The Equal-to-Heaven Great Sage's Heart Ape! (Monthly votes, please)

Morning came to the Relay Station. The mist dispersed, revealing a land riddled with wounds. To those who had survived the catastrophe, this bleak morning light was more precious than gold.

Three days had passed since the killing game ended.

Over those three days, the various Martial Guild contingents had been recuperating, clearing out stray ghosts and wandering spirits nearby, or waiting for supplies from reinforcements in the rear.

In a quiet clearing in the Relay Station's backyard, Li Xiang planted his feet apart in the Three Powers Stake stance.

His breathing was long and steady, his chest rising and falling with its rhythm. Listening closely, one could hear a howl like pumping bellows coming from within him as his lungs drew in and expelled air at tremendous intensity.

"Crushing Fist belongs to wood and governs the liver. Cannon Fist belongs to fire and governs the heart."

"So the Xingyi Five Elements are far more than simple external moves. They are killing arts that combine the principles of internal alchemy with meridian theory."

Ye Qingyao's voice sounded beside him. "The heart governs the spirit, connects with the blood vessels, shows its radiance in the face, expresses joy in emotion, and produces sweat as its fluid."

"The form of Cannon Fist resembles a shell leaving the barrel. Its force lies in unity and explosion."

"Li Xiang, you already have a foundation in crushing force. Wood feeds fire."

At her words, Li Xiang instantly adjusted his taut muscles. The great dragon of his spine arched slightly, like a fully drawn bow, or a heavy cannon poised to fire.

He clenched both fists and sank his qi into his dantian, then guarded his heart with his fists before blasting them forward.

The movement was fierce and explosive. His arms were cannon barrels, his