Chapter 28: A Rematch with Lu Jin

The next morning.

Lanterns hanging from the eaves of the Lu family estate flickered out one by one as the twilight faded. The morning breeze from Sanchuan Emerald Lake carried a faint fragrance, rustling the locust trees beside the plaza.

In the clearing within the woods, the heads of the various sects who had arrived for the birthday banquet the previous day were already gathered with their disciples. Before everyone had even fully assembled, some restless young talents had already begun to showcase their unique techniques.

"Respected seniors, Elder Lu, I am Liu Qing of the Quanzhen Sect. I offer this humble display."

After bowing to the seniors and Elder Lu at the head table, Liu Qing flicked his wide sleeves, and a visible mist of true energy rose around him. He pressed his fingers together like a blade, slicing through the air, and seven copper coins suspended themselves in the formation of the Big Dipper, drawing nods of approval from the elders in the audience.

"Not bad. I’ve long heard that the Quanzhen Sect’s method of cultivating both essence and life is the pinnacle of tempering both the mind and the physical body. Seeing it now, it truly lives up to its reputation."

"To have such true energy on the verge of manifesting into substance at such a young age—this Quanzhen internal alchemy method is truly remarkable."

Seeing the elders showering Liu Qing with praise, a young man dressed in red with two small braided buns on his head suddenly leaped into the clearing.

"Feng Ping, you little brat, what are you doing up there?"

The moment he saw the youth jump in, the sect master of the Fire Virtue Sect stood up from his seat with a start.

"Master, didn't you always say we should humbly seek guidance when we meet masters of the craft? Brother Liu of the Quanzhen Sect is clearly a master. I’m just following your teachings!" the youth replied with a grin.

"You little rascal, have you lost your mind..."

The sect master was about to rush up to give Feng Ping a thrashing, but a friend playfully held him back.

"Oh, come now, Brother Chu. The boy just wants to play; why are you getting so worked up? Come, come, let's go watch from the side."

...

Nearby, Zhao Zhen, who was standing with Lu Jin, was naturally regarded by these "wild men" who rarely left their mountain retreats as the "Know-it-All" of the supernatural world, thanks to his extensive travels.

"That brother's name is Feng Ping, the most talented of the younger generation of the Fire Virtue Sect. Despite his youth, his master—that man currently losing his temper, the Fire Virtue Sect Master—made an exception to allow him to infuse his natal flame into the Sacred Fire. Not only is his fire manipulation technique masterfully refined, but at his age, he can already manifest golden flame. As for his personality, he’s quite straightforward, with no hidden agendas. He’s actually a pretty good guy to be around."

"Judging by your tone, Zhao, it seems you are quite familiar with Brother Feng?" Lu Jin couldn't help but ask.

"I suppose. I visited the Fire Virtue Sect last year and had a spar with him."

"And the result?"

"I won by luck."

"Luck?"

Hearing this, Lu Jin gave Zhao Zhen a meaningful look. While they were speaking, Feng Ping had already been defeated by Liu Qing.

It was no surprise to Zhao Zhen that Feng Ping lost so quickly; after all, today was a big day for the Lu family, and Feng Ping’s more destructive methods were not suitable for this occasion. But if a Fire Virtue Sect disciple couldn't use fire and relied solely on physical techniques, how could they possibly rival a Quanzhen practitioner who cultivated both essence and life? In short, the guy was just there to join in the excitement.

"Alright, Brother Zhao, we’ve watched long enough. It’s my turn to go up. I’ll go ahead and wait for you?"

"Very well."

Zhao Zhen nodded. As he watched Lu Jin head to the stage, he couldn't help but cast a glance at Zhang Zhiwei, who was sitting in the shade of a tree to keep cool.

*So, you're testing this "great monk," are you? Master, oh Master, you really do know how to tease the young ones...*

Seeming to sense Zhao Zhen’s gaze, Zhang Zhiwei turned his head and smiled at him. The message in that smile was clear: *Be sure to let me witness your Golden Escape Flowing Light later.*

Zhao Zhen could only return the smile, while internally calculating how to deal with Zhang Zhiwei when the time came.

A moment later, after Lu Jin defeated Liu Qing of the Quanzhen Sect, he didn't even bother to rest, immediately fixing his eyes on Zhao Zhen with excitement.

"Brother Zhao, it’s our turn."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present turned their gazes toward Zhao Zhen at the back of the crowd.

"Heh, this is going to be interesting. I heard this Zhao Zhen defeated Lu Jin once five years ago. Is Lu Jin here to settle the score?"

"Who do you think will win?"

