After a simple and swift dinner, Yang Ling asked Yu Yao to take him and Yu Shuang to her secret training room in the basement of Yang Ling's villa. Yu Yao entered Yang Ling's study and pulled a book from the bookshelf. Suddenly, the bookshelf opened like a secret door. It turned out to be a hidden passage leading to the training room. Yu Yao led Yang Ling and Yu Shuang down the stairs to the basement, where faint sounds of combat could be heard.
When they reached the training room, they were greeted by a bustling scene. Dozens of robust men were practicing martial arts and engaging in combat training, their sweat glistening on their muscles, making it seem like they were in the midst of a silent war. These men were death guards cultivated by the Zhou family for Yang Ling, absolutely loyal to both Yang Ling and the Zhou family. At Yang Ling's command, they would not hesitate to sacrifice their lives. Their average strength was at the Martial Master level, with their leader having reached the peak of the Martial Warrior realm. This kind of power was formidable in the urban world.
In this world, there are two main realms: the urban and the hidden. The urban realm is the modern cities we see every day, with skyscrapers and bustling traffic. The hidden realm is a mysterious world concealed from the public eye, known only to a few. It is said that the top martial arts master in the urban realm are like ants in the hidden realm. In the past, the hidden realm used to enslave the urban realm, with governments entirely controlled by the hidden realm. Whenever the hidden realm waged war, innocent civilians in the urban world suffered immensely, with families torn apart and lives in disarray.
To stop this, the most powerful family in the hidden realm—the Zhou family—enforced strict regulations on the hidden realm: 1. Prohibit hidden realm individuals from harming urban civilians. 2. Ban starting wars in the urban realm. Initially, the other families in the hidden realm opposed these rules, but no one wanted to provoke the powerful Zhou family over trivial matters. Gradually, hidden realm families faded from the urban world. To appease their grievances, the Zhou family allowed them to build their forces without entering the urban realm but still prohibited them from harming civilians.
Thus, a middle ground emerged between the urban and hidden realms, known as the Martial World. The Martial World gradually integrated into urban life, with governments establishing their own martial artist alliances. Martial artists in everyday life were also subject to the rules of the Martial World. Violators would face sanctions from the martial artist alliances, maintaining peace in the urban realm while providing a space for hidden realm martial artists.
Entering a spacious dueling room about ninety square meters in size, the corners were lined with various weapons, waiting for their masters to wield them. Soon, Yang Ling and Yu Shuang stood on opposite sides of the room, locking eyes with silent battle intent. Yu Yao watched from outside the room, feeling both tense and excited.
"Young Master, I'll go easy on you," Yu Shuang said with a hint of concern.
Yang Ling checked Yu Shuang's profile:
Yu Shuang
Identity: Yang Ling's personal maid/bodyguard, female antagonist
Age: 21
Realm: Martial Emperor Perfection
Affection Level: 130 (Unwavering Loyalty)
Battle Power: 11000
Yang Ling squinted his eyes. With a combat power of 11,000, she was nearly twice as strong as him. He then smiled and said, "No need to hold back, give it your all."
As soon as he spoke, Yang Ling shot towards Yu Shuang like an arrow. Yu Shuang's eyes widened, crossing her arms to shield her chest. Yang Ling's fist struck her arms like thunder, causing a numbness to spread through her body as she slid towards the wall. Lowering her arms, she stared at Yang Ling in shock, unable to believe his strength.
"Don't hold back, go all out, or you won't stay by my side," Yang Ling's voice was calm, but his stance was like a predator ready to strike, eyes sharp and intimidating.
Hearing Yang Ling's words, Yu Shuang frowned slightly. She understood that Yang Ling wanted to test his own strength. So, she no longer held back. Her aura changed dramatically, and the previously cold atmosphere around her became sharp. The gentle look in her eyes was replaced by boundless fighting spirit as she stared at Yang Ling. She removed her jacket, revealing her tight combat outfit, her physique exuding explosive power. Her figure flickered like a ghost as she lunged at Yang Ling, her speed making her movements barely visible. Yang Ling sensed danger from his left, quickly raising his arms to block. In an instant, a powerful force hit his arms, causing a momentary numbness and pushing his body sideways. In mid-air, Yu Shuang displayed an extreme agility, like a soaring raptor.
Yu Yao, covering her mouth in alarm, realized that if Yang Ling hadn't blocked that strike, his head might have been smashed. Her worry for Yang Ling grew, along with her resentment towards her elder sister, plotting how to "avenge" him once the sparring ended.
