Becoming a Saint Starting with the Chasing Wind Leg Technique

Chapter 159 Locking in the Fifth, Desperate Money Like a Mountain (Seeking subscriptions, monthly tickets, and donations)

Time flies, and twenty-nine days have passed since the new regulations were issued and the top five positions became vacant.

For Qian Rushan, who was firmly in fifth place and just one step away from becoming an "outer disciple," these twenty-nine days were both long and short.

The long duration lies in the daily need to be wary of potential challenges and maintain a tense mindset; the short duration lies in the fact that the dawn of victory is already clearly visible, and all that remains is to endure the last day.

His greatest worry was the mysterious and unpredictable concept of "righteousness," which hung like a sword over his head.

This person was able to break through the fourth level of the Kung Fu Pavilion, and his strength is unfathomable. If we challenge him now, it will be the greatest calamity on his path to defending the title.

Therefore, he has devoted almost all his time to cultivation over the past month, adjusting his condition to its peak and remaining vigilant against any disturbance.

Fortunately, for a full twenty-nine days, "Yi" seemed to have vanished into thin air and never reappeared. The ranking list in the Cultivation Techniques Pavilion remained at the fourth level, and his name was nowhere to be found on the challenge list for the disciple rankings.

"The last day—" Qian Rushan stood before the window of his best quiet room in the C-section, gazing at the majestic main hall of the Pingtianmen branch in the distance. He let out a long sigh of relief, a long-lost, relieved smile appearing on his bronze face. "That Yi" didn't come—it's all settled, all settled! Tomorrow at this time, I, Qian Rushan, will be an outer disciple of the Pingtianmen! The prefectural city, a wider world, and a more profound legacy await me!

He could almost see himself dressed in the robes of an outer disciple, dominating the world in the more spiritually rich and expert-filled environment of the Pingtian Gate in the prefectural city.

His achievements in the inner city were merely the starting point of his martial arts journey.

However, on the morning of this final day, just when Qian Rushan was most relaxed and his vigilance was at its lowest, a disciple rushed in to report: "Senior Brother Qian, someone has submitted a challenge, requesting to challenge your fifth-place position!"

Qian Rushan's smile froze instantly, his heart clenched, and he whirled around, his large, bell-like eyes fixed on the disciple, his voice tinged with barely perceptible tension: "Who is it? Is it that anonymous 'Yi'?!"

That was the word he feared most at that moment.

The disciple in charge was startled by his fierce gaze and quickly shook his head: "No, no, Senior Brother Qian. The challenger's name is—Song Jing."

"Song Jing?" Qian Rushan was taken aback at first, then his tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and a huge sense of absurdity and disdain surged into his heart, followed by uncontrollable ecstasy and contempt!

"Song Jing? Hahahaha!" Qian Rushan laughed loudly, his voice shaking the roof tiles, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. "Is he the Song Jing who didn't even dare to go on stage when he saw me in the martial arts competition, and directly admitted defeat? Is he the Song Jing who has been hiding in his turtle shell for the past month, afraid to show his face, and who was trembling with fear because of me in the competition? He actually dares to challenge me on the last day? Who gave him the courage? Wang Xuanwu's broken spear?"

He laughed until tears almost streamed down his face. His previous tension and worry vanished, replaced by a playful and cruel mockery, like a cat toying with a mouse.

"Fine! Fine!" Qian Rushan stopped laughing, his eyes flashing with ferocity. He clenched his fist, which was as big as a sand bowl, and his knuckles cracked. "The last day is perfect for using this ignorant country bumpkin as a sacrifice! Three moves, no, maybe one move will be enough!"

Let everyone see what a true genius is, and what an insurmountable gap truly is! Let this arrogant brat fully realize his worthlessness!

"Defeat him, and tomorrow, I will bask in the glory of my victory, stride proudly through the outer gate of Pingtian Gate, and head towards the prefectural city!"

He waved his hand dismissively, his voice filled with heroic spirit: "I accept the challenge! Tell him that at noon, in the central arena, I, Qian Rushan, will be there to see him die!"

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire branch. After nearly a month of silence, Song Jing had launched a challenge on the very last day of Qian Rushan's reign as champion! This was undoubtedly a bombshell dropped into a calm lake!

"Song Jing challenges Qian Rushan? The last day?! Has he gone mad?!"

"Holy crap! This is a real show! I thought I wasn't going to see anything!"

