Chapter 17: Making Friends Through Drawings

Hundreds of miles away, a flash of golden light suddenly ignited, and in the next moment, Zhao Zhen’s figure abruptly appeared.

“Over the years, I’ve continuously refined the way I channel the life energy for the Golden Escape Streamlight, greatly reducing the true qi consumed each time I activate it. Coupled with the steady growth of my cultivation now, using the Golden Escape Streamlight only consumes less than a tenth of my true qi per use.”

After standing there for a moment, pondering if there was any further improvement to be made in how he activated the Golden Escape Streamlight, Zhao Zhen immediately set off in the direction opposite to Yinghe Tower.

Although several hundred miles is a considerable distance, for someone like him it was nothing special. However, lingering too long might invite pursuit by those adept at tracking, like Wen Lianggong.

Out of caution, the safest course was not to stay in one place too long.

Several days later, in Jiangxin Town.

When Zhao Zhen slowly opened his eyes from the bed in the inn, the sun was already high in the sky.

He reached to touch the Golden Light Ground-Sealing Talismans at his waist, which he had replenished with newly gathered materials over the past two days, and only then did he regain a sense of security.

After the last incident at Yinghe Tower with Yuan Jingui causing such a commotion, his secret master lineage, which he had concealed for so many years, was inevitably exposed to the public.

As for why Zhao Zhen had managed to travel for so many years without revealing himself, the reason was simple.

Not everyone’s perception was as keen and seasoned as that of the great immortal Zuo Ruotong of Daying. Besides, Zhao Zhen rarely displayed the Golden Escape Streamlight technique directly in front of others, mostly relying on pure cultivation techniques in his contests.

It should be understood that, based solely on his cultivation, Zhao Zhen could hold his own for a long time even against Lu Jin, who had activated the third layer of Rebirth.

Moreover, even if some venerable sect elders recognized him, Zhao Zhen was not a full disciple of the sect, and naturally, those elders would not speak recklessly.

In short, through a series of coincidences, these past five years had been a period of relative peace for Zhao Zhen.

But things would be different now. The appearance of Wugensheng, the full disciple sect leader of Yinghe Tower, was bound to cause a sensation throughout the world of the supernatural.

After all, the unruly full disciples had not had a recognized leader for a long time.

Unfortunately for Zhao Zhen, he happened to be there, and news involving anyone connected to this event would quickly spread throughout the supernatural realm.

Thus, by associating with Wugensheng, Zhao Zhen had unwittingly made quite a name for himself this time.

“Ah, what a hassle. I only planned to head north to attend the Lu family’s birthday banquet. Who would have thought that just passing by Yinghe Tower would lead to such trouble?

I played a move on Wugensheng earlier, but if he really holds a grudge against me, can I even attend the Lu family banquet now?”

Sitting on the bed, Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment, ultimately deciding to proceed with his original plan to attend the Lu family banquet.

Firstly, the banquet was personally extended by Lu Jin, and having promised, it would be improper to back out.

Though he had traveled extensively these years, Zhao Zhen had maintained correspondence with Lu Jin. The invitation to the banquet had been delivered by a messenger on Lu Jin’s behalf.

Regarding his own status, if Lu Jin did not care, then why should he?

Secondly, Zhao Zhen wanted to take this chance to witness the future “One Man” — Zhang Zhiwei.

As for why he wouldn’t go directly to Longhu Mountain, the answer was simple: fear.

After all, his identity as a disciple of the Golden Light Elder was known, and from what he had seen in the comics, the current Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing apparently had a major grudge against his own father.

Moreover, Zhao Zhen had always engaged in friendly duels when visiting sects. If he went to the Celestial Master’s mansion, even if the Celestial Master would not harm him, what if Zhang Zhiwei was sent to spar with him? Wouldn’t he be utterly destroyed?

The Celestial Master might disdain to bother with a junior like Zhao Zhen, but Zhao Zhen had every reason to suspect that young Zhang Zhiwei, in his youth, would not hold back when trying to please his master—likely enhancing his strength secretly.

What would he do then?

Fight?

Don’t be ridiculous.

Lu Jin, who could be knocked out with a single slap, would surely end him in the same way.

Balanced matches or those with close levels are truly beneficial, but knowing the vast difference in strength, that’s not sparring—that’s just seeking trouble!

What good is getting knocked out with one slap? Just a sigh about how strong that person’s hand is?

If anyone thinks being knocked out by Zhang Zhiwei is an honor, that person truly values money and wealth equally…

As for why Zhao Zhen didn’t imitate Zhang Zhiwei last time when sparring with Lu Jin to leave a deeper impression, do you think Zhao Zhen didn’t want to? He simply couldn’t!

Feigning a strike to the upper elixir field sounds easy, but to do so without harming Lu Jin, while also just enough to disrupt his third-layer Rebirth state, is far more difficult than one might imagine.

Only absolute overwhelming strength, like an adult fighting a baby, could accomplish this.

Clearly, Zhao Zhen, who was evenly matched with Lu Jin, could not manage it.

The only option left was to run, and Zhao Zhen, skilled in the Golden Escape Streamlight, was confident in this.

If he truly wanted to flee, even if Zhang Zhiwei ran until his legs gave out, he wouldn’t catch even a thread of Zhao Zhen’s robe.

So, the question arises: if he knew he could only run against Zhang Zhiwei, why bother going to the Celestial Master’s mansion to invite trouble?

Therefore, “frying fish” is entertaining to watch on live streams when others get “fried,” but when you become the “fish” yourself, it’s a different feeling altogether.

This Lu family banquet was a perfect opportunity. Given the Lu family’s prestige in the supernatural realm, many would attend to celebrate the Lu patriarch’s birthday. There was no reason for Zhao Zhen not to go.

Besides, he could witness Lu Jin being “fried” by Zhang Zhiwei firsthand—why not enjoy that?

“Go! I’ll bet Wugensheng won’t dare show his face at such a gathering of powerful figures!”

With that thought, Zhao Zhen packed his belongings and left the inn, heading toward the Lu family estate.

Not long after Zhao Zhen departed, two men entered the inn together.

“Xiao Gu, are you sure that guy went this way?”

“Yes, based on the information I gleaned from the inner scene, it should be this direction.”

“Judging by this direction, that guy is probably planning to attend the Lu family banquet~”

“Leader, although that guy did play a trick on you earlier at Yinghe Tower, there’s no need to be so petty, right? Besides, even if he’s a disciple of the elder, he’s not one of our full disciples. Under those circumstances, there’s no reason for him to interfere on your behalf.”

“Xiao Gu, do you really think I’m that narrow-minded?”

“Honestly, yes.”

“…Don’t worry, I’m not going after that guy for revenge.”

“Then what was the purpose of dragging me through these mountain roads for several days straight?”

“Hahaha, naturally, it’s to make friends with that guy~”