Zhuge Lingyun's voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet training ground.
Whether it was the members of the various country delegations present or the audience watching the competition through the Divine Network live broadcast room from all over the world, they all heard it clearly.
As the words fell, Zhuge Lingyun did not reveal any terrifying aura or vigorous blood qi. He still seemed like an old man in the twilight of his life, without the strength to even lift a chicken, posing no threat whatsoever.
However—
Except for the Dragon Country delegation, the strong individuals from other delegations, including Saint Lun@Roman, felt an unprecedented pressure upon hearing Zhuge Lingyun's calm words. Their pupils contracted.
This was because the old man, dressed in black cloth shoes and a grey tunic, was once the invincible of the human world.
Even more so, because the old man had just said that he possessed a blade that could slay all enemies in the world!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Immediately, the members of the various country delegations present cast their gazes towards Saint Lun@Roman, who was standing in the center of the main platform.
Concurrently, the cameras on site also focused on Saint Lun@Roman, allowing martial artists from all over the world to see him through the live broadcast.
At this moment, time seemed to stand still.
The entire global martial arts world was waiting for Saint Lun@Roman's reply.
On the main platform, Saint Lun@Roman's face no longer held the confidence and dominance he had when he first stood up. Instead, it was filled with solemnity.
At this moment, he knew very well what his next choice would mean.
If he chose to accept the challenge, he could defend the dignity of himself and the God of War Hall, but there was a risk of losing his life.
Yes.
Even though the old man on the training ground exuded no terrifying aura, Saint Lun@Roman had no doubt that the man could unleash a shocking blade, just like Jiang Zhan had done in the past!
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
As time passed, the atmosphere in the entire training ground seemed to freeze. Almost everyone held their breath!
This was because everyone knew very well that if Saint Lun@Roman chose to accept the challenge, it would unleash the strongest martial power on this planet. The outcome of the confrontation would have a severe impact on the God of War Hall and change the landscape of the global martial arts world!
"Zhuge Lingyun, according to the rules of the Global Martial Arts Conference's practical combat competition, those with higher rankings on the Divine Network ascend first. Previously, because you were absent, and Master Dawson did not participate, I went up. Now that you are here, it is your turn to ascend, and let the other Five-Star War Gods challenge you."
After five seconds, under the gaze of martial artists worldwide, Saint Lun@Roman spoke. He neither accepted nor refused the challenge but responded with a compromise.
He used the rules to temporarily avoid a direct confrontation with Zhuge Lingyun, saving face for himself and the God of War Hall.
At the same time, he did not fully trust Zhuge Lingyun's words. Instead, he pushed Zhuge Lingyun onto the training ground, intending to let others face Zhuge Lingyun's blade.
As long as Zhuge Lingyun drew his blade, he could determine Zhuge Lingyun's true condition—whether he could truly only unleash one strike, what its power was, and so on, thereby formulating a response strategy.
Hmm?
Upon hearing Saint Lun@Roman's words, the members of the North American Alliance, the Ninja Nation, and other delegations were first stunned, then relieved.
This was because if they were in Saint Lun@Roman's position, they would not choose to risk their lives.
After all, for important figures, life was far more precious than dignity!
Meanwhile, the members of the Dragon Country delegation, led by Qi Wufu, looked at Zhuge Lingyun with concern.
They all knew that Zhuge Lingyun had been severely injured in the divine war twelve years ago. If it weren't for the personal intervention of the divine doctor Li Guyi, Zhuge Lingyun would have left this world.
In the past twelve years, Qi Wufu had visited Longmen every year, wanting to meet Zhuge Lingyun and understand his condition, but he had never succeeded.
Other powerful individuals from Dragon Country had also visited Zhuge Lingyun at Longmen, but their attempts were also unsuccessful.
This led them to believe that Zhuge Lingyun's martial power might not have recovered.
In such a situation, Zhuge Lingyun, carrying the God Slaying Blade, arrived here during the crisis of the Dragon Country martial arts world, claiming he could still unleash one strike that could slay all enemies in the world.