"Song Jing has been hiding for a month, all this time, holding back his anger, preparing for one last desperate attempt?"

"What a joke! I think it's just asking for humiliation! Qian Rushan is capable of defeating someone at the Bone Forging Realm! What can Song Jing possibly use to fight him?"

"What if? Didn't Song Jing defeat Zhao Yuanqing before? —"

"Zhao Yuanqing can't compare to Qian Rushan? Senior Brother Qian is the undisputed number one! Song Jing is doomed this time!"

At noon, in the central arena.

There are more people than ever before.

A dense crowd surrounded the arena, all craning their necks to witness the final battle that would determine the "outer sect qualification," and also to see what Song Jing, who had been silent for a month, had to rely on to dare to challenge the rising star Qian Rushan at this time.

On one side of the arena, Qian Rushan stood proudly. He was eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. Just standing there, he was like an iron tower, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.

The dark gold "mountain-splitting axe" in his hand, as wide as a door panel, gleamed coldly in the sunlight, as if it possessed the power to split mountains and shatter rocks.

He crossed his arms, closed his eyes to rest, and relaxed his posture, as if what was about to take place was not a life-or-death battle, but a boring game of crushing ants.

On the other side of the arena, Song Jing slowly stepped onto the stairs. He was still wearing that faded blue robe, and still wielding that long spear wrapped in gray cloth.

His steps were steady, his face calm, and his eyes undisturbed, as if the noise, doubts, and expectations of the outside world were irrelevant to him. This composure stood in stark contrast to Qian Rushan's flamboyant and domineering manner.

Below the stage, the divisions were clearly distinct.

The three heroes of the inner city—Sun Sihai, Li Qingmei, and Zhao Yuanqing—gathered with Lei Zhen, each with undisguised sarcasm on their faces.

Schadenfreude, and a kind of "let's see how you die" anticipation.

"Hmph, he hid for a month, I thought he could come up with something, but he still came to his death." Sun Sihai sneered.

"Someone who surrendered outright in the martial arts competition dares to challenge Senior Brother Qian? He's courting death." Li Qingmei's beautiful eyes were full of disdain.

Although Zhao Yuanqing did not speak, his tightly pursed lips and gloomy eyes revealed his desire to see Song Jing suffer a crushing defeat and wipe away his previous humiliation.

Lei Zhen gritted his teeth and whispered, "Senior Brother Qian, beat him to death! It would be best to cripple him! Let's see how arrogant he'll be then!"

A little further away, Nie Feng and Bai Yunfei stood together, their expressions a mixture of tension and anticipation.

"Senior Brother Song—he's finally made his move." Bai Yunfei clenched his fists, his palms sweating. "The last day—he must be confident!"

Nie Feng's gaze was intense as he stared at the figure in blue on the stage: "A month—he would never be unprepared. Qian Rushan is very strong, but Song Jing—I can't see through him. The outcome of this battle is uncertain."

"clang--!"

The long, solemn chimes resounded through the sky, silencing all the discussions.

The final battle begins!

Qian Rushan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping over Song Jing like a beast eyeing its prey. He grinned, revealing gleaming white teeth: "Song Jing, it takes commendable courage for you to stand here. As a reward, I will use my strongest power to send you down if you can catch me."

Before he finished speaking, he stomped his right foot hard on the ground!

"boom!"

The specially made granite arena was cracked by his footsteps, leaving a spiderweb-like pattern! He charged towards Song Jing like a cannonball, carrying an incomparably violent momentum!

The axe in his hand had no fancy moves; it was simply the most straightforward, direct, and violent way to split Mount Hua!

Before the axe even arrived, the fierce and domineering axe wind already made Song Jing's clothes flutter and his breath catch in his throat!

This axe strike embodies Qian Rushan's terrifying blood and qi from his perfected Body Refining Realm, his innate divine strength, and the ultimate power brought by the "Melt Gold and Forge Bones Technique." It seems to truly cleave everything before him, including the arena, in two!

At this point, the two had unknowingly exchanged fifty moves!

Faced with this axe blow that split mountains and rocks, Song Jing's eyes narrowed slightly, and he instantly activated the Great Perfection Nine Shadow Steps!

Leaving a faint blue shadow behind, his true form shifted three feet to the side like a ghost, narrowly avoiding the most intense point of the axe blade.

