Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

Outside Wuling City, within the dense mountain forest, two young men strolled as if out for a casual walk. The one on the left bore an imposing presence, his fighting spirit surging so powerfully that it radiated from head to toe, making others scarcely dare to meet his gaze. The one on the right was refined and graceful, carrying an air of cultured elegance.

”Brother Xiao, what interesting matter have you discovered to make you reveal such an expression?” Jii Weicheng asked with a smile.

”Brother Jii, do you still remember Lin Zheyu of Azure Tide Pavilion? Yesterday, he issued a challenge to me through the Hidden Dragon Tokens,” Xiao Shi said with a faint smile. ”I just checked his information. He has already risen to rank fifty-three on the Hidden Dragon List. His talent is truly astonishing.”

Xiao Shi offered this evaluation calmly. Facing Lin Zheyu’s challenge, he felt no pressure at all, as though a talented junior had simply come forward to test himself. What he felt was more curiosity than concern. The gap in strength between rank fifty-three and rank thirty on the Hidden Dragon List was enormous. Xiao Shi had great confidence in his own power and did not believe that Lin Zheyu, who had joined Azure Tide Pavilion just over a year ago, could defeat him.

”Indeed, it is interesting. His talent is truly remarkable. Judging by his appearance, he is likely under fifty. To reach rank fifty-three on the Hidden Dragon List after joining Azure Tide Pavilion for only about a year, such talent truly invites admiration,” Jii Weicheng said with a smile.

Although he spoke of admiration, there was no trace of envy in his eyes. Jii Weicheng came from the Confucian Sect and followed the path of Confucian martial cultivation, cultivating Righteous Vast true intent. His temperament and moral cultivation were exceptionally refined. The practice of the Confucian Sect differed greatly from that of other sects. Confucian martial cultivation leaned more toward the traditional martial path, focusing solely on cultivating Righteous Vast true intent and placing greater emphasis on one’s character.

Some even followed the traditional martial cultivation path directly. They first cultivated self-discipline and character. Reading history made one wise, reading poetry made one refined, mathematics made one meticulous, science made one profound, ethics made one solemn, and the study of logic and rhetoric made one eloquent. After forming a firm martial cultivation conviction, they would then condense Righteous Vast true intent.

Although Jii Weicheng had cultivated Righteous Vast true intent through a true intent diagram, he had already advanced far along the path of martial cultivation conviction. He was not far from fully condensing that conviction. Otherwise, no matter how fortunate he was, he would not have been able to ascend to the first position on the Hidden Dragon List.

”After slaying a few more demon puppets, I will head back. I have just accepted Lin Zheyu’s challenge. I shall return and meet this newly risen genius. Brother Jii, would you like to come back and watch the match?” Xiao Shi said with a smile.

”I would be delighted. At the previous banquet, I did not have the chance to speak with him in depth. This time will be perfect for a proper discussion,” Jii Weicheng replied. As he finished speaking, his expression shifted slightly, and his figure flickered, vanishing from where he stood in an instant.

With a sharp sound, a slender sword suddenly appeared in Jii Weicheng’s hand. A cold gleam flashed through the air, and the roar of a demon puppet erupted abruptly.

***

On the morning of the third day, Lin Zheyu and his group arrived at the Wuling City branch of the War God Sect. Xiao Shi’s response came swiftly. Not long after Huang Youwei delivered the challenge letter, a reply arrived that very afternoon.

”Do you think Martial Uncle can succeed in this challenge? That’s Xiao Shi, a terrifying genius ranked in the top thirty of the Hidden Dragon List,” Xu Kai’en whispered from behind Lin Zheyu.

Besides Huang Youwei, Xu Kai’en, and Wei Dongguang, inner sect disciples such as Bo Yi and Gu Qing had also come along. When they heard Xu Kai’en speak, their expressions remained calm, yet they subtly pricked up their ears, clearly interested in the topic. Bo Yi, in particular, even slowed his pace slightly to walk alongside Huang Youwei and the others. Only Gu Qing, the silent one, seemed not to have heard anything and quietly followed behind Lin Zheyu.

”Of course he can! So what if it’s Xiao Shi? I once heard my grandfather comment on Martial Uncle Lin, saying his talent is monstrous and that he has the qualifications to enter the top ten of the Hidden Dragon List. A mere Xiao Shi is nothing to worry about.”

Huang Youwei chuckled. As Huang Baizhong’s grandson, he often heard various bits of insider news.

”The Pavilion Master truly evaluated him that way? If that is the case, then Martial Uncle has a high chance of succeeding in this challenge,” Wei Dongguang said.

”Having the qualifications only represents potential. Martial Uncle’s talent is indeed strong, but he has only joined the Wuji Sect for just over a year and has not fully matured yet. Defeating Xiao Shi will be difficult,” Bo Yi could not help but say.

When Lin Zheyu had first arrived, Bo Yi had regarded him as an imagined rival. He had not expected that Lin Zheyu would become a true disciple and thus his martial uncle. After a year, he greatly admired Lin Zheyu and sincerely acknowledged that his talent far surpassed his own. Even so, he still did not believe Lin Zheyu could defeat Xiao Shi.

