One Wave Subsides, Another Rises

Yang Feng was utterly taken aback that Wugou had so easily evaded his sweeping horizontal chop. However, years of diligent study of these martial arts techniques, coupled with countless sparring sessions against his ‘junior brothers,’ prevented him from abandoning his assault after a single missed strike. His eyes narrowed imperceptibly as he swiftly reined in the lingering force of his hand-blade. His three outstretched fingers curled in an instant, morphing his hand-blade into a vicious claw, which he then whipped around in a backhand strike, aiming directly for Wugou’s waist and abdomen.

From behind, Li Mingzhen observed the move and nodded in silent approval. This Eagle Claw technique had always been Yang Feng’s most potent skill. Its transitions were fluid, its momentum swift, and its power crushing. Should this claw strike connect, the boy would undoubtedly be forced to beg for mercy then and there.

The attack seemed poised to strike. To his astonishment, Wugou’s waist and abdomen suddenly dipped, causing Yang Feng’s seemingly inevitable strike to utterly miss its mark.

“This…”

A jolt of alarm shot through Yang Feng, leaving him no time to withdraw his attack. Yet, a sudden rush of wind brushed past his left cheek.

It was a foot!

He hadn’t even processed how Wugou had executed such an unearthly maneuver moments before. The angle of this incoming kick, however, filled him with an even greater, inexplicable dread. This was hardly the moment for such contemplation.

Thankfully, Yang Feng’s extensive combat experience kicked in. Due to the claw strike he had just launched, he was currently in a low, crouched stance. Instinctively, he bent his left arm and raised his left leg, bracing himself for the impact.

“Pfft!”

A soft thud echoed. The ferocious strike Yang Feng had expected surprisingly carried no power whatsoever. ‘Indeed, the boy is merely eight years old,’ he thought, ‘what good is prodigious talent if he lacks strength?’

“Hmph! Such feeble…”

“Bang!”

“Ah!”

“My foot!”

Yang Feng had absolutely no comprehension of what had just transpired. All he knew was that after deflecting Wugou’s kick, an inexplicable, agonizing pain had erupted in his right heel. The torment was unbearable.

With a pained shriek, Yang Feng grimaced and toppled backward.

Everyone present had witnessed it with startling clarity. While inverted, Wugou had incredibly supported himself with a single hand on the ground. With his other hand, utterly devoid of any leverage, he had then unleashed the very ‘hand-blade’ technique that Yang Feng had employed in his initial assault. Judging by Yang Feng’s agonizing cries, that strike was undoubtedly potent.

A cacophony of murmurs erupted; evidently, Wugou’s display had utterly stunned the crowd.

Eight years old, only eight! This child’s talent was truly terrifying. ‘Is this the power of a full spiritual root?’ Previously, Lu Jinhan had similarly vanquished more than a dozen opponents. It was astonishing to find Wugou possessed the same capability. They never forgot what they saw, comprehending any technique upon mere observation. No wonder the boy dared to openly dismiss everyone as ‘mediocre.’ He certainly seemed to have substance.

The onlookers cast a glance at Yang Feng, who remained sprawled on the ground, clutching his foot and howling loudly. Yang Feng, who had so ferociously dispatched Lu Jinhan in mere moves moments ago, had actually failed to endure a single round against this mere child. Judging by the robust force in Yang Feng’s howls, it was probable that Yang Feng’s foot bones had been utterly pulverized. Even with a cultivator’s true qi for protection and the potent elixirs from the Alchemy Pavilion for healing, they would still likely require at least half a year of recuperation. If one couldn’t cultivate for half a year…

At this thought, sympathetic glances were collectively cast upon Yang Feng.

“Heh, truly, good and evil find their retribution,” one mused. “Yang Feng has wronged dozens of disciples over time; he likely never imagined he’d have his comeuppance today.”

“Heh heh, indeed,” another chuckled. “I believe we needn’t concern ourselves further. Let us focus on our cultivation. Such formidable youths compel us to redouble our efforts, lest this boy surpasses us. That would be…”

“Embarrassing!”

The two finished the sentence in perfect unison, then burst into laughter.

