All Heavens: Dual Cultivation of Magic and Martial Arts Starting from the Republic of China

Chapter 66 Fu Ze, having reached the pinnacle of internal energy, is assassinated upon entering the city.

That night, the group did not enter Yunmeng County.

Liao Xibai was still weak, and Li Junfeng's injuries had not yet healed; rushing into the city would only cause trouble. So the group rested in a mountain forest on the outskirts of Yunmeng County.

The terrain here isn't high, but there's a gentle slope halfway up the mountain.

Looking into the distance, you can see a very large lake.

Under the cover of night, the lake stretched out, its surface churning with moisture. The bright moonlight fell upon the lake, like scattered silver, or like a thin layer of white mist rising from the water and slowly merging into the deep black sky.

Fu Ze stood in the woods on the mountainside, gazing at the lake in the distance, and suddenly felt a strange, indescribable feeling.

The journey from the mountains and forests of eastern Sichuan was mostly through mountain paths, streams, old forests, and narrow trails. Suddenly seeing such a vast lake, it felt as if a breeze had blown open my heart.

Liao Xibai, wearing an overcoat, sat on a flat rock, also looking at the water in the distance.

He said softly.

"This lake is said to be a remnant of the Yunmeng Marsh after it dried up in ancient times, and it is considered the last trace of the Yunmeng Marsh. Yunmeng County is named after it."

Fu Ze was slightly taken aback.

Yunmeng Marsh.

He had certainly heard of that name before.

In his original world, after the Yunmeng Marsh dried up, the remaining main body should have been Dongting Lake. But in this world's Yunmeng County, such a huge lake still remains.

Indeed, there are still some differences.

Many places are similar, many histories are similar, but the details are different everywhere.

As Fu Ze gazed at the lake under the moonlight, the sense of dislocation he felt, as if he were living in a parallel world, resurfaced in his mind.

A breeze blew from the lake, carrying moisture.

Moist, cool, and extremely open.

Zhao Rui started a fire nearby, muttering to himself.

"This place is nice, but there are a lot of mosquitoes. And why are they mainly biting me?"

Feng Xuan laughed.

"It's natural to be like this near a marsh. Don't complain, I'll use my little magic to drive it away."

As he spoke, he casually made a hand seal and chanted an incantation. A faint white light then flickered.

There were no more mosquitoes within a ten-meter radius of the crowd.

Zhao Rui said happily.

"Master, this is wonderful!"

Li Junfeng sat down against a tree, his face still pale, but better than when he had just left Shuangjing Village.

He glanced at Fu Ze.

"Aren't you going to rest?"

Fu Ze shook his head.

"I slept the whole way, so I actually felt more energetic at night."

Zhao Rui rolled his eyes.

"Is that your spirit? I think you just want to practice your boxing again."

Fu Ze smiled and did not deny it.

In the language of his world, he is the "King of Scrolls"!

Of course, Zhao Rui and the others didn't understand the feeling of wanting to cultivate even more when someone is restricted in every way and then those restrictions are lifted.

Moreover, Fu Ze had a feeling since the night before last.

His internal strength had truly reached its limit!

All his strength had reached a critical point, like water rising to the dam, just a little bit more away from overflowing.

However, the step of transforming one's internal energy is not something that can be achieved simply through arduous practice.

Ming Jin (manifest strength) trains physical strength, An Jin (hidden strength) trains Qi (vital energy), and Hua Jin (transformative strength) trains spirit.

When one reaches the stage of "transformation into strength," the emphasis is on perfecting the roundness of one's strength, closing the pores, harmonizing qi and blood, and achieving a state of profound mental focus.

It's not just about being able to generate hidden force; it's about being able to generate force from every part of the body, listen to force from every part, and neutralize force from every part!

When an enemy throws a punch, a master of internal strength uses their own force to penetrate the opponent.

A master of neutralizing force can clearly "hear" the opponent's force the moment they make contact, and then use their own harmonious force to neutralize, dissipate, and counteract it.

Like water, like clouds, like the wind blowing across a lake. Vast and boundless, coming and going freely!

Fu Ze looked at the distant lake and a thought suddenly struck him.

The lake surface did not resist the wind.

