Invincible Under Heaven

Monstrous Talent

"Master Zhou."

Li Xian took the initiative to greet him.

For this generous master of the Longquan Martial Hall who had straightforwardly gifted him the Five Elements Method for free, he naturally had a favorable impression.

As for the three-month bet on marrow cleansing...

More than a month had passed so far.

Originally, it would be a bit rushed to complete marrow cleansing in the less than two months remaining, but since he obtained the Blood Jade Art, it was no longer a big problem.

If he could get enough medicinal pills to replenish his increasingly depleted ki and blood, it would only take ten days to half a month.

Hearing Li Xian greeting Zhou Juechen, the two young martial artists who had witnessed his terrifying might hurriedly bowed in respect, "Senior Li."

Their voices trembled with both excitement and tension.

Senior?

Li Xian was speechless. He had only practiced martial arts in this world for about two months—how did he become a "senior" already?

The nearby Canglang Sword Sect steward, however, smiled and greeted, "Master Zhou."

Seeing that this Master Zhou and Young Hero Li clearly had things to talk about, he sensibly took his leave.

The two young martial artists also left reluctantly after Zhou Juechen dismissed them with a wave.

"So, how did you do it?"

Zhou Juechen scrutinized Li Xian.

He had successively used Blood Jade Art for marrow cleansing, leaving his ki and blood empty and his spirit listless.

On the surface, it would be hard to associate his current state with that of a vigorous Internal Viscera Refinement martial artist.

And yet, so many people swore by his achievement of having just killed two Viscera Refinement martial artists, and even the Canglang Sword Sect steward treated him with the utmost respect—it was hard not to accept this reality.

"It was a bit faster than I expected,"

Li Xian answered truthfully.

"So right now, are you at Internal Viscera Refinement, or have you reached Marrow Cleansing?"

He pressed further.

"Internal Viscera Refinement,"

Li Xian replied, "I'm still a bit short of marrow cleansing."

He then added, "But as for completing our bet, I'm still quite confident."

"Bet...?"

Zhou Juechen was momentarily stunned, but quickly associated the matter: "Three months..."

"Yes."

Li Xian nodded, "Cultivate to marrow cleansing within three months."

Zhou Juechen's eyes appeared a bit dazed.

Cultivate to marrow cleansing in three months!?

When did he make such a bet with him?

At that time, he'd thought that after three months, he himself would comprehend strength and start tendon stretching and bone grooming, only then testing if Li Xian could endure the pain of Bone Forging and Tendon Transformation.

When had it become reaching marrow cleansing in three months?

Did he really think marrow cleansing came that cheaply?

Even facing the current generation of grandmasters and martial saints, if he dared to raise a challenge of achieving marrow cleansing in three months, he would absolutely be drowned in their ridicule.

But immediately after, he realized something—his pupils dilated sharply, face turning to Li Xian in unconcealed shock.

"You... Did you originally think I wanted you to reach marrow cleansing in three months!?"

"Wasn't that it?"

Li Xian found it strange.

At that time, he had said that he understood the first four realms of martial arts, including Internal Viscera Refinement, and was only confused about marrow cleansing.

Back then, Zhou Juechen had magnanimously handed over the entire Five Elements Method, including the bottleneck into the leakless stage and directions straight to marrow cleansing...

Wasn't that just telling him to achieve marrow cleansing in three months?

"Then... when you agreed back then... were you serious?"

Zhou Juechen stared, completely incredulous.

"Yeah. Although it's quite a challenge, I have some confidence in my own talent."

Li Xian nodded.

Confidence!

Confidence in reaching marrow cleansing in three months!?

Having heard Li Xian's reply...

Especially since, in just over a month, Li Xian had solidly stepped into Internal Viscera Refinement using the lives of two Viscera Refinement martial artists—

Zhou Juechen subconsciously opened his mouth to speak, but for a long moment, no sound came out.

Eventually...

