It was as if an incredibly heavy object was bearing down. No matter how powerful the blood-colored saber mark that Xiao Tianqi slashed out was, it collapsed at this instant. Just like shattered glass, it splashed out in all directions.
The power of the collision was even more frightening. Quite a few Immortal Realm martial artists had no choice but to use some moves to disperse those pieces of “glass” and the shockwave. At this moment, even Gongyi Tianheng suddenly threw out a fist and launched a ball of reddish-gold radiance!
After several booming noises, Xiao Tianqi recoiled continuously. In the end, he stood at the edge of the Martial Prowess Platform with a pale complexion. He didn’t have the slightest bit of strength left, but he was even more unwilling to admit defeat like this.
On the other side, He Chenghong withdrew his hand. His face was also very pale, but he looked much better than Xiao Tianqi, who’d already suffered an injury to his internal organs.
Gu Zuo’s expression changed.
Not good! He Chenghong had killing intent!
Yes. The light in He Chenghong’s eyes flickered indeterminately, and his fingers were faintly trembling. At this time, if he was even slightly impulsive, he might immediately act!
Fortunately, He Chenghong’s intelligence wasn’t really that low.
Unlike those who held deep enmity with others, He Chenghong and Xiao Tianqi were ultimately still fighting over power and resources. For years on end, Xiao Tianqi had been pressing down upon He Chenghong’s face. Indeed, it had injured his prestige, and He Chenghong was also itching to kill Xiao Tianqi. However, doing it secretly was one thing. Turning a martial prowess challenge into a battle of life and death so plainly was another thing. In order to prevent others from having a poor impression of himself and the He Clan, He Chenghong endured. In the end, he didn’t act on impulse.
Gu Zuo let out a sigh of relief.
Compared to He Chenghong, it was only natural that he had a better impression of Xiao Tianqi. If Xiao Tianqi died here, he really felt that it would’ve been too unworthy.
He Chenghong didn’t move to kill, but this didn’t mean that he would let Xiao Tianqi slip away. One would only see him dashing forwards once more with both hands outstretched. He targeted Xiao Tianqi’s lower abdomen.
This was precisely the location of Xiao Tianqi’s dantian. It was also the location of his qi ocean. Once it was struck, Xiao Tianqi’s qi ocean would be crippled. In the days to come, even if Xiao Tianqi found suitable medicinal ingredients to restore his own body, it would take a long time to return to the Immortal Realm. After this period of time, He Chenghong’s strength would certainly have world-shaking changes. At that time, Xiao Tianqi wouldn’t be able to catch up to He Chenghong.
But, how couldn’t Xiao Tianqi sense He Chenghong’s sinister motives?
He promptly bolstered a trace of strength that he’d just recovered in his body. He made an abrupt backflip, and stamped on the ground. At the same time, two people in the rear threw themselves over in a hurry. They both acted simultaneously to obstruct He Chenghong’s single-minded attack, whose power was increased as if by accident.
There were two loud rumbles.
In front, the two Immortal Realm martial artists who protected Xiao Tianqi had smears of blood dribbling out from the corners of their mouths.
Their strengths were far inferior to that of He Chenghong, but fortunately, He Chenghong hadn’t utilized his full-strength at the very end. This allowed them to catch this move without a hitch. Only, they still consequentially received some injuries.
Xiao Tianqi smoothly left the Martial Prowess Platform, and also saved his qi ocean.
At this point in time, He Chenghong reconsidered the matter of seizing this opportunity. Chasing after Xiao Tianqi to destroy his dantian was just too unsightly — If he didn’t want to lose face, then he absolutely couldn’t do such a thing.
At a location far away, Hai Tian let out a long sigh.
Although many people would say that He Chenghong was magnanimous, they would also say that he had taken advantage of someone’s difficulties for the sake of his clan’s benefits and that there wasn’t a problem with his own moral standing. But from what Hai Tian could see, if there wasn’t a problem with a person’s moral standing, they simply wouldn’t have agreed to do this. At the very least, wouldn’t He Chenghong have avoided this if his true moral standing was very good?
Hence, Hai Tian had arranged for people to wait below the elevated stage. When they saw Xiao Tianqi suffer defeat, they would promptly protect him. Sure enough, this wasn’t all for naught.
As Hai Tian initially presumed, He Chenghong was a hypocrite.
Xiao Tianqi suddenly clenched his fists.
