Demonic Futu! Divine Sword Forewarning!

"Heavenly Sword Dragon Slaying Art!"

"Eight Trigrams Profound Palm!"

"Tai Chi Divine Sword!"

Zhang Mingdao unleashed the profound martial arts he had mastered with all his might. Fists, palms, fingers, and swords, all sorts of moves rained down upon Tang Jie's body like a torrential downpour.

Bang bang bang bang!

Even though Tang Jie had cultivated the Indestructible Golden Bell Body and pushed the Tendon Strengthening Classic to its limit, with his protective true essence flowing, each attack that landed on him sent waves of intense pain through his body.

However, Tang Jie was delighted rather than alarmed. He was experiencing the characteristics of Zhang Mingdao's attacks – gentle yet strong, harmonizing yin and yang. Each move seemed to invert yin and yang, possessing infinite power.

"Burning Wood Saber Art!"

"Divine Elephant Fist!"

"True Dragon Roar!"

Tang Jie, on his own part, was not to be outdone. He unleashed all the martial arts he had learned throughout his life towards Zhang Mingdao's body, each move domineering and world-shattering!

It wasn't just Tang Jie and Zhang Mingdao fighting fiercely; in other combat zones, Maha, Wu Changkong, and others had also encountered formidable opponents, engaging in exhilarating and satisfying battles.

Across the Martial Saint Stage, powerful Martial Cultivators, rarely seen in millennia, were locked in full-force combat, their fighting spirit soaring, and smoke filling the air!

"Good, good, good! Well fought! Come on, be more ferocious!"

Outside the Martial Saint Stage, the Golden Robe Imperial Envoy couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.

Within spatial prisons along the edge of the Martial Saint Stage, dozens of Martial Cultivators were trapped, their bodies entwined with black runes, their strength continuously being siphoned away.

These Martial Cultivators were all those who had been defeated on the Martial Saint Stage. They never would have imagined that after their defeat, they would fall into these spatial prisons, becoming nourishment, becoming tools for alchemy!

As the strength of these Martial Cultivators was continuously extracted, the accumulated fighting spirit and martial will from within the Martial Saint Stage surged like a raging inferno, refining this extracted power into pills!

"Soon! It will be completed soon, and I will once again return to this land, making the world tremble in my fear!"

The Golden Robe Imperial Envoy watched the pill gradually forming within the flames of martial will above the Martial Saint Stage. The corners of his mouth, hidden beneath his mask, involuntarily curved into an arc.

The humiliation of the past would be washed away, and he would return to his peak, perhaps even surpass it!

"Be... careful everyone... it's a trap... this is a trap!"

"Damn you scoundrel! I swear I won't let you go, even as a ghost!"

As for the defeated Martial Cultivators who had fallen into the prisons and become materials for alchemy, some shouted anxiously, hoping that the other Martial Cultivators fighting on the Martial Saint Stage would notice.

Others were so enraged by the Golden Robe Imperial Envoy's deception that their eyes bled. Each of them had given up everything, expecting to usher in a so-called golden age of martial arts, but it was all a ruse by the Golden Robe Imperial Envoy, whose true purpose was to gather them all for his unspeakable agenda.

And none of this was known to Tang Jie and the others fighting on the Martial Saint Stage.

"Such formidable power! Tang Jie's potential seems endless, each blow heavier than the last! Moreover, there's a power within that can erode the body and spirit, making it very troublesome."

Zhang Mingdao was secretly astonished. Tang Jie's attacks were growing increasingly heavy, as if he had no limits, and they were making Zhang Mingdao feel like he was about to vomit blood. The power of the Black Level Futu was causing him immense suffering.

"Zhang Mingdao's Nine Heavens True Scripture is indeed extraordinary. If I hadn't cultivated the Indestructible Golden Bell Body, making my body and spirit one, and perfecting my internal organs, I would have had my internal organs shattered by him! Furthermore, nine-tenths of the power of my attacks were neutralized when they landed on him!"

Tang Jie, experiencing Zhang Mingdao's attacks, was equally shocked.

Zhang Mingdao's Nine Heavens True Scripture had reached the realm of Tai Chi Return to Origin, making it adept at both offense and defense. It could continuously absorb and neutralize the enemy's attacks, reducing their power to a tenth of its original strength, making it incredibly profound!

Bang bang bang!

After exchanging hundreds of blows, both sides involuntarily retreated.

