[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha":3,"chapter-global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-chapter-41":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Global High Martial Arts, Starting Off with a Sharingan",{"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},2318769,4534,"Chapter 41: Racing for Life","global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-chapter-41",41,"\u003Cp>“An interesting little thing—how many years has it been since anyone dared make demands of me?” Lu Wu’s throat rumbled with a low laugh, golden light rippling across the patterns of his tiger hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The struggle for cosmic fortune, in essence, is a fight for life. The cosmic fortune in heaven and earth is finite—like a jar of wine, both humanity and monstrous beasts scramble to drink it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who drinks more, their race thrives for a thousand years; who drinks nothing, withers into roadside weeds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jiang Xia’s Mangekyo patterns spun faster: “So what does this have to do with using me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wu took two steps forward, his shadow engulfing Jiang Xia. “Don’t rush. To compete for cosmic fortune, Itachi need both a medium and the fortune itself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The medium is the competition between your human sorcerers and our monstrous beasts skilled in divination—this contest isn’t about cultivation base, but who’s art outwits heaven by half a move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who outwits heaven by half a move, the cosmic fortune is his!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wu’s nine tails swept slowly across the ground, his golden vertical pupils fixed on the rapidly spinning Mangekyo patterns in Jiang Xia’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The cosmic fortune itself? It’s the prodigies of both races—like Itachi and Zhu Yan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But since the cosmic fortune’s realm appears within your human lands, the medium can duel from afar; the fortune itself must compete face-to-face within the realm! Whoever wins, their medium gains double advantage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Face-to-face competition?” Jiang Xia frowned. “Then I’m even more at a disadvantage!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wu shook his head. “The contest isn’t about cultivation level—it’s about innate talent. It levels Itachi both to the same baseline, forcing Itachi to battle pure talent and foundation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Among your humans, other SSS-rank prodigies must guard Shanhai Pass; among our destruction-class beasts, only Zhu Yan roams your territory. Only the two of Itachi can do this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia still felt uneasy. “Itachi’re a monstrous beast—why are Itachi helping us devise strategy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wu’s low chuckle turned suddenly grim, his nine tails lashing the ground harder, sending fine shards of stone flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Helping Itachi?” His golden eyes narrowed slightly, the golden light on his hide flickering erratically. “I’m merely choosing a chance for mutual gain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Zhu Yan—he was born with a madness capable of destroying heaven and earth. Whether Itachi can defeat him is uncertain, but as long as he’s driven out of human territory, that’s enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wu took half a step forward, his shadow pressing down harder on Jiang Xia. “Besides, your sorcerer may not even live to see that day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia nodded slowly. “So Itachi chose me because Itachi want me to severely wound it in the realm, then Itachi reap the benefits?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clever little thing.” Lu Wu’s tail lightly rested on Jiang Xia’s shoulder, warm to the touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve lived a thousand years, fought Zhu Yan a thousand years—it’s time for an end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden vertical pupils locked with Jiang Xia’s Mangekyo, his voice heavy with oppressive force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides… I also wish to see whether humanity, with the advantage of terrain, can truly contend for heaven’s timing and human harmony!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia met Lu Wu’s gaze without flinching. “If we’re on equal footing, I’m confident I can defeat Zhu Yan. And I believe my teacher can outwit heaven by half a move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Wu’s tail stiffened for an instant—unprepared for this little one to speak so boldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, a deeper laugh erupted from its throat; the golden light on its hide surged like living flame, crawling along the patterns to its snout, making its vertical pupils blaze with startling brilliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The realm’s rules will flatten cultivation levels—but they can’t suppress its innate destruction aura. Still… I believe in Itachi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, it shook its head, the golden light on its hide dimming considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Good luck. When the cosmic fortune struggle ends, I’ll halt my attacks on Jiannan Pass—just lure Zhu Yan out. The rest I’ll handle myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Lu Wu’s phantom form grew translucent, the golden light fading from bright to dark until it vanished entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Until we meet again, little one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Lu Wu’s disappearance, the surrounding barrier dissolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia crouched, picked up the bleached cloth from the ground, dug a shallow hole, and buried it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the makeshift grave, he recalled the boy’s youthful face and whispered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll end all of this. I hope in your next life, Itachi never endure such suffering again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Jiang Xia found Su Changfeng before Wang Teng and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Su,” Jiang Xia slapped the note onto the pile of documents, his voice flat. “Last night, Lu Wu came to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Changfeng’s hand trembled slightly around his teacup, steam blurring the expression in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About the cosmic fortune struggle?” He suddenly spoke, his fingertip tracing the patterns on the note.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wants Itachi to be Zhu Yan’s opponent, in exchange for a temporary ceasefire at Jiannan Pass?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia looked up, the chair leg scraping harshly against the floor. “Itachi knew?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Wu’s true form has been prowling outside Jiannan Pass for three days,” Su Changfeng pushed the teacup toward him, the tea leaves sinking to the bottom. “The Night Watchers’ Heavenly Eye isn’t for show—just never expected it would choose Itachi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused. “It didn’t set any conditions? Like asking Itachi to lose on purpose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It wants Zhu Yan driven out of human territory,” Jiang Xia lifted the teacup, his fingers turning white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the realm, they compete on talent—I win, your sorcerer gains double advantage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I lose, humanity has no hope left. And… it said our sorcerer might not live to see that day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The office clock ticked twice. Su Changfeng suddenly pulled a Lijun cigarette pack from his drawer, lit one, and drew deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do Itachi believe it?” He crushed the cigarette butt in the ashtray, sparks flaring then dying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe I can defeat Zhu Yan,” Jiang Xia slammed the teacup onto the desk, tea splashing onto the documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And I believe my teacher can outwit heaven by half a move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Lu Wu wants to settle his score with Zhu Yan—we want to kill Zhu Yan without effort. It’s mutual benefit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Changfeng stared at him for a long moment, then smiled, pulling a stack of photos from beneath the documents and tossing them over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The photos showed Zhu Yan’s claw marks in the dense forest, each groove embedded with black destruction aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Night Watchers don’t survive on plans alone,” he tapped the photos with his fingertip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just now, headquarters sent word—the entrance to the realm opens in Linjiang City in six days. Instructor Lin Qing is preparing special training for Itachi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia clutched the photos, then heard Su Changfeng add: “Also, we’ll find a way to secure your teacher’s safety—too many hidden forces are watching now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia slipped the photos into his pocket, and as he turned to leave, he heard Su Changfeng behind him: “Be careful, little one. We can’t afford to lose. Humanity can’t afford to lose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia had barely stepped out of the office when Wang Teng dashed over, a lollipop dangling from his mouth, slinging an arm over his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are Itachi here so early? I went to your place looking for Itachi—Itachi didn’t reply to my messages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia leaned against the corridor wall and briefly recounted the events to Wang Teng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bullshit!” Wang Teng suddenly swore, fists clenched tight with a crunching sound. “Teacher Zhao is a top-tier Wanghou! Who could hurt him? Is Lu Wu scheming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia shook his head. “Unclear. But Director Su said too many hidden forces are watching lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, where’s Lingxi? Why are Itachi alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xia shook his head, “Uncertain, but Director Su said there’ve been too many hidden forces spying lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, where’s Lingxi? Why are Itachi alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1318,"2026-06-20T15:06:04.061Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a06a7eded596e2f89b624e11fa1bba290b6cd7445f6c625f75f895890710dbc5","global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-chapter-42","global-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-chapter-40",162,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fglobal-high-martial-arts-starting-off-with-a-sha-cover.jpg"]