Chapter 1 The Start of War

Battle intent surged, and the battle began immediately.

On the martial arts stage, Souther blurred, transforming into a phantom as he floated out.

In the universe of *Hokuto Shinken* (North Star Divine Fist), Souther's overall ability could rank in the top three, whether in strength, speed, technique, or intelligence... all were top-notch.

In contrast to the "inner to outer" destructive method of Hokuto Shinken, Nanto Seiken (South Star Sacred Fist) is a "yang" assassination fist that cuts opponents at ultra-high speed, directly destroying them from the outside.

Therefore, Souther's greatest strength was—speed.

"Take this! Gokusei Juji Ken (Polar Star Cross Fist)!" In the blink of an eye, Souther had already arrived behind Canecchi, his fists unleashing a barrage of attacks like a whirlwind.

But his fists... all landed in empty space.

"Nani?" Seeing his attack miss, Souther was shocked. "This kid can keep up with me?"

In fact... he was wrong. Canecchi wasn't "keeping up" with him, but was "faster than him."

At this moment, Canecchi had already dodged the attack and circled behind his opponent: "Hey!"

This good forest boy didn't have any special killing moves; his attack was just a basic straight punch from karate, but...

"Puh-ugh..." Souther cried out in agony as Canecchi punched him in the back, collapsing to his knees.

The power contained in this punch was unlike anything he had ever seen, as if it was not delivered by a human being. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he couldn't help but think, "This kid... his punching power is even stronger than Raoh's..."

"I won!" Canecchi, facing his kneeling opponent, had no intention of following up, only clenching his fist and saying this with a solemn expression.

After all, he was a character from a daily gag manga, excessively kind and innocent... How could an opponent like the Holy Emperor give up so easily?

"Haa... haa..." After a few seconds, Souther caught his breath, rolled to the side, and ended up next to Canecchi again. "What a joke! It's only just begun!"

Canecchi's eyes followed his opponent, and seeing that he was about to use a move, he turned to block.

"I won't be careless this time!" Souther raised his hands, and his fighting spirit suddenly soared. "Nanto Baku Sei Ha (South Star Exploding Star Wave)!"

The ultimate technique of Nanto, the fist wind howled through the arena.

Killing intent surged, tearing through the air.

Canecchi stood with his feet apart, his toes gripping the ground (he almost never wore shoes or socks), and raised his arms in front of him in a defensive stance.

Shh shh shh—

The cross-shaped fist wind was like a soaring eagle, rushing forward.

Canecchi's arms were struck, and blood bloomed like falling snow.

But, after taking this blow, Canecchi didn't take a single step back, still standing firmly in place.

"This kid..." An unnamed fire ignited in Souther's heart, and in an instant, another ultimate move arose. "Houou Kotou Kasen (Phoenix Cry Sky Blasting)!"

This move was a continuous state skill similar to the [Ling Shi Ju Shen Shu] (Spirit Consciousness Gathering Body Technique). Although the effect wasn't as significant as the Spirit Consciousness Gathering Body Technique, the advantage was... there were no side effects, and it didn't require sacrificing one's own health when used.

The reason why the Holy Emperor used this move was self-evident; he had realized that... in terms of physical attributes alone, Canecchi was above him.

"Prepare yourself!" Souther leaped up, diagonally kicking down at his opponent. "Tensho Kungsatsu Kyaku (Heaven Soaring Group Star Kick)!"

Canecchi naturally was prepared, otherwise he wouldn't have stood on this stage... Facing Souther's killing move, his expression sharpened, and he turned around, delivering a Shen Long Bai Wei (Dragon Wags its Tail) (a rising crescent kick), meeting his opponent's Nanto ultimate technique with his leg.

"Ah-cha!" Canecchi's moves didn't have any cool names; he would only shout out some strange interjections to coordinate his breathing when launching an attack.

Bang—

The two moves collided, creating a sound of exploding fighting spirit.

The result... was!

"Guh!" Souther, who had attacked from above, was instead knocked back into the sky by a huge force.

His move, which contained fighting spirit, was dispersed by Canecchi's pure power, turning into nothingness; the qi and blood within his body churned, giving him the feeling of internal injuries.

...

"It's simply ruining my worldview..." Qi Sha muttered, watching this scene from below the stage. "So this is what they call using overwhelming power to overcome all techniques..."

