Song Nanming's rapid punches were difficult to track, each infused with a powerful energy aura. However, Shen Xiang could keep up with Song Nanming's speed, accurately predicting the trajectory of his punches and responding with precise counterattacks, striking back at Song Nanming's fists.
Shen Xiang was using Azure Dragon True Qi, crackling with violent lightning. Each punch he unleashed would erupt with a thunderous roar, followed by a violent windstorm of energy that surpassed Song Nanming's so-called "Dragon Fist" in both strength and momentum.
The speed of the two fighters on the martial arts stage was dazzling, making it seem as though they were exchanging countless punches in an instant.
Though Song Nanming was the first to strike, he was now gradually retreating, a serious expression on his face. His fists were numb and painful; he could feel the thick true qi behind Shen Xiang's counterattacks, which far surpassed his own. He had thought that using "Dragon Fist" would quickly defeat Shen Xiang, so he had recklessly exhausted a significant amount of true qi to launch his punches. Now, however, Shen Xiang effortlessly defended against them.
"The lost ancient martial arts shouldn't be used by someone like you. You're merely disgracing the Dragon Martial Arts," Shen Xiang suddenly sneered, stepping back several paces and letting out a surge of golden energy.
Golden true qi flowed through the veins on his fists, mirroring Song Nanming's earlier use of Dragon Martial Arts, but Shen Xiang's manifestation was much more powerful.
With golden light blazing in his eyes, Shen Xiang's hands seemed as if they were forged from gold, subtly transforming into strong eagle claws, while patches of golden scales emerged on his face, exuding an intimidating killing intent.
This "Dragon Martial Arts" was suited for those who could channel golden true qi, but Shen Xiang's golden true qi resonated with the White Tiger. His White Tiger true qi carried a deadly aura that, when combined with the Dragon Martial Arts, exuded an overpowering presence, as if he alone ruled the world.
In the distant tower, the emperor suddenly stood up, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at Shen Xiang. "Impossible, impossible! Dragon Martial Arts can only be practiced by us. How did he learn it?" he murmured.
A murderous intent flashed across the emperor's face. "We cannot allow anyone else in the Nanwu Kingdom to master Dragon Martial Arts; we are the true descendants of the dragon."
Shen Xiang hadn't expected Dragon Martial Arts to be so profound. He had memorized the way Song Nanming's true qi circulated within him, and although it was somewhat complex, his strong divine sense allowed him to embed it deeply in his mind. Now that he unleashed it, he produced an astonishingly powerful aura.
"You… how is this possible? Where did you learn this? Only those with dragon bloodline can practice it! You, a mere commoner…" Song Nanming stammered, unable to comprehend.
Before he could finish his words, Shen Xiang stepped forward with a thunderous boom, causing the wooden martial arts stage to shatter and collapse, clouds of dust billowing up and shaking everyone's spirit.
The sheer force was terrifying, instilling fear in everyone present. Those who were close to the stage instinctively began to retreat, worried about being caught in the aftermath.
"Although it consumes a lot of true qi, its power is immense. It truly lives up to the legendary ancient martial arts!" Shen Xiang thought in astonishment, not having expected to gain such a powerful skill today.
Song Nanming was stunned, feeling both envy and hatred. He realized that while Shen Xiang could unleash the might of Dragon Martial Arts, he himself could not reach Shen Xiang's level.
"Shen Xiang, don't blame me; you brought this upon yourself with your arrogance." Song Nanming's eyes suddenly flashed with a sinister light as he waved his hand, sending several small steel needles piercing through the thick dust toward Shen Xiang.
Despite the cloud of dust, Shen Xiang's divine sense was incredibly powerful, allowing him to detect every movement around him. Even as the tiny steel needles flew toward him, he sensed their approach.
As the needles neared, Shen Xiang let out a muffled shout, and a blazing wall of fire appeared before him. This fire was from alchemical true qi, capable of fusing materials that were even more heat-resistant than iron, let alone those small steel needles.
Upon striking the fire wall, the needles melted instantly. The fire wall vanished, and as the dust cleared, Shen Xiang leaped toward Song Nanming, his fists radiating the overwhelming aura of Dragon Qi.
"Dragon Fist!" Shen Xiang shouted coldly, his fists swirling wildly, like thousands of golden shooting stars crashing down.
Caught in shock from Shen Xiang's ability to dodge the steel needles, Song Nanming was soon enveloped by a torrential downpour of Dragon Fist strikes. In just a few moments, he endured over a hundred heavy punches, each creating explosive sound bursts like thunderclaps, echoing like fireworks.
The brutal barrage left Song Nanming's flesh and blood in ruins, his bones and meridians shattered and crushed. He resembled a lump of meat dropped to the ground, yet he didn't die. As long as he was alive, he hadn't violated the rules.
However, Song Nanming now felt like he was worse than dead! He hardly resembled a human anymore; he looked like a piece of mangled meat!
Some people in the square vomited, while others screamed in terror. The once elegant and arrogant Crown Prince now had lost all semblance of a human!
"This is your own doing!" Shen Xiang had originally intended to teach him a simple lesson and knock him off the stage, but after Song Nanming's earlier vicious steel needle attack, he was filled with rage and unleashed eighty percent of his power.
"Nanming!" A thunderous roar echoed from afar, causing everyone in the square to feel a ringing in their ears. A middle-aged man in a dragon robe, his face filled with fury, descended from the sky and landed beside the nearly unconscious Song Nanming.
This was the emperor of Nanwu Kingdom, Song Wu!
Everyone in the square held their breath. Shen Xiang had brutally injured the emperor's son, and with the emperor's strength, a fierce battle could erupt at any moment.
"Take the Crown Prince back to the palace!" Song Wu commanded the two individuals behind him, who were skilled experts from the imperial guard. They had followed him since he arrived, all powerful warriors.
Song Wu, being an emperor, remained composed in the face of such an incident. The anger on his face quickly faded, replaced by a solemn and authoritative expression.
Shen Xiang had not violated any rules. As Song Wu, the Crown Prince's father, he was aware of the underhanded tactics Song Nanming had employed during the match. He thought that Shen Xiang must have discovered these, angering him. To prevent anyone from finding out about the Crown Prince's tricks, he decided to send Song Nanming back to the palace rather than to the medical family first.
As an emperor, maintaining face was paramount. If word got out that the Crown Prince used such malicious tactics, Song Wu's reign would be jeopardized. If the medical family discovered this, they would surely use it to coerce him into doing things he didn't want to.
Shen Xiang quickly saw through this reasoning and smiled, saying, "No wonder you're the ruler of a kingdom. It was wise not to leave him with the medical family. You'll soon realize that this decision has other benefits."
Song Wu scoffed coldly, "In martial arts competitions, injuries are common, but your attacks were too ruthless. I hope the Crown Prince hasn't sustained any serious injuries; otherwise…"
With that, Song Wu strode away. The crowd breathed a sigh of relief that the emperor did not pursue the matter with Shen Xiang, all the while admiring Song Wu's composure.