Castle of Black Iron

In a split second, numerous shadowy fists punched towards Zhang Tie in an overwhelming manner. With thunder-like booms, Nangong Sheng’s fists integrated with the universe with a greater strength. With a surging battle qi, Nangong Sheng’s fists became as irresistible as rolling thunders. However, Zhang Tie didn’t fear about that at all. He punched against Nangong Sheng’s fists face-to-face in the booming shock waves and blocked the greater part of Nangong Sheng’s strike. But the trivial difference between the cultivation bases of the two fist skills was enlarged at this moment...

Scholars or fighters, there was always the best one. Even two earth knights only had a trivial difference at the beginning, the result would be remarkable.

In the blink of an eye, Nangong Sheng’s fists had turned as overwhelming as a flood that spurted out small breaches of a dam at a fast speed. After destroying the dam, they poured onto Zhang Tie’s body once again.

The bit of fist intent that leaked out of Zhang Tie’s blockade immediately turned into a big river from a trickle and hit Zhang Tie’s protective battle qi hundreds of times...

The last ten more fists of Nangong Sheng broke Zhang Tie’s protective battle qi once again, hitting him onto the valley like a falling meteor. As a result, it caused a big pit deeper than 10 m. The rocks within 50 m were broken into fine powders...

They had been fighting over 4 hours.

3 hours ago, namely after they fought 1 hour, the bit of advantage of Nangong Sheng’s fist position finally became magnified as his thunder-like immortal fist broke through Zhang Tie’s defense for the first time and hit Zhang Tie onto the ground, causing a huge pit.

It was already the 11th time for Zhang Tie to be hit down from the sky by Nangong Sheng.

This time, after Zhang Tie’s protective battle qi was broken, the thunder-like immortal fists closely hit onto his body, causing him to fall down with blood streams...

After a few hours’ battle, this valley had already been severely destroyed. If you looked at it seriously, you would find traces which were like being hit by meteors on the ground and the cliffs on both sides of the valley, which were left by Zhang Tie.

’Is it over?’

At the sight of this scene, all the onlookers in the sky became confused.

During the past 4 hours, Nangong Sheng had shown the supreme realm of his thunder-like immortal fist once again, it was many people’s first time to see how one’s battle skill integrated with the universe. The moment Nangong Sheng threw punches, the heavy wind and rain would go berserk around the valley along with rolling thunders. The echoes of the thunders in the valley could resonate with his fists, making his fists more powerful in a split second.

What was more shocking was that Fire Dragon Hermit also reached a high realm in his fist skill. If not Nangong Sheng had entered the supreme realm of integrating his fist skill with the universe, the winner of this battle must be Fire Dragon Hermit; instead of Nangong Sheng. Fire Dragon Hermit was definitely a master in fist position.

What was more impressive was that Fire Dragon Hermit’s protective battle qi. Average earth knights’ protective battle qis might have been broken by Nangong Sheng’s constantly thunder-like immortal fists in close combat in 2 hours; however, Fire Dragon Hermit’s protective battle qi could almost bear 2 more times’ longer than the others.

Even though Fire Dragon Hermit’s protective battle qi was powerful, he was always defensive. The difference between their realms in their fist skills determined that Fire Dragon Hermit was in a disadvantageous position. Therefore, his protective battle qi could only face Nangong Sheng’s strikes negatively. Even though it was only a trivial difference, through numerous times’ collisions like this would lead to the final result.

’What a pity!’

Elder Muyu and Zhu Elder threw a glance at each other before feeling a bit pitiful inside.

”Fire Dragon Hermit is a bit younger and vigorous. If he didn’t agree with Nangong Sheng that they would only compare notes on fist skills, Nangong Sheng would never defeat him. Fire Dragon Hermit could reach this realm in his fist skill, not to mention his realm in spear skill...” Zhu Elder told Elder Muyu in secret means.

