Chapter 29: Zhang Zhiwei, what do you think you are doing?!!

After almost having his "Reverse Life Triple" technique punctured by Zhao Zhen’s single finger, Lu Jin decided not to continue the fight.

He knew very well that Zhao Zhen had held back just now. The Shanzhong acupoint is a vital point in the human body; had Zhao Zhen chosen to use one finger instead of two, it would not have been as simple as just "almost" breaking the technique. Thinking of this, Lu Jin gave a slightly bitter smile and shook his head at Zhao Zhen.

"I concede. Thank you for showing mercy, Brother Zhao."

"Brother Lu, you are too kind." Zhao Zhen smiled slightly and cupped his hands in return.

"Lu Jin has already lost? I expected it, but isn't he losing a bit too quickly?"

"Just how many techniques has this Zhao Zhen learned? Since he started fighting Lu Jin, he has demonstrated talisman arts and acupoint striking. Beyond that, his internal energy cultivation is not a bit inferior to Brother Liu of the Quanzhen sect!"

"That’s not all! Don't forget, he is a disciple of Master Jinguang; that Golden Escape Flowing Light is his true heritage."

"My goodness, how does this Zhao Zhen cultivate? He practices so many techniques at once and has mastered them all to such a high level."

"With such terrifying talent, surely no one in the younger generation can compare to him, right?"

Listening to the murmurs of the crowd, the bitterness at the corner of Lu Jin’s mouth grew. He had originally thought that his hard work over the years in refining the "Reverse Life Triple" would at least allow him to hold his own, if not defeat Zhao Zhen. But who would have thought that compared to his own progress, Zhao Zhen’s advancement over these five years had been even greater? Five years ago, Zhao Zhen still needed to use the Golden Escape Flowing Light to catch him off guard; five years later, the entire fight had appeared so effortless and relaxed.

Lu Jin was no fool; he could clearly see that the two were no longer on the same level. Perhaps, he thought, I should be like Zhao Zhen—go out and see this vast world with my own eyes, travel, and broaden my horizons, rather than just hiding in the Sanyi Gate and practicing in isolation.

"Brother Zhao, was the talisman you used just now the 'Meridian Sealing Talisman'?"

"Indeed, I learned this talisman by chance from a wandering mystic," Zhao Zhen nodded.

"No wonder the moment your talisman touched me, I felt as if my meridians were blocked by something. But that final finger strike—did you know all along that hitting my Shanzhong acupoint would break my 'Reverse Life Triple', or..."

"Breaking your 'Reverse Life Triple' was indeed within my expectations."

"Why? You had only seen me use it once before. Could it be that you discerned the essence of the 'Reverse Life Triple' from that battle five years ago?"

"Not quite. I was able to do this because someone once told me that the essence of the 'Reverse Life Triple' is to construct a complex state within the body. The more complex the state, the more it relies on the stability of the body's internal environment; in other words, the easier it is to disrupt with external force. The three cinnabar fields are the key to a mystic’s body, so I guessed that your technique must be built upon them. Thus, I only needed to use external force to shake one of those fields to interrupt your technique. However, the upper cinnabar field is located in the head, and the lower is known as the 'ancestor of life and nature,' both being far more dangerous. I wasn't confident in shaking them without hurting you, so I chose the middle one."

*Clap! Clap! Clap!*

As Zhao Zhen finished speaking, applause slowly began to ripple through the crowd. Everyone turned to see Zuo Ruotong walking toward Lu Jin while clapping.

"Jin'er, did you understand? I have taught you that when sparring, winning or losing is not what matters; what matters is what you have learned from the match."

"Master, I understand. In this battle, I am defeated and convinced." Lu Jin let out a long sigh and bowed respectfully to Zhao Zhen. "Brother Zhao, thank you for your guidance."

"Brother Lu, given our friendship, 'guidance' is too heavy a word. Besides, my victory was partly due to a bit of trickery." Zhao Zhen was not lying; the method of shaking the three cinnabar fields was something he had learned from Zhang Zhiwei, specifically designed to counter the "Reverse Life Triple."

"You cannot say that. Trickery or not, the premise of it all is that you are capable of defeating me with ease. Furthermore, between mystics, is there any such thing as 'trickery'?"

After hearing Lu Jin’s remarkably open-minded comment, not only Zuo Ruotong but even the members of the Lu family couldn't help but smile.

"Brother Lu, your son is a graceful loser. With such a temperament, he will surely achieve great things in the future!"

"Indeed, worthy of the prestigious Lu family. This kind of character is far better than my own good-for-nothing disciple."

"Feng Ping! Look at Young Master Lu, and then look at yourself! Go back and copy the 'Sacred Fire Sutra' five hundred times!"

After rising with a smile to acknowledge the praise, Lu Xuan looked significantly more radiant.

"Since Jin'er has lost, is there anyone else who wishes to seek instruction from young friend Zhao?"

Hearing Lu Xuan’s words, the younger disciples whispered among themselves, but after a long while, no one dared to step forward to challenge Zhao Zhen. Lu Xuan was not surprised. As far as he knew, many of the young people present had already crossed paths with Zhao Zhen when he visited their respective sects. As for the results... the current silence spoke for itself. Even those who hadn't fought him weren't fools; they had been brought to the Lu family banquet by their elders for a reason. Lu Jin was already one of the best of their generation, yet he had been defeated with almost no effort. To spar with such an opponent wasn't a friendly match; it was just plain embarrassing.

"Is there no one else?" Seeing no one step forward, Lu Xuan turned his gaze to the Celestial Master, Zhang Jingqing, behind him. At the same time, Zhang Zhiwei had already eagerly leaned toward his master, his pitiful expression practically begging his master to let him fight.

"Since no one else wants to go, then Zhang Zhiwei."

"Here!" A flash of excitement appeared in Zhang Zhiwei’s eyes upon being called.

"Accompany young friend Zhao and show everyone a demonstration."

"As you command!"

"Oh! Is the star disciple of the Celestial Master's Mansion finally going to step down?!"

"This brother from the Celestial Master's Mansion looks so tall; is he really from our generation?"

"The Celestial Master's Mansion has led the Zheng-Yi sect since ancient times. Anyone brought out by the Celestial Master himself must be the cream of the crop. This will be a show worth watching."

Watching Zhang Zhiwei walk toward him upon receiving his master's order, a flicker of excitement crossed Zhao Zhen's eyes as well. As fellow mystics, it would be a lie to say he didn't want to fight the future "Number One."

"Brother Zhao, I’m coming." Zhang Zhiwei grinned and began to roll up his sleeves.

Seeing this, the smile on Zhao Zhen’s face gradually began to freeze.

*Hiss...* This scene is so familiar!

Zhang Zhiwei, what are you planning to do?!