From the end of the world

Chapter 791 VS The Old Fist God 5
After I suddenly became stronger and effectively dodged and countered him, the old boxing master did not show any surprise. Judging from his extremely powerful perception, he should have noticed the change in my strength at the very beginning.

Based on this, he still categorized me as the type who "isn't good at getting stronger in battle." Looking back, it's quite strange. I clearly did get stronger in battle, even though I didn't know why, he shouldn't have been unaware of it. From his perspective, he shouldn't have made that judgment so confidently.

The old boxing master's offensive returned. There were no fancy moves, only simple punches and kicks, yet each contained deadly power. It is said that in true martial arts combat, there is no such thing as a sure-kill technique. The outcome between masters can be decided in an instant, therefore every strike is a potential kill.

His accuracy rose again, as if trying to surpass the part I had overtaken, adapting to my increased strength. He was clearly giving it his all, yet he was still striving for an even greater breakthrough. Perhaps this is what they call "someone who excels at becoming stronger in battle."

Therefore, another detail has also come to light – why hasn't the old boxing god used his special ability yet?
Since he was fighting with all his might and still striving to break through his limits, there was no reason for him to still be hiding his secret weapon at this point. He used it without reservation even when facing Yama Ryougi, so it's impossible for him to continue holding back when facing someone as powerful as me.

Or... he just appeared not to use it, but actually did? It's just that the effect was so subtle that even I couldn't notice it?
While dodging the old boxing master's attacks, I also launched counterattacks. In such a high-frequency, close-quarters exchange, it was difficult to distract myself and observe whether my body and soul were showing any abnormalities. However, if I failed to detect them in time, a problem might erupt in a certain round, leading to a fatal blow from the old boxing master.

Especially when suddenly invaded by a special ability at such close range, even using the power of return may not be enough to gain a significant advantage in resisting the opponent's ability. Without the confidence to suppress and erase it while the effect is taking effect, one can easily expose a fatal flaw.

In what form will the Old Fist God's special ability take effect? ​​Petrification and immobilization? Mental interference? Internal destruction? Or perhaps some more complex curse? The Old Fist God's magical energy fluctuations are erupting uncontrollably; could this be the medium through which he spreads the influence of his special ability?

A cursory scan couldn't detect any of those serious signs on his body. Aside from his abnormally rising magical power, there was nothing unusual...

Thinking of this, it was as if a flash of light passed over the sky above his sea of ​​consciousness, tearing open an astonishing rift in the darkness where there were no clues.

At the same time, sensing the fluctuations of the old Fist God's magical power and the extreme desire for a powerful enemy emanating from it, an unbelievable answer surfaced in his mind.

"...Old Fist God...your special ability is to make me, and the Mountain Ryougi from last time...and your enemies stronger!?" I couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment.

The old boxing master, showing no remorse for being exposed, let out a loud laugh and said, "—You saw right through me?"

What kind of joke is this? A special ability that specifically enhances one's enemies... and scared Yama Ryougi away, how could it be such a flawed ability!?

I simply couldn't believe it, but this answer actually made everything make sense.

Yama Ryougi's goal is to use his enhanced power to avenge himself against the old Fist God who defeated him in the past. If he were to be defeated by the old Fist God instead of being skilled, that would be one thing, but no, that situation can't be described as "one thing"... However, if there is an even worse outcome, it would undoubtedly be that he, the "high and mighty benefactor" who once bestowed his magic power upon the old Fist God, would be given even greater power in the revenge battle by the old Fist God.

That would be the greatest humiliation for Yama Ryougi, whose pride is so high it's almost twisted.

That's why he chose to flee the fight... because continuing to fight in the "enhanced state by the old fist god," whether he won or lost, would be a far more unacceptable humiliation than a direct defeat.

Thinking back carefully, in the historical scenes I had seen in the past, Shan Liangyi did indeed experience an abnormal increase in magical power beyond the limit after the Old Fist God announced the activation of his special ability... At the time, I thought it was simply caused by Shan Liangyi's excessive emotional excitement.

This special ability can be said to be consistent with the abnormalities that the old Fist God has shown in the past. His Law of Heaven and Earth is to make the life in the area go berserk and attack him. Even plants will inexplicably mutate to have carnivorousness and predatory desires. So it is not unreasonable that the special ability is to make the enemy even stronger.

