[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith":3,"chapter-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-723":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Childhood Friend of the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1240771,1667,"Chapter 722","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-723",723,"\u003Cp>It had been a long time since the appearance of the Ten Great Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This title emerged after the Great War between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects—known as the Battle of Righteousness and Evil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While some names had changed over time, the framework remained largely intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Zhongyuan revered martial strength, and these ten were its most renowned warriors.Once the rankings were established, it was far more unusual for them to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just look at the Three Lords.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Three Lords hadn’t made a public appearance in over a decade.The Celestial Lord showed up occasionally, but the Overlord hadn’t been seen in over twenty years—yet his position remained untouched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This only proved how firmly their places were secured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, let’s pose a question:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How strong are the Ten Great Masters, really?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a fundamental question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Seven Irons and Three Fists—the supposed ten strongest warriors in Zhongyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But were they truly the top ten?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered myself without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t think so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhongyuan was filled with people hiding their strength.Just look at my father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he hadn’t participated in the war, his strength was never revealed.There must have been others like him—masters who didn’t step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps they knew the war could be won without their help.Or maybe they simply didn’t care whether the war was won or lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why they stayed hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They showed themselves during the Blood Demon War.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Heavenly Demon unleashed his massacre, all of Zhongyuan was set ablaze.There were no more excuses to remain hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was during this time that the Thunder Saint and the Warlord rose to prominence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were monsters—perhaps not quite at the level of the Three Lords but certainly strong enough to be counted among the Ten Great Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant there were still warriors out there stronger than the ones currently recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Ten Great Masters were powerful, no doubt about it.But the story surrounding them wasn’t the full truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m not saying they’re weak.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I simply meant that strength alone didn’t guarantee a spot on that list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap. Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I brushed my hands off lightly and looked forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Leader of the Emei Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal stood before me with her hands clasped behind her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood there quietly, but the air around her rippled ever so slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she flaring her energy like that idiot Clan Leader of the Peng family?No, that wasn’t it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more like her presence naturally leaked out, no matter how much she tried to contain it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A Fist Immortal, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Emei Sect, which was famous for its sword techniques, this woman had risen to the top through her mastery of martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I steadied my thoughts as I observed the old woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, I focused on her presence and activated my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My muscles tensed and expanded as I prepared for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I began to ready myself—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Gu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you really going through with this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean? You came all this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were standing in the training ground behind the residence.It was a space I had asked Lady Mi to prepare, mainly for sparring with the Overlord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was the site of my duel with the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by her expression, she wasn’t too thrilled about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll ask one last time… are you sure?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need to ask. My answer won’t change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shut down her pointless questioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should stretch a bit first. At your age, you might pull something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let out a soft sigh, and I felt her aura brush against my skin.My heightened senses caught every ripple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is your chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A chance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we continue, I won’t let you off lightly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breathing felt slightly heavier.Her presence began to spread, gradually engulfing the training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are impressive—so much so that I was shocked. You have the right to be arrogant and proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that’s as far as it goes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She brushed her hand through the air, and it shimmered faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do I look like that idiot from the Peng family to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Overlord of the Peng family, reduced to a fool in an instant.I almost laughed but held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure in the air wasn’t something to take lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Emei Sect doesn’t overlook insults.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small ripple transformed into a crackling force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what? Are you backing out now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you apologize and beg for forgiveness, I might let this slide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Apologize? For what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed and quickly covered my mouth.Oops. I couldn’t hold it in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, I dropped my hand.It was too late—I might as well stick to my usual attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the one who barged in here unannounced this morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Unannounced?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She frowned at my choice of words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And now you want an apology? Did it upset you that a younger man stood up to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re seriously crossing the line.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there was a line, I crossed it ages ago. It’s too much trouble to worry about things like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you do realize you’re picking a fight with the Emei Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Emei Sect, my ass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed as I said it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just messing with an old lady who’s getting on my nerves.Call it the Emei Sect if you want—I don’t really care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And now, do you really think I don’t know that if I apologize and beg for forgiveness, you’ll just use it as an excuse to get the answers you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she think I’d let her off easy? Not a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much she tried to frame this as childish bravado, the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal followed me here for a reason—and it wasn’t just to scold me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s keep it simple, shall we? I already gave you the justification you need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A seasoned master fighting someone of the younger generation was already controversial.Especially when the fight was about settling a conflict rather than simply exchanging pointers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could easily tarnish her reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I handed her a clean justification—by picking a fight first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I even placed restrictions. I already vowed not to disclose this incident publicly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d already ensured there wouldn’t be any loose ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was handled perfectly, so what was she hesitating for?I couldn’t understand it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, neither could she.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? Why go this far?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sect Leader, have you gone deaf?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve explained everything, yet here you are, asking again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t she been listening?Or did she hear it and still not understand?If so, maybe I needed to make it even simpler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just don’t feel like wasting time playing mind games. Let’s settle this with fists. Isn’t that how martial artists should resolve things?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was getting tedious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My schedule was already packed today.I didn’t have time to entertain this old woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So enough talking, Grandma. Let’s get this over with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was it—my patience had run out.I cracked my shoulders and let the words fly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman beside the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal immediately flushed red with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You brat! Do you realize who you’re talking to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same woman who had interrupted earlier.Judging by her expression, she was furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you speak to the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect—Ugh?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never got to finish her sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About ten steps.That was the distance I covered in a single stride before grabbing her by the throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body trembled as I held her, and I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did I say earlier? That I’d rip your arm off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghhkk—!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t rip it off, but I did twist it into a grotesque angle.I held back—barely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you keep butting in when the adults are talking?You’re going to get yourself killed, you know that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t even scream.I made sure to block her airflow while grabbing her throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, I looked directly at the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two steps separated us now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’re still hesitating, let me help you decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes had widened, but this was my way of showing consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warning not to let her guard down before we started.