Chapter 63: Saint Master
If before, Luo Tianhao had merely wanted to win over the genius, Lu Changfeng, then now, he wanted to cling tightly to this sapling that was Lu Changfeng, destined to grow into a towering tree.
The horrifying Talent Lu Changfeng had revealed, along with the spectacle he had just put on...
...all made Luo Tianhao stand unconditionally and firmly on Lu Changfeng’s side.
Sikong Tuxiong was a burly man who looked to be in his fifties, with stern features and a serious demeanor.
In reality, he was already in his seventies or eighties.
Sikong Tuxiong looked at Lu Changfeng with a complicated expression.
He, too, had witnessed the strange transformation that occurred when Lu Changfeng faced Sikong Jue’s Bloodline Energy.
’This boy is no unaffiliated wanderer!’
’He has a master guiding him from the shadows!’
’No wonder. How could no one covet a Disciple with such heaven-defying talent!’
’To be able to hide a Saber Technique inside a Disciple’s body as a mark... I can’t even begin to imagine how that’s done!’
’The person behind this boy is terrifyingly powerful! I must not offend them!’
’It might even be one of the reclusive old masters on the Celestial List.’
Sikong Tuxiong considered for a moment, then cupped his fists at Lu Changfeng—a mere Blood Forging Martial Artist. "Since Elder Lu wishes to continue his unfinished duel with Sikong Jue, then I shall naturally oblige."
"One month. After one month, Sikong Jue must return to the Sikong Family."
"Additionally, during this time, I will send a clan Elder to accompany Sikong Jue to prevent my nephew from acting rashly and doing something against the family’s interests."
Lu Changfeng knew this was the best he could hope for.
Pushing any further would likely backfire. Lu Changfeng estimated that the mark on his forehead only had enough energy for a few more uses.
’At least I have one more chance to replicate it.’
Lu Changfeng nodded and said, "Thank you, Sikong Family Master, for your consent! This junior is endlessly grateful!"
"Hmph." Seeing Lu Changfeng’s respectful attitude, Sikong Tuxiong’s expression softened slightly.
"Farewell, everyone."
Sikong Tuxiong cupped his fists, glanced at Sikong Jue on the ground, and leaped away from the arena like a bird.
Yuan Zhen scooped up Sikong Jue, nodded slightly, and turned to leave.
Fengy Qingtian congratulated Lu Changfeng before leaving the arena.
"Elder Lu, come back to the sect to lecture next month. All the disciples miss you dearly," Luo Tianhao said with a hearty laugh before taking his leave.
Lu Changfeng opened his mouth to speak but simply left through the passage behind the contestants’ area instead.
The audience below was abuzz. They had certainly witnessed a spectacular show today.
By tomorrow morning, news of Lu Changfeng and Sikong Jue would likely be on the front page of every newspaper in the Martial Arts Realm.
"Lu Changfeng!"
"Brother Lu!"
Just as Lu Changfeng left the passageway, two voices called out one after another.
It was Xuu Shaoying and Fengy Jiu.
"I apologize for my arrogance before the match, Lu Changfeng. You’re a truly formidable and genius Swordsman! I’ll make you my goal! One day, I will stand on that stage and face you in a duel!"
Fengy Jiu’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Changfeng.
Lu Changfeng had a bad feeling.
Luckily, Xuu Shaoying came over. "Brother Lu, shall we go have a drink to celebrate?"
"An excellent idea!"
Lu Changfeng nodded and started to walk away with Xuu Shaoying.
"I want to go too!" Fengy Jiu shouted.
"We’re going somewhere women aren’t allowed. You’re on your own!" Lu Changfeng said seriously, turning back to her.
"Huh?" Fengy Jiu stood there, stunned. Lu Changfeng took the opportunity to quicken his pace with Xuu Shaoying, and they disappeared into the crowd.
Fengy Jiu stomped her foot. "Hmph!"
"Lu Changfeng, you can only be defeated by me! Any Swordsman who wants to challenge you must get through me first!"
...
「At an obscure tavern on Five Horses Street.」
Lu Changfeng and Xuu Shaoying sat opposite each other, savoring a pot of sweet osmanthus wine.
