MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 217
The Imperial City District of the Flame Clan Ruin became a battleground of titanic proportions. Dust and debris swirled as two colossal figures, each standing fifty meters tall, clashed amidst the crumbling buildings.
Despite their immense size, both Lu Ming and Li De moved with astonishing agility and speed. They had seemingly abandoned flashy displays of power, opting instead for a brutal contest of raw strength, speed, defense, and close-quarters combat skills.
When it came to unarmed combat, Lu Ming was undeniably a master.
Unarmed Combat Lv100.
Such a level of mastery was practically unheard of on Earth, achievable only by someone with a system like Lu Ming's.
However, Li De's unarmed combat skills were nothing to scoff at.
In terms of pure technique, he was Lu Ming's equal.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A flurry of punches and kicks, each deceptively simple yet devastatingly precise, filled the air.
On the narrow street, the two giants exchanged blows at a blinding pace. In a matter of moments, they had traded hundreds, if not thousands, of strikes.
Finally, with a thunderous thud, the exchange ended.
Lu Ming staggered back five steps, while Li De retreated three. The brief but intense clash had revealed a clear disparity in power.
Li De's cruel grin remained, and the radiance of the Spirit-Light Bodyguard Technique surrounding him had only dimmed slightly.
Lu Ming, on the other hand, bore the brunt of the exchange. His bone armor was shattered, and beneath it, his skin was bruised and swollen.
His movements had also slowed noticeably.
In a pure contest of punches and kicks, Lu Ming was outmatched.
The difference lay in the fact that Lu Ming's Origin Power Armor and Explosive Fist were of a lower level, belonging to the Mortal Realm. Even cultivated to the Micro-level, they were still inadequate against a Spirit Realm opponent.
"Oh no!" Roxin's heart sank.
Li De's strength had exceeded her expectations.
Though officially a Level Eight Spirit Realm expert, his combat prowess rivaled that of most Level Nine cultivators.
Looking at Lu Ming's battered form, Roxin's worry deepened.
"Mr. Lu must have a trump card," she reassured herself. "He must."
In her mind, Lu Ming was an enigma, a man who enjoyed feigning weakness but possessed hidden depths of power. It was inconceivable that he wouldn't have more tricks up his sleeve.
Meanwhile, in the Royal Shrine...
A Spirit Realm expert of the Divine Dao Alliance projected a shimmering light screen, displaying the ongoing battle between Lu Ming and Li De.
As the two combatants momentarily separated, the gathered members of the Divine Dao Alliance breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"The Alliance Leader's strength is undeniable," one of them remarked, then turned to glance at the pale-faced Roda and his companions.
"Look, even Roda is shocked by the Alliance Leader's power."
Roda was indeed shaken by Li De's display of power.
Although Roda was at the sixth level of the Spirit Realm, considered formidable within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, Li De's strength surpassed his expectations. Not only did Li De possess Spirit Realm Level Eight power, but his combat style was also incredibly refined, and his Origin Power Techniques were clearly mastered to a high level.
Roda knew he was no match for Li De, even with Uncle Lu's assistance.
His worry for his sister's safety consumed him, momentarily overshadowing his concerns about Lu Ming's unexpected power.
Suddenly, a shout from outside broke through his thoughts.
"Capture them!"
A surge of energy erupted around Roda.
Sword, saber, and fist.
Three distinct attacks converged on him from different directions. Uncle Lu reacted instantly, pushing Roda out of harm's way, but taking the brunt of a powerful punch himself. He coughed up blood and collapsed.
Roda cursed, his voice filled with rage.
"You treacherous..."
The three attackers were members of his own team – one of them was Apelo.
The one who had injured Uncle Lu, a Level 5 Spirit Realm expert, addressed Roda with a cold smile.
"We're all here for the treasures," he said, his stance defensive but his intentions clear. "The Divine Dao Alliance offered us a better deal, so why should we stay loyal to you?"
He, Apelo, and the third attacker chuckled darkly, but they made no further moves.
Apelo surveyed the others with a sly grin. "Now that the outcome is clear and that mysterious expert can't defeat Alliance Leader Li De," he declared, "there's no reason for us to remain loyal to Roda. Let's capture him and present him to the Divine Dao Alliance. It's our ticket in!"
The other team members hesitated, their eyes flickering with uncertainty.
The proposition was tempting.
Roda, sensing the shifting loyalties, moved cautiously towards Uncle Lu, administering healing potions while keeping a wary eye on his former comrades.
He hadn't anticipated such a betrayal within his own ranks.
Li De had outmaneuvered him, both in strength and strategy.
A wave of despair washed over him as he glanced at the image of Lu Ming on the screen.
"Lu Ming..." he muttered under his breath. "If you lose, I'm finished too."
"So, please..."
Both Roxin and Roda's hopes now rested on Lu Ming's shoulders.
But did Lu Ming have any cards left to play?
He had plenty.
His greatest asset was the 45 Divine Origin Points at his disposal. Even without using many, adding just one or two to his attributes would be enough to crush Li De.
He might not even need the Divine Origin Points.
Lu Ming suspected that Li De wouldn't be able to resist the Intermediate Void Realm. If he could drag Li De into the void, the time dilation would likely drive him mad, making him easy prey.
And yet...
Lu Ming didn't want to use either of these trump cards.
As soon as he separated from Li De, a wave of exhaustion washed over Lu Ming. His body ached, and a pervasive numbness rendered him almost powerless.
It was an agonizing sensation.
But amidst the pain, Lu Ming sensed a subtle shift within him.
It was a stirring at the cellular level.
Like a spring compressed by an external force, coiled and ready to unleash its pent-up energy.
A realization dawned on him.
It's the Body Self-Limitation.
Yes, it's the Body Self-Limitation.
Body Self-Limitation was Lu Ming's first transcendent ability, a power that unlocked the full potential of his physical form.
With its aid, Lu Ming could effortlessly mobilize every ounce of strength within him.
However, at this moment, Li De's Spirit Communication Force was severely suppressing his power.
Lu Ming was like that compressed spring.
The Spirit Communication Force relentlessly pushed him down.
But Lu Ming's indomitable will, channeled through Body Self-Limitation, demanded even greater strength to overcome Li De.
The constant struggle, the relentless pressure from Li De's attacks...
It was like impure steel being forged in the fires of adversity.
A transformation was taking place.
Realizing this, Lu Ming's lips curled into a faint smile.
He looked at Li De, his voice steady despite the pain.
"Shall we continue?"
Li De was momentarily taken aback, then a cruel grin spread across his face.
"You have a good attitude," he sneered. "But smiling? I'll wipe that smile off your face soon enough!"
End of Chapter 217