"Alright, I have a general understanding of the National Salvation Association’s Divine Intent Fist now. Let’s stop here."

The two exchanged blows for several minutes before Zhao Xuanqi flashed away, putting distance between them.

During the exchange, he had used Qi Circulation Throughout the Body and Blood Essence, but he did not fuse the Fierce Soaring Two Stances to manifest the Form of the Fierce Beast, nor did he use the Dragon Gate Secret Technique. After all, this was just a probing spar, not a life-or-death battle; there was no need to go that far.

He could also sense that Sun Yunyong was likely holding back a trump card. However, based on the methods of the Divine Intent Fist and the National Salvation Association, he guessed it was most likely a life-for-a-life Secret Technique. Using it even once would definitely have terrifying side effects, making it impossible to use in a spar.

He made a rough estimate: Sun Yunyong’s strength was significantly greater than Zhou Lie’s, but not on par with "Earth Spirit" Feng Zheng. If he used his final trump card and fought with his life on the line, he might pose a slight threat to Feng Zheng, but seriously injuring or even killing him would be almost impossible.

With both sides holding back, Zhao Xuanqi had suppressed Sun Yunyong throughout the fight, appearing extremely dominant and completely at ease.

"You... you’re a real monster..."

Sun Yunyong gave a helpless, bitter smile and slowly deactivated the Divine Intent Fist Secret Technique. The intense spiritual stimulation vanished, and the backlash from the fight instantly washed over him.

His face grew pale, and large beads of sweat dripped down, his facial muscles twitching. Clashing with Zhao Xuanqi’s terrifying body meant injury was inevitable. At this moment, he had multiple torn muscles, his bones and tendons had been subjected to intense vibrations, and his internal organs were slightly displaced. He hadn’t felt much under the stimulation of the Divine Intent Fist, but the sensation after deactivating it was awful.

"Your Divine Martial Department’s Secret Transmission has some significant side effects."

Zhao Xuanqi glanced at Sun Yunyong, noting his weakened state, and commented flatly.

"It can’t be helped. This world is fair; to gain something, you must give something in return."

Sun Yunyong seemed accustomed to the backlash, his gaze calm.

Zhao Xuanqi nodded. Regardless, the Divine Intent Fist could be considered a top-tier, powerful Fist Technique. Moreover, the threshold for cultivating it wasn’t high, and it was extremely malleable.

"So? Are you interested? If you are, I can teach you the Divine Intent Fist right now. It doesn’t matter if you don’t join the National Salvation Association or the Divine Martial Department. Our principle is to spread martial arts throughout the world; the more people who learn this Fist Technique, the better."

Sun Yunyong said to Zhao Xuanqi with a smile.

"If I were to cultivate this Fist Technique, would there be any difference whether I joined your National Salvation Association or not?"

Zhao Xuanqi glanced at Sun Yunyong, seeing right through him.

He didn’t know what the original Ancient Secret Transmission of the Divine Intent Fist was like, but judging from the aura and Divine Intent when Sun Yunyong used it, he had a good idea. The most critical components—the Meditation Method and Self-hypnosis Method used for spiritual stimulation—had likely been loaded with the Divine Martial Department’s own agenda. Anyone who cultivated this Fist Technique to an advanced level would naturally side with the National Salvation Association and share their ideology.

If that weren’t the case, the National Salvation Association wouldn’t dare let such a Secret Technique spread so freely. Otherwise, if their opponents got ahold of it, the National Salvation Association would be the one to suffer in the end.

’I have to admit, the leaders of the National Salvation Association’s Divine Martial Department are capable people. If I get the chance, I’d really like to meet them and test their skills. But now is not the time.’

"You saw right through me. I really can’t hide anything from you."

Upon hearing this, Sun Yunyong couldn’t help but smile bitterly. This had been his original purpose for coming to Guangdong to meet Zhao Xuanqi.

After all, Zhao Xuanqi was walking the Martial Dao and possessed excellent talent. The Secret Transmission of the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall was far too weak for him. If Zhao Xuanqi were to major in the Divine Intent Fist, using it for his inner cultivation and the Tiger Form Fist for his external form, it would be an excellent choice. Moreover, in doing so, Zhao Xuanqi would naturally side with the National Salvation Association.

