114: Chapter 114 One move to defeat the enemy, the man in black commits suicide by poison.

Qi Energy Anomalies Before the Entrance to the Ji Array

As Chen Wu's team walked along the path of light paved with Earth Vein Qi Energy, the patterns on the stone walls of the underground palace grew brighter with each step. Pale golden Earth Vein Qi Energy flowed along the cracks in the stone walls, converging on the ground to form the outline of the "Ji" totem—this was the "Ji Array Guidance" unlocked after destroying the Spirit-Devourer core in the previous chapter. Lin Mo's tactical tablet showed that they were only 800 meters away from the entrance to the Ji Array, and the Qi Energy fluctuations along the way were stable, with no obvious traps discovered. However, the "Elementary Perception Talisman" on Chen Wu's forehead suddenly emitted a faint red light, similar to the warning frequency when detecting Spirit-Devouring Energy before, but the trajectory of the Qi Energy was more concealed, like a hidden line beneath the path of light.

"Something is wrong, there is a problem with the flow rate of the Earth Vein Qi Energy!" Chen Wu suddenly stopped walking, and the pale golden Yijin Energy flowed from his palm into the ground. The trajectory of the Qi Energy beneath the path of light appeared in his Perception Talisman's field of vision—the Earth Vein Qi Energy, which had been flowing evenly, suddenly "diverged" 500 meters ahead. Some of the Qi Energy was being swallowed by some force, forming a miniature "Qi Energy Vortex," which highly matched the characteristics of the "Spirit-Devouring Energy" of the Snake-Headed Hydra organization. Lin Mo's tablet immediately switched to "System Live Night Vision Mode." In the pale green screen, a very faint dark red color appeared in the center of the vortex. If not for the warning from the Perception Talisman, it would be impossible to detect that this was a "man-made Qi Energy blind spot."

Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe made a dull sound as he tapped it against the side of the path of light, the sparks from the pipe bowl particularly striking under the pale golden light. The old man took out the "Preliminary Exploration of the Ji Array" left by his grandfather. Tucked into the yellowed pages was a hand-drawn sketch from 1961—the "Outer Defense of the Ji Array" recorded by Chen Wus Great-grandfather: "Within a hundred miles of the entrance to the Ji Array, the Qijue Sect set up a 'Qi Energy Bait Array,' using Spirit-Devouring Energy to disguise itself as Earth Vein Qi Energy, luring enemies to step inside before detonating the trap." The pipe bowl pointed at the "Qi Energy Vortex" mark on the sketch, "Your Great-grandfather was tricked by this Move back then. Fortunately, he used 'Baji Collapse' to break the situation in time. Today we have the Perception Talisman, so we can't stumble again!" A bronze piece engraved with the two characters "Vortex Breaking" suddenly flew out of the camphor wood box. Pale golden Qi Energy spread along the bronze piece, drawing a trajectory of "Qi Energy Countercurrent" on Chen Wu's palm, which could temporarily disrupt the swallowing rhythm of the vortex.

In the Flower Girl's basket, the eight-colored petals of the inheritance grass suddenly tilted toward the direction of the "Qi Energy Vortex." Dewdrops rolled on the leaves, reflecting the dark red blind spot in the night vision screen—a subtle "Snake-Pattern" Qi Energy was hidden in the center of the blind spot. It was of the same origin as Snake Queen's "Remote Poison Energy," but more solid than before, clearly a trace of "close-range control." The young girl dripped "talisman power dew" onto the petals, and the colorful light resonated with the Perception Talisman. In Chen Wu's field of vision, the trajectory of the Qi Energy beneath the blind spot suddenly became clear: it was a "humanoid outline," sticking to the stone wall in a state of "Qi Energy Invisibility," holding a "Dual-Energy Dagger" that glowed with a dark red hue—it could both release Spirit-Devouring Energy and inject Snake-Pattern Poison Energy, which was the standard equipment for a "core assassin" of the Snake-Headed Hydra organization.