Though Yang Ling managed to block the attack, Yu Shuang's speed and strength were overwhelming. His arms felt numb, forcing him to retreat several steps. However, Yu Shuang gave him no respite. In a flash, she was in front of him, an uppercut aimed at his chin. Yang Ling quickly intercepted her right hand and kicked towards her abdomen.
Yu Shuang evaded his kick with a swift movement, her knee striking towards him. Yang Ling, unable to counter directly, released her hand and pressed against her knee with his left hand, striking with his right. However, Yu Shuang swiftly turned and delivered a sharp flying kick. Yang Ling raised his left hand to shield his body, but the powerful strike forced him to stagger back a few steps.
The first round of the duel was intense and brief, signaling the commencement of the battle between Yang Ling and Yu Shuang. The atmosphere within the duel room was tense, charged with the explosive energy of their clashes. Sparks and shockwaves from their collisions filled the air. Yu Yao watched intently from the side, her heart swelling with both anticipation and worry for the ensuing fight.
Yang Ling took a few deep breaths, silently lamenting: Indeed, the pinnacle power of a Martial Emperor was as formidable as expected. The gap between a Elder Grandmaster and a Martial Emperor felt like an insurmountable chasm, and he was still a level below Grandmaster. This disparity left Yang Ling feeling deeply powerless. He thought to himself that his current strength was far from matching those called "Favored Child Of Destiny." Their speed of gaining strength was akin to having a cheat code, leaving their peers far behind.
"Young Master, are you alright?" Yu Shuang saw Yang Ling lost in thought, mistaking it for being stunned by her attack. She asked with concern, herself astonished by their earlier exchange. Despite Yang Ling being only at the Grandmaster Great Perfection, he could withstand a Martial Emperor's attack—a difference of two major levels. It was simply incredible.
"Continue," Yang Ling snapped out of his thoughts and resumed his stance.
Yu Shuang, seeing this, stopped holding back. She understood that her master never acted recklessly, but she would soon realize that Yang Ling's fighting style was nothing short of mad.
Yu Shuang's figure flashed towards Yang Ling again, who also charged towards her without hesitation. The two figures collided once more with a resounding "Bang!" Their right arms crashed against each other. Then, their forms continually tangled in the center of the room, moving at such speeds that only afterimages could be seen, putting on a perfect display of martial arts combat for all to witness.
The death guards surrounding the room's railing felt cold sweat dripping down their backs as they sensed the ferocity of the battle below. If they encountered such opponents on a mission, they would be torn to shreds in an instant. Yu Yao's worry grew more intense. Although Yang Ling seemed to be evenly matched with Yu Shuang, she could tell that Yang Ling struggled to keep up with Yu Shuang's attack rhythm.
Yang Ling realized the situation was unfavorable and began utilizing his spiritual energy. A faint blue spiritual aura enveloped his body, enhancing his physical abilities. With the use of spiritual energy, the pressure from Yu Shuang's attacks lessened significantly. Yang Ling easily caught Yu Shuang's right foot and flung her away. Yu Shuang, unperturbed, twisted her body in midair and landed steadily.
"Have I trained you too well? You've surpassed me," Yang Ling teased, looking at Yu Shuang.
A rare smile appeared on Yu Shuang's usually cold face. "Young Master, if your realm wasn't so low, I'd find you troublesome," she replied, her hands never ceasing their movements as she assumed a stance. A thin layer of golden spiritual energy covered her entire body.
Yang Ling squinted at the golden spiritual energy, his mind filled with questions. When Yu Shuang first having spiritual energy, she could only release a tiny amount, and it was white. Now, although her spiritual energy was still thin, it was significantly more than before, and its color had changed. Yang Ling had always understood that Yu Shuang's spiritual energy was not naturally thin but that she harbored some latent potential. Though this potential was slight, once tapped, her spiritual energy could rival those so-called prodigies. Combined with her exceptional martial arts talent, she had reached the Martial Emperor level purely through physical skills. This golden spiritual energy might indicate that her potential was finally being unlocked.
"I'm coming," Yang Ling said, snapping out of his thoughts. With a soft warning from Yu Shuang, her figure vanished like a ghost. Yang Ling couldn't keep up with her speed; by the time Yu Shuang appeared before him, it was too late to react. He hastily raised his arms to block, but her punch swiftly broke through his defense, landing heavily on his abdomen. Despite the enhanced defense and fortification from his Heavenly Demon Sacred Body , the force was still enough to make Yang Ling cough up blood as he was hurled against the wall.
