Chapter 766: Conceding (II)

Jingkong remained expressionless as he struck out with both palms, repeatedly attacking the void. His movements grew faster and faster until only faint afterimages remained visible. After several breaths, the spectators could see nothing but flashes of golden light before another enormous golden palm had already shot forth.

In an instant, countless enormous golden palms engulfed the entire arena. The thunderous booms of the palms striking its defensive barrier rang out without end. Such terrifying power and overwhelming barrage left the spectating cultivators speechless with amazement.

"Wh... What technique is this?" a woman asked, unable to stop herself from swallowing nervously.

"The Buddhist sect has only a handful of well-known techniques, but the power of the same technique can differ enormously depending on the Buddhist cultivator using it," said one of her companions.

"That's right. A Buddhist cultivator's strength depends on their roots of wisdom and Buddha-nature, and the potential of their techniques is boundless. With sufficient roots of wisdom and Buddha-nature, they can unleash unimaginable power," another companion interjected.

"This should be the Vajra Palm. Astonishingly, he has cultivated it to such a level."

"This seems to be an exceptionally advanced realm of Buddhist palm techniques known as the Myriad Buddha Hands. It allows the cultivator to manifest ten thousand Buddha hands and execute the Vajra Palm with all of them at once."

"Hey, aren't you all focusing on the wrong thing?"

"Jingkong may be powerful, but that martial artist named Xiao Yu is just as monstrous. He actually dodged every single attack!"

Ji Haozhong listened to the cultivators discussing the fight around him and watched the battle in the arena, excitement stirring in his heart.

As expected of Xiao Yu. He really is monstrous!

A cold glint flashed through Collis' eyes. "Just as our investigation suggested, his mastery of spatial laws is truly astonishing. Few in the Golden Core realm can rival him in that regard. However, that is the only noteworthy ability he possesses. If we were outside, there really would be nothing I could do to him. If he wanted to flee, I would have no way to trap him. But this is an arena, and the space available to him is limited."

In the arena, Jingkong's hands turned into streaks of golden light as he repeatedly struck toward Lin Zheyu at astonishing speed. Yet no matter how fast he attacked, Lin Zheyu always managed to evade a step ahead of him.

Terrifying golden light swept across the entire arena, sending ripples of spatial power spreading outward. Lin Zheyu's figure vanished once again.

"If this is all you are capable of, you will not be able to drive me from the arena," Lin Zheyu said calmly.

Jingkong's Golden Body was powerful, but it could not withstand a single slash from Lin Zheyu. Lin Zheyu was deliberately suppressing his strength to avoid exposing his true abilities, displaying only his profound mastery of spatial laws. After all, he had already revealed this ability more than once while using the identity of Xiao Yu.

Jingkong abruptly stopped attacking, pressed his palms together, and invoked the Buddha's name. "Amitabha..."

"Benefactor's movement technique is remarkable. This humble monk knows only the Buddhist Golden Body and Vajra Palm, neither of which can do anything to you. This humble monk concedes this battle," Jingkong said calmly with his palms pressed together.

Although the Buddhist Golden Body was powerful, it was also extremely difficult to cultivate. Jingkong had devoted enormous time and effort to cultivating the technique to this level. The Buddhist Golden Body combined with the Vajra Palm represented the full extent of the strength he was willing to display.

Lin Zheyu gave him a cupped-fist salute. "Thank you for yielding."

Lin Zheyu had expected Jingkong to employ another powerful Buddhist secret art, but to his surprise, the monk had conceded without hesitation. Lin Zheyu could tell that Jingkong was capable of more. Since the other man wished to conceal his true strength, however, Lin Zheyu had no objection.

"Would any of you like to come up and challenge me?" Lin Zheyu asked calmly.

The Soaring Sword Sect cultivators gazed eagerly at the arena, but none of them stepped forward. They were all cultivators of Great Wei, and in the face of a challenge from foreign cultivators, they ought to present a united front. Although they very much wanted to exchange pointers with Lin Zheyu, it would be inappropriate for them to challenge him now.

"I..."

"I'll do it!"

The two voices rang out simultaneously. Before the first speaker could enter the arena, Collis' body flickered, and his hazy figure appeared on the platform before gradually becoming solid. He turned toward the cultivator who had just spoken, a derisive smile curling across his lips.

"Haha, interesting, very interesting. Never mind. Since you want to fight, I will yield the opportunity to you." Collis laughed heartily and leaped lightly from the arena. Upon hearing this, the spectating cultivators all turned toward the cultivator who had just spoken, their eyes gleaming with interest.

A trace of solemnity appeared in Ji Haozhong's eyes when he saw the man. "Woo Wenchuan! Why is it him?"

Woo Wenchuan was a cultivator of the Woo Family who had reached the peak of the Shackles realm but had failed to forge a path beyond it. After reaching the peak of the Shackles realm, he had been brought into the White Tiger Sect by Woo Qianqian as one of her attendants. Under the gaze of the many cultivators, Woo Wenchuan gave a cold smile. He lightly pushed off the ground, leaped onto the arena, and gave Lin Zheyu a hawklike stare.

"Xiao Yu, you..."

"I concede."

Woo Wenchuan had only made it halfway through his sentence when his gaze slowly froze. The spectating cultivators and Collis, who had been looking forward to the spectacle, were equally stunned.

"How can you concede? Damn it, get back here! Argh!"

Woo Wenchuan's face twisted savagely. The ground boomed beneath his feet as he charged toward Lin Zheyu, who had already leaped down from the arena.

