Chapter 188: Chapter 143: Humiliation

Chu Lingguang, Lin Longde, Yan Chengdu, Chen Jin, and the others were all on the same boat.

On the boat, everyone tried to reassure Chu Lingguang.

Chu Lingguang had fearlessly stood up to Eunuch Liu, whose Combat Power was simply overwhelming. He had been willing to renounce wealth and status and directly oppose the man, all for the sake of his sect. Whether this was foolish or simply naive, everyone on the boat admired him for it.

They were all rivals, destined to cross swords in the upcoming Martial Arts Examination. But one day, if they passed and became officials in the Court, they would much rather associate with an honorable person like Chu Lingguang. At the very least, they wouldn’t have to worry about being betrayed by him.

“I heard from my father that when Eunuch Liu’s Soft and Flexible Technique is cultivated to its peak, it allows one to achieve True Qi Transformation. Even if that palm strike of his just now didn’t quite reach that level, I’d say it was close. Chu Lingguang, weren’t you tempted in the slightest?”

Emperor Yue Xuan asked.

Chu Lingguang didn’t answer immediately. After a moment of thought, he said, “I still haven’t even mastered my master’s Flying Leaf Lotus Spear. What does it matter how powerful the Soft and Flexible Technique is? I wouldn’t be able to learn it even if it was handed to me.”

“I can’t tell if you’re being foolish or clever.”

Emperor Yue Xuan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Yue, I saw your father fawning over Eunuch Liu. It looks like he’s desperate for you to become the eunuch’s disciple. Are you tempted?”

Qi Shiwei, who was standing at the bow holding his Fangtian Halberd, turned and asked.

“Tempted? Of course I’m tempted.” Emperor Yue Xuan nodded openly. He made no pretense, but faced his feelings head-on and looked at the others. “True Qi Transformation… the very pinnacle of Martial Arts. Who wouldn’t want that? Don’t you?”

Everyone fell silent.

Yan Chengdu came from a family with a rich tradition of Martial Arts, and his own Ultimate Killing Saber Technique was ferocious and unstoppable. But the thought of reaching the realm of True Qi Transformation made his heart stir. ’Maybe if I become Eunuch Liu’s disciple and learn his Soft and Flexible Technique, I could surpass everyone in my generation.’ His ambition wasn’t simply to defeat Chu Lingguang; he dreamed of learning that technique so he could contend with the greatest young talents in the world.

The Yan Family was a powerful Noble Family.

Both Yan Zhen and Yan Chengdu had grand ambitions. As brilliant as Chu Lingguang was, he wasn’t their ultimate goal; he was merely a rival they had to overcome along the way.

“Yue is right.”

Chen Jin nodded.

“My master once said that on the path of Martial Arts, only after opening your Dantian Qi Sea and shifting your cultivation from Outer Strength to Inner Strength have you truly entered the Martial Arts Hall. Eunuch Liu’s Inner Strength has reached the pinnacle. If you could learn his Soft and Flexible Technique, I’m afraid you could sail right through the Imperial Examination, perhaps even participate in the Palace Examination and receive a personal appointment from the emperor himself.”

Lin Longde added.

“So you want to learn it too, Lin?”

Gao Yimu asked.

“I do. How could I not? But at the same time, I can’t.”

Lin Longde admitted openly.

He looked around at the group. “My master, Bao Zhenhai, is a retired Military General. His Life-taking Linked Spear is his ultimate killing move. Even if I were to master this Spear Technique, I fear I still wouldn’t be able to withstand a single palm strike from Eunuch Liu. But… should I abandon it just because it’s not as good?” he asked, his tone suddenly shifting.

The words struck everyone like a bolt of lightning.

“The path of Martial Arts is vast and endless. True Qi Transformation might seem unattainable to us, but for someone like Eunuch Liu, it’s likely well within reach. Chu Lingguang is right—how can you covet other Martial Arts when you haven’t even mastered your own? Furthermore, our bond with our sect is a profound one. How can we cast it aside so lightly? I imagine that even Eunuch Liu has no respect for someone who would easily betray their master. He’s so determined to have Chu as his disciple; perhaps he values not only Chu’s talent, but also his character,” Lin Longde added.

He and Chu Lingguang had been rivals at the Martial Arts Examination in South City. After losing, he had come to the academy with Chu Lingguang under Feng Junyi, where they ended up in the same faction. And while a part of him still wanted to test his skills against Chu, seeing him so readily refuse Eunuch Liu’s offer—renouncing wealth, status, and a divine technique—filled Lin Longde not only with admiration, but also with a sincere desire to befriend him.

He was deeply moved, and in that moment, he felt a sense of clarity, a sudden enlightenment. He realized that as incredible as the Soft and Flexible Technique was, it wasn’t what truly mattered.

“Lin is right.”

“You shouldn’t give up on your chosen technique so easily. When my Yan Family’s Ultimate Killing Saber Technique is cultivated to its peak, a single strike can unleash Saber Qi over thirty feet long. It’s not necessarily inferior to Eunuch Liu’s Soft and Flexible Technique.”

Yan Chengdu nodded in profound agreement.

“The Court places great importance on the Martial Arts Examination. For martial artists like us, as long as we can distinguish ourselves in each examination, we’ll have endless opportunities to cultivate supreme Inner Strength techniques in the future. We’re still too inexperienced now. Our Outer Strength hasn’t even been perfected. Even if we were given the Soft and Flexible Technique, we would likely just suffer cultivation deviation. What you’ve all said today has been a true awakening for me. Thank you.”

Chen Jin bowed deeply to Chu Lingguang, Lin Longde, and Yan Chengdu.

“You’re being too formal, Chen.”

The three of them replied.

“From now on, if anyone dares to say there are no heroes in South City, I, Old Gao, will be the first to tear them apart.”

Gao Yimu cupped his fists in salute to Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde. When he turned to Yan Chengdu, he gave him a serious nod as well.

“You three have truly opened our eyes this past month. I must admit, I am humbled. Especially you, Chu Lingguang. I hope that one day, when we are both officials in the Court, we can continue to spar with each other and also fight side-by-side.”

Qi Shiwei added earnestly.

These Noble Family Disciples had broad horizons and were, in fact, quite reasonable. They were nothing like the arrogant, domineering bullies that rumors made them out to be.

They not only recognized the boundless potential in Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde, but were also inspired by their character and actions.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep