Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Uninvited Guest
Pei Luoling?
Zhou Heng’s eyes lit up at the mention of this name. The young girl had indeed helped him make a big fortune last time. What was she here for this time? And there was Pei Luoshu, seemingly a well-known figure in the rankings, ranked quite high up. Could it be that he was here for a challenge?
This kindled his interest.
He really was in a state where he needed to test his skills with another.
The previous battle with Liu Changsheng was a genuine fight to the death, which had ended too quickly. Although he had gained some insights, he hadn’t truly refined his martial arts.
This time, with Pei Luoshu’s arrival, it was a perfect opportunity.
“Come in.”
…
Pei Luoling and Pei Luoshu entered the training room.
Before they could even speak,
they saw Zhou Heng, who was originally seated on the meditation cushion, stand up. Both felt an immense pressure bearing down on them.
Especially Pei Luoshu, who felt cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
What’s going on?
I haven’t offended him, have I?
Could this guy want to compete with me for my sister?
That’s just nonsense, right?
What’s the situation??
For a moment, Pei Luoshu’s mind was flooded with question marks.
“Ranked 33rd on the human list, ‘One-Finger Mystical Penetration’ Pei Luoshu, direct descendant of the Pei family, peak of the Seventh Rank, Inner Qi just beginning to manifest.” Zhou Heng took large steps forward with extremely quick movements, almost instantly appearing in front of Pei Luoshu, he said, “Are you here to challenge me? Fine, I accept the challenge—make your move!”
Dammit?!
What’s happening??
I didn’t, I haven’t, stop spouting nonsense!!
Pei Luoshu was completely dumbfounded. He was only accompanying his sister to meet a friend. How had this suddenly turned into a challenge?
Who the hell would want to challenge a monster like you!
An Eighth Rank martial artist skilled in swordplay, an Eighth Rank martial artist whose Inner Qi formed visible light almost like a phenomenon, an Eighth Rank martial artist who broke through a Secret Six Rank technique in an instant!
I, Pei Luoshu, would have to be insane to even think of challenging you!
Do I think my ranking is too high and needs lowering?
If my ranking on the list drops, the spending money given by my family will decrease!!
I can’t have that!
Just as Pei Luoshu was about to open his mouth to decline, Pei Luoling was beside him, nodding emphatically, saying, “Yes, yes, that’s right, my brother is here to challenge you!”
“… My God, is this really my sister?” Pei Luoshu thought helplessly, but since Zhou Heng had already rushed over, he could not afford to appear cowardly or shrink back. He reluctantly said, “Okay.”
“Thank you,” Zhou Heng said with a smile.
No sooner had he spoken than he threw a punch, like a deity wielding a hammer, thunderously crashing down.
Grasp Gold Hammer!
However, he hadn’t exerted his full strength in this move, nor had he released his Innate Pure Yang Inner Qi. It was merely a normal force attack, a combat strategy for sparring rather than going all out in a do-or-die fight.
Pei Luoshu saw through Zhou Heng’s intention and raised his right hand, pointing out a finger as if he had seen through all the variations of Zhou Heng’s punch, directly aiming for its weakest point.
The Pei family’s Seventh Rank martial art “Hollow Finger.”
It was said that this finger technique was passed down from a Celestial Man ancestor of the Pei family in the Middle Ancient period, mastering the way of endless changes.
It emphasized deducing the opponent’s move variations in real-time, finding the weakest point, and then breaking through it.
It shared a similar brilliance with the Nine Swords of Dugu, yet it was different.
Pei Luoshu’s finger precisely pointed to the weakest part of Zhou Heng’s punch variations, not allowing him to deploy his full power.
To some extent, Zhou Heng’s Grasp Gold Hammer move had been nullified by the Hollow Finger.
But just because a move was broken, it doesn’t mean the attack was ineffective.
Zhou Heng, currently boosted by a tremendous strength +3 to his basic attributes and protected by the Golden Bell Body Protection, still had a punch that was unstoppable even if his move was countered.
His fist lit up with a dark golden hue, and despite being targeted by the Hollow Finger, it emitted a sound as loud as the tolling of a bell.
Pei Luoshu’s face immediately changed color as he felt an overwhelming force at his fingertips. Even though he had disrupted the opponent’s move, it seemed to have little effect.
The mountain-like, sea-like force surged toward him, forcing him to retreat backwards.
What does it mean to break skill with sheer power, to overcome skill with massive strength?
This was it!
When the Hollow Finger encountered such a force, it was like a scholar meeting a soldier – logic failed.
No matter how exquisite your finger techniques or how many moves you break, my one punch comes thundering down, shaking heaven and earth, leaving you no choice but to defend.
This Zhou Heng is just too fierce!
