May I Ask Where the Road Lies?

Just as Lian Buqi was about to speak, he saw that Murong Qing still hadn't given up. He gripped the gun with both hands and spun it forcefully. A spiraling force suddenly pierced through the gun and collided with the flesh, producing a piercing friction sound. Although it didn't cause any damage, it tore his clothes open, revealing skin with flowing colors.

Zhong Lingxiu, sitting in the audience, blurted out once again, "It's the Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art!"

Si Ming vaguely remembered the name and couldn't help but ask, "Doesn't the Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art require cultivating the Blazing Sun True Qi to the Internal Energy Level Seven and stepping into the realm of heat before it can be practiced?"

Zhong Lingxiu said, "This is the Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art modified by the Doctor. It abandons its own Internal Cultivation method and instead uses Blazing Sun True Qi as its foundation. The Doctor wanted to eliminate the hidden dangers of the original Cultivation Method through this substitution method. The original Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art did not require Internal Cultivation to reach level seven, and one could start practicing it much earlier. However, the deeper the Internal Cultivation, the more parts it could cover. At the beginning, it could only protect a few vital parts."

Lu Mao couldn't help but say, "This Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art is too powerful. It can actually make a person unharmed under a powerful attack. Even those top-tier external martial arts probably can't do this in the early stages."

Zhong Lingxiu explained, "The Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art is a martial art that converts kinetic energy into heat energy. Pure physical attacks are unlikely to break through its defenses, but it is very weak in spiritual energy defenses and can hardly resist the penetration of True Qi."

Si Ming felt that this principle was subtly different from the phase transition armor in robot anime from his previous life, but he didn't have time to think about it at the moment.

On the battlefield, Lian Buqi blocked Murong Qing's determined shot, so he grabbed the gun with one hand and used the other hand to deliver Bullet Fist through the air.

After Murong Qing unleashed her killing move, she was already weakened and lacked the strength to dodge. She simply released her spear and blocked with both hands in front of her chest, but Lian Buqi's attacks were like giant waves crashing against rocks, wave after wave, relentlessly breaking through her defenses. One elbow strike hit her collarbone, causing her to cough up blood and retreat.

Lian Buqi revealed a cruel, sinister smile, his hands clenched into hammers, ready to deliver a fatal blow.

At this moment, the referee intervened in the fight, stopped his pursuit, and delivered the verdict on the spot.

"The victor Lian Buqi!"

Despite his victory, Lian Buqi showed no joy. Instead, he appeared unsatisfied. He glared at the troublesome referee, knowing he couldn't beat him. In addition, he had "accidentally injured" his opponent in the previous match, so the referees would definitely pay more attention to him. Therefore, he forcibly suppressed the urge to continue to ravage his opponent.

He stepped forward, looking down at Murong Qing lying on the ground, and said with the air of a victor, "Justice or evil has no necessary connection with strength or weakness. The world is ultimately material. The idea that 'evil cannot prevail over good' is nothing but a lie used to satisfy the public's sense of security, a beautiful and moving fairy tale that is easily punctured."

Murong Qing gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and showed an expression of extreme resentment, yet she was powerless to change the reality before her.

She slammed her fist into the ground, blood flowing from her knuckles, but she was unaffected. At that moment, she only hated her own powerlessness and was filled with deep self-blame.

Before Lian Buqi could speak again, Si Ming rushed forward, blocking his way, and shouted in a deep voice, "Shut up and get out of the way!"

Chapter Seventy-Six: May I Ask Where the Road Is?

Lian Buqi stared at Si Ming for a while, then revealed a cruel smile and said, "Your name is Si Ming, right? Judging from your expression, you must have won this round as well. Well, no need to rush, the next round will be between you and me. Go ahead and wave the banner of righteous revenge for your friend. My Daoist School has a saying: 'A desperate army is bound to win,' hahaha..."

The laughter was filled with disapproval, even though it was a claim made by their own school of thought.

The common belief that a desperate army will always win originated from Military School, but it was actually Laozi first proposed this idea. Chapter 69 of the Tao Te Ching states, "No calamity is greater than underestimating the enemy; underestimating the enemy almost leads to the loss of our treasure. Therefore, when armies are evenly matched, the one who grieves will prevail."

Si Ming's eyes sharpened, but before he could speak, a figure blocked Lian Buqi's path—it was Nan Kemeng.