”Perhaps, Fire Dragon Hermit could have a brighter future through this frustration. It doesn’t matter whether he will open his Iron-Dragon Sect or not; because it’s just a matter of reputation; neither will it influence Fire Dragon Hermit to enroll his apprentices. Fire Dragon Hermit lost this battle in a glorious manner. No matter what, Fire Dragon Hermit is the owner of Fire Dragon Bounty Territory; Nangong Sheng might fear that Fire Dragon Hermit would seek for a revenge one day...”

”The realm of integrating one’s battle skill with the universe is already magical. It’s said that after promoting to a heavenly knight, the realm of integrating one’s battle skill with the universe would further promote to a preliminary power of territory. By then, it would be overwhelming. Zhao Yuan, the alchemist demon, who ranks first on the wanted list of the Supreme Court of Taixia Country used his power of territory of his earth furnace to kill many knight-level powerhouses like the deputy master of Taiyi Fantasy Sect and the young master of Heavens Holding Pavilion in Mojiang City, Songzhou Province. That’s too vicious...”

”This time, we’ve really underestimated Nangong Sheng. None of the earth knights are average. I wonder whether Nangong Sheng could make a further progress in the future...”

”Hoho, Elder Muyu, you’re thinking too much. It took Nangong Sheng over 70 years to promote to an earth knight. According to his speed of cultivation, it would take him at least 200 more years to promote to a heavenly knight. As the holy war is going to break out in a large scale in Taixia Country, nobody would know about the situation 200 years later. Even earth knights have to consider whether they could survive this holy war or not...”

”You’re right, Zhu Elder...”

After throwing a glance at each other, the two elders didn’t speak any more; instead, they moved their eyes onto Zhang Tie who had fallen into the valley once again...

Zhang Tie was lying at the bottom of the huge pit silently, facing up. The rainwater was filling the huge pit from all directions, soaking the greater part of the body of Fire Dragon Hermit.

Just now, both Elder Muyu and Elder Zhu had clearly seen that Zhang Tie was severely injured by Nangong Sheng; however, it was not a fatal blow. If Zhang Tie was a black iron knight, he might have already been killed; however, an earth knight wouldn’t be so fragile...

Suspending in the air, Nangong Sheng watched Zhang Tie, who had almost been fully soaked by rainwater in the huge pit. He didn’t keep attacking Zhang Tie. Because they were comparing notes; instead of fighting to death. They only needed to see who was the winner. If Nangong Sheng really wanted to kill Zhang Tie, those onlookers might stop him. Actually, if Zhang Tie tore up the agreement between them, it was not uncertain whom to kill. Only Zhang Tie knew how difficult was this battle to him.

Nangong Sheng could clearly feel that Zhang Tie didn’t use his full efforts. Because Zhang Tie had not released the earth-level virtual image of ”Fire Dragon Sutra” until now.

Zhang Tie could fight Strong Cloud Hermit so long just with his fist, not to mention his spear skill of ”Fire Dragon Sutra”. Spear skill and fist skill were of the same origin. Spear was actually the extension of arms. Spear was as same as the fist on putting forth their strength and explosive pattern. In many cases, spear skill and fist skill were similar to each other. Many famous powerhouses in spear skill and fist skill practiced spear skill and fist skill at the same time. Those who were good at spear skill would definitely excel at fist skill; similarly, those who were good at fist skill would definitely be proficient in spear skill. Even the disciples of Immortal Fist Position Sect would always tremble their spears to sense how to put forth their strength. Nangong Sheng was also good at spear skill; however, he didn’t pay special attention to it; instead, he just focused on cultivating his fist skill. Given Zhang Tie’s performance, Nangong Sheng realized that Zhang Tie was definitely a powerhouse in both spear skill and fist skill...

In others’ eyes, the winner of this battle was Nangong Sheng; however, Nangong Sheng didn’t look as relaxed and proud as what a real winner should look; instead, he looked pretty solemn as he was deeply shocked by Zhang Tie’s proficiency in fist skill and feared about Zhang Tie’s valiance and braveness in battle. Watching the huge pits and collapsed cliffs in the valley, if it were Nangong Sheng himself, he might have long released his virtual image. However, Zhang Tie still didn’t exert his full efforts in this situation; instead, he just compared notes with Nangong Sheng on fist skills. It indicated that Zhang Tie’s potential was absolutely greater than that of Nangong Sheng. What a terrifying opponent!

