Chapter 144: But You Didn't Win

"It's gone."

Lu Yuan's voice was dry, rough, each word seemingly forced out from the depths of his throat.

"I lost."

He slumped against the giant rock, the congealed blood from his seven orifices marring his face, his complexion as white as snow.

The light in his eyes had completely scattered.

Yet that triumphant smile at the corner of his mouth was now twisted into an indescribable bitterness.

Admitting defeat.

These two words, spoken from his mouth, seemed light as a feather, yet carried the weight of a thousand jun.

In the distance, the figure standing atop the ruins finally—

In the next instant, his body swayed violently.

That spine that had remained ramrod straight, that posture that had stood proud and unyielding, seemed as if the last thread of supporting strength had been pulled from it.

"Thump—"

Shen Jizhou's knees went weak, and he directly collapsed to sit on the ground.

Gravel splattered, dust flew.

He braced himself on the ground with both hands, gasping for air in great, heaving breaths, each inhalation carrying a wheezing sound like a broken bellows, as if countless shards of glass were grinding inside his chest.

His head hung low, his disheveled hair falling down, covering his face.

His expression couldn't be seen.

In the distance, the Daoist sect members, watching this scene, finally—

Finally moved.

"Hurry! Hurry up and go save them!"

The crowd surged towards the ruins like a tide, startled cries and shouts intertwining, shattering the deathly silence from moments before.

Celestial Master He Xun's figure flickered, the first to flash to Lu Yuan's side.

He grabbed Lu Yuan's teetering body, his fingers lightning-fast as they touched Lu Yuan's wrist.

The moment his fingertips made contact, He Xun's brow instantly furrowed into a tight knot.

"Reckless!"

Celestial Master He Xun's angry rebuke was filled with an irrepressible heartache.

"True essence exhausted, soul and spirit burned to cinders, meridians on the verge of shattering inch by inch!"

"Without half a year of quiet recuperation, even if your little life is pulled back, you'll be a cripple!"

Lu Yuan tugged at the corner of his mouth, his dry, cracked lips seeping blood, but he couldn't utter a single word.

He Xun said no more, his left hand forming a seal, unleashing a gentle "Meridian-Clearing Technique".

His index and middle fingers pressed together, touching Lu Yuan's dantian.

A vast, long, and steady stream of true essence, like a warm spring current, carefully poured into the nearly dried-up riverbed of Lu Yuan's meridians.

Lu Yuan's body trembled instinctively, greedily absorbing this life-saving nectar.

He Xun's brow remained tightly furrowed. As he channeled the essence, he fished out a blue-and-white porcelain bottle from his robes.

He directly bit off the stopper with his teeth. An intoxicating, refreshing herbal fragrance instantly exploded forth.

"Open your mouth."

Lu Yuan complied and opened his mouth. He Xun poured the entire bottle's viscous medicinal liquid down his throat.

The medicine was slightly bitter upon entering the mouth, but upon reaching the throat, it transformed into a warm line, instantly coursing through his limbs and body, forcibly suppressing a fraction of that bone-rending, tearing agony.

He Xun then pulled out a roll of white cloth from his robes and began bandaging Lu Yuan's exposed wounds.

The gashes on his arms, the abrasions on his forehead, the countless blood marks on his back torn by gravel.

And on the other side—

Shen Shulan threw herself before Shen Jizhou as if mad.

She knelt on the ground, her hands trembling, wanting to support her father, yet not daring to use force, afraid of touching those shocking wounds.

"Father..."

Her voice choked, tears already flooding forth.

Shen Jizhou slowly raised his head.

That face was already unrecognizable from its original appearance.

Covered in blood, covered in dust, covered in wounds.

Lips cracked, eyelids swollen, a deep gash on his forehead visible to the bone, the blood already congealed into a black scar.

But his eyes, upon seeing his daughter, revealed a trace of gentle light.

His voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible, as if squeezed from a broken bellows:

"Don't cry..."

Shen Shulan's tears could no longer be held back, pouring from her eyes.

Crying, she quickly pulled out various bottles and jars from her robes.

