Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The people were stunned for a moment by Fang Lin’s straightforward announcement. Lu Jiuhe’s gaze shifted ever so slightly for a moment. It was apparent that he was rather surprised by Fang Lin’s reaction.
Kang Lu did not ponder anymore because he was eager to vent his pent up rage on Fang Lin that had been accumulated over many days. At once, he walked to a spacious spot in the center of the courtyard, grinning ferociously while telling Fang Lin, “Junior Brother Disciple Fang, come over.”
Fang Lin smiled as he walked to the front of Kang Lu casually while Lu Jiuhe and the rest stood nearby.
“It’s just a spar between a senior brother disciple and a junior brother disciple. We shan’t go any further than necessary so that we don’t harm our harmonious relationship, do you understand?” Lu Jiuhe addressed.
Fang Lin nodded and said, “Duly noted.”
On the other hand, Kang Lu sniggered as he looked at Fang Lin as if he was staring at his prey. He said, “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you, Junior Brother Disciple Fang.” Despite his words, he was not planning to show any mercy at all.
“In that case, both of you may begin,” said Lu Jiuhe.
Kang Lu had been waiting for this announcement since earlier. Before Lu Jiuhe’s voice faded away, he was just about to charge toward Fang Lin.
All of a sudden, Fang Lin called out, “Hold on!”
Kang Lu’s movement paused instantaneously. “Are you scared witless? Are you going to retreat out of cowardice?” he said with a furious expression
Frowning, Lu Jiuhe said in an unpleasant tone, “Junior Brother Disciple Fang, what are you trying to do?”
Fang Lin disregarded Kang Lu’s reaction but looked toward Lu Jiuhe and said, “Is it okay for you to show us the magnificent Century Lingzhi first, Senior Brother Disciple Lu? It won’t be too late for me to begin sparring with Senior Brother Disciple Lu after that.”
Lu Jiuhe thought to himself, ‘It’s alright for you to take a look actually since you won’t be able to get it anyway.’
At once, he spoke, “Since you requested, I’ll show it to you.”
Instantly, Lu Jiuhe procured a milky white Lingzhi from his Nine Palaces Pouch. It was the size of an adult brain and it emitted a peculiar scent into the air. Besides Fang Lin, Kang Lu and the rest had their eyes fixed upon the Century Lingzhi. Their gazes were shimmering with yearning.
Fang Lin scrutinized the Century Lingzhi and noted that dark lines were already starting to grow out of the Lingzhi. To him, the Lingzhi had been growing for at least five centuries and would cost slightly higher than an ordinary Century Lingzhi. He concluded that it was considered an extremely rare medicinal herb.
Lu Jiuhe felt smug and proud of himself when he realized that the disciples were yearning for the Century Lingzhi in his hand. He announced, “I plucked this Century Lingzhi from a cave in the deep valley when I went for an expedition. I was almost swallowed by a giant python that guarded the Lingzhi.”
Most of the medicinal herbs that took centuries to grow would be guarded by demons that had evolved into spiritual beasts. These demons guarded the medicinal herbs just so they could swallow them in one gulp upon maturity. This was done to increase their lifespan and elevate their realms.
Alchemists would frequently embark on a journey to gather more heavenly and earthly treasures that would be used to refine elixirs. Naturally, it was inevitable that these alchemists would come into contact with these demons. Numerous alchemists were sacrificed in the jaws of these demons during these expeditions.
Lu Jiuhe described the incident briefly, but in reality, he had been very lucky when he found the Century Lingzhi. Coincidentally, the giant python that guarded the Century Lingzhi had gotten injured when it fought against other ferocious beasts, thus it was weakened from the process. As a result, Lu Jiuhe managed to escape safely. Otherwise, it was utterly impossible for an alchemist of Lu Jiuhe’s standard to acquire the Century Lingzhi.
Lu Jiuhe had only brandished the Century Lingzhi for a moment before he stored it back into the pouch. He seemed to be afraid that someone would snatch it if it was left out for too long.
“How is it, Junior Brother Disciple Fang? Now that you’ve seen the Century Lingzhi, can we begin now?” Kang Lu asked Fang Lin, impatient from the wait.
Fang Lin took a glance at Kang Lu in disdain before making an inviting gesture at Kang Lu for him to begin. “In that case, please guide me, Senior Brother Disciple Kang Lu.”