"When strength and speed break through to a certain realm, the concept of 'fighting' undergoes a subversive change..." Feng Bu Jue continued. "At that time... exquisite 'moves' become 'superfluous actions.' It's like two people who can destroy a star with one punch fighting; the key to victory is simply seeing whose fist touches the opponent's body faster and from a shorter distance..."

"Uh... Brother Jue," Xiao Tan said, "you said before that Canecchi's combat power was comparable to Little Goku when he was five years old, so what about his current strength?"

"Although he looks very tall and strong now, he's only thirteen years old in the setting... As for his strength..." Feng Bu Jue said thoughtfully, "He can kick down an entire building, destroy metal objects as easily as crumpling paper, run on water or walls if he's serious, change the course of a typhoon by grabbing Loki and spinning in an open space, and separate the ocean in a short time when he's angry..."

"What's the deal with the last two..." Hua Jian's expression was truly wonderful.

Qi Sha replied with a pained expression, "Although I don't know who that Loki is... I feel a little sympathetic towards him..."

In the same second...

"Achoo..." Loki sneezed on the other side of the stage.

"What's wrong? Do you have a cold?" Xi Duo turned to look at him.

"Hehe... it's nothing." Loki closed his eyes, revealing his standard arrogant expression. "There must be a lovely girl thinking of me again, that must be it... hahaha..." He crossed his arms and laughed, looking up.

"I'm ashamed to know someone like you..." Xi Duo shook his head, holding his forehead.

...

Back on the stage, it took Souther seven or eight seconds to fall back to the ground.

When he landed, his feet were still trembling. This was not only because he had fallen from a great height, but also because of the "leg collision" with Canecchi earlier.

"This kid... is a monster..." Souther's heart was filled with shock; he, a person wearing shin guards and strengthened with fighting spirit, was completely outmatched by a barefoot kid who relied entirely on brute force, which was simply too damaging to his pride.

"Give up, you've already lost!" Canecchi, maintaining his "tall and serious state," pointed at Souther.

"Hehe... hehehehe..." Souther sneered for a while, then roared, "Who do you think you're talking to!" He stood up proudly. "An Emperor never runs!"

As the shout ended, his figure moved, and Souther charged towards Canecchi once again.

"It's useless no matter how many times you come!" Canecchi stared ahead, taking in every move his opponent made.

"Look at that!" Suddenly, Souther, who was running, pointed behind Canecchi and shouted.

"Huh?" Canecchi was stunned by the sound, and turned his head to look behind him with a dazed expression.

"Idiot! Don't fall for such an obvious trap!" Loki shouted from below the stage.

"He's tricking you! Canecchi! Don't be fooled!" Xi Duo also shouted to remind him.

"Eh?" Canecchi was still a little confused, not reacting immediately.

"Hahaha... you big fool!" Souther grinned as he arrived in front of Canecchi. "Even with monstrous strength, an idiot is still an idiot!"

Before he finished speaking, he used his strongest move...

Souther spread his limbs, striking a cross-shaped pose, and a golden fighting spirit erupted from his body, soaring into the sky.

And Canecchi... only managed to turn his head around at this moment, unable to dodge or even raise his hand to block.

"Nanto Houou Ken Ougi—Tensho Juji Hou (South Star Phoenix Fist Secret—Heaven Soaring Cross Phoenix)!" Souther shouted the name of his move and launched his attack.

Canecchi was caught off guard and hit by his opponent's secret technique at close range...

A second later, their figures brushed past each other, Souther smoothly retracted his move, and Canecchi fell to the ground with a thud.

"That's too despicable! You bastard!" Xi Duo roared from below the stage.

Loki also said, "We'll never let you get away with this!"

"Hehe... hahahaha..." Souther laughed. "A bunch of nobodies... daring to challenge the Emperor?"

They thought they had won, but unexpectedly..."Uh..." Two seconds later, a groan came from behind him.

"Hmm?" Souther looked back and found that Canecchi was still alive, not unconscious, but was just too injured to stand up. "He's still not dead?" He muttered, turning back to Canecchi and walking towards him. "Hmph... you little brat who dared to play with the Emperor, let me send you on your last journey."

"Ca... Canecchi! Give up quickly! You'll be killed!" Xi Duo quickly reminded him when he saw this.

"Gi... giving up... would mean..." Canecchi said with difficulty, "everyone... won't be able to... return to... the way... we were... pu-ah..."

Before Canecchi could finish speaking, Souther's foot stomped heavily on his lower back, and the intense pain made him cry out in agony.

