89: The power of Zhenwu

As soon as this news broke, it instantly spread like a terrifying storm throughout the Shenwu Dynasty, and the martial artists, common people, officials, craftsmen, scholars, and others who heard it were all shocked and delighted.

Martial artists, in particular, saw hope for a path to a Great Dao, and countless individuals immediately decided to head towards the Imperial City.

Such significant news even startled those reclusive old ghosts, who were far more concerned about it than anyone else.

Zheng Lieya was the first Refining Spirit Expert to find Gu Chang, as he had been teaching the younger generation in the Imperial City ever since he agreed to Gu Chang's request.

“I never thought he would actually Breakthrough!”

“Your Majesty is truly a rare martial arts genius in this world!”

“This old man has no regrets in this life! Hahaha! No regrets in this life!”

At this moment, his emotions were abnormally agitated; he was clearly laughing heartily, but tears flowed down his face as he laughed.

Gu Chang couldn't help but shake his head and sigh upon seeing his unseemly state.

The reason was simple: after so many years, although Zheng Lieya had not yet died of old age, his vital Qi and blood had decayed to an extreme degree, and he was now even inferior to an ordinary Marrow Refining Expert.

This meant that even if Gu Chang told him the complete method of Breakthrough, he would never be able to Breakthrough in this life.

This cruel reality was indeed the cruelest thing for a pure martial artist who had pursued the Martial Dao his entire life.

“Your Majesty, on behalf of the countless martial artists in this world, I sincerely thank you!”

Finally, Zheng Lieya, who had cried and laughed, suddenly reined in all his expressions, then solemnly bowed to Gu Chang, prostrating himself on the ground; this time, he was genuinely thanking Gu Chang.

“Alas, since you were able to help me Breakthrough to Spirit Refining without reservation back then, why can't I open a path for the martial artists of this world?”

However, Zheng Lieya did not expect Gu Chang to say such words.

For Gu Chang, guiding the development of the Martial Dao in this world would undoubtedly benefit his strength improvement; the more powerful martial artists there were, the more likely it would be to Breakthrough to a higher Martial Dao Realm.

“Rise, three months from now, I will explain the Martial Dao outside the Imperial City, to point out a new direction for the martial artists of the world!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“This matter will surely become a grand event for the entire Shenwu Dynasty and will leave a deep mark in historical records!”

After hearing Gu Chang's words, Zheng Lieya immediately became excited again; undoubtedly, Gu Chang's unreserved approach would inevitably change the past conservative, stagnant, and secretive Martial Dao atmosphere.

Not long after, other Refining Spirit Experts who heard the news of Gu Chang's Breakthrough also came to visit Gu Chang at the fastest speed.

The news of Gu Chang's Breakthrough definitely had the greatest impact on them, after all, they only needed one more step to potentially take that step and reach a brand new Martial Dao Realm.

For this, they were absolutely willing to pay a huge price to obtain Gu Chang's method and experience of Breakthrough.

At this moment, they absolutely abandoned all previous notions, just to see how powerful the new Martial Dao Realm truly was!

“You've come at just the right time; I currently need some sparring partners, all of you come with me!”

Seeing the ten Refining Spirit Experts before him, Gu Chang immediately chuckled, then directly issued a command to them.

“Yes! We obey your command!”

These Refining Spirit Experts did not refuse; after all, they came with this very purpose in mind, even if they died, they wanted to see the power of the True Martial Realm!

Soon, they arrived at the Imperial City's Forbidden Army training ground, which was exceptionally spacious, with its entire surface paved with thick bluestone slabs, capable of accommodating five thousand Divine Martial Forbidden Army members for training simultaneously.

At this time, Gu Chang and these vigorous Refining Spirit Experts arrived at this place.

“The reason I call this Realm the True Martial Realm is that from now on, the martial arts I practice are True Martial arts!”

“Below True Martial, everything is illusory; the original martial arts were imitations of all things in the world, self-imagined Moves, using the human body to manifest all things.”

“But above True Martial, I am Martial, I am True, not only possessing both spirit and form, but also containing the ultimate principles of Heaven and Earth within it.”

Before making his Move, Gu Chang briefly explained the differences of the True Martial Realm to them.

Despite being only a few short sentences, these Refining Spirit Experts were still captivated, filling them with an intense longing.

“Alright, that's enough talk; all of you, attack together!”

Finally, Gu Chang's Aura changed, bringing them back to their senses.

The ten Refining Spirit Experts exchanged glances, and then simultaneously launched their attacks at him.

Facing ten Refining Spirit Experts simultaneously, if it were before, even Gu Chang would not dare to be careless, after all, no matter how strong he was then, he was still a martial artist at the Spirit Refining level.

But now, facing these ten Refining Spirit Experts, he didn't even need to specifically adopt a defensive posture.

“Your Majesty, we apologize for our offense!”

“Please be careful, Your Majesty!”

“Attack!”

“...”

These ten individuals, having achieved Spirit Refining, naturally possessed exceptionally firm Heart-Nature; hearing Gu Chang say this, they immediately unleashed the terrifying power belonging to Refining Spirit Experts without hesitation.

Instantly, the imposing Aura of the ten seemed to solidify, various phenomena surrounded them, evolving into Martial Dao essence, and then their killing Moves erupted simultaneously!

“Boom!”

In an instant, large sections of the training ground's bluestone floor cracked and exploded, as the earth-shattering strikes of the ten Refining Spirit Experts simultaneously landed on Gu Chang.

“Roar!!!”

However, at this moment, a colossal pure black fierce tiger emerged on Gu Chang's body; in an instant, terrifying might descended like countless bolts of lightning, and the tiger's roar was like the collapse of the heavens!

No one knew how this fierce tiger appeared, but its immense size directly blocked the killing Moves of the ten Refining Spirit Experts.

This fierce tiger had clear markings all over its body, its eyes contained fierce might, its claws and teeth were exceptionally sharp, and its tiger might was even more ferocious, looking as if it had walked out of ancient wilderness.

But the most terrifying thing was its bloody sense of dread, as if it was about to devour someone immediately; its mere presence made people feel a fatal sense of crisis, as if their souls would be swallowed by this ferocious black giant tiger in the next moment.

“Woo woo woo ~”

Following that, several figures resembling ghost-servants appeared around the fierce tiger; these ghost-servants also had tiger forms, but they were more insidious and ruthless, almost instantly taking lives upon striking, touching them meant death!

Nine of the ten Refining Spirit Experts were entangled by these ghost-servants, with only one facing the giant tiger directly; however, with just one swipe of its paw, the giant tiger pressed him to the ground, making him unable to Move.

The Zhengang Strength that originally enveloped his entire body immediately disintegrated like foam under the black giant tiger's paw.

If they didn't fully understand the meaning of the True Martial Realm at first, then at the moment of engagement, they realized what True Martial truly was.

Because the power they were so proud of seemed illusory when facing Gu Chang, it simply shattered with a single touch!

Soon, the battle ended, and the remaining nine Refining Spirit Experts were also no match for those ferocious and ruthless ghost-servants; the difference in power levels simply could not be compensated by combat skills.

After the battle ended, everyone realized that Gu Chang was still standing in his original position, maintaining his original posture and movements.

Their attacks had not caused the slightest change in Gu Chang; he had merely used the True Qi and Martial Dao intent within his body.

Facing such terrifying absolute power, even the most unruly Refining Spirit Experts were completely convinced.

At the same time, an unprecedented and intense yearning for the True Martial Realm arose within their hearts!

For them, if they could not achieve True Martial, then everything in the past was illusory!