Golden wound medicine, hemostatic powder, bone-mending ointment, she laid them out one by one on the ground.

The Wuqing Temple members had also gathered around by now, working together to treat Shen Jizhou's wounds.

Shen Jizhou looked at his daughter, his eyes full of affection and heartache.

"Why cry..."

His voice was very soft, carrying a hint of helpless laughter:

"Your father isn't dead yet."

Shen Shulan raised her head, glared at him, her eyes rimmed red, scolding with a sob in her voice:

"You still say that!"

"You're in this state!"

Shen Jizhou pursed his lips, seeming to want to smile, but it tugged at his wounds, causing him to gasp sharply in pain.

He didn't speak further. His gaze passed over his daughter's shoulder, looking towards Lu Yuan not far away.

At this moment, Celestial Master He Xun had finished bandaging Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan's complexion remained deathly pale, but a trace of clarity had finally returned to his eyes.

The true essence He Xun channeled and that life-prolonging pill had finally managed to keep his life hanging by a thread.

Lu Yuan's gaze also turned towards Shen Jizhou.

Two lines of sight collided once more atop the devastated ruins.

Silence.

The air still carried the lingering scent of bloodshed and destruction.

After the battle ended, there was no longer any tense confrontation between the two.

It was as if the two who had just fought a life-and-death battle weren't them.

In the end, it was Shen Jizhou who spoke first, his voice still hoarse.

"Young man..."

"This old man nearly... really got killed by you..."

Lu Yuan pulled a complicated smile, retorting:

"I never intended to kill you."

"It was you who insisted on standing there, not moving, taking the hit with your life."

This wasn't false.

Lu Yuan had never harbored killing intent.

He had calculated countless possible outcomes. The best one was Shen Jizhou recognizing the difficulty and retreating at the last moment, withdrawing and admitting defeat.

After all, this was just a "Questioning Heaven Challenge". If he directly withdrew, he'd only lose this challenge.

There was absolutely no need to stake his life on it.

It was truly that this old man was too stubborn.

Stubborn bones, stubborn person.

In the end, he stubbornly refused to leave, and also stubbornly withstood it.

For a moment, Lu Yuan actually felt a pang of fear.

This old thing really...

He could have just left in that situation earlier, yet he stubbornly stood his ground.

Fortunately, nothing happened to this old thing in the end...

If something had happened, wouldn't he and Shen Shulan become enemies from then on?

Shen Jizhou grinned, then grimaced again with a sharp intake of breath.

He glared at Lu Yuan, scolding irritably:

"That shot of yours, kid, was damn shameless!"

"Which Daoist sect's magical duel involves pulling a Mauser pistol from your pants!"

Regarding this matter, Lu Yuan felt absolutely no shame, nor did he see any problem with it. He just raised an eyebrow and said:

"How is it shameless?"

"If we're talking shameless, you were the one who went first. You clearly agreed to use only one hand, but switched to both in the end."

"As for me using a gun..."

"What's wrong? Does the 'Questioning Heaven Challenge' rules have a clause forbidding the use of guns?"

Lu Yuan's words left Shen Jizhou with nothing to argue.

Switching from one hand to two hands was something Shen Jizhou did first.

As for whether the "Questioning Heaven Challenge" rules forbid using guns...

Naturally, they don't.

The rules for the Celestial Master Grand Ceremony were set centuries ago. Back then, forget Mauser pistols, even firearms were rare novelties.

Who would write that into the rules?

And in these past centuries, few have actually undertaken the "Questioning Heaven Challenge".

The rules have naturally been carried over from the earliest versions.

If one really tried to argue based on the rules, there truly isn't a single point to pick on!

Regarding Lu Yuan using a gun, Shen Jizhou didn't have much to say either; it was just a casual mention.

On the surface, it seemed like Lu Yuan was utterly shameless.

But upon careful thought, it wasn't so bad. Replacing the gun with some hidden weapon, wasn't it the same?

It's just that...

Every era has its own hidden weapons.

Earliest were sleeve crossbows, then throwing darts, and later came the Mauser pistol.

It's just that Shen Jizhou hadn't considered that step at the time.

