back then... wrong?'

In the brief moment he was lost in thought, Zhou Yuanjue once again condensed his Life Magnetic Field, seemingly preparing to launch another attack.

"Hold on, hold on! Can we talk calmly for a moment? I have some questions for you."

Zhang Dongwei hurriedly reined in his own Life Magnetic Field and stopped Zhou Yuanjue.

Hearing this and sensing that the other party no longer had any malicious intent, Zhou Yuanjue couldn't help but frown, forcing himself to a halt just as he was about to charge.

'Talk?'

Zhou Yuanjue gave the smiling Zhang Dongwei a strange look. This Celestial Demon he had transformed into was truly peculiar.

He fell silent for a moment, a flicker of curiosity rising within him. He relaxed his stance, and the two began to talk, separated by a dozen or so meters.

"Your Qi is very peculiar. Looking at your appearance, with your aptitude and will, you must have reached the Saint Awakening Realm around the age of thirty, correct?"

Zhang Dongwei said with a smile.

Although Zhou Yuanjue looked young, he knew that powerful Martial Dao practitioners were generally resistant to aging. Furthermore, after reaching Saint Awakening, one's appearance would hardly change unless deliberately controlled. Thus, even though his opponent looked young, he might actually be several decades old. After all, how could one reach such a realm without the accumulation of time?

Based on Zhou Yuanjue's appearance, he guessed that the man had achieved Saint Awakening around the age of thirty and was now likely between forty and fifty. In ancient times, this would have been a terrifying level of talent and accomplishment. After all, many of the great figures immortalized in history had only reached Saint Awakening by the time they were forty.

At thirty, one stands firm. At forty, one is free from doubts.

Without experiencing the storms of life, seeing through the ways of the world, and understanding oneself, how could one possibly attain such a supreme realm?

'The age of thirty... Zhou Yuanjue never thought he looked that old...'

"I'm twenty-five this year."

Zhou Yuanjue said, his face calm.

"Thirty-five, eh? To be able to... at that age..."

Zhang Dongwei nodded in admiration, then immediately realized something was wrong and his eyes widened slightly.

"Wait, how old are you this year?"

"Twenty-five."

"Are you sure?"

"..."

Faced with such an absurd question, Zhou Yuanjue just stared at the old man with a strange look, saying nothing.