Wugou slowly approached Yang Feng, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. ” ‘A slight pinch to the collarbone~ a few flicks to the inner cartilage~ a gentle shift of the lumbar vertebrae~’ Heh heh, Senior Brother, surely your Junior Brother hasn’t been too excessive, right? After all, I’m hardly a ruthless individual~”

“You…!”

Yang Feng gnashed his teeth, his aggressive gaze unwavering. He still extended a hand, forming a claw, towards Wugou, clearly unwilling to concede defeat. ‘Obstinate,’ Wugou thought, immediately losing all interest in Yang Feng. He briefly closed his eyes, sighing inwardly with a hint of pity. ‘This fellow is surely devoid of any immortal destiny. Cultivating immortality is far from as simple as you imagine…’

Wugou found himself reminiscing about his days of seeking the immortal path. He had been turned away from countless immortal sects and revered grotto-heavens. The reason was always identical. They would simply state, ‘You have no destiny with us.’ It was only after achieving immortality that Wugou finally grasped the true meaning. In this world, the presence of spiritual roots flung open the gates to immortality, granting access to all cultivation methods, requiring only diligent, step-by-step practice. Had Wugou not been convinced of his own truncated lifespan, he would have meticulously studied every aspect, come what may. To achieve immortality with just a single spiritual root – such a fortunate circumstance…

“Heh…”

Wugou let out a soft chuckle, then averted his gaze from Yang Feng. Upon hearing Wugou’s faint sigh, Yang Feng mistakenly believed it was a sound of mockery directed at him. His heart seethed with an extraordinary bitterness. The seed of hatred had been firmly sown.

“You are Wugou, aren’t you?”

A placid voice cut through the air. Wugou turned, offering Li Mingzhen a faint smile. “Senior Brother,” he stated, “you seem to be injured.”

Li Mingzhen’s eyes narrowed slightly at the remark, utterly bewildered by the boy’s sudden declaration. He then cast another glance at Yang Feng, still sprawled on the ground. It wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted to intervene earlier. Rather, he had only registered the impact of Wugou’s incredibly subtle ‘strike’ after it had already taken effect. There had simply been no time to react…

Nevertheless, with Yang Feng so severely injured, he felt compelled to reclaim some dignity in front of him, otherwise, the suffering would have been for naught!

“I dare not accept the title of Senior Brother,” Li Mingzhen replied. “I am Li Mingzhen, and today, I find myself wishing to test my skills against a genius such as yourself, one blessed with a full spiritual root.”

As he spoke, Li Mingzhen advanced slowly, halting only when he was approximately twenty paces from Wugou. This distance was precisely his ideal range for launching an attack. Clearly, Wugou’s earlier demonstration had rendered Li Mingzhen utterly unwilling to be careless.

Lu Jinhan, who had been continuously subdued by Yang Feng and Li Mingzhen in turns, at this moment, he finally exhaled in relief. His heart swelled with profound astonishment. That Wugou, of all people, possessed such remarkable ability was genuinely unforeseen. Even if this boy, like himself, possessed the ability to instantly discern the intricacies of any move, yet, that peculiar method of attack hardly seemed like the doing of an eight-year-old who spent every day merely loafing about. Could it be that this boy was secretly tutored by a master? Yes, that must be it. The boy seemed to sleep endlessly each day. He must be receiving private instruction during the night. Could it be Elder Zhu?

The more Lu Jinhan pondered, the more probable it appeared; he had, in fact, observed it himself on numerous occasions. Though Elder Zhu frequently disciplined Wugou, he had, however, never truly dealt a severe blow. He clearly held a deep fondness for the mischievous boy. Perhaps, under the cloak of night, there truly existed some unspoken secret between the old man and the young boy!

“Heh, boy,” Li Mingzhen announced, “my strikes are fierce; once unleashed, their power cannot be withdrawn. Do not blame me for what follows.”

Li Mingzhen adopted his stance, surprisingly even offering Wugou a warning. Wugou found himself amused by this, and chuckled softly. “This Senior Brother has such gentle eyes,” he remarked, “hardly the look of one who enjoys stirring up trouble~”

As he spoke, Wugou cast another fleeting glance at Yang Feng, still prone on the ground. Yang Feng was now drenched in sweat, no longer howling in unbearable agony as he had moments prior. He had evidently suppressed the pain using his true qi. Upon noticing Wugou’s gaze lingering on him once more, Yang Feng’s heart swelled with furious indignation.

