Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 102: The Arena Master

Soaring!

The Flaming Giant Bird beat its wings, shaking the very void. Bolts of lightning shattered one after another as the great bird launched a ferocious assault on the clouds high in the heavens.

The Thunder Tribulation could no longer impede his advance!

Sensing the immense, all-transcending Flaming Giant Bird behind his opponent, Zhang Zhizhen's eyes went vacant for a split second.

'To think such a person actually exists in this world!'

In reality, at that moment, Zhou Yuanjue's eyes were terrifyingly bright. Seizing the instant Zhang Zhizhen was dazed, his massive, powerful body trembled violently. Martial Force erupted, blasting away the surrounding, roiling shockwaves and his opponent's attacks.

Amidst the swirling mist, his Cunning Hand, armed with a sharp Qi Blade, drove straight forward, stopping at Zhang Zhizhen's heart and throat and pricking his skin.

"A will like a heavenly sword, able to shatter all obstacles. A heart like a diamond, able to endure all tribulations. It's as if transcendence itself is your destiny. I've never seen anyone like you. I am merely 'imitating the Dao,' while you have already 'merged with the Dao.' This is not a gap that can be bridged by Fist Techniques, moves, or Power. The human body is finite, but the human heart is infinite. Marvelous... truly marvelous..."

Zhang Zhizhen spoke with deep emotion, oblivious to the threat mere inches away. Instead, his eyes grew hazy, as if he were reliving the shocking vision he perceived when their wills had become entangled.

He was only imitating the punitive lightning of the Celestial Dao; he was not the Celestial Dao itself.

But his opponent's Spirit and heart were as if he were the law of "transcendence" itself—unwavering, no matter the hardship.

'One is "imitating the Dao," while the other has already "merged with the Dao." How could the false possibly overcome the true?'

"I've lost. The world is vast, filled with hidden masters. I was defeated fair and square."

Zhang Zhizhen gave Zhou Yuanjue a deep look, then raised his right hand to concede, appearing remarkably graceful in his defeat.

As the successor to the Celestial Heart Sect, he was worldly and well-versed. He had even met individuals who had truly broken their shackles, but he had never before encountered someone like Zhou Yuanjue.

Even a Saint Awakening Powerhouse, self-aware and forging ever forward, hadn't left such a unique and powerful impression on him.

Compared to those terrifying beings, this man didn't seem overwhelmingly powerful just yet. And yet, he gave the impression that he could conquer anything, that he would never stop advancing.

In Zhou Yuanjue, he saw a glimpse of infinite possibility—something far more precious than Talent or lineage.

Zhou Yuanjue withdrew his hand and gave Zhang Zhizhen a slight nod. His body slowly contracted back to its normal size. With an impassive expression, he turned and walked toward the arena exit.

"Saint Awakening is no longer an obstacle for you. But beyond it lies the path humanity has failed to traverse for thousands of years. I wonder if you will be the one to show us a new vista."

Watching Zhou Yuanjue's departing figure, Zhang Zhizhen's eyes filled with a peculiar emotion. He smiled faintly, then slowly turned and walked toward the arena exit on the opposite side.

This time, having witnessed that unshakable will, he too had gained something from the experience.

"Zhou Yuanjue... is victorious!"

The belated announcement finally came, but only after both fighters' figures had vanished into the exits at opposite ends of the platform.

The voice shattered the silence of the venue, causing the audience, still reeling from shock, to erupt into a tumultuous uproar and frenzied discussion.

Zhou Yuanjue had succeeded in his challenge!

The second successful challenger since the tournament began had appeared.

The successor of the Celestial Heart Sect, a master of one of the supreme Techniques of the Donghua Martial Dao, had been defeated.

Each of these revelations rattled the spectators' nerves, and the match's outcome spread like wildfire amidst the uproar and discussion.

And as the commotion in the venue continued to build, Zheng Haiming leaned against the wall in a deserted corner of the arena, wearing a peaked cap and quietly observing the scene.

Beside him stood a short, middle-aged man. He was slightly balding and wore glasses, his beaming expression making him look as harmless as an ordinary government clerk. He, too, was watching the events in the arena unfold.

"The will of a human Martial Artist... quite alluring, isn't it, sir?"

A strange smile touched the corners of Zheng Haiming's mouth as he spoke to the middle-aged man, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

"A very powerful soul, indeed. He's not far from breaking the 'First Shackles.' He's a considerable 'latent threat.' And who knows how many more such threats are lurking here in the Southern Boxing Three Capitals."

The middle-aged man adjusted his glasses and spoke with a smile, his expression unreadable.

"So, sir, do you wish to eliminate a few of these 'latent threats' first?"

Zheng Haiming narrowed his eyes and spoke in a low voice.

"No. We have more important matters to attend to. Donghua Country's defensive presence in the Southern Boxing Three Capitals is stronger than we imagined. The slightest move could attract their attention, and that would needlessly alert them."

"We paid a steep price and took significant risks to even get in here. If we're exposed, accomplishing anything more will be impossible. The one presiding over this place is not to be trifled with."

The middle-aged man shook his head with a smile.

"I've heard things about him. He's not a Descendant of... *them*, is he? Can an ordinary human, even one who has broken their shackles, really become that powerful?"

Zheng Haiming asked, his brows furrowed.

"Don't underestimate humanity. With a population base in the tens of billions, there are always bound to be a few who are... different. And it's not as if humans have made no progress over all these years."

The smile on the middle-aged man's face slowly receded into an indifferent expression. With his hands behind his back, he turned, followed the stream of people, and headed out of the arena. Zheng Haiming followed close behind.

The two of them left the arena and ended up in Zheng Haiming's sedan.

"How many companions did you bring with you to Donghua this time?"

Zheng Haiming asked tentatively.

"You'll know when the time comes. To prevent any risks or accidents, information about our clansmen cannot be known by anyone but me. In short, we have come fully prepared."

"Also, don't contact me again for a while. We don't want to attract any unnecessary attention. Just follow the plan I gave you, make the arrangements, and ensure it's foolproof. If you're discovered... you know the consequences. You don't want to return to those days of being sealed and suppressed, forced to live as shadows behind humanity, do you?"

The middle-aged man spoke in a flat tone. He slowly turned his head, and in his seemingly harmless eyes, a light flickered that struck terror into Zheng Haiming.

He nodded slightly at those words.

"Then, in seven days, we act as agreed."

"A 'First Generation' and his subordinates are very important to us right now."

"Everything we do concerns the future of our race. Be prepared to abandon this body."

"For the 'Celestial Race'."

The middle-aged man's voice slowly echoed within the car. By the time Zheng Haiming came to his senses, the car was empty. He hadn't even realized when the man had left, as if the one who had just been sitting beside him was a phantom that didn't exist in this world.

Zheng Haiming fell silent for a moment, then whispered to himself:

"For the 'Celestial Race'."