At the same time, the gray cloth in his hand exploded, and the Crimson Flame Star Thunder Spear emerged like a poisonous dragon from its cave, carrying a trail of fire and a faint thunderous sound, and went straight for Qian Rushan's slightly exposed ribcage due to the exertion of force!

The Wildfire Spear Technique has just begun to ignite! Its speed and unpredictable changes of direction far exceeded Qian Rushan's expectations!

"Hmm?" Qian Rushan let out a soft exclamation, clearly not expecting Song Jing's movements to be so strange and swift, and hastily parried with his axe.

"clang--!"

The spear tip struck the axe, producing a loud bang and sparks.

Qian Rushan felt a heavy, scorching, and numbing force coming from the axe, which made his arm go numb slightly and his forward momentum pause!

"Interesting." Qian Rushan's slight disdain faded, and his gaze became more serious. "Quite strong, and fast too. It seems you didn't waste this past month hiding."

The two figures clashed instantly, locked in combat. Qian Rushan's axe techniques were wide and powerful, each strike accompanied by a piercing shriek that seemed to tear through the air, as if to crush everything in its path.

Song Jing, on the other hand, used his agility to maneuver around the enemy, his Crimson Star Thunder Spear moving like a serpent emerging from its hole, targeting the subtle gaps in the transitions between his moves and the shifts in power. His spear technique was cunning and ruthless, and it also possessed the dual attributes of fire and lightning, making Qian Rushan feel quite uncomfortable.

Sun Sihai and Li Qingmei said in unison, "Ha, all you do is dodge and weave, afraid to take Senior Brother Qian's axe head-on! A piece of trash is a piece of trash!"

Lei Zhen: "Hide? Let's see how long you can hide! Senior Brother Qian could kill you with one axe!"

Bai Yunfei: "Such swift movements! Senior Brother Song's spear technique—it seems even more refined! He can actually hold his own against Qian Rushan?"

Fifty moves passed in the blink of an eye, and the two were evenly matched!

Although Qian Rushan had the advantage in strength and launched a relentless offensive, he was still unable to truly break through Song Jing's unpredictable movements and impenetrable defense.

The perfect golden bell shield withstood several axe winds, leaving only shallow marks.

However, Song Jing's gun always manages to threaten him from the most unexpected angles.

When they had fought for nearly a hundred moves, the two were evenly matched.

Qian Rushan grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. His opponent's strength seemed to be not much less than his own?

No, it was that spear and the strange elemental attacks that made up for part of the power difference.

His opponent's speed and agility were subtly suppressing him! How could this be? He was Qian Rushan, who had cultivated a top-tier body-refining technique!

"This can't go on!" A fierce glint flashed in Qian Rushan's eyes. He suddenly took half a step back, his blood and qi surging violently, his skin faintly glowing with a bronze luster, as if he had transformed into a giant cast in bronze and iron! "The profound meaning of the Mountain-Splitting Axe Technique! Splitting the Earth and Dividing the Heavens!"

""

He gripped the axe with both hands, unleashing all his strength and the power of the "Melting Gold and Forging Bones Technique" to the extreme. The giant axe transformed into a terrifying arc of dark gold light, as if it were truly about to tear the heavens and earth apart, carrying an aura of destruction as it descended upon Song Jing!

This attack covered a wide area and was faster, blocking most of Song Jing's dodge space and forcing him to take the hit head-on!

Faced with this deadly attack, Song Jing's eyes flashed with a sharp light. Instead of retreating, he stepped forward and charged!

When the perfect golden bell shield reaches its limit, the pale golden hue under the skin completely conceals itself.

The Crimson Star Thunder Spear in his hand burst forth with piercing tri-colored light!

"Wildfire - Hundred Cuts!"

This is no longer a test, but a true, decisive move!

Nearly sixty incredibly refined spear shadows, interwoven with crimson flames and lightning, surged towards the dark golden axe light like a destructive torrent after a volcanic eruption!

"Boom—!!!"

An unprecedented and terrifying collision!

Crimson flames, lightning, and dark gold energy clashed and annihilated each other, and the explosive shockwaves caused the protective light shield at the edge of the arena to ripple violently!

Those who were nearby were thrown off their feet by the blast wave.

The light faded, and the two men each took a few steps back.

Qian Rushan's chest heaved violently, his hand holding the axe trembled slightly, and his tiger's mouth split open, oozing blood.

