Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 291 The Strongest Man in the World

"Yuan Qi?
"What's going on here?"

Hearing Bud's doubtful words, the man hidden in the shadows seemed a little surprised and curious about Bud's reaction, and a special emotion sprouted in his heart.

It's like a person standing by a well, who sees a frog jumping out of the well for the first time, and then becomes curious about the frog's body structure and wants to dissect it to understand the principle of its "mutation".

Therefore, the hunter who was originally planning to kill the opponent quickly changed his strategy slightly.

This man, who was nearly two meters tall, with squinty eyes, a hooked nose, a bald head, and muscles as strong as iron, was not frightened or scared when Bud revealed his identity, nor did he choose to take the initiative or attack.

He simply walked out slowly and firmly from the shadows with arrogant steps, confronted Bud, and 'generously' answered Bud's doubts.

“Some people died here.

"Or rather, some 'weaklings' who could have contributed to my cause and volunteered to be my 'stepping stones' died here.

"I have generously taken the lives of all who inhabit this palace, mercifully promising them to become part of my upward climb.

"I wonder if General Budd is satisfied with my answer?"

Arrogant, arrogant, and provocative words reached Bud's ears, but did not cause any reaction from the "Strongest in the Empire".

This general, who had a slightly violent personality and would never tolerate anyone who undermined the stability of the empire, narrowed his eyes and stared at the enemy in front of him after Yuan Qi generously acknowledged his glorious deeds.

He did not clench his fists, nor did he roar and charge at the enemy, nor did his face turn gloomy. Instead, he showed an abnormal calmness.

But the dark clouds that suddenly gathered over the palace, darkening the entire sky, revealed the anger beneath the general's calm face.

After Yuan Qi made a "provocative" move, he did not take any action.

He just showed a relaxed and happy smile on his face, moved his body slightly, and then continued to stare at Bud.

It seemed as if he was waiting for the [Strongest in the Empire] to make a move.

The hunter's anticipation for this massacre seemed to have increased a lot because of Bud's growing strength.

[Well, it seems my luck has improved. I've actually been presented with a 'donor' who possesses a novel Martial Arts technique.]

[They also thoughtfully reminded me that I had half a minute left in the hunt, which was just the right time not to affect my hunt.]

I've collected enough 'fuel' to activate the Human Pill Method to record his skills.

"Just perfect, let me see what new and wonderful things you've developed. I hope you won't disappoint me and my [Human Pill Method].
-
The next moment, with a loud bang, the boundless "Thunder Prison" appeared again in the scene.

While bringing a sense of oppression that could destroy the world, it also filled the air with a scent of burning and destruction.

Bud, who had "learned" the skills from Fang Yi, was not satisfied. He waved his hand and manipulated this "Thunder Prison" for the second time as if reciting from a script.

With the help of the [Imperial Weapon] [Thunder God's Wrath·Admiller], in just a moment, the originally loose "Thunder Prison" began to gather and then condensed into several invisible chains that wrapped around Yuan Qi.

After the 'Thunder Prison' engulfed the entire space and blocked Yuan Qi's movements, the wild and violent thunder in the air, which turned everything in its way into ashes, turned into a seamless net and covered Yuan Qi, and was about to engulf Yuan Qi and everything around him and annihilate them into dust.

Seeing that his attack was about to succeed, Bud broke free from gravity and rose into the air, with lightning swirling around him like a god. He waved his hand to create this attack and uttered words that sounded like a judgment.

"Very good, since you confess, it will save me a lot of effort.

"I will use the technique I just learned to make a 'coffin' to hold your body.

"You can die!"

His voice seemed to penetrate the world, cold and resolute.
-
As Bud's words announcing his move fell, it seemed as if only the roar of thunder remained between heaven and earth.

Thunder filled the sky like a huge net, and then turned into several angry dragons pouring down, violently devouring the location where Yuan Qi was.

Each bolt of lightning carries an irresistible destructive force that can even tear space apart.

However, Yuan Qi, who was at the center of the Thunder, did not react at all.

The hunter was just as calm as a tourist who stood by the shore, watching the tide and waiting for the incoming tide.

He sat and watched as the opponent's 'Thunder Prison' turned into invisible chains to lock him up, allowing the thunder that turned into a dragon to touch his body and bite his face.

It was not until he heard the prompt tone of "Sensing the superb skill of condensing and manipulating 'momentum' and 'state', would you like to consume 'fuel' to record it for you" that Yuan Qi raised his head slightly, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and responded.

"General Bud, your thunder and 'realm' are a bit too gentle.

"This can't be considered a true 'realm'!
"This wonderful technique is a real treasure to have you use!

