Chapter 62: Don't Go! Don't Fall for It!

Chapter 62: Don't Go! Don't Fall for It!

Ji Jingqiu stood before the deity he had been worshipping for nearly a decade.

Although he no longer believed in the divine, he still went through the motions, lighting incense with reverence.

No questions asked, he had once been a believer.

In truth, he had always doubted the existence of this particular deity.

Within the Federation, deities did exist, but most were fabrications, created by con artists to deceive the masses.

For instance, the majority of shrines in the lower levels were established by gangs to manipulate their followers, with the deity's name serving as a mere symbol to solidify their faith.

In this era, for a deity to come into being and persist, it required the long-term devotion of a vast number of believers.

Whether it be "vast" or "long-term," it implied that it wasn't something that could be achieved by just any ragtag group.

The most direct question was, what value could their deity bring to the believers? Why did the believers choose to worship their deity instead of others?

As for the deity before him, in over a decade, Ji Jingqiu had never heard of any divine manifestations, and the number of worshippers was meager.

Even if it were real, it should have faded away long ago.

After offering incense, Ji Jingqiu heard Zhuang Grandpa's call from outside, and his enthusiasm surged as he quickly stepped out of the inner room.

"Jingqiu, I heard you've already broken through the second limit of the Celestial Human. It's a perfect opportunity to have your senior brother, Xiao, control his power at the same level and spar with you."

Zhuang Fusheng patted Xiao Shanhe's shoulder, and the latter instantly felt his blood and qi locked in place, his body's strength and agility limited to the second limit of the Celestial Human.

Xiao Shanhe took a step forward, clasped his hands together, and smiled warmly, saying, "Junior Brother Ji, let's have a friendly spar, focusing on harmony."

Ji Jingqiu returned the gesture, saying, "Senior Brother Xiao, please. However, my overall physical qualities are slightly higher than those at the same level, so you can be more liberal with your movements."

"Alright." Xiao Shanhe nodded seriously, thinking to himself that this wasn't something he could control...

The two exchanged a fist bump as a sign of respect and stepped back a few paces, ready to begin.

Xiao Shanhe didn't take the initiative to attack but instead assumed a 'Questioning Rites' stance, waiting in place.

Ji Jingqiu didn't understand these intricacies, but it didn't stop him from taking the initiative.

As Ji Jingqiu approached, his body and spirit resembled a fierce tiger descending the mountain. Xiao Shanhe's eyes flashed, and he immediately recognized the combat technique as the Divine Tiger Technique from the Dragon Tiger Dojo.

The Dragon Tiger Dojo ranked among the top five in the Federation's various dojos, and the Divine Tiger Technique was one of its signature moves.

But how proficient could Ji Jingqiu be after only a short time of learning martial arts? Xiao Shanhe was about to find out.

As soon as they engaged, their forces canceled each other out, but Ji Jingqiu didn't retreat; instead, he pressed forward. It seemed reckless, but his momentum was fierce and relentless, aiming straight for the center. He was determined to settle the score with Xiao Shanhe in a single move.

Amidst the fierce sound of breaking wind, Ji Jingqiu sidestepped, raised his shoulder, and thrust his elbow forward, delivering a vicious and relentless elbow strike that instantly reached Xiao Shanhe's chest.

This was the Iron Mountain Shoulder, a common technique in various combat styles.

Xiao Shanhe took only a single step back, sidestepping to evade the vicious strike. His arm moved like a whip, and his whip-like strike shot out like an arrow, aiming at an awkward angle towards Ji Jingqiu's neck.

Ji Jingqiu raised his hand to block the whip, and his arm instantly felt a burning sensation.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged over a dozen moves.

Xiao Shanhe's faint smile had vanished from his face without anyone noticing.

This physical quality was indeed beyond the second limit; it was not just slightly above it.

This guy had only broken through the second limit?

Moreover, Ji Jingqiu had been using the foundation of the Divine Tiger Technique throughout the fight, so Xiao Shanhe could only respond with an equivalent combat technique.