The global live stream's chat exploded instantly. That migrant worker brother who had been constantly paying attention to the changes in Qi Energy, with the ID "Watcher of Huangtu Slope," popped up a highlighted message: "I saw it in the night vision screen! There is a metallic reflection in the center of the blind spot, it's the hilt of a dagger!" Nurse Emily in London followed closely, relaying the analysis from local ancient martial arts experts: "This kind of 'Dual-Energy Fusion' assassin is a member of Snake Queen's 'Death Squad Camp.' They have a 'Instant Poison Sac' hidden in their body. Once captured, they will commit suicide by poison. You must control their Dantian Qi Energy first!" The Technical Department's real-time prompt popped up on the screen: "The assassin's Qi Energy core is at the third rib on the left chest. It is the key to controlling the Dual-Energy. Attacking this spot can temporarily paralyze their movements!"

Su Chen's Mystic Water Energy suddenly unfolded around him, and the pale blue Qi Energy condensed into a "Water Curtain Mirror" above the path of light, reflecting the Qi Energy trajectory of the blind spot onto the stone wall, allowing everyone on the team to see clearly: that humanoid outline was moving slowly, and its target was not the team members, but the "Qi Energy Lock" at the entrance of the Ji Array—it was clearly trying to destroy the lock core before the team arrived, preventing everyone from entering the Ji Array. "We cannot let him get close to the lock core!" Li Xuantong's Five Elements Energy suddenly transformed into five pale brown chains, flying toward the blind spot. "Chen Wu, you use Xingji Fist to lead the attack, Zhang Hao and Love are responsible for interception, and Elder Su and I will protect the path of light!"

The Oppressive Presence of the Dual-Energy Assassin

As soon as the five Five Elements Energy chains approached the blind spot, the dark red "Dual-Energy Dagger" suddenly stabbed out from the Qi Energy blind spot. The dagger made no sound as it cut through the air, but it carried a mixed Qi Energy of "Spirit-Devouring + Snake-Pattern." The moment it collided with the chains, 30% of the pale brown Five Elements Energy was instantly devoured, and obvious traces of "Qi Energy Corrosion" appeared at the ends of the chains—the assassin's figure appeared the moment the dagger stabbed out. He was a middle-aged man wearing a black tight-fitting suit, his face covered by a snake-pattern mask, and his exposed eyes glowed with a dark red color, matching the color of the dagger's Qi Energy.

"It is the leader of Snake Queen's 'Death Squad Camp,' codenamed 'Poison Vortex'!" Lin Mo's tablet suddenly popped up the assassin's profile. "Information extracted by the Technical Department from the memory of the previously captured man in black: This person can fuse Spirit-Devouring Energy and Snake-Pattern Energy in a 6:4 ratio. He once destroyed an overseas branch of Xuanshui Pavilion alone. The 'Instant Poison Sac' in his body is hidden on the inside of his teeth, and the trigger time is only 0.5 seconds!" The tablet also showed that Poison Vortex's "Dual-Energy Dagger" was coated with "Qijue Chronic Poison." Even if it was just a scratch, the Qi Energy would be gradually corroded. If Zhang Hao's iron arm was scratched, the Mystic Water Energy defense layer would fail within 10 seconds.

Poison Vortex's figure suddenly flashed like a teleportation on the path of light, twice as fast as the previous man in black. The Dual-Energy Dagger stabbed toward Lin Mo's tablet—his goal was very clear: destroy the live streaming equipment that could transmit intelligence in real-time and cut off the connection between the team and the global audience. Zhang Hao's iron arm, carrying Mystic Water Energy, instantly blocked in front of the tablet. With a crisp "clang," the moment the dagger collided with the iron arm, the pale black Spirit-Devouring Energy spread along the iron arm, attempting to corrode the Mystic Water Energy defense layer. "The Energy-Breaking Dew is working!" Zhang Hao's voice carried relief. The pale blue coating on the iron arm suddenly lit up, instantly cutting off the Spirit-Devouring Energy. "Your Dual-Energy is useless against me!"

But Poison Vortex's target was not Zhang Hao at all. Using the reaction force of the collision, his body suddenly soared into the air, and the Dual-Energy Dagger lunged straight toward the "Qi Energy Lock" at the entrance of the Ji Array. Su Chen's Mystic Water Energy immediately turned into an ice wall, blocking in front of the Qi Energy Lock. The pale blue ice wall was covered with "Qi Energy Barbs," attempting to freeze the dagger. But Poison Vortex's dagger directly pierced through the ice wall. The Snake-Pattern Energy formed a "Melting Ice Layer" on the blade, and the ice layer turned into water vapor the moment it touched the dagger— "His Snake-Pattern Energy can restrain Mystic Water Energy!" Su Chen's voice carried surprise. He hurriedly increased the output of Mystic Water Energy, but could only barely slow down the speed of the dagger.