Actually, Nangong Sheng had already been regretful that he promised Taiyi Fantasy Sect to ruin the opening ceremony of Iron-Dragon Sect. After offending such a powerful enemy, nobody could feel relaxed. Additionally, even if Nangong Sheng won this battle by accident, there would be a lot of troubles waiting for him. However, now that it had come to a start, Nangong Sheng could only stand it by gritting his teeth.

”Fire Dragon Hermit, do you admit that you’ve lost this battle?” Nangong Sheng watched the ground as he opened his mouth while his voice reverberated in the sky.

In the reverberating voice, two huge airboats flew over here almost at the same time...

...

Lying on the ground in the shape of the character ”大”, Zhang Tie was wet all over. Watching the dense black clouds, he just allowed the rainwater to fall onto his face and eyes...

Feeling the long-lost pain of being torn apart, Zhang Tie felt it was a bit fresh. Because of the heavy rain, the rainwater flew into the huge pit from all directions. Only after a short while, Zhang Tie had floated in the rainwater.

Due to his sturdy figure, Zhang Tie’s wounds were not as severe as imagined by others. These wounds basically didn’t weaken his battle strength at all. In pains and coldness, Zhang Tie’s awareness and soul became unprecedentedly clear and tranquil. He was clearly recalling Nangong Sheng’s fists and movements and each collision between them like still images as fast as lightning bolts at an increasingly higher speed...

The cloudy sky was filled with rolling thunders. Zhang Tie just watched the rolling black clouds and the faint lightning bolts in the black clouds and the sun in the distance without even blinking his eyes as if he had entered meditation...

’In the sky, the extreme strength is from the sun. The sun travels in the sky and breeds all the living beings. It gives out its light in the void for hundreds of millions of years. When the sky creates killing opportunities, it will alter the universe!’

’Above the ground, the extreme strength is from lightning bolts. The moment the thunders sounded, the mountains would rock; all the living beings would be scared. Lightning bolts are irresistible. When the ground creates killing opportunities, dragons and snakes will fly off the ground!’

’What about the extreme strength of humans?’

Zhang Tie roared inside...

As a lightning bolt flashed by, Zhang Tie faintly saw some bizarre images...

A volcano erupted under his foot. At the same time, in the sky, a far-ancient beast as fierce as a huge dragon flew across the sky. It flapped its wings, causing heavy winds and black clouds within thousands of miles. A giant as high as 3,000 m roared as it stomped to the ground, causing the cracks on the ground; even rivers and lakes dried. Additionally, the magma spurted out of the ground like a flowing river...

The great catastrophe ruined all the living beings on the earth...

In such a dangerous situation, various human races were kneeling down and worshipping the God with sacrifices for the forgiveness of the fierce beast. On the other side of the land, numerous Hua brave men in simple animal hides were looking at the fierce beast flying across the sky with black pupils and swaying black hair barefoot facing the heavy wind and rain. In front of that fierce beast, these brave men became as trivial as ants. However, they still raised their heads and watched the deity-like fierce beast with fearless looks...

On the land behind these Hua brave men, there were numerous Hua tribes...

Among those brave men, an old man with a white beard cut open the skin of his belly with fingernails and peeled it off from his lower abdomen before covering it over the simple stony pot. Closely after that, he started to beat the drum by fists.

The drumbeats and the roars of Hua brave men shocked the entire ground.

”Fight...” The old man who was beating the drum pointed at the fierce beast by one finger who caused endless catastrophe to humans.

Those Hua brave men in simple animal hides roared. All the brave men tightly held their fists before rushing into the sky...

The brutal battle started...

Before many Hua brave men approached the fierce beast, they had been torn apart by the lightning bolts, storms and magma and turned into dust and blood foam. Even though it was the last moment, all the Hua brave men were still tightly holding their fists. They didn’t lose their fists until death. In the same battle, Hua brave men constantly gave out bizarre lights while their battle qi smokes and tornadoes rushed into the sky one after another...

