Chapter Seventy-Seven: Divine Will, the Path of Domains
After Jiang Ming obliterated the man in white, the entire Federation grew even more restless.
“One million one hundred eleven thousand one hundred!”
“Heavens, that’s incredible.”
“He broke through the fifth level. Is he a Grandmaster or has he reached the Astral Phenomenon Realm?”
“An eighteen-year-old Grandmaster, an eighteen-year-old Astral Phenomenon, an eighteen-year-old from a humble background—who would believe it?”
“How many years has it been since someone scored over a million points?”
“The last time was eight years ago.”
“This is a sensation.”
An uproar, a complete uproar.
Especially in Pingyang City, where the whole city was celebrating.
“My family’s steamed buns will be free for Jiang Ming, for life.”
“Steamed buns are nothing. My family’s noodles—braised, knife-cut, spicy, pulled—every kind of noodle, free for him forever.”
“My business, lifelong VIP service.”
“You’re trying to snatch the genius’s favor. Shameless, despicable, low, disgraceful. I won’t do free, how about half price?”
“Look at yourself, get out.”
In a distant villa, a young man sat cross-legged, cultivating. Dense energy flowed swiftly into his body. At that moment, a middle-aged man entered.
“Xiao Feng,” he called softly.
“Uncle Liang, what is it?”
“A genius has appeared this year—a true genius, a student from a small city. He broke into the sixth level of the Martial Tower in the exam.”
“The sixth level?” The youth opened his eyes, surprised. “A small city?”
“A small city, an orphan. Just days ago, he hadn’t even reached the stage of resonating bones and muscles. After consuming a cultivation pill, he broke through to the second stage of martial arts, entered the secret world, and soared! He emerged three days ago, and today he fought his way to the sixth level.”
“The secret world, sixth level—this is no ordinary genius. Uncle Liang, I’m eighteen this year too, still eligible for the exam. Sign me up.”
“Alright, your special status allows you to go straight to the finals. Not just you, many geniuses are likely to emerge this time.”
“Yes. Now that there’s a catalyst, interest follows. We geniuses will appear one after another, colliding—it will be a rare opportunity for cultivation.”
All over, the younger generation was eager to participate.
Martial Tower, sixth level.
Martial Arts, sixth stage, Astral Phenomenon Realm.
Jiang Ming truly sensed the terror of this realm. Even facing it, he felt an invincible aura.
“There is a mighty force here.” Raising his hand, Jiang Ming asked, “What is the Astral Phenomenon Realm?”
“With my heart aligned to the heavenly heart, intent merges with the world, triggering changes in the celestial phenomena, wielding the domain of heaven—that is the Astral Phenomenon Realm,” the youth in blue replied simply.
Jiang Ming understood.
The so-called Astral Phenomenon Realm: the dantian as the root, acupoints as the framework, will as the guide, integrating intent with the world.
Intent merges with heaven and earth, thus mastering its power.
“In short, it’s the fusion of one’s intent with the rhythm of the cosmos. Different intents create different phenomena, or rather, trigger celestial changes. That’s how the realm got its name,” the youth continued. “Human strength has its limits—how can one shake heaven and earth?”
“The human body is a small universe; the world, a great one,” Jiang Ming replied. “The small universe may not be inferior to the great one.”
“Excellent!” The blue-robed youth praised. “With that mindset, your future is limitless. The body is a treasure trove, its potential endless. Developed to the extreme, it may not be less than the universe itself. But your realm is far too low. Will you concede and withdraw, or taste defeat before leaving?”
“Martial exam students all taste defeat, don’t they?” Jiang Ming smiled. “I’m no exception.”
“Indeed, all candidates endure hardship.” The blue-robed youth’s gaze sharpened. “Then let you depart in despair.”
Boom...
Overhead, a tremor. The air suddenly thickened, as if space had frozen, so viscous it was hard to breathe.
Jiang Ming looked up and saw a mountain forming above—a yellow peak.
The earth’s heaviness condensed into a mountain.
“This is the Astral Phenomenon Realm. With intent as guide, wielding the force of heaven and earth, forming terrifying celestial might. A mere thought brings destruction.”
Jiang Ming couldn’t help but be shaken.
He knew he couldn’t wait for doom. If the mountain descended fully, it would be hard to retaliate.
His body flickered, essence and energy rising like a wolf’s smoke, surging to the sky, but only causing the yellow mountain to sway slightly.
Next, sword intent surged, shaking the heavens.
