Chapter 342: Yao Demon Nest (II)

Among the eight pavilions of the Wuji Sect, each specialized in different cultivation techniques. The Azure Tide Pavilion focused on the Azure Tide Boundless True Technique, which increased a martial artist's blood qi capacity. Upon advancing to the Force Transformation realm, the true strength within the body became as vast and continuous as rolling waves. The Shattered Star Pavilion, on the other hand, specialized in pure strength. Its disciples possessed terrifying physical power, said to be capable of shattering stars. Yue Chengzhi stepped forward with his right foot, instantly shattering the stone slabs beneath him. With a loud boom, his entire body lunged toward Lin Zheyu at a terrifying speed.

Lin Zheyu's expression remained calm, with not a trace of aura emanating from his body. His movements appeared extremely slow, yet by the time Yue Chengzhi reached him, he had already assumed the stance of the Great Strength Vajra Fist.

Bang!

The two fists collided, producing a dull, thunderous sound. At the instant of contact, the confidence in Yue Chengzhi's eyes vanished, replaced by shock. His full-powered punch felt as though it had struck a mountain cast from molten iron, utterly unable to affect his opponent.

Instead, the tremendous force transmitted back through his fist sent him staggering backward several steps. Before Yue Chengzhi could steady himself, a terrifying gust of force struck again as Lin Zheyu's figure rapidly filled his vision.

The Great Strength Vajra Fist slammed out, and Yue Chengzhi hurriedly crossed his arms to block. The immense force blasted him away once more. Lin Zheyu lightly tapped the ground with his toes and chased after him at an even greater speed, bringing his fist down from above.

Yue Chengzhi's body crashed heavily into the ground, shattering the stone bricks into powder and blasting a massive crater into the earth. The surrounding disciples watching the battle were stunned. Kong Bo was stunned. Gu Ye was stunned. Even Meng Liuyuan, who stood at a distance watching leisurely, could not help but widen his eyes.

"Hey. Now, I believe that Junior Brother Lin truly has the potential to become a Dao Child," Kong Bo said, blinking his eyes.

"I believe it too. Did Yue Chengzhi really reach fifty-third on the Hidden Dragon List through his own strength? Are you sure he was not holding back just now?" Gu Ye said in disbelief.

She knew that Yue Chengzhi had not held back. She asked only because it was simply too astonishing. Gu Ye knew that Lin Zheyu was very strong, and might even be no weaker than Yue Chengzhi. She believed that if he used the lightness and movement techniques he excelled at to fight Yue Chengzhi, his chances of victory would be considerable. But this victory had come far too quickly. So fast it was unbelievable.

"Thank you for the match," Lin Zheyu said. He extended his hand and pulled Yue Chengzhi up from the ground, where he lay with a dazed look in his eyes.

"What technique did you just use?" Yue Chengzhi asked, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

"The Great Strength Vajra Fist," Lin Zheyu replied.

"Did you break through to the Marrow Refining realm while you are at the ninth transformations of blood qi? Otherwise, how could your strength possibly surpass mine?" Yue Chengzhi asked in disbelief.

He had broken through to the Marrow Refining realm while at the eighth transformations of blood qi, and with the true techniques of the Shattered Star Pavilion, his strength was nearly unmatched among martial artists of the same realm. Yue Chengzhi could accept defeat. What he could not accept was losing so completely in the very area where he was strongest.

"Perhaps it is because my natural talent is exceptional," Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

"Exceptional natural talent?

Huff...

" Yue Chengzhi let out a long breath, finding it hard to accept. He said, "Thank you for the guidance. I will come challenge you again tomorrow!"

With that, he turned around and left without looking back.

"Truly, heroes emerge from the young. Junior Brother Lin is so young yet possesses such formidable strength. It really puts this senior brother to shame," Kong Bo said as he walked over, praising him with a smile.

"You’re too kind," Lin Zheyu said modestly.

"

Haha!

When I was at the Shattered Star Pavilion before, I heard that Martial Uncle Huang had taken in an external martial artist with exceptional natural talent and Dao Child aptitude, and I did not quite believe it. Now that I have seen it for myself, I never expected your strength to be even more formidable than the rumors. After defeating Yue Chengzhi, you have become the greatest threat to that genius from the main sect," Kong Bo said with a smile.

He felt a sense of awe in his heart. To defeat Yue Chengzhi, ranked fifty-third on the Hidden Dragon List, with just three punches was strength more than sufficient to enter the top forty of the Hidden Dragon List. Moreover, he had heard that Junior Brother Lin Zheyu truly excelled at lightness and movement techniques, and that Lin Zheyu had not used his full strength at all just now. As such, his ranking could rise even further. He might even surpass the famous genius of the War God Sect, Xiao Shi, in one stroke.

