The Science of Cultivation-Chapter 242: Brimming with Questions

While Li Lang was lost in thought, the match taking place on the platform continued to unfold.

Several tornadoes of fire circled one of the cultivators, desperately trying to fend off the spear-wielding opponent. It was apparent the fire wielder was at a disadvantage, as his opponent constantly managed to close the distance. He barely hung on by parrying the barrage of sharp thrusts and diving for cover behind his firestorms.

“Fei Yan shouldn’t be losing this badly against some independent cultivator of the orthodox path! Is he holding back, so he doesn’t reveal his cards early?”

“Hmm, that may be the smart thing to do, but does he have no pride? How can you still dwell on such matters when he’s being beaten black and blue? He’s embarrassing the Pyrewatchers’ name!”

In the heat of the action, the man the spectators were gossiping about seemed to have overheard their comments. He abruptly glanced over with a furious gaze, startling the young man who had publicly mired his reputation.

Almost immediately, a giant fire tornado began to expand around him. The spear wielder simply hovered in the air, waiting for Fei Yan to exhaust himself with his flashy move. However, what he didn’t expect was the other party suddenly charging out through the flames.

He rushed to dodge out of the way, and thanks to his quick reaction, there was an ample amount of leeway for him. Everyone in the audience could see that the fire specialist was too slow compared to his opponent.

“What is he doing? Fei Yan specializes in Qi arts. Why is he charging at a martial arts expert?”

“Ha!” The previously startled young man recovered somewhat, seeing the foolish scene. “He doesn’t even know to keep his distance to maximize his range advantage. The new generation of Pyrewatchers sure pale in comparison to the older—”

Just as the spectators thought they knew what would happen, the sword in Fei Yan’s hand was suddenly engulfed in flames. The more experienced people in the venue gasped upon recognizing what was happening.

“—What? How is that anything special?” The young man was soon left speechless when the relatively slow Fei Yan managed to catch up to his opponent. “How did he catch up? He’s not moving any faster at all!”

“Younglings these days,” an elder gentlemen sighed as he shook his head. “They can’t even recognize a martial intent when it happens before their eyes.”

“What?! You mean that Fei Yan masted the fire intent?!”

The spear-wielder grimaced upon recognizing the encroaching enemy. It was only for a split second before he prepared to unleash another thrust with his spear. Suddenly, both parties froze in mid-air. It was only for an instant before the two clashed, but it caused an even greater stir among the spectators.

“That young man is an independent cultivator, right? How can he master a martial intent at such a young age as well? What was his name again? Li something?”

“It’s Ri Xin, Senior Brother.”

Upon hearing that name, Li Lang finally snapped out of his musing. It was a name he recognized.

“Ri Xin?” he muttered as he turned to Long Yi.

“Is that who I think it is?”

“Who?”

“Oh, never mind. I forgot you entered Spirit Grove a year later than me.”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“Hey, I recognize him!” Sima Xue chimed in. “Don’t forget I entered the sect the same year as you. He’s that independent cultivator who showed up in the sect competition, right?”

“Yeah.” Li Lang stared at Sima Xue wordlessly for a brief moment before looking back at the fight. He didn’t want to uncover the lid he put on the awful memories he had of Sima Xue, or to be precise, Ling Xue.

There were too many things for him to worry about to hold a grudge against every little thing. He understood Ling Xue meant no harm, so he had to put it behind them to focus on more fruitful endeavors.

“Anyway, I guess it shouldn’t be surprising he has made great progress since then. He has a unique physique, after all.”

“Nevertheless, mastering a martial intent in the early stage of Foundation Establishment is nothing to scoff at,” Jian Beiyun added. “There are plenty of Violet Core cultivators who haven’t mastered an intent yet.”

“Senior Jian,” Li Lang called out in a serious tone. “Doesn’t that mean some talented cultivators in the Foundation Establishment realm can defeat some of the weaker Violet Core experts?”

“Oh, no. Martial intent doesn’t give you that big of an advantage. It affects the soul and spirit directly. The higher your cultivation, the stronger those two aspects become. Even at the level of early-stage Foundation Establishment, it’s only able to cause their opponent to stiffen for a split second. Less when both parties have mastered an intent.”

“A sp-split second is still a big deal, though,” Wei Ping commented.

“That’s true.”

The group continued to silently watch the fight unfold for a while longer before it came to an end. The spear-wielder had emerged victorious. With both of them revealing the same trump card, they naturally canceled each other out. The one who had the advantage retained it until the end.

Under the applause of the spectators, the stern-looking Ri Xin walked back to an old man wearing a large straw hat.

From their conversation, it was soon revealed that this man was his master. The people around them soon lost interest as the next spar began. Only Fei Yan continued to stare daggers at the two—or so he thought.

Just as he was about to approach Ri Xin to formally challenge him to a rematch, a young man had reached the talented independent cultivator first. This newcomer had a head that was slightly larger than the average. It was naturally Li Lang.

“Ri Xin, it’s been some time,” he greeted warmly.

The man in question turned around with a puzzled look. He stared straight into Li Lang’s eyes with a confused expression.

“And you are?”

“I’m Li Lang. We met when you visited Spirit Grove a few years ago.”

“The boy with the oversized head?”

“Haha, that’s right, but I have grown up somewhat now.”

Ri Xin smiled and nodded at his words.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

“That, you have. I remember you had only just entered the sect back then. It seems you’ve had your own fortuitous encounters to have reached the peak of Energy Gathering.”

“Well, it’s a long story. Anyway, do you have some time to spare? I would like to catch up and ask you a few questions.”

“That—”

Before Ri Xin could answer, Li Lang’s companions caught up. They hadn’t expected him to slip away so quickly.

“Don’t b-be selfish, boss. You can’t be asking others f-for their time on such short notice. We have t-to reciprocate Senior Jian’s kindness for giving us his time as well.”

Wei Ping’s intense gaze almost caused Li Lang to flinch back. It sternly reprimanded him for trying to ditch their guides just because of his own selfish desire to interview someone new. It made Li Lang turn back to Ri Xin and politely clasp his fist.

“Apologies. I was getting ahead of myself. If you don’t mind, maybe we can get together sometime in the coming week?”

“Sure, no problem. I’m staying at Wind Shell Inn. You can send someone over once your schedule is more clear and we can work things out.”

With the matter settled, Ri Xin quickly left the venue with his master. He was understandably in need of rest. Even the competitive Fei Yan was tactful enough not to approach him any longer. He could only swallow his pride and wait for another opportunity to schedule his rematch. For now, he just stared venomously at Li Lang for making him have to endure.

For better or worse, Li Lang was completely oblivious to such matters. He followed his group to spectate another fight taking place on the neighboring platform. There were numerous talented experts around and plenty of techniques to witness. His only regret was his inability to obtain a copy of the techniques these fighters used. After all, it would be too crass, even for Li Lang, to blatantly ask a cultivator for their technique right after their match.

Hmm, I’ll have to visit the marketplace again tomorrow. For today—I’ll interview my students for their techniques and get their impressions instead!