Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Zhou Jinglei had mixed feelings when he saw Chen Mu.
If Chen Mu were to find out that he had secretly treated him as an opponent, he would probably feel disdain, right?
But he really wanted to try…
He wanted to see if he could surpass this person.
Suppressing the palpitations in his heart, Zhou Jinglei went forward with a smile, “Brother Chen, what brings you here to this bamboo forest today?”
Chen Mu went straight to the point.
“It’s like this. After cultivating for half a month, I feel like I’ve benefited greatly, but I’m feeling troubled as there’s no one exchanging pointers with me…”
“In the entire Azure Yang Sect, only Brother Zhou is familiar with me, so I specially came to look for Brother Zhou!”
Zhou Jinglei’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
He actually wanted to spar with Chen Mu and see if Chen Mu’s talent was really that heaven-defying.
Therefore, Chen Mu’s words were exactly what he wanted.
Since both of them had such thoughts, they naturally hit it off.
“Brother Chen, it just so happens that I also wish to practice my skills too.”
After saying that, Zhou Jinglei looked towards the bamboo forest that was meant for cultivating spells. However, on second thought, he felt that something was amiss.
Chen Mu’s aptitude was a secret, and it was easy to encounter others in the cultivation field…
At this thought, he said, “Let’s find a place with no one around.”
“Alright!”
…
A moment later, the two of them arrived at the empty space in the bamboo forest.
There was no one around. It was a good place to spar.
The two of them had a tacit understanding, neither revealing their cultivation levels.
After cupping their hands together, the battle began.
Chen Mu suppressed his cultivation level to the second-stage Qi Refinement Realm. This way, he could ensure that he would not win immediately. He could only extract more attributes if the battle dragged on.
Zhou Jinglei’s also showed his cultivation level at the second-stage Qi Refinement Realm.
The two of them fought just like in the entrance examination, only using their fists and legs.
[Cultivation Power+1]
[Cultivation Power+1]
[Earth Spiritual Root+1]
[Extraordinary Physical Strength+1]
…
Chen Mu felt very comfortable listening to the Little Assistant’s reminder in his mind.
The sensitivity of the five senses of the fourth-stage of Qi Refinement was far superior to that of the second-stage.
In his eyes, Zhou Jinglei’s movements were extremely slow.
Fighting with Zhou Jinglei was like fighting with an adult or a primary school student. If he wanted to, he just needed to unleash his full strength and he would be able to defeat Zhou Jinglei.
…
Zhou Jinglei’s expression was grave.
He could feel Chen Mu’s ease in this battle.
Obviously, Chen Mu had concealed his cultivation level.
At this moment, he no longer doubted Chen Mu’s heaven-defying talent.
If not for this, how could he have reached the third-stage of Qi Refinement at least within half a month?
Impossible!
Although he had also concealed his cultivation level, without the help of the jade pendant, it would be very difficult for him to reach the third-stage of Qi Refinement within half a month.
From this, it could be seen that Chen Mu was indeed more talented than a spirit physique.
“Should I give it a try?” Zhou Jinglei felt conflicted.
He wanted to give it his all and fight, but he was afraid that if he fought Chen Mu to a standstill, he would arouse his opponent’s suspicion.
After all, he was only a spirit physique and his cultivation environment was ordinary. There was no reason for him to fight to this extent.
Just as he was hesitating, he noticed Chen Mu’s satisfied expression like he was going all out.
This warmed his heart.
Chen Mu was suppressing his cultivation level and pretending to be doing his best.
He was obviously afraid of hurting his pride.
At this moment, he recalled how he had been ambushed by the monster on the Immortal Seeking Path and had fainted.
Not only did Chen Mu not touch anything of his, he even placed him in the cave and left him a letter.
After entering the sect, he brought the First Elder to welcome him at the mountain gate.
The details showed his character.
Treating people with sincerity?
This was how one treated others with sincerity!
“This person is a gentleman. For me to be so restricted like this, it seems like I’m trying to measure the heart of a gentleman with pettiness.”
With that thought in mind, Zhou Jinglei no longer concealed his thoughts and reminded, “Brother Chen! I’m going all out!”
As soon as he finished speaking, his speed suddenly increased!
