As he witnessed Delvin being evacuated by Nirvanian troops, Feng chuckled, "Ha, that young fool really outshone me with that passionate attack. It's now my turn to take centre stage!" Feng continued dispatching more enemy troops with the 2 offensive techniques from his [Superhuman Kung Fu Style], namely [Finger Pierce] and [Wind Leg].

Feng thought, "Isn't there anyone else at least as strong as Delvin's opponent? The enemies are getting boring." His chain of thoughts were rudely interrupted by a mocking albeit familiar voice, "I recognise that expression of boredom on your face any day, Sensei! How about I liven up this battle for you? Though I guarantee it won't end pretty for you in the end."

Feng sharply turned around to see a tall, muscular man with a clean shaven head. His hands were stained in a deep red colour as several Nirvanian bodies were littered around him. Feng growled softly, "Yama…I can't believe you actually defected to Miran. You and Gale were my greatest regrets, for you two had left too early."

Yama snickered, "Gale and I aren't kids anymore, old man. We don't need to live under the protection of your wing for eternity. Especially when we had already mastered all 6 forms of the [Superhuman Kung Fu Style] and its hidden technique, the [Grand King Cannon]."

The sentry at the command post asked, "Actually, I'm rather curious about the [Superhuman Kung Fu Style] that both you and your father practise, since it's the most widespread yet demanding martial arts style in Nirvania, so much so that it's popular among the top fighters in our military, each having mastered at least one of the 6 renowned forms. Could you please enlighten me a little on this style, my lady?"

Breeze answered proudly, "Well, the [Superhuman Kung Fu Style] is actually a pretty primal martial arts form, for it already existed long before humans could utilise mana properly. The basis of this form is its focus on the physical attributes of the user. To perform feats such as generating a blade of wind with a swipe of one's legs without the use of mana, one's body must be in peak physical condition. Hence, the name 'Superhuman' for only those who had honed their bodies physical abilities to the zenith can aspire to be a master of this style.

Apart from physical perfection, this style also focuses on being holistic, utilising every part of the body for offense, defence and evasion. We have firstly, the [Finger Pierce] technique, a simple forward thrust with one's finger with so much speed, strength and toughness that bricks can be broken without mana.

Next, the [Wind Leg] technique that focuses on the lower half of the body, training one's legs to swing with such devastating power and speed that the wind from its momentum is capable of slicing steel.

Thirdly, the [Iron Body] technique, where the user flexes all his muscles simultaneously to increase the toughness and sturdiness of the entire body.

Four, the [Swaying Willow] where the user simply goes with the flow of his opponent's attacks, letting them flow through him like how the wind flows through the willow, causing it to sway instead of snapping and collapsing if it were to resist the wind forcefully.

Five, the [Flash Step] where instantaneous 'teleportation' is possible with extreme acceleration which is a result of a powerful kick-off.

Finally, the [Sky Leap] where the ability to 'fly' is granted as the users keep themselves afloat in mid-air with powerful mid-air kicks."

The sentry continued asking, "I heard there's a hidden technique in this style. Could you share with me more if it's not too sensitive?"

Breeze's face turned a little red with anger as she exclaimed, "Well, yes, I'm not supposed to divulge too much on this, otherwise it wouldn't be called a hidden technique, right? Even I have actually yet to learn it, all I've heard Father say was that this technique requires complete mastery over the 6 techniques of this style, as it would require the activation of all the muscles in the body to use."

Meanwhile, Feng shot back, "The techniques you have all learnt are incomplete. Especially Gale's."

Yama laughed uncontrollably before he turned serious, "Sensei, I know all the dark secrets you've been withholding from us. [Grand King Cannon]? The way you insist we use this technique is a joke! You always preach for us to feel and utilise the energy stored in every single muscle of our body, accumulating this energy before releasing it.

This is simply ancient humans discovering the most primitive method of milking whatever little mana they possessed! Sensei, we're living in the modern age now, where mana is abundant and is the source of all our powers! Look at the weak and frail magician, he still poses a threat because of the huge amount of mana at his disposal!

The future of martial arts would revolve around mana control and expenditure, its only physical aspect the forms and techniques designed for combat efficiency. In other words, the days where simple, straightforward yet excessive physical training were revered are over! Martial arts only need techniques and mana control now!"

Feng closed his eyes and sighed, "If you think that only mana usage and combat techniques are important in martial arts, you got a long way to go, Yama. I guess the only way out now is to beat some sense into you."

Yama smiled as he replied arrogantly, "My sentiments exactly! I'll show you the power of martial arts in the New Age! A glorious age where I would be at the forefront together with Master Ryu!"

Feng's eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed, "Ryu? He's here too?" Ignoring Feng's question, Yama declared, "Sensei, I believe that I've already far surpassed you. With the combination of my mana expenditure and the new fusion martial arts form I've created, the [Super Beast Kung Fu Style], your defeat is absolute!"