He threw his head back and roared, “Brother Li, why are you still wasting breath on him? Break that brat’s leg for me! I’d love to ‘exchange brotherly affection’ with him in the Alchemy Pavilion!” By the conclusion of his tirade, Yang Feng was practically gnashing his teeth.

“Oh, no, no,” Wugou playfully retorted, “the smell of medicine there doesn’t quite agree with me. Senior Brother can go by himself. Once I’m finished here, I’ll send someone to escort you over, alright? Don’t fret, my Qiankun pouch even contains a stretcher~” He had often wondered why his stepmother, Miaomiao, kept such an item in the pouch, never imagining it would prove useful today.

“You bastard, you stinking brat, ah!!!”

Yang Feng’s furious yell reverberated through the hall, startling everyone present and shattering their attempts at meditation. Instantly, a multitude of enraged stares converged upon Yang Feng. In that instant, Yang Feng realized he had provoked the collective ire of the assembly. There were still many aggressive individuals in the hall, just as belligerent as he. If it were any other time, it might have been fine. But now, with his foot bones shattered and unable to even stand, he possessed not a shred of self-preservation. At this realization, Yang Feng immediately fell silent. He even averted his gaze elsewhere.

“Hoh, Senior Brother has such fine spirits,” Wugou quipped. “To still gaze at the heavens with such injuries, you must have comprehended some new technique, perhaps ‘Finger into Whip’?”

As he spoke, Wugou bent his index and ring fingers into a curved shape. A ripple of suppressed laughter spread through the hall. Wugou hadn’t anticipated that so many in the Qi Refining Hall would recognize that particular technique. He offered an embarrassed fist-salute to the assembled crowd. ‘It seems there are quite a few hypocrites in these two halls,’ he mused. ‘My bathing portrait would probably fetch a good price in the Saint Water Palace.’

“Senior Brother~ What does that little guy mean?” an innocent young woman asked, gently shaking the arm of a handsome disciple beside her. The handsome disciple had been secretly chuckling with his head down. Now, questioned by his junior sister, he was at a loss for words, only managing an awkward, “Ahem, Junior Sister, it means nothing, merely the literal meaning, just that, and nothing more.” The junior sister sniffed, cast a displeased glance at her senior brother, and turned away. Her senior brother grimaced, then turned his face away and muttered under his breath, “Little pervert!” With sharp ears, the junior sister still heard him and, with a slight turn of her eyes, immediately understood. Her pretty face instantly flushed crimson, and she quickly moved further away, afraid her senior brother might see…

Inside the hall, a strange ‘harmony’ reigned. Yet, before Wugou, the tension was palpable. No sooner had Wugou averted his gaze than a fist-wind immediately assailed him. However, Wugou seemed to have anticipated it, effortlessly dodging with a sidestep.

With his punch missing, Li Mingzhen gained a clearer understanding of Wugou’s reaction speed. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, ‘No wonder he defeated Yang Feng. Such judgment, I fear, few in the entire Second Qi Refining Hall could match.’ Li Mingzhen’s thoughts shifted instantly. Following the momentum of his previous punch, he squatted and spun, now surprisingly with his back to Wugou. Li Mingzhen had long since planned this. The boy was exceptionally nimble; though both were at the second stage of Qi Refining, the boy’s strength might not be much weaker than his own. Moreover, with his small stature and agile movements, Li Mingzhen realized he might not hold much of an advantage. Turning around now, Li Mingzhen immediately pressed his rough hands to the ground and exerted force with both legs, propelling his body horizontally into the air. And that wasn’t all! Li Mingzhen’s abdominal muscles tensed, and his legs twisted like ropes. Then, with a sudden burst of power, his right leg shot out like an arrow from a bow, kicking towards Wugou’s lower back. He had held back with this move. He could have increased the force and aimed directly for Wugou’s head. But at the last moment, he had pulled back a fraction. Nevertheless, he was confident that this kick alone would be unavoidable for Wugou; if it landed, the boy would surely collapse to the ground!

Inside the hall, countless eyes watched as this exquisite kick drew ever closer to Wugou’s small frame. The wind from the kick arrived. Wugou offered a faint smile, then lightly tapped his right foot. A ripple spread out!