"In all of Tianlu Prefecture, not including our own Tianji Sword Sect, there are a total of fourteen Martial Arts Schools, large and small. Of those, six have Martial Arts Masters: Gong Shouzhuo of the Spirit Fire Profound Heart Fist, Qin Baisheng of the Thunderbolt Rushing Palm, Zhang Ling Heng of the White Ape Plum Blossom Hand, the Bishui Boxing King Wang Qingyun, Xu Yunhe of the White Snake Fist, and Yan Hao of the Dragon Elephant Unmoving Style.
"Among them, Gong Shouzhuo of the Profound Heart Fist only wants to guard his own small territory in Nanjiang. His ambition has faded, so he's no cause for concern. The 'Immortal Ape,' Zhang Ling Heng, was once called 'the number one master in Tianlu Prefecture' and held a high status, but he is too old now, and his school has produced no prodigies. He's in a state of semi-retirement and can also be ignored. That leaves only four masters: Qin Baisheng, Wang Qingyun, Xu Yunhe, and Yan Hao. Now that Huang Shuwen has defeated Wang Qingyun, he just needs to defeat the other three to prove he is the strongest in Tianlu Prefecture and become the 'seed' chosen by that certain figure."
"Among these three, one person is worthy of note: Yan Hao of Wuhai City. The Lanhai Society's Dragon Elephant Unmoving Style is very special. For five generations, no one has been able to train it to the point of mastery, yet this man has. It is said he was born with Divine Power. Combined with his mastery of this top-tier External Skill, he has nearly reached a state of invulnerability. Furthermore, his ambitions are not small. Today happens to be the ceremony for his succession as the head of the Lanhai Society. I have already sent people to investigate his true capabilities, and we should have news very soon…"
Zhao Zhengxuan spoke slowly, but before he could finish, the conference room door swung open. A burly man in a suit, holding a data file, bowed slightly to everyone present. He then strode over to Zhao Zhengxuan's side, placed the data file in front of him, and whispered something in his ear.
Zhao Zhengxuan's brow furrowed sharply. He waved a hand, dismissing the suited man from the conference room. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke to the elders present:
"The plan has changed. We just received word. At his own succession ceremony, Lanhai Society's Yan Hao was defeated in a direct confrontation."
Upon hearing this news, the expressions of the high-ranking elders of the Tianji Sword Sect all changed.
"Which school is he from? Is someone else also trying to become number one in Tianlu?"
Luo Yongli asked in a low voice.
"Red Falcon Fist, Zhou Yuanjue…"
Zhao Zhengxuan picked up the data file the man in the suit had left and read the name at the top.
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From the moment Zhou Yuanjue defeated Yan Hao in a direct confrontation at the Carrying the Furnace ceremony, his power and his name were officially placed on the watchlists of every school in the Tianlu Martial Arts Realm.
All the major schools were scrambling to gather data on the background and affiliations of this Great Master of Fist Techniques who had suddenly emerged.
Early the next morning, Li Qingxuan arrived at Zhou Yuanjue's small villa.
"You look tired?"
Zhou Yuanjue said, looking at Li Qingxuan, who was sitting in the living room. He had just finished his morning exercises and washed up, and a towel was draped over his shoulders.
Indeed, Li Qingxuan's complexion was much duller than usual; even her light makeup couldn't hide her exhaustion.
"Just some sordid business. I doubt you'd be interested."
Li Qingxuan said with a smile.
"Is that so? Then it's best you don't talk about it."
Zhou Yuanjue said nonchalantly. He grabbed the towel from his shoulders, ruffled his wet hair with it, and walked into the dining room.
'He knew that even though Li Qingxuan had a powerful faction backing her, her situation was not as ideal as one might imagine.'
'However, he had no interest in learning about the details and petty disputes involved right now. He needed to focus his energy on the challenges ahead.'
'Besides, he knew very well that the greatest help he could offer Li Qingxuan was to achieve Saint Awakening. Offering simple comforts was just a useless gesture.'
Watching Zhou Yuanjue's back as he walked away, Li Qingxuan couldn't help but sigh. In a situation like this, as a female, even if her rational mind prevailed, it was hard not to feel a bit of resentment.
Then, she saw Zhou Yuanjue walk out of the dining room carrying two large bowls. He placed one of them in front of her.
"Eat. It restores vitality, focuses the mind, and strengthens the body."
Zhou Yuanjue's expression was placid. After saying this, he paid no more attention to Li Qingxuan. His eyes half-open and half-closed, he entered a state of extreme focus and began to eat the medicinal meal.
Li Qingxuan looked at the steaming bowl of medicinal food in front of her, which gave off a fragrant, herbal aroma. A flash of surprise appeared in her eyes. She never would have thought that Zhou Yuanjue would actually do something like this.
She lifted her head and looked at him, her wide eyes gradually curving into crescents as the gloom in her heart seemed to be swept away.
She lowered her head, ready to eat the medicinal meal, but the smile on her face froze.
'Where's the spoon?! How am I supposed to eat without a spoon?! He brought out the food but only got a spoon for himself?!'
At that moment, Li Qingxuan finally gained a much deeper understanding of the two words "clueless guy."
She got a spoon for herself and ate the medicinal meal without a word. She watched Zhou Yuanjue, who had already finished, resting with his eyes closed. She listened to the gurgling sounds from his stomach, like a machine running. After about three minutes, he finally opened his eyes.
"News of you defeating Yan Hao has spread throughout almost the entire Tianlu Martial Arts Realm. Meanwhile, Huang Shuwen of the Tianji Sword Sect defeated the Bishui Boxing King, Wang Qingyun, at almost the same time. I suspect this Huang Shuwen has also caught the eye of certain people and knows some of the secrets behind this recent upheaval. If he can distinguish himself in Tianlu Prefecture, he might also become one of the chosen 'seeds'."
"Now, you've defeated Yan Hao, and Huang Shuwen has defeated Wang Qingyun. The only ones left worth fighting are really just Qin Baisheng, Xu Yunhe, and Huang Shuwen. Who will you choose next?"
Li Qingxuan asked with a serious expression.
"Neither of them. In a little while, help me send a formal letter of visit. In three days, I will set out for Cloud-Picking Temple on Da Kong Mountain."
Zhou Yuanjue said.
"Da Kong Mountain's Cloud-Picking Temple? The 'Immortal Ape,' Zhang Ling Heng?!"
Hearing this name, Li Qingxuan said, instantly surprised.
Zhou Yuanjue nodded.
"You want to challenge the 'Immortal Ape,' Zhang Ling Heng?! He was once considered the number one master in Tianlu, but he's old now. He just celebrated his one hundred and third birthday not long ago. No matter how strong he was in his youth, at this age, he's not far from death's door. He probably has hardly any stamina left. Besides, none of his disciples are Great Masters of Fist Techniques. Challenging him should be completely useless for you."
Li Qingxuan said, surprised and confused.
"It's not a challenge, but an exchange. The knowledge and experience he has accumulated over his long life might be of some help to me right now."
Zhou Yuanjue said slowly.