The battle in the frontline lasted for many years. However, in the tribes in the rear end, all the Hua young men were clenching their fists which were covered with the blood of the wild beast with firm and persistent eye lights in the ceremony of becoming fighters. They raised their fists above their heads. Closely after that, they clenched their fists and marched on towards the battlefield where their fathers and elder brothers had fought to death along the footsteps of their predecessors...

One day, the battlefield suddenly became dark while a flying Hua youngster gave out brilliant lights, in which, the entire world and the fierce beast became still at once. Closely after that, a fist broke the sky like a far-ancient long rainbow and a hot sun. In a split second, the sky collapsed and the ground cracked; the daytime became dark in the clear and boundless sky. The stars were looming in the sky while the ground under his foot rolled; the rivers and lakes dried up while the grasses and woods withered. Facing that fist, the fierce beast quivered due to fear and vanished immediately...

It seemed that the fist came from far-ancient times. Besides killing that fierce beast, it even broke a barrier in Zhang Tie’s awareness and body. In a split second, countless lightning bolts flashed across Zhang Tie’s mind...

Right then, Zhang Tie heard the question of Nangong Sheng from the sky.

”Fire Dragon Hermit, do you admit that you’ve lost this battle?”

The voice was very close as if it was right at his ears; it also seemed to be far away in the skyline...

When Zhang Tie heard this voice, he saw two airboats flying towards here and the enchanting figure of Bai Suxian who was watching him from a suspending airboat...

...

’Fist position requests humans to create opportunities!’

’When one creates killing opportunities, the ground and the sky will be reversed!’

’When they are reversed, they will produce a great energy. It’s similar to yin and yang, life and birth, victory or failure.’

’The spirit and soul of fist skill is to be dauntless!’

’The extreme strength of humans lies in the heart!’

Zhang Tie understood it at once while the battle qi rolled inside his body...

...

”Ahh, isn’t my Brother Cui holding an opening ceremony in Xuantian City? What did you do to my Brother Cui?” Bai Suxian’s sound arrived before her body.

Everybody at present, including Nangong Sheng, stared at Bai Suxian and the airboat behind her with a dumbfounded look. Those sharp-eyed guys had noticed the symbol of Lord Guangnan in Taixia Country on the airboat.

Lord Guangnan’s Mansion was a top major clan in Taixia Country.

When the others were speculating about the background of this airboat, Bai Suxian in an imperial robe had flown off the airboat hurriedly while her tender voice ”Brother Cui” almost struck the knights and elders to death. As a result, those knights and elders just exchanged glances with each other...

Especially Nangong Sheng the master of Immortal Fist Position Sect, whose face immediately turned purple.

’It’s Lord Guangnan’s Mansion. In Taixia Country, a lord’s mansion is even higher than a military region. A female knight in an imperial robe of princess flew off the lord mansion’s airboat and called Cui Li ”My Brother Cui”. What did this mean? What’s the relationship between the two of them? What’s the relationship between Cui Li and Lord Guangnan’s Mansion?”

However, before Nangong Sheng recovered his composure from these questions, another airboat flew over here from afar. The moment the hatch door of the second airboat opened, over 10 knights flew off the airboat.

”Hahaha, younger brother Cui Li, I know that you’re going to hold the opening ceremony of your Iron-Dragon Sect, this elder brother came here to congratulate you. The strict checks wasted our Tianlu Palace a bit time on the way, hopefully younger brother Cui doesn’t blame me for that!”

The voice of Zhang Anguo, the grand elder of Tianlu Palace drifted from the second airboat.

After hearing this voice, Nangong Sheng immediately felt thirsty while his neck became stiff. The two elders of Immortal Fist Position Sect looked especially bad as if they were going to cry.

After ruining Fire Dragon Hermit’s opening ceremony, Immortal Fist Position Sect offended Lord Guangnan’s Mansion and Tianlu Palace at the same time. The small Immortal Fist Position Sect only had three knights; however, it offended two major forces in Taixia Country at the same time; that’s too far-stretched...

