Earth-Shattering News

Gao Yi saw Jiang Shuo launch straight into the Star-Splitting Fist. His brows furrowed. Jiang Shuo was far too reckless. If he killed Zhou, neither Gao Yi nor his master would be able to protect him.

Su Huang also furrowed his brows, clearly thinking the same thing as Gao Yi.

Jiang Shuo's fist was about to strike Zhou Cheng in the chest.

Suddenly, Zhou Cheng swung a fist.

He stood perfectly still and simply threw a punch. The space around him trembled, and to everyone's astonishment, the waves of his punch transformed into a qi dragon!

A dragon's roar rang out.

The qi dragon seemed to come alive.

Its dragon might filled the air.

Jiang Shuo's face turned pale with shock.

Boom!

Zhou Cheng's fist collided with Jiang Shuo's.

Then came the sound of cracking bone.

Like a sandbag caught in a storm, Jiang Shuo flew sideways and crashed down seven or eight meters away. He rolled several times before slamming into the hall's threshold.

Bam!

The entire hall trembled.

Dust that had accumulated on the roof for years fell in a cloud.

Dust billowed through the air.

"What?!"

"Qi Refining, First Level!"

The hall erupted in cries of astonishment.

Chen Genfeng, the Sun Moon Sword Sect's leader, flashed a sharp gleam in his eyes. "His fist has taken form. He's reached the pinnacle of mastery!"

The crowd erupted into a commotion.

Even many Xiantian Grandmasters struggled to cultivate their martial techniques to the pinnacle of mastery. Yet Zhou Cheng, at only the first level of the Qi Refining Realm, had already achieved it!

And how old was Zhou Cheng? Only thirteen.

Zhou Li, who had been about to step in, stood dazed for a long moment. He stared at Zhou Cheng as if he were seeing his younger brother for the first time.

Even Gao Yi was too stunned to react.

Su Huang, however, felt his heart sink.

Shi Fei, Wu Shuo, and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the shock and surprise in one another's eyes.

Zhou Cheng looked at Jiang Shuo, who had rolled up against the threshold and passed out. His expression remained calm. He had seen Jiang Shuo and Gao Yi making their covert moves earlier, so he had hit a little harder.

Of course, he had only revealed the strength of the first level of the Qi Refining Realm. At the last moment, he had held back nine-tenths of his power. Otherwise, Jiang Shuo would have suffered more than a broken fist.

Zhou Cheng withdrew his fist and said, "A few days ago, I listened to Abbot Huineng expound the Buddhist teachings. I've been cultivating Buddhist arts since then, and my cultivation has advanced greatly. I broke through to the Qi Refining Realm."

Hearing Zhou Cheng's words, Abbot Huineng pressed his palms together and beamed. "Young Master Zhou is the reincarnation of the Great Buddha. It is only natural that his cultivation should advance by leaps and bounds. How could this old monk dare take credit?"

"Young Master Zhou possesses astonishing Buddhist nature. He is a blessing to the Buddhist faith—and a blessing from Heaven!"

Then he added, "Amitabha!"

The high-ranking monks behind Abbot Huineng, including the head of the Martial Monk Hall, also pressed their palms together, their faces alight with excitement. "Amitabha!"

Xing Yao stepped forward with a hearty laugh, invited everyone to take their seats, and urged them to drink until none could stand.

To be honest, Zhou Cheng's mastery of his fist technique had startled him too.

But beyond the surprise, he felt even more delighted.

After the banquet,

the guests gradually dispersed.

Zhou Cheng also returned to his courtyard.

Xing Yao had arranged the courtyard anew. It was larger than the residences of many inner disciples of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect. It was furnished with everything he could need, and even the bed was made of Cold Jade. Sleeping on it could increase one's inner power and calm the mind.

The night was quiet and still.

In the stone pavilion in Su Huang's courtyard,

Gao Yi sat below Su Huang.

"Half a month ago, that Zhou fellow really was only at Body Refining Level Four. There's no doubt about it." Gao Yi looked troubled. "I didn't expect him to break through to the first level of Qi Refining in just half a month!"

