[{"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-733":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},1240783,1667,"Chapter 732","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-733",733,"\u003Cp>Crunch—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound like something tearing through space echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An alien energy stretched outward in all directions, distorting the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force felt as though the very air was screaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kiiiik—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each step Gu Yangcheon took, the energy grew denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it killing intent or fighting spirit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever it was, the aura was rough and unbridled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even brushing against the energy felt like it would rip his skin apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too foreign, too alien to be human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From above the arena, Plum Blossom Immortal Do Hua couldn’t suppress a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That child...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he was marveling, a crack rang through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that something had begun to fracture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only relief was that a barrier had been immediately erected around the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognizing the familiar energy, Do Hua turned to look toward its source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had cast the barrier—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Sword Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood beside the Alliance Leader, carefully stabilizing the energy flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the barrier in place, vibrations continued to shake the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Emperor, one of the top ten masters just beneath the Three Lords, had set the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even his barrier trembled under the force of the energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...How strange.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plum Blossom Immortal gazed at the arena with calm eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this overwhelming aura?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I expected the eye of the storm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already acknowledged the child’s value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spark that had grown and grown—soon to become a roaring flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do Hua had been certain of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But this isn’t the eye of the storm. It’s the storm itself.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was beyond expectation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do Hua looked down at his own hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingertips were trembling slightly, and a thin layer of cold sweat had formed on his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body had tensed instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer force radiating from that child had seeped into his nerves and set his blood boiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah... Hahaha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had such a child come to possess this level of power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do Hua shifted his gaze beyond the arena—toward someone watching from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this your creation?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-haired, kind-looking young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now called the Twin Dragon, but in Do Hua’s memory, he had been known by another name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Or... is this a fire that child lit on his own?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a question no one could answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment he first saw him, the boy had felt strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes that had already died at an age when they should have been full of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A child who carried a bloodstained sword in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he had seemed like a blade that was already rusted and dulled, ready to shatter at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But now... it’s sharp.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far sharper than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not even the same sword anymore.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had changed drastically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the energy, Do Hua steadied his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wrapped his body in Qi, calming himself slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, the pressure remained overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy continued to leak out endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scenery itself began to distort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura reshaped the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do Hua observed the others in the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every face was drenched in sweat, their eyes locked on the arena in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was different from when the Twin Dragon fought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, they had felt the wall separating them as martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They can’t even comprehend the wall.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only way to describe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon’s presence felt utterly alien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Saint, who stood in the center, staring at the arena without even breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do Hua frowned as he looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Saint’s face was devoid of expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he truly composed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others might see it that way, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sword Saint.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do Hua knew better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That face was far from calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he thinking as he stared like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do Hua pondered the question—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden explosion drew reactions from all around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had burst through the energy barrier and shot into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The momentary confusion didn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—! Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shockwaves exploded outward as if trying to suppress the energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And within them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clear, divine energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahhh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Divine Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy poured out in waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hah... Huff...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the crushing pressure—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A force filled with the will to dominate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon barely managed to move his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instinctively unleashed his Hundred Steps Divine Fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—! Bang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept throwing punches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Qi drained rapidly, but this wasn’t the time to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m scared.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear crept up to his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy pouring out of Gu Yangcheon inspired nothing but terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—! Crash—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was he supposed to fight this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy crushed his thoughts, leaving him blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he run?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze at the sound of footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was it coming from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where—?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can’t even focus, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice came from his left—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact came from the right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch! Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation of bones being crushed exploded through his body as he was sent flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body soared rapidly through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the split second when the pain threatened to overwhelm him, the Divine Dragon expelled his energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced his feet to scrape against the ground, creating friction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His flying body finally ground to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huff... Huff...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he noticed, he was already at the edge of the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant he had been blown this far from the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throb—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Khrrr...!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon curled up and clutched his right side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spot where he had just taken the blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cracks spread through his ribs, and the wound in his chest reopened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood flowed from the reopened wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain was excruciating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his teeth, barely enduring it when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad just now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, the voice came from beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You got caught by a feint, but you still wrapped Qi around both sides—probably as a precaution. That’s what saved you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice explained the previous exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he listened, the Divine Dragon was already moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still, if you hadn’t fallen for the feint in the first place, you could’ve concentrated your Qi at a single point to reduce the damage. What’s the point of having a higher level if you lack experience like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundred Steps Divine Fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The signature martial art of Shaolin burst forth again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this close distance, it was bound to land a hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what the Divine Dragon believed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could even fully extend his arm, something struck his fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Gu Yangcheon’s fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had countered the Divine Dragon’s punch with his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This can’t be...!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hundred Steps Divine Fist was one of Shaolin’s most aggressive techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It gathered Qi and unleashed it explosively—attempting to block it up close could easily snap one’s bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he planning to die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, the Divine Dragon thought so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch—! Boom—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kugh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead, it was his own fist that was flung back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp pain shot through his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear—his right fist was no longer usable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Hundred Steps Divine Fist... It’s a strong technique. But did you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guhk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knee struck his solar plexus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed from the Divine Dragon’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a technique that focuses on releasing Qi at the moment of impact. That makes it easier to deal with up close. Do you know why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A punch slammed into his cheek, twisting his head to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because if I destroy it before it explodes, it’s useless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destroy it before it exploded?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could anyone time it that precisely?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if the punch did explode, the opponent would take the brunt of the damage instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a tactic anyone should dare to attempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to argue that point, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re going to turn left, you need to prepare for the recoil. Instead, you braced yourself. Are you an idiot?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strike hit his joint, forcing him to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You resisted instead of bending at the joint, and now your balance is completely ruined. Do you think Buddha will help you stand back up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his knees could fully hit the ground, Gu Yangcheon’s palm smashed into his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon’s head snapped back, his gaze shooting toward the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grrr...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While his vision was locked upward—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of flames filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mess up again, and you’ll die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon lowered his head and stared at Gu Yangcheon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glowing blue sphere hovered above Gu Yangcheon’s palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, this... this is bad—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Namu Amitabha—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heat exploded outward, flames surging in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahhh—!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaargh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screams erupted even from the audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, no one was harmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gentle plum blossom petals circled the area, forming a barrier to protect the spectators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip, drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smoke slowly cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than dissipating naturally, it was swept away by Gu Yangcheon’s movement, vanishing from the arena in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It continued to scorch the arena floor, refusing to fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the center of it all—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huff... Huff...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Dragon stood, gasping for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz—!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yellow Radiant Armor shimmered on his body again..\u003C\u002Fp>",1575,"2026-06-05T15:10:16.200Z",1,"novelbin.me","19cd6472f31db2d1d539a93655318c61d185ba5193b425c8f816ce9957eb3a4f","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-734","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-732",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]