The burly disciple felt like he had slammed into a mountain. No matter how he strained, the boy before him didn't budge.
"Innate Secret Technique!" the disciple gasped. He could see the golden runes shimmering beneath the skin, a soft glow that pulsed with a terrifying, vibrant vitality.
"You're the one from the Pavilion... Qian Gu Zhangting!"
Despite being locked in a grappling match, Zhangting remained eerily calm. He gave a slight, formal nod. "I am Qian Gu Zhangting. But in this valley, you can call me Senior Brother Zhangting."
With a sudden, fluid shift in his center of gravity, Zhangting broke the hold. He didn't use a fist; he swung his forearm like a heavy iron club, catching the burly disciple squarely in the chest.
Thump!
The disciple was sent skidding backward, his eyes rolling white as he fought to remain conscious. It was a clear demonstration of power: a Minor Mastery of the Innate Secret Technique was physically superior to a Major Mastery of the Acquired versions used by the common disciples.
However, a voice boomed from the cliffs above, shattering Zhangting's momentary advantage.
"I forgot to mention one rule," Mu Ye's voice echoed. "Because the Innate technique is so dominant, there is an unwritten tradition: once a user enters the valley, everyone attacks them at once."
Suddenly, the "Lucky One" treatment began. A massive boulder was hurled from the cliffside with pinpoint accuracy. Zhangting arched his back, the wind of the stone's passage grazing his chest as it smashed a deep crater inches from his toes.
"Hunt down Zhangting! Get the handsome one!" the disciples roared, charging in waves.
The Divine Battery
For a full year, the Valley of Fallen Souls became Zhangting's world. He was perpetually besieged, but he had a secret weapon: the Ice God Pearl.
Whenever his body reached its breaking point or the pain became unbearable, the divine artifact in his Spirit Sea would pulse with a soothing, frigid energy. It suppressed his pain and accelerated his recovery, allowing him to fight for days without fainting.
Ironically, his presence became a blessing for the other disciples. The cooling radiation of the pearl made the brutal training slightly more bearable for everyone nearby, leading to a surge in breakthroughs among the Body Sect ranks. By the end of the year, their slogans had shifted from hostile shouts to a respectful, if chaotic, "Hunt down Senior Brother Zhangting!"
By the time his three-year stint at the Body Sect drew to a close, Zhangting had successfully fused over thirty golden runes into his bones. He had moved from the threshold of Minor Mastery deep into its core.
Chapter 27: The Titan's Invitation
Zhangting's departure was perfectly timed. The Spirit Pagoda had finally acted on his proposal regarding the Yuanen Family.
The investigation had confirmed his "speculations": the Yuanen clan was a powerhouse of semi-reclusive giants led by the Limit Douluo, Yuanen Zhentian. With the clan leader's granddaughter, Yuanen Yehui, turning one year old, the Spirit Pagoda had prepared a grand diplomatic mission under the guise of birthday congratulations.
As the architect of the plan, Zhangting was summoned back to join the delegation.
"Take care of the place, Aruheng," Zhangting said, patting his junior brother on the shoulder.
Aruheng, who had finally reached the Minor Mastery threshold himself, nodded solemnly. He would be the new target for the valley's "Lucky One" rocks, though he lacked Zhangting's divine pearl to dull the pain.
Declining a farewell feast, Zhangting followed Han Tianyi out of the natural barrier. He was nine years old now—taller, broader, and carrying the silent weight of a master.
Goals for the Return:
The Spirit Ascension Platform: It was time to upgrade his soul rings to the 10,000-year level.
The Yuanen Diplomatic Mission: To plant the seeds of an alliance before the demon invasion.
The Second Ring: He had reached Level 20; a new power was waiting to be unleashed.
As the spires of the Spirit Pagoda appeared on the horizon, Zhangting felt the Panlong Staff stir. The "Auspicious Beast" was coming home.