"Hard to say. You saw Young Master Lu’s 'Triple Inversion' just now—the guy went toe-to-toe with the Quanzhen practitioner and didn't lose an inch!"

"You can't say that for sure. I’ve sparred with Zhao Zhen myself; his cultivation of essence and life is every bit as good as that Brother Liu from Quanzhen."

...

Listening to the chatter, Lu Ci couldn't help but frown.

"What's wrong, brother? Still thinking about yesterday?" Lu Ren asked with a smile.

"Don't worry, brother. Since I gave you my word, I certainly won't go looking for trouble with Zhao Zhen again."

"Hahaha, I know your temper, brother. But tell me, since you've sparred with both Zhao Zhen and Young Master Lu, who do you think will win?"

"Zhao Zhen," Lu Ci replied without hesitation.

"You're that sure?" A flash of surprise appeared in Lu Ren's eyes.

"Facts are facts. I won't judge Zhao Zhen's character, but when it comes to ability, Lu Jin is no match for him!"

Recalling how his "Wishful Force" had been inexplicably neutralized by Zhao Zhen the day before, Lu Ci couldn't help but feel a tinge of wariness as he looked at Zhao Zhen.

Meanwhile, on the field, Zhao Zhen, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, slowly walked through the people to stand before Lu Jin and smiled slightly.

"Brother Lu, I am here."

"Good! Brother Zhao, please, enlighten me!"

Lu Jin didn't waste any time and immediately activated his "Triple Inversion."

"Whoa, going straight to Triple Inversion? Young Master Lu is really being cautious. He didn't even do that when fighting Brother Liu earlier."

"After all, he lost once five years ago. Challenging him again now, his mindset is naturally quite different."

...

Ignoring the surrounding murmurs, Lu Jin chose to take the initiative against Zhao Zhen, just as he had five years ago.

Zhao Zhen stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering gently in the morning breeze. He watched Lu Jin, who was enveloped in a white jade-like halo, with a faint, enigmatic smile.

Lu Jin tapped his toes on the ground, kicking up dust as he surged forward like an arrow released from a bow. A gust of wind from his palm, carrying the force of a dragon and tiger, swept past Zhao Zhen’s temple, but the moment it touched his hair, it missed—Zhao Zhen’s waist arched back with the flexibility of a willow branch, his toe hooking onto Lu Jin’s ankle.

Lu Jin felt the world spin, his entire body sent flying horizontally by this clever application of force.

"Five years, and Brother Lu’s Inversion has become even more refined."

Zhao Zhen spun with a laugh, his wide sleeves brushing past Lu Jin’s neck like flowing clouds. The seemingly soft sweep knocked Lu Jin back three stumbling steps.

*This guy... he’s become far stronger than he was five years ago.*

Lu Jin steadied himself, his eyes filled with gravity as he looked at Zhao Zhen.

Before Lu Jin could catch his breath, Zhao Zhen vanished from where he stood, appearing behind Lu Jin in the next instant.

"Golden Escape Flowing Light again? Don't think I’ll fall for the same trick twice!"

Lu Jin growled inwardly. Prepared, he suddenly flipped and unleashed a back-fist to repel Zhao Zhen, then seized the opportunity to press the attack, his fists transforming into a sky full of afterimages as he assaulted Zhao Zhen.

Facing Lu Jin’s fierce offensive, Zhao Zhen wove through the attacks like a butterfly among flowers, occasionally flicking his fingers against his opponent’s wrist pulse, forcing Lu Jin to change his moves mid-stream.

"Brother Lu, look at yourself."

At Zhao Zhen’s reminder, Lu Jin suddenly realized that a talisman had been stuck to his shoulder at some point!

The next instant, Lu Jin was horrified to find that the primordial energy surging within him had suddenly stagnated, as if something was blocking his meridians.

"The flaw is in your middle elixir field," Zhao Zhen whispered close to his ear. Before Lu Jin could channel his energy to break the restraint, Zhao Zhen’s index finger had already pressed against his chest through his clothing.

Ripples spread across his jade-like skin, and Lu Jin grunted, stumbling backward. His "Triple Inversion" state was shaken so violently by that single finger that it nearly collapsed.

Watching from the sidelines, Zuo Ruotong didn't get angry; instead, he chuckled inwardly: *Heh, that was a Meridian-Sealing Talisman, wasn't it? Blocking the meridians with a talisman to disrupt Jin'er’s focus, and then taking the opportunity to strike the acupoint and break the Triple Inversion. It seems that in all these years of traveling, Zhao Zhen hasn't just learned new skills—he’s already seen through the essence of this Triple Inversion from their last spar. Jin'er’s loss in this match is well-deserved...*