“This time, it’s a fight to the death!”
Spirit focused, will like iron.
Jiang Ming mobilized his true energy, flooding his body to the limit of his meridians, physical strength fully unleashed, even spiritual force poised.
His sword gleamed with light.
...
Buzz...
Yin and yang energy flowed from his body, forming a Tai Chi diagram, slicing through the air and repelling pressure from all sides.
The yellow mountain descended, pounding the Tai Chi circle, which trembled violently, compressed but not broken.
“This is just a phenomenon driven by intent and energy—a terrifying celestial might, yes, but not as invincible in attack as imagined.”
Jiang Ming realized.
His fighting spirit soared.
“That was only a move of intent.” The blue-robed youth spoke, his sword slicing through the air, heavy sword intent descending.
Jiang Ming sensed clearly: the pressure surged, a vast power infused the opponent’s sword.
His yin-yang Tai Chi diagram was easily split.
“Sword Two, Birth of All Things!”
Jiang Ming struck.
This move fused wood intent—wood overcomes earth, perfect for the moment. Unfortunately, wood was too weak; earth countered it, and the strike was easily suppressed.
“Sword Five, Golden Light Pierces the Sky!”
Jiang Ming erupted fully.
Enduring immense pressure, he used his most extreme techniques, unleashing formidable sword moves, but was entirely suppressed.
Even Nine Suns Burning Rivers and Seas, Galaxy Falls from the Ninth Heaven, and others could not break the confinement.
The area was sealed by the opponent’s fusion of intent and the power of heaven and earth.
Facing the blue-robed youth’s attacks, Jiang Ming couldn’t escape.
His space grew smaller, enveloped by sword after sword.
“Immortal Execution Sword One, Sword Two—open!”
This time, he held nothing back.
The breath of slaughter and destruction—a force of pure annihilation—forced the opponent back, barely tearing the confinement, but was soon suppressed again.
“This is the Astral Phenomenon, the path of domain. Within its seal, only sheer force can break free, or you become a caged bird.” The blue-robed youth continued, “Under suppression, no matter your boundless strength, you’ll gradually lose the ability to resist, awaiting execution.”
Clearly, he was imparting wisdom.
Jiang Ming listened and took it to heart.
As he grasped the subtleties of celestial changes, he unleashed Immortal Execution Sword Three.
His true energy, blood, and spirit all poured into this sword, bringing its power to a peak.
Boom...
The yellow-shrouded domain split in two, as if heaven and earth were cleaved, completely cut apart.
Light streamed, sword energy raged.
Trees nearby were shredded, the pond beside exploded a hundred meters high.
Jiang Ming quickly broke free.
“An excellent sword, truly excellent!” The blue-robed youth was also sent flying, quite disheveled, his breathing ragged. Returning, he couldn’t help but praise.
Jiang Ming’s pupils contracted. “How are you so strong?”
“Of course I am!” The blue-robed youth was speechless. “I’m a sixth-stage martial artist, Astral Phenomenon Realm, far stronger than the guardian of the fifth level of the Martial Tower. I could kill him with one hand. Am I not strong?”
“You, fourth-stage martial artist, powerful but scattered and impure, broad but not refined. How could you contend with me?” He added, “In fact, not being instantly killed by me already means you’re strong.”
Jiang Ming was speechless. “Are you real?”
“Haha...” The blue-robed youth laughed. “Real or fake, we’re all people. Like the secret world—are they real or fake?”
Jiang Ming’s gaze sharpened, wanting to ask, but saw the youth shake his sword. “I’m your opponent, not your answerer.”
“Then...” He pointed upward. “Is there strength and range?”
“That’s called the power of celestial phenomena, or the will of heaven. Domain is also apt. There’s strength, there’s range. The more intent fused, the wider the domain. With the same level of fusion, the stronger the intent, the wider the domain, the greater the power. Of course, the number of internal acupoints greatly affects fusion. Kid, this is common knowledge!”
“I was still at the first stage days ago,” Jiang Ming said weakly.
The blue-robed youth grinned. “Feels like you’re showing off!”
Jiang Ming was stunned.
This guy actually said ‘showing off.’
He increasingly suspected an outside expert had entered to play examiner.
“With your current record, when you leave the Martial Tower, someone will explain each realm in detail. Online information is always general, hard to cover specifics. Now, attack!”
“Alright!”
Jiang Ming erupted, truly erupted.
He even summoned three flying blades, sending them at his opponent, but in the so-called domain, they couldn’t approach, freezing in midair.