As for the genius from the main sect who was being cultivated as a reserve Dao Child, he was only ranked twenty-fourth on the Hidden Dragon List. If they were truly to fight, it would be hard to say who would prevail. Back then, although Yue Chengzhi had been regarded as the strongest competitor to that main sect's genius, the other party had never taken Yue Chengzhi seriously. The gap between the fifty-third and twenty-fourth was truly quite big. At Yue Chengzhi's level of strength, trying to continue improving without advancing to the Force Transformation realm was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Around the fiftieth rank of the Hidden Dragon List was already Yue Chengzhi's limit, let alone twenty-fourth.

"Dao Child? How did rumors spread that I possess Dao Child aptitude?" Hearing this, Lin Zheyu could not help but be slightly stunned.

After joining Azure Tide Pavilion, he had been extremely low key. Aside from defeating Fan Qingxue, he had done nothing else. His ranking had always remained at seventy eighth on the Hidden Dragon List. It could be said that he was already very restrained. He did not understand why, despite being so low key, rumors still spread claiming that he possessed Dao Child aptitude.

"In a few years, it will be time for the new Dao Child selection. With a dark horse like you appearing so suddenly with such astonishing natural talent, even the main sect's genius would feel pressure. It is normal for some rumors to circulate. Junior brother, do not worry. With Azure Tide Pavilion backing you, just go all out and display your strongest natural talent! I believe in you. You will definitely defeat Liang En and become the Dao Child of the Wuji Sect," Gu Ye said boldly as she patted Lin Zheyu on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Senior Sister," Lin Zheyu replied with a nod.

The Dao Child was the most core disciple of the entire Wuji Sect. They were the most outstanding among their generation of true disciples. Every ten years, one Dao Child would be selected from among the true disciples of the main sect and the eight major branches, though it was almost always a true disciple from the main sect who was chosen.

Lin Zheyu did not have many thoughts about this position. The techniques a Dao Child could obtain were also accessible to true disciples. The Dao Child merely received more resources. Placing himself under the spotlight to gain those resources and drawing the attention of many powerful figures of the Wuji Sect was not a wise choice for Lin Zheyu, who harbored secrets.

***

After defeating Yue Chengzhi, Lin Zheyu's life returned to calm once more. Harassment and attacks against Soaring Serpent Mountain occurred from time to time, but they were all minor skirmishes. He devoted himself fully to cultivation. As his blood qi transformed the marrow throughout his body, his physique grew increasingly powerful, and the aura emitted by his physique alone was terrifying.

During the time Lin Zheyu quietly cultivated on Soaring Serpent Mountain, the news of him defeating Yue Chengzhi and rising to fifty third on the Hidden Dragon List spread. It attracted the attention of many genius martial artists and major forces. Martial artists ranked within the top sixty of the Hidden Dragon List were monstrous geniuses even across the entire Central Plains, let alone within the Guanghua Region.

Within the Guanghua Region, there were only twenty six martial artists who had made it onto the Hidden Dragon List. With Lin Zheyu's strength at fifty third on the Hidden Dragon List, he could at least rank within the top ten of the Guanghua Region. Having joined Azure Tide Pavilion less than a year ago, his strength had grown so rapidly that it was impossible not to draw attention.

***

Miasma filled the land. Poisonous fog swirled through the mountain forest, saturated with dense Baleful Yin force.

"He entered the top sixty of the Hidden Dragon List so quickly. I did not expect this kid's natural talent to be so terrifying! If he is given a few more years and advances to the Force Transformation realm, even killing him would take me some effort," Pei Xuan said as he looked at the information, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The more talented the martial artist, the more excited he became when slaughtering them.

"Duan Ping, how are the preparations coming along?" Pei Xuan asked.

"Reporting to my lord, everything has been prepared. This time, I will personally deal with Lin Zheyu. I do not believe that under those circumstances, the people behind him will still have the vitality to protect him," Duan Ping said with a ferocious grin. He still believed that it had been a powerful expert protecting Lin Zheyu who had killed his five subordinates back then.

"Do not lower your guard. There is a grand formation laid down by the Wuji Sect on Soaring Serpent Mountain. Even Martial Innate realm experts would need to expend considerable effort to break through the defenses of the core area. When you strike, try to lure Lin Zheyu out of Soaring Serpent Mountain and kill him with thunderous speed. If you fail again this time, do not come back," Pei Xuan said calmly.

"Yes, My Lord," Duan Ping replied hurriedly.

Even as a half yao, facing Pei Xuan, who had not undergone yao transformation, Duan Ping felt immense pressure. In front of Pei Xuan, he could not muster even the slightest thought of resistance.

"First, deliver this secret letter to Ruyang City. Secretly bring the disciples selected by the Pei Family here to meet me," Pei Xuan said calmly as he took out a sealed letter.