Chapter 67

Ever since being sneak-attacked by Ding Chunqiu, which caused a tremendous upheaval in his life, Wuya Zi, while filled with hatred and regret, often lamented the capriciousness of fate.

After obtaining the "Ten Directions Annihilation," he perceived from its profound wisdom the vastness of heaven and earth and the insignificance of humanity, thereby becoming even more convinced in heaven-sent doctrines like "fate" and "destiny."

This "Zhenlong Chess Gathering" was, in fact, the last one.

For he felt that his final hour had arrived.

In other words, he absolutely had to select a successor this time.

Yet at this very moment, an ordinary person with no martial arts whatsoever had managed to break through an illusory formation that even Heavenly Men found baffling, arriving right before him.

This made Wuya Zi, who grew more believing in fate as he aged, convinced in his heart that this was a master-disciple bond ordained by heaven!

Furthermore, Jiang Sishui possessed excellent features, no inferior to his own in youth, meeting the Xiaoyao Sect's prerequisites for selecting disciples.

He also seemed to carry a rare treasure, indicating deep fortunate destiny, leading Wuya Zi to believe he would surely be capable of killing Ding Chunqiu and cleansing the sect.

Considering all factors, Wuya Zi decided to accept him as a disciple.

As for the fact that Jiang Sishui had not solved the "Zhenlong Chess Puzzle"?

If he were not chosen, was it certain that anyone else would have been able to break it this time?

Since one had to be chosen regardless, Jiang Sishui was naturally the optimal choice.

Of course, Wuya Zi had been closely observing every subtle change in Jiang Sishui's expression, trying to discern what kind of person he was.

It was only when Jiang Sishui kowtowed to acknowledge him as master, displaying respectful etiquette without a hint of perfunctoriness or impatience, that Wuya Zi finally made up his mind.

After transmitting his power, he himself became a cripple; at that moment, he was secretly observing Jiang Sishui again.

Seeing that he was not a villain who would kick away the ladder after crossing the river, but rather someone grateful and eager to repay kindness, he finally set his mind at ease and revealed his greatest secret.

Throughout the entire process, had Jiang Sishui shown even a single point of dissatisfaction to Wuya Zi, at most he would have received only his lifetime of internal energy.

As for the two great divine arts or even the "Ten Directions Annihilation," those were out of the question.

These reasons, along with Wuya Zi's passing, were buried forever.

Jiang Sishui was unaware of these details; gathering the "Ten Directions Annihilation" was still a distant matter, leaving him no time to ponder it deeply.

For now, there were more urgent matters to attend to.

After filling in the earthen pit, Jiang Sishui began to study the "Wave Subtling Steps."

Once the "Zhenlong Illusory Formation" was broken, Leigu Mountain, shrouded in a mysterious veil for twenty years, was exposed to the world; as the sole beneficiary, Jiang Sishui would inevitably attract jealousy and covetousness.

When that time came, there would be no shortage of troubles.

Fortunately, his internal energy was now profound; as long as he compensated for the shortfall in his lightness skill and body movement, he would be fully capable of handling any situation with ease.

The only exception was Zhu Zhu Zhu Wushi...

Jiang Sishui's brows furrowed slightly, then immediately relaxed.

Zhu Zhu Zhu Wushi always presented a righteous image to the public; without a reasonable and legitimate excuse, he should not openly oppose him.

If he harbored any sinister schemes or ulterior motives, he would surely seek him out in private; at that point, Jiang Sishui might even be able to turn the tables and intimidate this inherently suspicious Divine Marquis.

Thinking of this, Jiang Sishui felt slightly reassured.

"The 'Wave Subtling Steps' is a martial art combining speed and evasion, serving as both a lightness skill and a body movement technique, with endless marvelous applications."

Jiang Sishui was a scholar who had studied the "Book of Changes," understanding the directions represented by terms like "Fu Mei" and "Wu Wang," so he faced no obstacles in learning it.

His martial arts talent could be described as terrifying; very quickly, he cultivated the "Wave Subtling Steps" to a level of minor accomplishment.

Suddenly sensing something, he lifted Wuya Zi's corpse from the ground, shifted his footwork, and his entire figure trailed a residual image as he swiftly vanished from the spot.

"He has exited the formation!"

Zhu Zhu Zhu Wushi silently sensed his own state, feeling as though he had returned to the embrace of heaven and earth, able to merge with it at any moment and borrow its power, filling his heart with great joy.

The sensation of regressing to a Great Grandmaster that he had experienced earlier was something he truly did not wish to endure again.

For it made him feel extremely insecure.

"This 'Zhenlong Illusory Formation,' much like the 'Zhenlong Chess Puzzle,' has caused countless brilliant minds to meet their downfall over the past twenty years; today it has finally been broken. Master Wuheng truly lives up to his reputation as the number one all-around talent in the Five Provinces of Great Ming."

Zhu Zhu Zhu Wushi looked at the white-clad figure beside him and spoke in praise.