Because his injuries couldn’t completely heal, he was defeated under the hands of a despicable younger generation. He even almost had his qi ocean destroyed by underhanded methods — This was practically a disgrace for all his life!
True men of character should first know humiliation and then be brave. He decided that he would find a recovery method and then thoroughly step all over that lowly He Chenghong!
After taking a deep breath, Xiao Tianqi cupped his fist and said: “Junior Sect Brother He, you’ve won.”
He won with a despicable mind.
But Xiao Tianqi didn’t acknowledge that he had lost because he was determined to have a rematch!
And as for He Chenghong?
He showed a graceful smiling expression: “Senior Sect Brother Xiao, you let me win.”
Henceforth, the Sky Leaderboard’s second seat was his!
He Chenghong’s victory was beyond most people. In particular was that Heavenly Crane Palm of his, which stunned numerous people even more. Countless disciples discussed things enthusiastically as they delved deeply into the He Clan’s consummate skill.
Afterwards, the order of the Sky Leaderboard’s seats changed, and many of the industries under Xiao Tianqi’s control were seized by He Chenghong — While the industries of an Immortal Realm martial artist perhaps couldn’t be considered too many, they were accumulated generation after generation. An organization in the Sect could become a huge monster.
Back to matter at hand, He Chenghong, the victor, was naturally valued more by many people who wanted to make friends and curry favor. As for Xiao Tianqi, the loser, with the assistance of Hai Tian and the others, he was brought back through his Hundred Rivers League’s numerous channels to his dwelling where he continued to heal.
After the battle concluded, those terrifying streams of qi also ended. For a moment, Gu Zuo felt pity for Xiao Tianqi. Then, he sensed his own body moving.
In a split second, Gu Zuo’s embarrassment reached an all-time high.
He had already grown up so much... This sentence started to echo in his mind once more.
However, Gu Zuo didn’t have the time to be embarrassed.
At this moment, the system in his consciousness issued missions again.
[Side Mission 1: Verify Huang Ji’s special constitution.]
[Mission Item: Nothing new to be added.]
[Completion Method: Unrestricted.]
[Completion Time: Unrestricted.]
[Completion Reward: <<Spirit Refining Seal>>.]
And then...
[Side Mission 2: Treat Xiao Tianqi’s injuries.]
[Mission Item: Nothing new to be added.]
[Completion Method: Unrestricted.]
[Completion Time: Unrestricted.]
[Failure Penalty: None.]
It had been a very long time since two missions were issued consecutively. In addition, it was very strange that the final rewards and penalties for the two missions were also different.
In Gu Zuo’s mind, there was a bit of hesitation.
He quietly looked towards the place where Huang Ji was located.
After the match finished, Huang Ji was originally going to leave. However, before he had time to move, numerous female martial artists gathered around his stone pillar and used admiring glances to look at him.
Huang Ji was a grim and unfeeling woman, but at this moment, while surrounded by numerous women, his unfeeling heart made it hard to completely express himself. But with this moment of hesitation, a female martial artist with high inner strength had already barred his way. Him wanting to leave wasn’t going to be that easy.
Of course, women were mostly reserved and aloof. Although many women who made achievements in martial arts were bold and unrestrained, they also wouldn’t make any moves that were too unusual in public. These women surrounded Huang Ji. Even though it was to express their own admiration, their actions were simply to ask him about the difficult problems of some martial disciplines.
Since Huang Ji couldn’t leave, he occasionally gave brief replies. After he gave such replies... It became even harder to leave.
One woman received the attentions of numerous women. There were a few male Immortal Realm geniuses who had subtle expressions. Not to mention anything else, Gu Zuo could see that, in those seats that were close to the Martial Prowess Platform like him and his big brother, there were many who were casting disgruntled gazes.
It was a pity that Huang Ji didn’t take these gazes into consideration at all. It was even more pitiful that, even though they looked at Huang Ji with such adverse looks, they still couldn’t fight Huang Ji... And the most pitiful thing was, granted that so many of them were watching for so long, the women surrounding Huang Ji still kept increasing — Those women didn’t once turn their heads to look at them.
Gu Zuo silently ridiculed them.
Thinking about it, men couldn’t compete against a woman in fighting over women... These kind of men were pretty lamentable.