"Cough!"

Zhang Mingdao coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He had already sustained internal injuries. Even though he could absorb and neutralize over ninety percent of Tang Jie's attacks with the soft energy of the Nine Heavens True Scripture, the remaining ten percent, accumulated over time, had caused him harm.

Zhang Mingdao wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve, his face filled with excitement.

Tang Jie also felt a tightness in his chest, which he only managed to alleviate by circulating his energy. Tang Jie was also excited; Zhang Mingdao's Nine Heavens True Scripture was incredibly effective at both offense and defense, allowing him to fight Tang Jie head-on without being at a disadvantage!

"Come on!"

Tang Jie, filled with excitement, prepared to press forward and decide the victor.

However, to his surprise, Zhang Mingdao waved his hand with a joyous expression, stopping him. "Stop, I won't fight anymore! You win!"

"This... how did I win?"

This caused Tang Jie to freeze, his brow furrowed. He had only just finished warming up, and Zhang Mingdao was conceding?

Zhang Mingdao, with a face full of joy, said, "During our recent battle, I had an epiphany. I need to seize this fleeting moment of inspiration to elevate my Nine Heavens True Scripture to a higher realm! Perhaps... I will be able to break through then!"

"So that's how it is... Congratulations, Senior Zhang."

Tang Jie helplessly reined in his aura. Zhang Mingdao had gained an insight during his fierce battle with Tang Jie and urgently needed to seize that inspiration for secluded cultivation and attempt a breakthrough, hence his decision to end the fight and concede.

Although Tang Jie hadn't had his fill of fighting, he was also happy for Zhang Mingdao.

"Next time we meet, we'll fight to our heart's content!"

With a laugh, Zhang Mingdao's figure slowly vanished. He was eager to try and cultivate his Nine Heavens True Scripture to a higher realm!

"Sigh..."

Tang Jie looked at Zhang Mingdao's disappearing figure, feeling somewhat speechless. He had just gotten into the zone, and Zhang Mingdao had stopped fighting?

Tang Jie had no choice but to wait, hoping that in the next match, he would encounter a strong opponent no weaker than Zhang Mingdao, someone who could put pressure on him and allow him to break through.

"Here they come!"

After about half an incense stick's worth of time passed, a shadow slowly appeared within the combat zone.

"It's you?"

Upon seeing this person, Tang Jie couldn't help but show surprise on his face.

"Amitabha, it seems to be destiny's arrangement. We are indeed destined to fight."

The person also seemed slightly surprised to see Tang Jie, then smiled.

This person was none other than the young monk in black, Maha!

From what Tang Jie knew, Maha was also from Bodhidharma's lineage, but there were almost no records about him, making him a person of mysterious origin and identity.

However, one thing was certain: Maha's strength was absolutely unfathomable, no weaker than Zhang Mingdao's!

"I've wanted to fight you for a long time too!" Tang Jie's eyes burned with intensity.

Tendon Strengthening Classic. Second Interstitial Battle Mark!

"Boom!"

Tang Jie instantly activated the Second Interstitial Battle Mark. Black lightning descended, forming two battle marks that converged on his forehead. As black light flashed, it felt like falling into Hell!

"Tendon Strengthening Classic... You and this poor monk walk two extremes."

Maha was not surprised by the martial art Tang Jie displayed.

Maha had already secretly witnessed Tang Jie using the Tendon Strengthening Classic during his previous battle with Mad Beast.

"Boom!"

Dark light also emanated from Maha's body; this was the Black Level Futu realm of the Tendon Strengthening Classic!

But something unexpected happened to Tang Jie. A dazzling golden light erupted from Maha's left side, as brilliant as the sun!

"Golden Body Art?"

Tang Jie recognized that Maha was using the Golden Body Art!

The highest realm of the Boyhood Art was the Red Sun Art, but in reality, after practicing the Golden Bell Shield to the tenth level, one could combine the two to cultivate the higher realm of the Golden Body Art.

Like Tang Jie, Maha had also cultivated the Boyhood Art to a realm beyond the Red Sun Art.

Golden light flashed on Maha's left side, while black light emanated from his right side. The two forces slowly merged, turning into a dark golden hue. The power of the Golden Body Art and the Black Level Futu were perfectly combined, exuding an indescribable evil and demonic aura!

"Tendon Strengthening Classic... combined with the Boyhood Art?"