A trickle of blood also escaped from the corner of Song Jing's mouth, but his eyes remained sharp, and his hand holding the gun was as steady as a rock.

At this point, the two had already exchanged nearly 150 moves.

Sun Sihai and Li Qingmei's expressions changed slightly: "This—this Song Jing actually managed to withstand Senior Brother Qian's final move of the Mountain-Splitting Axe Technique? And even repelled Senior Brother Qian?"

Zhao Yuanqing's pupils contracted: "His Wildfire Hundred Slashes—their power is far greater than when he fought me! In this past month, he—"

Lei Zhen exclaimed in disbelief, "Impossible! Senior Brother Qian's Earth-Splitting Heaven-Shattering Technique can even injure someone at the Bone Forging Realm! How could he possibly withstand it?!"

Nie Feng clenched his fist excitedly: "He blocked it! Senior Brother Song really blocked it! And—it seems he didn't suffer too much damage?!"

By the time they reached the two hundredth move, the balance of power on the stage had shifted, and the battle began to subtly change.

Qian Rushan discovered that although his offensive was still fierce, the opponent could always neutralize or withstand it with minimal cost.

But that damned gun and that strange movement of the other side were like a persistent, intractable disease, becoming increasingly difficult to deal with.

Especially the "Wildfire Hundred Slashes," which he had to deal with with all his might every time he used it, resulting in huge energy consumption.

What's even more terrifying is that the opponent's life force seems to be exceptionally long. Even after such a fierce battle, his aura remains steady, while he himself is already feeling a bit tired.

"His defense—how can it be so tough?! My axe can't even break through it?!" Qian Rushan was horrified.

Little did he know that the perfect Golden Bell Shield, combined with Song Jing's physique honed through "Heaven rewards diligence" and countless battles, had already reached an unbelievable defensive level, comparable to the protective true qi of an ordinary mid-stage Bone Forging Realm martial artist!

"His speed—is still increasing?! This movement technique—" Qian Rushan felt increasingly frustrated as the fight progressed. His pride and joy in strength and defense could not gain an overwhelming advantage against Song Jing, and his speed and agility were completely suppressed!

Song Jing's figure was like a ghost, spinning rapidly around him. His spear moved like the wind, attacking from all directions. The power of the crimson flames and thunder constantly eroded his protective qi and blood, making his whole body numb and causing his qi and blood circulation to become sluggish.

Sun Sihai's face turned pale, and his voice trembled: "What's going on? Senior Brother Qian—he seems to be struggling? Why is Song Jing's attack getting more and more intense?"

Zhao Yuanqing's face was ashen as he muttered to himself, "Suppression—Qian Rushan was actually suppressed? Suppressed in strength and head-on confrontation? How is this possible—"

Lei Zhen's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a madman: "No! Impossible! Senior Brother Qian! Fight back! Kill him!"

Bai Yunfei's breathing quickened, his eyes gleaming: "The upper hand! Senior Brother Song has the upper hand! His marksmanship—it's simply divine!"

Qian Rushan seems to be losing his pace!

After two hundred moves, Qian Rushan was covered in blood, mostly from the backlash of his own axe wind and Song Jing's spear force. His breathing was disordered, and his eyes were filled with bloodshot veins and unbelievable madness.

He couldn't accept that he, the leader of the inner city, who cultivated top-level techniques, had been forced into such a predicament by a kid from the outer city who didn't dare to fight him in the martial arts competition!

"Ah—! Die! Melt gold and forge bones, split mountains and open up new lands!" Qian Rushan roared like a beast, burning his last bit of blood and potential, his body glowing with a bronze luster, as if he had transformed into a real metal giant!

The axe in his hand shone with an unprecedented dark golden light, carrying a tragic aura of mutual destruction, as it unleashed its final and strongest desperate strike at Song Jing!

This strike seemed to drain all the air and light around him, leaving only that axe-like energy that tore everything apart!

Faced with this devastating blow, Song Jing knew that the time to decide the outcome had come.

He took a deep breath, his eyes eerily calm. A month of arduous training had perfected his marksmanship, propelling him past the fourth level of mastery. He had been lying low, accumulating experience, waiting for this moment!

The perfect golden bell shield is unleashed to the point of exceeding its limits!

The Great Nine Shadow Steps and the Chasing Wind Leg Technique elevate speed to its peak!