When the wind blows, it creates ripples.

When the moonlight falls, it carries the moonlight.

As the water vapor rises, it dissolves into the heavens and earth.

But if a stone is thrown down, the lake water can absorb that force, spreading out in circles of ripples before finally returning to calm.

Isn't this the essence of neutralizing force?

It's not about blocking head-on or charging in head-on. It's about being perfectly integrated throughout the body, able to withstand force at every point and neutralize it at every point.

Fu Ze suddenly had an epiphany. He stood in the moonlight and slowly began to assume his stance.

First came the Eight Extremes.

Slightly sink your feet and straighten your back.

He didn't exert himself suddenly as usual, but rather very slowly.

He unleashed a powerful, mountain-splitting strike.

The fist may appear light and airy, but a hidden force flows between the tendons, bones, and skin like mercury.

From the soles of the feet to the knees and hips.

From the waist and spine to the shoulders and elbows.

Then to the wrist and fingertips.

Fu Ze suddenly realized that although his internal energy had spread throughout his body, his feet were his feet, his waist was his waist, his shoulders were his shoulders, and his hands were his hands.

Although it can be connected, there is still a slight sense of stagnation in the connection.

But at this moment, under the moonlight and in the lake breeze, his mind sank down, and he could almost hear the subtle vibrations of every fascia in his body.

Blood flowed, muscles contracted, joints opened and closed, pores opened slightly—he could even faintly feel the tips of his hair being blown by the night wind and the subtle coolness coming from the edges of his fingernails!

Fu Ze was startled.

"This...is this what they call the 'Four Extremities'? I think I can feel it."

When the hidden strength is perfected, the power permeates the muscles, bones, skin, and membranes, except for the four most subtle extremities: the tongue, teeth, hair, and nails.

The essence of neutralizing force is to extend power to the four extremities!

The senses are so subtle that they penetrate to the extreme, and the power is so perfectly integrated that even the slightest changes at the very ends of the body can be controlled by the mind.

Fu Ze practiced boxing under the moonlight, each move slower and slower.

Zhao Rui wanted to say something, but after looking at him for a while, he shut his mouth.

Feng Xuan also turned his head to look.

A strange look appeared in Liao Xibai's eyes.

Li Junfeng, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and his expression immediately became serious.

Fu Ze's demeanor changed.

From Bajiquan to Xingyiquan.

Three-Body Stance — Starting with variations of the chopping fist, collapsing fist, drilling fist, cannon fist, and horizontal fist.

First, the five elements rotate, and then the twelve forms rotate.

The tiger's form is fierce and powerful, the snake's form is coiling and serpentine, the eagle's form is sharp and piercing, and the bear's form is heavy and imposing.

No matter how it changed, the power in Fu Ze's body no longer had the same explosive feel as before.

Instead, they became even more restrained.

His feet sank into the mud with almost no sound.

With each step, the tiny blades of grass and roots on the ground around him would tremble slightly. Not from the force of his foot, but as if they were gently pushed by an invisible ripple.

Fu Ze's breathing also became increasingly shallow.

The thunderous roar of tigers and leopards rolled low deep within their chests and bellies.

The breaths, a mixture of hum and ha, swirled in the throat and nasal cavity without exploding. Like thunder hidden in the clouds, yet not falling!

Suddenly, Fu Ze pressed his tongue against his upper palate and gently closed his jaw.

click!

The sound was very soft.

But in that instant, the hairs on his body seemed to be blown by the night wind, or as if they were all gathered up by an internal force.

When the pores close, the blood and qi sink. The skin all over the body seems to transform into an extremely thin yet extremely sensitive drumhead.

When the wind blows, he can sense its direction.

The steam rushed towards him, and he could feel its coolness.

He could even detect the slightest change in the air when Zhao Rui's breathing became a little heavier!

A leaf, blown down by the wind, drifted right in front of Fu Ze.

He didn't grab it; he simply twisted his wrist slightly. The leaf circled his palm once before being gently released, drifting away on the night breeze.

Fu Ze closed his eyes and suddenly smiled.

"I see. I think I understand now—this is, the Transformation of Internal Energy!"

The next moment, he moved his feet.

