...

...

"Younger Brother Yan could only hold on for one move!"

"What an arrogant brat!"

"Please, Brother Du, make the Martial Arts Hall proud!"

"Black River County, Bai Qi..."

The Five Dragon Sect, once ranked in the top ten of Hundred Rings Square, now seemed on the verge of collapse after Yan Qing’s death, as if the congregation of a hundred people had been scattered.

The martial arts community looked again at that upright figure, eyes filled not only with hate and resentment but also with a fear and apprehension that couldn’t be explained.

Just like their elder from the sect, when they mentioned the name "Ninghai Zen," their reaction was fierce!

...

...

Half a mile down the road, another opponent appeared, blocking the way.

By now, the sky had turned dark, exceedingly so, and torches were lit outside the Martial Arts Hall. The firelight cast a red glow on the man’s face, resembling a god-like figure descending from a temple.

"Iron Buddha Sect, Du Ping Sect!"

After he finished stating his name, he shook off the loose robe draped over his shoulders, revealing solid dark muscles.

His most noticeable feature was the vivid tattoos stretching from shoulder to waist.

A jet-black dragon fiercely wrapped around him, looking like a living creature hidden within his flesh.

"Third Skin Refining Barrier, forged into a golden body, slightly inferior to Guan Xingmiao."

Bai Qi gave the man an extra glance, and the divine seed of "Dragon Strategies and Tiger Tactics" within the ink flashed brightly, then asked:

"How do you want to fight?"

Du Ping’s lips tightened, and every word he spoke seemed like inhaling and exhaling, like a heavy drumbeat, making others’ eardrums buzz:

"My master lost to Senior Ning in a duel on the platform, depleted his Qi and blood, and died.

Today, I want to use the Iron Buddha Sect’s ’Three Altars Sea Assembly Primordial Strength’ to test Tongwen Hall’s secret techniques.

This long street, at my crossing, is the most difficult. Once you pass, no one will dare block you again."

Bai Qi did not seem surprised. This man was somewhat similar to Uncle Dao, with an especially robust flesh shell.

Clearly, he had consumed some miraculous fruits, pushing his physique to the limit, unmatched in the same realm.

Moreover, the Iron Buddha Sect’s secret technique "Three Altars Sea Assembly Primordial Strength" carried a notable reputation.

The so-called "Three Altars" in Taoism refers to "Heaven, Earth, and Water realms."

Sea Assembly is a Buddhist term, representing the seat where holy beings gather, as profound as the sea, signifying immeasurable vastness.

This martial arts hall called Iron Buddha Sect, located in Hundred Rings Square, also takes a path of mixture.

Unknown where they obtained profound truth, they devised an extraordinary refined body technique.

Using God as Heaven, body as Earth, Qi blood as Water, they open the three altars.

With each improvement in technique, God, body, and Qi blood gain by one-tenth.

After Great Perfection, they become nearly like a protector Vajra, a reincarnated true Buddha, formidable in every move.

However, with benefits come drawbacks. If perfect, "Three Altars Sea Assembly Primordial Strength" would be genuine martial arts, and Iron Buddha Sect would have moved to Celestial Water Prefecture long ago, becoming a prominent sect.

The drawback of this art lies in its gradual progress, impossible to break through with force; to open the secret treasures of three altars, and cultivate Sea Assembly’s strength, takes extremely long years.

"I’ve heard the Iron Buddha Sect’s secret pass is easy to enter, taking one or two years, but profound mastery is tough, ten years or so is difficult, and achieving greatness is even tougher—spending a lifetime may not suffice, let alone perfection."

Bai Qi raised his eyebrow and asked:

"To what extent have you practiced, planning to defeat me with strength?"

Du Ping solemnly replied:

"I was born with strong bones and had the fortune of a rare opportunity, luckily breaking through the eighth level."

Bai Qi’s face revealed a slight smile, seemingly satisfied, while Housekeeper Gui became anxious, hurriedly saying:

"Master Bai! Du Ping is renowned in Yihai Prefecture for his Divine Power! He once wrestled with a Piggy Dragon at Nu Yun River and was evenly matched!

He’s a Third-Practice Skin Barrier, practiced that ’Three Altars Sea Assembly Primordial Strength’, he’s not to be trifled with! Beware of being deceived!"

Having witnessed Bai Qi snap the arms of Five Dragon Sect’s Yan Qing in one move, Housekeeper Gui finally understood that this young master was a legendary talent defying common sense; experts of the second-practice level were not worth considering.

Yet, Iron Buddha Sect’s Du Ping is different from Yan Qing; he earlier took over the Martial Arts Hall, and every day he would sail, striking water waves at Nu Yun River, possessing a force of ten thousand pounds; Silver Hammer Grand Protector Pei Yuanqing of Celestial Water Prefecture once heard of his name, wanting multiple times to recruit him.

"Grab the gift, and step back a bit."

Bai Qi did not care for Housekeeper Gui’s "concern," he walked toward Du Ping, no longer suppressing the terrible power within his bones or the heavy weight of his muscles.

Bang!

With just one step, the entire wide long street trembled, rolling dust surged high; the overwhelming power appeared as if it would overturn the vast Hundred Rings Square!

"No wonder he is a direct disciple of Tongwen Hall!"

Du Ping’s eyes also shone brightly, his foot pressing down, the boot tore into pieces, transforming into flying fluff; stepping in the muddy ground, yet to exert force, he sank several inches, leaving clear tracks.

Once moving the body, raging blood almost became tangible, bursting forth violently, resembling a chaotic heaven red silk flipping rivers and seas!

"His Qi blood is so vigorous that it manifests externally, forming a visible scene... He’s nearly ready to begin training the internal organs, seeking their divine essence."

Bai Qi marveled, characters like Du Ping, if in Black River County, could likely take third chair, only below his master and Uncle Dao.

Inner City Martial Arts Hall’s third-practice experts would not suffice!

Such deep foundations have a chance to achieve "Water and Fire Immortal Robe" complete success, breaking through to Fourth Qi Cultivation Barrier.

"Since that’s the case, I won’t pretend anymore."

Bai Qi, with ten instances of changing blood, usually his Qi and blood power is concealed in the bones, showing nothing unusual, but this flesh casing capable of harnessing Nine Oxen and Two Tigers’ Power had already transcended the mortal realm.