After ridiculing them, Xi Yangyun was carrying Xi Shuangyun off to the side. They had already finished relieving their boredom, and now it was time to go back. Naturally, Tianheng properly bade them farewell. After saying goodbye, Tianheng and Gu Zuo went to see Fu Manduo and the others.
That’s right. They agreed to meet up here. Only, because the locations of everyone’s seats were different prior to the match, they didn’t have any way to gather. Now that the battle was over, everyone could assemble and talk together to conveniently discuss their impressions after watching that match.
Tianheng also wasn’t stingy, and mentioned the things he saw that weren’t so unbelievably startling. After Fu Manduo, Zhao Yuheng, and the others heard this, their hearts were full of shock, and only felt that Tianheng’s IQ was too frightening. Unexpectedly, after watching a single match, he had such a profound understanding.
Overall, this exchange was very pleasant.
Soon after, Fu Manduo and the others had some sensations in their hearts. They all went back into secluded cultivation one after another.
Tianheng was now unoccupied. He lowered his head and asked: “Ah Zuo, do you want to go back now?”
Although it previously seemed that Huang Ji had discovered Gu Zuo’s psychic power, in the end, they didn’t know how much he knew or what he was thinking. If they took the initiative to go ask Huang Ji and he didn’t know much, then wasn’t that just delivering themselves to his doorstep and giving him information that could be used against them? But if Huang Ji was of a different mind, then they would probably enter a passive state if they didn’t get in touch with him.
In short, matters weren’t that easy to handle.
Gu Zuo looked all around. After that, he pulled Tianheng to the side: “Big brother, I’ve received another two missions.”
Tianheng: “Oh?”
Gu Zuo stealthily transmitted the contents of the two missions to him.
Tianheng finished listening, and slightly murmured: “The second mission is dependent on your preferences, but it’s best that the first mission is done.”
Gu Zuo also thought the same.
To say nothing else, the fact that Huang Ji perceived his psychic power couldn’t be ignored. Moreover, that <<Spirit Refining Seal>>...
At this moment, Tianheng also said: “That <<Spirit Refining Seal>> sounds like it should be related to psychic power. Ah Zuo, you only had <<Spirit Piercing Awl>>, and that was already a powerful ability. If we let Spirit Refining Seal slip by, it won’t be to your benefit. In addition, Spirit Pericing Awl has been practiced up until now, and it seems to be very difficult to make any large improvements. Spirit Refining Seal might just be the follow-up method, so it’s better to take it and have a look.”
Although the system appeared to be in charge of an inheritance, the item books were the contents of the inheritance. However, they had obtained every item book before. If this mission wasn’t done, who knew if there’d be another mission in the future that would issue the <<Spirit Refining Seal>>? On the off-chance that it didn’t happen again, wouldn’t that just be too unlucky?
Each and every mission that involved item books needed to be done.
Gu Zuo nodded his head: “Then, we’ll think of a way to approach Huang Ji.”
Tianheng said: “First, we’ll wait and see if Huang Ji will act on his own accord...”
Gu Zuo tilted his head: “Big brother’s meaning is?”
Tianheng smiled: “If Huang Ji doesn’t respond for a long time, it can be seen that he either doesn’t know the root cause or he doesn’t have any intention of threatening us with this. You and I can work in a roundabout way and look for Senior Sect Brother Xu or Senior Sect Brother Xi. Using the intention of making friends as the reason, we can ask them to pull some strings to build a bridge. If Huang Ji seeks us out himself, then we’ll act at our own discretion at that time.”
Gu Zuo also thought that it could only be like this.
Hence, he said: “Then, we’ll go back first.” Speaking up to here, he paused, “As for the matter of Senior Sect Brother Xiao Tianqi... I’m also not sure if I can cure his chronic illness, so I won’t take the initiative to do anything. If Senior Sect Brother Hai Tian mentions this during the next medicinal pill transaction, then I’ll look at the situation.”
Tianheng smiled and ruffled his hair: “Alright.”
After that, Gu Zuo gave one last glance at Huang Ji, and then, along with Tianheng, they went back to their small hill.
For a short period of time, their lives returned to normal.
Three days later.
Hai Tian really came. And once he arrived, not only did he purchase some medicinal pills, he also came to see Gu Zuo, and asked him to go see Xiao Tianqi.
Gu Zuo blanked.
He had just been thinking about it, but he hadn’t expected that Hai Tian would actually come to find him... Wasn’t this too strange?