He slid forward three feet as if he were weightless.

It's not about light footwork, nor is it simply about explosive power.

Instead, the power of the feet, knees, hips, waist, back, shoulders, and elbows is integrated into one force in an instant, propelling the body forward naturally.

Fu Ze pressed his palm against a small tree next to him.

Despite the seemingly light touch, the tree trunk did not immediately burst open, and even the bark remained intact.

But two seconds passed.

Click!

A muffled thud suddenly came from inside the tree trunk.

A thin crack appeared on the inside of the sapling, and bark and leaves rustled and fell to the ground.

Zhao Rui's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Huh?! No way! Brother Fu, what the hell are you up to now?"

Li Junfeng slowly stood up.

He stared at Fu Ze with a serious expression, and after a long silence, he finally uttered two words.

"Transforming strength".

Feng Xuan almost dropped the water pouch in his hand.

"Has he truly reached the pinnacle of skill?"

Liao Xibai couldn't help but laugh and sigh.

"Haha! Brother Fu, you always make people feel that the word 'genius' is too superficial to describe you."

Zhao Rui scratched his hair.

"No, didn't you guys say before that the transition from internal strength to external strength is extremely difficult?"

Li Junfeng said coldly.

"It's very difficult."

Zhao Rui pointed at Fu Ze.

"How come he broke through so easily? I remember when we first met, he hadn't even reached the Great Mastery of Internal Strength yet, right? How long has it been?"

Li Junfeng paused for a moment.

"That's why I said he doesn't seem like a human. He seems like a reincarnation of a great ancient demon. We should have Daoist Feng Xuan set up an altar to check on him."

Fu Ze opened his eyes and complained.

"Brother Li, your injuries haven't healed yet, so don't try to learn these banter skills from Zhao Rui."

Zhao Rui immediately replied.

"What do you mean by 'learning from me'? This is what everyone feels in the same way."

Feng Xuan walked around Fu Ze for a couple of steps, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Your magical cultivation is about to be ordained, and your martial arts have reached the Transformation Realm. Young friend Fu, if word gets out about your situation, those prestigious sects will probably all come to snatch you up."

Fu Ze flexed his wrists.

After reaching the Transformation Realm, the feeling is indeed completely different.

It wasn't just a sudden surge in strength, but rather a breakthrough in control over the body, reaching a new level.

Hidden strength is like a needle concealed within the body. It can pierce through and penetrate.

The neutralizing force is like a circular net. The moment an external force touches it, it can be caught, sensed, and neutralized.

Li Junfeng looked at Fu Ze, suddenly feeling a little itchy, and spoke up.

"Fu Ze, Mi, Shi Ge Yu".

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rui immediately perked up.

"Here you are! I knew you two would come sooner or later."

Fu Ze shook his head.

"Brother Li, you're still injured."

Li Junfeng snorted.

"I know. So we're just lending a hand."

Fu Ze remained silent for a moment, then extended his hand.

"All right."

He knew Li Junfeng's personality; if he refused again, the other party would definitely be unhappy.

Their palms touched lightly, without any fists or feet exchanging blows. But the moment their hands touched, their strength clashed.

Fu Ze felt that although Li Junfeng's palm was weak, the foundation of a Grandmaster of Internal Energy was still there. That force was fine and smooth, like a layer of water or a net, trying to envelop his hidden strength.

In the past, as soon as Fu Ze unleashed his hidden power, it would have been neutralized by Li Junfeng.

But this time was different; Fu Ze's own strength spread out like water.

He didn't block Li Junfeng's force.

Listen first, then follow along, then transform — and finally give a gentle shake.

Snapped!

A visible, transparent wave of air suddenly burst forth between their palms, accompanied by a soft sound.

Li Junfeng's shoulders swayed slightly, and he took a half step back.

Fu Ze also took a small step back.

But in the end, Li Junfeng was the one who withdrew more.

Zhao Rui's eyes widened immediately.

"No way! This... Brother Fu won?"

Fu Ze immediately shook his head.

"Brother Li is injured and lacks energy. If he were at his peak, I definitely wouldn't be a match for him."

Li Junfeng withdrew his hand, his face somewhat pale. He looked at Fu Ze with a complex expression.

