The First Sage of Military Strategists

"You scoundrel, you are too confident in your strength. You only obtained a few treasures by relying on your inner strength. Little do you know that your own strength is the key. Relying on external things is ultimately just a mirage. Without the accumulation of time, it would still be easy for me to kill you. In terms of martial arts and divine soul techniques, you are inferior to me in every way." Han Yi sneered.

"Oh? Han Yi, I've heard you're the number one martial artist in the world, on par with Meng Chong. So today, let's have a match and see who's stronger on the path of martial arts?" Han Qing said with a smile.

"You scoundrel, do you really think you're invincible? Don't you know there are always people more powerful than you, and the strength of the imperial court is beyond your imagination?" Han Yi said sternly, but did not rush to make a move.

Seeing this, Han Qing felt much more relaxed. Han Yi's delaying tactics meant he was waiting for reinforcements, which meant he was unsure of himself and dared not attack him in a one-on-one situation. His once invincible confidence had been shaken, which was a sign of the fall of a top expert.

Thinking of this, Han Qing laughed loudly: "Han Yi, what you rely on is nothing more than the people of the Golden Armor Sect in the Upper Realm. In my eyes, the people of the Upper Realm are nothing more than a group of demons wearing the cloak of immortals. Before long, I will go to the Upper Realm to capture and kill the leader of the Myriad Paths Alliance. As for you, I see that you have lost your confidence and your mind is wavering. I'm afraid your days are numbered."

These words were like a sharp blade piercing the softest spot in Han Yi's heart, and he suddenly unleashed a burst of violent energy.

"You scoundrel, how dare you spout such nonsense! I'll show you just how high the sky is!"

As Han Yi spoke, his figure flashed and he charged directly at Han Qing, raising his hand to strike with a claw.

This claw attack is also a combination of martial arts and magic, combining Han Yi's true martial arts essence with many secret techniques of magic. It is called "Imprisoner of Gods" and can forcibly pull out the soul of others from their bodies, imprisoning and shattering it.

Han Qing also raised his hand and threw a punch, using the Annihilation Fist.

Their fists and claws collided with a deafening roar, and both of them were thrown backward. Han Yi let out a muffled groan, his body trembling violently, clearly having suffered a great loss.

"Han Yi, your strength is nothing special," Han Qing said with a smile.

"You scoundrel, this was just a test. You're celebrating too soon!"

Han Yi suddenly began reciting an ancient scripture, and the true essence of martial arts within his body surged forth, manifesting countless gods and Buddhas outside his body. Each god and Buddha was bound by shackles, struggling and roaring.

At a certain moment, he raised his hand and struck out with a palm. The countless images of gods and Buddhas in the sky were shattered in mid-air, transforming into a mysterious force. As the palm struck forward, it transformed into a large hand of runes, which struck forward at great speed.

Han Qing was instantly enveloped by a grand martial arts intent, which contained Han Yi's will. He actually wanted to slaughter all the gods and Buddhas in the sky and become the master himself. He was truly audacious.

Immediately afterwards, Han Qing also appeared, using his fist technique to overwhelm the heavens, raising his hand and throwing a punch.

The two forces collided in mid-air, producing a series of crackling sounds.

Suddenly, the giant hand that was flying in the air twisted and collapsed, turning into wisps of air that drifted away between heaven and earth.

The powerful wind generated by the fist technique continued forward, blowing against Han Yi. His body swayed, his robes fluttering, yet he managed to withstand the residual force of the punch.
He remained outwardly calm, but Han Qing could sense that his aura was fluctuating violently, clearly indicating that he was injured.

In the second round of competition, Han Qing won again.

Han Yi's face immediately darkened. He was an extremely ambitious person who had always been at the forefront of the martial arts world, with few able to catch up. He never expected to be suppressed by Han Qing today, and he couldn't accept it for a moment.

The next instant, he raised his hands high, closed his eyes slightly, as if in worship, and then his blood and qi ignited, and his aura rose rapidly.

This is a sign of using forbidden techniques, a way to gain powerful combat strength in a short time through self-harm.

Han Qing also stretched out his hands and moved them left and right with gentle movements, as if he were practicing Tai Chi.

In an instant, the flow of time within this vast expanse of sky began to become unstable, sometimes speeding up and sometimes slowing down.

This move was a secret technique he had recently learned, the Unity of Heaven and Earth, still a move that combined magic and martial arts. At that very moment, Han Yi opened his eyes and let out a low shout.

"God-Slaying Wheel!"

He suddenly clasped his hands together, and the true meaning of martial arts and the power of magic converged to form a golden wheel.

The wheel spun rapidly, and was suddenly flung out by him, transforming into a streak of light that hurtled toward Han Qing at an incredible speed.

However, Han Qing suddenly pushed his palms forward, and the flow of time in the sky in front of him changed drastically, from order to disorder, and an astonishing power burst forth in the turbulent currents.

Everyone in this area was impacted by this force, and the golden wheel was the first to collapse, turning into specks of light and dissipating into the world.

At the same time, Han Yi, who was not far away, also let out a muffled groan, and a cloud of blood mist burst out from his body.

Seeing this, Han Qing had a clear understanding of the situation; he now possessed an absolute advantage in the martial arts competition.

Just then, a figure flew over from a distance. Han Qing glanced at it and found that it was the Holy Maiden Tianyun.

After a moment's thought, he decided not to make another move. With the Heavenly Melody Saintess present, it was impossible for him to kill Han Yi. Moreover, he was unsure whether there were any other top experts from beyond the heavens in Kyoto. If he got entangled with them, he feared he would be in big trouble.

With this in mind, Han Qing's figure flashed and disappeared into the world in an instant.

The Holy Maiden Tianyun approached, glanced in the direction Han Qing had gone, and chuckled softly, "Han Yi, I think it won't be long before Han Qing can sweep through the Great Yu single-handedly."

Han Yi's face was gloomy, but he couldn't refute it, because although the previous exchange was just a martial arts contest, he had lost badly.

If it weren't for the timely arrival of the Holy Maiden Tianyun, he might have even died at Han Qing's hands.

“This villain is indeed quite capable. Now even I can't see through his strength. If we don't kill him soon, not only will the Great Yu be wiped out, but you people of the Upper Realm will also face annihilation.”

The Heavenly Melody Saintess revealed a disdainful smile: "My Myriad Paths Alliance is powerful. Han Qing is not worth my attention. Han Yi, if you agree to one request, I can help you kill Han Qing."

Han Yi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Saintess Tianyun, come with me to the palace to meet His Majesty. We can discuss our matters there."

The Holy Maiden Tianyun chuckled: "You are indeed loyal to Emperor Yu, then let's go to the palace."

...

An hour later.

Deep within the palace, Emperor Yu sat at the head of the table, with Qi Tianyun and Han Yi standing below. Twelve other powerful figures with different appearances formed a circle around them. In the center of the circle lay a young man with a youthful face and dark skin, already unconscious.

"I have found the people you wanted: twelve Martial Saints, and Luo Kuang, the contemporary genius of the Luo family?" Emperor Yu said in a deep voice.

Qi Tianyun smiled and said, "That's right. Next, I will use these twelve people as sacrifices to welcome my father's arrival. This young man is the most suitable to carry my father's divided soul."

"Then let's begin," Emperor Yu said calmly. (End of Chapter)