Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

At night, in Fenyang Pavilion. Lin Zheyu and the others gathered together once more, their faces filled with gloating smiles.

”Brother Zhao, I have good news for you. Tang Weizhong of the Tang Family and Pei Yuchun of the Pei Family are both dead. It is said they were casually killed by passing yao martial artists. They died miserably. Their entire heads were blown apart.” Xu Zifan laughed loudly as he spoke. Knowing that Zhao Hao had deep grudges with the Tang and Pei Families, he could not resist coming over to share the news with him.

”That is truly excellent. Those two had both made moves against me before. I was even planning to find an opportunity to kill them once I grew stronger. Who would have thought they would die at the hands of yao martial artists? They really got off easy,” Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

When he handled the bodies back then, he had deliberately disguised them to look as if they had been casually killed by a passing expert. Because of that, he did not even loot the corpses.

”They deserved it. They were the ones who first coveted Young Master Zhao’s Ink Fox, which led to all this trouble. They even went so far as to place a bounty on Young Master Zhao at the Soulcall Tower,” Li Wensi said.

”By the way, Brother Zhao, now that you have joined the Wuji Sect and have it as your backing, you could try to retrieve that Ink Fox. That kind of ferocious beast has good latent potential. If nurtured properly, it could even rival weaker Force Transformation realm experts,” Li Mengxi said.

That was an Ink Fox. Even he felt tempted by it. A ferocious beast with such strong latent potential and high intelligence was most suitable for cultivation, making it an ideal guardian. It was far more useful than ordinary guards.

”I cannot find it anymore. I sent it deep into the mountains back then. With that little fellow’s temperament, it has probably run off somewhere unknown by now. I only hope it is safe,” Lin Zheyu said helplessly.

Keeping Little Black by his side had been quite interesting and had brought him a lot of enjoyment. Unfortunately, now he could no longer find that little fellow.

”That is a pity,” Li Mengxi said regretfully.

”The martial cultivation exchange starts again tomorrow. Brother Zhao, you must do your best and give that bald monk a lesson,” Xiong Yonghao said with a chuckle. Watching that bald monk from the Western Regions defeat one talented martial artist after another in the arena made him feel extremely displeased.

”I do not have that kind of ability.” Lin Zheyu smiled, then added, ”But maintaining a draw should not be a problem.”

”A draw is enough. He is the challenger. A draw counts as his failure. He probably doesn’t want us to get the Great Strength Vajra Fist. Heh, we will get it just to show him,” Xiong Yonghao said with a chuckle.

”Speaking of that monk, I heard some news yesterday that is related to him,” Xu Zifan suddenly said.

The others looked over curiously. Even Li Mengqi, who had been quietly listening to everyone’s conversation, turned her gaze over with curiosity.

”I heard that this group of yao martial artists caused chaos at Wuji Manor to seize a treasure from the monk who came from the Western Regions. That treasure is rumored to have powerful effects that suppress the mind and preserve rationality. Yao martial artists are eroded by Baleful Yin force and must endure immense pain every moment. With the slightest misstep, they will fall into demonic corruption. This time, they came precisely for that treasure,” Xu Zifan said solemnly.

”There really is such a possibility. That day, I saw the Grandmaster realm expert from the Buddhist sect chasing a yao martial artist out of Wuji Manor. I wonder whether the yao martial artist managed to obtain it,” Lin Zheyu said.

He recalled the two figures that had suddenly appeared that day. One of them radiated brilliant golden light and carried an immense aura of compassion. That one should have been the expert from the Buddhist sect.

”I saw it too,” Xiong Yonghao said.

”In that case, this news is very likely true,” Xu Zifan said.

The group chatted casually until deep into the night.

The next day, the martial cultivation exchange proceeded as usual. Although many places had been damaged, with the strength of the Wuji Sect, it took only two days to restore Wuji Manor to its original state.

When Lin Zheyu arrived at the arena plaza, it was bustling with activity. Several destroyed arenas had already been rebuilt, and there was no sign that a terrifying battle had taken place here not long ago. In the shaded area beside the betting stalls, Elder Yang sat just as before, leisurely drinking his wine. Not the slightest aura emanated from him, making him seem like an ordinary person, completely different from how he had been when fighting the yao martial artist that day.

”Greetings, Elder Yang. Many thanks for the Nine Yang Rejuvenation Pill,” Lin Zheyu said as he walked over and cupped his hands in thanks.

”How is your recovery?” Elder Yang asked with a smile as he looked Lin Zheyu up and down.

”I have completely recovered, all thanks to the Nine Yang Rejuvenation Pill you gave me. Otherwise, I would probably have needed a long period of recuperation,” Lin Zheyu said.

After returning, he deliberately asked Li Mengxi about the Nine Yang Rejuvenation Pill and was shocked by its powerful effects. It was an extremely potent medicinal pill, rumored to revive the dead and regrow flesh and bones. Of course, that was clearly an exaggeration.

