156: Xingtian

As the words of that youth—Xing Feng—fell!

In an instant, a primitive, violent, and terrifying aura that seemed to come from an ancient battlefield erupted like a volcano from his thin body! The space behind him distorted violently, the light dimmed, and a five-meter-tall, bone-chilling phantom of a giant headless war god suddenly coalesced!

The phantom bared a majestic upper body with knotted muscles like rock, its skin possessing a bronze metallic luster, covered in ancient war tattoos symbolizing conquest and glory! The place where the head should have been was empty; instead, its nipples served as eyes, radiating a brilliant light that looked down upon the world! Its navel served as a mouth, letting out an ancient war cry that shook the soul! In one hand, it tightly gripped a giant bronze square shield carved with a hideous beast's head, while the other held high a bronze battle-axe flashing with cold light!

It was none other than the headless war god from Chinese mythology, Xing Tian, of whom it was said, "Xing Tian dances with shield and axe, his fierce ambition forever remains"!

The pressure it emitted was filled with unyielding fighting spirit and primitive wild power, as if it had brought the entire Training Ground into that primordial world where gods and demons coexisted!

Zhang Lei's pupils constricted slightly, and a great wave of shock rose in his heart. He could clearly sense that this youth named Xing Feng was only at the beginning of the Second Order in terms of energy level and hadn't been practicing his Superpower for long. However, the majesty radiated by this Xing Tian Heroic Spirit, in terms of its condensation and the terrifying deterrence it contained, actually rivaled Yang Tian at the peak of the Second Order!

A massive question surfaced in Zhang Lei's mind: This was clearly an existence that only lived in ancient myths and legends; how could it appear on a modern youth? Could it be... that there really were people in this world with the blood of Xing Tian flowing through them? Was he a descendant?

Before he could think further, Xing Feng, whose heart was filled with anger and fighting spirit, let out a roar that didn't sound human and charged at Zhang Lei with bloodshot eyes! The Xing Tian colossus behind him moved in synchronization; that bronze battle-axe, which seemed capable of splitting heaven and earth, carried a terrifying power to tear through everything, whipping up a vicious wind as it hacked down towards Zhang Lei's head! Axe blade not yet arrived, the sharp gale had already pressed down, causing fine cracks to appear on the ground!

"Well come!" Zhang Lei was surprised but not panicked. He retreated onto the arena stage, a glint of excitement at finding a worthy opponent flashing in his eyes. The majestic phantom of the Fire God appeared behind him once more!

Facing this heavy axe blow imbued with ancient fighting spirit, Zhang Lei simply raised his right arm steadily and made a lifting motion!

The Fire God phantom behind him moved in sync. A giant flaming palm, as large as a carriage canopy and composed of pure divine fire, appeared out of thin air. Without erring by a hair, it gripped the descending bronze battle-axe blade with absolute precision!

"Boom!!!"

Flame and bronze collided, producing a deafening roar! The divine fire scorched the axe blade, making a "sizzling" sound, yet it couldn't melt the ancient weapon formed from the power of a Heroic Spirit! The two powerful forces reached a stalemate in mid-air, and energy shockwaves spread out like ripples!

"Young man!" Zhang Lei's voice was like a great bell, carrying the authority of an elder admonishing a junior. "Power is not meant for venting anger! Your heart is too impetuous!"

Before his voice had even faded, Zhang Lei's arm suddenly swung downward!

The Fire God's giant palm erupted with divine power as well. Gripping the bronze battle-axe, it swung the Xing Tian phantom behind it and the host Xing Feng himself like a rag doll, easily lifting them and then heavily throwing them out of the arena bounds!

Xing Feng let out a startled cry, feeling an irresistible massive force transmit to him. His world spun, and the Xing Tian phantom flickered, becoming somewhat blurred. He crashed clumsily to the ground, rolling several times before stopping.

"Bastard!" Xing Feng quickly scrambled up, filled with shame and anger. His eyes were as red as blood, and the Xing Tian phantom behind him solidified again. Roaring, he wanted to charge back onto the arena.

"Xiao Feng! Stop!" Yang Tian suppressed his discomfort and stepped forward in a flash, firmly pressing down on Xing Feng's shoulder. His voice was stern yet carried concern. "You haven't fully mastered your Superpower yet, and your foundation is unstable. You're no match for him! Don't be impulsive!"

"But Brother Yang! He... he hurt you!" Xing Feng twisted his body like a stubborn young bull. His fists were clenched tight, nails almost digging into his flesh, his eyes filled with indignation and the fire of vengeance for Yang Tian.

"Xiao Feng!" Yang Tian's tone grew heavier. Enduring the dull pain in his chest, he said earnestly, "In a spar, injuries are inevitable! It's my own lack of skill. Zhang Lei already showed mercy; I'm just a bit exhausted, not fundamentally injured!" He tried to straighten his back and softened his tone. "Besides, he's right! You are too impetuous! A true powerhouse must know how to control their power and emotions! Blind recklessness and anger will only make you lose yourself! Your potential far exceeds mine, and your future achievements are limitless. Don't ruin your prospects because of a momentary impulse!"

Listening to Yang Tian's words and looking at his pale but resolute face, the crimson in Xing Feng's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a hint of grievance and confusion, but his clenched fists slowly relaxed.

To him, Yang Tian was like both an older brother and a father.

Xing Feng was an orphan. He lived in an orphanage as a child and left at the age of twelve to make a living alone in Kyoto, enduring many hardships.

