Chapter Nineteen: The Might of Xingtian Revealed

"Ding! Shan Shitu's 'Brutal Valor' skill effect two activates consecutively. Might +4, +4. Current Might: 121."

"Ding! Xiong Kuohai's 'Heavenly King' effect two activates for the second time. Current Might: 120."

Seeing Shan Shitu's aura surge dramatically, Xiong Kuohai dared not hold back any longer. Taking a deep breath, he gripped his wrought-copper staff with both hands and swung it toward Shan Shitu with the force of a mountain splitting—a blow of immense power and terrifying momentum.

Having crossed weapons just moments ago, Shan Shitu knew full well the extent of Xiong Kuohai’s strength. As the staff and the mace collided, both men let out a muffled groan, a trickle of blood spilling from the corners of their mouths.

"Ding! Xiong Kuohai's 'Giant Strength' skill activates. Giant Strength: Might +5 during combat. Current Might: 125."

"Ding! Shan Shitu's 'Giant Strength' skill activates. Current Might: 126."

Both had triggered their equivalent skills, and their Might was nearly identical. However, while Shan Shitu’s rise in power was entirely his own, Xiong Kuohai was being aided by Meng Tian’s support.

While the duel between Xiong Kuohai and Shan Shitu remained fierce, the situation on Liu Yang’s side had collapsed. Lian'er Xinshan delivered a powerful strike, swatting Lin Chong away; the latter vomited blood in mid-air and collapsed, unconscious, the moment he hit the ground.

With Liu Yang and Lin Chong working together, they were no match for Lian'er Xinshan, let alone Liu Yang fighting alone. Lian'er Xinshan unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes. Unable to dodge, Liu Yang could only cross his large axe before his chest in a desperate, passive defense. His axe, though of decent quality, was no match for the divine weapon in Lian'er Xinshan’s hands—the Fan-Gate Blade. Under the flurry of strikes, the axe finally shattered into pieces. Liu Yang took a heavy blow and fell to the ground, unable to rise.

Lian'er Xinshan sneered, preparing to finish him off. Liu Yang felt a surge of resentment; he was to perish at Yanmen Pass before ever achieving glory. Yet, despite his bitterness, he could not change his dying state and resigned himself to closing his eyes.

"Clang!" Lian'er Xinshan brought his heavy blade down, but the anticipated impact did not come. Liu Yang opened his eyes to see Xing Tian standing before him like a mountain. Embarrassed that his newly sworn elder brother had witnessed him in such a wretched state, Liu Yang whispered, "Big Brother," before fainting.

Xing Tian was furious. Though Liu Yang had forced himself upon him as a younger brother, he was, after all, his subordinate. He had not expected that in just half a day, the man would be beaten to the brink of death by a barbarian from the grasslands.

"Ding! Xing Tian's 'Battle Intent' skill effect one activates. Might +5, Heaven-Opening Axe +1, Meng Tian’s border defense influence +2. Base Might: 105. Current Might: 113."

"Ding! Xing Tian's 'God of War' skill effect one activates. Might +8. Current Might rises to 121. Effect three activates: suppresses Lian'er Xinshan's Might by 3 points."

With a thunderous roar, Xing Tian brought his Heaven-Opening Axe down upon Lian'er Xinshan with the weight of Mount Tai.

Lian'er Xinshan had never imagined such immense power from Xing Tian’s strike. Habitually, he raised his blade to parry, but he had severely underestimated his opponent. Xing Tian’s axe cleaved through the blade and continued downward, crushing Lian'er Xinshan’s skull into a pulp.

The once-formidable warrior, who might have ranked among the top five in the Jin Kingdom, had fallen on the battlefield before his true potential could shine.

After killing Lian'er Xinshan, Xing Tian did not pause and headed toward Meng Tian. Xiong Kuohai and Shan Shitu remained locked in an evenly matched struggle, neither willing to yield.

Meanwhile, Meng Wu had gained the upper hand. Seeing Xing Tian arrive and slay a Xiongnu general like a god descending, he grew confident and pressed his advantage against Wanyan Zongwang.

Wanyan Zongbi and Wanyan Jindanzi, who had been dominating Meng Tian, also noticed Xing Tian’s arrival. They grew anxious, but Meng Tian fought desperately to keep them from disengaging.

"Ding! Wanyan Jindanzi's 'Valiant Combat' skill activates. Valiant Combat: Effect one, Might +6 during combat. Effect two, inspires the army. Valiant Combat effect one: Might +6, 'Angry Hammer' effect fully unleashed +13, 'Purple Gold Drumming Hammer' +1. Base Might: 105. Current Might: 125."

In truth, Jindanzi had not unleashed his full power against Meng Tian earlier, as the pressure had been insufficient. But facing the beast-like aura of Xing Tian, Jindanzi finally erupted with his full strength.

Sensing the shift in Jindanzi’s aura, Xing Tian’s eyes flashed with intensity as he swung his axe.

"Ding! Xing Tian's 'God of War' effect two activates. Might +9. Current Might rises to 130."

Having seen Lian'er Xinshan's fate, Jindanzi dared not block the blow head-on and dodged with all his might. Sensing Xing Tian’s momentary lapse in momentum, he rushed in for close-quarters combat. Under the immense pressure of Xing Tian, Jindanzi was performing beyond his usual limits.

"A good idea, but your strength is insufficient," Xing Tian said with disdain, suddenly changing the direction of his axe.

Jindanzi barely managed to block the blow with his twin hammers, but he was sent flying three meters back by the sheer force.

"Ding! Xing Tian's 'Battle Intent' effect two activates for the first time. Current Might: 132."

Before Jindanzi could even stand, the axe was upon him again. He was forced to parry, but Xing Tian remained relentless. After ten consecutive strikes, Jindanzi could no longer hold out and was sent flying once more.

As Jindanzi climbed to his feet, he saw Meng Tian rushing toward him. Facing both Xing Tian and Meng Tian was unthinkable; he chose to flee.

Indeed, Meng Tian had finished dealing with Wanyan Zongbi. Having disarmed him within ten rounds, Meng Tian had kicked him away. Wanyan Zongbi had fled in a panic, leaving his beloved axe behind, which allowed Meng Tian to turn his attention toward the others.