Flattening the Star-Constellation Sea

"Master Ren!"

A'zhu had been anxiously worried in the inner courtyard. The moment she saw Ren Ze enter, her face was full of urgency.

On one hand, she feared that Murong Bo might be killed by Xiao Feng and his father. On the other, she worried that Xiao Feng would gain no advantage at Shaolin Temple.

"Don't worry. In my opinion, neither Old Master Murong Bo nor Brother Xiao will come to harm on this trip to Shaolin Temple. However, I helped Brother Xiao escape danger and spared him a bloody battle. I also had my martial nephew treat your injuries. I hope you can offer the Yijin Jing as payment for the consultation. Would that be acceptable?"

Ren Ze knew exactly what A'zhu was worried about and spoke with a smile.

"How did you know, Master Ren?"

His words had only just eased A'zhu's worries when they immediately gave her another fright.

Yet after some thought, she ultimately took out the Yijin Jing and handed it to Ren Ze.

The Gathering Virtue Manor assembly, disrupted by Ren Ze, came to such an anticlimactic end. Though it was somewhat regrettable that he did not get to witness the legendary Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms wreak havoc, he had saved many lives and killed that vile pair of man and woman who had disgusted everyone from beginning to end. He had also prevented A'zhu's future tragic fate at its source. With this flap of his wings, the destinies of quite a few people should have been rewritten. Ren Ze was very satisfied.

But an even greater storm swept across Shaolin Temple. The news that Xiao Feng and his father had gone to Shaolin spread through the martial world like a hurricane.

Naturally, Ren Ze of the Carefree Sect was also spoken of by those martial heroes. His peerless movement technique, astonishing intelligence network, and mysterious identity as a successor of the Carefree Sect made him a rising star whose name spread far and wide overnight.

A'zhu had the Divine Physician Xue Muhua to treat her. Ren Ze instructed him that once A'zhu's treatment was complete, he should go to Leigu Mountain and have his senior brother accept him back into the sect. Xue Muhua was overjoyed and readily agreed.

Having obtained the Yijin Jing, Ren Ze did not linger. He had no intention of going to Shaolin to join the excitement and headed straight back to Leigu Mountain. The Yijin Jing transformed the tendons and cleansed the marrow, turning decay into wonder. He hoped it might help his master.

After returning to Leigu Mountain, Ren Ze presented the Yijin Jing to Wu Yazi as though offering a treasure.

"As expected of the Yijin Jing! Wonderful, truly wonderful... What a pity..."

After flipping through it for a while, Wu Yazi was both delighted and regretful, leaving Ren Ze deeply curious.

"Master, is this Yijin Jing useful?"

"Of course it is. It is practically a perfect match for the Northern Dark Divine Skill. How laughable that in my youth, I looked down on the heroes of the world and believed the Carefree Sect's martial arts stood unrivaled beneath heaven. I thought gathering the techniques of other schools was nothing remarkable. Besides, Shaolin Temple was a major martial sect, so I did not insist on obtaining the Yijin Jing... What a pity, what a pity! If I had learned this scripture in my early years, how could I have ended up like this?"

Seeing his master so agitated, Ren Ze did not dare say much for a moment...

"It is fate, then. Forget it, forget it. Heaven has not treated me too poorly after all, since it sent you to my side. Ze'er, you are intelligent and gifted. With the Yijin Jing to assist you, all I ask is that you remain true to your original heart and cultivate diligently without pause. Your future achievements will surely surpass mine!"

"The Yijin Jing is not an internal cultivation manual, so you need not worry about it conflicting with the Northern Dark Divine Skill. I always believed that it merely improved a martial artist's bones and aptitude, but I never expected that to be nothing but wildly mistaken rumors. This is an extraordinary scripture that strengthens the meridians and internal organs within, while tempering the skin and bones into copper and iron without!"

Once Wu Yazi had calmed down, he sighed with deep emotion before solemnly explaining it to Ren Ze.

He then carefully taught Ren Ze the Twelve Postures of the Yijin Jing and its breathing method, insisting that Ren Ze practice until he deemed every movement standard.

"Master..."

After completing a set of the Yijin Jing, Ren Ze felt incomparably relaxed. Yet now that he understood the scripture's effects, his heart ached even more. With his master's condition, he certainly could not cultivate this wondrous art. Since arriving in the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils World, Wu Yazi had been the first person to treat Ren Ze wholeheartedly and without reservation.

At that moment, Ren Ze sincerely no longer wanted those seventy years of internal power. He would rather cultivate slowly and absorb it bit by bit himself, if only this old man, who had given him everything without holding back, could live several more decades.

"Disciple, having lived to this age, your master can be said to have reached the end of his natural lifespan. There is no need to be sad."

Wu Yazi had accepted it far more readily.