Xiao Shi was also something of a legendary figure in Wuling City. Rising from humble origins, he advanced rapidly after joining the War God Sect and became an idol admired by many. Bo Yi likewise held deep respect for Xiao Shi.

”Are you asking for a beating?” Huang Youwei glared at Bo Yi and said, ”When Yue Chengzhi challenged Martial Uncle Lin, didn’t you all think he would lose? And what happened in the end? Heh, didn’t Yue Chengzhi end up defeated by Martial Uncle and become his stepping stone?”

Huang Youwei laughed. He was practically turning into Lin Zheyu’s biggest admirer, unquestionably his number one fan.

Lin Zheyu paid no attention to the discussions behind him. Along the way, he had been pondering the three repositories of essence, qi, and spirit. He felt the matter held great potential. After advancing to the Force Transformation realm, he could attempt to see whether he could open the legendary three great repositories. It was said that these repositories were extremely mysterious, and if opened, one’s strength would undergo a world-shaking transformation.

***

The War God Sect’s Wuling City branch was not far from Azure Tide Pavilion. Before long, Lin Zheyu and his group arrived. After announcing their arrival, they proceeded directly to the martial arena under the watchful eyes of the War God Sect disciples. Xiao Shi had already been waiting for some time. The entire arena was packed tightly with spectators. Upon hearing that the newly risen genius of Azure Tide Pavilion from the Wuji Sect had challenged Xiao Shi of the War God Sect, disciples rushed over, setting aside their tasks. Such a thrilling clash between geniuses could not be missed.

”He’s here! Lin Zheyu of the Wuji Sect is here! Make way!” Someone shouted, and the War God Sect disciples waiting outside the arena quickly parted to open a path.

Following behind Lin Zheyu, Huang Youwei walked with his head held high beneath the gazes of the War God Sect disciples, looking exceedingly spirited. The other disciples were the same, all standing tall with fighting spirit surging. Outside their sect, they represented the face of the Wuji Sect. Even if they were to lose this battle, they could not lose momentum.

”I am Lin Zheyu. Greetings, Brother Xiao and Brother Jii.” Seeing Jii Weicheng present did not surprise Lin Zheyu in the slightest.

Jii Weicheng and Xiao Shi had a good relationship, something Lin Zheyu had noticed at the banquet hosted by Jii Weicheng previously. As the most outstanding geniuses of Wuling City, the two shared a solid friendship.

”Haha, it has only been a few months, and your strength has improved so greatly. Such talent is truly remarkable,” said Jii Weicheng with a laugh.

”Brother Jii, you flatter me. I have only made a small amount of progress,” Lin Zheyu replied modestly.

”Young Master Lin, you’re too modest. This is Brother Xiao’s home ground. I will not disturb your sparring.” Jii Weicheng smiled and stepped back, gesturing for them to begin.

”You are quite good.” Xiao Shi assessed Lin Zheyu with the tone of a senior acknowledging a promising junior. He was an extremely proud man. For him to say such words was already a form of recognition.

”You as well.” Lin Zheyu smiled. He cupped his fists and said, ”I am Lin Zheyu. I have come to challenge you, Brother Xiao. Please grant me your guidance.”

”Very well. Then you must be careful,” Xiao Shi said calmly.

He stepped forward slowly to the center of the arena. The momentum of both men surged wildly. A terrifying pressure of true intent spread outward. When the two powerful true intents collided, they unleashed fearsome shockwaves. Even this simple clash of true intent sent ripples that caused weaker martial artists to clench their fists, veins bulging along their arms.

”What terrifying true intent. I heard Lin Zheyu has comprehended true intent for less than two years, yet he has cultivated it to such a frightening level. It is simply unimaginable.” Some War God Sect disciples were extremely shocked.

They all knew something about this newly risen genius of the Wuji Sect. More than a year ago, at Heavenly Blade Peak, he had comprehended Dominance true intent. That was his first true intent. In less than two years since comprehending it, he had cultivated its strength to such a degree. It was astonishing.

”Hehe...”

Hearing the exclamations of the War God Sect disciples, Huang Youwei’s lips curled upward in pride, as if sharing in the glory.

”The strength of your true intent is quite good, but if that is all, it is not enough to defeat me,” Xiao Shi said calmly.

”Is that so? What about this?” Lin Zheyu smiled faintly. The instant his words fell, he vanished from where he stood.

In an instant, multiple overlapping afterimages appeared across the arena. Lin Zheyu moved with extreme speed, arriving before Xiao Shi in the blink of an eye. A powerful gale howled as the Great Strength Vajra Fist erupted. Potent true intent coiled around him as he seemed to transform into a wrathful Vajra, his momentum imposing. His terrifying fist crashed down toward Xiao Shi’s face.

Bang!

Xiao Shi stepped back slightly with his left foot, evading Lin Zheyu’s powerful strike with the simplest motion. At the same time, his right leg lashed out. In that brief instant, his formidable battle awareness had already detected a flaw revealed by Lin Zheyu.