In the global live stream's chat, viewers from all over the world sent "ways to break the situation": Egyptian ancient martial arts experts suggested "using the Fire Element Energy within the Five Elements Energy to restrain the Snake-Pattern Energy"; Brazilian Martial Artists uploaded "the weakness of the Dual-Energy Dagger is at the connection of the hilt"; even the staff at the Antarctic research station sent an "emergency protection plan for the Qi Energy Lock." Lin Mo's tablet quickly integrated the information and popped up "tactical suggestions": "Chen Wu uses 'Xingji Collapse' to attack Poison Vortex's left chest Qi Energy core, Elder Li uses Fire Element Energy to interfere with the Snake-Pattern Energy, Elder Su uses Water Element Energy to freeze the dagger's blade. The three working together can control him within 3 seconds!"

Chen Wu's Xingji Fist had already condensed in his palm. The pale brown Five Elements Energy (Fire Element) and the pale black Baji Energy were fused in a 7:3 ratio, while Yijin Energy, following the "Qi Energy Countercurrent" trajectory of the bronze piece, quietly circled behind Poison Vortex. When Poison Vortex's dagger was only 10 centimeters away from the Qi Energy Lock, Chen Wu's voice suddenly sounded behind him: "Is your target this lock?"

One Move to Subdue the Enemy with Xingji Fist

Poison Vortex's body stiffened suddenly, and the Dual-Energy Dagger instinctively turned to defend, but it was half a beat too slow—Chen Wu's "Xingji Collapse" had already slammed toward the "Qi Energy Core" position locked by the Perception Talisman. The pale golden Yijin Energy, wrapped in Fire Element Five Elements Energy and firm Baji Energy, did not trigger a violent explosion the moment it touched Poison Vortex's left chest. Instead, like a precise "Qi Energy scalpel," it drilled through the gap in the ribs, instantly freezing his Qi Energy core.

The slow-motion footage of the global live stream clearly recorded this scene: in the pale green night-vision frame, when Chen Wu's fist energy collided with Poison Vortex's dark red Qi Energy, a miniature "Rigid-Soft Taiji Diagram" was formed—Baji Energy was responsible for breaking through Poison Vortex's body surface Qi Energy defense, the Fire-element Five Elements Energy suppressed the activity of the Snake-style energy, and Yijin Energy precisely locked the operation channel of the Qi Energy core.

Poison Vortex's body seemed to have all its strength drained; his dual-energy daggers hit the ground with a "clatter" and rolled far away on the light path.

A thin trail of black blood spilled from the corner of his mouth beneath his mask—not from an injury, but from the backlash caused by the disorder of the dual energies in his body after his Qi Energy core was frozen.

"This is the true power of 'Xingji Fist'!" Li Xuantong's voice was filled with excitement as the Five Elements Energy chains took the opportunity to entangle Poison Vortex's limbs.

"Rigid energy breaks defenses, soft energy controls energy, and Yijin Energy locks the core. It's far stronger than just Baji Collapse or Five Elements Fist!"

Zhang Hao immediately stepped forward, his iron arms pressing down on Poison Vortex's shoulders, injecting Mystic Water Energy through the contact point to prevent him from mobilizing any residual Qi Energy.

Love picked up the dual-energy daggers from the ground and carefully wiped the blades with the energy-breaking dew to prevent the toxic energy from leaking.

Lin Mo's tablet showed that the number of online viewers for the global live stream had surpassed 52 billion.

The comments section was flooded with uniform messages: "Defeating the enemy in one Move is so cool!" and "Xingji Fist is the GOAT."

The Egyptian ancient martial arts expert's connection was re-established.

In the frame, the old man held up the bronze piece and exclaimed: "This Move, 'Qi Energy Core Lock,' is a Fusion of the Tomb Guardian's lost 'Acupoint Striking Energy' with Xingyi and Baji. Mr. Chen Wu being able to use it so precisely in actual combat shows that his understanding of traditional martial arts has already surpassed his Seniors!"

