Chapter 88 Times Have Changed

Amidst the sound of gunfire, Wang Xuan was hit in the chest, neck, and legs. His forehead was also about to be shot, but he managed to turn his head in mid-air to avoid the bullets aimed at him. 

The world seemed to fall silent as people watched Wang Xuan's body tremble in mid-air. Those with experience knew he had been shot multiple times, his body caught in a barrage of fire. Wu Yin turned her head slightly, unable to bear witnessing such brutality.

Old Wu sighed softly as he saw Wang Xuan lose his balance and fall to the ground after being hit repeatedly. In a nearby courtyard, a middle-aged man standing by the window remarked, "This is ultimately an era of brilliant technology. Even if one masters The Old Technique to this extent, they cannot escape the assault of modern weaponry." 

At this moment, many gasped in disbelief, lamenting Wang Xuan's fate. Here was a powerful young man emerging from The Old Technique, yet he was taken down by a surprise attack. Some watched quietly in the rain, thinking it was all quite normal; times had changed, and no amount of mastery in The Old Technique could defend against technological weapons.

To some, it was reminiscent of earlier when Wang Xuan and Mu Qingmu had stood against energy cannons, shattering multiple foes. Whether it was The New Technique or The Old Technique, both were suppressed by modern weaponry.

One person spoke calmly, "In this era, what significance does individual power hold?" Representatives from major organizations were present, observing from a distance. While some felt sympathy for Wang Xuan, they believed this was an inevitable trend for the future. In this age, nothing could challenge technology, and the status of the wealthy elite remained unshaken.

After Wang Xuan fell to the ground, he lay still for a moment. He felt a stinging pain in his body, but it wasn't severe. The bullets had penetrated less than half an inch into his flesh and hadn't fully lodged themselves. He exerted a bit of force, shaking off the bullets from his neck, chest, and thighs, while a small amount of blood seeped from his skin.

These weren't highly lethal energy weapons; such things couldn't be brought into the estate. These were makeshift ordinary firearms, hardly a real threat to Wang Xuan. "It seems I still need to practice the Golden Body Technique!" After landing, Wang Xuan feigned death, using every opportunity to buy time and allow his heated body to recover.

Some, seeing him on the ground without getting up, couldn't help but sigh. "How could a guest do this? To kill him!" Those practicing The Old Technique came to their senses, with some shouting angrily, ready to retaliate against the shooter in the loft.

"If he hadn't leaped into the air, at his level of power, he might have been able to dodge the bullets!" someone lamented. A member of the elite stood in the rain, calmly commenting, "This is ultimately the age of technology. No matter what you practice, it's merely a technique, not rising to the 'Dao.' Technology is the true path, and it is in our hands."

During this time, Qingmu contacted the expedition organization to requisition a small spaceship, hiding far away, preparing to strike hard and eliminate the top figure of The New Technique.

He lay in wait, hoping for a chance to deliver a fatal blow to the old man with blonde hair. With enemies at the door, he felt no need for honorable combat; he would do whatever it took to send the extraordinary old man on his way.

However, after waiting a long time, he found his master locked in a fierce battle with the old man, fearing that a single energy cannon could take out his master as well. 

"What? Wang Xuan has been shot?" Qingmu was taken aback by the news, feeling his scalp tingle with shock. If Wang Xuan died, even if he managed to kill the top figure of The New Technique tonight, it wouldn't feel like a glorious victory.

"Didn't every guest undergo a thorough inspection? No firearms allowed inside!" Qingmu's eyes turned red with fury. Upon learning that the weapon was merely a makeshift gun and not an energy weapon, his anxiety and fear cooled instantly. 

He recalled that Wang Xuan had trained the Golden Body Technique to the sixth level. He had witnessed Wang Xuan peeling skin in Old Chen's hospital room, and he had envied him immensely. 

"Bring down that loft!" Qingmu growled, ordering someone to deal with the attackers. Yet he quickly calmed down, remembering that some representatives were staying there. To avoid chaos and panic, he quickly changed his mind, saying, "Don't make a big scene. Block the entrance; give each of them a shot, but don't kill anyone. We'll investigate thoroughly later."

It wasn't until two powerful enemies approached that Wang Xuan suddenly sprang to his feet, rushing toward the loft from which the bullets had originated. 

These weren't new enemies but previous guests who had chosen this critical moment to strike him. Fueled by a surge of killing intent, he knew he had to deal with them first!

In less than half a minute, he couldn't use the body techniques from the Golden Book anymore, so this person would have to be his target! 

"He's been hit by so many bullets, yet he's still alive? It's unbelievable!" Zhong Cheng exclaimed, astonished. Beside his sister, the elder who had mastered the Snake Crane Eight Dispersion technique trembled as he spoke, "What kind of body technique has he practiced? Is it a secret method from the Taoist ancestral court, or has he attained the Buddhist 'Vajra Body,' withstanding all this with his flesh?!"