Hai Tian saw Gu Zuo’s expression, and knew that he himself was being rude. He gave a bitter laugh, and said: “I’ve previously invited over many of the Pharmacist Hall’s pharmacists, but each of them said that there was no way. I’ve invited high-level pharmacists to take a look, but they likewise could only guarantee that it wouldn’t worsen. Now, we’ve only been thinking to invite some promising pharmacists who’ve had fortuitous encounters to give an examination. If we’re lucky, maybe someone will really have a way?”
When he said this, he stopped. Then, he apologetically said: “...I ask that Junior Sect Brother Gu doesn’t take offense.”
In other words, they had asked many experts to no avail. Now, they placed their hopes on luck. In the beginning, Gu Zuo had kept a very low-profile. As a result, they also hadn’t paid attention to him. But later on, Gu Zuo participated in the Pill Battling Assembly and showcased certain foundations. This made some of those who privately investigated him discover that he seemed to have once had a fortuitous encounter by taking out the Spirit Devouring Pill’s pill prescription... Although the probability was very low, what if there was a chance that fortuitous encounter really had a method for treating that injury? Without giving it a try, how could they resign themselves to this?
If it was prior to this time’s match, the members of the Hundred Rivers League would still be hesitating for a while. But after the battle, Xiao Tianqi was unreconciled with his loss. In the end, there was no way to bear with it.
This was tantamount to saying that this was a side mission being delivered straight to his front door...
In Gu Zuo’s mind, there was actually some regard that, since the system issued such a side mission, it indicated that he had a big probability of being able to complete this mission. If this was the case, then there was no harm in trying. This happened to be an opportunity to deepen the relationship between them and the Hundred Rivers League.
Only, Gu Zuo couldn’t let others think that he had planned this in advance, and he was also afraid of this small possibility... Hence, he spoke with some difficulty: “There’s no harm in going for a trip. Senior Sect Brother Xiao is mighty and extraordinary, and people respect him greatly. This Gu also isn’t willing to see him entrapped by such a grave illness. But while this Gu has some prescriptions, most of them are ordinary and mundane. They might not necessarily be suitable for this.”
Hai Tian was ecstatic: “Junior Sect Brother Gu doesn’t need to worry. So long as this Junior Sect Brother is willing to go, it’ll be a huge favor to us. Even if you aren’t successful, we won’t blame you. If this Junior Sect Brother doesn’t feel assured, there’s no harm in bringing someone along. This is to show my Hundred Rivers League’s sincerity.”
Gu Zuo listened to him speak to this degree, and also reluctantly nodded his head: “In that case, when will we go?”
Hai Tian said: “This matter shouldn’t be delayed. If Junior Sect Brother Gu doesn’t mind, how about we set off now?”
Gu Zuo glanced at Gongyi Tianheng.
Tianheng had a smile on his face as he nodded.
Then, Gu Zuo responded: “Okay. I hope that it’ll be useful for Senior Sect Brother Xiao.”
Hai Tian saw how direct and efficient Gu Zuo and Tianheng were, and his favorable impressions of the two immediately deepened. He promptly led the way. After placing his fingers to his mouth and whistling, he called a wild bird over: “Junior Sect Brothers, hop on.”
Tianheng and Gu Zuo both said: “Thank you, Senior Sect Brother Hai.”
Not long after, the wild bird flew straight to Tianqi Peak.
This place had an unbroken chain of twenty hills, forming a small mountain range. This revealed the uncommon scenery of the Hundred Rivers League. However, because Xiao Tianqi lost his battle against He Chenghong, while this small mountain range was still the same, it already appeared to be in a state of decline in the eyes of many people.
On the contrary, Gu Zuo didn’t have any special feelings about it. He was embraced in Tianheng’s arms and they jumped off the wild bird. After they had their feet firmly planted on the ground, he gave a sigh of lament to the dignified and tyrannical grandeur of the person of this Tianqi Peak. Then, he said nothing else.
Hai Tian guided them up ahead. While he walked, he said: “Right now, Senior Sect Brother Xiao is inside the Saber Cave. Because Senior Sect Brother Xiao normally doesn’t like extravagance, he doesn’t pay particular attention to the tone and mood. As a result, the Saber Cave is very simple. I ask that these two Junior Sect Brothers don’t mind it.”
Tianheng smiled and said: “Senior Sect Brother Xiao is fond of nature and does what he wants. It’s no wonder that his strength is this outstanding.”
