The Spirit Cicada Spreads Its Wings

After arranging the lodging, Zhou Jingfeng looked at Yu Kan and continued his instructions: "Yu Kan, make another trip and fetch the red sandalwood medicine case from my temporary quarters in the Zhou residence. Inside are several doses of Tendon-Strengthening and Bone-Forging Powder. Over these ten days, let Chen Yue begin medicinal baths. We must ensure his physique and blood energy are adjusted to their peak before the Life-Death Arena, solidifying his foundation—that should earn him a bit more chance of victory."

"Tendon-Strengthening and Bone-Forging Powder?" Yu Kan's heart jolted at the words. He quickly bowed in response: "Yes, Master! This disciple will fetch it immediately!" As he turned, a flicker of envy inevitably passed through his eyes. Those medicinal herbs had excellent effects, remarkably potent for tempering the body and strengthening blood energy. On ordinary days, disciples like him had to gather them on their own. Now, the master unhesitatingly took them out for the newly admitted junior apprentice brother—this level of regard spoke volumes. Yet, recalling how Chen Yue had stepped forward to take on the Life-Death Contract when facing the Sea Shark Gang's coercion, that courage and sense of responsibility, the trace of envy in Yu Kan's heart transformed into a complex sigh. This junior apprentice brother wasn't just frighteningly talented; his temperament was also so decisive and resolute. Knowing his opponent was fierce and life or death uncertain, he chose to shoulder it himself. Such boldness, such character—truly worthy of the master's full investment in nurturing him. If he could survive this ordeal, his future achievements might indeed be limitless.

Soon, Yu Kan had the room tidied up, and Ma Jun returned from filing the report at the yamen. Zhou Jingfeng spoke gently to Chen Yue again: "Chen Yue, you're tired today, and you've just been through a rough patch. Go rest and settle your mind. The cultivation of Eight-Step Cicada Chase doesn't need to be rushed this very moment. Tomorrow morning, your master will teach it to you." "Yes, Master. This disciple takes his leave." Chen Yue knew the master was thinking of him. He led his parents, guided by Yu Kan, to the cleaned guest room in the western wing. The room was simply furnished, yet far better than their shack in Pearl Village. However, Father Chen and Mother Chen had no mind to notice any of this at the moment. As soon as the door closed, the forced composure on their faces crumbled instantly, replaced by undisguised worry and fear. Father Chen sat on the edge of the bed, his hands gripping his knees tightly, his brows twisted into a knot.

"Father, Mother, rest assured. These ten days, I'll train desperately with the master," Chen Yue said firmly, trying to inject some confidence into his parents. But he knew that any verbal comfort now seemed hollow; only walking off the arena alive in ten days could truly dispel their fears. After soothing his parents for a good while, Chen Yue returned to his own room next door. Closing the door, his composed expression relaxed slightly as he let out a light breath. The Life-Death Contract was signed; there was no turning back. Chen Yue walked to the table, took out a coarse cloth money pouch from his bosom, and poured all the silver onto the table. The loose silver added up to a little over four taels, including the three taels the broker had returned as agreed. "Four taels of silver... simplifying Mountain-Crushing Art costs two taels, and Eight-Step Cicada Chase should be about the same, probably enough," Chen Yue calculated in his mind. The panel's cost for simplifying techniques seemed directly related to the technique's level. He wasn't too worried about not having enough money; if worst came to worst, he could see if his parents had any spare. "But to be safe, I'll wait until I formally learn Eight-Step Cicada Chase tomorrow and confirm the simplification cost first." Chen Yue put the silver away again, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling beams. Xiong Wu's figure flashed through his mind, the bright red fingerprint on the Life-Death Contract, his parents' tearful eyes of worry... All these images intertwined, finally coalescing into a flame that burned quietly in his chest. Ten days, the Life-Death Arena—he had to win.