Qi Wufu and the others believed Zhuge Lingyun's words.
But they believed it would be Zhuge Lingyun's last strike in his life!
They did not want Zhuge Lingyun to unleash that strike!
Because as long as that strike remained, it served as a deterrent!
"Heh... Just now you were arrogantly claiming to be invincible. Now that Grandpa Zhuge is here, you dare not boast. You are using the rules to cover up your cowardice, and at the same time, you are still unwilling to give up, trying to use a scheme to force out Grandpa Zhuge's final strike. You are truly a sly old fox!"
While Qi Wufu and the others were worried, Jiang Wuming also chose to believe Zhuge Lingyun and simultaneously rebuked Saint Lun@Roman.
Saint Lun@Roman ignored Jiang Wuming's words and continued to stare intently at Zhuge Lingyun.
Then, others also turned their attention to Zhuge Lingyun.
"Very well."
Zhuge Lingyun, with a clear understanding of the situation, readily agreed. He then swept his gaze around and asked, "Who among you dares to come forward and fight this old man?!"
Dead silence.
The vast training ground was instantly plunged into utter silence!
Including Saint Lun@Roman, the leaders of the various country delegations, and those Five-Star War Gods, not a single one dared to respond.
Even when Zhuge Lingyun's gaze swept towards the leaders of the various country delegations, Tian Gongwuhong and others would instinctively shift their gaze away, not daring to meet Zhuge Lingyun's eyes.
This was because none of them wanted to be cannon fodder for Saint Lun@Roman.
They had no confidence that they could withstand Zhuge Lingyun's strike.
If they couldn't block it, they would die.
After all, even Saint Lun@Roman dared not risk his life.
"Xivil, my child, go and seek guidance in swordsmanship from Zhuge Lingyun."
Seeing that no one in the entire arena dared to respond, Saint Lun@Roman's expression became so gloomy that water could drip from it. He turned his gaze to Xivil@Roman and issued an order.
"Father..."
Upon hearing this, Xivil@Roman shivered and instinctively wanted to refuse, but upon meeting Saint Lun@Roman's unquestionable gaze, he grit his teeth and accepted the order, "Yes, Father!"
As the words fell, Xivil@Roman looked at Zhuge Lingyun with a grave expression, simultaneously circulating his internal energy frantically to adjust his state, intending to bring his condition to its peak in the shortest possible time.
"Grandpa Zhuge, I'll be waiting for you in the stands."
Seeing that Xivil@Roman was truly about to engage Zhuge Lingyun, Jiang Wuming spoke to Zhuge Lingyun.
Clearly, he knew that his presence would affect Zhuge Lingyun, and the latter would be distracted to protect him.
Swish! Swish!
Before Zhuge Lingyun could reply, Qi Wufu and Yun Tianjian flashed and instantly leaped off the training ground.
"Child, there's no need to go down. Just stand here."
Zhuge Lingyun smiled and shook his head at Jiang Wuming. Then, his gaze shifted to Xivil@Roman, "Tell me when you're ready."
"Ready!"
Xivil@Roman's aura reached its peak. As he spoke, his hands moved swiftly, forming seals. Black energy evolved into a nine-headed serpent, enveloping him.
Forbidden technique.
Xivil@Roman used a forbidden technique right from the start. Furthermore, he attacked as he spoke, which, in a sense, was cheating!
As the words fell, Xivil@Roman waved his hands, and the nine-headed serpent evolved from black energy roared out, rushing rapidly towards Zhuge Lingyun.
Zhuge Lingyun stood in place, shoulder to shoulder with Jiang Wuming.
Under the watchful eyes of martial artists worldwide, he did not draw the God Slaying Blade. Instead, he raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and gently pointed.
Boom!!
A loud noise erupted, and the nine-headed serpent evolved from black energy instantly shattered.
"Pfft—"
Immediately after, Xivil@Roman's head exploded, blood splattering everywhere. He died tragically on the spot.
He was killed by Zhuge Lingyun's single finger strike!
...