Hai Tian sighed: “Unfortunately, he still lost to He Chenghong.”
Tianheng then said: “A momentary loss is nothing. People with discerning eyes all know that He Chenghong is no more than a lowly coward. If Senior Sect Brother Xiao was in good health, where could he have obtained his turn to show off his martial prowess? The path of martial arts is very long. In the days to come, he’ll inevitably collapse along that road of struggle.”
Hearing these words, Hai Tian was put at ease.
In actuality, each individual in the Hundred Rivers League all thought this.
He Chenghong didn’t dare to challenge Xiao Tianqi when he was at full-strength. They looked down on He Chenghong!
It could be said that Tianheng’s words came from the bottom of Hai Tian’s heart.
Gu Zuo was listening off to the side, and his face grew a bit hot.
This big brother of his really could say anything... He didn’t believe that his big brother truly admired that Senior Sect Brother Xiao Tianqi that much!
Before long, they reached the Saber Cave.
With one look, Gu Zuo could see that this place really was crude and simple. However, it was as his big brother said — There were saber marks everywhere. It was, indeed, close to nature. Moreover, that Senior Sect Brother Xiao was also very...nonchalant.
After entering the Saber Cave, Gu Zuo saw that forthright man reclining upon a stone bed inside.
This sir was Xiao Tianqi. It appeared that, after the big battle a few days ago, his injuries had become much more serious. In this rock cave, there were still traces of pill fragrances that had yet to disperse. It could be seen that the amount of medicinal pills that he swallowed these past few days were rather sizable. Merely, it seemed that these pills weren’t of much help to his injuries.
In the Saber Cave, apart from Xiao Tianqi, there were seven or eight people. There was some anxiety in the expressions of these people. It looked like they were very worried about Xiao Tianqi.
From this, it could be seen that their relationship with Xiao Tianqi was very profound.
Once Hai Tian entered, he dashed forwards in large strides to look at Xiao Tianqi.
The present Xiao Tianqi’s face was like metallic paper, and there was a wisp of black qi upon the space between his brows. This was clearly the resurgence of old injuries. After he saw this, his expression carried a deep sorrow, but he couldn’t do anything about it.
However, Hai Tian’s willpower was also very firm. He quickly calmed down, and turned his head to look at Gu Zuo: “Junior Sect Brother Gu, I’ll have to trouble you to come and take a look.”
Gu Zuo didn’t object. His current pulse-taking technique was pretty good, and his use of psychic power was even more covert. Moreover, this Xiao Tianqi was partially unconscious. Taking a look wouldn’t pose any problems.
Thus, Gu Zuo quickly walked over, and reached out a hand to clasp Xiao Tianqi’s wrist.
Hai Tian moved out of the way to make things easier for Gu Zuo.
On the contrary, the other few people didn’t move too far away. They were all somewhat famous Sky Leaderboard powerhouses. Although their rankings were near the end, they weren’t the kind of people who would reject Gu Zuo by only looking at his age — One needed to know that they were also up-and-coming geniuses. In the world of martial artists, age didn’t decide everything.
No one called Gu Zuo into question. He also was a bit more conscientious. While carefully taking Xiao Tianqi’s pulse, Gu Zuo was even more careful as he used an extremely fine thread of psychic power to explore. It rapidly travelled through the world within Xiao Tianqi’s body.
One loop, two loops, three loops... That psychic power moved through every region inside of Xiao Tianqi multiple times. Gu Zuo’s expression became more and more grave and serious.
About fifteen minutes passed before Gu Zuo loosened his hand.
Hai Tian promptly inquired: “Junior Sect Brother Gu, how is it?”
Gu Zuo pondered for a bit, and then replied: “Senior Sect Brother Xiao’s lungs are occupied by a ball of cold yin qi. It has become embedded and can’t be expunged. Senior Sect Brother Xiao’s body attribute is metal, and what he practices is the Tyrant’s Saber Path. Thus, whenever he circulates his qi to cultivate, that ball of cold yin qi will cause an obstruction. The longer and faster that Senior Sect Brother Xiao cultivates, the greater the harm done to his body. Also, due to fighting with the cold yin qi, it has wounded the lungs, which impedes the circulation of qi.”
Once these words were uttered, the people on the scene immediately had greater confidence in Gu Zuo.
In the past, the diagnoses of those high-level pharmacists were also just like this.
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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