Chapter 331: Immortal Methods (I)
At the Azure Rainbow Sect, on the railing of the third floor of the side hall, two white-bearded elders stood side by side, watching the battle in the front hall plaza with great interest.
"The Wuji Sect really picked up a bargain. Elder Yang's eye is still as sharp as ever," the elder on the left said.
He had also led people to Wuji Manor to attend the martial cultivation exchange back then and had specifically watched the challenge arena for several days. Lin Zheyu's displayed combat power and natural talent were indeed good, but not enough to truly move Chen Yong'an.
"Elder Yang was once a peerless genius of his generation and nearly advanced to the Martial Innate realm. If that incident had not occurred, he would have long become a Martial Innate realm martial artist. With such profound martial cultivation, it is only natural for him to see this child's extraordinariness. I wonder how far this youngster can go, and whether he can reach the top of the Hidden Dragon List like Jii Weicheng," said the elder beside Chen Yong'an, Deng Zhou.
"It’s difficult. Lin Zheyu's natural talent is indeed astonishing, but unfortunately, he missed the optimal cultivation period. If he were on the Confucian martial cultivation path, there might still be a sliver of hope. But he is not. It is said that his real age may not even be fifty. Give him another ten years, and he might squeeze into the top ten, but the top spot is simply impossible. Anyone who reaches the top of the Hidden Dragon List without exception possesses monstrous talent and grows up under the guidance of powerful figures from a young age, laying down an extremely solid foundation. Even if his lightness and movement techniques are strong, compared with those true monsters, he still falls somewhat short," Chen Yong'an said.
"That is indeed the case. Almost everyone who has topped the Hidden Dragon List possessed combat power comparable to that of the weakest Force Transformation realm martial artist. To rival a Force Transformation realm martial artist while still in the Marrow Refining Realm and without cultivating true strength is truly monstrous," said Deng Zhou with a sigh.
The difference between true strength and marrow refining lay in the type of energy used. The gap between the two realms was as vast as that between a coal-fired steam engine and an oil-fueled internal combustion engine. To stand shoulder to shoulder with a Force Transformation realm martial artist at the Marrow Refining realm was extremely monstrous.
"Hm, perhaps not necessarily. That youngster from the Jii Family was strong back then, but there was still a considerable gap between him and a Force Transformation realm martial artist. However, his luck was good. Several monsters ranked ahead of him successively exceeded the Hidden Dragon List age limit and dropped off the list, while no new geniuses rose up, allowing him to pick up the slack. If Lin Zheyu is lucky enough, he might actually have a slim chance," Chen Yong'an said with a smile.
Jii Weicheng's capture of the Hidden Dragon List top spot back then was purely due to extraordinary luck. Otherwise, with his aptitude, he would have stopped around the lower rankings. Interestingly, that year, those ranked near the top either exceeded the age limit, directly advanced to the Force Transformation realm, or even met with accidents and died outright. That was how Jii Weicheng picked up the opportunity. His time at the top of the Hidden Dragon List was very short, less than half a year, before he was defeated by a later rising monstrous genius.
"Haha, when you put it that way, there really might be a sliver of possibility. Look, the victor is about to be decided. What a freak of a kid. So young and already cultivating the Tortoise Breath True Technique, and even forming true intent. He's using Tortoise Breath true intent combined with Dominance true intent to simulate the Wrathful Vajra Buddha Heart and drive the Great Strength Vajra Fist. He really is an interesting little fellow," Deng An said with narrowed eyes.
"Tortoise Breath true intent? How come I cannot see it? I do not know what concealment technique this kid is cultivating, but even I find it hard to fully see through," Chen Yong'an said in surprise.
"I told you to put more effort into the Tortoise Breath True Technique, yet you refused to listen. If you keep this up, in a few years, I will be paying respects at your grave," Deng Zhou teased as he glanced at Chen Yong'an.