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Gao Yi frowned as he saw Jiang Shuo open with the Star-Splitting Fist. This Jiang Shuo was far too reckless; if he were to beat this Zhou fellow to death, not even he or his master would be able to protect him.

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

Just as Jiang Shuo's fist was about to slam into Zhou Cheng's chest.

Suddenly, Zhou Cheng threw a punch.

He stood perfectly still, yet as he struck, the space itself vibrated. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the shockwave from Zhou Cheng's fist actually transformed into an air dragon!

A dragon's roar resonated through the hall.

The air dragon seemed to have come to life.

Dragon might permeated the air.

Jiang Shuo's face drained of color in terror.

BOOM!

Zhou Cheng's fist force collided with his opponent's.

Immediately following, the sound of bones snapping rang out.

Jiang Shuo was sent flying like a sandbag caught in a storm, crashing down seven or eight meters away before rolling repeatedly until he slammed into the threshold of the great hall.

THUD!

The entire hall shuddered.

Dust that had accumulated on the rafters for years rained down.

Dust swirled through the air.

"What?!"

"First stage of Qi Refining!"

The hall erupted in gasps.

Chen Genfeng, Sect Master of the Sun Moon Sword Sect, saw a sharp glint erupt in his eyes: "Fist force manifesting into form—he has already reached the realm of perfection!"

The scene was in an uproar.

Many Xiantian masters struggled to cultivate their martial arts to the realm of perfection, yet Zhou Cheng, at only the first stage of Qi Refining, had actually achieved it!

The key was, how old was Zhou Cheng? Only thirteen.

Zhou Li, who had been on the verge of intervening, stood stunned for a long time, unable to collect his thoughts. He looked at Zhou Cheng as if seeing his younger brother for the first time.

Even Gao Yi could not recover his senses.

Su Huang's heart, however, sank abruptly.

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

Zhou Cheng looked at Jiang Shuo, who had rolled to the threshold and passed out, his expression calm. He had seen the secret maneuvers between Jiang Shuo and Gao Yi earlier, which was why his strike had been slightly heavy.

Of course, he had only revealed the strength of the first stage of Qi Refining, and in the final moment, he had retracted ninety percent of his power; otherwise, Jiang Shuo would have suffered more than just broken fist bones.

Zhou Cheng withdrew his fist and said, "A few days ago, I listened to Abbot Huineng's teachings on the Dharma. I have been practicing Buddhist arts since then, and my cultivation has progressed greatly, breaking through to the Qi Refining realm."

Upon hearing Zhou Cheng's words, Abbot Huineng pressed his palms together, his face beaming with joy: "Young Master Zhou Cheng is the reincarnation of a Great Buddha; it is only natural that his cultivation has advanced so rapidly. How could this old monk dare to claim credit!"

"Young Master Zhou Cheng's affinity for the Buddha is astonishing. It is a blessing for our Buddhist sect, and a blessing for the heavens!"

Finally, he added, "Amitabha!"

The high monks of the Martial Monk Hall standing behind Abbot Huineng also pressed their palms together, their faces filled with excitement: "Amitabha!"

Xing Yao stepped forward with a hearty laugh, inviting everyone to take their seats and drink until they were drunk.

To be honest, Zhou Cheng's mastery of his fist technique had also taken him by surprise.

Beyond the surprise, however, was even greater delight.

After the banquet.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Zhou Cheng returned to his own courtyard.

The courtyard had been newly arranged by Xing Yao and was larger than those of many inner sect disciples of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect. Everything one could need was provided within, and even the bed was crafted from cold jade; sleeping upon it had the effect of increasing one's internal energy and calming the mind.

The night was quiet.

Inside the stone pavilion of Su Huang's courtyard.

Gao Yi sat at the lower seat to Su Huang.

"It is true that the Zhou fellow was only at the fourth stage of Body Refining half a month ago; there is no mistake there." Gao Yi's expression was somewhat grim: "I never expected that in just half a month, he would break through to the first stage of Qi Refining!"

