Chapter 11: Approaching Matters with Utmost Sincerity and Careful Diligence
After being led through the mountain gate by Lu Jin, Zhao Zhen’s heart instantly blossomed with a faint smile.
His guess had been correct—bringing Li Muxuan along to ascend the mountain together was indeed the right choice.
Beyond the gate lay a spacious courtyard, where scattered disciples of the San Yi Sect, dressed in white training robes, were diligently practicing their skills.
As Zhao Zhen and Li Muxuan stepped inside, curious gazes from the disciples turned toward them.
Faced with the stares of the San Yi members, Li Muxuan felt as if needles pricked his back; he kept his head lowered, silent, silently following behind Lu Jin.
Zhao Zhen, however, had no such qualms. He met their eyes calmly, occasionally returning a smile, inwardly admiring the grandeur of the mountain gate—truly worthy of the renowned San Yi Sect of the mystic path.
At the far end of the courtyard, on a set of steps, stood a young man with silver hair cascading like a waterfall over his shoulders, his appearance betraying an age no older than twenty. He quietly observed the pair.
Clad in a simple white robe that fluttered gently in the breeze, he stood barefoot on the earth, untainted by dust.
A pale aura of qi encircled him like ethereal ribbons, making him seem as if he breathed in harmony with heaven and earth.
Though his expression was serene, the depths of years of cultivation were etched into his brows, as if he had stepped out from the pages of an ancient tome—a transcendent immortal beyond this world.
From a glance alone, Zhao Zhen immediately identified him—the San Yi Sect’s leader, the Great Yin Immortal, Zuo Ruotong.
“Master, I have brought the guests,” Lu Jin said respectfully, clasping his hands in salute to Zuo Ruotong.
“I am Zhao Zhen, paying respects to Sect Leader Zuo,” Zhao Zhen responded in kind, bowing with clasped fists. Beside him, Li Muxuan merely clenched his fists silently, his head still bowed, without any other movement.
Zuo Ruotong glanced at Li Muxuan, letting out a quiet sigh only he could perceive.
“Mm, thank you for your efforts, Jin’er. You may continue your training now.”
“Yes, Master.”
After Lu Jin left, Zuo Ruotong’s gaze first flicked over Li Muxuan, then slowly appraised Zhao Zhen standing below the steps.
“I heard from Jin’er that you have come to pay homage to the San Yi Sect?”
“Yes,” Zhao Zhen replied, lifting his head to meet Zuo Ruotong’s eyes with neither arrogance nor submission.
“I observe you already possess qi, so you must have a master. Pray tell, which sect or school do you belong to? Are your elders so trusting as to allow you, so young, to venture out on your own?”
“My master is the Venerable Jin Guang,” Zhao Zhen answered.
At these words, the gentle expression on Zuo Ruotong’s face hardened slightly.
In an instant, a powerful pressure radiated from him, weighing heavily on the surroundings.
“So you have apprenticed under Quán Xìng? If that is so, you are indeed bold…”
“Sect Leader Zuo, you misunderstand. Though I follow a disciple of Quán Xìng, I have not formally sworn into Quán Xìng’s school.”
“Is that so? Then you two are quite alike…”
As his tone fell, the suffocating pressure gradually dissipated.
Hearing Zuo Ruotong mention him, Li Muxuan broke out in a cold sweat despite his earlier boasts; now, standing before the leader, he could not utter a single word.
“Since you are brave enough to venture out at such a young age, you must understand many truths of this world.
Though your master is a disciple of Quán Xìng, if you act with steadfast practice and careful thought, striving for perfection, your origins will not determine your future.
Be sincere, approach matters with caution, and avoid deceit or confusion.
Follow the law according to circumstances; should you stray from principles, your actions will lack spirit.
These are two of the three laws of the San Yi Sect. Though you are not one of us, I offer these laws to you as well, hoping you will heed and contemplate them.”
“Thank you, Sect Leader Zuo, for your admonition,” Zhao Zhen bowed deeply. He understood that while the words were ostensibly directed at him, the true intent was for Li Muxuan.
Li Muxuan’s intelligence would surely grasp this subtle message.
But understanding is one thing; putting it into practice, another.
If knowledge and action were so easily unified, then over five thousand years of Chinese history would not have produced only one Wang Yangming.
“Well then, since the meeting is done, it grows late. You two should descend the mountain soon.”
Though Zuo Ruotong had not spoken a word to Li Muxuan directly, in his heart, all he wished to say had been said.
“Sect Leader Zuo, I have one request,” Zhao Zhen said.
“What is it?”
“I wish to personally experience the San Yi Sect’s ultimate technique—the Reverse Life Triple Layer.”
At this, the disciples who had been secretly watching from the courtyard were taken aback, their faces showing surprise.
“Interesting. So this kid came here to challenge the sect.”
“The disciple of a Quán Xìng demon coming to our San Yi Sect to stir trouble—that’s some nerve.”
“Do you think Master will agree?”
“He came all the way to our gate to challenge us. How could Master refuse?”
“But the kid’s quite young. If we intervene, it might be unfair… Brother Lu, you’re the only one close in age here; looks like Master will ask you to spar.”
“Tsk, hard to say. Although Lu Brother is young, his Reverse Life cultivation is no weaker than us seniors. If he steps in, it might be bullying.”
“I’ve heard of that Venerable Jin Guang—he’s known for a technique called Golden Escape Flow and nothing else. If that kid really follows Jin Guang, then having Lu Brother fight might indeed be unfair.”
…
Listening to the murmurs of the disciples, Zuo Ruotong once again studied Zhao Zhen carefully, a trace of amused smile creeping to his lips.
“Very well.”
“Wow, Master actually agreed?”
“Heh, looks like we’re in for a good show.”
…
Zuo Ruotong shot a glance at the disciples, who immediately fell silent under his gaze.
“Jin’er, come spar with him.”
“Yes, Master.”
Upon hearing this, the San Yi disciples scattered to clear the central courtyard for the match.
“Lu Brother, do your best! A challenger has come to our door—don’t let the San Yi Sect lose face!”
“Exactly! Lu Brother, we support you!”
…
“Uh…”
Hearing the cheers from his seniors behind him, Lu Jin forced a small smile.
Li Muxuan looked on with a complex expression as Zhao Zhen stood in the center of the courtyard. He truly had not expected Zhao Zhen to dare “kick the mountain” at the San Yi Sect’s gate.
Zhao Zhen himself felt no hesitation. In the world of extraordinary beings, contests and friendly sparring were common; even the San Yi Sect frequently received such challenges.
Now that he was here, it would be a pity not to personally experience the marvel of the Reverse Life Triple Layer.
Moreover, he needed this match to leave a “deep” impression on Lu Jin.
“San Yi Sect, Lu Jin.”
“Zhao Zhen.”
After they bowed to each other, Zuo Ruotong softly announced, “Then let us begin.”