The white-clad figure was none other than Master Wuheng, a character from "The First in the World," who not only possessed high martial arts and exceptional lightness skills but was also an all-around powerhouse like Huang Huang Yaoshi and Wuya Zi.

What's more, it was said he could even communicate with spirits and ghosts, making him a remarkable figure of his generation.

However, no matter how much was said, nothing left a deeper impression than one identity—

Shangguan Shangguan Shangguan Haitang's master!

Shangguan Shangguan Shangguan Haitang's "Sky-Filling Flower Rain Scattering Money" technique was inherited from Master Wuheng.

Hearing Zhu Zhu Zhu Wushi's praise, Master Wuheng felt no trace of pride in his heart; after a moment of silence, he sighed sincerely, "I could not break it; I am inferior to him."

A sharp light flashed in Zhu Zhu Zhu Wushi's eyes, yet he did not refute this.

With his Heavenly Man cultivation, he naturally knew that the illusory formation had been significantly weakened midway, which allowed Master Wuheng, then trapped in a deadlock, to find a flaw.

Nevertheless, some things still needed to be said.

Master Wuheng glanced at Zhu Zhu Zhu Wushi and said, "I will just wander around nearby; Divine Marquis, please feel free to go about your business."

"Very well!" Zhu Zhu Zhu Wushi nodded, made no pretense of politeness, and departed directly.

Master Wuheng watched his imposing back, shaking his head silently: "The times are not on your side; it is destined to be futile."

At this time, the sky had already brightened.

Jiang Sishui ran all the way to the mountainside, found a secluded spot, and hid Wuya Zi's corpse.

Then, he continued down the mountain to meet up with Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying.

However, before he had gone halfway, he saw Zhao Zhao Tianhao and his two daughters heading up the mountain.

"Zhao Zhao Qiying!"

Jiang Sishui called out in greeting.

Hearing the familiar voice, Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying turned around in surprise and delight, only to see a blurred figure weaving through the forest, treating obstacles as if they were nonexistent, swiftly flashing to her side.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying knew he had successfully inherited Wu Ya Zi's lifetime of internal energy, soaring to the heavens in a single step!

"Brother Jiang!" She rushed forward joyfully and threw herself directly into Jiang Sishui's arms.

Jiang Sishui embraced her tightly.

The two indulged in their tenderness, completely oblivious to the ghost-struck expressions on Zhao Zhao Tianhao and Zhao Zhao Zhao Mengjiao's faces.

Even though Zhao Zhao Tianhao had lived more than half a century and witnessed all manner of strange people and events, he could not help but lose his composure at this moment.

Was this... was this still the Jiang Sishui he knew? That scholar who could not even tie up a chicken?

"Late Stage Grandmaster!" Zhao Zhao Tianhao spoke word by word, his face filled with disbelief.

Since Jiang Sishui had not yet learned the art of concealing his breath and was currently executing his Lightness Skill, Zhao Zhao Tianhao saw through his realm at a glance.

Thus, Zhao Zhao Tianhao was stunned into confusion.

This kid said he was going to see an old senior; could it be that he met an immortal?

Otherwise, how could he undergo a complete transformation overnight to become a great expert even more powerful than himself?

Hearing her father's words, Zhao Zhao Zhao Mengjiao, standing aside, was even more shocked into dumbfounded silence.

Immediately, a thick wave of jealousy arose within her heart.

Her eldest sister's husband, whom she had mocked as a "silver spear with a wax tip" for knowing no martial arts, had turned the tables!

From now on, she would never again have a reason to mock him.

In other words, her eldest sister had truly found a perfect match.

Thinking of this, Zhao Zhao Zhao Mengjiao, who had loved comparing herself to others and possessed an fiercely competitive spirit since childhood, felt a sudden wave of dejection.

Unlike her, although Zhao Zhao Tianhao was surprised by Jiang Sishui's transformation, he felt mostly satisfaction and relief.

He had seen with his own eyes how close the relationship between his eldest daughter and Jiang Sishui was; although he had not opposed it, a regret had always lingered in his heart.

This young man was excellent in every way, except that he knew no martial arts.

For the Zhao family, who made their living running an escort agency, this was simply a mismatch of status.

Now, however, Jiang Sishui had somehow encountered a miraculous fortune, soaring to the heavens to become a great expert even stronger than himself, allowing Zhao Zhao Tianhao to finally set his mind completely at ease.

He immediately stepped forward to offer congratulations: "Congratulations, young friend; you are now a great expert of the martial path!"

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying rose from Jiang Sishui's embrace with a flushed face, while the latter turned and smiled: "Elder Zhao jokes; this junior was merely lucky to benefit from the lingering grace of a predecessor."

"Lingering grace?"

"Yes. Before that old senior passed away, he transmitted his entire lifetime of internal energy to me."

Power Transmission!

Zhao Zhao Tianhao's pupils constricted, his heart swaying with emotion.

It seemed the "old senior" Jiang Sishui spoke of must be truly extraordinary, and the martial arts he practiced were certainly out of the ordinary.