[Earth Spiritual Root+1]
[Cultivation Power+2]
…
Chen Mu was rather surprised when he saw this.
“Third-stage Qi Refinement Realm? It should be the effect of the Earth Spirit Physique.”
“Spirit physiques are indeed powerful!”
He did not continue thinking about it. He wanted nothing more than for Zhou Jinglei to become stronger.
After raising his cultivation level to the third-stage of Qi Refinement, the two of them were still evenly matched.
Chen Mu kept extracting attributes through the Little Assistant. Before long, he obtained four more earth spiritual roots.
Including what he had obtained in the Entrance Competition, he had already accumulated eight earth spiritual roots.
…
Seeing that Chen Mu was still able to handle it with ease, Zhou Jinglei’s heart sank.
Chen Mu was stronger than he had imagined!
Could he be at the fourth-stage of Qi Refinement?
But how was it possible in just half a month?
Just as he had this thought, he pushed it back.
If he could figure it out, would that still be a heaven-defying talent?
“Amazing! Too amazing! But I won’t admit defeat so easily!”
Zhou Jinglei let out a low growl before taking two steps back!
At the same time, a dark-yellow spiritual energy shield appeared in front of him.
The dark-yellow spiritual energy shield rippled and gave people a very heavy feeling.
“Brother Chen! If you can break my Earth Spirit Shield today, I’ll admit defeat!”
“This is the basic spiritual technique of the earth spiritual root, Earth Spirit Shield!”
Chen Mu’s eyes lit up. Without another word, he threw a punch forward!
Boom!
With a muffled sound, the Earth Spirit Shield trembled slightly but showed no signs of breaking.
[Earth Spiritual Root+1]
[Earth Spirit Shield+1]
[Cultivation Power+1]
…
“This Earth Spirit Shield’s defense is indeed strong!” Chen Mu praised inwardly.
He had used all his strength in that punch just now, yet he was still unable to shake the Earth Spirit Shield.
“Be careful, Brother Zhou! I’m going to use my spiritual technique too!”
After reminding him, Chen Mu pointed his finger and a flame instantly struck the Earth Spirit Shield.
Sparks flew as the Earth Spirit Shield dimmed slightly.
[Earth Spiritual Root+1]
Finally, he obtained ten earth spiritual roots.
Chen Mu let go completely of his reservation and began to devote himself fully to this sparring match.
He tapped his ten fingers together, and several fireballs struck the Earth Spirit Shield.
After that, the earth spiritual root attribute no longer dropped. Instead, only cultivation power and the Earth Spirit Shield were still being stored.
As time passed, Zhou Jinglei’s perseverance was astounding. Even after blocking more than twenty fireballs, he did not take a single step back.
Looking at the young man’s determined face, Chen Mu was moved.
This Zhou Jinglei was someone worth befriending.
He had a firm personality and a good character.
He did not forget to remind himself when he used his full strength.
Since they wanted to develop a closer relationship, they could not be bound by spirit stones.
Forget it, he would not use those three spirit stones to humiliate the other party.
He would think of ways to give him some benefits in the future instead.
With these thoughts in mind, Chen Mu continued to shoot fire bullets.
It was only when he shot out fifty to sixty fireballs and the spiritual energy in his body was almost depleted that Zhou Jinglei finally could not take it anymore and fell to the ground.
Chen Mu heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that.
That was close!
He almost lost!
However, the Earth Spirit Shield was indeed powerful. The Earth Spirit Shield at the third-stage of Qi Refinement could defend against fireballs at the fourth-stage of Qi Refinement.
If Zhou Jinglei were to cultivate the Divine Earth Technique and evolve the Earth Spirit Shield into a Mystic Spirit Thick Earth Shield, then even if his cultivation level was slightly higher than Zhou Jinglei’s, he might not be able to break through Zhou Jinglei’s defense.
…
Walking over to Zhou Jinglei, Chen Mu reached out and pulled him up.
“Brother Zhou, thank you for letting me win. It feels great to spar with you!”
Zhou Jinglei stood up with difficulty and said with a smile, “Brother Chen, you are indeed powerful. Looks like I have to work harder!”
After speaking, the two of them smiled at each other, feeling a sense of mutual appreciation.