Xuu Shaoying raised his cup in a toast. "Brother Lu, thank you for going easy on me last time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have lasted a single move against you! I learned a great deal from our match!"
Lu Changfeng waved his hand dismissively. "It’s a tournament match. The exchange of pointers is what’s important."
After a pause, Lu Changfeng began to ask Xuu Shaoying about the identities of the people who had been present today.
"By the way, who exactly were those people who came on stage later to stop us from continuing the fight?"
Xuu Shaoying took a sip of wine and said excitedly, "The Master of the Phoenix Martial Arts Hall, Fengy Qingtian, was the first one to stop you from continuing the fight."
"The ones who came up after were Yuan Zhen of the Taizhen Martial Arts Hall, who is Sikong Jue’s master."
"The other one was the current Patriarch of the Sikong Family, Sikong Tuxiong. He’s said to be a ruthless man."
"The last one was the Sect Leader of the Broken Moon Sect, Luo Tianhao. It seems you already know him, Brother Lu."
"To have so many experts gathered, such a scene is truly rare. I guess the seniors were afraid something might happen to you two geniuses. But in the end, Sikong Jue fainted, so it should still count as your win, Brother Lu."
"By the way, Brother Lu, what was that move at the end where your eyes lit up?"
"I’ve never seen a move that comes from the eyes. Is it some kind of top-tier Ultimate Technique? How do you cultivate it?" Xuu Shaoying asked like a curious child.
Lu Changfeng smiled. ’I have no idea what principle allowed that mark to form, either,’ he thought.
He just waved his hand. "It’s a secret."
"I understand." Xuu Shaoying gave him a knowing look and didn’t probe into a Martial Artist’s secrets. Being able to have a private drink with Lu Changfeng was enough for him to brag about when he returned to the Martial Arts Hall tomorrow.
The two of them drank for an hour before leaving the tavern.
By now, the night was deep, and most of the lights on Five Horses Street had been extinguished.
Lu Changfeng staggered out of the tavern. He circulated his inner energy, expelling the fumes of alcohol from his system, and his mind instantly cleared.
’Looks like Sikong Jue is in some kind of trouble.’
’A Bloodline Talent must be of immense significance to the Sikong Family.’
’These major powers must have records on Bloodline Talents.’
Lu Changfeng mused that the next time he visited the Broken Moon Sect, he would ask Luo Tianhao about it.
Judging from Luo Tianhao’s attitude towards him today, he probably wouldn’t refuse him.
At this point, Lu Changfeng also realized that the mark on his forehead must have caused the experts in the audience to misunderstand something.
They most likely thought he had some grandmaster backing him.
That’s why Sikong Tuxiong had treated him, a mere Blood Forging Martial Artist, with such respect.
’Speaking of a grandmaster, the Elephant Woman is indeed the expert behind me. She passed the Fengtian Saber Technique to me, so she’s half a master to me. The problem is, she’s sleeping in a Crystal Coffin, and I have no idea when she’ll wake up,’ Lu Changfeng thought.
’Still, it’s good that they’ve misunderstood. With the reputation of a hidden grandmaster backing me, getting by in Jiangnan Prefecture will be much easier. Things will go more smoothly.’
Lu Changfeng pondered his current situation.
Before he knew it, two figures in black robes appeared in front of him, blocking his path.
The two figures had high collars that hid most of their faces, revealing only the area above the bridges of their noses. They did not look like friendly individuals.
Lu Changfeng subconsciously brought up the interface.
Name: ??? (Black Robe #1)
Root Bone: Lower A Class
Talent: Low-Grade Saber Technique Talent
--
Name: ??? (Black Robe #2)
Root Bone: Lower A Class
Talent: Low-Grade Saber Technique Talent.
Their interface information was identical, just like their similar-looking faces.
"What can I do for you two?" Lu Changfeng asked in a grave tone, keeping his distance.
The two figures in black robes exchanged a glance, then dropped to one knee before Lu Changfeng without hesitation. They placed a hand over their chests and saluted, "We greet the Saint Master!"