"You've just entered the realm of Transformation, your strength isn't pure enough, and your mind isn't stable enough. But you've certainly entered the first stage."

He paused.

"If I were at my peak, of course I could dominate you."

Zhao Rui was about to laugh.

Li Junfeng continued.

"But if you train for another six months, I might not be able to control you."

Zhao Rui's laughter caught in his throat.

Feng Xuan sighed.

"Your martial arts and magic have both made rapid progress. Young friend Fu, this trip has truly turned misfortune into blessing."

Liao Xibai looked at Fu Ze with a gentle gaze.

"This is something you earned through your own hard work."

Fu Ze smiled but didn't say anything more.

He looked down at his palms, but he understood.

The fact that I was able to reach the level of mastery so quickly is certainly not solely due to my training in boxing.

It was the [Order of All Heavens] that enhanced his martial arts talent, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth that nourished his meridians, and Li Junfeng's generous sharing of his Xingyi Quan insights. Through repeated life-or-death battles, coupled with tonight's moonlit lake view, a thought struck him—

All the factors and opportunities combined to push him over that threshold.

After resting for a night, the group continued their journey the next day.

After arriving in Yunmeng, the road to Wenlong became much easier. Although it was still not entirely on the official road, there were noticeably more pedestrians on the road.

You could occasionally see porters carrying loads, merchants driving carts, scholars carrying bundles, and militia soldiers wearing short jackets and guns at their waists.

In times of chaos, the vicinity of a large city is always more bustling than the desolate wilderness.

However, this bustling atmosphere also carried a hint of tension. The closer you get to Wenlong, the more people patrol the roads. In some places, you can even see newly built earthen mounds and wooden fences.

Zhao Rui said in a low voice.

"Currently, there are undercurrents within the Republic of China, and it seems that warlordism has effectively re-emerged in various provinces and regions. The situation in Wenlong is not peaceful either, but at least it is with our own people."

Fu Ze nodded.

After walking for most of the day, they finally saw Wenlong City.

From afar, the city wall stretches across the Jianghan River, far more imposing than the county towns along the way.

Outside the city gate, people came and went, carriages, porters, merchants, and soldiers mingled together, dust flying and noise swirling.

As Fu Ze looked at the city, a strange feeling arose in his heart once again.

In his world, this place is called Wuchang. But here, it's called Wenlong.

Although the names are different, the feeling of the old era colliding with the new era is very similar.

They did not directly reveal Liao Xibai's identity.

Zhao Rui first went to scout around the city gate to confirm that the guards were indeed under the command of Wenlong's garrison commander, Mo Xia, before returning.

"It should be fine, let's go into the city first."

Liao Xibai nodded, and the group followed the flow of people toward the city gate.

Although Li Junfeng was still recovering from his injuries, he dismounted from the mule and insisted on walking beside Liao Xibai.

Fu Ze glanced at him but didn't try to persuade him.

The closer you get to the city gate, the more crowded it becomes.

The carriage wheels creaked and groaned as they rolled over the stone pavement. Vendors drank tea and sold sesame cakes. Soldiers waved impatiently, urging the men to hurry into the city.

Everything seemed quite ordinary.

Fu Ze suddenly frowned.

He had just entered the realm of mastery, and his senses were now sharpened to a new level.

Just a moment ago, he sensed an extremely subtle killing intent.

It's barely noticeable, like a fleeting needle prick.

Fu Ze paused slightly.

"etc."

Zhao Rui immediately looked at him.

"What's wrong?"

Fu Ze did not answer.

Because the next moment, a man carrying a load of firewood in the crowd suddenly loosened his carrying pole.

Firewood was scattered.

A cold glint suddenly appeared from the middle of the carrying pole!

At the same time, in a tea stall on the side of the city gate, a man who was drinking tea with his head down suddenly raised his hand.

The dark muzzle of a gun peeked out from under his sleeve.

Above the city gate, a soldier who had been lounging against the wall suddenly turned around and pointed his pistol at Liao Xibai!

Three deadly traps.

Simultaneous outbreak.

Zhao Rui's expression changed drastically.

"Enemy attack!"

boom!

Gunshots rang out.

Gunshots rang out.