After the apocalypse broke out, it was Yang Tian who carried him out of that dark, damp low-rent apartment. At that time, Xing Feng was so hungry he was just skin and bones. Yang Tian personally fed him food and water.

Later, when Xing Feng wanted to join the army, Yang Tian taught him martial arts hand-in-hand. Yang Tian's kindness toward him was as vast as the heavens.

Since awakening his Superpower, Xing Feng had become a standout in the military, a secret weapon. Except for the Evolvers in Kyoto, the other major bases were not yet aware of his existence. He was also the only one recorded in the entire country to possess a Mythical-grade Heroic Spirit Superpower.

At this moment, Zhang Lei walked over. He extended his palm, and a gentle, cool blue water-attribute energy condensed within it, slowly injecting the energy into Yang Tian's back.

Although he wasn't as proficient in healing spells as Jiang Feifei, the life energy contained within Third Order water-attribute Superpower energy had an excellent effect on restoring physical strength and soothing injuries.

Yang Tian felt a cool, refreshing aura pour into his limbs and bones. The dull pain in his chest and the feeling of weakness in his body quickly receded, and his spirits were lifted. He glanced at Zhang Lei in surprise, then cupped his hands and thanked him sincerely: "Thank you, Brother Zhang Lei. This healing method of yours is also quite amazing."

Zhang Lei waved his hand. "Just a minor trick. There's no need for politeness, Brother Yang Tian. I also gained much from our exchange just now."

Yang Tian laughed heartily. Although he had lost, he appeared very open-minded. "A loss is a loss. I am thoroughly convinced of Brother Zhang Lei's strength! Everyone has come from afar and must be tired. If you don't mind, you can rest for the night at the guesthouse of my training camp. The conditions are simple, but it's quite clean. Tomorrow morning, I will personally take you into the core area of the base to meet Officer Xiao and Commander Qin."

"In that case, I'll trouble Brother Yang Tian to make the arrangements!" Zhang Lei cupped his hands in return... The training camp's guesthouse was indeed as simple as Yang Tian had described, in the standard style of military barracks with white walls, green paint, and iron-frame beds, but it was kept exceptionally clean and tidy. The bedding even smelled of sunlight.

Zhang Lei, Yang Ning, and Shen Nan were assigned to the same dormitory. Closing the door and shutting out the noise outside, Yang Ning and Shen Nan finally relaxed. Neither of them had a dull personality, especially after experiencing that commotion just now.

Taking off his combat uniform, Yang Ning couldn't help but ask, "Officer, just how strong is that Yang Tian? I saw you fighting him back and forth. Isn't he only Second Order? To think he has such strength?"

Leaning against the bed with his hands behind his head, Zhang Lei mused, "Strong! Very strong! His Heroic Spirit Possession Superpower is extremely special, combining offense and defense, and his combat awareness has been tempered a thousand times over. In our entire Lujiang Base, I'm afraid only Brother Jiang and I could steadily defeat him. Of course..." Zhang Lei paused and added, "If it were a matter of assassination and surprise attacks, Natasha should have over a ninety percent chance of taking him down."

"What about... Xiong Da?" Shen Nan chimed in. "Xiong Da is also close to the peak of the Second Order now, right? That strength and earth-attribute Superpower are no small matter." He recalled the Earth War Bear—Xiong Da's—terrifying, destructive power. On the battlefield of clearing zombies, no same-order enemy—whether a Fatty Zombie, an Iron Back, or a King Kong—was a match for Xiong Da.

Zhang Lei shook his head and said with certainty, "Probably not enough. Although Xiong Da has immense strength, incredible defense, and the assistance of earth-attribute Superpowers, his agility and means of dealing with special attacks are weaknesses. Yang Tian's Yang Family Spear Technique is agile and swift, further enhanced by the Heroic Spirit. If they really fought, I'm afraid it would be hard for Xiong Da to gain an advantage; he might even be countered. This Heroic Spirit Possession Superpower indeed has its unique and powerful aspects."

He paused, his eyes becoming somewhat deep, and continued, "Not just Yang Tian, that youth named Xing Feng is even more extraordinary. A Mythical-grade Heroic Spirit... Although he can't fully control it yet, I've already felt that potential and majesty. Once he grows up and completely masters Xing Tian's Superpower, I'm afraid he'll be even more terrifying than Yang Tian! That axe strike he delivered today—if it weren't for me, if it had been any of you, even Yang Ning in his mecha, you would have likely lost quite badly."

Zhang Lei sighed softly, his tone carrying a hint of emotion and gravity. "Kyoto... as expected of Kyoto! A thousand years of heritage, a land of heroes and geniuses, with hidden talents and experts emerging in succession. In comparison, our Lujiang Base still has a long way to go. We... still need to work harder!"

However, he changed the subject, a sincere smile appearing on his face—a smile of seeing hope for humanity. "But this is a good thing! A wonderful thing! Having such experts stationed in Kyoto is a blessing for the country and the nation! It's precisely because of loyal, brave, and powerful soldiers like Yang Tian and the others, who charge forward one after another, unafraid of death, that we can hold this last pure land in this apocalypse. Only then can the fire of hope for reclaiming our homeland and rebuilding the glory of the human race never be extinguished! They deserve my, Zhang Lei's, respect!"

His words were powerful and resonant, filled with respect for the Kyoto soldiers and a firm belief in the future. In the room, Yang Ning and Shen Nan were also deeply moved and nodded heavily.