The Technical Department's real-time data popped up: "Chen Wu's Xingji Fist completion rate has increased from 85% to 90%, unlocking the advanced Move 'Xingji Lock,' capable of freezing an enemy's Qi Energy core within 3 seconds!"

Poison Vortex's body, entangled by the chains, suddenly struggled violently, a look of determination flashing in his eyes beneath the mask.

Chen Wu's perception talisman suddenly emitted a sharp warning—a dark red light flickered on the inside of Poison Vortex's teeth, consistent with the Qi Energy of the "instant-trigger poison sac" used by the previous black-clad man!

"Quickly hold his chin! He's going to take poison!"

As soon as Chen Wu's voice fell, he reached out to grab Poison Vortex's mouth, forming a protective layer of Yijin Energy in his palm to prevent the toxic energy from splashing onto himself.

But Poison Vortex's movements were faster than expected.

Just as Chen Wu's hand was about to touch his chin, he suddenly bit down hard.

With a soft "click," the dark red poison sac ruptured in his mouth, and the toxic energy instantly surged down his throat into his Dantian.

Zhang Hao's Mystic Water Energy attempted to freeze the toxic energy at the throat, but only managed to block 30%.

The remaining toxic energy had already spread within Poison Vortex's body; his skin turned from pale to dark purple at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the Qi Energy chains on his limbs lost their tension.

"Why be so foolish?" Chen Wu's fingers stopped in front of Poison Vortex's chin, his tone filled with complexity.

"Snake Queen only treats you as pawns. Even if you die, she won't remember you."

Poison Vortex's lips trembled slightly, as if wanting to say something, but he could only emit a faint wheezing sound.

Finally, his head tilted to one side, and he completely stopped breathing.

The Five Elements Energy chains, having lost their Qi Energy support, slowly fell to the ground, and the Earth Vein Qi Energy on the light path rippled as if mourning for this tragic killer.

Clues in the Poison Sac

Just as Poison Vortex's body hit the ground, the Flower Girl's inheritance grass suddenly unfurled toward his teeth.

Dewdrops rolled on the leaf surface, reflecting the residual Qi Energy after the poison sac ruptured—it wasn't just pure poison, but also mixed with fragments of the "Jizhen Qi Energy Password."

The pale gold Earth Vein Qi Energy intertwined with the dark purple toxic energy, forming the outline of a miniature "Jizhen Core Lock" on the ground.

The little girl sprinkled "talisman power dew" on the corner of Poison Vortex's mouth.

The seven-colored light fused with the residual Qi Energy, and the fragments projected a complete password trajectory onto the stone wall: "The outer defense of the Jizhen requires 'alternating injection of rigid and soft energy,' in the order of 'Baji Energy - Xingyi Energy - Yijin Energy.' If the order is wrong, it will trigger a 'Qi Energy Thunderstorm.'"

"This is... the 'outer unlocking password' for the Jizhen!"

Grandpa Wang's dry tobacco pipe tapped a crisp, muffled sound beside the corpse.

The old man flipped open the "Unlocking Chapter" of *Preliminary Exploration of Jizhen*.

The "alternating rigid and soft" recorded on the yellowed pages was exactly consistent with the projected trajectory.

"Your Great-grandfather was stuck at this step back then because he didn't find the correct sequence of energy techniques. Today, thanks to the clues in this poison sac, we can avoid taking detours!"

The bronze piece in the camphor wood box suddenly resonated with the projected trajectory.

Pale gold Qi Energy drew detailed steps for "energy technique injection" on the ground, with the Qi Energy intensity and injection time for each step clearly marked.

Lin Mo's tablet immediately synchronized the password trajectory to the global live stream.

The Technical Department's "Jizhen Simulation System" quickly deduced: "Following the sequence of 'Baji Energy (50% intensity, inject for 2 seconds) - Xingyi Energy (30% intensity, inject for 1 second) - Yijin Energy (20% intensity, inject for 3 seconds),' the success rate of breaking the Jizhen outer defense can reach 98%. It only requires the cooperation of Elder Zhao, Elder Li, and Chen Wu."

The tablet also showed that inside Poison Vortex's bodysuit, a miniature bronze plaque was hidden, engraved with the words "Snake Queen's Plan: Jizhen Core Detonation, Mutual Destruction"—this indicated that Snake Queen not only wanted to stop the team from entering the Jizhen but was also prepared to bury a "Qi Energy bomb" at the Jizhen core.

