Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing-Chapter 379: Foreknowledge Without Divination (I)

Time passed slowly, and more and more disciples arrived.

Only those with the status of inner sect disciple or above were qualified to attend this evening's banquet.

"Senior Sister, why is there suddenly a banquet? Is there some happy occasion?" Lin Zheyu asked curiously.

Among the young talents present, Lin Zheyu recognized almost none of them. Yet every disciple who entered the hall cast curious glances at him, making him feel like an animal on display in a zoo.

"Of course it is to let the main sect disciples get to know you, our great genius. Junior Brother, tell me honestly, are you really fifty years old? You look far too young. How do you maintain yourself? Teach me," Wang Shuxian asked with curiosity.

From the moment Lin Zheyu sat down, she kept examining him, extremely curious about this genius disciple from a branch division.

"If I said I am not even fifty, would you believe me?" Lin Zheyu asked in return.

"I would. Then how old are you really?" Wang Shuxian nodded and continued asking.

"I look this young, so of course I am twenty," Lin Zheyu said with a smile, half joking and half serious. The body he inhabited was only nineteen, and in a few months it would turn twenty.

"Please, you might as well say eighteen." Wang Shuxian rolled her eyes, not believing him at all.

To cultivate martial arts to this level at twenty was simply impossible.

"Haha..." Guo Wenzi burst into laughter.

"By the way, where are Master and Martial Aunt? Why have they not come yet?" Lin Zheyu asked.

After parting at the Wuji Tower, Huang Baizhong and Wu Xuan had not been seen again.

"They are discussing matters with the sect elders. The situation in Great Wei has been somewhat difficult lately. We will likely abandon some unimportant territories and resources," Guo Wenzi said. As she spoke of it, a trace of gravity appeared on her face.

"It is indeed troublesome. In the territories I oversee, traces of demon puppets have already appeared," Qiu Baoyu added.

The three of them were all experts in the Force Transformation realm, each responsible for an important territory. The appearance of demon puppets in all those lands was an extremely serious issue.

"What is there to fear? Great Wei is so powerful. It will surely be fine. We, martial artists, are only a bit stronger than ordinary people. We just do our duty, and if things truly go bad, we run," Wang Shuxian said with a giggle.

Lin Zheyu sat to the side, listening to their conversation. He had no interest in joining in the chatter among the women, yet he found it oddly engaging. Even martial artists chatted about gossip just like ordinary people.

"Liang En is here."

"Martial Uncle is finally here. This will be interesting!"

"Are they going to fight? Anyone opening bets? I want to wager on Senior Brother Liang En."

"Heh, Liang En is nothing. I am betting on Junior Brother Lin Zheyu of Azure Tide Pavilion." A man snickered, clearly someone who disliked Liang En.

Hearing the commotion, Lin Zheyu looked toward the entrance. The man there bore himself with an imposing presence, sharp from head to toe, like an arrow loosed from the bow.

"What technique does Senior Brother Liang En cultivate?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"He cultivates the Sevenfold Swift Thunder Sword. His sword strikes are as fast as lightning, and his attacks are incomparably powerful. When his sword is unleashed, it is like heavenly punishment descending, terrifying to behold. Junior Brother, you will likely lose this challenge. If you had trained for a few more years, with your natural talent and aptitude, you might have stood a chance. But right now, it is too early," Wang Shuxian said.

"Senior Sister, how about we make a bet?" Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

"Oh? How do you want to bet? I can put Qiu Baoyu up as the stake and wager that Liang En will win this time," Wang Shuxian joked with a grin. Even Qiu Baoyu, given her temperament, could not help but glare at her.

"Let us bet on who will win this challenge. I bet on myself to win. Senior Sister, you bet on Senior Brother Liang En. The loser gives the winner two bottles of spirit liquid. How about it?" Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

"Alright, it is settled!" Wang Shuxian said.

Lin Zheyu looked toward Senior Sister Wenzi and Qiu Baoyu and asked with a smile, "Would the two of you like to join as well?"

"No."

"Me neither."

Guo Wenzi and Qiu Baoyu both shook their heads, clearly having no intention of joining the wager.

"You two have such confidence in Junior Brother Lin? Wenzi, you know him best. Who do you think will win this spar?" Wang Shuxian asked.

"I am definitely betting on Junior Brother Lin to win," Guo Wenzi said with a smile. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

As they were chatting, Liang En walked in. After sweeping his gaze around the hall, he headed toward Lin Zheyu with an expressionless face.

Liang En came before Lin Zheyu and said calmly, "Greetings, Senior Sisters... and you must be Lin Zheyu."

His aura was extremely powerful. His true intent was restrained yet ready to erupt, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as if thunder were exploding within them.

Lin Zheyu stood up and said with a smile, "That is me. I have long heard of Senior Brother Liang En's great name. Seeing you today, you truly live up to it, extraordinary in bearing."

Not even a trace of true intent fluctuation emanated from him. He seemed like an ordinary person. Even in the face of Liang En, whose true intent was restrained but sharp, he showed not the slightest reaction. This display astonished the surrounding disciples.

"Junior Brother Lin shows no reaction at all before Liang En's powerful aura. He truly has some skill," Wang Shuxian whispered.

Guo Wenzi smiled faintly to herself. Earlier that day at the technique exchange, she had witnessed firsthand the terrifying strength of Lin Zheyu's spirit and soul. She had been deeply shocked. If it were her, she had no confidence she could handle the elders' spiritual pressures as effortlessly as Lin Zheyu had.

