Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 89: The Vanished Celestial Demon

"Why didn't you fight back? Weren't you afraid I wouldn't stop?"

Dong Wanming's finger was pressed against Feimura Masayuki's brow. His imposing aura and killing intent gradually receded as he spoke slowly.

"And yet, you did stop in the end, didn't you?"

Feimura Masayuki slowly raised his head. Dong Wanming could clearly see the tear tracks on his face. He revealed a faint smile, his eyes downcast and gentle, filled with a light of tranquility and serenity, as if he had attained enlightenment.

"Just now, I finally understood the true meaning of the New Yin Style's supreme Mystical Technique, 'Blade Seizure Without a Blade.' It is easy to seize the sword in one's hand, but difficult to seize the sword in one's heart." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"I have already obtained what I sought. Victory and defeat are no longer important; they would only serve to sharpen the sword in my heart."

"From your will, I saw many things. Limited by my previous education, there was much I didn't understand. After this match, I will not participate in any further competitions, as they are now meaningless to me. I also won't be returning to Tianhe Country for the time being. After this match, I'm afraid there will be no place for me in the Martial Arts Realm there anymore."

"But none of that matters now. I will stay here and travel this land to truly feel its unhealable wounds. When I return as a Saint Awakening, back to Tianhe, I hope that one day, with my own two hands, I can shake the Sharp Sword that hangs in people's hearts."

Feimura Masayuki gave Dong Wanming a slight bow, speaking words that most would scoff at as the ravings of a madman, then turned and walked toward the arena's exit.

'But to know the folly and yet to act, to know the impossible and yet to attempt it—isn't that the spirit of a Martial Artist? Isn't that the Saint Awakening that transcends the mortal world?'

'Not to seize the sword in hand, but the sword in heart?'

Dong Wanming stood there, covered in blood, his gaze calm as he watched Feimura Masayuki's figure disappear into the arena's entrance. His mind replayed the words he had just spoken, along with the final moments of the battle.

He knew that this man was now truly just one step away from Saint Awakening. He no longer needed to use combat to prove himself or achieve sublimation.

"The winner is Dong Wanming of the Holy Heart Sect!"

Just then, the announcement of the duel's result echoed through the venue.

Feimura Masayuki had been struck on the brow and had now voluntarily left the field. Without a doubt, the battle was decided.

Although most of the audience didn't quite understand why Feimura Masayuki had reacted that way during the final blow, they didn't really care about the process. All that mattered to them was the final result.

And the result was that Dong Wanming had won, successfully defending his title as champion.

ROAR!!

The venue erupted in cheers and applause, while the broadcast areas in other arenas also burst with acclamation and discussion. Amidst these cheers that surged like a tidal wave, Dong Wanming stood in place, silent for a long time.

In this match, he had subdued his opponent, but his opponent had also taken the sword from his heart.

'Did I win? Did I lose? Does it even matter anymore?'

Dong Wanming shook his head with a wry smile. His opponent had achieved a huge breakthrough, but he hadn't come away empty-handed either.

He also turned and walked toward the arena's other exit.

But apart from the cheering ordinary spectators, the top-tier Martial Artists who were watching all remained in their seats, savoring the match that had just ended.

They were able to see far more than the average person.

The extreme diffusion of the two fighters' minds and wills at the end had also left them in awe.

"Did Feimura Masayuki have a breakthrough?"

He Runlin asked Zhou Yuanjue, who was beside him.

"Not yet, but he's very close. He just needs a catalyst, and combat can no longer provide that for him."

Zhou Yuanjue shook his head and said.

"Dong Wanming of the Holy Heart Sect also seems to have gained something incredible. That will of his at the end had already begun to spread out, affecting more than just his opponent."

"It's as they say: 'sage within, king without; cultivate the self, regulate the family, order the state, and bring peace to the world.' It's said that a Saint Awakening can break through their limits and use their own will to create a large-scale impact. It seems he isn't far from that realm either. What a pity it wasn't me on that stage."

He Runlin said with a sigh.

"There are so many heroes in this world. There will be other chances. I'm heading out. We'll talk again when we have the chance."

Zhou Yuanjue stood up and, calling to Li Qingxuan and the others, made his way through the still-excited crowd and left the arena.

"Yes, so many heroes in this world... This is an unprecedented golden age."

He Runlin watched the backs of Zhou Yuanjue and his group as they left, then also stood up.

He knew that Zhou Yuanjue had left in such a hurry because he had gained some insight from the battle.

And hadn't he, too, been influenced by those two currents of spirit and will, feeling as if something in his mind was about to burst forth?

On this night, no one present would leave empty-handed.

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Meanwhile, as this highly anticipated battle was taking place, the towering Lu Zhen stood in the center of a spacious office within a classified area in the suburbs of Guangpu City. Frowning at the civilian staff in their black uniforms, he asked, "It's been days. Have you still not located those two Celestial Demons?"

"We find it strange too. Logically, this type of processed Celestial Demon should have lower intelligence. They should be acting on instinct, 'foraging' for sustenance nearby. However, it seems there have been no anomalies around the incident site at all. Instead, we're getting irregular reports of abnormal events from several other districts. The area is too large to pinpoint their exact location. It feels as if they're deliberately evading our search."

A woman in a black uniform and glasses said in a low voice.

"Are you suggesting they've retained a high level of intelligence?"

Lu Zhen said gravely.

"There's a strong possibility. Symbiosis technology itself is immature and carries significant risks. No one knows what kind of changes might occur. Although the Celestial Demon's own will is mostly erased during symbiosis, we can't rule out the possibility that the host's death caused the Celestial Demon to merge with their fragmented memories, creating a new intelligence.

I recommend intensifying the search. Once they find suitable bodies, it will be very difficult to find them again. And at that point, who knows what kind of harm a rogue Celestial Demon controlling a human and hiding in society could cause? No one knows what their newly formed personalities will be like. Even we have very little research data on this."

The woman said slowly.

"I understand. I'll have the higher-ups assign more personnel."

Lu Zhen nodded, his expression turning grim. Finding Celestial Demons was easier said than done.

If they deliberately concealed themselves, ordinary people couldn't even see them. Apart from the few members of their squad, the other search teams would need to carry professional equipment and Devices to even have a chance of detecting the anomalies they cause.

Just as Lu Zhen's Secret Inspection Bureau squad was wracking their brains over the Celestial Demon problem.

「Guangpu City, Xinzhou District. A roadside barbecue stand.」

"Senior Hai Ming, please, stop drinking! It was just one small failure, it's nothing. We'll all still support you."

A girl with average looks but a good figure watched Zheng Haiming, who was already dead drunk at the table but still pouring alcohol into his mouth. She anxiously reached out, trying to snatch the bottle from his hand.