The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 363 - 175 A Battle with Prior Preparation

Chapter 363: Chapter 175 A Battle with Prior Preparation

In a nameless small valley.

A gentle breeze brushed past, causing the small lake to ripple slightly, further accentuating the natural beauty of the already picturesque scene.

But when this breath of fresh air swept over Zhang Yangping, it made him feel as if an immense weight had descended upon him. The soft breeze, like a cold blade, harbored an inexplicably stern and murderous aura, prompting Zhang Yangping to reflexively dodge to the side.

However, in the midst of the evasion, Zhang Yangping’s spiritual sense told him that it was just a breeze. The so-called sharpness and murderous intent were, after all, an illusion.

’An illusion?’ Zhang Yangping murmured to himself.

It should have been an illusion, since it was just a common breeze. But it also should not have been an illusion, for this breeze represented the killing intent of this piece of the world toward him.

Zhang Yangping looked at Gong Ziyu, who still stood atop a large rock, his eyes deep and unfathomable. Merely standing there, the man had not made a move for a long while. Yet, Zhang Yangping could feel that, although Gong Ziyu remained in place, he had long since become one with the small world of this valley. Without motion, yet omnipresent.

A single step might bring him directly within arm’s reach.

’Have you noticed?’ Qing Yu observed Zhang Yangping’s vigilant gaze and thought to himself.

Zhang Yangping was, after all, the most remarkable new generation figure from Dragon Tiger Mountain. Despite the various setbacks he had suffered earlier, he had still managed to adjust his mindset to face Qing Yu, this formidable adversary.

Qing Yu had previously admitted that Zhang Yangping had overestimated his abilities, not only because there were flaws to be exploited, which Zhang Yangping could see, but also because he had absolute confidence in his ability to kill Zhang Yangping.

This absolute confidence wasn’t just based on his self-assurance in his own strength; there were other factors as well.

Facing Zhang Yangping, who was nearing the end of the Divine Origin Realm, as a warrior in the Mid-stage Divine Origin Realm, Qing Yu might have confidence in his own prowess, but he would never underestimate Zhang Yangping.

How could the top ranker of a generation on the Dragon and Phoenix List be an easily handled minor character? Aside from Qing Yu himself, another ranker at the top of the Dragon and Phoenix List, Shi Jue, was someone Qing Yu had never been able to see through – that monk was always deeply hidden.

For this reason, Qing Yu had made every preparation for this conflict. Even when a lion fights a rabbit, it uses all its might, let alone when facing a tiger—the king of beasts.

Long before Zhang Yangping’s arrival, Qing Yu had already spent time here, blending with the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi using the "Heavenly Human Rebirth Technique," spreading his own True Qi throughout this small domain.

With the "Circulation of the Six Voids Technique," he adjusted the terrain, taking control of the timing and the landscape.

At this point, what Zhang Yangping had to face was not only Qing Yu himself but also the pressure from the small world within this valley.

Just like this...

The wild grass on the green ground where Zhang Yangping was stepping suddenly grew rapidly. The grass blades became tough, entangling around Zhang Yangping’s ankles. The breeze transformed into a piercing wind blade, howling as it swept towards Zhang Yangping.

The lake water stirred, turning into a pitch-black ’Mysterious Ghost Fog’ that seeped towards him through every nook and cranny.

In the blink of an eye, everything in this world became Zhang Yangping’s adversary, making him acutely aware of his own insignificance.

However, being a distinguished disciple from Dragon Tiger Mountain and the direct grandson of the current Heavenly Master, when the initial shock passed, Zhang Yangping summoned the Dragon and Tiger, his Qi enveloping his body, and the roaring Dragon Tiger Qi erupted, blasting away everything attacking him.

"Crackle—"

With the howling Dragon and Tiger merging, bursts of blue lightning sprang forth, encircling Zhang Yangping and casting him in the light as if he were the Thunder God descending to Earth.

’Yin and Yang merging, giving rise to lightning. The "Dragon and Tiger Taoist Skill" from Dragon Tiger Mountain appears to only possess the aspects of dragons and tigers, yet in reality, it holds countless variations and is truly extraordinary,’ Qing Yu pondered to himself.