Kang Lu almost cursed out loud. However, he was also sneering wildly in his heart. Oh, Fang Lin, you’re so self-conceited. Don’t blame me for being merciless.
With a loud roar, he charged toward Fang Lin rapidly akin to an arrow that was shot out. His enormous fist was raised high into the air, aimed straight at Fang Lin’s face. Albeit being an alchemy sect disciple, Kang Lu’s posture was exceedingly swift and violent due to his pent-up rage.
Nevertheless, Fang Lin did not budge at all as if he had not seen Kang Lu at all. In fact, the corners of his lips even curled into a faint smile. Kang Lu became especially agitated when he realized that Fang Lin did not bother to dodge or avoid. In fact, Fang Lin was even chuckling loudly.
Just as Kang Lu’s fist was about to pound his face, Fang Lin suddenly moved. He shifted his body to the right with a gentle but agile movement. Kang Lu missed the punch due to that mild shift. His center of gravity shifted such that he stumbled forward by a few steps, trying to catch his balance. His face flushed scarlet.
“I’d like to see how long you can keep up this dodging move!” Kang Lu shouted once again as he pounced forward like a ferocious tiger.
Still calm, Fang Lin’s stance was especially steady and agile. He managed to dodge aside just as Kang Lu was about to hit him.
After a few failed attempts, Kang Lu was exhausted. Sweat drenched his forehead and his breathing was erratic. On the contrary, Fang Lin stood tall without variation in his expression or pallor. He just looked at Kang Lu quietly.
Lu Jiuhe’s expression changed at last. He wanted to warn Kang Lu, but it would be obvious if he were to speak out and warn him aloud. As a result, he could only suppress his impulse.
Kang Lu did not expect Fang Lin to be so agile. Despite launching attacks at Fang Lin for such a long time, he did not even manage to touch the hem of his clothing. On the contrary, he was exhausted.
“Fang Lin, are you only capable of dodging?” he challenged. He felt as if the rage suppressed in his heart was about to explode.
Fang Lin pursed his lips and said, “I’m afraid that I might injure you if I make a move.”
Upon listening, Kang Lu suddenly pushed himself off the ground with his legs as if he was gravely insulted. His inner strength suddenly burst out from between his legs as he charged to the front of Fang Lin in an instant.
Kang Lu was almost losing his mind from being triggered by Fang Lin. He had some slight reservations originally, but his inner strength was completely unleashed when he heard Fang Lin’s insolence. He did not want to show any mercy at all.
Fang Lin’s eyes glowed brightly. At the very moment that Kang Lu was about to throw his punch, he shifted and dodged Kang Lu’s punch. Soon afterward, he delivered a ferocious punch to Kang Lu’s core.
Kang Lu gave out a muffled grunt at once. The intense pain coursing through his body made him halt for a moment. The core was the shattering point for one’s inner strength. Furthermore, Fang Lin’s punch was especially cruel and merciless. With just a single punch, he had broken Kang Lu’s inner strength by force.
In addition, the core was an extremely fragile and soft spot of the human body. The power of the punch was transmitted into Kang Lu’s body, making him turn ghastly pale at once.
Pow, pow, pow!
Fang Lin delivered one punch after another and pounded Kang Lu’s body continuously like he was a fairy maiden scattering flowers from heaven. Kang Lu’s face took the most blows.
Fang Lin’s realm was no weaker than Kang Lu’s. On the other hand, he was a hundred times more experienced in sparring. Kang Lu’s fancy-looking martial arts move was simply a joke to him.
Kang Lu was bewildered. He could not understand why he was rendered completely useless to the extent that he did not even have the strength to counterattack anymore.
In the nearby distance, Lu Jiuhe and the rest were stunned. ‘What’s going on? This is utterly beyond what we expected!’
Lu Jiuhe was the most astounded of all. Because his vision was slightly better than the rest, he could tell that Fang Lin was always the person in control of the rhythm all this time. While Kang Lu appeared to attack ferociously, he was completely under Fang Lin’s control.
The most crucial blow was precisely the punch delivered to Kang Lu’s core. There was utterly no way that he could have dodged it. After the blow, the victor and the loser of the spar were already determined.