Tang Jie was also shocked by this sight. Maha's body turned dark golden, making him look like a ferocious demon. His previous calm and gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by extreme ferocity.

Maha slowly spoke, "I am a direct disciple of Patriarch Bodhidharma, and I learned all his martial arts. However, a demon resides within my heart... causing me to commit some extremely absurd acts, breaking my vows of non-killing, and killing indiscriminately, involving innocent people. As family shame should not be spread, I was expelled from Shaolin and had no face to see my master..."

Maha was a direct disciple of Bodhidharma, deeply favored by him, and had been taught all his martial arts. However, Maha's true nature was extremely violent and filled with malice, which even Buddhist scriptures could not quell.

Therefore, Maha rarely fought. Once he started fighting, he couldn't control himself. In a past fight, he had gone on a killing spree, involving innocent people. This filled him with guilt upon waking, and he left the Shaolin Temple. Due to this scandal, Shaolin did not record his name, and he is known to very few people in later generations.

But Maha was an undeniable martial arts prodigy. The fact that he was accepted as a direct disciple by Bodhidharma and inherited his legacy was a testament to his excellence!

"The Tendon Strengthening Classic Black Level Futu and the Boyhood Art Golden Body Art were both created by Master. They are righteous and peaceful, imbued with Buddhist principles. Yet, I, guided by my demonic nature, combined them to cultivate this new Futu Golden Body! It is solely for slaughter, solely for battle!"

Maha's body exuded a dark golden aura, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"Be careful... Once I start fighting, I might not be able to suppress this demonic nature!"

Maha said in a hoarse voice. Very few people who fought him managed to survive.

"Precisely... that's even better!"

Tang Jie was delighted rather than alarmed. Maha also practiced martial arts from Bodhidharma's lineage, and even more so, he had forged his own path, combining the Tendon Strengthening Classic with the Boyhood Art to cultivate the Futu Golden Body, purely for battle and slaughter, filled with demonic energy!

An extremely dangerous aura emanated from Maha's surroundings, igniting Tang Jie's fighting spirit to its peak. This battle with Maha might bring him new insights!

"Futu Art. Demonic Futu!"

Maha roared like a demon, his delicate face filled with ferocity. His dark golden body crossed a vast distance, and he struck Tang Jie with a palm. This palm carried an overbearing demonic might, as if wielded by a demon king controlling Hell!

"Come on!"

Dragon scales emerged all over Tang Jie's body, and the battle marks on his forehead flashed. He unleashed a punch with all his might, like the opening of Hell's gate, with countless evil spirits rushing out!

"Boom!"

The collision of two divine powers seemed to tear the heavens and earth apart. Endless divine power surged, as if traversing through ancient times, threatening to collapse Heaven and Hell!

At this moment, on the Martial Saint Stage, seven people had a bye, and battles were ongoing in the other two combat zones.

Wu Changkong was engulfed in flames, as if nine suns were burning fiercely within him. The scorching flames twisted the void, threatening to incinerate everything!

Facing Wu Changkong was a white-haired old man with an immortal demeanor.

"Carefree Duke, don't just keep dodging. When will we be able to determine a winner at this rate?"

Wu Changkong roared, each punch and palm like a volcanic eruption. The white-haired old man continuously evaded and shifted his position.

The white-haired elder, Carefree Duke, twitched the corner of his mouth upon hearing that. Internally, he was horrified, "This Wu Changkong's true essence is too overbearing. My North Profound Divine Art, even at its highest realm, which swallows and transforms everything, is struggling to neutralize his true essence?"

Carefree Duke was deeply shaken. In the previous matches, he had absorbed his opponents completely. His North Profound Divine Art allowed him to convert others' power for his own use. Cultivated to a profound realm, it had even produced yin and yang integrated North Profound true essence, making it fierce and overbearing.

Yet, facing Wu Changkong's Nine Yang Divine Skill now, he felt overwhelmed.

"Only a fool would clash head-on with him!"

Carefree Duke sneered. He wasn't without a chance. As long as he could prolong the fight, with the characteristics of his North Profound Divine Art, he could eventually win by wearing his opponent down.

In the third combat zone, two burly men were also locked in combat. One of them was named Lian Zhan. The other, who had managed to win several matches to reach this point, was naturally not weak either. Their battle was equally fierce!

Of the remaining seven participants, six were in tough fights. Only one sat cross-legged in place, waiting. This person was holding a sword, and it was Gu Jian.

