Zhang Yang’s villa had been designed after European manor blueprints, boasting extensive grounds, making it incredibly easy to find a quiet, spacious area suitable for a sparring match.
The three men in silver robes followed closely behind Huang Longshi, and as they walked out, they didn't forget to whisper encouragement to him, urging him to teach Zhang Yang a harsh lesson and restore the morale of the National Security practitioners.
Unfortunately, all Huang Longshi offered them in return was an eye-roll.
Leading them to a wide, open lawn, Zhang Yang stopped and turned to Huang Longshi. “Let’s test each other right here.”
Huang Longshi glanced around, then nodded. The space was vast and uncluttered—indeed, a fine place for a duel. He motioned for the three silver-robed men to step back, well outside the bounds of their engagement.
“Chirp chirp chirp!”
“Squeak squeak squeak!”
Wuying and Shandian, sensing a fight, immediately bounded over. Even Zhuifeng seemed interested. The appearance of the three spirit beasts startled the silver-robed men into taking a synchronized step back!
No matter how dense they were, they recognized Wuying, Shandian, and Zhuifeng as Tier Four spirit beasts. Spirit beasts were different from cultivators; within the same tier, due to their innate battle instincts, they were considerably stronger. For instance, in the fight against the mutated Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox, Zhang Yang needed the help of his three beasts to win; without them, defeating the fox easily would have been impossible.
Huang Longshi, facing Zhang Yang, was already aware of the three spirit beasts’ existence and wasn't overly concerned by their arrival. This was a match between him and Zhang Yang, and the beasts could not participate; otherwise, there would be no point in fighting—with their aid, even if Zhang Yang only unleashed a fraction of his power, defeating Huang Longshi would be effortless.
“Before we begin the match, I actually have one question for you.”
Huang Longshi fixed his gaze on Zhang Yang, his aura steadily accumulating. He was in the phase of building momentum, and speaking was a tactic to distract Zhang Yang and buy time.
Knowing Huang Longshi’s intention to stall, Zhang Yang remained unhurried. He hadn't fully recovered to his peak yet; even after dual cultivation with Mi Xue that morning, he was only at fifty or sixty percent. The more time elapsed, the more strength he recovered.
Stalling was also highly advantageous for Zhang Yang.
“Ask away,” Zhang Yang replied softly. Huang Longshi was, after all, a Great Perfection realm cultivator, and Zhang Yang would not allow even a sliver of contempt toward an opponent of that stature.
“You are only a mid-stage Tier Four cultivator, yet to my knowledge, only late-stage Tier Four cultivators can grasp the Way of Nature to attain the Great Perfection. How exactly did you become Great Perfection?”
Huang Longshi posed the exact same question Hua Feitian had asked, and he was equally consumed by curiosity.
“It’s simple. Because I comprehended the Way of Nature, I naturally became Great Perfection!”
Zhang Yang didn't mind repeating the explanation. Many in the cultivation world must wonder about this, but few ever receive a direct answer from him.
“The Way of Nature?”
Huang Longshi froze momentarily, his brow deeply furrowed. He couldn't quite process Zhang Yang’s answer. He had reached Great Perfection through a highly serendipitous chance: a mistake that led to him being punished by meditating in a certain master's cave. During that time, he suddenly gained insight, becoming a Great Perfection cultivator. That master had told him that grasping the Way of Nature allowed late-stage Tier Four cultivators to advance to Great Perfection.
Hearing Zhang Yang now, Huang Longshi experienced a sudden flash of realization.
“You mean, as long as one grasps the Way of Nature, one can become a Great Perfection cultivator?”
The very fact that Huang Longshi could reach Great Perfection proved his talent was extraordinary. However, while he understood the principles of Wusheng Wumie (No Life, No Extinction), the Dao of Nature being the root of all things, his comprehension was far less profound than Hua Feitian's.
Yet, through Zhang Yang, Huang Longshi still gained insight. His aura continued to rise; he had gained something valuable. He was already a Great Perfection cultivator. Though his comprehension wasn't as sharp as Hua Feitian’s, his cultivation advancement rate was far higher than Hua Feitian’s at that stage. Huang Longshi’s understanding of the Great Perfection realm ascended another level.
“Thank you.”
Huang Longshi suddenly clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang’s candid answer had gifted him a deeper insight into the Way of Nature, bringing him a step closer to understanding Great Perfection. Zhang Yang was entirely responsible for this.
His expression of gratitude was completely sincere; otherwise, he wouldn't have bowed so formally.
Before the fight even began, Huang Longshi offered Zhang Yang a respectful bow. This caused the three less-capable silver-robed men to show expressions of astonishment. The three spirit beasts, however, understood the shift between the two men perfectly, and Wuying and Shandian even stuck out their tongues to make funny faces at the three arrogant silver-robed men in mockery.
The three silver-robed men turned ashen-faced, glancing at each other, lacking the courage to speak.
“Let’s start!”