He slowly uttered a single word.

"Monstrous."

He felt that "genius", even "prodigy," was inadequate to describe him.

A monster!

An unrivaled monster!

In an instant, he felt a surge of deep envy in his heart.

But in the next instant, he forcibly dispelled that emotion.

Envy!?

What qualification did he have to be envious!

In just over a month, Internal Viscera Refinement—perhaps even...

A rumored combat strength on par with Marrow Cleansing!

With another month or two, what kind of level could he reach!?

Not to mention, as one of Four Luminaries of Lijiang...

The sort who had risen from humble origins, earning the recognition of his peers through diligence and learning, his comprehension and intelligence surpassed ordinary people by far.

His chances of grasping Primordial Unity and the leakless realm were much higher than common martial artists.

Give it some time, and breaking into the sixth martial realm was guaranteed.

If he maintained this momentum, forging ahead for five years to achieve false-to-true practice and refining out True Ki was not a mere dream.

He was only twenty-two this year, so five years later, he'd be just twenty-seven!

It matched the requirement for passing the Dragon Gate: being under thirty.

Once he leaped the Dragon Gate, he would truly rise with the wind, scaling a thousand miles.

Now fully understanding the situation, Zhou Juechen looked at Li Xian again, his gaze burning with feverish admiration.

"Excellent, excellent! Truly excellent! 'A gentleman should be viewed with new eyes after three days'—Li Xian, you've really surprised me!"

Zhou Juechen exclaimed in high spirits.

He glanced around, realizing this was not the proper place to talk, and immediately said, "Come with me. Let's go inside and talk in detail."

Li Xian nodded.

He also wished to consult Zhou Juechen about medicinal meals to replenish ki and blood.

So, the two of them quickly entered the Canglang Sword Sect and went straight to the courtyard arranged for Zhou Juechen.

After entering the room, Zhou Juechen even carefully closed the doors and windows.

Then, turning to Li Xian, he solemnly said, "Li Xian, remember..."

"Li Xian."

Li Xian corrected him once again.

Though Zhou Juechen found this odd, he didn't mind why Li Xian insisted on this name, and simply continued, "Li Xian it is, then. Remember: ever since you entered Songfeng Academy, you have been studying numerous martial arts manuscripts through my Third Uncle Zhou Liaochén, all because he hoped you would first learn and clarify your heart through books. Only after understanding the principle of Primordial Unity from them would you officially begin your martial path. That's why you never stepped into martial arts practice before."

"'A tree taller than the rest is destroyed by the wind.'"

Li Xian nodded.

"I understand that principle."

"As long as you know. For most people, three years to reach marrow cleansing might earn them the title of genius and others' respect. But three months to reach marrow cleansing..."

Zhou Juechen's expression turned serious.

He hadn't finished when Li Xian interrupted, "Countless people will come to challenge me—I know."

He smiled slightly.

"I look forward to their arrival."

"Look forward to their arrival?"

Zhou Juechen was stunned, but quickly retorted, "Absolutely not! You think that by reaching marrow cleansing in three months, you can instantly rise to a high rank on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, attracting the investment and recruitment of numerous major powers and top experts? No! Once they find out you achieved marrow cleansing in only three months, they'll do everything to uncover the secret behind how you did it so quickly!"

His tone turned heavy.

"They won't believe it's just your talent. They'll think you've learned some godly art, gained some miracle, and will stop at nothing—even by any means necessary—to extract all your secrets!"

With that, this fifth-realm martial artist at the stage of marrow cleansing stared at Li Xian.

"Human greed and desire are more terrifying than fists, knives, or swords! By then, you will die—or even worse, live a life worse than death!"

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

I just realized, Li Xian is using a different character for his name, the previous Li Xian used 李现 which means "present, appear or manifest".

The current Li Xian uses 李先 which could mean "first, prior, or head".

They are pronounced the same...

Hence Zhou Juechen's confusion...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】