Or it could be said that Zhongli Wu's final sneak attack was his own "intent."
Once one's cultivation reaches the Titled Douluo Rank, the improvement in strength is not merely an increase in spirit power Rank; only by comprehending one's own "intent" can one go further.
This comprehension is closely related to a Spirit Master's Spirit, experiences, and personal will. Mu En, as a Limit Douluo, had strength arguably the strongest of his generation, and thus his "intent" was to reign over the World.
Originally, due to his experiences, Huo Yuhao's thoughts were entirely on the academy and Wang Dong'er. Therefore, after Wang Dong'er left him, he also comprehended his own "intent." Although the Move names were somewhat straightforward, their power was undeniable.
Zhongli Wu was no exception. His ability to appear silently behind an opponent was partly due to the power of his Spirit and partly because his comprehended "intent" was not ostentatious; concealing himself and striking when the opportunity arose was precisely his method.
Wang Nan closed his eyes, carefully recalling Zhongli Wu's sneak attack. Although their Spirits were different, the methods of using power were similar. He couldn't perform a sneak attack like Zhongli Wu, but the technique of converging power and exploding it at the right moment had a similar effect to his own Moves.
The Unbending Staff Technique Wang Nan currently mastered actually originated from the Coiling Dragon Staff Technique he initially learned. The first four Moves corresponded to chop, sweep, collapse, and clear. And from Zhongli Wu's attack, he saw the shadow of "point."
In staff techniques, "point" is different from other wide-ranging Moves; it is an attack method that concentrates power at a single point. Similarly, this method of power application can also be used in other areas.
Calming his mind, the figure of the Evil Breaking Dragon emerged and coiled around Wang Nan, digesting this hard-won comprehension with him.
The Unbending Staff Technique was the manifestation of Wang Nan's "intent." Based on the "break" attribute of the Coiling Dragon Staff and the "unbending" nature of the Dragon Soul, each Move was a challenge to the rules of heaven and earth.
And coincidentally, Wang Nan's Soul came from another World, possessing memories from his previous life, which always made him view this World from an "overhead" perspective.
Perhaps no one on the Douluo Continent would ever be as perfectly suited to the Coiling Dragon Staff Spirit as Wang Nan. Everyone held reverence for heaven and earth; even highly cultivated Spirit Masters were no exception when discussing higher levels.
Only Wang Nan, from the very beginning, stood at a completely different angle.
Spirit power surged, the Dragon Soul let out a long cry, and in Wang Nan's mind the Unbending Staff Technique was performed repeatedly.
A breakthrough in cultivation was naturally a matter of course.
Wang Nan's breakthrough was silent; in fact, as he continuously deduced the fifth Move of the Unbending Staff Technique in his mind, his aura became even more restrained.
Outside Heaven Dou City, the Sun Moon Empire's army was stationed, with Soul Guidance Device cannons lining the city walls and many detection Soul Guidance Devices placed at the city gates, detecting the spirit power fluctuations of passing pedestrians. All those entering and exiting were subjected to strict scrutiny.
Outside the city, a group of people looked at Heaven Dou City from a distance. The leading woman took off her hood, revealing a handsome face, allowing herself to see more clearly.
"Your Highness, this place is too close to Heaven Dou City. I'm afraid it will attract the attention of the Sun Moon Empire. We should leave here as soon as possible."
The woman was Princess Vina of the Tianhun Empire. Hearing this, her handsome face showed even more sadness. She had grown up here, and now even a distant glance had to be done stealthily.
However, as a Princess, she naturally understood the gravity of the situation. After taking another reluctant look at Heaven Dou City, she slowly sighed. "Let's go. We've made it this far, so we should be close now."
"Yes." The person behind Vina responded, and the group set off again.
Soon after, a large mountain appeared in their view in the distance.
This mountain peak was extremely perilous. Looking out, almost three sides of the entire mountain were vertical, as if carved by a knife, with only one side being relatively gentle.
The surrounding mountains stretched endlessly, with an ethereal sea of clouds slowly drifting among them.
Although most of the Tianhun Empire's territory was occupied by the Sun Moon Empire, there was no trace of the Sun Moon Empire's army in such a remote place.
Vina and the group behind her no longer hid their identities, all taking off their hoods. Besides Vina, several others were experts from the Body Sect and the Tianhun Empire, and one of them was Dragon Pride Heaven, who had met Wang Nan once before.
As they continued forward, the sea of clouds was already beneath their feet, with mist swirling around. Looking out, it was a beautiful sight.
However, Vina had little desire to stop and admire the scenery. She sighed again, forced a smile to make her expression less grim, and then continued walking forward.
"Ahead is Haotian Fort. Please stop, everyone." A gray-clad youth suddenly emerged from the mist.
Vina stepped forward, bowing slightly. "We are members of the Tianhun Empire's royal family. Please inform them."
"Please wait." The gray-clad youth replied indifferently.
Vina, as a Princess, had never actively bowed to an ordinary person. Seeing the youth's attitude, Dragon Pride Heaven's expression behind her already showed some displeasure.
Vina gently squeezed Dragon Pride Heaven's hand, signaling him to calm down, then looked back at the gray-clad youth. "Thank you for your trouble."
The gray-clad youth then nodded and left.
It was only after a long while that the youth reappeared before Vina's group. "Everyone, follow me."
With that, he had already led the way up the mountain.
Vina and the others exchanged glances and followed.
They twisted and turned through the mist, walking for an unknown duration, until a majestic castle finally emerged from the mist, with the words "Haotian Fort" carved above its gate.
A tall, burly middle-aged man was already standing before the castle, an invisible aura emanating from him.
"What brings you to Haotian Fort?" A deep voice came, causing a buzzing sound in everyone's ears.
Vina steadied herself and stepped forward. "We have come for aid. Heaven Dou City has been broken by the Sun Moon Empire, and the Tianhun Empire is on the verge of collapse. We wish to ask the Clear Sky Sect to emerge and jointly resist the Sun Moon Empire."
"You may return." The middle-aged strong man listened to Vina's words and merely replied indifferently, his tone devoid of emotion. "The Clear Sky Sect has already secluded itself and will not interfere in the affairs of the mortal World."
"If there is no Empire, how can there be a Sect? After the Sun Moon Empire overthrows Tianhun, the Clear Sky Sect will also not escape disaster..."
"This is not for you to worry about. My Clear Sky Sect has its own Dao of living in the World."
"Does the Clear Sky Sect no longer remember past kindness? Ten thousand years ago, my ancestor of the Xue family once apprenticed to a Clear Sky Sect Disciple. Now that their descendants are in trouble, we hope the Clear Sky Sect can lend a helping hand."