Gu Jian frowned deeply. "My luck... how is it so bad? I've had a bye for two consecutive rounds?"

Gu Jian's luck was terrible, or perhaps very good. He had received a bye for two consecutive rounds. In the 13-to-7 elimination, one person received a bye, and that person was Gu Jian!

Then, in the 7-to-4 round, another person would receive a bye, and Gu Jian once again got the bye.

This undoubtedly left Gu Jian feeling helpless. The purpose of ascending the Martial Saint Stage was to battle other martial cultivators. Having received a bye for two consecutive rounds, Gu Jian didn't know whether to call his luck good or bad.

Gu Jian was bored. At this moment, he had the leisure to observe his surroundings. He was somewhat puzzled, "Why... can't I see the scenes of others fighting? Waiting silently like this is too boring!"

If Gu Jian were designing the Martial Saint Stage, he would definitely design it to allow viewing others' battles. This would help pass the idle time and also allow him to observe others' fights and gain insights.

However, the Martial Saint Stage lacked this function; everyone fought their own battles.

"Also, have the defeated martial cultivators already left the Martial Saint Stage?"

Gu Jian was also quite concerned about where the defeated martial cultivators were now. Had they left the Martial Saint Stage and were watching their battles?

"Buzz buzz buzz!"

Just as Gu Jian was pondering, his sword suddenly emitted a ringing sound, causing Gu Jian's expression to change.

Gu Jian cultivated the Way of the Sword and had long ago reached the realm of unity between man and sword. He had even nurtured his sword to possess sentience, allowing it to automatically protect its master.

"The Divine Edge Sword is ringing... it's a warning!"

Gu Jian's face was grim. Throughout his life, he had encountered numerous life-and-death crises. With the warnings from his sword, he could always be vigilant and turn misfortune into fortune.

This time, however, the ringing of his Divine Edge Sword was exceptionally sharp. Danger! Great danger! A danger that could lead to eternal damnation!

"Damn it... there's something wrong with this Martial Saint Stage! There's something wrong with the Golden Robe Imperial Envoy!" Gu Jian's face was ashen. In fact, the so-called warning from the Divine Edge Sword was his own intuition, but when his intuition was strong, it would affect his sword.

Gu Jian already harbored suspicions about the Golden Robe Imperial Envoy, and his growing doubts about the Martial Saint Stage had triggered the divine sword's warning!

"How are the others? They won't let me see? Then I'll see by force!"

Gu Jian stood up from the ground. He no longer stayed put. Holding the Divine Edge Sword, his sword intent condensed, and he slashed at the distant void.

"Swoosh!"

Sword energy surged, but it dissipated silently upon entering the void, as if it had been neutralized.

"One sword isn't enough? Then ten swords, a hundred swords! Heaven Slaying Sword Art!"

Gu Jian held the Divine Edge Sword, his sword intent and true essence condensed. The sword light tore through the sky and earth, obliterating everything!

When Gu Jian was born, the world's foremost swordsman had visited him, proclaiming him a rare sword prodigy of all ages, and taken him as a disciple.

And in reality, it was true. By the age of eighteen, Gu Jian's swordsmanship had surpassed his master's. He was invincible and had reached the pinnacle, relying solely on the sword in his hand, the sword that could cleave the heavens and earth!

"Ching ching ching!"

Sword lights struck the same point repeatedly. After about thirty to forty strikes, the void finally seemed unable to bear it and was torn open by a huge gap.

Through this gap, Gu Jian's entire body trembled. He saw a faintly glowing void cage within the torn void. Inside the cage, a man was entwined with black, snake-like runes, his body shriveled and almost skin and bones!

"Brother Ming Jian, how... how did you get here?"

Gu Jian exclaimed in shock. He recognized the emaciated man as Ming Jian, the opponent he had faced in his second match on the Martial Saint Stage. Ming Jian was also a sword expert. Gu Jian had defeated him, and they had developed a mutual appreciation, promising to spar together again later.

But Ming Jian looked like this now? He was on the verge of death, his body shriveled, as if all his blood had been drained!

The emaciated man heard Gu Jian's voice. He opened his eyes in a final burst of energy. His dull, gray eyes were filled with despair and anger. He hoarsely roared, "A conspiracy... it's a conspiracy! I... we've all been tricked by that scoundrel, the Golden Robe Imperial Envoy!"