"Yu Shuang, I'll fight you to the death!" Yu Yao could no longer hold back. Enormous amounts of spiritual energy surged around her, forming a massive whirlwind that swept everything in its path. The terrifying sight made those around her step back cautiously.
Yang Ling took a few deep breaths, thinking: The speed is overwhelming, I can barely keep up. Without the enhanced body from the Heavenly Demon Sacred Body and the recovery skill [Heavenly Demon Blessing] I'd be down already. He quickly formulated a strategy, realizing that using [Heavenly Demon Wrath] was not an option. Despite having absorbed some of the attack, accumulating half its power, he couldn't fully harness and convert it into spiritual energy. He had to resort to another move. Clutching his abdomen, his wound was a bloody mess, yet white steam rose from it, indicating rapid healing. Yu Yao, observing this, couldn't help but marvel at her young master's formidable recovery ability, understanding that this was why he could withstand so many exchanges with Yu Shuang.
"Don't get distracted, there's one more move," Yang Ling's voice brought Yu Shuang back to focus. She quickly adopted a defensive stance, eyes locked on Yang Ling. Raising his hands, the blood he had spat out seemed to respond to a summon, flying towards his palms and forming a blood sphere.
"Blood manipulation?" Yu Shuang remained vigilant, eyes fixed on the blood sphere.
"Blood Arrow!" Yang Ling's hands clapped, and a slender blood pillar shot from his fingertips towards Yu Shuang. She leapt aside, the blood arrow whizzing past her and striking the wall with a loud bang. The sturdy wall, capable of withstanding a peak Grandmaster's full force, shattered like it had been hit by a grenade. Both Yu Yao and Yu Shuang widened their eyes, thinking simultaneously, This isn't the strength of a Grandmaster.
Before Yu Shuang landed, she noticed a small pool of blood on the floor. Her pupils contracted, and she flashed to another spot mid-air. In the next second, the blood was controlled by Yang Ling, forming a spike that pierced where she had been. "She's already capable of using her body to step on air for a second jump, truly a martial arts prodigy," Yang Ling thought.
Yes, the move Yang Ling had just used was the blood manipulation ability of 'Heavenly Demon Blood Sacrifice,' but it still couldn't harm Yu Shuang, who was reinforced by spiritual energy. His skills were limited, his power insufficient, and Yu Shuang hadn't even used the twin blades at her waist. Yang Ling knew he had no chance of winning this battle. Yu Shuang appeared behind him, her hand wrapped in golden spiritual energy resting on his shoulder.
"Young Master, you've lost."
"Fine, I admit defeat," Yang Ling shrugged, turning to Yu Shuang. "You've improved a lot, Yu Shuang. I can't keep up with your speed."
Yu Shuang, not good with words, let her eyes express the warmth she felt. "Young Master, I will protect you, just as you once protected us."
"Ding dong, congratulations to the host for sparring with others and gaining insights, increasing combat power by +300."
Yang Ling shrugged again, "It's fine, I gained something from this too. Thanks, Yu Shuang. I'm heading to my room. We'll talk later." He waved and walked towards the exit.
"Take care, Young Master." Yu Shuang watched him until he disappeared from view, covered by Yu Yao's spiritual energy.
"Sister... you seemed to enjoy that fight," Yu Yao's spiritual energy turned ferocious in an instant, surging like an endless ocean towards Yu Shuang. Feeling immense pressure and blinded by the turbulent energy, Yu Shuang shielded her eyes with her hand, only to see Yu Yao, now in battle attire, glaring coldly at her.
"I just injured young master; I crossed her bottom line," Yu Shuang thought, ready to explain but nervously blurted out, "You can't beat me, stop."
Yu Yao's energy grew even more overwhelming. Unlike her sister, Yu Yao had boundless spiritual energy and a terrifying recovery rate, making her an almost perpetual motion machine in terms of spellcasting.
With those words, her spiritual power surged even more, wild and fierce. Unlike her sister, Yu Yao possessed boundless spiritual energy and terrifying recovery abilities, almost making her akin to a perpetual motion device of spells.
"Intimidating my master is one thing, but I'm not Grandmaster," said Yu Yao. Yu Yao swiftly formed hand seals, raised her right hand, and a glowing magic circle appeared within her grasp. Pointing it towards Yu Shuang, a colossal and terrifying fireball hurtled quickly towards her.