Zhong Yun's thoughts raced as the mysterious man's attack came down like a violent storm, leaving him struggling to parry. At that critical moment, the mysterious power within his body surged once again. A powerful suction force burst forth from his dantian, completely neutralizing the mysterious man's fierce assault.
The mysterious man's expression changed drastically, and he cried out in shock, "What kind of evil sorcery is this?!"
Seizing the opportunity, Zhong Yun flashed forward, instantly closing in on the mysterious man. He curled his fingers into claws and lunged savagely at his throat.
Clearly not expecting Zhong Yun to have such a trick up his sleeve, the mysterious man could only dodge sideways in a hasty retreat. However, Zhong Yun was far too fast; his claw still left three deep bloody gashes across the mysterious man's shoulder.
"Ah!" The mysterious man let out a miserable scream, clutching his shoulder as he stumbled backward.
Pressing his advantage without mercy, Zhong Yun closed in again, unleashing a flurry of fists and kicks that battered the mysterious man like a tempest.
Beaten back step by step, the mysterious man was struck with utter terror. He could not for the life of him understand how this seemingly ordinary youth possessed such terrifying strength.
Just as the mysterious man was about to be defeated, an angry roar suddenly echoed from afar: "Stop!"
A figure descended from the sky, blocking the way in front of the mysterious man. It was none other than Elder Li, who had arrived to provide reinforcements.
Elder Li's gaze was like lightning as he swept it across the scene and asked in a deep voice, "What is going on here?"
Seeing Elder Li, the mysterious man acted as though he had grabbed a lifeline and hurriedly said, "Elder, save me! This brat..."
"Shut up!" Elder Li barked coldly, cutting the mysterious man off. He turned his gaze to Zhong Yun, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes as he said, "Zhong Yun, you did very well!"
As it turned out, Elder Li had sensed that something was amiss here earlier and had secretly followed behind. He had witnessed Zhong Yun's battle with the mysterious man firsthand and felt deeply shocked by Zhong Yun's strength.
Zhong Yun cupped his fists and said, "Thank you for the praise, Elder. Your disciple was simply doing his best."
Elder Li nodded, then turned back to the mysterious man with a chilling glare: "Speak, what kind of person are you? Why did you ambush our sect's disciples?"
Knowing that today's endeavor had failed, the mysterious man simply gave up on hiding it and sneered, "This old man is an elder of the Demon Flame Valley. Today's debt will be repaid a hundredfold another day!"
With that, the mysterious man flickered into a wisp of black smoke and vanished.
"Demon Flame Valley?!" Elder Li's face darkened, murder glinting in his eyes.
...
The heroic deeds of Zhong Yun and the others spread rapidly through the sect. Overnight, Zhong Yun became a revered hero, and his name echoed throughout the entire Qingyun Sect.
To honor the achievements of Zhong Yun and his companions, Elder Li specially hosted a banquet in the main sect hall to celebrate their success.
At the banquet, Elder Li publicly announced the promotion of Zhong Yun, Shen Yao, and Fatty Wang to inner sect disciples, granting them generous cultivation resources.
Zhong Yun and the others were naturally overjoyed and rushed to express their gratitude to Elder Li.
After three rounds of drinks, Elder Li suddenly spoke up, "Zhong Yun, you managed to turn defeat into victory this time entirely thanks to that miraculous cultivation technique of yours. I wonder if you might demonstrate it for us?"
Knowing that Elder Li was testing his strength, Zhong Yun did not decline. He stood up, walked to the center of the main hall, circulated his true qi, and displayed the new skills he had comprehended during the battle.
Zhong Yun formed hand seals with both hands and chanted an incantation. A powerful wave of energy erupted from him as his center and rapidly spread outward.
"Could this be...?! Everyone present widened their eyes, staring at the scene in absolute shock.
In the center of the hall, Zhong Yun's figure seemed to merge with the surrounding air as an invisible force coiled around him. With his eyes half-closed, his hands fluttered like butterflies weaving through flowers, forming one complex seal after another. As his true qi surged, the surrounding Spiritual Qi seemed drawn to him, forming a visible vortex that enveloped Zhong Yun within it.
Elder Li and the other elders stared intently at Zhong Yun, their eyes filled with astonishment and admiration. They could sense the formidable power emanating from him—something that definitely could not be possessed by an ordinary disciple.
"What an exquisite cultivation technique!" a white-bearded elder couldn't help praising. "This kid is truly extraordinary!"
