CHAPTER 708: CHAPTER 430: MARTIAL ARTS MOMENTUM, FACING THE HEAVENLY LADDER

Night.

Within the ruins of the fog-covered city, Chen Feng stood in front of the dilapidated Martial Arts Hall.

Bodies exploded outward from him as the center, blasting open an endless sea of black mist.

Bang!!

A Sixth Order mutated horned crocodile was blown apart with one punch, while a pillar of flame ascended to the sky, reversing the breath of another giant lizard creature, blasting its massive head.

With their death, the power of the black tide within them should have returned to the black mist, allowing them to revive once more.

However.

A black barrier appeared in the high air, unknowingly enclosing a hundred-meter area around Chen Feng.

Wisps of invisible force floated upward, blocked by the barrier, then emitted a sizzling sound of dissolution.

"As expected, the Black Dream Light can temporarily restrain the power of the black mist."

Feeling wondrous, a black hexagram seal unknowingly appeared on Chen Feng’s brow, resembling a third vertical eye.

Because the Holy Shield Giant was at a critical moment of transformation, he suppressed his impatience and did not rush to other Secret Realms.

Instead, he used the Dream Realm as a testing ground to familiarize himself with his abilities.

This time, the damage of the Nanjiang Black Tide was largely due to the endless recovery of the black tide.

But the Black Dream Light gave him hope, becoming more and more adept in its use.

Buzz!

Very soon.

As if sensing his peculiar power, the blood moon in the high sky flickered in an instant like a blink.

The eerie moonlight erupted intensely, with scarlet rays cascading down.

The barrier formed by the Black Dream Light began to turn illusory, and Chen Feng could feel his physical strength depleting rapidly, along with an indescribable overwhelming pressure.

Even the sea of black mist outside the high walls began to riot, surging over the walls in dark waves.

Yet without any concern, he lifted his head slightly as if expecting this.

Buzz!!

The Heroic Spirit Hall, hovering between reality and illusion, shone brightly again, casting a golden light into the sky.

All the eerie moonlight was thereby blocked, and the encroaching black mist retreated inch by inch as if exposed to light.

"This blood moon is definitely linked to the Evil God."

"Fortunately, the Heroic Spirit Hall seems to have a certain autonomous defensive mechanism...."

After several trials in recent days, Chen Feng encountered similar situations multiple times.

Whenever the blood moon and black mist rioted, the Heroic Spirit Hall would unleash its power to block them.

Through these experiences, he grew increasingly aware of the Heroic Spirit Hall’s mystery and might.

"I truly hope to gather the Divine Attribute Fragments soon."

"But..."

After a moment of thought, he looked up at the scarlet moon.

In the end, Chen Feng withdrew the Black Dream Light.

His intuition told him that this special power was not suitable for extensive use within the Dream Realm.

The eerie scarlet of the blood moon intensified, seemingly aware of the peculiar nature of the Black Dream Light.

He suspected that if this continued, it could lead to undesirable changes.

Buzz!

As he withdrew the Black Dream Light, the hexagram seal on his brow dissipated silently, as if the vertical eye had sunk into his flesh.

The black mist’s riot gradually subsided, and the blood moon in the high sky withdrew its power.

The Heroic Spirit Hall, as if aware of the situation, returned to a state between reality and illusion, hovering above, seemingly transcending to another dimension.

For a moment, Qinggang City was unexpectedly quiet, with no black tide creatures emerging.

Having long grown accustomed, Chen Feng did not bother to investigate further.

Looking at the Martial Arts Hall before him, he immediately rushed inside, once again capturing several floating Skill Light Groups.

[Extreme Martial +1!]

Buzz!

The moment the first prompt appeared, a wave of memories surged like a tide.

It was Qinggang City before its destruction, where an aged Transcendent Martial Artist sat cross-legged on a cushion, imparting wisdom to two direct disciples of the Martial Arts Hall.