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re not going to fight, I’ll kill her right here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled as I said it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was when her aura exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The posture hadn’t changed, but the atmosphere had.It felt like I was facing an entirely different person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this the fighting spirit of one of the Ten Great Masters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was heavy—but not in a bad way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tossed the woman aside carelessly.The sound of her slamming into the wall echoed across the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held back just enough, but she might still be dead.The thought crossed my mind as—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really have a talent for provoking people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal didn’t even glance at her disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s your decision, I’ll respect it.Youthful arrogance burns bright and loud.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, she shifted into her stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make sure you don’t regret this—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut her off with a punch to the stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body folded in half, and I followed through with the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body flew backward, crashing through the wall of the training hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debris rained down.I looked at the mess and muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trying to act tough, huh? You’ll die at this rate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after all the warnings, she was still putting on airs.Unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at the rubble with irritation when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of pressure erupted.I immediately reinforced my grip and—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heat gathered in my palm, and within moments, a flame orb materialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I put all my strength into it and hurled it toward the debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Whooosh—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion engulfed the area, the heat intense enough to leave nothing but ashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it over?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Like hell.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t entertain that thought for a second.I turned my gaze toward the far side of the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head slightly, and a fist brushed past my cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal had already escaped the blast and closed the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely noticed her movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You brat—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stomped the ground, and cracks spread out in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her barrage followed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless strikes filled my vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I twisted my body and parried each one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even deflecting her punches sent vibrations through my arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Heavy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rumors about her strength weren’t exaggerated.Despite her age, every punch felt strong enough to shatter bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did my earlier punch not get through?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surprise attack to her abdomen—I’d shattered her defensive aura, but it didn’t land properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d reacted in that brief instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not bad.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was definitely one of the Ten Great Masters.Completely different from the nobodies I’d faced before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt it—a shift in the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the flurry of exchanged blows, something about the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Her Qi flow changed.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was subtle—something I could have missed if I wasn’t paying attention.She was gathering energy, trying to conceal it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Where?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I struck back while scanning her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There it is.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From her left shoulder to her fist.The Qi flow was twisted there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she was left-handed after all.Her frequent use of her right hand had been a deliberate deception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A feint.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted me to believe she favored her right hand. Thorough planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t matter now that I’d figured it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes, shifted my stance, and loosened my waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her punch came flying toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her powerful strike hit my shoulder, making my stance waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My shoulder throbbed, and the ache spread to my bones.Even with Qi reinforcement, it still stung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t enough to impress me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hup!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing an opening, she shifted her posture to unleash the energy she’d been saving.The hidden power in her hand flared as she extended her palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial Flood Palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive surge of Qi shaped like a palm burst forward—or tried to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her technique was interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before it could fully manifest, I intercepted her palm with mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy scattered, exploding outward in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kuh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal staggered back, coughing up blood.Her Qi had been forcefully disrupted, twisting her meridians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff… Huff…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gasped for air, her expression one of disbelief as she looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had just used a brute-force method to block her technique.I struck at the moment her Qi was about to release, creating a violent clash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, such a maneuver would result in both sides taking internal damage—with the attacker suffering more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s only if our energy levels were equal.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelming strength erased that problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t completely unscathed, but it was manageable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal wobbled.Even so, I had no intention of letting up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lashed out with a kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She barely managed to block with her arm, but the impact sent her reeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Once more.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, I gathered flames around my fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine Flames Ash Wolf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My punch exploded with fire as it connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames engulfed the training ground.Despite the raging fire, my eyes stayed sharp as I scanned the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her silhouette was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attack had landed, but she’d used the momentum to slip away, using the flames to obscure my vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a bad move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You can’t escape my flames.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire was an extension of my Qi.Moving within it only made her position even clearer to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You should’ve tried to extinguish it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I extended my left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whip—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gui-jeong unfurled, a length of cloth shooting out from my sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snatch—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I caught her through the flames and yanked her toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She burst out of the fire, hurtling toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward and—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I punched her in the face as she drew near.I didn’t even need to reinforce it with Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after taking the hit, she tried to retaliate.I sidestepped and slammed her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her balance faltered.The failed counterattack left her wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now her legs.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I aimed for her right thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact locked up her movements, and I followed up by shattering her ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pinned her down and slammed my knee into her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her Qi barrier shattered under the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gahk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She coughed up blood.I twisted my body to avoid the splatter—I didn’t have enough spare clothes for this mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the momentum, I kicked her in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her head snapped back, blood spraying through the air.Her Qi wavered and then completely dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a step back and then slapped her chest and sent her flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smashed into the wall and crumpled to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as she lay there, I didn’t relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if this was another feint?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But time passed, and she didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stillness was unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned.Surely not, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waited a little longer, but nothing changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Seriously?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked over, grabbed her hair, and lifted her up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her limp body dragged along the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face was a mess, blood streaming from her nose and mouth.Her breaths were shallow, barely there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked completely broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt hollow inside.Nothing I’d hoped for had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at her ruined face and asked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is really it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t crippled or shattered.Her internal organs were intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of fight was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glared at her pathetic form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re kidding, right? You’re this weak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was one of the Ten Great Masters of Zhongyuan.Even if she was weaker than the rumors claimed, this was ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t even close to what I’d expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook her by the hair, but her shallow breathing only grew weaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, Grandma. Get up. We’re not done yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t end it like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tremble…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t even respond.Her body only trembled weakly in my grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>",2701,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","170c80f0d279ac2550e68d17004ab321dfe728477bdc046f3266d394d7e21951","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-899","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-722",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]