In the virtual Space, on the War God Palace arena.
Dong Guan and Lu Gang stood on opposite sides.
In their right hands, they held a long blade of similar style. Compared to the Blood Shadow Battle Blade Luo Feng used, the blade was longer and could be held with one hand or two, though it wasn't typically paired with a shield.
This was the reason Lu Gang had always wanted to challenge Dong Guan.
Their weapons were the same, and their fighting styles were similar. If they could learn something during the fight, perhaps they could achieve a further Breakthrough.
On the surrounding stands, numerous figures appeared, including people of Asian, Caucasian, and African descent.
There were currently over three thousand War Gods in the War God Palace. Due to the vastness of the real World, it was possible to not encounter a War God for a long time, so most War Gods would stay in the War God Palace when they had nothing to do.
As fellow War Gods, they also had common topics to discuss.
The nine arenas were placed on the square, naturally because sparring among War Gods was a perfectly normal occurrence.
“I wonder how strong this so-called Perfect War God really is.” A Caucasian youth said to the female Caucasian War God beside him.
“Perfect War God, he's still stronger than you.” A rough voice sounded.
It was the Asian giant Yang Bei, who was two and a half meters tall.
“I remember, he was your former Captain, wasn't he? No wonder you're defending him so much.” The Caucasian youth said sarcastically.
“Ilumi, don't say that, the Perfect War God is not someone we can compare to right now.” The female Caucasian said.
“Of course, but, the future is uncertain.” Ilumi was very confident.
“I'll be waiting.”
“Then watch closely, Teacher Ilena.” After saying that, Ilumi looked at Yang Bei again.
“I am indeed not the Perfect War God's opponent right now, but you are not in a position to criticize.”
“Then let's have a match and see who is right and who is wrong?” Yang Bei refused to be outdone.
“Alright, we'll use that arena after they finish.”
“No,” Yang Bei refused, “Which Base City are you in? I'll come find you.”
“In reality?” Ilumi was a bit taken aback and wanted to refuse.
He was confident that his combat power amplification was higher than Yang Bei's, but in reality, Yang Bei was close to being an Intermediate War God, while he was still an Elementary War God who had recently graduated from the Thunder Martial Hall elite training camp.
“In Africa, our Fire Legion has a mission recently, are you coming?” Ilena's tone was full of provocation.
“Not going.” This time, it was Yang Bei who refused.
If it were in a Base City, he wouldn't be afraid to duel Ilumi, this newly promoted War God, even if the opponent had trained in the elite training camp for five years. But in the African wilderness, that was the opponent's territory.
He wanted to prove himself, but not at the cost of his own safety.
While the three were chatting, Dong Guan and Lu Gang on the field had already started fighting.
“Bang!” The distance of hundreds of meters on the arena was reached in an instant for the two charging individuals.
Two phantoms crossed paths on the field.
“Dongguan Wargod, you seem to be…” Holding the long blade, Lu Gang was a little puzzled.
“Perfect War God” was a title Dong Guan had earned about five or six years ago when he had a conflict with the Fire Legion while hunting monsters in Africa.
This wasn't a compliment, but rather a statement that Dong Guan's blade technique and movement technique were only at the perfect level, not the artistic conception level.
Whether it was blade techniques or movement techniques, there were four levels in total: basic, subtle, perfect, and artistic conception.
Most warriors were at the basic level, a few touched upon the subtle, and there were quite a few at the subtle level among Warlord level, but mostly they focused on either combat techniques or movement techniques.
However, for War Gods, the perfect level was considered standard, and only the artistic conception level could gain an advantage at the same level.
Dongguan Wargod's physical quality had reached the limit below the Councilor level. The reason he wasn't an Invincible Wargod was because both his movement technique and blade technique were only at the perfect level.
He had touched the limit at the perfect level, but couldn't reach the artistic conception.
If a Master Nian reached the Peak of Advanced War God, they would naturally be an Invincible Wargod.
For a Martial Artist to be assessed as an Invincible Wargod, not only must their physical quality reach the Peak of Advanced War God, but their force exertion must also be strong to a certain extent, and their movement techniques must also meet requirements. There is a comprehensive evaluation standard.