"This ability was awakened after I became the so-called strongest in Luoshan. Martial arts can only be established with an opponent, and at that time I couldn't even find half an opponent. Even the last strong enemy who could compete with me, Shan Liangyi, was killed by my own hands not long ago," the old Fist God said. "Even though I have become a magic user who can no longer practice martial arts normally, I can still barely be considered to be walking on the path of martial arts, but without an opponent, I will lose my last foothold."

"I think this power is an ability that arose from such a desire. Unfortunately, even with this power, unless one is at the same level as me, at the third gate, they still cannot truly compete fairly with me. "The reason I don't want others to know that I have this power is because I'm a little worried... If someone has the potential, or is willing to be my enemy, like Yuchi... what if he knew about this ability? Would he become complacent and try to replace the part that he should have become stronger through self-cultivation with my power?"

"As for Shan Liangyi, who has already climbed to a very high place, I no longer have any concerns about that. However, I originally thought that he, who is determined to seek revenge, would be overjoyed after learning about this situation... I did not expect him to be so stubborn that he would rather endure the humiliation of turning his back on me and admitting a temporary defeat than accept my power."

When talking about the two aspects of the mountain, he expressed both regret and admiration.

Shan Liangyi always liked to adopt a superior attitude, yet he would often lose his temper and roar. Having lived for an immeasurably long time, he was still as emotional as a young man, even displaying his emotions on his face like a child at the slightest inconvenience. In my mind, he had long since become an image devoid of any semblance of strength. But now, hearing the old boxing god's sigh, I actually found something in Shan Liangyi that was truly captivating.

However, Shan Liangyi has its own style, and I have my own style as well.

“Is that so… But I won’t be as obsessed with the perfection of victory as Yama Ryougi,” I said. “Like I said, I’ll stop at nothing to win. Old Fist God, since you have this ‘weakness,’ I’ll take full advantage of it.”

As I spoke, I completely opened my mind, even simulating the all-encompassing nature of a divine being. Unconsciously harnessing power and consciously harnessing power are two entirely different concepts. Having clearly realized that a strong wind was propelling me forward, I made full use of it.

The pace of my power growth suddenly accelerated dramatically. I was rapidly approaching the level of power that would normally take a long time to reach.

"That's how it should be! Don't be misled by the paths of others, just follow the true nature of your soul, Zhuang Cheng." The old Fist God spoke with fervor, "Then, let me see... just how far the legendary strongest manifestation power can go!"

He seemed to be pushing his limits as well, the intensity of his magical energy fluctuations rising and concentrating wildly, transforming into a tremendous explosive force that propelled his body forward to attack me.

I swung my black Eclipse Sword to meet the attack.

Collisions, retreats, and more collisions; slashes and punches intertwine, their power constantly increasing, moving and swirling like two spirals. Sometimes they inflict deep wounds on their opponent, and sometimes they are battered and pounded in return.

The battlefield spans a vast spatial scale, occasionally approaching Earth and sometimes the Moon. Both sides are constantly worsening their injuries, and compared to me, who can recover even after my body and soul are completely shattered, the old Fist God, unable to do the same, is at a disadvantage in this regard.

Originally, with his power, he could have easily ignored this gap and secured victory by shattering my soul once or twice more. However, as my power increased dramatically, things became much more difficult. The advantage of my manifested state began to stand out significantly; it became increasingly difficult for him to catch me, and the percentage of damage he suffered increased.

The old Fist God delivered a sudden kick that sent me flying, crashing onto the lunar surface and embedding myself deep into the ground. Even now, I could only withstand one more severe blow, and the old Fist God was in a similar state. Through the thick layers of rock, I observed that he was covered in wounds, his body riddled with cuts and stabs, completely covered in blood.

We both know very well that what follows is the final blow to each other.

The old Fist God stood in the dark space of space and took a deep breath. Behind him, in the distance, was the Earth covered by gray mist and the dazzling sun.

As his magical power surged to its peak, he looked toward the moon, his eyes flashing with a desperate glint. At the same time, his entire body erupted with an immense aura, as if he were another celestial body, and he locked onto my location and crashed into me.

(End of this chapter)