Chapter 2188 - 2185: Breaking Barriers

Chapter 2188: Chapter 2185: Breaking Barriers

"I am who I am, I do not need your acknowledgment!" Liu Xiaoxiao let out a long howl, simultaneously raising her hands like an eagle spreading its wings, seemingly about to dive down to hunt its prey.

Those slender arms, which originally appeared delicate, were now full of strength, and the spectators could see the tight sleeves undulating with the flow of True Qi.

Under the shock of the qi, the air was thrown into disarray. The crowd seemed to hear the sound of the wind howling, just like an eagle swooping down from high above.

Such momentum and power appearing in a woman, the contrast between gentleness and fierceness, impacted everyone’s eyes, leaving the audience dumbfounded.

"A woman with the heart of an eagle, soaring through the Nine Heavens—even though I don’t know what this move is called, she has mastered both its form and spirit." Lin Tian smiled faintly.

"So what if she’s a woman? Can’t women have ambition?" Miss glanced at him with a hint of defiance.

While they were talking, Liu Xiaoxiao had already launched her attack like an eagle. She didn’t use any weapon, only her bare hands for the strike. However, in this first round, Liu Xiaoxiao exerted all her strength.

She was well aware of the gap between herself and Ji Zimo, so she spared no effort, going all out, as victory or defeat would be decided in one strike.

With the gale blowing past, she was already in front of Ji Zimo, her hands combining to strike left and right, like an eagle grabbing a rabbit, aiming for Ji Zimo’s head.

"Eagle Strike, Wind Shatter!"

A low shout exploded in everyone’s ears, and those who had mocked her couldn’t help but shiver internally. They could seemingly imagine that if they were in her shoes, they would likely have fled in panic.

Of course, Ji Zimo was not like them; Ji Zimo was an Innate Expert. Faced with Liu Xiaoxiao’s ferocious attack, he didn’t move at all, didn’t dodge, and his expression remained as calm as still water.

"One punch..." Ji Zimo said calmly, then threw a punch without any technique or form, purely relying on strength.

With a rumble, Ji Zimo’s punch hit the center of Liu Xiaoxiao’s martial technique. She felt the overwhelming power, and in an instant, "Eagle Strike, Wind Shatter" completely collapsed.

Liu Xiaoxiao’s whole body was sent flying, crashing straight into the crowd, and the Ancient Martial Artists quickly avoided her.

With a thud, she hit the ground, finally stopping. Liu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, trying to stand up, only to find that all her strength had been scattered by the blow. No matter how she manipulated her True Qi, she couldn’t gather her strength.

"You lost," Ji Zimo stated with absolute certainty, then stood still, not throwing a second punch.

This high-handed stance left many displeased, Liu Xiaoxiao even more so, but she had no fighting strength left to launch a second attack.

The result was clear, and the elder announced loudly, "In the first match, Ji Zimo is the victor."

Upon the announcement, Ji Zimo didn’t even turn his head, stepped down from the stage, and sat back in his seat as if a battle hadn’t just taken place.

Everyone felt the gap in ability; the Innate Expert was too powerful. Without Innate power, there was almost no chance of victory, not to mention even blocking a single move.

This result dealt the biggest blow to the Loose Cultivators, who once thought that through their efforts, they could one day stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ancient Martial families.

Now they realized that those outstanding disciples from Ancient Martial families were not only diligent but also had powerful resources.

The saying "everyone’s starting point is the same" was merely a lie because some people are born with things that others cannot attain even after a lifetime of hard work.

The Independent Ancient Martial Practitioners were all silent now, feeling the gap and a kind of spiritual wound.

The disciples of the Ji Family and the Situ family looked at the disheartened Loose Cultivators, feeling not sympathy but a sense of superiority.

Ji Wancheng and Situ Yuanzhong, the older generation, were even more indifferent. Ji Wancheng got the effect he wanted: the Ji Family established its prestige and consolidated its status.

Lin Tian shook his head slightly, sighing, "The Ancient Martial World is no different from the secular world. Eighty percent of the resources are concentrated in the hands of twenty percent, and this twenty percent forms a circle and builds a barrier. The ordinary eighty percent cannot break this barrier in their lifetime."

The Xiao sisters, Yun Xiaotian, and Ling Shuiyao could not refute, as they were among the twenty percent. Of course, this was not their fault; the barrier was erected by their ancestors, and they were powerless to change it.

Ling Zishan slowly stood up, gazing at the people in the field, and solemnly said, "Victory and defeat are commonplace in the military; among our Independent Ancient Martial Practitioners, there are many with good talent and perseverance; they just lack an opportunity."

"Therefore, Langya Pavilion has decided that after the Ancient Martial competitions conclude, we will recruit outer disciples for Langya Pavilion. As long as you have perseverance and determination, you can learn upper-level Cultivation Techniques and martial skills. I hope everyone doesn’t give up."

"The path of cultivation is long; I have sought it high and low but found no way. I just hope to have more companions on this path of cultivation," Ling Zishan’s voice was not loud, but every word struck the hearts of the Independent Ancient Martial Practitioners.

The Independent Ancient Martial Practitioners raised their heads, looking at Ling Zishan, looking at Langya Pavilion, as if gazing at hope—the flame of belief rekindling in their eyes.

This belief was not in the Ling Family, not in the gods, not in anyone; what they believed in was the spirit of Ancient Martial.

Ji Wancheng and Situ Yuanzhong, after hearing Ling Zishan’s words and seeing the reaction of the Independent Ancient Martial Practitioners, couldn’t help but frown. Because in their view, Ling Zishan’s words were akin to breaking the rules or breaking a certain established barrier.

"Ling Pavilion Master, some rules are established by our ancestors. Aren’t your words going a bit far?" Ji Wancheng said faintly, obviously containing a sense of reproach.

"Brother Wan Cheng is right, we shouldn’t be doing those rebellious things," Situ Yuanzhong was more direct, insinuating Ling Zishan’s decision was rebellious.

"Those two old undead think they’re superior, unwilling to break the rules yet afraid to see the Ling Family absorb talented individuals from the Loose Cultivator group to grow and use old rules to oppress. Their faces are thicker than mine," Lin Tian sneered dismissively.

Of course, who was Ling Zishan, a respected Pavilion Master? How could she fear them? She spoke with neither humility nor arrogance, "This is Langya Pavilion’s matter, decided by me as the Pavilion Master. The two seniors shouldn’t interfere with Langya Pavilion’s decisions."

Ji Wancheng did not expect Ling Zishan to give him no face, furrowing his brow deeper, his expression turning somewhat cold, "As senior members, we at least have the right to make suggestions."

Ling Zishan remained seated, her face stern and unwavering, her words almost causing the two to cough up blood, "You may suggest, I may choose not to listen."