After all, he was a few years older, and even if his physical qualities were limited to the same level as Ji Jingqiu, he still held an absolute advantage in terms of experience and combat expertise, which was something he couldn't restrain himself from utilizing.

If he had to rely on advanced combat techniques to defeat Ji Jingqiu, wouldn't it mean that he was inferior at the same stage? Now that Ji Jingqiu's physical qualities exceeded the conventional second limit, it was a more equitable contest.

Xiao Shanhe started to take the fight more seriously.

On the sidelines, Zhuang Fusheng was all smiles, guiding Ji Jingqiu on how to counter Xiao Shanhe's moves, adapting to each attack.

As the fight continued, Xiao Shanhe's expression gradually turned solemn, and he felt the struggle intensifying.

Zhuang Fusheng's guidance wasn't the issue; breaking through basic combat techniques was never difficult. Ji Jingqiu was merely at a disadvantage due to his lack of experience.

But his learning ability and the speed at which he could adapt and utilize techniques were genuinely surprising.

Moreover, Ji Jingqiu's grasp of the Divine Tiger Technique and basic combat skills seemed as if he had been immersed in them for many years, not like a novice at all.

Had he really been practicing martial arts for less than two months?

Excluding the time spent on cultivating qi, opening the Heavenly Gate, and breaking through the second limit...

How much time did he have left to master basic combat techniques to this extent? Xiao Shanhe finally realized.

The youth before him was a martial arts genius, at least on par with him in terms of talent.

This realization made him genuinely excited, and his fighting spirit blazed.

His emotions were quickly conveyed to Ji Jingqiu through their exchange of blows.

Communicating through fists was the best way for martial artists to connect.

Ji Jingqiu also found this spar exhilarating.

The Xiao brother before him demonstrated strength and speed that were a notch below his own, but his combat prowess still surpassed him.

This was the difference between martial arts expertise and experience. Like a towering building, every exchange with Xiao Shanhe brought Ji Jingqiu a sense of surprise, revealing new possibilities and countermeasures in combat techniques.

This was an experience he had never felt with his senior brother, greatly expanding his horizons.

In comparison, his senior brother leaned more towards craftsmanship, while Xiao Shanhe was more agile and adaptable.

Gradually, Ji Jingqiu's mind entered a peculiar state where the surrounding environment couldn't distract him, and his focus narrowed solely to Xiao Shanhe as his opponent.

After several hundred exchanges, Zhuang Fusheng called for a halt:

"Let's stop here for today; if we continue, you two might end up shattering these flagstones..."

The two slowly separated.

Xiao Shanhe quietly exhaled, relieved.

If they continued fighting, not only would he struggle to maintain the upper hand, but even keeping the balance would be challenging.

His pride in his vision and experience was about to be matched by Ji Jingqiu in the realm of basic combat techniques.

The latter was like a sponge, rapidly absorbing his martial arts experience, and was about to reach the same level as him in basic combat techniques.

When that time came, combined with Ji Jingqiu's superior physique, Xiao Shanhe knew he would be at a disadvantage.

Xiao Shanhe sighed inwardly, hoping that this young man wouldn't become his rival.

Otherwise, with just his natural talent for never losing, and his close relationship with Master Zhuang, it wasn't a matter of winning or losing; it was about not even having a chance to compete...

He clasped his fists respectfully and said sincerely, "Junior Brother, your talent is no less than mine. I look forward to hearing about your achievements in the Central Region in the future!"

Ji Jingqiu returned the gesture and thanked him, "Thank you, Xiao Ge, for your guidance!"

"That's enough. These two young ones haven't even entered the realm of martial arts, yet they're learning all these complicated rules and rituals." Zhuang Fusheng scoffed, "Jingqiu, what's your limit-breaking technique?"

"I practice the Sharpening Breakthrough Technique and study the Eternal Blade Technique," Ji Jingqiu replied.

"I heard that you're studying the Eternal Blade Technique? That's the most profound and challenging technique among the Sharpening Breakthrough Techniques," Xiao Shanhe couldn't help but exclaim.

