If he wanted to fully unleash this technique, with Shen Xiuhan's current cultivation, he would likely have ninety percent of the qi force in his four opened acupoints drained!
The spiritual bead vibrated incessantly, emitting a low hum.
Beside him, Zuo Muxian's grave and shocked gaze remained fixed on the cross-legged blue figure, whispering in his heart with mixed emotions:
It really is... unimaginable...
Receiving Shen Xiuhan's letter this time, he had come solely for revenge.
The events of the past had happened long ago, and most of his family members had already forgotten, even his parents.
Three years after his little sister, Zuo Murou, died, his family had welcomed two more younger siblings.
In their words, the departed were gone, and the living had to move on; life must go on.
But Zuo Muxian could not forget.
He could not forget that tiny figure, her hair tied in double buns, following behind him and calling him “Big Brother” with every step.
He could not forget the growing girl, clinging to him to learn martial arts move by move, pouting and sulking whenever she couldn't get it right.
He could not forget her lying in a pool of blood, her clothes in tatters, her body covered in wounds, completely lifeless yet with her eyes still wide open, unable to rest in peace.
Thus, when he learned of the Gao family father and son's whereabouts, Zuo Muxian was overjoyed and immediately rushed to Changyun County without a moment's rest.
When he first met Shen Xiuhan, he only felt that the boy had some talent.
Breaking through to the Anjin rank at such a young age would make him a top genius even in the Star-Plucking Sect.
But that was all.
The Star-Plucking Sect never lacked geniuses; what they lacked were those who could make it to the very end.
But very quickly, he realized he had underestimated him.
Because...
The method Shen Xiuhan was displaying at this moment was something Zuo Muxian had only ever witnessed from the four Academy Heads of the Star-Plucking Sect and the Sect Leader—his master.
That was a domain only Gangjin experts could touch, the threshold of transcending the mundane and entering sainthood!
Yet now, it was being performed by a youth who was merely at the Anjin rank.
The lake wind suddenly picked up, waves crashing against the shore and shattering into white foam.
Zuo Muxian took a deep breath, forcing his churning emotions back down, though his gaze grew increasingly burning.
This boy must have secrets... but on the path of martial arts, who doesn't have their own fortuitous opportunities?
Zuo Muxian felt no jealousy; he only felt incredibly lucky.
In the vast sea of people, it was this boy who had found the enemy's trail; it was this boy who had sent him the letter; and it was this boy who possessed such shocking methods.
This is heaven's will!
For such a genius to reside in a mere small county... since I have run into him, then... he rightfully belongs to our Star-Plucking Sect!
Zuo Muxian turned his head slightly, casting his gaze toward Dongyi Island.
The island was brightly lit with shifting shadows, and the faint sound of revelry drifted over.
I'll help him finish this business first. When the time comes... I will personally induct him into the sect. This way, the younger generation of the Star-Plucking Sect will have thirty years of peace!
...
Dongyi Island.
The main hall of the Grand Assembly Courtyard.
The hall was brightly lit, with dozens of glass lanterns hanging from the beams, casting a magnificent, golden glow everywhere.
All around, women wrapped in sheer silk and light gauze leaned against brocade cushions or snuggled in men's embraces, their fair arms and legs gleaming with a delicate, porcelain luster under the warm light.
They smiled charmingly, pouring wine with delicate hands and whispering sweet, gentle words as they fluttered between the banquet seats.
Many people had already gathered in the hall, every one of them a mid-to-high-ranking figure of status in Chenjian Dock.
The crowd talked and laughed loudly, whispered in low voices, or flirted with the women in their arms. The clinking of wine cups, the giggles of women, and boisterous shouts rose and fell in a continuous wave.
On the soft couch on the far left, a burly, bald man sat with his legs splayed in a domineering posture.
His shoulders were broad, and a menacing, eye-catching golden dragon was tattooed from the top of his head down to his cheek.
It was none other than Gao Fu!
This banquet today was a welcoming feast specifically hosted by the Fourth Chief, Jia Pingxiu, for Gao Fu.
Gao Fu had been on the island for over a month, and the other chiefs had already hosted banquets for him one by one. Today, it was Jia Pingxiu's turn.
He spared no expense, not only preparing fine wine and delicacies but also hiring dancers to entertain, making it a grand affair.
At this moment, Gao Fu reclined on the soft couch, holding a pretty beauty in each arm, drinking fine wine, and eating grapes peeled by the women. He was living in absolute bliss.
Beside him, the chubby Jia Pingxiu stepped forward with a smile, raising a white jade wine cup to toast Gao Fu, calling out:
“Fifth Brother!”
