Chapter 293 - 145: Challenge 2
The Fourth Layer of the Broken Wave Technique was progressing steadily. After reaching Perfection in the Mixed Element Gang Body, his physique seemed even more refined, with a faint golden light flowing beneath his skin.
The Nine Heavens Mountain-Breaking Saber, perhaps because he had created it himself, was advancing at a rapid pace.
[Broken Wave Technique, Fourth Layer: Minor Success (155/22,000)]
[Nine Heavens Mountain-Breaking Saber: Great Success (28,654/40,000)]
One day, while he was practicing his saber in the courtyard, he suddenly heard a tremendous commotion from outside. Faintly, he could make out the clang of metal and angry shouts.
Liang Cheng stopped practicing, saber in hand, and listened. From the direction of the Martial Arts Plaza, he could see figures milling about and hear a deafening roar of voices.
He frowned, shook his head, and, unmoved, resumed his training.
...
In the center of the plaza, atop the arena stage.
A young man in black robes stood on the stage. He looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six, with a cold, stern expression. He held a jet-black longspear, its tip angled toward the floor, dripping with blood.
Below the stage, Lu Zheng was on one knee, his face deathly pale. A bloody hole pierced through his left shoulder.
Leng Feng, who had been defeated by the man on the stage earlier, was now supporting Lu Zheng, his eyes blazing with fury.
All around them, the disciples of the Main Courtyard wore extremely grim expressions.
"Who else?"
The young man’s voice was level, yet laced with arrogance. "Is this all the disciples of the Four Islands Alliance Headquarters are capable of?"
"You!"
A disciple shouted in anger, but ultimately, none dared to step forward.
"What, you don’t dare?"
A mocking smile touched the corners of the young man’s lips. "I came all the way from Profound Turtle Island, having heard that the Four Islands Alliance Headquarters was full of experts and countless prodigies."
"I came to temper myself for the Penglai Immortal Ascension Conference in six months. I thought I’d find a few decent opponents at the Main Courtyard, but I didn’t expect..."
At this, he shook his head, his disappointment palpable.
"Bastard!"
"Luo Zhan, don’t get too cocky! Senior Brother Chen, number one on the Dragon and Phoenix List, will be here any day. You won’t be acting so smug then!"
"That’s right!"
"Fine. I’ll wait for his return."
After speaking, he turned, bowed to someone on a high platform nearby, and said, "Elder, I will return to my quarters to rest."
On the high platform, the faces of Chen Xuanfeng and the others were grim. Beside them was Chen Yusen, a Core Formation Realm Elder from Profound Turtle Island. He feigned a scolding shout.
"Such impudence."
Then he turned to Chen Xuanfeng and the others with a smile. "Young people can be so thoughtless. As magnanimous seniors, I hope you won’t hold it against him."
Chen Xuanfeng forced a laugh, then nodded and descended from the platform. He had Leng Feng and Ye Zhiqiu help Lu Zheng to the Instructor Hall, his own expression utterly livid.
Nevertheless, he still tried to comfort Lu Zheng.
"Victory and defeat are common in a warrior’s life. Zheng’er, don’t take it to heart."
Lu Zheng said nothing.
Suddenly, he knelt. "Master, at my age, taking another step to achieve Breaking Mortality and Forming a Core is next to impossible."
"I failed to meet your expectations back then, losing at the Immortal Ascension Conference and missing the chance to join the Penglai Sect. I was still clinging to fantasy then, but now, there are no more excuses."
"I’ve gone as far as I can on this path. The Main Courtyard’s Dragon and Phoenix List resources should no longer be wasted on me. I want to retire, return to my hometown, and take a position at a Martial Arts Academy. Perhaps I can discover talents like Little Junior Brother there."
Hearing this, Leng Feng and Ye Zhiqiu’s expressions changed. Chen Xuanfeng was even more heartbroken. "Zheng’er, why would you say such a thing?"
But Lu Zheng had already made up his mind. He kowtowed, pressing his forehead to the ground and refusing to rise.
"Master, please grant your disciple’s wish."
Chen Xuanfeng let out a long sigh and shook his head.
"Think it over carefully. For now, just focus on healing."
With that, he entered an inner room, leaving the three martial brothers behind, speechless for a moment.
"Senior Brother..."
...
Liang Cheng’s seclusion was frantically interrupted by Ye Zhiqiu.
"Little Junior Brother, Senior Brother Lu is leaving the Main Courtyard! He bid farewell to Master this morning and is already preparing to leave the mountain and return home."
Liang Cheng’s heart tightened upon hearing this. "Why is Senior Brother Lu leaving?"
"We’ll talk on the way. Senior Brother Lu should still be at the mountain gate right now."
Without another word, Liang Cheng and Ye Zhiqiu became a blur as they shot toward the mountain gate.
...
「Outside the mountain gate, beside the old road.」
Dressed in simple cloth robes and carrying a small travel pack, Lu Zheng was saying his goodbyes to Leng Feng.
Although the wound on his left shoulder was bandaged, his aura was still weak, but his face held a smile of relief.
"Senior Brother!"
Liang Cheng and Ye Zhiqiu arrived and hurried forward.
Lu Zheng turned, and his smile widened when he saw Liang Cheng. "Little Junior Brother, you came."
"Senior Brother, why the sudden hurry?"
Liang Cheng said in a low voice, "Just focus on healing. Once you’ve recovered, we martial brothers can fight side-by-side again."
Lu Zheng shook his head, his gaze traveling past Liang Cheng toward the Martial Arts Plaza.
From there, he could faintly hear the booming clash of Gang Qi.
"Do you hear that?"
Lu Zheng pointed toward the Martial Arts Arena and said softly, "That sound belongs to your generation. I, Lu Zheng, have been at the Main Courtyard for fourteen years, and on the Dragon and Phoenix List for eight. That’s enough."
He turned back and clapped Liang Cheng firmly on the shoulder. "My path has reached its end, but yours is just beginning. In six months, at the Immortal Ascension Conference, the prodigies of the nine islands will gather. That is the battlefield where you belong."
"Senior Brother..."
"There’s no need to persuade me."
But Lu Zheng’s smile was open and accepting. "I’m going home to teach. If I can train a few disciples like you, it will be more meaningful than struggling aimlessly here at the Main Courtyard."
He took three steps back and cupped his fist solemnly. "My three junior brothers, take care. And promise me, if you get the chance, you’ll go see the view from the heights in my stead."
With that, he turned and walked down the mountain, never once looking back.
Liang Cheng and the other two stood silently at the mountain gate until the figure vanished completely into the mountain mist.
...
From the distant Martial Arts Plaza, a sky-shaking cheer erupted.
"Senior Brother Qin Lie! Senior Brother Qin Lie is back!"
"Number one on the Dragon and Phoenix List! He’ll definitely avenge our shame!"
Liang Cheng watched Lu Zheng’s back disappear, then took a deep breath. ’On the path of the Martial Dao, some will always fall away, but I must forge ahead courageously.’
"Let’s go."
"Senior Brothers, let’s go to the plaza."
...
「On the Martial Arts Arena stage.」
Qin Lie and Luo Zhan stood facing each other.