"That's right... how could I let you give up?" Souther sneered. "I want you to die!"

"Damn it! You despicable guy!" Loki couldn't help but want to rush onto the stage, but unfortunately, before the martial arts exhibition ended, the barrier around the stage was impassable. And with Loki's strength, he wasn't strong enough to force his way through this barrier...

...

"In the end... is this the outcome..." Watching the developments on stage, Qi Sha's displeasure was written all over his face.

"It's really too despicable!" Xiao Tan added.

Hua Jian also said, "What Emperor? He's just a despicable villain."

"Hmph... you guys are too naive." Feng Bu Jue sneered, "There's nothing wrong with Souther's methods; he's just targeting the other party's weaknesses to break through. Look... Canecchi himself doesn't have a single complaint."

He was right; Canecchi, who was being trampled on by Souther on the stage, neither gave up nor cursed; he was just silently enduring the attacks... enduring the consequences of his own carelessness.

"Objectively speaking, this match is fair. The loser should first look for the reasons within himself." Feng Bu Jue said, "Even if Canecchi loses in the end, he can't blame anyone else; he can only blame himself for being too foolish and falling for such an obvious trap."

"Even if you say that..." Qi Sha muttered.

"It's impossible for our mentality to change as suddenly as yours..." Hua Jian added.

Xiao Tan then said, "Brother Jue, can't you think of a way... to help Canecchi?"

"Think of a way?" Feng Bu Jue looked at Xiao Tan. "Do you think I'm a god? Look..." He gestured around with his eyes. "So many righteous grandmasters are all glaring at the stage with indignation; if there was a way, they would have already taken action, how could it be my turn?"

"Hmm... okay..." Xiao Tan said with slight disappointment.

Hearing this, Hua Jian and Qi Sha both looked downcast.

"Hehe..." Seeing their expressions, Feng Bu Jue laughed. "I'm just kidding."

"Huh?" The three of them were immediately stunned. "You really have a way?"

...

"Hmph... it's about time... to end you." Souther stomped on Canecchi for a while, and when the latter was almost dead, he finally said with satisfaction, "I'll cut off your head... to end this." Saying that, he raised his right hand.

"No!" "Canecchi! Wake up!" Xi Duo and Loki's sorrowful cries could no longer help their close friend.

Just at this moment of life and death, suddenly...

From a distance, a roar suddenly arose.

"Canecchi! Beat that guy, and I'll treat you to beef hot pot!"

Shh—

As the voice fell, Souther's final blow had already been launched, but... his fist wind only tore through the ground; Canecchi, who had been trampled under his feet... had vanished in the blink of an eye.

"What?" Souther's expression suddenly changed. "He can still move?"

Rumble rumble rumble—

The next second, the entire earth began to tremble.

An invisible pressure even penetrated the stage barrier, affecting everyone in the arena.

And Souther, who was on the stage, was already being pressed to the point of kneeling.

The invincible Holy Emperor, at this moment, only felt his legs go weak; a fear originating from biological instinct enveloped him, causing him to break out in a cold sweat instantly.

He had already felt it... a tall figure had stood behind him, and locked onto him with the eyes of a beast.

De de dum~ de de dum dum de de dum~ de de dum~ dum dum de de dum— (ps: This BGM is called *Oniisan wa Seigi no Shisha* (Big Brother is a Messenger of Justice))

On the martial arts stage, a powerful BGM suddenly sounded...

No one saw how the resurrected Canecchi came to be behind Souther; people only knew... that the Holy Emperor was probably doomed.

"You..." Souther turned his head sharply and looked at his opponent.

At this moment, Canecchi's eyes were shining with a fiery white light, and his whole body was burning with invisible power, like an indestructible and unmatched humanoid weapon, with an aura that made people want to give up.

"How... how can this be..." Souther muttered, "What exactly is this power emanating from this good-for-nothing man..."

"Oh—Beef hot pot!!!" This was the first and only line Canecchi said after going berserk.

"F*ck..." These two words were Souther's most honest inner thoughts at this moment.

Bang—

One punch, just one punch, and the Holy Emperor was defeated...

As the saying goes... all martial arts under heaven come from the rising dragon. Canecchi used a rising dragon punch to instantly kill Souther... The latter was sent flying into the sky, straight into the clouds, breaking through the barrier, and turning into a star...

"The martial arts exhibition is over."

"Winner, Canecchi Guha. Loser, Souther."