And Dong Guan was just a hair's breadth away from this standard.
This was the origin of the title “Perfect War God”.
But during the fight just now, Lu Gang discovered that although the opponent's blade technique was indeed at the perfect level, it was far from reaching the level of “perfect level limit”.
“Haven't fought much recently, a bit rusty.” Dong Guan explained.
Then he focused his attention.
That's how he explained it, but he knew his own situation.
In fact, this was the result of his memory recovery.
The term “perfect level limit” had only appeared in reference to him.
Due to the flaw in his Soul, he had been unable to comprehend artistic conception, thus preventing him from advancing further in perfect level movement techniques.
This was because he entered a state of no-self and no-thought when fighting.
After his memory awakened, he found it difficult to achieve that state.
Therefore, when Lu Gang compared this battle to videos he had seen before, he discovered something unusual.
That's right, he also sold Secret Manuals in the mall, mainly practicing that “perfect limit” state.
Many people were curious about this state of being invincible under artistic conception, so he did just that.
He had checked the buyers in the backend, and even Hong and Thunder God had purchase records.
Money had lost its meaning to those two; basically, any special Secret Manual would have their purchase record.
“The Perfect War God, seems not so perfect anymore.” Ilena laughed.
But with that laugh, she realized something was wrong; no one echoed her, as if she were the only one giggling foolishly.
“Not perfect, perhaps he is no longer the Perfect War God.” A tall Caucasian man said.
“No longer perfect, could it be artistic conception?” Ilumi's face turned ugly.
Just after mocking the Perfect War God, the opponent was about to break through.
You know, only Hong on Earth surpassed the artistic conception level; the rest, even Thunder God, were only at the artistic conception level.
Dong Guan was only missing the movement technique and blade technique Realms to become an Invincible Wargod. If he made up for it, he would be an Invincible Wargod.
There were only fifty-two Councilors globally, and their Fire Legion only had two.
Becoming an Invincible Wargod meant being invincible except for these fifty-two people.
As for breaking through to the Councilor level, there was no definite method on Earth; it was more about comprehending artistic conception and seeking opportunities.
Aside from special cases like Master Nian, the reason why the certification standard for Invincible Wargod included the artistic conception level was because the deeper the artistic conception, the easier it was to perceive the opportunity for Breakthrough.
“Rusty?” Lu Gang felt a faint excitement in his heart.
Before the challenge, he had always thought he would definitely lose, but for some reason, Dong Guan's Realm had dropped, so he had a chance to win.
Although he was prepared to lose, who wouldn't want to win if they could?
Lu Gang's competitive spirit was ignited, his blade technique became faster, and his figure became more ethereal, subtly moving with the wind.
“Artistic conception level?”
It wasn't quite there yet, but it had that feeling. If Lu Gang grasped this inspiration and practiced continuously, he might truly break into the artistic conception level.
Dong Guan gripped the long blade tightly and met him.
At the same time, he constantly adapted to his current state.
Compared to before, he seemed to have dropped in Realm due to distractions, but this also brought him more possibilities.
After all, the so-called lack of distractions was largely due to the incomplete consciousness being insufficient, making it necessary.
Ninefold Thunder Blade, First level.
He started trying from the beginning.
Just the first level of blade technique was far inferior to Lu Gang's sixth level, with a three-fold difference in power.
Although he retreated upon contact, the vibration transmitted from the blade to his body still felt slightly uncomfortable.
Ninefold Thunder Blade, Second level.
Again, then retreat.
…
Ninefold Thunder Blade, Sixth level.
With this strike, his power was similar to Lu Gang's.
Boom!
The two separated, evenly matched.
Lu Gang's comprehension of the wind artistic conception could only be considered to have that flavor.
Even though Dong Guan couldn't use the perfect level limit due to distractions, he was still at an extremely deep perfect level.
Seventh level!
Eight streams of hidden force condensed, and they clashed again.
This time, Lu Gang retreated five steps, while Dong Guan only retreated two steps.
Eighth level!
This was all that Dong Guan had mastered. With this strike, 63% of his power erupted. With a base of ten thousand kilograms, that was sixty-three tons of force.
