The vast Willow family training ground fell silent as Liu Xin appeared. Everyone retreated to the edges of the arena, their eyes fixed on Jiang Wuming and Liu Xin, awaiting the start of a life-and-death battle that had caused the greatest stir in a decade.
"Buzz~ Buzz~"
Just then, three small drones flew into the training ground and hovered above it. Their cameras pointed at the arena, offering a 360-degree view, capturing everything that happened within.
Hmm?
The sudden appearance of the drones caused Jiang Wuming to frown, his gaze sweeping towards the aerial machines.
"Gentlemen, I am Neil, representing the War God Hall and the Divine Network. As instructed by the War God Hall, I will be broadcasting this life-and-death battle live on the Divine Network for martial artists worldwide to observe and learn from."
Neil, a member of the War God Hall and employed by the Divine Network, explained as he noticed Jiang Wuming's reaction. His voice echoed throughout the arena, clearly heard by everyone present, as well as by the martial artists watching the livestream on the Divine Network.
At that moment, in various locations around the globe, tens of thousands of martial artists sat before their computers, logged into their Divine Network accounts, and entered the livestream room, eagerly awaiting the commencement of this life-and-death battle.
In the livestream room, the Divine Network had specially invited two three-star War Gods from the War God Hall to serve as commentators for this pivotal confrontation.
"Master Merck, before this life-and-death battle begins, the Divine Network conducted a poll, and the results showed a staggering seventy-two percent favored Liu Xin's victory. The vast majority believe Liu Xin will win. What are your thoughts?"
Before the bout commenced, the host questioned one of the livestream commentators in the broadcast room.
"I also believe Liu Xin will win," Master Merck replied.
"Master Roer, and you?" the host then asked the other commentator.
"If it weren't for the appearance of the War Dragon Hall Master, I wouldn't be so certain, but as it stands, there is no suspense in this life-and-death battle. Liu Xin is destined to win!"
Master Roer, also a three-star War God, responded similarly.
"Why is that?"
"Because the War Dragon Hall Master is merely a one-star War God. Throughout the history of the global martial arts world, instances of defeating a two-star War God across realms at the one-star War God stage are exceedingly rare. I know the War Dragon Hall Master achieved this once, possessing a hidden trump card, but there was a crucial factor – his opponent at the time had just broken through to become a two-star War God! Liu Xin, however, is a seasoned two-star War God of Dragon Country. From the live footage, Liu Xin's internal energy is incredibly condensed; he should have cultivated to the peak of this realm, making him a hegemon within this stage. The War Dragon Hall Master has no chance of winning!"
"Both masters predict Liu Xin's victory, so the outcome of this life-and-death battle is already beyond doubt!"
"Those fools who support the War Dragon Hall Master will receive a resounding slap in the face from reality!"
Upon hearing the predictions from the two three-star War Gods regarding this life-and-death battle, the martial artists watching from their computers and favoring Liu Xin became ecstatic, as if injected with adrenaline. They excitedly expressed their views in the livestream chat. In moments, the chat was flooded with comments, almost entirely predicting Liu Xin's win. The few martial artists who had initially favored the War Dragon Hall Master were swayed by the two three-star War Gods' pronouncements and fell silent.
It wasn't just those watching the livestream; nearly everyone present at the scene favored Liu Xin to defeat Jiang Wuming. However, they did not voice their opinions publicly. They felt it was a foregone conclusion, making any declaration redundant. If even outsiders held such strong opinions, what about Liu Xin, the combatant himself?
"Liu Qingfeng and Liu Yidao, my son and grandson, were they not tricked to their deaths by you?"
On the training ground, Liu Xin, enveloped in a verdant aura, looked at Jiang Wuming as if he were already a corpse. He did not strike immediately but sought to confirm his suspicion.
"Mr. Neil, do you have anything else to say?"
Jiang Wuming ignored Liu Xin and turned his gaze to Neil. He had never participated in a life-and-death battle under the witnessing and supervision of the War God Hall and was unclear about the relevant rules.
"No."
Neil, surprised by Jiang Wuming's lack of knowledge regarding the rules, still explained, "Because this is a life-and-death battle, there will be no referee, nor will anyone intervene or stop the match. The fight will only end when one of the participants dies."