The days that followed were simple. Ren Ze threw himself wholeheartedly into martial arts, cultivating the Northern Dark Divine Skill internally and studying Northern Dark True Qi. He also tempered his body with the Yijin Jing, comprehensively strengthening himself, while continuing to practice Lingbo Micro-steps and the Tianshan Zhemei Hand. With Wu Yazi teaching at his side and Senior Brother Su Xinghe available for sparring and mutual verification, his martial progress advanced by leaps and bounds.

They said that in the mountains, one lost track of days and months. More than three months had passed since Ren Ze returned from Gathering Virtue Manor to Leigu Mountain, and he had become so immersed in cultivation that he could not pull himself away.

In terms of physical strength alone, Ren Ze felt that he was nearly at the level of a quasi-warrior. The feeling of growing stronger made it impossible for him to stop.

"Disciple, with the Yijin Jing's hundred days of foundational training, your foundation has finally been completely stabilized. It has also eliminated the hidden danger caused by beginning cultivation too late, when your meridians had already solidified."

"Master, you mean...?"

"Indeed. From now on, the path of martial arts will be smooth and open before you. I can finally rest easy."

The more Wu Yazi looked at Ren Ze, the more satisfied he became. Whether it was his appearance, conduct, or temperament, after spending this time together, Wu Yazi was greatly comforted.

Before Ren Ze could modestly say a few words, Wu Yazi burst into laughter and suddenly leaped into the air. He flipped midair and descended upside down, placing the crown of his head against Ren Ze's. Their crown chakras connected.

Ren Ze felt a thin stream of hot air enter through his Baihui acupoint and rush into his mind. His head grew hotter and hotter.

In an instant, he felt dizzy and disoriented as the hot current traveled downward toward his dantian. The pain was unbearable, and he clenched his teeth tightly.

Only then did Ren Ze realize that Wu Yazi intended to transmit his power to him. He hurriedly tried to break free, but discovered that his entire body had gone limp and weak, unable to exert even the slightest force.

After a while, Ren Ze felt as light as if he were riding clouds and mist, soaring through the heavens; then suddenly, his body turned icy cold, as though he had dived into the depths of a blue sea and frolicked among schools of fish.

When he could finally move again, he opened his eyes and saw Wu Yazi drenched in sweat. The face that had not seemed particularly old before was now covered in deep crisscrossing wrinkles. His thick hair had all fallen out, and in an instant, he seemed to have aged several decades.

Ren Ze hurriedly said, "Master! Why did you do this? Your old injuries have yet to heal, and you did not have much lifespan left to begin with. Yet you still transmitted your power to me..."

Wu Yazi narrowed his eyes and smiled weakly. "Good disciple, your blessings are profound. Your intelligence, talent, temperament, and willpower have far exceeded my expectations. What difference does it make whether this old man dies a day sooner or later? The Carefree Sect finally has someone to carry it on. Even in death, I can rest in peace!"

"Master!"

Ren Ze had forgotten how long it had been since he last cried, but at that moment, he could no longer hold back and broke into sobs.

Wu Yazi sighed. "There are some things you should know."

"Back then, that traitorous disciple Ding Chunqiu ambushed me, and I nearly lost my life. Fortunately, your eldest senior brother Su Xinghe pretended to be deaf and mute, deceiving that thief's eyes and ears. Only then was I able to cling to life and survive for another thirty years."

"Your eldest senior brother's aptitude was quite good to begin with. Unfortunately, he became obsessed with the arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, wasting his potential on trivial pursuits. He never mastered even a single one of our sect's superior martial arts."

"For thirty years, all I had hoped for was to find an intelligent and devoted disciple, pass on all my martial arts to him, and send him to destroy Ding Chunqiu."

"But opportunities are hard to come by. The clever ones are ill-natured, while those with good character lack sufficient comprehension. With my allotted years drawing to a close, Heaven has unexpectedly sent such fine jade to my doorstep. When you first entered the sect, I still needed to observe your temperament. But now... I can wait no longer."

Wu Yazi used all his strength to pull a green jade thumb ring from his finger, intending to put it on Ren Ze. Yet his strength was spent; he could not even grasp Ren Ze's wrist.

"Master!"

Choking with sobs, Ren Ze took the thumb ring and slipped it onto his own thumb.

"Good... good! Very good, very good..."

His voice grew softer and softer until it was nearly inaudible. Then, suddenly, he laughed loudly several times, his body tilted to one side, and he became still.

Ren Ze hurriedly reached out to support him and checked his breathing. He was already dead.

"Master! Master... Ding Chunqiu! I will kill you!"

During the few months he had spent with Wu Yazi, he should, by all rights, have held an omniscient perspective. When he had first come to become his disciple, his motives had not been pure either—he had only wanted to find himself a powerful backer...

Yet after months together, every detail of Wu Yazi's painstaking instruction remained vivid in his mind. His heart was naturally filled with immense grief.