Everyone practicing the "Dragon and Tiger Taoist Skill" of Dragon Tiger Mountain assumes the form of a dragon and tiger, which appears monotonous, but actually contains nuances that differ from person to person.

Take Zhang Yangde from the beginning, what he condensed was the Yin Dragon Evil Tiger, filled with the aura of Yin and evil. While the Divinity Realm warrior Zhang Yuanlu condensed the more commonly known motive of Feng Yun, Cloud Dragon Wind Tiger—harmonious and interdependent.

Zhang Yangping, on the other hand, managed to synthesize the Yin Dragon Yang Tiger, combining the two to cultivate an unparalleled Thunder Skill.

No wonder Dragon Tiger Mountain valued Zhang Yangping so much, even though he had committed offenses against the Shadow King and brought upon himself the calamity of being hunted by Gong Ziyu, his punishment was light.

This was because too few within Dragon Tiger Mountain were capable of cultivating Thunder Skills. Aside from warriors in the Divinity Realm, few studied Thunder Skills. Those who could practice Thunder Skills at the Divine Origin Realm were rare, perhaps only one emerging in hundreds of years.

However, no matter how dominant the Thunder Skill, Qing Yu faced it without fear.

His eyes suddenly became detached and profound, resembling the vast sea and the high heavens, as Qing Yu entered the state of "Observing Heaven Method."

Afterward, Qing Yu took a slight step that seemed like teleporting, arriving right behind Zhang Yangping.

The perfect state of Unity of Heaven and Man allowed Qing Yu, surrounded by his own True Qi, to move unobstructed in this small world, assisting him greatly—within the six directions, he moved unimpeded.

"Don’t even think about it."

Zhang Yangping, too, was a clear-minded individual. Although somewhat impulsive in his actions, having caused great disasters well into his thirties, he possessed a special agility and ample combat talent on the battlefield.

Green-blue lightning gathered in his palms, and with a turn, Zhang Yangping launched a "Palming Thunder" blast toward Qing Yu behind him.

Mind stirred, palm emitted Divine Thunder. Although the reputation of "Palming Thunder" had almost been sullied by Jianghu sorcerers, when employed by a true expert, it manifested the tremendous power of lightning.

Thunder Light flashed through the palm, speeding towards the enemy at an unmatched pace. This was no longer as fast as lightning; this was lightning itself.

No one could dodge lightning at such a short distance, unless one could predict the opponent’s moves and anticipate the direction of "Palming Thunder" ahead of time.

Qing Yu had the "Heavenly Son’s Qi Observation Skill," and naturally could predict in advance, but he didn’t need to avoid it, because he too knew the Thunder Skill.

Yin and Yang birthed thunder, and Qing Yu had initially created "Circulating Thunder Force" based on this principle. Therefore, he was crystal clear about the weaknesses of Thunder.

A chilling Wind Force amassed around Qing Yu’s body into Gang Wind. The approaching Thunder and Lightning met the wind and were dissipated by the Gang Wind, becoming invisible.

Wind overpowers thunder, and with Qing Yu’s familiarity with thunder no less than Zhang Yangping’s, such an occurrence was only natural.

However, what was natural for Qing Yu was akin to a bolt from the blue for Zhang Yangping.

"How is this possible?!" Zhang Yangping, much like Qiao Baixuan before him, shouted incredulously.

The surprise came from having one’s proudest skill countered.

"Why wouldn’t it be possible?" Qing Yu asked with a light chuckle in return.

As he spoke, his fingers flicked and palms struck with deliberate slowness, seemingly leisurely yet repelling the oncoming Yin Dragon Yang Tiger attack.

"I’ve seen through all of you, all that you rely on is mere illusion to my eyes."

Feigning an indifferent demeanor, Qing Yu used his words to strike at Zhang Yangping’s confidence. With one hand, he blocked the assault of the Yin Dragon enveloped in pitch-black Yin Qi, his palm radiant with Pure Yang Power, and struck atop the dragon’s head, dispersing it.

"Watch closely now, for the unbelievable is about to happen."