"Thank you."
Jiang Wuming expressed his gratitude.
Seeing Jiang Wuming ignore him and converse with Neil, Liu Xin's face darkened. "You can choose to feign ignorance or evade my question, but it no longer matters. Today, I will surely baptize my deceased son and grandson with your blood!"
"I don't have the habit of speaking to the dead."
Jiang Wuming finally turned his gaze to Liu Xin, responding for the first time.
"You truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Die!"
Liu Xin roared, his voice like a thunderclap, resonating through the training ground.
"Clang!"
As the roar subsided, his treasured saber was drawn from its scabbard.
*Crack!*
Simultaneously with Liu Xin drawing his blade, the ground beneath his feet cracked. He moved like a human lightning bolt, lunging towards Jiang Wuming.
Fast!
At this moment, Liu Xin's internal energy surged, concentrating in his feet. It was as if he was using a technique to shrink space, his speed so immense that the livestream cameras could barely capture his movements, leaving only afterimages. Moreover, at the scene, apart from the older generation of powerful figures, only Gu Tianlong, Ye Kunlun, and Yuan He among the younger generation could vaguely discern Liu Xin's movements.
*Swish!*
In a breath, Liu Xin was in front of Jiang Wuming. His right arm raised, and the treasured saber in his hand sliced towards Jiang Wuming with great force. Liu Xin did not employ the most powerful killing move of the Liu family's saber techniques, "Astonishing Swan," for this strike. He deemed Jiang Wuming unworthy.
However—
Even without employing his strongest killing move, Liu Xin's strike was still incredibly powerful. As the saber was unleashed, it entered the state of "man and saber as one," a state eagerly sought by swordsmen. The treasured saber, wrapped in a green aura, formed a green saber energy, slicing towards Jiang Wuming with unstoppable momentum.
*Boom!*
With the saber strike, the air in front of Liu Xin was directly dispersed, emitting an air-splitting sound. A sharp gust of wind from the saber swept towards Jiang Wuming. Facing Liu Xin's terrifying strike, Jiang Wuming remained motionless, as if stunned. This observation brought a cruel smile to Liu Xin's face, as if he could already visualize Jiang Wuming being shattered by the blow! This strike, though not a killing move from the Liu family's saber techniques, utilized the "Drawing Sword" technique. The Liu family's saber technique, Drawing Sword, was renowned for its speed, executing the draw and attack in a single, fluid motion, leaving the opponent no time to react!
However—
Just as the terrifying saber energy was about to hit Jiang Wuming, Jiang Wuming moved! Beneath the scorching sun, enveloped by the fierce saber wind, Jiang Wuming slightly shifted his body. Seemingly perilous, he precisely dodged the terrifying strike. The green saber energy, encasing the sharp blade and emanating formidable energy fluctuations, slashed past Jiang Wuming's face!
Hmm?
Liu Xin was somewhat surprised by the miss but did not panic. He twisted his wrist, attempting a counter-slash towards Jiang Wuming's neck, aiming to decapitate him!
As the saber wind swirled, a white light flashed in Jiang Wuming's eyes. Tremendous mental power surged forth like a breaking flood, rushing into Liu Xin's consciousness. This powerful mental force manifested Jiang Wuming's image within Liu Xin's mental world—a formidable, unyielding war god, radiating a terrifying aura, unleashing a punch towards Liu Xin within his mind!
Hmm?
Liu Xin's mind was violently shaken, his soul experienced a stinging pain, and he felt a wave of disorientation. His control over his internal energy was greatly diminished, causing his movements to slow down.
*Whoosh!*
At this moment, Jiang Wuming's right foot shot out like a whip, lashing towards Liu Xin's wrist.
"Bang!"
Jiang Wuming's kick struck Liu Xin's wrist. Internal energy erupted, exploding like a detonating hand grenade.
*Crash!*
Although Liu Xin's internal energy defense was not completely breached, his wrist was violently jolted, his tiger's mouth split open, and blood splattered. The treasured saber was directly shaken loose and flew into the air. For a swordsman, losing their saber was akin to losing their second life! In the very first exchange, Liu Xin had his treasured saber knocked away by Jiang Wuming's kick, while simultaneously suffering a terrifying mental attack, his life hanging by a thread!
…