Battle

One strike, two kills.

Those who cultivate the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao are overbearing if they don't fight seriously, but if they do, it's hard to control their strength due to the influence of their own killing intent. Not to mention Liu Tian, a Martial Artist still in the most severely affected stage.

After calming his blood and qi slightly, to avoid being discovered by any potential backup or others, Liu Tian only searched the bodies briefly before carrying the sack away from the scene.

Relying on his familiarity with the city from running laps around it multiple times, Liu Tian easily found a dilapidated old building and put down the sack.

"You should really thank me for my kindness. In this day and age, it's rare to find such a kind person."

Liu Tian muttered to himself as he untied the sack, but the moment he was about to release the person inside, a familiar yet strange sense of urgency surfaced in his heart.

?!!!!

Before he could even glance at the person he had rescued, Liu Tian decisively hugged the sack and rolled forward. Then, without looking at the person trapped inside, he used his agility to roll them to his side like a ball.

"Your reaction is agile, but you lack ruthlessness." Although the newcomer attacked sneakily, strangely, he didn't press his advantage when Liu Tian lost the initiative. He merely commented indifferently, droplets of blood falling from his palm, forming round spheres that splashed ripples on the dusty ground. "The Heavenly Dao, once renowned throughout the world, actually has a disciple as indecisive as you?"

Liu Tian reached back and wiped his hand; sure enough, he felt a smear of crimson. A cool sensation spread from the back of his head, as if his hair had vanished.

"Who are you?" Liu Tian adopted a stance, searching for the newcomer's weaknesses while asking, "Are you here for this woman beside me?"

"If so, then giving her to you wouldn't be a problem."

"How could a mere woman make me, Mantis, act?" As if completely disregarding Liu Tian, the newcomer fearlessly revealed his identity, stepping away from the optimal attack position and into the light.

He was a middle-aged man with golden hair and white skin. A simple vest couldn't conceal his robust muscles, and his eyes were hidden behind thick glasses. His mouth was turned down, as if he could never feel joy.

But what drew Liu Tian's attention even more were the man's inhuman hands. Thin muscles clung to distinct bones, and his sharp palms reflected a cold glint under the moonlight that pierced through the clouds, as if they weren't hands at all but blades far sharper than steel.

It was these hands that, even with Liu Tian's timely reaction and only slight contact, had severed his hair along with the superficial layer of his scalp.

Strong!

This person's strength is second only to my master, Heavenly Dao, and my senior brother, Bai Cinan, among everyone I've ever met.

Liu Tian narrowed his eyes, constantly shifting his position with Mantis's movements. Although he didn't know why Mantis would give up the best attack position, having been trained by Heavenly Dao, he would never pass up such an advantage.

"Mantis? I don't know that name. Is he a former opponent of Master Heavenly Dao?" Liu Tian tried to probe for more information. "Bullying a junior like me isn't the act of a master."

"Hmph, Heavenly Dao?" Mantis seemed to despise Heavenly Dao intensely, snorting. "Just an old fool who refuses to embrace evolution and confines himself to a small pond. How could he be a match for me, Mantis, who has already successfully evolved?"

"Evolution? Are you referring to your hands? They do look quite terrifying." Not wanting to fight an opponent far stronger than his current self, Liu Tian controlled his killing intent and made a final effort. "Since we're not enemies, can we just go our separate ways? Can we end it here?"

"Do you think that's possible?" Mantis said. "Stop with the useless probing. I have only one purpose for this journey – to kill you, or be killed by you."

"The true successor of the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao, let me see if you have the qualifications to be my prey."

Damn it, I just want to develop properly!

"Why are you forcing me!"

Work harder, push me!

With a thought, consuming two Origin Points, not only did his injuries heal due to the advancement of his Heavenly Martial Killing Dao level, but the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao First Path - Heart Severing Path, which would have taken months to master, was instantly mastered by Liu Tian.

Not only that, Liu Tian's physique instantly expanded, his strength and speed skyrocketing. Even his aura doubled – Damn it, Heavenly Martial Killing Dao - Heart Severing Path!

Before his words even fell, knowing that the situation could no longer be resolved peacefully, Liu Tian unleashed his strongest power at that moment without restraint.

Greater strength, faster speed, more surging killing intent.

The crystallization of his efforts over many days erupted without reservation in this instant. Fueled by killing intent, Liu Tian's strength reached 150% of its previous level.

Undoubtedly, Liu Tian, who now held a complete advantage, could easily defeat his past self from a second ago!

Facing the sudden burst of power from his enemy, could this mysterious Mantis withstand it?

The answer was yes! Easily!

Greater speed, stronger power, more experience.

His right hand struck out faster than his previous sneak attack on Liu Tian, intercepting Liu Tian's assault.

Although his martial path wasn't as profound as the Heavenly Martial Killing Dao, Mantis possessed such strength at this moment, easily suppressing Liu Tian whose power had surged.

Furthermore, his left hand, which had been poised for a while, swung out silently, aiming straight for Liu Tian's chest.

Given the sharpness Mantis's hands had displayed earlier, if this strike landed squarely, it would undoubtedly tear open Liu Tian's chest, exposing the heart that beat relentlessly, providing him with power.

Not so easy! Heavenly Martial Great Shark Fist!

Having long anticipated that Mantis's previous attack might not have been his full strength, Liu Tian held nothing back. His right fist, fully charged, slammed into Mantis's left arm.

A powerful recoil hit him. Contrary to his appearance, Mantis's arm, though slender, possessed considerable defensive strength. Liu Tian felt as though he hadn't hit human joints but a steel plate. Not only did he fail to achieve his goal, but the recoil also injured his right fist.

However, despite failing to achieve his primary goal, Liu Tian's punch successfully forced Mantis's left arm aside, creating an opportunity for him to retreat.

"He still had strength hidden?" Mantis laughed wildly, pursuing relentlessly, even having the leisure to comment, "But unfortunately, you are too weak now!"

"In a battle between Martial Artists, whether you attack first only provides a slight advantage. Ultimately, it comes down to a contest of strength, speed, skill, and tactics."

"And facing an opponent whose strength is far superior and speed is much faster than yours, that slight advantage of attacking first cannot compensate."

"The so-called martial arts is about the strong preying on the weak, looking down from above. When facing an opponent stronger than you, how can you not be defeated? How can you not die?"

"However, you've lived longer than me." Even verbally, Liu Tian refused to be at a disadvantage. While using the complex terrain of the dilapidated building to lure Mantis away from his original position and counterattacking, he retorted, "You've practiced martial arts for so many more years than me, yet you still can't achieve overwhelming physical superiority. No wonder you don't dare to fight my master."

"I think you should just quit practicing martial arts. Your hands are so sharp, why don't you go back to a butcher shop and cut pork? It'll save you the cost of a cleaver."

"Practicing martial arts is very dangerous. You're quite old, why don't you go home and retire?"

"Kid, you're asking for death!" Although not a single curse word was uttered, one of Liu Tian's remarks seemed to have struck a nerve with Mantis. He no longer held back. The strength and speed that were already difficult for Liu Tian to handle instantly increased again. At the same time, as their battle intensified, the commotion grew louder, and the battlefield widened