Meanwhile, Shen Yao and Fatty Wang, sitting off to the side, watched Zhong Yun without blinking, strange lights flickering in their eyes. They knew that while the two of them had also given it everything during the battle against the mysterious man, the one who truly played the decisive role was Zhong Yun.
Shen Yao, in particular, had always been a proud daughter of heaven within the sect—endowed with supreme talent and a terrifyingly rapid cultivation speed, she had never deigned to look at her peers. Yet ever since she met Zhong Yun, she had been struck by his formidable strength time and time again, and that innate arrogance in her heart was gradually replaced by an inexplicable emotion.
"Zhong Yun, you really are strong..." Shen Yao muttered inwardly as she looked at Zhong Yun's back, her tone carrying a trace of imperceptible admiration.
As for Fatty Wang, he gazed at Zhong Yun with pure adoration, secretly congratulating himself for having made the right bet back then and attaching himself to this powerful patron.
Just then, Zhong Yun suddenly opened his eyes and thrust both palms forward fiercely.
"Boom!"
A mighty wave of air surged from his palms, instantly sweeping across the entire hall. Some of the lower-cultivation disciples were even knocked flat on their backs by the blast, gasping in alarm.
Elder Li and the others hurriedly released their true qi to shield the crowd, narrowly averting a chaotic mess.
When the shockwave subsided and everyone looked at Zhong Yun again, they saw him standing calmly with his hands retracted, a faint smile on his face.
Elder Li stroked his beard and laughed, "Good, very good! Zhong Yun, your strength has advanced by leaps and bounds once more. Given time, you are bound for greatness!"
Zhong Yun modestly replied, "You flatter me, Elder. This disciple still has many shortcomings and must continue to work hard."
Elder Li nodded and then announced that the banquet would continue.
Amidst the feast, Elder Li announced another surprising piece of news: because Zhao Hu had performed exceptionally well and displayed fearless bravery in the fight against the mysterious man, he was being specially promoted to an inner sect disciple.
Hearing this, Zhao Hu froze for a moment before a look of wild ecstasy washed over his face. He sprang to his feet, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed deeply to Elder Li, saying with a trembling voice, "Thank you for the promotion, Elder! This disciple will certainly give his all and never let down your expectations!"
With that, he turned to face Zhong Yun, his eyes brimming with gratitude as his voice choked up, "Senior Brother Zhong Yun, thank you! Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today!"
Zhong Yun smiled and patted Zhao Hu's shoulder. "We're all brothers here, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Cultivate well, and in the future, we'll fight shoulder to shoulder to protect the sect!"
Zhao Hu nodded heavily, his gaze resolute.
The banquet lasted late into the night before dispersing, everyone leaving the main hall filled with excitement and anticipation.
And the story of Zhong Yun and his companions spread throughout the entire Qingyun Sect with this banquet, eventually reaching the ears of other sects as well...
In the days following the banquet, Zhong Yun's name sprouted wings, flying across the entire Qingyun Sect and even reaching the ears of other sects. His exploits were embellished as they were passed along; from fighting fierce beasts to outwitting a mysterious man, every version portrayed him as a heaven-defying prodigy and a future powerhouse.
At first, Zhong Yun simply laughed off these rumors, treating them as little more than after-dinner conversation. However, as the rumors spread wider and wider, things began to take a somewhat unexpected turn.
Representatives from minor sects and even major clans began frequently appearing outside the mountain gates of Qingyun Sect, asking for Zhong Yun by name. These people brought all sorts of gifts—ranging from precious medicinal pills to formidable magical artifacts—all with the sole purpose of recruiting Zhong Yun and hoping he would join their factions.
Faced with these sudden olive branches, Zhong Yun did not let the attention go to his head. He knew that his current strength was still far too weak; once he left the protection of the Qingyun Sect, he would likely become a target for those harboring ulterior motives.
Therefore, he politely declined each of these invitations, firmly stating that he would remain within the Qingyun Sect to contribute to its growth and development.
Zhong Yun's decision won unanimous praise throughout the Qingyun Sect. Elder Li praised him without reservation, believing that he had not forgotten his original aspirations and was destined for greatness.
As time passed, Zhong Yun's story spread across the entire Xuanhuan Continent. His name became a symbol of courage and wisdom, attracting countless young dreamers who yearned to become like Zhong Yun—capable of stepping forward in times of crisis and overcoming all hardships through their own wits and bravery.
Some disciples from other sects even sneaked into the Qingyun Sect, risking punishment from their own factions, just to catch a glimpse of this legendary figure.