He shouldn’t be called the Purple Lightning Thunder Blade, he clearly should be called the Mighty Vajra Hammer!
However, Pei Luoshu, being a direct heir of a millennia-old family, naturally had a way to contend with such tremendous power.
As Zhou Heng’s punch, disregarding the Hollow Finger, hammered down, Pei Luoshu’s inner qi surged, his spirit and will merged with the heavens and the earth, and the microcosm of his internal world became externally visible.
In an instant, space within three feet around Pei Luoshu twisted subtly, as if ripples had suddenly appeared. These ripples, spinning or bending, were unpredictable.
It seemed to affect the principles of the surrounding environment, and Zhou Heng immediately felt that the force of his punch had veered off course. The once immensely mighty Grasp Gold Hammer seemed to have weakened considerably.
Then, Pei Luoshu launched another strike, not with the Hollow Finger focused on breaking moves, but with the Breaking Mysterious Finger aimed at piercing. His energy passed through his body and converged at his fingertip into a clear and gleaming light, akin to a nail, thrusting towards Zhou Heng.
Boom!
But just at that moment, the ground beneath Zhou Heng suddenly shook, causing tremors throughout the martial arts hall with loud reverberations. Needless to say, Pei Luoshu, who was closest to him, was directly jolted off balance and left disconcerted.
Seizing this opportunity, Zhou Heng transitioned from fist to palm, and his Innate Pure Yang inner qi vibrated out. In an instant, it bypassed the distorted environmental influence of Pei Luoshu’s internal world and slapped towards his chest.
Clang clang!
The bell-like resonance echoed in the training room, and Zhou Heng’s Ring Gold Palm halted right in front of Pei Luoshu’s chest, without actually striking down.
But the outcome was already clear.
“Congratulations! You have defeated the easily overwhelmed opponent Pei Luoshu, Fortune Bag [Copper] +1.”
The reward announcement sounded.
Zhou Heng put down his hand and then said with a cupped fist salute, “Your martial arts are excellent. The method of internal world manifestation has broadened my horizons.”
“Hiss, hiss, you’re the one with excellent martial arts, such incredible strength,” Pei Luoshu grimaced, his fingers aching from the shock. He said, “No wonder my sister always praises you to the skies.”
“What?” Pei Luoling didn’t expect the conversation to suddenly revolve around her. She quickly shook her head and said, “No, I didn’t, don’t talk nonsense!”
“Then why are you always pestering me to come and find Zhou Heng?” Pei Luoshu looked at his sister with disbelief.
“I just wanted to listen to stories,” Pei Luoling puffed her cheeks and said, “The stories he tells are really captivating, with suspense and excitement that make my heart race. They’re nothing like the ones those storytellers outside tell.”
“Is it that impressive?” Pei Luoshu became a bit curious, completely forgetting that he had just been “defeated” by Zhou Heng, and he started contemplating whether to stay around for free food, drink, and stories.
“So, you came looking for me to hear stories,” Zhou Heng said with a light laugh, “I thought your brother came to challenge me, I apologize for any offense during the bout.”
“What offense? It’s common for people of the martial path to test each other with moves,” Pei Luoshu said nonchalantly, laughing, “But your strength is truly astonishing; probably only those in the top twenty or even top ten of the Ranking List would be able to contend with you.”
Hearing this, Zhou Heng’s spirits lifted, and he quickly asked, “Then do you know anywhere in Pingzhou where I can find any of these top twenty people? I mean on the Ranking List.”
“That’s hard to say. You know how it is, roaming the martial path without a fixed abode. They could be anywhere,” Pei Luoshu shook his head and said, “It’s hard to pinpoint, but I heard that the newly ranked fifteenth on the list was spotted at Wujiang Prefecture half a month ago.”
“There’s talk that there might be some Ancient Treasure in Wujiang Prefecture, attracting many martial artists,” Pei Luoling suddenly spoke up, “I heard it in the teahouse when listening to the storytellers say.
“It’s said that there might be an ancient Grandmaster’s cave in Wujiang Prefecture. Many people have headed there, including some prominent fighters from the top ranks of the Ranking List. Li Wuwang is probably one of them.”
“Li Wuwang?” Zhou Heng’s eyebrows rose.
He had heard the name. This person had a mysterious background and his origins were unknown; although he was not yet twenty years old, his strength was extraordinary. Having entered the scene for only a few months, he had shot up to the top twenty of the Rankings.
“Hey, hey! What’s going on with you… Ah!”
Just then, Yu He’s screams suddenly came from outside. Followed by a dull thud, Yu He was flung from the main hall and crashed to the ground not far from Zhou Heng, spitting out blood.
“Who says you can’t come in, and who are you to stop me?” a voice filled with disdain rose from the hall, “Where is Zhou Heng?”