However, the medicinal effect of the Nine Yang Rejuvenation Pill was indeed astonishing. It was an extraordinary pill. Even someone who was gravely injured could be saved as long as they still had a single breath left after consuming it. At a Li Family auction, a Nine Yang Rejuvenation Pill had once been sold for the astonishing price of 3.8 million taels of silver. This showed just how much Elder Yang valued Lin Zheyu. Worried that Lin Zheyu might be left with hidden injuries, he had directly given him such an expensive pill.

”It is good that you are fine. I am getting old. To think that at such close range, I still failed to detect that hidden yao martial artist,” Elder Yang said with a sigh.

Lin Zheyu was very curious about Elder Yang’s age. With such terrifying strength, even at over a hundred years old or even two hundred, he should not appear this aged. Niu Qinghe was exactly like that. Although Niu Qinghe was old, his physique remained robust and imposing, his essence, qi, and spirit energy vigorous, and his face did not look nearly as aged as Elder Yang’s.

Elder Yang, on the other hand, looked very much like a decrepit old man nearing the end of his life. Although curious, Lin Zheyu did not find it appropriate to ask. He could only keep the question to himself and planned to inquire about it after joining the Wuji Sect in the future.

”The arena match is starting. Go up. With your lightness and movement techniques, you may not be able to win against Puxuan, but you still have a chance to force a draw,” Elder Yang said.

Lin Zheyu nodded, gave a salute, and left. With a light leap, he descended onto the arena like a feather, his movements exceptionally graceful. He glanced toward arena eight, not far away, and noticed that Gong Shengbin did not step onto the platform. He had not paid attention to the outcome of the previous match, but he remembered that the fight seemed unfinished before Wang Chen suddenly erupted. Since Gong Shengbin did not appear in the arena, he likely conceded directly. As for Puxuan, just like yesterday, he stood not far away with his palms pressed together, silently chanting scriptures.

”I am Zhao Hao, and I accept all challenges here!” Lin Zheyu declared loudly as he clasped his hands behind his back and swept his gaze across the arena. No momentum qi rose from his body, yet he carried an imposing presence that made others hesitate to meet his eyes.

”Brother Zhao is carrying himself more and more like a true expert,” Li Mengxi said with admiration.

”After this, I will go back and study lightness and movement techniques as well. I will try to earn a hundred-match undefeated title next year just for fun,” Xu Zifan smacked his lips as he said, seeing how spirited Lin Zheyu looked.

”Pfft. With your level of strength, you should forget it. Brother Zhao has more than just lightness and movement techniques, you know. His combat power is just as terrifying. He defeated Wild Man Luo head-on. And you? You were almost knocked off the arena by Wild Man Luo with a single punch.” Xiong Yonghao curled his lips and chuckled.

As the two bantered, Li Wensi suddenly said, ”Look quickly. That bald monk is going on stage again.”

She clenched her fists, raised them above her head, and loudly cheered for Lin Zheyu.

”Amitabha. This humble monk, Puxuan, issues a challenge to the benefactor.”

In the arena, Puxuan pressed his palms together and spoke slowly.

This was Lin Zheyu’s first time observing Puxuan from such close range. Puxuan did not possess the sharp and aggressive spiritual will seen in other martial artists who cultivated true intent. Instead, he gave off a sense of upright calmness and gentle compassion.

”Benefactor, please make your move,” Puxuan said calmly, as if he were speaking of something ordinary.

Lin Zheyu nodded and did not stand on ceremony. He was extremely interested in the Buddhist Sect Golden Body cultivated by Puxuan and wanted to personally experience just how powerful Puxuan’s physique was.

A thunderous rumble erupted. The Violet Thunder Breathing Method circulated, and a muffled thunderclap exploded within his chest. Lin Zheyu’s figure flickered and vanished from where he stood. When he reappeared, he was already in front of the monk. He unleashed a blood qi burst technique, and powerful blood qi surged through his arm, erupting with terrifying force.

Another thunderous boom rang out. His fist tore through the rushing wind and smashed toward Puxuan’s head. Puxuan neither dodged nor evaded and directly took Lin Zheyu’s full power strike.

A heavy collision echoed out, and cracking sounds rang from Lin Zheyu’s fist as bones collided. He felt as though he had struck an incomparably hard block of metal, his arm numbed slightly by the powerful rebound force. It was only because his current physique was strong enough that he was unharmed. Otherwise, with such terrifying recoil, several bones in his arm would have shattered.

So strong.

Lin Zheyu was utterly shocked.

Before he could marvel further, his expression changed slightly. He twisted his body and avoided the lightly drifting palm strike from Puxuan.

A soft sound rang out. The palm struck empty air, producing a faint sound.

”Hm?”

Puxuan let out a soft sound of surprise, clearly taken aback by Lin Zheyu’s lightness and movement techniques. He stood in place and continuously struck with his palms, each strike faster than the last, until countless palm afterimages appeared. Meanwhile, Lin Zheyu circled around Puxuan within a small area, constantly dodging and shifting to avoid the attacks.