"Could he truly be the reincarnation of a Great Buddha?"

In truth, many people did not believe the claim that Zhou Cheng was the reincarnation of a Great Buddha.

Su Huang did not speak. He also did not believe the claim, but how else could one explain Zhou Cheng's meteoric rise in cultivation?

"Master, are we really going to let this Zhou Cheng take charge of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect in the future?" Gao Yi asked, his heart filled with resentment.

Su Huang said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, even if he is at the first level of Qi Refining now, he is still a long way from taking control of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect." He then added, "In a few days, our three great sects will join forces with the Great Feng Dynasty royal family to eradicate the Demonic Cult."

"Upholding justice and protecting the weak is the creed of our Ten Thousand Stars Sect."

"Since Zhou Cheng is now an inner sect disciple of our Ten Thousand Stars Sect, let him participate as well."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yi understood his master's intention and a smile spread across his face: "Rest assured, Master. On the way there, I will take good care of our little martial uncle."

Su Huang shook his head: "Back then, the Prince of Southern Ming was cast into the Cliff of Despair by your grandmaster, and he harbors a bone-deep hatred for him. If he finds out that Zhou Cheng is the grandmaster's youngest disciple, he will surely flay him and grind his bones to dust."

Therefore, Gao Yi would not need to lift a finger himself on the journey.

Once they reached the territory of the Demonic Cult, Zhou Cheng would surely die!

Gao Yi smiled: "This disciple obeys!"

Meanwhile, at the Zhou Mansion in the Capital City.

Zhou Wei had just returned from court and was dining with Luo Shui when he saw the guard Chang Qing rush in, looking incredibly agitated.

"My Lord, My Lady," Chang Qing stammered in his excitement, "Huge news, huge news!"

Seeing Chang Qing's agitated state, both Zhou Wei and Luo Shui were puzzled. What kind of massive news could make him act like this?

"What huge news?" Zhou Wei asked, raising his cup to take a sip, the fragrance of the wine wafting through the air.

"It's the Second Young Master, the Second Young Master has broken through to the Qi Refining realm," Chang Qing exclaimed excitedly.

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

"What did you say?!" Zhou Wei looked at the guard Chang Qing in disbelief. Had this lad lost his mind?

Seeing the expressions on Zhou Wei and Luo Shui's faces, Chang Qing continued excitedly: "Today at the Second Young Master's apprenticeship ceremony, he sparred with Jiang Shuo, an outer sect disciple of the Ten Thousand Stars Sect."

"That Jiang Shuo is at the peak of the tenth level of Body Tempering, yet he was sent flying by a single punch from the Second Young Master!"

"It has spread everywhere now, the talk of the town!"

"I fear even His Majesty knows by now!"

Zhou Wei and Luo Shui were stunned.

Suddenly, tears welled up in Luo Shui's eyes: "Cheng'er, he... he broke through to the Qi Refining realm?!"

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

Zhou Wei remained motionless for a long time, his mind a complete blank.

"Oh, and the Second Young Master's fist technique has reached the realm of perfection," Chang Qing added excitedly.

Zhou Wei's mind remained blank.

A fist technique at the realm of perfection? Wouldn't that be even stronger than his own Crimson Sun Palm?

"The Second Young Master said that he has been practicing Buddhist arts lately, which is why his cultivation has advanced so rapidly," Chang Qing continued.

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

Practicing Buddhist arts led to such a rapid advancement in cultivation? He still found it hard to believe.

Thirteen years old, first level of Qi Refining!

His eldest son, Zhou Li, didn't break through to the first level of Qi Refining until he was fourteen, did he?

His brain felt like mush.

"Many people are now comparing the Second Young Master to Nan Qinghe, the Young Master of the Demonic Cult," Chang Qing said with a grin.

Nan Qinghe was hailed as the number one talent of the younger generation in the Great Feng Dynasty; not just anyone could be compared to him.