"Master, what do you think? Although it's basically the same whether we cooperate or not... but when it's just one person facing you, it still makes me feel a bit nervous!" Monkey D. forced a smile. He said "nervous" because, at this moment, standing before the Grandmaster of their Muten School, Monkey D. could clearly feel just how terrifying the presence of Master Taro was.
At that moment, standing in front of them was no longer a mere human.
His aura was nothing like what any human could possess.
If a normal person's aura is like a ball of light—perhaps righteous, perhaps gentle, perhaps dark, perhaps evil—then Taro's aura in front of them was like a burning sun! He didn't care about good or evil, light or dark. He was simply an ancient, ever-existing star, constantly radiating terrifying power, yet it was completely unintentional.
Only when someone like Monkey D. actively tried to sense him could they catch a brief glimpse of this burning sun.
This sun seemed to merge with the world around him—the heavens, nature, the environment. If one didn't pay attention, it would be easy to miss. But once noticed, the heavy pressure that weighed on their hearts... could never be shaken off.
Monkey D. was overwhelmed with fear and shock, his mind nearly in chaos.
"Remember this feeling well," came Master Taro's voice, crashing through Monkey D.'s mind like thunder. It was both jarring and soothing, like a spring breeze, waking him from his chaotic state.
Monkey D. suddenly snapped back to reality, a cold sweat forming on his back. His face turned pale, and the surrounding noise of the audience seemed to "return" like a tidal wave. What had just happened? Monkey D. instinctively felt a deep sense of dread, but when he looked at Master Taro's calm gaze across from him... his heart warmed. He felt as though he could read a hint of expectation and approval in Master Taro's eyes. That slight expectation and approval made Monkey D. feel like shouting to the heavens in joy, feeling that his life was not in vain!
"Thank you for your favor, Master!" Monkey D.'s eyes reddened. He understood that the eternal feeling he had just experienced in his heart was a spiritual treasure gifted by Master Taro, and from now on, his martial arts would improve again because of it!
"What happened? Monkey D. suddenly thanked Master Taro…" the host voiced the question that was on everyone's mind.
On the screen, Monkey D. was seen with teary eyes, filled with excitement, while Master Taro's expression remained unchanged. As for Noah Robe standing next to them, he remained expressionless and silent, though he must have been a little curious about what had just happened to his "teammate."
"The old man is still showing favoritism to his disciples…" Tam, who was watching the broadcast, guessed what might have happened between Master Taro and Monkey D. and couldn't help but laugh. He had a pretty good idea of his father's unfathomable spiritual cultivation and power. If Master Taro told him that he could imprison someone in their spiritual world for centuries with just a glance, Tam wouldn't doubt it for a second.
"Heh heh..." Hathaway and Ninn, sitting together, smiled softly.
...
Master Taro flicked his robes and said to the two younger disciples, "Come."
"Yes!"
Monkey D. was the first to respond, gathering his energy and swinging his fist forward. His energy circulated through his arms and hands, amplifying the strength of his punches and palms. This was the most basic application of Qi Gong.
Noah Robe didn't lag behind. He focused his gaze, drew the wooden sword from his waist, and with synchronized steps, he joined Monkey D., attacking from both sides toward Master Taro!
Crack, crack, crack...
Master Taro remained motionless, his hands positioned calmly on either side as he effortlessly defended against the attacks coming from both Monkey D. and Noah Robe.
Monkey D.'s punches were fast, but Master Taro was faster. Noah Robe's sword strikes were powerful, but Master Taro's hands were stronger and steadier.
The two disciples' attacks raged like a storm, but Master Taro stood unmoving, skillfully countering them with grace, as if he were gathering the wind and the moon in his grasp. Within an instant, Monkey D. and Noah Robe had unleashed all their techniques, yet Master Taro was still guiding them with the occasional word of advice.
The entire arena had fallen silent, all eyes focused on the performance unfolding on the stage.
Master Taro smiled slightly, his foot lifting slightly, and with one step—
There was no visible burst of Qi energy or any light show, but as he raised his large, rough palms, he executed a move that was like seizing the dragon and subduing the tiger. Woosh—the energy between the three of them surged violently. Monkey D. and Noah Robe lost control of their attacks and collided with each other with a boom!
Master Taro gave a small, minimal shake of his arms, and Monkey D. and Noah Robe were sent flying to opposite ends of the stage, rolling in the air before landing.
The audience was finally able to breathe. The earlier exchange had been so thrilling that no one wanted to miss a single moment.
"The gap is too big!"
"Damn it!"
As the two were sent flying through the air, they each thought to themselves. Then, as they hit the ground, they quickly dissipated their energy and regained their stance, reattacking silently, their eyes locked on Master Taro's every slight movement.
Monkey D., having developed a sense of energy, was observing Master Taro's actions on the energetic level.
Noah Robe was running, feeling like he was falling into a whirlpool, losing his direction. He raced on, skimming the edge of the vortex, flipping the wooden sword in his hand. The dull yellow wood marks glowed as if they were emitting a silvery-white metallic sheen.
"I see it! I see it!"
Noah Robe saw the position of Mu Taro ahead!
It was truly… terrifying!
It felt like a whirlpool of light that could swallow the entire world!
Then… let's cut through it!
Let's slice this sun in half!!
Noah Robe shouted in his mind, but his body grew even more calm and ruthless. He felt better than ever before, more perfect than ever. The sword in his hand now seemed to be an extension of his body... but unfortunately, it wasn't the best.
"The gap is too large…"
At that moment, both Noah Robe and Monkey D. vaguely heard the old man at the center of their momentum sigh softly.
Then… Mu Taro's indifferent gaze swept over them, and immediately… a fierce surge of energy burst from Mu Taro's body!
Boom!
Noah Robe's slash and Monkey D.'s sweeping kick were both instantly stopped by an invisible force in front of them!
"What is… this?" Monkey D. and Noah Robe both froze, just like the rest of the audience.
He hadn't done anything! He hadn't even moved!
Yet, the faint airflow that stopped their movements began to slowly form into a human shape before their eyes!
It was Mu Taro's figure!
They immediately turned to look at Mu Taro, who stood perfectly still, appearing as if he had done nothing at all, just calmly observing them. Both men felt a deep shock—what kind of martial art was this? Had he conjured… two… clones?!
"Don't get distracted during the duel."
Mu Taro's voice echoed in their ears, and then he raised one hand, tracing a path through the air. As his fingers moved, the two human-shaped figures, which had seemingly formed from the air, followed his gestures and began to spar with Noah Robe and Monkey D. as if they were real people…
"Heavens…"
The commentator was completely dumbfounded—how was he supposed to explain this? Was he supposed to comment on how Monkey D. and Noah Robe were fighting against two figures that might or might not be Taro's clones? This was utterly mind-bending!
"This is what an immortal looks like…"
"Master Taro is simply not human…"
"I bow down to him. From today on, I'm a die-hard fan of Master Taro!"
"Mom, come look at God…"
"Anyone who said they wanted to see Master Taro's masterful style, your show has aired!"
The audience went wild! Whether they were at the venue or watching the live broadcast, everyone was wide-eyed, staring at the mystical scene unfolding on the stage.