After that exchange, he understood very clearly just how abnormal Puxuan’s physical body was. It was truly worthy of the name Vajra. He could not win in a frontal confrontation and could only delay for time and aim for a draw. As long as he held out for a quarter of an hour without losing, it would count as his victory.

”Mmh.”

Beneath the arena, Li Wensi let out a soft sound and clenched her small hands tightly in nervousness. The exchange between the two was unbelievably fast. With her level of martial cultivation, she could barely see their movements.

”What an absurdly terrifying movement technique,” Li Mengxi said, clicking his tongue in amazement.

Lin Zheyu was not using a chase and retreat evasion style, but a close-range dodging approach. If he circled the arena and burst out at full speed, he would indeed be faster than Puxuan at the start. However, in that situation, he would not be able to last long. Most of the blood qi energy in his body was sealed by the Ninefold Origin Lock Art, making it impossible for him to endure for a full quarter hour. Only by staying close and relying on exquisite movement techniques to evade could he minimize consumption. Even so, this approach was extremely dangerous. One careless mistake would result in immediate defeat.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Gales howled as Puxuan continuously struck out with his palms. A trace of surprise and solemnity appeared on his calm and upright expression.

This person’s movement techniques are truly formidable.

Puxuan was inwardly shocked.

He was not afraid of speed. He cultivated the Buddhist Sect Divine Foot Technique, which at its peak was comparable to divine abilities. He was also not afraid of raw strength. He possessed a Buddhist Sect Golden Body, reputed to be the greatest defense under heaven. However, movement techniques at this level were troublesome. Movement techniques were precisely what he was least skilled at.

After another palm strike missed, Puxuan thought to himself, I can only use that move.

He took a step back and drew a deep breath. Seeing this, Lin Zheyu was slightly surprised. His figure moved as he quickly widened the distance, guarding against Puxuan unleashing some powerful technique.

Lin Zheyu stood at the edge of the arena, watching Puxuan, unsure of what major move the opponent was preparing. He saw Puxuan continuously inhale as his chest rapidly expanded. Suddenly, Puxuan opened his mouth wide, and a terrifying sound shook the entire plaza.

”Ahhh!”

A massive roar burst forth as invisible sound waves rippled outward from Puxuan in all directions.

Those with weaker strength immediately felt dizzy, their minds buzzing as their vision darkened in an instant. The moment Puxuan opened his mouth, Lin Zheyu sensed danger and covered his ears at once. The powerful sound vibrations passed through his arms and struck his head, leaving him dazed for a single second before he recovered.

”I thought it would be much stronger, but turns out that’s all it was,” Lin Zheyu said as he let out a breath and lowered his arms from his ears.

Puxuan stopped where he stood, his eyes wide as he stared at Lin Zheyu in disbelief.

It actually had no effect!

Below the arena, Elder Yang could not help but laugh.

”Haha. This kid’s will is so resilient that even I am surprised. With your level of mastery in the Buddhist Sect Lion’s Roar, you can only cause him a slight disturbance at best,” Elder Yang said with a chuckle.

That night, Niu Qinghe had continuously increased the pressure of his true intent to a level that even he found surprising before he finally reached Lin Zheyu’s limit.

”Monk, are you coming again or not?” Lin Zheyu asked when he saw Puxuan staring at him without moving.

He had no intention of launching an attack on Puxuan. This fellow was thick-skinned and tough-bodied. Attacking him would be nothing but wasted effort and a drain on blood qi energy.

”Amitabha. Benefactor, please be careful,” Puxuan said as he pressed his palms together and recited a Buddhist invocation, once again returning to a calm and benevolent demeanor.

Seeing that the Buddhist Sect Lion’s Roar was ineffective, he stepped forward with his right foot and appeared beside Lin Zheyu in an instant, his palm striking toward his chest. Lin Zheyu’s lips curved slightly as his feet shifted, using the smallest possible movement to evade the attack.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Puxuan’s palms continued to strike out, each attack faster than the last. In an instant, fierce winds howled. He no longer stood still and occasionally charged forward, using his body to ram directly into Lin Zheyu. However, all of it was in vain.

Time slowly passed. The martial artists beneath the arena went from constant cries of astonishment to gradual numbness.

”Time is up. There is no winner in this match. Since the challenge was initiated by Monk Puxuan, Zhao Hao continues to maintain his undefeated record.” The referee’s voice rang out suddenly.

Lin Zheyu stopped moving and breathed heavily. This battle had consumed him greatly. If it had dragged on any longer, the blood qi in his body would have been completely exhausted.

”Thank you for your restraint!” Lin Zheyu said as he cupped his hands toward Puxuan.

”Benefactor, your movement techniques are remarkable. This humble monk admires you,” Puxuan said. His face showed fatigue, and his forehead was covered in sweat. The battle had taken a heavy toll on him as well.