"Let me be a little more serious and show you the true 'realm' and the power of your techniques. Let you, the 'frog' that has jumped out of the well, see my boundless sky."

As Yuan Qi responded, the hunter also began to chant in his heart.

[All laws of the universe are under my control]

【All things are in my sight, all are my vanguard】

【State: All things flow】

“All things flow.”

Yuan Qi recited it in a low voice. Although his voice was soft, it was full of unprecedented power.

As he uttered these words, he, who was standing in the center of the thunder, felt an invisible 'abyss' emerge from his body to 'compete' with the boundless 'Thunder Prison'.
-
Of course, it would be a bit far-fetched to say that it is a counterattack.

After the unstoppable 'Thunder Prison' touched the bottomless 'Abyss', it retreated in an instant, like a mouse seeing a cat.

Yuan Qi casually waved his hand, and the invisible shackles woven by the "Thunder Prison" were shaken open by him.

Countless lightning bolts scattered around him, but they could no longer get close to him.

The dragon-transforming thunder that was about to devour Yuan Qi lost all its power the moment Yuan Qi's 'realm' was fully opened, and stopped in front of him.

It was like a mighty tide encountering an immovable reef. Despite the thunder and lightning, it was unable to advance even a single step in front of Yuan Qi.

And in the sky, the thunder that was still roaring in the clouds and about to fall, and its power that was about to sweep in all directions, also lost its original indomitable momentum.

However, Yuan Qi did not take the next step to attack Bud, and did not even show the slightest bit of pride.

Facing Bud, who was like a god in the air, he just spoke calmly.

"You're standing too high, lower yourself.

"After all, my neck would get sore if I looked up at you."

He waved his hand again, and with just a simple wave of his hand, he announced Bud's 'crash'.
-
As Yuan Qi waved his hand, Bud, who was standing in the sky and surrounded by lightning like a god, was swatted to the ground along with his [Imperial Tool] and his "realm" like a fly by Yuan Qi.

He used the technique he had just learned from Bud in the [Human Pill Method], and manipulated the Abyss somewhat unskillfully, easily achieving the result of crushing the enemy, demonstrating the "upper limit" of this technique.

Looking at Bud who fell to the ground and his life or death was unknown, Yuan Qi raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and his voice was full of mockery and indifference.

"General Budd, your so-called 'realm' is a bit laughable.

“It’s just a newly fertilized embryo, a cell without even human rights, and you dare to release it in front of me?

"I also want to thank you for the technique you 'gave' me. It's truly extraordinary. Without it, I would have to put in a lot more effort and use some minor martial arts to kill you."

Bud didn't respond to Yuan Qi's arrogant words. He simply struggled to get up from the gravel-covered, human-shaped pit on the ground, clenched his fists, and unleashed his Thunder Prison once again.

He summoned several violent thunders in the air, which turned into thunder dragons and attacked Yuan Qi.

Looking at Bud's foolish behavior of trying to catch fish in a tree, Yuan Qi shook his head and made a judgment.

"It's over! You were never worthy enough to compete with me!
"The technique you just used, which you learned from someone unknown, is unique even to me.

“It’s a pity that this skill is in your possession and poses no threat to me.

“Your only value is for me to record it and use it to kill you.

"And now, you can die."

Following his last words, an endless 'abyss' spread out from him, completely eroding Bud's 'Thunder Prison' in just a moment.

The Thunder Dragon that fell from the air again seemed to be stripped of its ferocity in the face of this force, and turned into a soft stream of light, being swallowed into Yuan Qi's "abyss".

Looking at Bud, whose face was covered in blood and who was no longer able to stand in his state, almost on the verge of kneeling, but still refused to surrender.

Yuan Qi just stood there calmly, looking down at the world, as if the whole world was under his control.

His voice was neither fast nor slow, but it echoed between heaven and earth like the sound of a bell.

"Oh, you still have this will in the face of my 'realm'?

"Considering the novel technique you just used, it seems like you're a little unwilling to give up.

"That's right. After all, you're known as the 'Strongest in the Empire'. Naturally, you can't accept being defeated by me.

"Well, if you kowtow and beg for mercy, I might consider letting you live a few more seconds."
-
As he spoke, Yuan Qi raised his hand slightly, raising the 'abyss' that was about to crush Bud's body a little higher, allowing him to breathe and move freely.

Then he looked at Bud with anticipation, as if he wanted to enjoy the play he had in mind.

Bud, who already knew that he was no match for Yuan Qi, did not show the fear and panic that Yuan Qi wanted to see, nor did he kneel down and beg for mercy.

This forty-year-old, not very smart, often exploited by the [Ministers], and somewhat foolishly loyal [Strongest in the Empire] just raised his head and took a last look at the familiar sky.