"In the path of martial arts, the muscles, bones, and organs, the qi, strength, and spirit."

"With this, break the human body’s limits and step into transcendence...."

During the lecture, a young disciple curiously spoke, asking more questions.

"Master, why does the old hall master often say that after True Intent, there is a realm of Heart Position?"

"What kind of realm is this, may I ask?"

In the inquiry, the aged Transcendent Martial Artist paused for a moment, then gently shook his head.

"The so-called Heart Position is the unison of spirit and body, the fusion of soul and flesh, consolidating one’s Martial Arts Momentum."

"Even as your teacher, I’ve yet to fully achieve this realm."

He seemed somewhat regretful, but the disciple before him showed confusion.

"Martial Arts Momentum?"

"Master, isn’t the Resonating World of Transcend Level capable of channeling World Power? How is this different from the so-called Martial Arts Momentum?"

"The difference is vast."

The aged Transcendent Martial Artist sighed softly, ultimately enlightening them.

"The Martial Arts Ladder merely breaks the shackles, allowing for higher potential."

"It’s like creatures naturally only growing strong to a certain extent but ultimately breaking through rules by the means of world resonance, drawing external forces to forge themselves, thereby transcending limits to achieve rebirth."

"World Power is a gift for breaking rules, but fundamentally, it doesn’t belong to us Martial Artists. Every time we resonate with the world, augmenting combat power, we must bear a certain burden."

"Whereas Martial Arts Momentum is the sublimation of True Intent, merging spirit and body, consolidating one’s Martial Arts Will."

Appearing wistful, the aged Martial Artist’s eyes revealed a trace of longing: "In ancient times, this was True ’Three Flowers Gathering at the Top.’"

"Once at this stage, every move and gesture could transform the condensed Martial Arts Will into Heart Position, turning decay into miraculous."

"Moreover, it’s said that only by mastering Martial Arts Momentum can one construct a new world within one’s Spiritual World....even, truly unify externally..."

The scene shattered, and the stirrings of the old voice echoed in the ear.

Chen Feng was somewhat entranced, roughly grasping what Martial Arts Momentum was.

It is a higher realm after the sublimation of True Intent, similar to Power and Ultimate Intent, a powerful force belonging exclusively to Martial Artists.

Or more accurately, it is a special Martial Arts skill.

Compared to it, World Power is more of an external supplement for transformation potential, similar to the Holy Shield Giant Statue Upgrade requiring the Power of Earth Veins as enhancement energy.

With each ascent to a higher rung on the Heavenly Ladder, obtaining more permissions from the World Will, one could thereby channel more energy, raise the limits, and break the rules written into a creature’s genes.

As for the Resonating World, it was similar to a secret technique that bore a load, amplifying combat power for a short time.

At its core, it differed from the effortless powers like Qi Force and True Intent.

A thought flashed by, and he seemed to have gained some insight.

And it was at this moment.

BOOM BOOM!!

Suddenly, a dull sound arose, as if some heavy object had sliced through the pitch-black sky, falling into the black fog sea beyond the high wall.

CRASH!!

A strong gale swept over the high wall, slashing like a blade, shaking the ruins of Qinggang City.

Tall buildings swayed, windows rattled.

Chen Feng frowned and looked up, faintly sensing the crimson blood moon in the high sky flickered with eerie peculiarity, as if it had dimmed two degrees.

"What’s going on?"

Sensing something was amiss, he looked beyond the high wall.

There seemed to be an extremely powerful aura taking root and reviving within the black fog, his intuition told him it was unusual.

After a moment’s thought, Blood Wings quickly grew out.

Chen Feng swiftly absorbed all nearby light clusters, then dashed toward the gap in the high wall.

The magnificent giant wall, like a wounded giant, he leapt over the broken rubble above, looking outwards.

Still nothing but pitch-black.

Wisps of fog churned like ocean waves, new Black Tide Creatures were awakening from within.

Horned Crocodiles, Griffins, Werewolves, and even some mutated humans resembling the Faceless....