If it couldn't be stopped in time, the entire underground palace would be destroyed.

Su Chen crouched down and carefully extracted a sample of the toxic energy from Poison Vortex's body using Mystic Water Energy: "This poison is an upgraded version of the 'Qijue Poison,' mixed with Spirit-Devouring Energy. Ordinary antidotes are ineffective, but the inheritance grass's 'energy-breaking dew' can temporarily suppress it."

He dripped the sample onto the petals of the inheritance grass, and the pale purple toxic energy was instantly absorbed by the seven-colored petals.

"The Flower Girl's 'energy-breaking dew' is currently the only thing that can counteract this poison. We must prepare more, in case Snake Queen uses toxic energy attacks inside the Jizhen."

In the global live stream comments, the previously tense atmosphere was gradually replaced by the joy of "Breakthrough in clues."

"Watcher of Huangtu Slope" sent a message: "I simulated the 'energy technique injection' on the sand according to the steps on the bronze piece, and it can really draw the character 'Ji'!"

Nurse Emily organized her hospital colleagues to make simple antidotes using "talisman power dew," preparing to donate them to the Special Incident Response Department.

The official account of the United Nations "Anti-Hydra Alliance" issued a statement: "Global assault teams have been dispatched to encircle and suppress the outer strongholds of the Jizhen where Snake Queen might be hiding, providing peripheral support for Chen Wu's team!"

When Chen Wu picked up the dual-energy daggers from the ground, pale gold Yijin Energy was injected along the blades, and the dark red toxic energy on the daggers was instantly purified, converted into pale gold Earth Vein Qi Energy—this was a new ability of Xingji Fist, "Rigid-Soft Conversion," which could convert an enemy's Qi Energy for one's own use.

"These daggers will be our weapons from now on," Chen Wu handed the daggers to Love.

"They are perfectly suited for dealing with Snake Queen's death squads."

Love took the daggers, and under the reinforcement of Mystic Water Energy, the blades glowed with a pale blue light, perfectly fusing with his Taiji Power.

When the team set off again, the "Qi Energy Lock" at the entrance of the Jizhen was clearly visible in their field of vision.

Pale gold Earth Vein Qi Energy flowed around the core lock, perfectly matching the "energy technique injection" trajectory drawn by the bronze piece.

Chen Wu, Li Xuantong, and Zhao Lie stood before the core lock, respectively condensing Yijin Energy, Xingyi Energy, and Baji Energy, preparing to unlock the outer defense according to the steps in the clues.

Lin Mo's tablet transmitted the footage in real-time, and the eyes of 52 billion viewers globally were fixed on the screen, anticipating the moment of the Jizhen unlocking.

"3, 2, 1, inject!"

As soon as Chen Wu's voice fell, three streams of Qi Energy flew toward the core lock simultaneously.

The ferocity of Baji Energy, the soft rotation of Xingyi Energy, and the precision of Yijin Energy intertwined at the core lock.

A pale gold "Ji" totem suddenly bloomed from the core lock, and the stone wall slowly opened to both sides, revealing the light path inside the Jizhen—the Earth Vein Qi Energy there was denser, but also shimmered with a faint dark red, the trace of toxic energy left by Snake Queen, indicating that the battle inside the Jizhen would be more dangerous than before.

In the global live stream comments, a final line of uniform text was scrolled: "Defeating the death squad in one Move, the poison sac hides clues; the Jizhen gate opens awaiting Breakthrough, the inheritance will not lose its way!"

This message was lit up by 52 billion viewers simultaneously, like a river of light traversing the underground palace, illuminating the road inside the Jizhen and also illuminating the team's determination to protect the *Muscle Tendon Change Classic*.

Chen Wu knew that Snake Queen was waiting for them deep within the Jizhen, and the threat of the Qi Energy bomb had not been lifted, but he was no longer worried—because they had the key clues to unlock the Jizhen, the energy-breaking dew that could counteract the toxic energy, the support of global Martial Artists, and most importantly, the sharp blade of "Xingji Fist" to break the deadlock.

In the upcoming battle of the Jizhen, they would surely win, allowing the Legacy of traditional martial arts to be reborn at the core of the Jizhen.