Facing Yuan Qi, whom he was no match for, he declared battle to Yuan Qi like a protagonist standing in the center of the stage.

“I, Bud, [The Strongest in the Empire].

"My duty is to protect the Imperial Palace. From the day I was born, I must shed my last drop of blood for the empire.

"You, enemy of the empire, I will defeat you! I will achieve victory!"

Listening to the ignorant words of Bud, a "weakling" in his eyes, Yuan Qi only felt more and more annoyed.

"[The Empire's Strongest]?
"But unfortunately, speaking only of this world, I am the strongest person in the world, an undisputed strong man.

"And you are a 'weakling' who can do nothing.

"Showing one's will to resist is something that even the 'weak' can do, but achieving victory is something only the 'strong' can do!

"So, die!"

He had lost interest in humiliating the other party, so he just waved his hand and clumsily mobilized the "Abyss" again, crushing Bud's head cleanly.
-
Hearing the prompt sound of killing the opponent, Yuan Qi just picked up [Thor's Wrath·Admiller] from the opponent's body and began to check the attributes.

This will be one of the few equipment in his personal space, and it is basically the kind that will explode upon death.

Then he waved his hand to take back the 'Abyss' and terminated the driving of the 'Realm'.

After admiring the properties of the [Imperial Weapon], Yuan Qi took out another glass bottle from his personal space.

He took out the only remaining supply insect and swallowed it in one gulp, then began to quickly recover his mana so that he could fight the final battle in perfect condition.

At this moment, there were only ten seconds left until the mission was halfway through, and he didn't want to wait for several minutes for his mana to fully recover.

Being cautious, he was not going to delay the hunting mission, nor was he going to give Fang Yi a few minutes to catch his breath.

He had to kill the other party immediately after completing half of the mission.

After taking the remaining supplies and waiting for his mana to recover, Yuan Qi stared at the countdown of [Halfway Through the Mission] in the system, which was about to run out, and muttered to himself.

“I didn’t expect to run out of supplies here before even seeing my target.

"This 'bad luck' is beyond my imagination."

He looked at Bud, who had become a headless corpse, and a wild smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"But it's okay, the techniques used by this Bud are quite useful, and I've become stronger.

"As for Fang Yi, although his swordsmanship is extraordinary, his attributes and realm cannot keep up with me. He is just someone I can kill at will.

"This final battle will only be over faster."

Thinking of Fang Yi, Yuan Qi felt a little uneasy in his heart, but after the hunter recalled the boxing and swordsmanship mastered by the other party and reviewed his skills again, the uneasiness dissipated like smoke.

"Unless he can counter my 'realm' that allows him to 'clearly understand all things' and respond accordingly, and has the means to keep up with my attributes, then he will be worthy of me using my all-encompassing martial arts to fight him.

"Even so, I still have the [Domain] that I 'borrowed' at a very high cost as my final trump card.

“This is something the other side cannot cope with no matter what.

"I will never lose this battle."

After checking his methods, Yuan Qi felt relieved. After taking a short rest and walking out of the palace, he heard a prompt tone in his ears: "The mission is halfway completed. You can get rewards by killing the hunting target. The function of exploring the hunting target has been unlocked and the opponent's location will be displayed."

Looking at the map and the red dot marking Fang Yi that appeared on the screen in front of him, Yuan Qi smiled coldly.

"It's time for me, as a 'strong man', to end this."

*
A few seconds after Yuan Qi left the palace, in a corner of the palace that Yuan Qi could not see, the Four Rakshasa Ghosts, Ji, poured a bottle of alchemical potion on Bud, who had become a headless corpse and was confirmed dead.

After a while, as his body moved, an insect-like head with compound eyes grew on the neck of this "Strongest in the Empire" and he stood up again.
-
"I have four ways to repair your [Water Dragon Possession].

“But not today, I won’t take any more jobs.

"I will only work for one person today, and that is"

Ten minutes before Bud's death, Fang Yi, who had just walked into the [Imperial Weapon Recasting Workshop] with the female general and was about to count the "trump cards" in his hand while repairing [Evil Ghost Haunting], heard Ma Han say this to Liva.

Looking at Will standing aside and Riva who seemed to have no way to deal with Mahan, Fang Yi instantly understood what was happening here.

Interesting! This seems like an opportunity to further win over these two people who might "rebel" against the Empire.

[However, it is better to repair [Evil Ghost] first to enhance its strength, and at the same time repair [Shangri-La], the [Imperial Tool] that can teleport as a backup for survival.]

Fang Yi thought so in his heart.

　I will post Yuan Qi-Fang Yi Zhan tomorrow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)