The previous silence was only a brief recovery of power for the black fog, one creature after another poked their heads out of the fog as if breaking through a shell, then came their necks, chests, abdomens, torsos, and four legs.

Densely packed scarlet eyes seemed endless, yet this was not Chen Feng’s main focus.

Because, looking up.

There was black lightning flashing past in the black mist.

Vaguely, Chen Feng saw several gigantic outlines.

Each over a hundred meters in size, like ellipsoid cocoons of dormant creatures, or like massive mountains formed by crouching beasts.

Their auras constantly elevated, clearly not having reached the limit, yet already posed a threat close to that of the Envoys.

"Angel-level creatures?"

Heart sinking, Chen Feng hadn’t expected the black fog to be so troublesome.

Gazing up again at that crimson blood moon, it seemed filled with malevolence and cold scrutiny.

......

BZZ!

The next morning, Chen Feng awoke, opening his eyes.

His expression was a bit cold; the changes in Qinggang City’s dream realm were beyond his expectations.

Those few newly born creatures were still slumbering, yet the power they held was shocking.

Moreover, they were veiled by the black fog, once leaving Qinggang City one would face the violent mobbing of the Black Tide Creatures,

Furthermore, one would lose their sense of direction, with suppressed perception, it would be impossible to locate their true forms.

"It seems, Qinggang City might always be under the watch of an Evil God or a genuine Angel at any given moment."

A conjecture sprang to Chen Feng’s mind, making him feel increasingly suspicious of that blood moon, it was highly likely to be the eye of an Evil God Angel, or the Evil God’s true form.

And those creatures, might just be incarnations of the Angels, or some formidable War General under their command.

Thoughts flashed by as he immediately looked at the panel.

[Golden Day Skill: Golden Body (38%→49%)+]

[Thunder Technique: Thunder Light——Small Success (23%→31%)+]

[Extreme Martial: 6]

[Breakthrough: 206]

The proficiency of various Martial Arts True Skills improved again, but Extreme Martial offered two choices.

[Heavenly Gang Dominator Body: Giant Vault——Minor Achievement (2%) +]

[Extreme Fighting Fist: Extreme Land——Minor Achievement (5%) +]

The improvement difficulty of the former had already surpassed the latter, and his current boxing attack methods were somewhat unable to keep up with Angel-level battles.

After pondering for a while, Chen Feng made a decision.

"Enhance!"

Buzz!

Insight surged in as Extreme Martial completely turned into nutrients for Extreme Fighting Fist.

[Extreme Fighting Fist: Extreme Land——Minor Achievement (17%) +]

As for the Breakthrough, it was temporarily left, intending to use it when other True Skills faced a breakthrough.

Soon after, suppressing any excess thoughts, Chen Feng slowly rose, planning to step outside.

But very quickly.

His spiritual awareness suddenly trembled, bringing forth a peculiar sensation.

"Hmm?"

Mind stirred, Chen Feng immediately gathered his thoughts, submerging into the spiritual world where the Martial Arts Ladder resided.

Looking over.

Like the legend of the sun engraved high in the sky, the pristine Martial Arts Ladder extended infinitely, reaching the world’s peak.

Everything should have been normal, and the third barrier, [Super Speed Boots], had not changed either.

However, standing midway up the ladder, looking downwards.

A thousand meters below, at the location of the first barrier [Break Limit Fist].

BOOM!!

Immortal scarlet fist armor suddenly exploded, a middle-aged burly figure in a white coat staggered and swayed, barely stabilizing his posture.

Trickles of fresh blood dripped down, strands of World Power surrounded him, constantly healing his injuries, elevating his aura.

Seemingly sensing something, the other lifted his head to look.

The two of them, one above and one below, locked eyes.

The black windbreaker and the white coat each occupied one side of the world, Chen Feng saw the other’s slightly contracted pupils, and recognized that face only seen through a communicator.

"Liu Duanyun..."