Chapter 52 This Old Man Is a Dual-Strength Warrior!

Seventy-two thousand in blood vitality. The first-level mid-grade "Thirteen Swords of Blazing Fire" was directly forced to level six, low-grade, with beginner proficiency! When a martial technique reaches the sixth level, it manifests "Intent." For swordsmanship, this is Sword Intent.

Sword Intent is not illusory; it forms a tangible aura around the weapon through spiritual power, enhancing attacks and suppressing opponents through its presence.

Above the sixth level lies the realm of the Dual Force Warrior. Many martial artists spend their entire lives striving for the sixth level, unable to progress further simply because they cannot comprehend "Intent." "Intent" is the key to becoming a Dual Force Warrior; without awakening it, one cannot unleash true spiritual power.

Comprehending "Intent" requires enlightenment. Yet just now, the system must have glitched, directly converting blood vitality into Sword Intent.

Zhang Chu rushed out of the small western-style building, eager to test his Sword Intent. Having already used the Moonshadow Direwolf as a trial, Zhang Chu had no intention of going to bed early. With the strength of a sixth-level martial artist and the newly awakened Sword Intent from the low-grade "Thirteen Swords of Blazing Fire," he was more than capable of earning some inner cores.

"Time for overtime!"

Zhang Chu's gaze swept over a nearby hillock. The Moonshadow Direwolf had just come from that direction—there must be a den. Thirty-nine sixth-level beast cores awaited him.

Soon, sword shadows flickered through the valley. Enhanced by Sword Intent, the Thirteen Swords of Blazing Fire unleashed wide arcs of destruction. With each strike, thirteen overlapping sword shadows fell upon their prey. One Moonshadow Direwolf was sent flying, its head severed from its body. Then another, and another.

A sixth-level martial artist wielding Sword Intent was nearly unstoppable. To him, sixth-level beasts were as trivial as cabbages, each falling easily with a single blow, his proficiency almost heartbreaking in its efficiency.

The Moonshadow Direwolves never expected to encounter such a formidable human. Unable to win one-on-one, they began to attack in packs of five.

After dispatching the ninth Moonshadow Direwolf, Zhang Chu's legs trembled and he sat heavily on the ground. His mind buzzed, vision darkening. "Looks like I can't use Sword Intent indefinitely. A sixth-level martial artist's spiritual strength is still quite fragile."

Sword Intent drains spiritual power. Martial artists, unlike Dual Force Warriors, have no way to replenish it except through eating and sleep. Dual Force Warriors, however, possess their own methods.

Sitting in the valley under the moonlight, Zhang Chu idly ate a piece of bread. After a brief rest, he hefted his Blacksteel Greatsword and made his way back to the small western building.

There were still five hours until dawn. He would get some sleep, recover his strength, and tomorrow morning launch another ruthless assault—then reach Canglong Mountain’s No. 2 High Ground by afternoon.

...

At that moment, in the command vehicle stationed on the outskirts of Canglong Mountain, Fan Tianlei was on the phone. "Director Chen, rest assured—we will ensure Zhang Chu’s safety at all costs."

"If necessary, we’ll deploy Dual Force Warriors from the Martial Authority. Nothing must happen to Zhang Chu—this kid is the hope of our Binzhou Martial Authority!"

After Director Chen hung up, Fan Tianlei anxiously paced back and forth.

Zhang Xueying entered the command vehicle. "Uncle Fan, what’s the situation?" Fan Tianlei immediately pressed her for details.

"Uncle Fan, is there something special about the sixth-level forbidden zone in Canglong Mountain? Our Martial God One drone encountered a powerful electromagnetic shield overhead—no signal, and as soon as it tried to descend, it was hit by an electromagnetic blast and suffered minor damage."

Zhang Xueying’s heart was in her throat. It had been four hours since Zhang Chu entered the sixth-level forbidden zone—and four hours without contact. Zhang Chu was her chosen candidate; she was responsible for his safety.

"This is bad!" Fan Tianlei’s expression changed instantly. He hurriedly dialed an internal line: "Initiate Emergency Plan Two at once. Send Zhang Dali into the sixth-level forbidden zone. Under no circumstances can we let anything happen to Zhang Chu!"

Zhang Dali!

At the mention of that name, Zhang Xueying frowned deeply. Zhang Dali was a distant uncle of hers—one of the top ten Dual Force Warriors of the Martial Authority, a third-level Dual Force Warrior.

For a non-official martial arts competition, they were dispatching a third-level Dual Force Warrior?

"Uncle Fan, are you saying there’s a Dual Force Warrior in the sixth-level forbidden zone?"

Zhang Xueying immediately understood.

"It’s been so many years, I almost forgot—the sixth-level forbidden zone of Canglong Mountain belongs to someone! I just hope Zhang Chu has some luck and doesn’t run into him!"

Fan Tianlei slumped weakly into his chair. He had met that person ten years ago—cunning, ruthless, and with a penchant for raising high-level exotic beasts.

The sixth-level forbidden zone of Canglong Mountain was his private menagerie!

...

In high spirits, Zhang Chu lit a cigarette. Climbing over a hill, he saw the brightly lit small western-style building ahead. The high-voltage electric grid was still humming.

Entering through the only doorway, he heard faint rustling sounds from upstairs.

"Old Hu, I’m back. Went out and slaughtered a few beasts to calm my nerves," Zhang Chu called as he climbed the stairs.

As he reached the second floor, Zhang Chu quickly drew his Blacksteel Greatsword, warily scanning the surroundings. Before leaving, he had checked—Hu Sanyi had been sleeping like the dead. Now, astonishingly, Hu Sanyi was tied to a pillar, his mouth sealed with tape.

"Mmm! Mmm!" Hu Sanyi’s eyes were wide with terror, desperately signaling Zhang Chu to run.

Zhang Chu forced himself to stay calm. Abandoning a brother at a critical moment was not something a decent person could do.

"Ropes capable of binding a third-level martial artist must be specialized equipment. This means, besides the beasts, there’s someone else in the sixth-level forbidden zone!" Zhang Chu’s heart pounded as his mind raced through countless possibilities.

Among the contestants, the highest ranked were two fifth-level martial artists. They had no need to risk the sixth-level forbidden zone; they could simply detour to reach Canglong Mountain’s No. 2 High Ground. The others wouldn’t even consider entering—it would be suicide.

"Who’s there? Show yourself!" Zhang Chu called out, cautiously ascending the stairs and scanning every corner. On the second floor, aside from the large living room, there were four rooms. He moved carefully, senses alert in every direction. Once he was sure no one else was present, he swiftly struck the ropes binding Hu Sanyi with his greatsword.

The ropes vibrated with a hum, a crimson light flashing across them, remaining utterly unscathed. But Zhang Chu sensed a terrifying force—Intent! These ropes possessed Intent!

Whoever his opponent was, they were no ordinary person.

"So, the Binzhou Martial Authority finally produced such an outstanding youth—under twenty-five and already at sixth level, with Sword Intent as well."

"Why not stay here and become my apprentice? You could feed and bathe my exotic beasts. What do you say?"

Before Zhang Chu could respond, a lazy voice sounded from behind him. He spun around, alert.

On a small sofa opposite him sat an old man in tattered clothes, looking every bit the beggar, absentmindedly scratching his foot.

"And if I refuse?" Zhang Chu asked evenly.

Behind him, Hu Sanyi’s eyes went wide with panic as he tried to shout, but no sound escaped.

In an instant, the old man flicked his hand through the air—Zhang Chu felt an invisible grip close around his throat, lifting him off the floor.

Damn it!

Telekinesis!

This old man was a Dual Force Warrior!