Without warning, Yama leapt towards Feng and began showering him with a flurry of claw strikes. Feng simply avoided all of them using the [Swaying Willow] technique, as he simply read the force from Yama's attacks and moved his body just clear of every strike.

Yama hissed, "Humph! Your reflexes and agility are as good as ever. However, there's one fatal flaw with the [Swaying Willow] technique. Just as a tree is always rooted to the ground, using this technique keeps your lower half immobile and thus vulnerable to attacks!"

When he finished his statement, he aimed a swipe at Feng's legs. Feng instinctively jumped to avoid being tripped and immediately retaliated with a [Wind Leg] performed with an upward swing.

Yama simply brushed off Feng's attack with his [Iron Body] technique as he resumed his offensive. Yama continued battering Feng with heavy strikes, as the old master expertly avoided taking them head-on, either by dodging or re-directing them away from himself.

Suddenly, Yama disappeared in a blur as he used the [Flash Step] technique to get behind Feng. Without hesitation, he thrust his right hand forward, aiming at the back of Feng's head as he focused mana at his fingertips.

Feng barely ducked out of the way as the claw strike nicked his left cheek. To his surprise, Feng swore he saw 5 sharp mana projectiles shooting past him which momentarily distracted him. The temporary distraction was sufficient for Yama to swiftly slash across Feng's body with his left hand.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Despite instinctively activating his [Iron Body] technique, Feng's chest was easily shredded by Yama's claw strike, leaving 5 bloody streaks on his chest. Yama snickered, "How do you like my [Iron Beast Penta-Claw Strike]? Combining my mastery of mana expenditure, with the [Iron Body] and [Finger Pierce] techniques, not to mention Master Ryu's [Dragon Claw] style, this technique can shred defences as strong as steel! Someone old-fashioned like you who relies too much on his fading physical abilities will only meet certain death at my hands!"

Yama increased the intensity of his attacks while making them more fluid as he aimed at Feng's vital spots just as he had learnt from Master Ryu. Even with evasive techniques like the [Swaying Willow], against an opponent with perfect knowledge of all his techniques, Feng was getting overwhelmed by Yama's incisive blows, as evident in the numerous wounds which he had received all over his body as he couldn't re-direct every single attack thrown at him.

Feng thought, "Age is catching up with me…going head-to-head with Yama is not a solution, technique wise he has indeed surpassed me, not to mention his youth and energy. In that case, I should focus my efforts on keeping my distance and utilising stronger ranged attacks instead."

Feng quickly used a [Flash Step] to widen the distance between them as he swiftly released a [Finger Pierce - Flying Bullet] towards Yama's exposed flank. Yama easily brushed it away with a casual swipe only to discover that Feng was missing.

Yama quickly looked up to find Feng somersaulting rapidly in mid-air before stopping his momentum with a quick downward swing of his right leg, generating a large, razor-sharp blade of wind.

Yama laughed, "Now, that's more like it! It's on, your [Wind Leg - Storm Cutter] against my [Iron Beast Fang Strike]!" Yama quickly thrusted both hands forward, the base of his palms touching each other such that his hands formed the silhouette of a beast's mouth.

The clash between both attacks resulted in an explosion in mid-air as they both cancelled each other out. Feng continued to keep himself afloat in mid-air using the [Sky Leap] technique. Before the smokescreen from the resultant explosion had subsided, Yama had charged through it with one mighty leap as he aimed a claw strike at Feng's face.

The contenders continued their duel above ground, with both using the [Sky Leap] technique to change directions in air rapidly. Breeze watched on in concern as her father continued his intense battle in the sky. She knew he hated to admit it, but he was indeed way beyond his peak as his physical condition had deteriorated with age. For a martial artist whose technique focused on physicality, naturally, in his old age, he fell behind.

Just as Breeze had feared, eventually, Feng's resistance waned and Yama seized the opening in his defence to perform a spinning overhead kick downwards on his gut, sending him plummeting rapidly to the ground below. Feng crashed onto the ground hard, as evident in the dust cloud from the collision.

Yama declared, "Your time is over, Sensei. Relish my New Age technique, created from the combination of your strongest technique with all the other martial arts forms I've learnt! [Beast King Cannon]!" Yama quickly released the immense amount of mana from his hands similar to his [Iron Beast Fang Strike], but much larger towards the hapless Feng, culminating in a large explosion that shook the entire battlefield.

Breeze clasped her hands even more tightly with tears in her eyes as she prayed for her father's safety. Just as she wished to watch further, the sentry cried, "Mdm, we're under attack! Turns out that the enemy has launched a separate force to ambush us! We need your orders now!"

Breeze quickly wiped away her tears as she focused on the matter at hand, rushing to deliver orders to the forces under her command.

