Chapter 151: Zhuofeng, Zhuo Quan

Zhuofeng is not very majestic, standing merely three thousand meters high; dozens of subsidiary peaks belong to it, some even taller than the main peak.

This is a declining lineage; in days past, few ever came here. The main peak is overgrown with ancient trees and tangled old vines, utterly desolate.

"Though it is one of the hundred and eight main peaks, representing an ancient lineage, it now appears utterly fallen—there isn't even a single disciple guarding the Shanmen."

Some Gangru Sect disciples originally intended to choose Zhuofeng, but upon seeing its condition, they immediately changed their minds.

"I heard that a few hundred years ago, this main peak was still thriving, but its master clashed with the Grand Elder of Yaoguang Sacred Land, and both perished—its lineage nearly vanished."

"Legend says this peak preserves a divine art capable of supernatural power; once activated, it can multiply one's combat strength several times over—even dozens of times!"

"Then isn't that a divine art?"

"If it truly lets someone unleash tenfold combat power, then yes, it's a divine art—but look at how desolate this place is. How many have come here throughout history? Who has ever obtained this secret art? Better to find another lineage with real promise."

Some Yixieru Sect disciples had heard tales of the divine art on Zhuofeng, but such stories were too legendary—who could truly unleash several times or even tenfold combat power?

If such a being existed, Zhuofeng would not be as desolate as it is now.

There isn't even a single guard at the Shanmen; no one believes that merely coming here will make the divine art appear and be claimed by them.

If such a person truly exists, then they have nothing to say.

But Fang Yu stayed, ascending toward Zhuofeng.

"So there really is a newcomer trying his luck?"

"This is ridiculous. Of the hundred and eight main peaks, why choose Zhuofeng? Does he think he's an exception? If the divine art were that easy to obtain, Zhuofeng would have long since flourished."

"Hmph! Overconfident fool—he'll regret it someday!"

"The world never lacks show-offs who think they're special, but they're just ordinary folk—everyone else avoids it, yet he goes. Who does he think he is?"

"He'll regret it—he definitely will! We'll come back later to watch and make him see how wrong his choice was."

The group watched as Fang Yu truly ascended Zhuofeng; their expressions varied—some sneered, some laughed mockingly, others showed utter disdain.

But Fang Yu paid no heed to their thoughts. Before him, Zhuofeng lay barren; the Shanmen at its base was choked with weeds, and a few crows cawed loudly on an ancient tree nearby, flapping their wings and taking flight.

The mountain path was entirely buried under thorns; vegetation grew wild and tangled, as if untouched for ages.

An old man, hunched and trembling, emerged from a pavilion atop the mountain and descended.

"Are you here to test? This lineage has lain dormant for five hundred years—no one knows when it might awaken. Your coming may only waste your years."

The elder, frail and ancient, gazed ahead. "That main peak ahead is at its peak glory. Choosing Zhuofeng is worse than choosing its lineage."

There, starlight glowed even in daylight, radiating an extraordinary aura—clearly, joining that peak would grant the supreme technique of Star-Refining the Body, propelling one's strength forward at breakneck speed.

"I care only for this lineage."

Fang Yu smiled.

"Good. You have spirit. You know this lineage is one of the Nine Secrets—once activated, it multiplies combat power several times, even tenfold. If so, then you are now a disciple of Zhuofeng. I hope you find something here."

The old man spoke with a smile.

Without any other trials—even without verifying his identity—the elder had already accepted Fang Yu as a disciple of Zhuofeng.

He stepped upward, observing Zhuofeng quietly. The peak, as its name suggested, held no splendid scenery, no majestic aura, no spiritual roots, nothing extraordinary.

It was plain, nearly desolate—a wild wasteland, nothing like a main peak of an Xian Sect.

Broken walls, endless rubble, thistles everywhere, thorns covering the ground—there wasn't even a path.

"Well? Do you regret it now?"

The elder's gaze fixed on Fang Yu, as if seeking signs of his emotions.

"No regret. Zhuofeng has its own meaning."

Fang Yu studied Zhuofeng, meditating silently, as if trying to perceive something within.

"What meaning does Zhuofeng hold? I'd like to hear your thoughts."

The elder's face showed curiosity as he asked.

"I once heard of a supreme art called Zhuo Quan, created by a being named Gu Gu Chensha."

Fang Yu's thoughts stirred as he spoke the words "Zhuo Quan."

"Zhuo Quan? Gu Gu Chensha?"

The elder pondered the names—he had never heard them before.

"Zhuo Quan is the fist art created by this being after observing all beings under heaven. It is not the strongest fist, nor the most refined, nor the most resilient—but it carries an unyielding spirit, relentless drive, refusing to surrender even amid overwhelming hardship. Zhuo Quan is the fist of ordinary people, the fist of the clumsy."

"The fist of the clumsy?"

The elder grew even more curious, sensing something peculiar.

"Though there are a few geniuses in the world, most are ordinary—clumsy, foolish, plain, humble. Yet even they may have hope, may strive. Zhuo Quan is the art this being created—to give strength and hope to all the clumsy and foolish."

Fang Yu recalled the one from the Dragon Talisman Realm who created Zhuo Quan.

Among all beings under heaven, the strong are few; the weak are many.

The true essence of martial cultivation is to empower the weak and foolish through diligent practice.

Even in the harshest heavens, there is always a path upward—Zhuo Quan grasps this truth, giving heart to the ugly, the lowly, the foolish masses: to strive despite their lowly station, never to lose hope, for even the humblest hope can sprout a seed.

The master of Zhuofeng was moved, his expression solemn with reverence: "There truly exists such a compassionate sage in this world, creating such a compassionate fist art. What a pity I never met him in past ages—what a regret."

Hearing the true meaning of Zhuofeng's martial path, the elder knew Gu Gu Chensha was a true sage—no one could fail to respect him.

"Though the meaning of Zhuofeng differs slightly from this ancient sage's Zhuo Quan, his vision is profound and shakes the heart. With so many fools in the world, they too deserve hope. Even this fool of mine deserves some hope."

A glimmer shone in the elder's eyes as he ascended halfway up Zhuofeng, retrieving a bow from a badger den.

This was the bow capable of awakening Zhuofeng's lineage.