Chapter 14: On the Life and Death Platform (2)
Jing Yun followed beside Lin Feng. She was only at the Seventh Layer of Qi Martial Realm, far too weak, essentially existing at the very bottom of the Wind Cloud Gorge, unsuited for training.
Han Man understood Lin Feng’s meaning, and it suited him as well. If Lin Feng always stayed by his side to protect him, what kind of training would that be? On the path of martial arts, one ultimately had to rely on oneself.
Sure enough, not long after he walked ahead alone, a person approached Han Man. The eyes exposed above the mask revealed a faint fighting intent.
Without a word, this person charged straight at Han Man, swinging his iron fist.
“Han Man is in trouble now. This person is a Ninth Layer Qi Martial Realm martial cultivator,” Lin Feng said with a light laugh. Han Man also judged the opponent’s cultivation level from the aura he released, but he did not retreat. Instead, he gathered all his strength into his fist, let out a fierce shout, and struck with full force.
One punch. Han Man staggered back over a dozen steps, while the opponent stood motionless. The difference was clear.
“Eighth Layer Qi Martial Realm. You’re not good enough,” the man said indifferently, then turned and left, losing interest in Han Man. Many people trained for the pleasure of dominating others, but those who truly pursued martial arts did not enjoy bullying the weak. Instead, they sought opponents of equal or even greater strength to fight, for only then could they truly stimulate their potential and achieve the greatest training effect.
“Wait.” This was Han Man’s first battle since stepping into Wind Cloud Gorge. How could he give up so easily? Releasing the power of his martial soul, Han Man was immediately enveloped in a layer of earthy yellow light, as if merging with the earth itself, and his aura began to rise continuously.
“Earth Martial Soul.” The man showed a hint of interest, then smiled at Han Man and said, “Not a bad martial soul. Try to take three punches from me.”
After speaking, the man stepped forward and appeared before Han Man in an instant.
“Boom!” The earthy yellow light burst forth, dust flying. Han Man retreated another five or six steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
“Again.” Han Man wiped the blood from his mouth, his spirit soaring. Instead of retreating, he advanced. The earthy yellow glow of his martial soul grew brighter, as if he were truly merging with the earth.
“Crack!” The explosive sound was deafening. Han Man retreated eight steps, and the opponent also stepped back three.
“Refreshing!” The man shouted, a white radiance beginning to bloom on his fist. He warned, “Be careful, I’m going to use a martial technique now.”
“Good.” Han Man responded, stepping forward. With each step, the ground trembled, and a powerful momentum surged forth.
“Borrowing momentum.” Lin Feng’s gaze sharpened, then he smiled. He hadn’t expected that this battle would inadvertently teach Han Man to borrow momentum—using his Earth Martial Soul to draw on the earth’s power and borrow the earth’s momentum.
“Rumble.” Their fists collided, and a cloud of dust engulfed both figures. After a moment, they reappeared. Han Man sat on the ground, lost in thought, staring blankly.
“He actually comprehended it.” The man opposite Han Man laughed, a trace of blood also seeping from the corner of his mouth. He hadn’t expected Han Man’s final strike to be so powerful, even injuring him slightly. But it was worth it; this battle had given him a bit of insight as well.
With a flicker of his form, the man left directly, not disturbing Han Man.
“An interesting person.” Lin Feng and Jing Yun came to Han Man’s side, feeling a hint of respect for the man. He was a true man.
The two naturally knew that Han Man seemed to have realized something, so they didn’t disturb him. They sat beside Han Man, waiting quietly.
A moment of sudden enlightenment was incredibly rare. For a martial cultivator, such an opportunity was something to be encountered, not sought. It could be imagined that after waking, Han Man’s strength would improve rapidly. Lin Feng and Jing Yun were both a bit envious of him—to have a sudden enlightenment in his very first battle in Wind Cloud Gorge.
Time passed slowly. Suddenly, a powerful aura emanated from Han Man’s body, startling Lin Feng and Jing Yun. They exchanged glances, both shocked.
“This power is so strong, giving a feeling of depth and antiquity. Is this truly the power of sudden enlightenment?” Lin Feng thought to himself. The path of martial arts was indeed vast and profound. He had only just set foot on this path and couldn’t even imagine how the great powerhouses used their strength to move mountains, fill seas, and destroy heaven and earth.
“Legends say that Martial Emperors can fly through the sky, travel a thousand miles in an instant, with an undying soul and an indestructible body. How powerful must that be?” Lin Feng felt a trace of longing. Would he one day be able to soar above the Nine Heavens?
As Lin Feng was pondering, not far ahead of them, a figure walked toward them, sneering coldly at Han Man, who was still in his state of enlightenment.
“Wake up!” The arrogant voice was deafening, shaking the space and directly entering the ears of Lin Feng and the other two.
