Chapter 13: Defeating Lu Jin in One Move

As soon as these words were spoken, all the disciples of the Trinity Sect frowned in unison.

“One move? This kid is way too arrogant, isn’t he?”

“Although Junior Brother Lu hasn't yet mastered the second stage of Rebirth—where severed limbs can be regrown—even with just the first stage, ordinary injuries can be easily healed. Thinking you can defeat Lu Junior Brother with a single move is just wishful thinking!”

“I actually want to see what exactly gives this kid the confidence to be so reckless.”

...

Lu Jin paid no mind to the murmurs of his fellow brothers behind him, but a spark of excitement flickered in his eyes.

They say you only truly understand someone after fighting them; from this brief exchange, he could roughly tell that Zhao Zhen was not rash or reckless by nature.

If Zhao Zhen dared to say such things, it meant he must have some hidden tricks up his sleeve.

With this thought, the fighting spirit in Lu Jin’s eyes grew stronger.

“Very well, I want to see if I can actually withstand the next move from Brother Zhao!”

With that, Lu Jin took his stance, his gaze fixed intently on every move Zhao Zhen made.

Zhao Zhen said nothing but slowly produced an aged talisman from his robes.

“A talisman? I didn’t expect Zhao Zhen to be skilled in the way of talismans!”

“This is a bit extraordinary, isn’t it? His life cultivation is already so formidable, and he’s also adept in talisman arts. Just how great must his talent be?”

“Strange... Before I joined, I studied talisman arts for a time and am familiar with almost every type in the spirit world, but this talisman...”

...

Unlike the confusion on the faces of the other disciples, Left Elder Zuo Ruotong on the steps grew increasingly solemn upon seeing the talisman.

Zhao Zhen held the golden light talisman between his two fingers and smiled faintly toward Lu Jin in the distance.

“Brother Lu, be careful.”

Lu Jin did not reply; he silently fixed his gaze on Zhao Zhen and watched his movements with utmost caution.

As Zhao Zhen channeled his true energy, the golden light talisman in his fingers immediately transformed into a dazzling beam of golden light!

The next instant, before Lu Jin could even react, a dagger suddenly appeared at his neck.

“Brother Lu, you’ve lost...”

The entire plaza fell deathly silent as Zhao Zhen abruptly appeared behind Lu Jin.

All the disciples of the Trinity Sect stared dumbfounded at Zhao Zhen standing in the center, even Li Muxuan was no exception.

Lu Jin glanced down at the dagger at his throat and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“I admit defeat.”

He knew very well that if Zhao Zhen had not held back just now, in a life-or-death fight, Zhao Zhen could have easily severed his head.

Though the third stage of Rebirth could heal severe injuries, even those who had reached the second stage within the sect—aside from Elder Zuo Ruotong—would not dare claim they could regrow a severed head.

The senior brothers and uncles who had reached the second stage couldn’t do it, so naturally, Lu Jin couldn’t either. He had no choice but to accept defeat wholeheartedly.

Upon hearing Lu Jin’s concession, Zhao Zhen slowly withdrew the dagger from his neck and cupped his fists toward him.

“Brother Lu, thank you for the match.”

“Not at all. Brother Zhao’s skill far surpasses mine; I admit defeat without reservation.

But there is still one thing I don’t understand—how exactly did you manage to suddenly appear behind me just now?”

Clap, clap, clap—

Just as Lu Jin finished speaking, someone began to applaud slowly from in front of the two.

Zhao Zhen looked up to see Elder Zuo Ruotong approaching with a smile, clapping his hands.

“Wonderful, truly wonderful. Jin’er, now you should understand what it means that there are always people stronger than oneself, and that the heavens always have something beyond the heavens.”

“Master, I understand.”

Lu Jin lowered his head somewhat ashamed and cupped his fists.

“You’ve risen quickly in your Rebirth cultivation these years, surpassing most of your senior brothers in just a few short years. Whether you admit it or not, some pride must have taken root in your heart.

I was wondering how to enlighten you, but now someone has taken it upon themselves to teach you a lesson for me.”

“Elder Zuo, you flatter me. I was just lucky to catch Brother Lu off guard.”

“There is no such thing as luck in victory or defeat. You all knew Zhao Zhen’s background, but because his master belongs to the Quanxing Sect, you did not take him seriously.

Such arrogance inevitably leads to defeat.”

With that, Elder Zuo’s gaze swept over every Trinity Sect disciple present.

“Zhao Zhen, if I am not mistaken, that last move you used was the Golden Escape Flow, the secret technique of the Golden Light Master, wasn’t it?”

“Precisely,” Zhao Zhen nodded.

“I’ve heard the Golden Escape Flow is extremely difficult to master, even more so than my third stage Rebirth cultivation. But once mastered, one can traverse hundreds of miles in an instant. Seeing it today, the reputation is well deserved.”

“Hundreds of miles?!!”

Lu Jin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

What does hundreds of miles mean? Even if he ran his hardest, it would take a full day and night, yet this Golden Escape Flow could cover that distance in a blink!

---

Thinking back to that moment, Lu Jin’s mind raced.

So that’s how it was...

“Elder Zuo, you’re too kind. It’s just some auxiliary survival techniques, nothing impressive.”

“Survival techniques can sometimes kill as well. Jin’er, you should understand this better than anyone.”

“Yes, Master...” Lu Jin nodded awkwardly. He didn’t know why, but he felt his master was deliberately giving him a hard time today...

Seeing that all traces of arrogance had vanished from Lu Jin’s eyes after this series of setbacks, Elder Zuo nodded in satisfaction.

“Zhao Zhen, cultivation is difficult. Your methods alone are enough to astonish the entire spirit world. Before you leave, I hope you will remember the two laws I have given you.”

“Elder Zuo, rest assured, I will keep them in mind.”

Elder Zuo nodded, his eyes filled with admiration for Zhao Zhen.

To win without arrogance—such character and talent. If Zhao Zhen did not already have a master, and if his master were not from the Quanxing Sect, Elder Zuo would sincerely want to recruit him.

“Good. As long as you do not commit any crimes, the gates of the Trinity Sect will always be open to you.”

“Thank you, Elder Zuo.”

Zhao Zhen cupped his fists and turned his gaze to Lu Jin.

“Brother Lu, though I won today, it was only because you were unfamiliar with my techniques.

If there is another chance, shall we spar again?”

“Agreed! It’s a promise!”

Lu Jin nodded, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

“A promise,” Zhao Zhen smiled slightly, then cupped his fists toward the gathered Trinity disciples.

“Well then, I shall take my leave.”

“Hmm, Jin’er, go see them off.”

“Yes, Master.”