Chapter 55: The Strongest Creature on Earth (Part One)

No matter what, life had to go on.

In less than a day, all the corpses on the streets had been cleared away, and Violet had proclaimed her absolute dominion over every bar, red-light district, and similar establishment. Another day passed, and all the nightclubs were open for business as usual; the city gradually regained its stability. For most people, the chaos of violence, the storms and the shadow of blades and bullets, seemed a distant world; what they felt most keenly was simply that life was getting harder.

As time crept forward and the international situation grew ever more volatile, with the rampant spread of the Second Son’s Way, the Blue Dream Corporation became a sacred ground in the eyes of martial artists everywhere. For the first time in history, all of humanity could directly witness the terrifying power of a true fighter—not as in ancient times, where one might defeat ten or a hundred at a distance, but here, on modern battlefields, standing alone against trained armies armed with firearms, still able to overwhelm thousands, striding into imperial palaces as if into empty halls.

It was precisely because of this that secret martial arts, once fading into obscurity, were again spoken of everywhere, their names on everyone’s lips. Yet, fortunately, the appearance and name of Heaven’s Path had been artistically altered and had not been widely revealed.

The people around the courtyard still believed Heaven’s Path was just that kindly, gentle old man who had trained a little in martial arts long ago, and Liu Tian remained the quiet but utterly dependable youth he had always been. Parents continued, as always, to send their children to learn in Heaven’s Path’s small courtyard, and Liu Tian went on patiently teaching the little ones the basics of martial arts.

Those with enough talent and diligence received a little extra guidance; those who lacked the aptitude or the will were left to amuse themselves as they pleased. Liu Tian had no particular expectations for his efforts; he simply taught as he saw fit, without ulterior motives.

Meanwhile, the well-informed young lady Alice practiced earnestly, while bringing Liu Tian secret news from her father about the goings-on at court. Thus, Liu Tian “watched” as Lilia was driven, step by step, into a corner, awaiting the moment—the right moment to intervene.

When Queen Eliza died, when Princess Lilia was left with nowhere to turn, when all her support was gone—then, and only then, would Liu Tian make his move.

After all, the Kingdom of Tulip was still a great power, and forcing them into submission by sheer strength alone was not yet within Liu Tian’s reach. But he was in no hurry. With another prismatic crystal fused, each now provided him with a source point every five days, and the Gayne family continued to collect relevant antiques through their network. With both avenues, Liu Tian could now gain three source points every ten days. Recently, he had advanced his “Thunderclap Hand” to level six, breaking through to the fighter’s rank.

Yet after this breakthrough, there was no dramatic transformation, only that his reflexes had become so acute he could carve on the wings of a fly in midair. Now, Liu Tian was accumulating source points, preparing to break through further in the Heaven Martial Killing Path.

Compared to other martial arts with specific functions, Heaven Martial Killing Path offered comprehensive, all-around physical enhancement, making it the best choice. Of course, Liu Tian also considered whether he should train in two body-hardening disciplines, but he hadn’t decided—source points were scarce, and he would take things one step at a time.

Now well on his way along the expressway of progress, what Liu Tian lacked most was time.

It was amid this steady, uneventful routine that the new school term began—and, on this day, Heaven’s Path, long absent and whereabouts unknown, finally returned.

...

“These days, you’ve had a hard time, my apprentice.”

In the courtyard, only Heaven’s Path and Liu Tian remained. The children who had been practicing were dismissed, each returning to their homes, and the perceptive Alice knew Liu Tian and Heaven’s Path had matters to discuss which were not meant for others to hear. Since Liu Tian hadn’t asked her to stay, she did not insist. After all, she understood the importance of propriety, and time was on her side.

“It hasn’t been hard at all,” Liu Tian replied, sipping his tea. “It’s just as you taught me, Master. They pretty much take care of themselves—I just give them the odd pointer.”

“Besides, I haven’t even been here every day. There was a month and a half when I had to close the place entirely.”

“Speaking of which, you never told me you went off to shoot a movie,” Liu Tian teased, a smile in his voice. “I’d never have guessed you used to be like that, Master. Was that really you acting? If I didn’t know you so well, I wouldn’t believe it.”

“Your Second Brother is undergoing the final stage of transformation.” Apparently unwilling to pursue the topic, Heaven’s Path shifted the conversation with a touch of awkwardness. “When it’s complete, he’ll become the strongest being on earth, able to command lightning itself. At that point, Blue Dream will rely on him to realize its founder’s ambitions.”

“Will Second Brother agree to that?” Liu Tian’s fingers drummed unconsciously on the table. As another practitioner of Heaven Martial Killing Path, he understood—even though he had managed to escape its negative influences through great effort—

“A true heir of Heaven Martial Killing Path would never willingly submit to another’s will,” Liu Tian said with a smile. “Master, did Blue Dream save Second Brother’s life, or does he hold some secret over him that threatens his life?”

“Both,” Heaven’s Path replied. “Back during the World War, your Second Brother disappeared for two months. When he returned, his arm was broken, and he insisted on following Blue Dream, claiming Blue Dream had saved his life. Ask him how, and he says nothing.”

“And recently, whenever I’ve met your Second Brother, I’ve noticed something foreign inside him—something that doesn’t belong, yet radiates danger. It can’t be anything good.”

“I see, I see,” Liu Tian nodded, feigning sudden enlightenment.

“You sly fox,” Heaven’s Path said, tapping Liu Tian lightly on the forehead. “To think, when your Second Brother was in the Crimson Cloud Empire, he was thinking of you—knowing you loved Lost Empire antiques, he went out of his way to get some for you. And here you are, playing dumb.”

“But Second Brother is so powerful—I can’t do anything about it. I’m just too weak right now, not nearly strong enough.”

“You’ve broken through to fighter, haven’t you? Judging by your physique, you’ve mastered at least two martial arts!” Heaven’s Path suddenly asked. “In all these years, this is the first time I’ve seen someone like you accelerate their breakthroughs the further they go. Is it the power of those prismatic crystals, or the Lost Empire antiques, or are you just born different?”

“Heh, I really don’t know,” Liu Tian replied, clearly playing dumb. He knew Heaven’s Path would never force him to answer something he didn’t want to. If White Second Brother was the back of Heaven’s Path’s hand, then as the second disciple, was he not the palm?

“Very well, I won’t press you.” Heaven’s Path sighed. “Over these years, I’ve gathered every martial art I could find, and with the secret treasures your Natural Brother brought from the Crimson Cloud Empire, I’ve finally filled the last gaps.”

“My disciple, do you wish to surpass your Second Brother and become the strongest being on earth?”