Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques-Chapter 199 - 193: Unexpected Impact

"They're a bunch of conniving schemers, all right. They're trying to throw off your rhythm and force you to play by their rules."

Ning Muqing sighed.

The response from the Wang Family and the Northern Martial Alliance was brilliant in three ways.

First, your challenge was originally aimed only at the Wang Family, but now they've made it an issue for the entire Northern Martial Alliance. Furthermore, since you came under the banner of challenging the world's heroes, the Northern Martial Alliance has used this as a pretext to convene a Hero Assembly. They've turned a defensive situation into an offensive one, substituting the strength of the entire Alliance for the Wang Family alone and preventing themselves from being picked off one by one.

Second, their etiquette is impeccable. The invitation is worded with utmost sincerity, and they refer to themselves as juniors. It leaves no room for criticism and gives you no reason to refuse. It's just like when you showed up at their door under the pretext of a martial arts exchange; the Wang Family couldn't easily turn you away.

Third, they know you've come with ill intentions. They suspect that even in a supposed sparring match, you might strike ruthlessly and injure them. So, they've organized this assembly with great fanfare under the banner of a friendly exchange. With everyone watching, it will be hard for you to get too rough. And what about the loss of face from a defeat? If they were up against an ordinary Martial Artist, the Northern Martial Alliance might be concerned. But their opponent is a Saint Awakening, a Martial Arts Myth. Losing is only to be expected. But if they were to win...

It all boiled down to one thing.

You might stand to gain a fortune, but we're guaranteed not to lose.

And just like that, the initiative was completely in the hands of the Northern Martial Alliance.

The tables had turned. This was clearly the work of a master strategist. The Northern Martial Alliance had a capable person in its ranks.

"Are you planning to accept this invitation?"

Ning Muqing mulled it over before asking Zhou Yuanjue.

"Now that the invitation has been sent, how could I possibly refuse?"

Zhou Yuanjue said with a smile.

"But this is clearly a trap. Perhaps we should think of another way?"

Ning Muqing said, her brow furrowed.

"There's no need. They are not Saint Awakenings. They don't understand those who have reached Saint Awakening, and they vastly underestimate the Saint Awakening Realm."

"Can a mayfly shake a great tree? Can a praying mantis stop a chariot?"

Zhou Yuanjue slowly rose to his feet.

"Send the Northern Martial Alliance a reply. I will be there in three days."

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Just as Zhou Yuanjue and Ning Muqing were preparing to set off for Songyang City, the Northern Martial Alliance began to deliberately spread the news. The announcement that the new Saint Awakening, Zhou Yuanjue, would be attending the Hero Assembly in Songyang City quickly disseminated throughout the Martial Arts Realm of the Northern Three Prefectures. It soon spread even further, reaching the entire Northern Martial Arts Realm and even the Martial Arts Realm of the nation as a whole.

Talk of this new Saint Awakening had been rampant recently. Many people were deeply curious about what kind of man he was and the extent of his formidable power.

Furthermore, a Saint Awakening was an incredibly rare sight. To an ordinary person in the Martial Arts Realm, such a figure was like a transcendent immortal, hidden among the clouds and mist. No one truly understood the capabilities of a Saint Awakening.

The Northern Martial Alliance's Hero Assembly now offered a chance to glimpse such a powerful expert. Naturally, many people were drawn to the idea, eager to witness the presence of a Saint Awakening for themselves.

The Northern Martial Alliance had achieved its goal. The news was out, and the organization's fame had soared as a result. Under the watchful eye of the entire Martial Arts Realm, it would be very difficult for Zhou Yuanjue to resort to dirty tricks or excessive force during the sparring exchange.

In no time, Songyang City became the focal point of the Martial Arts Realm. Martial Artists from all over the country flocked to the city, hoping to attend the Hero Assembly, making tickets nearly impossible to come by.

With so many experts converging on Songyang City, the Northern Secret Inspection Bureau had no choice but to dispatch personnel to covertly maintain social stability. Their presence would force the Martial Artists to tread carefully, ensuring they wouldn't get carried away by the heat of the moment.

The sheer scale and impact of the event took Zhou Yuanjue by surprise; he had underestimated the mystique and influence of a Saint Awakening.

In truth, the Northern Martial Alliance hadn't anticipated such a massive response either. "Hero Assembly" had just been a dramatic moniker they'd come up with. They never imagined it would actually start to feel like a true gathering of the world's heroes.

"Things have gotten this big? It almost makes me want to attend this 'Hero Assembly' myself."

Back in Changhe Town, former principal Feng Chuan was taken aback when he heard the news. He had known Zhou Yuanjue's move would stir up some trouble, but this had clearly escalated beyond that into a full-blown storm.

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'A Hero Assembly? I never thought that boy would have this much influence. But this is for the best. This will be the first time a Saint Awakening has acted in the public eye, won't it? The times are changing. It's time for the people of this era to be reminded of the colossal power that belongs to the human individual.'

'To welcome the next era...'

Although the Chief Commissioner remained secluded on Zixiao Mountain, his intelligence was more up-to-date than anyone else's in the country. The affair in the Northern Three Prefectures was at his behest, so he was naturally paying close attention.

The impact and development of the event had somewhat exceeded his expectations, but in this unexpected turn, he seemed to glimpse another possibility.

With the crack of gunfire and the roar of cannons, the Martial Dao fell into decline.

For far too long, the people of the world have forgotten—forgotten the potential of the human body, the human spirit, and the terrifying heights humanity itself can achieve.

The conveniences of the modern age have even made physical training seem like a waste of a life.

Saint Awakening—the highest achievement of humanity, past and present. Before, they were like the Divine Dragon, glimpsed but never fully seen. Their name was known, but their reality was not. Now, however, one is being revealed to the public. Perhaps this will inject a new vitality into this era.

The forgotten gold will be remembered at last.

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「Meanwhile, somewhere within the borders of Donghua, inside a large private estate.」

A man of extraordinary handsome features, middle-aged, lounged on a sofa in a spacious living room. He was browsing intelligence related to the Donghua Martial Arts Realm on a custom handheld computer when the news about the "Hero Assembly" immediately caught his attention.

'A Saint Awakening... a Hero Assembly...'

'Excellent. This is excellent.'

A charming smile appeared on the handsome man's face.

'Once, the power of a Saint Awakening was hidden in the shadows. Now, it's about to be made public.'

'Humans are a peculiar species. When trapped in a fog, unable to see their surroundings, they can feel content with just a small patch of clear ground. But if even a single ray of light pierces the darkness ahead, tearing it open to reveal a glimpse of a vaster world, certain irrepressible desires will descend.'

'Ah, the power of Saint Awakening... How many covet it, how many resent it, how many go mad for it? The struggle for something unattainable is the motivation to persevere, but it is also the very source of desire.'

'When those who desperately pursue the unattainable hear the "whispers of the heart" in their despair, how many can truly resist that fatal temptation?'

'Zhou Yuanjue, oh, Zhou Yuanjue... I originally thought you would be a great threat. I never expected that the first thing you would bring me is a "surprise"...'