This time, it was Lu Gang who chose to retreat upon contact.
However, he also had a faint realization.
Movement technique and blade technique were fundamentally one.
At this moment, Lu Gang changed; his entire being seemed to transform into a wind blade, gently dancing.
At the instant the two collided, killing intent erupted, and the blade technique, as violent as a tornado, seemed to want to tear apart the arena floor.
He failed.
After all, this was a virtual Space, the arena floor appeared to be alloy, but it was actually set to be indestructible.
However, the fact that the arena could withstand it didn't mean a person could.
Dong Guan was forced to continuously parry his attacks.
His force exertion was stronger, but he was suppressed by technique and couldn't use it at all.
Only when he retreated to the edge of the arena, with nowhere else to go, did he find an opening and strike him back with a single blow.
“Lu Gang, you are very good.” After fighting until now, Dong Guan spoke.
This was the first time he had spoken, and it was also because during this battle, he had adapted to the effects of his memory recovery, about ninety percent. The rest couldn't be resolved in the virtual Space.
“Next, I will go all out. If you can take it, I will admit defeat.”
“Okay.” Lu Gang held his breath and focused, standing with his blade. The wind seemed to have stopped.
If it were a normal fight, he naturally wouldn't choose to take it head-on because of Dong Guan's words, but would use the advantage of his movement technique and skill to dodge. But this was a spar, and he had challenged Dong Guan precisely to find his own shortcomings.
Dong Guan held the blade with both hands, slanted, and his body was in a half-crouch.
After being silent for several breaths, his leg muscles quickly tensed, and explosive power surged from bottom to top, shooting out like a flying fish.
He remained still until he moved, then he moved like lightning and thunder.
Sonic boom!
This time, the speed of his movement technique alone was supersonic.
You know, this was just a beginner Warlord level body, reaching supersonic speed meant a speed of more than twice the speed of sound.
And speed was different from power. Power doubled at each level, but speed became more difficult the higher it went. Supersonic speed was a threshold, a leap from Warlord to War God.
Under the sonic boom, he exerted force again in the air, and hidden force burst from the blade.
Lu Gang was ready and waiting, almost unable to react, but his nearly artistic conception level blade technique and movement technique Realm gave him intuitive perception.
The flow of the wind.
He captured the trajectory.
Prediction!
He thought Dong Guan's words earlier meant he shouldn't dodge, but facing this Earth-shattering move, he realized that at such a speed, dodging was simply impossible.
In fact, it was already very difficult to even take it.
With the help of the wind, he took it.
But, it was useless.
He took it, but he couldn't withstand it.
Ninefold Thunder Blade Ninth level!
In this battle, not only did Lu Gang break through, but Dong Guan also broke through.
However, unlike the imagined blade technique and movement technique Realms, it was force exertion.
This was also the highest level of force exertion that could be achieved on Earth.
In terms of power amplification alone, Hong couldn't compare to Thunder God.
The highest level of the Secret Manual 《Ninefold Thunder Blade》 had a force exertion of seven times!
Dong Guan's force exertion was comparable to Thunder God's.
Coupled with the boost from the initial speed, the power of this strike reached over one hundred thousand kilograms.
The threshold for Elementary War God was 64,000 kilograms. This strike, with the base strength of a beginner Warlord, reached the output of an Elementary War God.
At the moment of collision, both their long blades were torn apart, and Lu Gang himself was torn to shreds by the blade.
The battle ended, and they left the arena.
“I lost.”
Although it was something he had expected, Lu Gang still felt a little disappointed.
“However, thank you.”
He quickly cheered up again. This time, both his blade technique and movement technique had touched upon the artistic conception level. After a period of hard cultivation, remembering that feeling, he could truly step into it.
Dong Guan waved his hand, indicating it was nothing.
“Captain.” A rough voice, very familiar.
Looking up and seeing that towering figure, Dong Guan was a little surprised.
“Yang Bei? Why are you so… huge?”
In the virtual Space, power and speed are weakened, but the body size is restored one-to-one with reality.
“Shall we talk?”
“Okay.”