Chapter 522 - 295: Life and Death at One’s Own Risk, Grand Tournament Finals!

Not yet in the Upper Three Grades, yet mastering Gang Force!

This sentence echoed repeatedly in Tao Yang’s ears, growing louder, until at some point the voice changed, resembling the desperate scream of his deceased son, Tao Xingzheng, before his death.

"Scoundrel, seeking death..."

Within Tao Xing’s sleeves, both hands clenched tightly, and he acted to kill while Tao Xingzheng was about to be promoted to Sima of One County. Later, he came to Donglai County to sever the limbs of another son, Tao Han, and now boldly stands before him!

All of this is undoubtedly blatant provocation.

As for coincidences?

Tao Yang absolutely refuses to believe in such coincidences in this world; to be able to master Gang Force without being in the Upper Three Grades when martial arts are flourishing is already an accomplishment, but this is no longer the pinnacle of martial arts.

A Martial Artist who can master Gang Force without being in the Upper Three Grades is rare indeed; how could the Tao Family possibly encounter two such individuals so easily?

Moreover, he didn’t forget what the two ancestors once said: back then, a half-completed Life Character protected the scoundrel thoroughly; a Knowing Destiny Realm Confucian Cultivator’s strength is undeniable, but a half-completed Life Character that can protect someone under the two ancestors’ attacks is absolutely beyond a normal Knowing Destiny Realm Confucian Cultivator’s ability.

The one who protected the scoundrel back then was a great Confucian from Qingzhou Academy.

Afterwards, Tao Family sent people to search the Land of Cyan Clouds for traces of the scoundrel, only to be repelled by an Arhat from Longfu Temple.

"Qingzhou Academy... Longfu Temple... Ancient County Li Family..."

Everything is connected, and if the person before him is from Ancient County Li Family, then it can explain why Qingzhou Academy and Longfu Temple would offer protection.

The Ancient County Li Family, Qingzhou Academy, and Longfu Temple are all part of the Three Gates and Four Families. With the influence of Ancient County Li Family, it’s normal to seek protection for outstanding disciples in the Academy and Longfu Temple.

"In less than half a year, it went from over one inch of Gang Force to over two inches thick... No, this child must not be allowed to remain. If allowed to grow, he will certainly become a major threat to the Tao Family’s interests in the future."

"I can’t act directly right now... In the arena, fists and kicks know no bounds; just feign ignorance of this scoundrel’s identity and act first, report later... Ignorance is innocent, and if the Ancient County Li Family pursues responsibility later, at worst, Tao Family will yield and pay some resources."

Tao Yang’s eyes filled with intense killing intent and dread, fixed on Su Mu on the stage, as his black hair danced unrestrained in the absence of wind, with a strong aura surging from his body.

The guests at the seating area noticed Tao Yang’s anomaly and turned to look, but Tao Yang took a deep breath and calmed down quickly, leaving the guests skeptical of any discrepancy.

They all knew of the Tao Family’s long-standing rivalry with the Li Family, so seeing Li Family preparedness at present, some emotional fluctuations from Tao Yang were considered normal.

Tao Yang suppressed the killing intent in his heart, subtly moving his lips to deliver a secret message.

"Encounter Wang Chan, I allow you to use that item, do whatever it takes... kill him!"

"I will bear all consequences for you."

Observing the battle, Tao Xinglie trembled inwardly and glanced back at the guest seating area, seeing Tao Yang nod discreetly towards him.

Receiving affirmation, Tao Xinglie rejoiced inwardly, his eyes surged with killing intent, having been humiliated by Wang Chan today, he had already harbored killing intent towards Wang Chan, only restrained by last night’s warning.

Now without restrictions, Tao Xinglie’s lips slightly lifted, revealing a sinister smile.

"Vengeance for the tavern... I shall repay a hundredfold, cleansing the shame with blood!"

The intense battle between the two continues on stage, with the Martial Arts Arena roaring with wave sounds.

Guo Zhen drives the Giant Whale Skill to the extreme, the long majestic sound of the giant whale echoes, transforming into a giant whale turning the waves, raging white waves ravaging the field.

"The cultivation technique practiced resonates with the scroll ’White Flood Dragon Flipping River Map’... it might be the missing lower half of Cyan Fish Gang’s scroll."

Su Mu stands in the face of the violent tides, watching the massive whale with slightly flickering eyes, lost in thought.

Unmovable as a reef amidst the surging tides, the Gangjin Pill in the Dantian rotates gently, Gang Force flows like a river from the Dantian, circulating through the Five Viscera finally transforming into the powerful Water Ape Gang Force.

Profound Demon Five Transformations quietly activated, behind Su Mu a Water Ape silhouette solidified ever more, its figure growing in the wind reaching a height of two and a half zhang.

"Once more!"

Guo Zhen clenched his teeth, suppressing the unease in his heart, with greater battle inclination in his eyes, relaxing his tiger mouth momentarily before suddenly gripping the Long Saber tightly, fiercely engaging again with Su Mu.

Martial Momentum, the manifestation of a Martial Artist’s will.

Martial Momentum contending, like two tigers encountering, one must be injured.

However, this is also an opportunity—ordinary Martial Artists find it hard to comprehend Martial Momentum. If looking for an opponent soon to challenge the Upper Three Grades, or someone akin to a Martial Arts Grandmaster is too strong, being overmatched, the outcome isn’t worth the risk.

Wang Chan is very strong, yet Guo Zhen feels his grasp of Fist Momentum is on par with his own, thus an excellent opponent for honing Saber Momentum, an opportunity not to be missed!

"Just what I was looking for!"

In Su Mu’s eyes, shadows segment Guo Zhen’s saber strike, inferring the scenario, forming another Saber Momentum fragment in the gray fog of his conscious realm. Raising his fist, the Water Ape shadow fiercely clenched its fist and struck.

Saber Momentum against Fist Momentum.

Giant Whale against Demon Ape.

Qi Blood Furnace against two inches of Gang Force!

The two sides collided fiercely, igniting protective patterns on the ring, glowing ever brighter, with the aftermath of the confrontation transforming into raging winds howling.

The colliding Saber and Fist Momentums transformed into invisible massive waves, stirring the spectators’ hearts into trepidation beneath the stage.

"Splurch."

Several geniuses from various counties participating earlier contests, standing too close, were suddenly affected by two waves of Martial Momentum, their mouths opening and closing spurting out blood.

"Martial Momentum truly is the key to unlocking the Grandmaster Realm, undeniably strong!"

This scene caused slight changes in facial expressions, with the audience constantly retreating, fearing the aftermath of the two’s fight might endanger them.