This wasn’t a conspiracy, but an open-faced scheme. If Zhao Xuanqi didn’t possess the Hundred Beasts Fist and only had the Tiger Form Fist Secret Transmission from the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, he would most likely have chosen to cultivate the Divine Intent Fist. After all, a top-tier Secret Transmission wasn’t some common commodity you could find anywhere.

It was an upright and honest proposal, mutually beneficial if they cooperated.

’However, before I came, I never would have imagined that Zhao Xuanqi already possessed a top-tier Secret Transmission. Not only is his Martial Dao formidable, but his insight also seems profound, allowing him to see through to the essence of things at a glance. Could there really be people in this world who are born with such knowledge?’

"I’ll pass on the Divine Intent Fist. I have my own will and my own Martial Dao. I won’t change them lightly."

Zhao Xuanqi directly rejected Sun Yunyong’s proposal.

"I understand."

Sun Yunyong nodded. His suggestion for Zhao Xuanqi to learn the Divine Intent Fist had just been a casual remark. After learning that Zhao Xuanqi already possessed a top-tier Secret Transmission, he had actually given up on the idea.

’A person like that—with terrifying strength, a will of iron, and decisiveness in battle—has long since found his own path and would not easily change it.’

"What are your plans now? You certainly can’t stay under the rule of the Giant Spirit Army anymore. There’s no room for you to develop here."

Sun Yunyong asked Zhao Xuanqi. Now that the matter in Yuehai was temporarily settled and Zhao Xuanqi’s injuries had fully healed, it was time to consider the next step.

"Within the Divine Land today, where is it most chaotic, where are the most Martial Arts Experts, and where are the resources most abundant?"

Zhao Xuanqi asked Sun Yunyong.

’Now that my foundation in the Martial Dao is established, my next step is to challenge the Martial Arts Experts of this world. I’ll stir my Blood Qi in the heat of battle, use my powerful Spirit to command my body, constantly improve my physical control, and begin advancing toward the deeper realms of Inner Cultivation.’

"In the Divine Land today, chaos is on the rise. The three provinces of the Northern Territory were the first to compromise with the Great Powers, and tensions are high throughout the land. The northern region in particular is a gathering place for experts—a real mixed bag, where many heroes have emerged."

"If you’re asking where in the Divine Land currently has the most experts, the most chaotic situation, and the most abundant martial arts resources, then it would have to be Jinmen—the city known as the ’Martial Arts Capital of the Divine Land’!"

Hearing Zhao Xuanqi’s words, Sun Yunyong pondered for a moment before speaking in a deep voice.

"Jinmen?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanqi searched his memories for a moment.

’In my past life on Blue Star, during the turbulent era in the Divine Land, the most prosperous city was Hu Sea. That was because the national capital was in Jinling at the time, and its geopolitical influence allowed Hu Sea to become a center of great events.’

’But this world is different. Among the eight great Warlords, the Beidou Army occupies the Shangjing area and nominally represents the legitimate government of the Divine Land. Due to its geopolitical influence, the most prosperous city in the Divine Land now is Jinmen!’

"That’s right. Jinmen. It’s the gateway to the capital, dotted with ports, a hub for domestic and international trade. The Six Nations’ Great Powers all have concessions there. Every major domestic power has industries there. The profits are so great that the whole world competes for them, and both heroes and villains rise to the occasion. For fame, for profit, for power—it’s a massive stage for ambition that has attracted countless capable people."

"With the recent events in the three provinces of the Northern Territory, the Six Nations have gradually begun to disregard their treaties. A large number of Martial Artists have also started to gather in Jinmen, even some foreign Martial Artists from the Southeast Sea Region. Right now, it’s the liveliest place in the entire Divine Land’s Martial Arts Realm. It’s said that many powerful inheritors of Ancient Secret Transmissions have already appeared there."

Sun Yunyong told Zhao Xuanqi in a deep voice.

"Very good. Then for my next step, I will head north to Jinmen and meet the heroes of this Divine Land."

Zhao Xuanqi said, his expression calm.