"Your natural talent is very strong, but wanting to challenge me now is a bit too impatient. In a few more years, I might not be your match. But right now, you cannot defeat me," Liang En said calmly.

"We shall see," Lin Zheyu replied with a smile, making a welcoming gesture. "Senior Brother, would you like to sit with us?"

"Alright." Liang En took the seat beside Lin Zheyu.

Lin Zheyu was slightly surprised. He had thought Liang En would refuse. But when he saw the way Liang En looked at Qiu Baoyu, realization dawned on him. It seemed this fellow had feelings for her. Perhaps coming over to speak with him had merely been an excuse to get closer to her.

"Senior Brother, you have feelings for Senior Sister Baoyu, don't you?" Lin Zheyu asked softly with a smile. "Those words you said earlier were not just an excuse to approach her, were they?"

"No. I do like Senior Sister, but there is no need to use you as an excuse," Liang En replied calmly.

After saying that, he ignored Lin Zheyu and looked toward Qiu Baoyu, saying, "Senior Sister, it has been a long time."

"We just met last week. It has not been long," Qiu Baoyu said gently.

"Is that so? Yet it feels like a very long time to me." Liang En spoke words of longing in the calmest tone.

Qiu Baoyu merely smiled politely and did not respond. Clearly, she was not interested in Liang En. Lin Zheyu sat to the side, watching the scene unfold and finding it rather amusing.

"Junior Brother, you should find someone, too. Liang En already has someone in mind. What about you? I think Wang Shuxian is quite good," Guo Wenzi whispered mischievously.

"I am not in a hurry. I am still young," Lin Zheyu replied.

After waiting a while longer, Huang Baizhong and Wu Xuan finally arrived, accompanied by several elders from the main sect. The sect master was absent on business, so the third elder presided over the banquet. Not only the sect master, but almost all the younger Grandmaster realm experts were away. Only elderly Grandmaster realm elders remained to guard the Wuji Sect.

There was nothing particularly important about this banquet. It was mainly to host Huang Baizhong, the Pavilion Master of Azure Tide Pavilion, who had come to the main sect on official matters. At the same time, the third elder solemnly introduced Lin Zheyu to the main sect disciples, holding him up as an example to inspire them.

"When we last met, you had only just joined the Wuji Sect as a true disciple. I did not expect that in the blink of an eye, you would already have the strength to compete with Liang En to be the Dao Child," Liang Ying said with emotion.

"This is Liang Ying, the third elder's second disciple," Guo Wenzi whispered at his side.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Liang Ying," Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

Aside from Liang Ying, he also met several other true disciples of the main sect. Lin Zheyu greeted each of them. As they were unfamiliar and had little in common, after a few awkward exchanges, the conversation soon died out.

"Senior Brother, I will see you at the martial arena tomorrow at the hour of Chen.[1]"

After the banquet, Lin Zheyu formally issued his challenge to Liang En.

"Very well. See you tomorrow," Liang En replied calmly, then turned coolly and prepared to leave.

"Senior Brother, are you not going to see Senior Sister Baoyu off? Acting like this, you will never win her heart." Lin Zheyu called out to stop Liang En.

He found Liang En rather interesting. Though sharp and imposing, he gave off a somewhat simple and earnest impression. Most likely, Liang En had spent the greater part of his life training in martial arts and had little worldly experience. He had seen this in many genius martial artists. If they had not devoted most of their time to training, they could not have reached such strength at this age.

"Thank you." Liang En considered it for a moment and felt there was some truth to it.

He thanked Lin Zheyu and walked toward Qiu Baoyu. After the banquet ended, Huang Baizhong and Wu Xuan came over to Lin Zheyu and the others.

"Your martial aunt and I still have matters to handle. You two can return on your own later. No need to wait for us," Huang Baizhong said.

"Master, is there anything I can help with?" Guo Wenzi asked.

She was now only a step away from the peak of the Force Transformation realm. As long as she found the right opportunity and completely cast off the influence of true intent, she could attempt to condense Grandmaster true intent. Her main priority was seeking that opportunity. There was little to do back at the sect. She wished to accompany Huang Baizhong in hopes of encountering a breakthrough chance.

"No need. You escort Lin Zheyu back. The situation is somewhat chaotic now. I fear something unexpected might occur," Huang Baizhong said.

"Master, you need not worry about me. Senior Sister is only one step from the peak of the Force Transformation realm. She must seek her opportunity. That is more important. The Marrow Refining realm disciples are all out on missions. They are not afraid of danger. My strength surpasses theirs, so there is even less reason to worry. A young eagle must leave the warmth of its nest to truly grow strong. A martial artist raised under constant protection can never become a supreme expert," Lin Zheyu said.

He had already obtained the technique and wanted to act alone. On the way back, he planned to venture into the deep mountains and forests to find powerful demon puppets and test his strength. It had been a long time since he had fought with his full power.

"Hahaha... I have been overthinking. In that case, Lin Zheyu, return on your own. Be careful on the way back," Huang Baizhong instructed.

By fortunate chance, he had taken in a peerless genius like Lin Zheyu as a disciple. Huang Baizhong always worried about his safety, fearing he might perish before reaching his full potential.

"I will be careful."

1. 辰时 (chén shí) is the traditional Chinese two-hour period from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., associated with the Earthly Branch "Chen" and the Dragon. ☜