Before Woo Wenchuan could leave the arena, a streak of azure light struck him and sent him flying backward.

"Fighting outside the arena is forbidden. Violators will die!" An aged voice rang out, making Woo Wenchuan's blood qi churn violently and causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood.

"We've been played!" Below the arena, Ning Yuanjie, Ning Ji'an, and the others watched Lin Zheyu's departing figure with dark expressions.

Damn it! Does this fellow care nothing for his reputation? He conceded without even putting up a fight!

Amid the crowd, Collis' expression was as dark as water as stifled frustration and fury brewed within him.

After several breaths of silence, the spectating cultivators erupted into an uproar. Some delighted in Woo Wenchuan's misfortune, some were merely enjoying the spectacle, some eagerly gossiped, and others knew a little of the story behind it all.

Ji Haozhong left the crowd and caught up, lowering his voice as he said, "Was it really all right for us to do that?"

"Xiao Yiqing said that if we encounter a cultivator we cannot defeat, we can simply concede. I felt that I could not defeat him, so I conceded. What is wrong with that?" Lin Zheyu asked innocently. He had never intended to draw attention to himself here and had planned to leave after fighting a few matches. Woo Wenchuan's appearance had given him the perfect excuse.

"Uh... There is nothing wrong with it, but it might harm your reputation," Ji Haozhong said, somewhat speechless.

Fellow Xiao truly does not care about his reputation.

"It does not matter. I only gave my own name just now without mentioning the Martial Alliance. I represent only myself, not the Martial Alliance," Lin Zheyu said calmly.

Under the strange gazes of the surrounding cultivators, the two of them walked out of the arena challenge plaza.

"Heh, I have to admit, watching you concede on the spot felt unexpectedly satisfying. You should have seen Woo Wenchuan's face. Haha, he looked as though he were constipated from all that pent-up frustration. It was hilarious. Come to think of it, that fellow must have prepared for a long time and planned to teach you a brutal lesson. He never expected you to concede and simply walk away. Hahaha..." Ji Haozhong said with a hearty laugh. Remembering the look in Woo Wenchuan's eyes filled him with satisfaction.

"By the way, what do you plan to do next? Are you going back into seclusion?" Ji Haozhong asked.

"I'm heading to the Discussion Pavilion. I arranged to attend a private Dao discussion tomorrow concerning the Shamanic Clan's cultivation methods. Would you like to come?" Lin Zheyu asked.

His research into the Heart Flame had concluded, so there was little point in continuing his seclusion. After spending so long cultivating in seclusion at the inn, he planned to relax at the Discussion Pavilion for a few days and see whether he might hear some interesting insights that could spark new inspiration.

"A private Dao discussion concerning the Shamanic Clan's cultivation methods? If it interests you, it certainly cannot be an ordinary gathering. Of course I would like to attend, but will there really be no problem with bringing me? After all, I know little about the Shamanic Clan's cultivation methods," Ji Haozhong said hesitantly.

"I'll ask. If there is no problem, I will let you know when the time comes," Lin Zheyu said.

"Good. Then I shall await your good news. I spent so long gathering information for you because of the arena challenge, only for it to end with such an anticlimax. How boring. All right, after being busy for so many days, it is time for me to relax as well." Ji Haozhong laughed heartily and walked toward Qionghua Garden.

Lin Zheyu smiled as he watched Ji Haozhong's receding figure. Ji Haozhong was a decent man, whether as a friend or a comrade-in-arms. After knowing him for so long, Lin Zheyu had come to accept him as a true friend. Therefore, if possible, he did not mind giving Ji Haozhong a helping hand.

With this thought, he took out a communication talisman and sent Wei Lixin a message asking whether he could bring a friend along to observe. Under normal circumstances, such a minor request should not pose a problem. After sending the message, Lin Zheyu glanced toward the rear on his right, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

How will you react after I fought only one battle before conceding outright? Lin Zheyu murmured inwardly. He then glanced at the data within his consciousness.

[Heaven Rewards the Diligent]

[Name: Lin Zheyu]

[Origin Force: 340]

[Skills: Seven Absolute Sabers (Seventh Stage: 100%), Martial Dao True Scripture (Fourth Stage: 100%), Heaven-Deceiving Art (Second Stage: 100%), Ten-Thousand-Miles Divine Travel Art (Third Stage: 100%), Mind-Governing Flame Refinement Art (Second Stage: 100%), Martial Divine Pattern Secret Manual (Second Stage: 100%)]

The Mind-Governing Flame Refinement Art had already reached the second stage, but it remained a far cry from the results Lin Zheyu desired. At most, he had gained a slight ability to resist the Heart Flame and reduce the harm it inflicted. He was still some distance from becoming completely immune.

That wisp of Heart Flame was still too weak. I need a more powerful Heart Flame for further study and comprehension, Lin Zheyu thought.

He wondered whether Senior Jing Xinyue had mastered this secret art. If she had, he might be able to seek her help. Back then, Jing Xinyue had left him a token because she apparently needed the aid of his spiritual divine ability for something. She likely would not refuse such a minor request.

***

Xiao Yiqing hovered in the void, gazing in the direction Lin Zheyu had departed with a faint smile upon her lips. "He actually conceded outright. What an interesting fellow. Is he trying to conceal his true abilities...? For a martial artist, his mastery of spatial laws is astonishing. Even many Nascent Soul cultivators cannot compare to him. Did he acquire this ability through some fortuitous encounter...? Or did he master it before reincarnating to cultivate anew...?"

She found him increasingly interesting and worthy of some attention. He might prove useful someday.