Wang Xuan suddenly leaped up, bursting toward the loft with the vitality of a dragon, leaving many stunned. For modern people, this scene was shocking. "He was shot but didn't die?" Most people in the rain looked on in disbelief. Old Wu was equally astonished—what level had Little Wang reached in The Old Technique?

"Little Wang is alive; this is truly... a miracle! How did he do it?!" Wu Yin exclaimed in shock, then her face lit up with joy, sensing a mist surrounding the young man. In another courtyard, an elder spoke calmly, "He has really mastered The Old Technique to such an extent that ordinary firearms can't kill him? If he continues to improve this rapidly, it could become dangerous. This kind of person should be monitored and reported."

Wang Xuan sprinted through the rain, his eyes shimmering a faint gold, filled with endless killing intent and coldness as he evaded the bullets that came at him. Approaching the loft, he changed direction multiple times, avoiding the windows, then leaped up and smashed through the wall, crashing into the room.

Inside were two pale-faced individuals who trembled at the sight of someone who could shatter walls. One of them turned to shoot, but Wang Xuan was already upon him, grabbing him and quickly delivering fatal blows that shattered his limbs. Simultaneously, he kicked the other man's arm, reducing it to a bloody mess.

Wang Xuan incapacitated them but left them alive for interrogation. Just then, two strong enemies jumped in through the hole he created. Without looking back, he jumped out the window, disappearing into the rain. In less than thirty seconds, his speed had left them stunned!

The two behind him remained silent but were determined to pursue, sensing that if they didn't eliminate this young man soon, he would soon break through to the Master realm.

A twenty-something Master was unheard of; if he reached that level, the future would be unimaginable. Not far away, a group of people rushed in, excited to see Wang Xuan still alive, eager to help.

Wang Xuan shouted, "Don't come over! Go deal with the shooter in the loft!" These practitioners of The Old Technique would be of no help; approaching individuals clad in extraordinary armor and possessing Master-level combat power would lead to their swift demise.

Today, not to mention Masters, even quasi-Masters in The Old Technique were exceedingly rare, as the path was incredibly difficult. Since legendary routes like Inner Landscape and Heavenly Herb had disappeared, The Old Technique had lost its extraordinary attributes, particularly in this era of decline.

In contrast, the New Technique was indeed easier to achieve success, especially since it could extend life, which is why it garnered favor from the wealthy elite, even leading to the development of extraordinary armor.

The benefits of such resources were evident, so those in the New Technique realm didn't want Chen Yongjie to break through, hoping to exploit his weaknesses in Green Ridge and drag The Old Technique down to its lowest point.

As Wang Xuan vanished into the darkness, his two pursuers were resolute in their intent to kill him. Suddenly, a figure stopped ahead and turned to face them, exhaling mist in the rain, his chest heaving as if fatigued.

The two approached cautiously, their footsteps heavy and rhythmic, preparing to unleash everything against this formidable young man to avoid being overwhelmed themselves.

The individual clad in extraordinary armor moved, his body covered in dark green metal, brandishing a glowing green blade aimed at Wang Xuan. This weapon, formed from solidified material, radiated extraordinary energy, vaporizing rainwater into mist as it cut through the air.

At the moment Wang Xuan dodged, he surged forward, aiming a strike at the man's forehead, his internal energy resonating, emitting a faint glow. He was about to unleash the body techniques recorded in the Golden Book to break through the man's armor.

However, the armored man did not engage him directly; sensing the advantage of two skilled opponents, he swiftly retreated to avoid Wang Xuan's onslaught. Wang Xuan quickly dissipated his energy, his body cooling as the thunderous resonance faded from his insides. As a result, the two immediately surged back in with a flurry of fierce attacks.

Boom! The green blade seemed to break the sound barrier, causing an explosive shockwave that enveloped them in a mist. The blade shone brilliantly, slicing toward Wang Xuan.

Wang Xuan realized he was up against two opponents with extensive combat experience and sharp instincts, recognizing his impressive skills and not allowing him the chance to counterattack.

As soon as he activated Zhang Daoling's body technique, the two would dodge away, and the moment he dissipated his energy, they charged back in fiercely!

Wang Xuan evaded quickly, but even with his power, he found himself in a precarious situation under their relentless assault. The blade grazed his arm, and with a sickening sound, blood spurted forth, creating a horrific wound.

This scene, however, shocked the man in extraordinary armor because he knew how terrifying a Master's strike could be. Had he been struck, his arm would have been destroyed. Yet, the opponent merely trembled, the blade's momentum stopped, and all that happened was a bloody wound.

"Golden Body Technique!" The realization hit him like a bolt, and his expression changed. The young man's mastery of The Old Technique was astonishing; he had somehow achieved a protective technique that usually took years to develop at such a young age!

Could it be that he had discovered a secret path within The Old Technique realm? He couldn't help but think that those walking the New Technique path coveted the golden bamboo scrolls because they were hoping to access legendary routes like Inner Landscape and Heavenly Herb!