Or rather, even if he had considered it, there was nothing he could do.

After all, Shen Jizhou was using his full strength to resist the Human Emperor Seal at that moment.

Speaking of which, regarding Shen Jizhou's one-hand, two-hand matter...

There really was no way to defend it.

After all, it was Shen Jizhou himself who said he would only use one hand.

And yet...

In the end, he even used both hands, and nearly lost...

Shen Jizhou knew he was in the wrong. He whined a couple of times and stopped being angry.

The two fell silent again for a moment.

Lu Yuan looked at Shen Jizhou's right arm, bandaged up like a rice dumpling, and asked:

"Is your hand okay?"

"Don't let it become useless."

Better not let Shen Jizhou be left with any lasting sickness root.

If something major happened beyond the Great Wall in the future, and the highest mountain there was no longer effective, that wouldn't do.

Shen Jizhou raised his right hand, gritting his teeth, his five fingers curling with difficulty.

"Nothing serious, probably didn't damage the bones or tendons."

Then, Shen Jizhou looked at Lu Yuan and asked:

"What about you, kid?"

Lu Yuan nodded directly.

"I'm fine too. I'll just recuperate when I go back."

Hearing this, Shen Jizhou nodded slightly, then sighed with some emotion:

"It's best that you're alright."

"I never expected things to end up like this in the end. You really are something, kid. You were just that little bit short..."

Before Shen Jizhou could finish, Lu Yuan directly waved his hand to interrupt:

"No need for pleasantries. I'm not a sore loser. Losing is losing. There's no talk of 'just a little bit' or 'just two bits'."

Lu Yuan's words made Shen Jizhou's eyes light up slightly, then reveal an expression full of approval.

"Good lad!"

"Excellent!"

"Can accept defeat, can let go!"

"It's best that you think this way!"

"I was just afraid you'd get stuck in a rut. After this defeat, your Dao heart tarnished, your thoughts blocked from then on, never to recover."

Before Lu Yuan could reply, Shen Jizhou suddenly lifted his chin, using a tone that brooked no argument.

"This generation's current Celestial Master, your Zhenlong Temple won't get it."

"But I, Shen Jizhou, give you my guarantee. Five years from now, the next ceremony, your Zhenlong Temple will definitely have a seat!"

These words were spoken without any attempt at concealment.

The Tianlong Temple and Wuqing Temple disciples nearby heard it clearly. This was practically announcing a predetermined outcome.

Shen Jizhou seemed to realize it was inappropriate and quickly added:

"With your momentum this year, five years from now will be even more immeasurable."

"The next ceremony will definitely be yours."

"Recover from your injuries in peace."

Shen Jizhou was trying to cover for his earlier words, but Lu Yuan didn't respond.

Lu Yuan looked at Shen Jizhou opposite him, a strange expression instead appearing on his face.

However, Shen Jizhou didn't notice the expression on Lu Yuan's face.

Or perhaps, he no longer had the energy to perceive it at this moment.

Supported by two disciples and Shen Shulan, he forced himself to stand up straight, gritting his teeth and holding on to a last breath.

A stretcher was brought over.

Shen Jizhou's eyes turned sharp, his voice hoarse yet carrying an indisputable authority.

"Take it away!"

"I, Shen Jizhou, have not yet reached the point where I need to be carried out lying down!"

The disciple carrying the stretcher trembled all over and retreated.

Shen Jizhou's gaze swept across the battlefield. When he saw the five top-grade ritual tools, their spiritual mechanisms completely severed, turned into ordinary objects, his heart gave a violent lurch.

These five top-grade ritual tools were completely ruined.

Unlike the Human Emperor Seal, which could be taken back, warmed and nurtured, and become as good as before.

For a top-grade ritual tool enthusiast like Shen Jizhou, this sight was truly too heartbreaking.

For a moment, Shen Jizhou couldn't help but look at Lu Yuan slumped on the ground and say through gritted teeth:

"You kid... To win, you really went all out!"

"Five top-grade ritual tools, ruined just like that!"