Together with his senior brother, he arranged his master's funeral. After keeping vigil for his master for seven days, Ren Ze bid farewell to his senior brother. Though he had yet to fully assimilate his master's inner power, he could no longer suppress the killing intent in his heart. He swore to kill Ding Chunqiu and comfort his master's spirit in heaven!

"Hyah!"

Dressed in a fitted black outfit, Ren Ze galloped down the main road on a tall horse, heading alone for Star-Constellation Sea.

Feeling the fierce wind buffet him, the fury filling Ren Ze's chest gradually faded over several days of travel, but his killing intent did not lessen in the slightest.

"Ding Chunqiu, get out here and die!"

His voice rolled outward, echoing in every direction.

"Who is it!? Who dares cause trouble at my Star-Constellation Sect!"

Several gatekeeping disciples of the Star-Constellation Sect cried out in alarm.

At once, a motley horde of bizarre freaks poured out from the gates. Their numbers were considerable.

"The man who's here to take your lives! Where is Ding Chunqiu!"

Grinding his teeth, Ren Ze leaped several yards from horseback and abruptly appeared beside a Star-Constellation disciple. His right hand seized the man by the throat. Ren Ze stared coldly at him, and the disciple's eyes were filled with nothing but terror.

As Ren Ze clenched his right hand, a crack rang out, and the disciple died instantly.

At the same time, Ren Ze's figure flashed. Like lightning, he rushed toward another disciple. His leg shot out like thunder, tearing through the air before smashing heavily into the man's head. Another disciple died on the spot.

"Brothers, show no mercy! Kill him! I, Zhaixingzi, would like to see who is so bold as to make trouble at my Star-Constellation Sea!"

At that moment, one disciple stepped out from the crowd. It was none other than Zhaixingzi, the Star Constellation Old Freak's eldest disciple.

Ren Ze exchanged several moves with him. Seeing that he could not swiftly take him down, Ren Ze's figure flickered, and with a turn of his feet, he was already some distance away.

Bang!

Ren Ze sent one man flying with a heavy palm strike, then shattered the head of another beside him with a sweeping side kick.

Ren Ze's Lingbo Micro-steps were profoundly mysterious, and Zhaixingzi could not keep up with his speed.

Caught up in the slaughter, Ren Ze abandoned the palm techniques he had learned. Shadows of legs and palms struck at vital points with every move. His attacks were swift as lightning, his force heavy as mountains!

His training and sparring usually seemed flawless, but in the end, he always had to hold back somewhat. He had never known where his true limits lay. With the grace of Ren Ze's Lingbo Micro-steps, the strength of his physique, and the depth of his inner power, these Star-Constellation Sea lackeys were not a match for him at all.

"How is this possible? Run!"

The Star-Constellation Sect disciples wailed for their fathers and mothers, cursing their own slow legs as they scattered in all directions.

"Stop! Fight me!"

Watching Ren Ze cut through them, Zhaixingzi desperately chased after him, roaring in helpless fury.

Relying on the Lingbo Micro-steps, Ren Ze gave an eerie yet profoundly mysterious sway and appeared several meters away. There was simply no way Zhaixingzi could catch him.

Only after seeing the lackeys around him scatter and flee did Ren Ze stop.

Seeing that Ren Ze had finally halted, Zhaixingzi shouted, "You reckless madman, take this!"

With a flick of his sleeve, a streak of green fire shot toward Ren Ze with tremendous force, casting a green glow over his face and head.

"Cheap tricks!"

Ren Ze's face darkened. He sent out a palm force that held the green flames at bay, preventing them from approaching. The green fire immediately froze in midair.

Zhaixingzi urged his palm force three times in succession, but Ren Ze blocked it every time. He grew both anxious and enraged. Even after urging his palm force twice more, he still could not advance it even an inch. A chill immediately rose from his spine to the back of his neck. This kid is so young, yet his inner power is so profound.

At that thought, Zhaixingzi no longer dared underestimate him. He let out a harsh roar, bit the tip of his tongue, and circulated all his power. The green fire suddenly transformed into a fireball as large as a bushel basket and shot toward Ren Ze.

Ren Ze hurriedly struck out with his right palm, but he could not stop the fireball's momentum. He quickly thrust out his left palm as well. Only by combining the force of both palms did he manage to halt it.

A jade-green fireball spun rapidly in the air, and the disciples who had fled to a distance began to cheer.

"Senior Brother's divine arts are unparalleled! That petty thief will be captured with ease!"

"You there, thief! Why are you still trying to act tough? Surrender now, and perhaps Senior Brother will spare your life!"

"Shut up!"

Not knowing exactly what trick Zhaixingzi was using with this ghostly green fire, Ren Ze had only used thirty percent of his inner power to test it earlier and had nearly been caught off guard. He no longer held back. Focusing his mind and holding his breath, he pushed out both palms with all his strength. The fireball shot back toward Zhaixingzi at high speed. Before he could react, he was turned into a man of fire.