“Ugh!” Han Man groaned, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his aura heaving violently.
His bloodshot eyes stared at the distant figure. So close. He could feel that he was just about to grasp that power, but at this critical moment, he was interrupted. And this person had targeted him directly, the sound pouring into his ears and making him spit blood.
“Shameless.” Lin Feng’s expression turned icy. He stood up, staring at the distant figure. This person had deliberately targeted Han Man, breaking his state of enlightenment. How despicable.
Han Man stepped forward, glaring at the figure, and asked angrily, “Why?”
“No reason. Just for fun.” This person wasn’t wearing a mask, and his face showed a mocking expression, half-smiling. Han Man and the others didn’t recognize him.
“For fun?” Han Man stepped forward a few paces, his cold aura spreading. He naturally understood how rare his sudden enlightenment had been, but this person had forcibly interrupted it and even injured him.
“Heh, want to fight? But it’s not satisfying in this gorge. If you want revenge, how about on the Life and Death Platform?” The young man’s tone was contemptuous, as if looking down on Han Man.
“Fine.” Han Man held a surge of anger in his chest and agreed without any hesitation.
“I’ll wait for you.” The young man’s form flickered, heading toward the Life and Death Platform.
“Han Man, you don’t know his strength clearly. Going onto the Life and Death Platform rashly is very dangerous,” Lin Feng advised.
“I can sense his cultivation level. It’s the same as mine, Eighth Layer Qi Martial Realm.” Han Man’s answer surprised Lin Feng. Han Man could sense the opponent’s cultivation level?
“I don’t know how either. I can also sense your and Jing Yun’s current cultivation levels. It must be because of the sudden enlightenment just now,” Han Man explained when he saw Lin Feng’s confusion, then followed the young man.
“Let’s go.” Lin Feng was somewhat surprised and followed Han Man with Jing Yun. He hoped it was true. If the opponent was also at the Eighth Layer of Qi Martial Realm, with Han Man’s recent enlightenment, he might have a chance of victory.
The Life and Death Platform in Wind Cloud Gorge was located in the center of the gorge. There were ten platforms in total, rising from the flat ground and connected together. The area around the Life and Death Platform was a flat expanse with an extremely wide view.
At that moment, two figures stepped onto the Life and Death Platform, immediately attracting the attention of the surrounding crowd. In an instant, many people rushed over.
Although there were many people entering Wind Cloud Gorge, very few went onto the Life and Death Platform. After all, once you stepped onto it, life and death were up to fate. Without a major grievance, who would be willing to take such a risk? Even if there was a major grievance, both sides’ cultivation levels had to be similar for both to dare to fight.
Thus, after Han Man and the other man stepped onto the Life and Death Platform, the surrounding crowd rapidly increased, gathering around the platform to watch. Moreover, above the gorge, others also noticed this, and the news that someone had gone onto the Life and Death Platform spread at the fastest speed.
“Once you step onto the Life and Death Platform, life and death are up to fate. Now, your life and death are in my hands,” the young man sneered at Han Man. “Han Man, remember, the one who takes your life is Jiang Huai.”
Lin Feng, below the Life and Death Platform, frowned. Hearing the other’s words, he suddenly sensed a hint of conspiracy.
“You know me?” Han Man asked angrily.
“Heh heh.” Jiang Huai laughed sinisterly. A violent aura suddenly burst from his body—a scorching flame aura. At the same time, behind him, a flame phantom appeared: his martial soul, Flame.
“Indeed, Eighth Layer Qi Martial Realm.” Sensing this aura, Lin Feng relaxed slightly.
Han Man’s Earth Martial Soul also bloomed. He stepped forward, not quickly, but with each step, the aura emanating from Han Man seemed to grow stronger.
“Blazing Flame Palm.” A fierce, scorching palm wind rushed toward Han Man, but Han Man stomped his foot heavily on the ground, standing as firm as a mountain, and shouted, “Mountain-Splitting Fist.”
Fist and palm collided. Both bodies stood firmly in place, neither gaining an advantage.
Jiang Huai frowned. He hadn’t expected Han Man’s strength to be on par with his. A sinister grin crossed his face. He swung his left hand, and Han Man raised his hand to block, but a cloud of white powder flew into his face, landing on his eyes.
“Go die!” Jiang Huai took advantage of the opening, punching Han Man in the chest and sending him flying.
“Despicable!” Lin Feng cursed loudly, about to step onto the Life and Death Platform, when a figure suddenly appeared before him.
“Once you step onto the Life and Death Platform, life and death are up to fate. Don’t rush. It’ll be your turn soon,” the man said coldly. Seeing his face, Jing Yun’s gaze sharpened.
“Jing Hao.”
She exclaimed in surprise, then saw the person behind Jing Hao—the one who had been injured by Lin Feng’s palm wind. Everything became clear.
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