Leaning against the giant rock, Lu Yuan tugged at the corner of his mouth. The blood and grime on his face cracked, revealing a flash of pale white teeth.

His voice was soft, yet clearly carried across the ruins.

"For my master, forget five."

"Even fifty, I'd be willing."

Hearing these words, Shen Jizhou couldn't help but purse his lips, unable to resist saying:

"Today, let's say I won."

"But what if I had lost today?"

"Don't forget, the reason the 'Questioning Heaven Challenge' has never been successful is that one must challenge four current Celestial Masters!"

Shen Jizhou's voice suddenly rose, carrying a condescending scrutiny.

"There are still three more to come."

"Even if your master uncle He Xun lets you off, what about He Ming? What about He Cheng?"

"The same trick won't work twice!"

"They won't be like me, letting you have three moves first, then promising to use one hand. Before those two, you wouldn't last half a minute!"

After speaking, he took a heavy breath, as if even talking had exhausted his strength.

"Enough, it's useless to say anything now."

"Reflect on this yourself. Your moment of impulse directly caused five top-grade ritual tools to completely lose their spiritual mechanisms. This is really..."

Shen Jizhou waved his hand, as if he had completely lost interest in arguing with Lu Yuan. Supported by Shen Shulan, he turned to leave.

Celestial Master He Xun also wanted to help Lu Yuan up, but Lu Yuan waved him off.

While He Xun was stunned, Lu Yuan, leaning against the cold giant rock, slowly raised his head. Looking at Shen Jizhou's retreating back, he raised an eyebrow and said:

"You said one thing wrong."

Hmm?

Lu Yuan's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange penetrating power, causing Shen Jizhou's steps to halt abruptly.

Shen Jizhou stiffly turned his head back.

He saw Lu Yuan slightly raising his head, looking at Shen Jizhou with a strange smile.

"Today, I did indeed lose."

Lu Yuan paused, then spoke each word clearly and distinctly.

"But you, did not win."

Hmm?

What does that mean?

Shen Jizhou's brow instantly furrowed into a tight knot.

Was he saying Shen Jizhou broke his promise to use one hand?

Or was he mocking him, a long-established giant, for being pushed to such a wretched state by a one-star Celestial Master?

Shen Jizhou didn't know what Lu Yuan meant by these words.

But...

It wasn't important. Shen Jizhou naturally wouldn't argue about this with a junior.

So, Shen Jizhou was just stunned for a moment, then turned and walked towards the edge of the ruins.

At the same time, Lu Yuan's faint voice came from behind.

"Come on out now..."

This seemingly random, incomplete sentence left everyone stunned.

The next moment.

"Tap."

A crisp, rhythmic sound came from outside the ruins, approaching from afar.

It wasn't the dull thud of Daoist boots on the ground, but the unique cadence of high heels tapping on stone slabs.

In this silent place filled only with Daoist robes, blood, and broken walls, the sound seemed so abrupt, so... out of place.

Everyone's gaze was drawn by the sound, looking over in shock.

They saw a figure walking gracefully against the dim yellow sunlight.

Graceful and elegant, with an enchanting figure.

Though walking on the messy ruins, it was as if she were walking down the center of a red carpet under the spotlight of all eyes.

The newcomer was beautiful beyond mortal measure.

In her hand, she carried an utterly unremarkable cloth bag.

Under the countless stunned, bewildered, and shocked gazes.

She stopped, her red lips parting slightly. Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly suppressed the wailing cold wind, resounding in everyone's ears.

"According to the rules of the Daoist sects beyond the Great Wall—"

"If any disciple is dissatisfied with the elected Celestial Master, they may, during the Grand Ceremony, propose a 'Questioning Heaven Challenge'!"

The Deity of Beauty's voice suddenly rang out amidst the ruins of the Celestial Master Grand Ceremony.

As her words fell, she flicked her wrist.

The cloth bag fell to the ground with a thud.

"Clatter—"

Countless crystal-clear, spirit-light shimmering jade beans poured out from the bag's opening, instantly covering the ground before her.

"Today, I exercise the right of 'Questioning Heaven'!"

"To challenge the current Celestial Master!"