The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

Walking on the path to the Purple Forest Pavilion, Zhang Xuanji apologized to Qing Yu with a full face of regret, "Fellow Daoist Xuan Du, please forgive me for the laughter. My nephew Qu Zhen has always been well protected by his uncle, rarely venturing out from the Sect, not to mention I'm not well-acquainted with him, hence..."

Zhang Xuanji secluded himself in the deep mountains to study the Alchemy Dao, his only contact with Shenxiao Dao being the occasional communication. It was normal for him not to be close to Qu Zhen.

Qing Yu could tell that Qu Zhen looked down on Zhang Xuanji. The older teenager might not realize the notorious reputation of his seemingly ordinary uncle.

'However, with a mentality like Qu Zhen's, how did he advance to the Divine Origin?' Qing Yu found it somewhat incomprehensible.

Such a naive and paranoid greenhouse flower had advanced to Divine Origin, truly an oddity. Many who struggled in the Innate Realm couldn't achieve what this childish fellow had accomplished.

If this were spoken aloud, who knows how many jaws would drop.

'Wait, it might not be impossible...' Qing Yu thought of a possibility.

The Divine Origin Realm was a stage where one's personal beliefs and perspectives were integrated to shape an individual's Martial Arts. It still depended on whether the person's will was resolute and could persevere to the end.

Martial Arts were enigmatic yet simple, ultimately a representation of life's beliefs and goals.

Like Shi Guanyin, whom Qing Yu had once defeated, she was also a prodigy, but her mentality was somewhat distorted. Her narcissism was unpreceded.

Yet, it was precisely this somewhat ridiculous narcissism that Shi Guanyin upheld as her sole life's persistence, shaping her Martial Arts.

If narcissism was acceptable, then Qu Zhen's mentality could also be possible.

Thinking this, Qing Yu silently mourned for Zhengtian Taoist. Qu Zhen's mentality was probably beyond saving. His beliefs were likely at a point of no return.

Shi Guanyin in the original work perished from Deviation after witnessing her beauty crack. Qu Zhen's future might not fare much better.

Perhaps after a certain defeat, he might completely waste away. And that day should not be far off.

Qu Zhen, the older teenager who had always viewed the world from within Shenxiao Dao, was very likely to face a harsh beating from worldly society. Hopefully, he could recover to normal after such beating.

"Daoist, there's no need for apologies; I do not mind your nephew's actions," Qing Yu said indifferently.

A destined failure spiraling toward an endless abyss—Qing Yu truly didn't bother to care.

"Daoist is magnanimous," praised Zhang Xuanji.

'No, you are the magnanimous one,' Qing Yu thought silently.

Only those experienced in worldly society like Zhang Xuanji, who weathered many storms, could tolerate being ridiculed by such a greenhouse flower. Were it a younger person, they might have taught him a lesson on the spot.

Moreover, Zhang Xuanji had to maintain an appearance of indifference despite the annoyance in his heart; it was indeed difficult for him.

However, when the day came for Qu Zhen to fall into the abyss, he would probably laugh his teeth off. The more he suffered now, the more refreshing it would be then.

While they were conversing, they arrived at the Purple Forest Pavilion.

After the two sat down, Zhang Xuanji initiated, "Just now, due to our sparring, why don't we have a debate now, until the Debating Conference begins?"

"Please," invited Qing Yu with a gesture.

"The Cutting and Investigating Five Thunders Skill, with Dao as the essence and the skill as the application. Cultivated internally, it eradicates Ghosts, reconciles mysteries, and clusters the Five Elements..."

...

Outside the courtyard of Luo Fu Palace, a middle-aged Daoist robed in a garment patterned with clouds and wind transmitted his voice, "Palace Lord Hua, Zhang Yuanchang from Dragon Tiger Mountain requests an audience."

The gate opened quietly, and a hoarse voice came from within, "Enter."

Upon hearing the voice, Zhang Yuanchang stepped into the courtyard.

He felt as though he had entered a different world. Although the outer world was lush and verdant, here, all he saw were dead leaves fluttering, and beyond the disciples of Luo Fu Palace, there was only a dead silence.

A gentle breeze brushed Zhang Yuanchang's body, causing an irresistible shudder.

The body that was unaffected by heat or cold naturally wouldn't feel the chill; what caused Zhang Yuanchang to tremble was the sense of danger in his heart.

In the breeze, there was a faint scent of killing intent pervading the air. Though weak, it gave one a sense of crisis like facing a natural predator.

The doors of the main hall facing the gate opened silently. Hua Yufei, gaunt of face, sat inside, his hands lightly resting on the White Jade Sword on his lap, and without lifting his head said, "What brings you here on Zhang Yuanchu's orders?"

Zhang Yuanchang concealed the fear in his heart, entered the main hall and bowed, "Young Heavenly Master commanded I deliver a gift to Palace Lord Hua."

"Oh? A gift?" Hua Yufei sneered, "What kind of gift could Zhang Yuanchu possibly have for me? It's surprising enough that he isn't coveting my Luo Fu Palace."

The upcoming Debating Conference was essentially a banquet for hunting prey, and Luo Fu Palace was that prey. As for the subsequent discussions about dealing with the Demon Path, they didn't really offer any benefits and weren't highly valued.

Of course, since they were in Ji Province, neglecting to counter the Demon Path would be inexcusable. Moreover, the newly appointed Taoist needed a victory to cement his position.

Anyway, no matter how it was phrased, none of it was actually beneficial to Luo Fu Palace; rather, there were a number of people eyeing it with predatory intent.

Despite Hua Yufei's mockery, Zhang Yuanchang remained unmoved, showing not a ripple of emotion. He retrieved a delicate little jade box from his sleeve and spoke, "Young Heavenly Master has specially instructed me to present Palace Lord Hua with two Dragon Tiger Golden Pills, in case the Palace Lord suffers heavy injuries in the upcoming decisive battles, and to prevent opportunists from taking advantage."

"Dragon Tiger Golden Pills..."

Hua Yufei finally lifted his head, beckoning with a gesture. The jade box flew into his hand. He opened it gently, and a surge of Dan Qi, brimming with vitality, dispersed the omnipresent killing intent around. Two round golden pills lay quietly within the jade box.

"Quite a generous gesture," Hua Yufei hummed lightly.

A single Dragon Tiger Golden Pill was enough to save a life at the Divinity Realm and restore one to their prime, including their True Qi.

"Does Dragon Tiger Mountain wish to use me as a pawn?" Hua Yufei closed the jade box, his voice cold.

At the Debating Conference, it would be unthinkable to allow consecutive battles. After defeating True Master Tianyang, Hua Yufei would get at least one day to rest and heal.

This one day was more than enough to restore True Qi and minor injuries. However, if someone sustained severe injuries, they wouldn't recover within a day.

Dragon Tiger Mountain did not wish for Hua Yufei to sustain serious injuries and for Shenxiao Dao to gain an advantage.

"Palace Lord Hua may choose not to accept, and surrender your Sect's position to Shenxiao Dao," Zhang Yuanchang replied calmly.

A pawn indeed—that's exactly what you are seen as.

Dragon Tiger Mountain made no attempt to hide their intentions.

And Hua Yufei could only accept it. Why else would he risk his life to cultivate the 'Yuchen Tribulation Opening Sword Scripture'? It was all for Luo Fu Palace.

So even though he knew he was being used as a pawn, Hua Yufei could only accept the two Dragon Tiger Golden Pills.