Gao Fu laughed heartily, raising his cup to clink against the other's, and replied warmly:
“Fourth Brother!”
“Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! We are all brothers of one family.”
Jia Pingxiu sat down beside him, his body sinking into the soft couch. His fat face was covered in smiles as he asked:
“Fifth Brother, are you satisfied with today's banquet?”
“Satisfied! Satisfied! Extremely satisfied!”
Ever since Gao Fu had been heavily injured by Zheng Dadao, he had been hiding in a tiny brick house on the outskirts of Nanxiang Prefecture's capital to recover, only daring to step outside once every few days. He hadn't been this happy in ages.
During his month or so on the island, every chief of Chenjian Dock had hosted a banquet to welcome him.
Gao Fu had originally come to seek refuge and live under someone else's roof, thinking he would be satisfied with just a place to stay.
Yet, their hospitality made him feel deeply grateful, adding a touch of solemnity to his attitude.
Gao Fu set down his wine cup, straightened his expression, and cupped his fists:
“Thanks to the great love of my brothers, now that I, Gao Fu, have joined the island, I will treat this place as my home. Should there be any assignments, I will not hesitate even if it costs my life!”
“Good!”
Jia Pingxiu laughed heartily again. Then, scanning his surroundings and seeing that no one was paying attention, he leaned in close to Gao Fu's ear and whispered:
“Fifth Brother, this is only the beginning... I heard that your cultivation has been stuck at the Tinggong acupoint for a long time?”
Gao Fu was startled and said:
“Indeed. The Mingmen acupoint is the foundation of the mid-stage Anjin rank and is extremely difficult to open. It has blocked me for three full years.”
Speaking of this, his brow furrowed, and a flash of anxiety crossed his eyes.
For three years, he had trained relentlessly and consumed countless pills, but the Mingmen acupoint remained completely unbudging, impossible to force open.
“Hehehe.”
Jia Pingxiu chuckled, a mysterious glint flashing in his eyes:
“In a few days, Third Brother will bring some good things over from Fish Island. Once you eat them, I guarantee you'll break through that very day!”
“Oh?”
Hearing this, Gao Fu instantly grew interested, his eyes lighting up as he pressed:
“It is actually that miraculous? What kind of thing is it?”
Jia Pingxiu did not answer him, merely giving a mysterious smile as he raised a finger and wagged it:
“I can only tell you after you eat it... This is a rule set by the First Chief.”
Hearing this, Gao Fu felt a chill in his heart, swallowing his words and not daring to ask further.
He had long heard that Duan Xiao had already broken through to the Huajin rank, making him an absolute top-tier expert among the various counties under the prefecture capital!
Even in Nanxiang Prefecture, he was considered a first-rate figure.
Not to mention, he possessed several treasures, said to have been passed down by his father, Duan Wei.
According to Jia Pingxiu, relying on those treasures, Duan Xiao could hold his own against mid-stage Huajin experts despite only being at the early-stage Huajin rank.
With a rule set by such a figure, how could a newcomer like him dare to speak out of turn?
“Alright, then I shall eagerly await it.”
Gao Fu raised his cup and clinked it against Jia Pingxiu's once more, the cups producing a crisp chime.
He was about to tilt his head back to drain it when his movements suddenly halted, his entire body freezing.
“Hmm?”
Gao Fu slowly lowered his cup, turning his neck to the right to look out over the lake through the half-open window.
A bizarre sensation rose from the depths of his heart, as if something on the lake was calling out to him.
The feeling was impossible to put into words.
It was not a sound, nor a smell, but an incredibly profound connection, as if an invisible thread in the dark was tugging at his mind.
It was as if, out on the lake...
A monumental opportunity was waiting for him!
Gao Fu's chest heaved violently, his heart pounding frantically as his breathing suddenly turned rapid.
His eyes gradually reddened, a burning light igniting in his pupils, and he suddenly stood up with a swoosh!
“What is it, Fifth Brother?”
Seeing his strange demeanor, Jia Pingxiu's smile faded, his brow furrowing as he followed his gaze out the window.
It was completely quiet outside, and the patrols in the distance were moving back and forth as usual, with no signs of anything unusual.
“Fourth Brother...”
A slightly hoarse voice sounded beside his ear.
Jia Pingxiu turned his head to look and was instantly startled!
The Gao Fu who had been perfectly normal just moments ago now looked like a completely different person.
His eyes were as red as blood, his face flushed with uncontrollable excitement, his lips trembling, and his voice shaking:
“Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother!”
“I'm going to make it! My martial path is about to reach great accomplishment!”
“I have felt the opportunity! This is the legendary ancient method of epiphany, sensing opportunity from the unseen! Oh, how glorious! My Dao is about to be realized!!”
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