For a time, the prestige of the Qingyun Sect reached unprecedented heights, with an endless stream of people arriving to seek discipleship and learn the arts. And all of this stemmed from a young man named Zhong Yun.
Yet, Zhong Yun did not let this sudden fame cloud his judgment. He knew that the path ahead of him was still long and that greater challenges awaited him.
He began to cultivate even more diligently, constantly pushing his limits. He knew that only by making himself stronger could he protect the people he wished to protect and truly alter his own destiny.
On a moonlit night with sparse stars, Zhong Yun was practicing in the back mountains as usual. Suddenly, he sensed a powerful aura approaching him.
He snapped his eyes open and scanned his surroundings vigilantly. A mysterious man clad in a black robe and a bamboo hat had silently materialized right before him.
"Who are you?" Zhong Yun demanded in a deep voice, his heart filled with suspicion.
Instead of answering his question, the mysterious man slowly removed his bamboo hat, revealing an aged yet majestic face.
"Young man, you are quite impressive." The mysterious man looked at Zhong Yun, a flash of approval in his eyes. "My name is Shangguan Hong, and I come from an ancient clan. I have heard of your exploits and specifically came here to pass down some long-lost cultivation techniques to you."
Hearing this, turbulent waves instantly surged within Zhong Yun's heart...
Hearing this, turbulent waves instantly surged within Zhong Yun's heart. The name Shangguan Hong was thunderous—a legendary figure whose clan possessed a long heritage and a profound foundation. Never had he imagined that such a person would appear before him today. Suppressing his inner excitement, he bowed respectfully and said, "Junior Zhong Yun pays respects to Senior Shangguan."
Shangguan Hong nodded slightly and said, "Rise. No need for formalities. I see that your talent is extraordinary, and your constitution is quite compatible with the technique I cultivate. Would you be willing to take me as your master?"
Zhong Yun was wild with joy; this was truly a pie falling from the sky. Yet, rather than immediately agreeing, he asked cautiously, "May I ask why Senior has chosen me?"
Shangguan Hong smiled indomitably. "What I value is your potential and your character, not your birth or background. The cultivation technique of my lineage values defying the heavens and unyielding perseverance—qualities you happen to possess."
Without further hesitation, Zhong Yun dropped to his knees and kowtowed: "Disciple Zhong Yun pays respects to Master!"
Shangguan Hong helped Zhong Yun up and said, "Very well. From today onward, you are my final closed-door disciple. I will impart everything I have learned throughout my life to you; I hope you will not disappoint me."
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Just like that, Zhong Yun acquired a hidden master in the back mountains of the Qingyun Sect. The cultivation technique Shangguan Hong imparted to him was called the *Nine Revolutions Star Art*, an immensely powerful cultivation method that, when practiced to its absolute peak, could shift the stars, reverse the cosmos, and overturn the heavens.
Under Shangguan Hong's meticulous guidance, Zhong Yun's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, quickly breaking through into a brand-new realm. Endowed with innate talent and coupled with relentless, hard-earned effort, his strength soon far surpassed that of his peers.
Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, three years passed.
On this day, the Qingyun Sect was brightly decorated and bustling with activity. Today was the sect's annual Martial Arts Tournament, where disciples from various sects would gather to test their skills against one another.
Zhong Yun stood within the crowd, gazing out at the churning sea of people in the plaza, a boundless sense of pride swelling in his chest. After three years of consolidation and accumulation, he was no longer the wet-behind-the-ears greenhorn who had first entered the pugilistic world. He had decided to lead the sect into this continent-wide tournament to showcase its strength and prestige.
After Elder Li announced the tournament rules, disciples from various sects took turns ascending the stage to spar. Fighting his way through all obstacles with formidable strength and exceptional tactics, Zhong Yun ultimately secured his spot in the championship finals.
His opponent was a genius disciple from the Heavenly Sword Sect, whose strength was likewise not to be underestimated. After hundreds of intense rounds of combat, Zhong Yun narrowly defeated his opponent by a single move, winning the championship of the Martial Arts Tournament.
When news of this spread, the entire continent was shaken. Zhong Yun's name once again became the talk of the town, and his deeds were passed down as a legend.
Yet, Zhong Yun did not let victory cloud his mind. He knew this was merely the beginning, and greater challenges still lay ahead. Gazing into the distance with a resolute gleam in his eyes, he believed that he would surely overcome all obstacles and ultimately stand at the pinnacle of this world!