Meanwhile, inside the Sea Shark Gang's main hall, lanterns blazed brightly. Xiong Wu reported the details of the visit to Iron Mountain Hall to Tang Qizheng, who sat on the tiger-skin chair. When he heard that Zhou Jingfeng had actually announced taking that Pearl Diver Chen Yue as a personal disciple, Tang Qizheng's narrow eyes suddenly narrowed, and the rhythm of his fingers tapping on the armrest paused slightly. "Zhou Jingfeng... took a disciple?" Tang Qizheng repeated in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of surprise and deep thought. He knew this Iron Mountain Hall master quite well, aware that his standards for taking disciples were quite strict—rather go without than settle—which was why the core disciples of Iron Mountain Hall had always been few. But Zhou Jingfeng's eye for people was indeed sharp; several of the apprentices he'd taught in his early years had since made a name for themselves elsewhere, becoming Iron Mountain Hall's backing and connections. For him to accept that Pearl Diver meant the boy had shown something that moved Zhou Jingfeng. "Hmph! So what if he took a disciple? He's nothing but a dead man walking!" A headman with a fierce face sneered disdainfully. "No matter how good Zhou the Commoner's eye is, he'll be wrong this time! That precious treasure he just took in—in ten days, Brother Xiong will beat him to death on the arena. Let's see where Iron Mountain Hall hides its face! Hahaha!" Tang Qizheng ignored his subordinates' chatter and looked at Xiong Wu: "Why was the Life-Death Arena set for ten days later? Did you propose it, or was it Zhou Jingfeng?" Xiong Wu quickly bowed: "Reporting to the chief, it was Zhou Jingfeng who proposed it. But in the end, it was that Pearl Diver himself who stepped forward and accepted the Life-Death Contract." Tang Qizheng's brow furrowed deeper. For that Pearl Diver to dare accept the Life-Death Contract on his own—either he was foolish, or he had extremely strong confidence in himself. After a moment of deliberation, Tang Qizheng looked at the eager Xiong Wu and said in a deep voice: "Xiong Wu, this battle concerns the face of our Sea Shark Gang. Only victory is permitted, never defeat! And there must be no accidents whatsoever!" He raised his voice and ordered the steward below: "Go, fetch a Blood-Vitalizing Pill from the storehouse and give it to Xiong Wu!" Xiong Wu was stunned at first, then a surge of joy spread across his face. He quickly cupped his fists and boomed: "Many thanks for the chief's generous gift! This subordinate will not fail the chief's expectations. In ten days, I will tear that little bastard apart on the arena and spread the might of our Sea Shark Gang!" Tang Qizheng nodded slightly: "Mm. These ten days, digest the pill's power well and strive to polish your physique a step further. Remember, I want a crushing victory—I want everyone to see the price of offending our Sea Shark Gang!" "This subordinate understands!" Xiong Wu's eyes gleamed with murderous intent, a vicious grin spreading across his face.

The rising sun bathed Iron Mountain Hall's training ground in morning light. Chen Yue stood opposite Yu Kan, full of energy. "Junior apprentice brother, watch closely. Eight-Step Cicada Chase emphasizes burst and change, completely different from the sustained grace and agility of Roaming Mountains and Rivers." Yu Kan's expression was solemn. Before his words faded, his body was already in motion. There was no lengthy buildup. Yu Kan's feet stepped out in a strange, linked rhythm. The first step was still before the eyes; by the second, his form had blurred; the third seemed to pull a residual image. Even more astonishing was that in his extreme-speed charge, his movement wasn't a straight line but carried subtle, unpredictable shifts, like a cicada fluttering its wings, its trajectory elusive. After a moment, Yu Kan stopped and looked at Chen Yue: "This is the essence of Eight-Step Cicada Chase—short-range burst, mid-air direction change. Junior apprentice brother, is there anything unclear? Your elder brother can demonstrate again more slowly." Chen Yue, meanwhile, looked at the panel.

[Eight-Step Cicada Chase (Not Yet Initiated)]