"Junior Brother Lian, what exactly happened? How could your personality change so drastically? Is what you just said something a normal person would say in public? The moves you used during the duel weren't from the Formless Sect at all, or even from our Daoist Gate martial arts. Is it really because you've been practicing evil arts that your personality has changed so drastically?"

"Evil arts? In the eyes of ordinary people, geniuses are no different from madmen. In your eyes, I have gone Evil Dao and willingly fallen into depravity, but in my eyes, I have learned the truth, and you are the foolish and laughable ones. It is the so-called 'I am the only one sober when everyone is drunk.' In the eyes of the foolish masses, the sober one becomes a madman—unless he is willing to pretend to be drunk."

Lian Buqi scoffed, and seeing that Nan Kemeng was about to speak again, he said with extreme impatience, "After the last competition, you must have asked your sect, right? What was their answer?"

Nan Kemeng paused upon hearing this, opened her mouth, but said nothing.

"Good, you understand. Since you're a disciple of the Daoist Gate, then mind your own business."

Lian Buqi smiled dismissively, flicked his sleeves, and turned to leave.

Si Ming snapped out of his daze and quickly helped Murong Qing up, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"

He wanted to slap himself as soon as he finished speaking; he had actually asked a pointless question.

"... fine."

Murong Qing her head, gently pushed Si Ming away, and walked forward with unsteady steps, swaying as if she would fall at any moment. Her hair fell down and covered her face, so others could not see her expression. She only vaguely made a gesture of wiping away tears.

This fragile Murong Qing was something Si Ming had never seen before. In his memory, this girl was always full of confidence and sunshine, responsible, and willing to help others. She would take on things that were clearly unrelated to her.

She had a fairly good relationship with her, so it wasn't surprising that she received care when she was injured. However, she had no connection with Ying Zhou, but she was still angry about Ying Zhou's plight and resolutely stood up for him.

Si Ming asked himself honestly, and he realized he couldn't do that.

"Treat other people's homes as you would your own; treat other people's bodies as you would your own." The young girl admires righteous heroes and hopes that one day she can protect others like the heroes in her heart.

This wish may be naive, but it is by no means laughable!

Si Ming clenched his fists subconsciously, feeling incredibly agitated. He desperately wanted to do something, but his mind was a jumbled mess; he didn't understand what he should do or what he could do.

He felt as if he were standing at a crossroads, with his front foot already raised, ready to find his own path as soon as he took that first step.

The master's noble character of dedicating himself to the country, working tirelessly, and serving the public with unwavering loyalty; Lu Mao's steadfast dedication to his craft, his single-minded pursuit of the highest Culinary Dao; Murong Qing's noble belief in upholding justice, helping the weak and punishing the strong, and acting selflessly...

Which path is right for you?

As Si Ming was pondering, Lu Mao came to his side and asked in a low voice, "Aren't you going to go and comfort them?"

Si Ming shook his head and said, "My relationship with her isn't that close, and she might not listen to anyone's advice right now."

Lu Mao said, "There's a saying in my hometown that people who rarely get sick often have very serious illnesses when they do. You need to pay close attention to her and make sure nothing unexpected happens."

"She might be devastated, but she would never take her own life. After all, she has family she cherishes very much. And I don't think she'll be defeated so easily; she just needs time to recover."

Si Ming bent down and picked up the spear that Murong Qing had used. He found that the spearhead was intact and asked in confusion, "With such a violent impact, if it were any other external martial arts, the spearhead would have shattered long ago. So, the Phase Transfer Body-Protecting Divine Art only absorbs kinetic energy and doesn't produce any reaction force?"

Thinking the question was directed at her, Zhong Lingxiu said apologetically, "I only glanced at the introduction to the martial arts; I know nothing about the specifics. After all, research institutes also maintain confidentiality."

Si Ming remained silent for a while, seemingly lost in thought, his gaze gradually sharpening.

He turned to the referee standing outside the arena and asked, "Uncle, what happens if contestants arrange a fight in private, according to the rules of the competition?"

The referee glanced at Si Ming and said, "Private fights are strictly prohibited in the Youth Martial Arts Tournament. If one party initiates the fight and the other is on the defensive, the party that starts the fight will be disqualified. If both parties agree to the private fight, both will be disqualified. Also, I'm only twenty-eight years old this year, so don't call me uncle."