"Could he really be the reincarnation of the Great Buddha?"

In truth, many people didn't believe the claim that Zhou Cheng was the reincarnation of the Great Buddha.

Su Huang said nothing. He didn't believe it either, but how else could he explain Zhou Cheng's astonishingly rapid progress?

"Master, are we really going to let Zhou Cheng take charge of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect someday?" Gao Yi asked, unwilling to accept it.

Su Huang said gravely, "Don't worry. Even if he's reached the first level of Qi Refining, he's still a long way from taking charge of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect." He continued, "In a few days, our three sects will join forces with the Great Feng imperial court to eradicate the Demonic Cult."

"Upholding justice and protecting the weak is part of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect Rules."

"Since Zhou Cheng is now an inner disciple of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect, let him join the mission too."

Hearing this, Gao Yi understood his master's meaning, and a smile spread across his face. "Rest assured, Master. I'll take good care of Junior Granduncle along the way."

Su Huang shook his head. "Back then, Prince of Southern Ming was thrown into the Cliff of Despair by your grandmaster. He hated your grandmaster to the bone. If he finds out Zhou Cheng is the grandmaster's youngest disciple, he'll surely skin him alive and grind his bones to dust."

So Gao Yi wouldn't need to lift a finger on the journey.

Once they reached the Demonic Cult's territory, Gao Yi would be doomed!

"Your disciple understands!" Gao Yi replied with a smile.

Meanwhile, at the Zhou Mansion in the Capital City,

Zhou Wei had just come back from court and was having a meal with Luo Shui when their guard, Chang Qing, rushed in, visibly agitated.

"My lord, my lady!" Chang Qing was so excited he could barely get the words out. "Earth-shattering news! Earth-shattering news!"

Seeing how worked up Chang Qing was, Zhou Wei and Luo Shui exchanged puzzled looks. What news could have him this excited?

"What earth-shattering news?" Zhou Wei asked, raising his cup for a sip. The wine's fragrance filled the air.

"It's the second young master! The second young master has broken through to the Qi Refining Realm!" Chang Qing exclaimed.

Pfft! Zhou Wei spat out all the wine in his mouth.

"What did you say?!" Zhou Wei stared at Chang Qing in disbelief. Had the boy lost his mind?

Seeing the expressions on Zhou Wei and Luo Shui's faces, Chang Qing hurriedly explained, "Today was the second young master's Apprenticeship Ceremony. He sparred with Jiang Shuo, an outer disciple of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect."

"Jiang Shuo was at the peak of the tenth level of Body Refining, but the second young master sent him flying with a single punch!"

"The news has spread everywhere. Everyone's talking about it!"

"Even His Majesty has probably heard by now!"

Zhou Wei and Luo Shui were stunned.

Suddenly, tears welled in Luo Shui's eyes. "Cheng'er... he's broken through to the Qi Refining Realm?!"

Her youngest son—the one she worried about most—had broken through to the Qi Refining Realm?

Zhou Wei stood motionless for a long time, his mind completely blank.

"Oh, and the second young master's fist technique has reached the pinnacle of mastery!" Chang Qing added excitedly.

Zhou Wei's mind remained blank.

A fist technique at the pinnacle of mastery? Wasn't that even stronger than his father's Crimson Sun Palm?

"The second young master said he made such rapid progress because he switched to Buddhist cultivation these past few days," Chang Qing added.

Zhou Wei swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He picked up his wine cup for a sip, only to find it empty.

He had made such rapid progress because he switched to Buddhist cultivation? Zhou Wei still found it hard to believe.

Thirteen years old, and already at the first level of Qi Refining!

His eldest son, Zhou Li, had been fourteen when he broke through to the first level of Qi Refining, hadn't he?

His thoughts turned to mush.

"Now people are comparing the second young master with the Demonic Cult's young master, Nan Qinghe," Chang Qing said with a grin.

Nan Qinghe was hailed as the greatest among the younger generation of the Great Feng Dynasty. Not just anyone could be compared to him.

It's a new week. Please vote for me and leave a tip!