At this moment, to be honest, Nangong Sheng even wanted to lie down in the valley on behalf of Cui Li...

...

The moment Bai Suxian arrived here, she had caught sight of Cui Li who was lying at the bottom of the huge pit.

Bai Suxian didn’t watch how Zhang Tie fought Nangong Sheng just now; she just watched Zhang Tie’s battle qi tornado when the airboat was far away from here. She thought that Zhang Tie was fighting someone here. Therefore, she accelerated towards here. When Bai Suxian arrived here and saw Zhang Tie lying still in the huge pit, she thought that Zhang Tie had been killed. Therefore, with a wailful exclamation, she was going to dart towards the foot of the valley.

However, another figure appeared on Bai Suxian’s side and pulled her back rapidly...

”What are you doing?” Bai Suxian was driven mad as she patted the chest of the old man who was holding her wrist by his palm.

The old man frankly accepted her palm and remained still as if Bai Suxian was brushing down dust for him. However, the old man watched Zhang Tie who was lying in the huge pit of the valley with flickering yet faintly fearful eyes as he said, ”Miss, don’t approach me, it’s dangerous...”

”This is Brother Cui, I wonder whether my Brother Cui is dead or not, I have to take a look at him over there!” Bai Suxian wanted to get rid of the old man’s hand; however, it didn’t work at all. The old man directly pulled her away rapidly, ”That man’s qi...”

At this moment, Zhang Anguo the grand elder of Tianlu Palace also arrived. Closely after that, he felt something as he faintly changed his face too...

At this moment, all the earth knights at present had felt an earth-shaking qi as berserk as a far-ancient fierce beast rising from the bottom of the valley...

When this berserk qi rushed into the sky, the sky was instantly covered with heavy black clouds which looked like a rolling tide tens of thousands of meters high within hundreds of square miles. As a result, the entire Fire Dragon Bounty Territory was in dark within thousands of square miles, including Xuantian City. The heavy clouds looked terrifyingly dark red like blood. Lightning bolts sparkled in the clouds, followed by rolling thunders while people in Xuantian City thought that the doomsday was coming...

Those knights who had witnessed Nangong Sheng’s supreme realm of integrating his fist skill with universe just now widely opened their mouths when they saw the changing weather which was much more terrifying than the scene of Nangong Sheng. They uttered, ”Is...is...this also the supreme realm of integrating fist skill with universe...”

Even knights couldn’t believe it, not to mention commoners.

As for Nangong Sheng, the scene of integrating his fist skill with universe only influenced the valley which covered dozens of square miles; however, as for Zhang Tie, the scene of integrating his fist skill with the universe was like a great universal catastrophe...

At the sight of this marvelous scene, Nangong Sheng’s face turned pale as his body quivered all over...

All of a sudden, it became dark once again while the earth started to quiver. At the same time, a bloody lightning bolt as thick as a few meters suddenly broke the clouds and cast onto Zhang Tie’s body.

The rainwater in the huge pit evaporated in a split second in the lightning bolt; however, Zhang Tie was safe and sound; instead, his body shone as it floated up in the lightning bolt in a weird way. Like a Thor, he made a simple fist mark in the lightning bolt by hands. The moment the fist mark came into being, numerous lightning bolts had charged at the ground from the clouds at the same time within hundreds of square miles.

”Since the beginning of the universe, who could punch through the sky? Who could defeat me with fists? The extreme strength lies in the heart. My heart is the truth. My killing intent would be resonated by the universe...” Zhang Tie looked up and sighed with emotion while numerous lightning bolts struck him once again as a response...

Facing the coercion of numerous lightning bolts, the surrounding knights had to evacuate 1 more mile away. Only Nangong Sheng was watching Zhang Tie rising in the lightning bolts as lonely as a little bird in the storm. Closely after that, Zhang Tie punched him from hundreds of meters away...

Before Zhang Tie’s punch approached him, a bloody lightning bolt had turned into a ball-shaped lightning bolt and severely struck Nangong Sheng...

...