The essence of the Great Perfection Prairie Spear Technique and the true meaning of "Prairie Fire" are all condensed!

As if sensing its master's will, the Crimson Flame Starlight Spear emitted a trembling sound of extreme excitement. The crimson flames, starlight, and lightning on the spear became more intense than ever before. The three phenomena were no longer distinct and completely merged into a deep, dark red chaotic color that seemed to devour everything!

He didn't shout out the name of the move, but poured all his essence, energy, spirit, blood, and intention, as well as all the accumulation, breakthroughs, and beliefs of the past month, into this simple and unadorned thrust!

The gun shot out, without light or sound, leaving only a faint, almost invisible dark red trail that seemed to tear through space, striking the very core, yet most vulnerable, point of the destructive axe's power.

"bite"

A faint, crisp sound seemed to resonate deep within everyone's soul.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

The next moment—

"Crack! Boom—!!!!"

The dark golden axe of destruction burst and disintegrated from its core, like a balloon punctured by a needle!

The high-quality mountain-splitting axe that had accompanied Qian Rushan in battle for many years had a tiny crack appear on its blade from the dark red spear tip, which then quickly spread!

"puff--!"

As if struck by a massive hammer, Qian Rushan coughed up a mouthful of blood mixed with fragments of his internal organs. His metallic giant-like figure was thrown backward like a kite with a broken string. The axe in his hand slipped from his grasp, spinning as it flew off the arena and embedded itself deeply into the stone wall in the distance.

He crashed heavily to the edge of the ring, struggled a few times, but ultimately couldn't get up. His eyes were unfocused, filled with endless confusion, resentment, and—deep fear and despair.

Song Jing sheathed his spear and stood there, the Crimson Flame Star Thunder Spear pointing diagonally at the ground. The dark red chaotic color on the spear body slowly receded, transforming back into the Crimson Flame Star Thunder pattern.

His chest heaved violently, and blood kept spilling from the corner of his mouth, clearly indicating that he had also suffered serious internal injuries, but his posture remained as upright as a pine tree.

Finally, the 250th move was reached, and the outcome on the stage was decided.

Song Jing won.

Sun Sihai slumped in his seat, his face pale, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word: ————

Zhao Yuanqing stood there dumbfounded, the jade hairpin that had broken at some point piercing his palm, drawing blood without him even noticing: He had lost—

—Mountains of money—also lost—

Lei Zhen's eyes glazed over, and he slumped to the ground as if all his bones had been removed, muttering: "It's over—it's all over—"

Nie Feng and Bai Yunfei were stunned for a moment, then erupted in thunderous cheers, pounding each other with excitement and tears welling in their eyes: "They won! Senior Brother Song won! He defeated Qian Rushan! He's number one! The outer sect qualification is his!"

"Challenger Song Jing wins! Ranking changes to fifth place!"

"The countdown to defend the title begins again!" The trembling yet high-pitched voice of the steward He Renzhong resounded throughout the entire plaza through the amplification array.

He looked at Song Jing and nodded: "Young man, you're quite good. Born in the outer city, you're relentless. Even though your resources and conditions are inferior, you still strive forward bravely. You have perseverance and talent. You will surely achieve extraordinary things in the future. Opening the gate won't be your end; you can even shine in the inner sect!"

Dead silence.

Immediately following was a tsunami of devastation, far more intense, more frenzied, and more mind-blowing than when "righteousness" broke through the fourth barrier!

Song Jing, a boy from the outer city who "conceded defeat" in the martial arts competition, was ridiculed for a month, and was regarded as a "rabble," unexpectedly defeated Qian Rushan, the leader of the inner city and considered the most secure candidate for the outer sect, on the last day in a way that no one expected. He ranked fifth and won the qualification of "prospective outer sect disciple"!

The gazes of everyone looking at the blood-soaked figure in the blue robe in the center of the arena completely changed.

Fear, shock, worship, disbelief—a mix of emotions.

Song Jing slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the "inner city prodigies" who had once mocked him but now looked ashen-faced, over the excited Nie Feng and Bai Yunfei, and finally, he looked up at the distant sky.

"Prefectural City, Pingtian Gate—"

He muttered to himself, gripping the spear in his hand tightly.

The new journey has just begun.

As for the hustle and bustle and grudges in the inner city, they were all things of the past to him.

The true world lies in the distance.