Yin-Yang Sword, Space Sword, Five Elements Sword.
No match at all.
...
The opponent was too strong.
Unshakably strong.
“Kid, can you manage?” The blue-robed youth moved freely, ethereal, untouchable under the heavy domain, completely outmatching Jiang Ming.
Impenetrable defense, invincible offense.
No weakness.
“I have a secret technique!” Jiang Ming steeled himself, his soul condensed into a shadow god, leaping forth to invade the opponent’s brow, aiming to kill from the soul.
But the blue-robed youth’s brow twitched, and with a sword, split the shadow god in two. He spoke softly, “Didn’t anyone tell you that at my level, unless it’s a sneak attack, soul entities can’t attack unnoticed?”
Jiang Ming was shocked, then plunged into endless darkness.
“Interesting. Things will get lively now!” The blue-robed youth chuckled as his figure rapidly collapsed.
Pingyang City, Second High, virtual chamber.
Jiang Ming’s vision darkened; when he opened his eyes, he was back in reality.
He touched his brow, blinked, still unsettled.
That sensation of being killed was too real.
Even from the soul.
“I absolutely don’t want to go through that again!”
Jiang Ming murmured, taking off his helmet, looking around—no one left, only himself.
“Jiang Ming, congratulations, congratulations! You’ve won the Federation’s martial champion in the qualifiers.” Several proctors approached, their eyes full of awe and inexpressible admiration.
Stopping at the sixth level of the Martial Tower—his strength surpassed theirs, no, far surpassed.
He was extraordinary.
Their student had taken first place.
Bragging rights for a lifetime.
“Jiang Ming, your final score is one million two hundred twenty-one thousand one hundred. Amazing! In history, scores above this are rare.”
Clearly, the last bout with the blue-robed youth earned him extra points.
“Jiang Ming, come quickly! The principal and the city lord are waiting for you!”
Surrounded, Jiang Ming walked out.
Praised and flattered, he felt no discomfort.
Compared to his experiences in the secret world, these were child’s play.
“Jiang Ming, take the back exit. Too many students outside—if you’re surrounded, you might not escape for a while!”
Jiang Ming agreed.
Soon, he met Teacher Chen and others.
“Jiang Ming, impressive!” Old Tang gave a thumbs up.
“Without you, I wouldn’t have these results!” Jiang Ming replied with a salute.
“Haha, you are a rare gem. Sooner or later, you’ll shine brilliantly,” Old Tang enjoyed the praise, then spoke seriously, “Jiang Ming, you’re about to enter the first highlight of your life. Attention from all sides, conversations, invitations to join companies, groups, martial organizations—there will be hundreds of millions in ad fees, billions in sign-up bonuses, all kinds of strength-enhancing pills, secret techniques, everything will flood in. Do you want it?”
“In the secret world, I’ve seen mountains of gold, wielded supreme power, possessed invincible strength. I’ve seen, obtained, enjoyed it all.” Jiang Ming immediately understood Old Tang’s intent—to have him state his position, spread the word, and fend off all the coming disturbances.
Otherwise, social obligations would be hard to manage.
For example, if the principal introduces people, do you meet them?
If Teacher Chen brings someone, do you refuse?
If you open that door, you’ll never have peace.
Jiang Ming understood the intricacies.
“Not tens of billions, even hundreds or thousands of billions mean nothing to me!” At this moment, Jiang Ming radiated dignity, like an ancient emperor, majestic, his words absolute and indisputable. “What I need now is to calm down, digest the gains from the martial exam, and prepare for the provincial and federal exams. Old Tang, do I now have the qualifications to win the ultimate martial champion?”
“You do, you absolutely do!” Old Tang was deeply gratified, feeling Jiang Ming’s imposing aura. He nodded and laughed. “One experience, and you’ve transformed beyond recognition. Excellent, excellent! To avoid disturbances, why not come to my place? At least you can cultivate quietly and I can help resolve your cultivation doubts.”
“That would be perfect!” Jiang Ming smiled. “Old Tang, I’ll be troubling you.”
A few brief exchanges shut out all potential social obligations.
Even the principal couldn’t intervene, knowing Old Tang’s status.
But there was some urgency.
“We must first do an exclusive interview,” Old Song laughed. “Otherwise, the whole city won’t be satisfied. After all, with a martial champion, if they can’t see him, can’t meet him, my tenure as city lord will be over.”
“That’s fine!” Jiang Ming did not refuse.
(End of chapter)