Zhang Yang ceased his talk and stepped forward lightly. In an instant, he vanished dozens of paces away, a layer of mist suddenly shrouding the lawn.
“Shrinking the Earth into an Inch!”
Huang Longshi’s expression darkened. He recognized Zhang Yang’s movement immediately. Shrinking the Earth into an Inch was a hallmark technique of a Tier Five master. But the person who sent him had explicitly warned against Zhang Yang casually using Tier Five skills.
“Brother Zhang, I must advise you too. Until you reach Tier Five, do not casually use Tier Five skills. Doing so will have an indelible impact on your breakthrough to the fifth tier!”
Huang Longshi took a step back and shouted. Having made his initial assumption, he believed Zhang Yang could deploy Tier Five abilities despite his current rank, thus failing to notice that Zhang Yang hadn't genuinely used Shrinking the Earth into an Inch.
“Haha, this isn't the Shrinking the Earth into an Inch of a Tier Five expert!”
Zhang Yang laughed heartily. It seemed his astonishing speed had merely created the illusion of the technique. His skill in creating such convincing fakes had improved considerably.
“Not Shrinking the Earth into an Inch?”
Huang Longshi frowned in thought, then looked at Zhang Yang again, finally spotting the flaw. He felt a renewed sense of admiration for Zhang Yang.
“Impressive. Truly worthy of the title ‘Number One Cultivator’!”
Huang Longshi knew Zhang Yang held that title; now, he was thoroughly convinced.
Though no blows had been exchanged, Zhang Yang had already seized the initiative, dominating Huang Longshi in momentum by a slight margin!
The three silver-robed onlookers also realized Huang Longshi was at a disadvantage, their faces etched with anxiety. Huang Longshi was undeniably their figurehead, a Great Perfection cultivator. If he lost to Zhang Yang, the National Security practitioners affiliated with the state would lose all face; if the news spread, they would be utterly humiliated.
Yet, Huang Longshi paid them no mind. His entire focus was on Zhang Yang. He moved his body slightly, assuming the starting stance of Military Boxing, and shouted sharply at Zhang Yang, “Be careful!”
The long-suppressed aura of Huang Longshi exploded outward. His long-restrained temper suddenly flared into arrogance. Within the area shrouded by white fog on the lawn, the surrounding spiritual energy instantly solidified!
He was a Great Perfection cultivator, one who had just achieved a new level of understanding. Even a mere starting stance carried the imposing might of gathering storm clouds threatening to crush everything below.
Worthy of being a state-affiliated cultivator—Huang Longshi’s background was unmistakable in that single posture.
Applying Military Boxing, coupled with his internal force, the might of the Great Perfection realm suddenly manifested. Huang Longshi charged toward Zhang Yang like a burly black bear, the surrounding spiritual energy swirling around him like a furious gale! Every punch and kick carried immense power, whipping the surrounding wind into a frenzy directed at Zhang Yang!
Zhang Yang’s expression grew solemn as he moved forward without any discernible pattern.
Hiss!
A short, sharp sound, piercing enough to rupture eardrums, rang out. Zhang Yang’s upper body remained perfectly still, but his foot twisted sharply beneath him—this was the friction between pure energy and energy! Countless white mist particles suddenly materialized around Zhang Yang. Before Huang Longshi could react, he met Zhang Yang’s stance: Let the wind blow from all eight directions; I remain unshaken, successfully neutralizing all of Huang Longshi’s attacks!
“Exhilarating!”
Huang Longshi paused slightly, exhaling a turbid breath. He hadn't fought this fiercely in ages. Back in the military, he was unquestionably the top soldier; later, upon joining the National Security Bureau as a cultivator, he either faced opponents he couldn't contend with or minor functionaries who couldn't withstand a single blow. Fighting Zhang Yang was utterly exhilarating.
Zhang Yang also grew excited. Huang Longshi’s attacks were devoid of fancy tricks, relying purely on strength. Their exchange strictly adhered to the spirit of friendly sparring, and yet, fighting like this was incredibly satisfying!
“Good, now it’s my turn to attack!” Zhang Yang roared, dropping his purely defensive stance to launch an offense.
“Come on then!”
Huang Longshi’s eyes lit up. Relying on the vast power stored in his feet, he stabilized his lower body. While fully defending against Zhang Yang’s assault, he tried to grapple and counter-attack!
Zhang Yang adopted his stance and allowed Huang Longshi’s hands to reach out to cling to him. On the surface, nothing seemed to happen, but secretly, he delivered a devious, low-sweeping kick aimed just below the knee, striking Huang Longshi’s shin with the top of his foot!
Huang Longshi was caught completely off guard, causing his lower body to tremble slightly, nearly throwing him off balance. Fortunately, years of standing stake practice saved him from completely collapsing under that single blow. However, Zhang Yang didn’t hesitate, swinging his arm out—energy coalescing around it—and sweeping it across, hitting Huang Longshi squarely in the chest, forcing the bear-like man to stagger back several steps!
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