Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 231 - 224: Provocation

Xin Chencang's eyes were shut. Though severely injured and unconscious, he remained standing—defeated, but not fallen. His formidable frame was still erect.

Silva retreated two steps. A wave of anger washed over him as he stared at the unyielding figure of Xin Chencang.

'Why put up such a futile struggle? Why won't you just fall down?!'

'Fine. If he hasn't conceded and won't fall, then this fight isn't over!'

A vicious glint flashed in Silva's eyes. The Celestial Demon Illusion materialized behind him once more, its two great hammers menacing and terrifying.

With a push of his foot, he charged toward the motionless Xin Chencang.

"Enough!"

Just then, a voice like rolling thunder suddenly boomed in his mind. An immense pressure immediately pinned his body in place, making him feel like an insect trapped in amber, unable to move a muscle.

ROAR!

The Celestial Demon Illusion within him seemed to react to some intense stimulus. It surged violently in a protective instinct, suddenly shattering the force that bound him.

"We concede this match."

In the Donghua contestants' area, Elder Chen had risen to his feet and spoke calmly.

Silva narrowed his eyes, casting a glance at Elder Chen before ceasing his advance.

'To be able to immobilize me, even briefly, from dozens of meters away... This old man's power is absolutely terrifying. He must be at the very pinnacle of the Donghua Martial Arts Realm. There's no need for me to provoke him.'

'Besides, our primary mission isn't to grievously wound the Donghua Martial Artists. Crushing their confidence is far more effective.'

"Medical team, to the stage! Now!"

A staff member from the Donghua side shouted urgently, and the medical team immediately rushed onto the platform.

Their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at the man who, though unconscious, still refused to fall.

The medical team lifted Xin Chencang onto a stretcher and carried him off the platform. Soon after, a maintenance crew came on stage to quickly patch up the damaged floor and tiles.

Meanwhile, the audience remained steeped in a profound silence.

They were now beginning to truly understand the significance of this exchange—it was about more than just victory or defeat.

What kind of will allows a man to remain standing even in unconsciousness?

What truly moves the human spirit is not great power, but a will that borders on the miraculous.

With such a will, even the weak can become heroes.

CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP!

No one knew who started it, but a sparse applause grew into a thunderous ovation, a clear sign of respect for Xin Chencang.

"It seems they aren't too discouraged."

In the Starry Sky Country's seating area, an official from the Foreign Affairs Bureau smiled at General Norton beside him.

"It would be rather dull if it ended so soon," General Norton said nonchalantly.

"He still lost, even after all that? Are the people from the Starry Sky Country really that strong? He was clearly dominating the fight earlier!" Weng Long said, his mouth agape.

"They said the Starry Sky Country delegation came with ill intentions, and it looks like they were right," Zhong Ming said, his expression grave. "I don't know if you all just saw it, but there was a faint illusion surrounding that guy from the Starry Sky Country. I learned from my family's elders that this is a phenomenon that only occurs when one's Martial Dao begins to influence reality. It means that fellow has likely touched the threshold of the supreme realm of the Martial Dao."

"If only *he* were here," Jiang Yun sighed. "He'd put all these ghouls and goblins in their place in just a few moves."

Over at the Donghua contestants' seats.

"He can definitely unleash power at the Saint Awakening Level, but it doesn't seem to be overwhelmingly strong. The fact that Xin Chencang's final blow could push him back despite that illusion says a lot."

"It will be difficult, but he's not invincible. The real question is whether there are any limits to his use of Saint Awakening Level power. If not, then we're in for some trouble."

Everyone watched the platform, their gazes flickering as they began to size up the situation.

Just then, the host walked onto the platform and asked Silva to step down to prepare for the next randomly-drawn match.

But Silva unexpectedly snatched the microphone from the host. He turned to the Donghua contestants' seats and said, "There's a problem with this tournament's format. The Donghua Fighters are far weaker than I imagined. That last fight was hardly satisfying. I wish to continue my exchange with Donghua's Fighters. In fact, I think I'm all that's needed to take care of all of you.

"So now, I'm issuing a challenge. You can send any Fighter you want to the stage to face me. Only after you've defeated me will you earn the right to challenge my teammates behind me!"

UPROAR!

His words triggered a massive outcry as fury ignited in the hearts of the crowd.

What did he mean by that? Was one man challenging all the top experts of the younger generation in the Donghua Martial Arts Realm?

SWOOSH!

At his words, the Martial Artists in the Donghua contestants' seats all shot to their feet, their eyes glinting with a razor-sharp intensity.

'These people from the Starry Sky Country are too arrogant!'

"A gauntlet? Can Silva last?" the official from the Starry Sky Country's Foreign Affairs Bureau said with a frown.

"This is the best way to crush their will. So what if he can't hold out? As long as he defeats a good number of them, even if he loses in the end, it will only be from exhaustion. Would a victory like that be glorious for that Donghua bunch?

"Besides, it's debatable whether they can even defeat Silva. Though he's not yet at the Saint Awakening Level, Silva's Power is beyond what any ordinary human can match," General Norton said with a smile.

"Elder Chen."

The Donghua Martial Artists all turned to look at the old man seated behind them, as if seeking his counsel.

"Decide for yourselves."

Elder Chen said nothing more, his eyes half-lidded.

The Martial Artists exchanged glances. Their opponent had thrown down the gauntlet in front of everyone. If they were to shrink from the challenge now, how could they live up to their own martial spirit of courage and advancement?

But whoever went up had to have a reasonable chance of winning. If they were defeated one after another, the reputation of the Donghua Martial Arts Realm would hit rock bottom, even if someone eventually managed to win.

"I'll go."

A figure stepped out from the crowd, his expression calm as he spoke.

He was tall, with eyes that shone like stars, so bright it was hard to meet his gaze. It was Dong Wanming of the Holy Heart Sect, one of the Southern Eight Sects.

"The Assassin's Path is one of daring to strike first. While I'm not completely confident I can defeat him, with my Strike in the Golden Hall, I am certain I can leave him unable to continue fighting," Dong Wanming stated calmly.

TAP.

However, before he could take a step, a hand came to rest on his shoulder.

"Let me go instead. Dealing with these evil spirits is my specialty."

A voice as light as a drifting cloud spoke with a chuckle. Dong Wanming turned to see Zhang Zhizhen of the Celestial Heart Sect.

"When the Thunder Skill roars, vast and mighty, no wicked demon or foul aura can hide."

"Leave these foreign Demon Fiends and their ulterior motives to me."

With a soft laugh, Zhang Zhizhen pushed off his foot, his body shooting forward like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.