Yama landed gently near the edge of the crater he created. He muttered, "That should be more than enough to obliterate the old man. There should be nothing left of him now, ha!" His eyes widened in horror as he saw a behemoth standing in the middle of the crater.

It was Feng, with his muscles blown out of proportion, especially on his upper body. Yama stammered, "W-What's going on? I poured in quite the amount of mana into that last attack, there should be no trace of you left!" Feng merely glared at him, his presence becoming more intimidating with each passing second, as Yama could sense an unbelievable amount of mana welling within Feng.

Feng spoke softly, "Sigh…I don't really want to use this form against a brat like you, but you've forced my hand. This is the result of decades of training, my muscular gains kept in check by my mana using the [Life Energy Conversion] technique. This is why I hardly use mana in my techniques as most of my mana is used to keep my muscles sealed. Sadly, the longer I stay in this form, the more I lose these gains, so let's get this over and done with quickly. Come!"

Beads of sweat trickled down Yama's forehead as he approached cautiously before leaping suddenly towards Feng, striking his heart with an [Iron Beast Penta-Claw Strike]. To his horror, the attack barely left a scratch on Feng's chest, which was noticeably larger and harder than before.

In desperation, Yama kept slashing at Feng's vital areas, but to no avail despite increasing his mana output. Feng stood as still as a statue, as he simply focused on gathering mana to his 2 fists. Feng spoke gently, "Yama, this is what I meant when I said you left too early. Martial arts is not solely about techniques and mana exertion, it's more about the values you learn which in turn influences your approach to life.

My training aspires to cultivate discipline and resilience, two important ingredients of a constantly improving mindset. Had you continued your training under me and the other affiliated masters of the Martial Arts Federation, do you think you would have not reached your current level? I believe you'd be far stronger than you are now, for you have your youth to secure your gains from training, unlike me where I've had to rely solely on the [Life Energy Conversion] technique that sacrifices my mana in order to hold onto what's left of those gains I had all these years.

Now, enough of idle chatter, I would demonstrate the power obtained from discipline and hard work! You said some snide remarks about my hidden technique, the [Grand King Cannon] earlier, right? I hope you haven't forgotten that almost all techniques of the [Superhuman Kung Fu Style] become more powerful with an increase in muscular strength. Prepare yourself!"

Realising that his attacks had little effect on Feng, Yama simply turned tail and ran, using [Flash Step] and [Sky Leap] intermittently to widen the distance between him and his pursuer. Feng took a quick upwards glance as Yama continued his frantic escape and with one ground-shattering leap, he arrived behind Yama instantly, catching him by surprise.

Feng stamped on Yama without hesitation, sending him reeling onto the ground. Feng descended quickly after Yama and before he could recover fully, Feng gently placed his knuckles on Yama's midriff, his fists glistening with mana. Yama, who coughed out blood from the previous attack, waved frantically and cried, "Please stop! I surrender! Just don't kill me!"

Feng withdrew his fists and in that instant, Yama thrusted his fingers forward towards Feng's eyes, in an attempt to blind him so that he could escape. To his surprise, his attack drew thin air as Feng disappeared before his strike could connect.

Feng reappeared behind Yama and he now placed 2 knuckles on Yama's back without hesitation. Feng muttered, "You wasted your last chance to repent for your wrongdoings. Now, you shall receive your punishment! [Grand King Cannon]!"

Yama turned around quickly only to be greeted by a huge blast of mana far stronger than his own attack earlier. The last thing he saw was all of Feng's muscles flexing when performing this technique, implying that every ounce of muscular strength was poured into this final attack.

The blast, similar to Delvin's devastating attack earlier, ripped right through the enemy files, turning Yama into a bloody pulp. Feng quickly reverted back to his original, scrawny form as he remarked, "That young punk, fancy making me deplete about a decade's worth of training in just a few minutes. I wonder how long would I have to train to get back all those gains…"

A voice rang out towards him, "Master Feng, so glad to see that you're safe! The command post needs your immediate attention as we're currently engaging the enemy under the command of Ms Breeze. Can you still fight?"

Feng turned towards the incoming soldier and replied, "Give me a few minutes to recover my stamina and strength before I link up with you guys. Anyway, is there a signaller among you guys? I need to transmit a message to Master Ken, it's urgent."

A magician stepped forward and said, 'Sir, I'm from the Signals Battalion, I can connect you and Duke Ken together via telepathy." Feng sat on the floor cross-legged, meditating as he was connected to Duke Ken mentally. After receiving the message from Feng, Ken replied, "Thanks for the warning, but it came a little too late, I'm face to face with him right now."

Opposite Ken was an old man who was lean but well-built. His white hair was dishevelled and he had 3 scars running across his right eye. His fingernails were sharp like talons and he gave off an animalistic aura. His lips gave way to a wide grin as he cackled, "Hello, long time no see, old friend. Shall we settle our score once and for all?"

He was Ryu, former joint leader of the Martial Arts Federation…