However, Xiao Shanhe soon understood.

After all, it wasn't surprising for a genius with the same level of talent as him to study the Eternal Blade Technique.

Zhuang Fusheng glanced at Ji Wumian and asked, "Jingqiu, who chose this technique for you?"

"It was Yang Shi, my teacher at the martial arts academy," Ji Jingqiu replied, his expression becoming serious at the mention of Yang Shi. "I received a lot of guidance from him, and he took good care of me."

Zhuang Fusheng nodded and instructed, "Remember, for those who are skilled and willing to teach you, you should show them extra respect."

Ji Jingqiu nodded in agreement.

"As it happens, Grandfather Zhuang has a unique combat technique that complements the Eternal Blade Technique perfectly. I'll send you the details later, but remember to delete it after reading."

Unexpectedly, this visit to an empty-nester elder had an additional benefit.

This feeling made Ji Jingqiu feel like he had returned to his previous life, where he would occasionally visit his grandparents and always receive some pocket money, ten or twenty yuan.

He happily accepted it, considering it a return gift for the egg cake.

...

...

On the way home, Ji Jingqiu browsed the combat technique that Grandfather Zhuang had sent him. With the aid of the Wisdom Light, he surprisingly couldn't understand it at all. He asked, "Concealment in the Wild, Great Concealment in the City. Is Grandfather Zhuang a hidden martial arts master living in the city?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because I couldn't understand this combat technique at all."

Hearing Ji Jingqiu's logical reasoning, which implied that the technique must be an extraordinary legacy since he couldn't understand it, Ji Wumian couldn't help but wonder whose confidence this child had inherited. It could only have come from him.

"Jingqiu," Ji Wumian suddenly called out.

"Yes?"

"After some time, you and I, as grandfather and grandson, will have a good talk. There are some matters I need to discuss with you."

"Can't you tell me now?"

"No, I need to prepare myself emotionally first," Ji Wumian said solemnly.

Ji Jingqiu looked at him suspiciously, having lived with him for over a decade. He became more convinced that this old man was hiding something from him.

'Living together' meant that they could only see each other in the morning and evening, and not during the day.

"However, I can give you some life advice first."

Stroking his beard, Ji Wumian said, "For example, when you travel in the Federation, be kind to others. In a fight, hold back a bit to avoid killing someone with a single punch and creating a deadly feud."

"You should make many friends. As a futureless martial arts genius, many people will want to befriend you. Don't be arrogant because of your talent.

Of course, you also don't need to compromise yourself to make friends.

A man can lose anything, but he must never lose his brotherhood and sense of loyalty!"

...

Yan Lu quickly walked past an alley, and her gaze suddenly froze. She saw the boy recommended to her by Zhang Zhongba.

In the fading light, an old man and a child, seemingly a grandfather and grandson, were walking home together in harmony. This scene touched Yan Lu, making her miss her family.

As she walked past them, she heard the old man educating the boy, "Hold back a bit to avoid killing someone with a single punch..."

This unique and distinctive style of education made Yan Lu smile.

However, as she continued walking, she suddenly stopped, sensing something unusual.

In that brief moment when she passed by the boy, she seemed to detect a hint of profound energy from him.

This energy was something only martial artists who had opened the Gate of Celestial Human could possess.

But she clearly remembered that the last time she saw him, he hadn't even opened his pulse. In such a short time, had he already broken through his limits? She turned to look back in the direction they had come from, wanting to confirm, but the grandfather and grandson had turned a corner, and their figures disappeared from her sight.

After a brief hesitation, she decided not to dwell on it.

She had more important matters to attend to.

The reason she had come to this planet wasn't just because of Zhang Zhongba's invitation; it was also because the proud martial arts master who had disappeared a hundred years ago was hiding here!

She wanted to find him among millions of people and then tell him—

Someone was constantly releasing false information to lure him out!

Don't go! You must not go! Absolutely do not act on impulse!

Those people will do anything to draw you out! If you go, you'll be in danger!

Wait for five more years, just five more years, and everything will change!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end