Chapter 83: I Too Possess Pride...

Chapter 83: I, Too, Possess a Proud Spirit...

To be honest, Zheng Jian truly hadn’t expected Dongfang the Invincible to personally come and issue a challenge.

But since the challenge had already arrived, what else was there to do? Like a cold tossed omelet—just accept it.

There was no need to deliberate. The news spreading across the martial world was obviously released by the Sun and Moon Sect on purpose. Dongfang the Invincible had no fear that Zheng Jian would refuse, unless Zheng Jian was willing to disregard the Huashan Sect entirely.

In the past, it had only taken the ten elders of the Demon Sect to attack the Five Sword Sects for the latter to lose their core strength, ultimately perishing together with the elders and burying their bones in a cave behind Mount Hua.

If Dongfang the Invincible were to descend the mountain now and rally forces to attack the Huashan Sect, was there even a need to imagine the outcome?

So, the challenge had to be accepted.

Still, Zheng Jian did have a chance to win. Through Zuo Lengchan, he had already grasped some of the rhythm of the Evil-Repelling Sword Art. The Sunflower Manual practiced by Dongfang the Invincible actually shared the same origin as the Evil-Repelling Sword Manuscript.

Moreover, in Zheng Jian’s view, the Evil-Repelling Sword Manuscript was actually superior to the Sunflower Manual. According to the original story, the Sunflower Manual seized by the Sun and Moon Sect was merely a handwritten copy by Yue Su and Cai Zifeng, not the original, and it was incomplete. Yue Su and Cai Zifeng themselves couldn’t reconcile their versions, so the fragmentary Sunflower Manual likely recorded content that didn’t even match what Lin Yuantou had comprehended on his own.

As for the original, well, it had long since been burned by Master Red Leaf...

These are two supreme manuals, but in the hands of different practitioners, the results vary greatly. Take Dongfang the Invincible and Zuo Lengchan for example: one practiced the Sunflower Manual, the other the Evil-Repelling Sword Manuscript. Dongfang the Invincible’s current achievements proved her extraordinary martial aptitude. Zuo Lengchan was a master in his own right, but he hadn’t specialized in the Evil-Repelling Sword Manuscript, and his time with it was brief, whereas Dongfang the Invincible had studied the Sunflower Manual for over a decade. Naturally, their levels were not the same.

Overall, Dongfang the Invincible was still stronger than Zuo Lengchan with the Evil-Repelling Sword, but by how much, Zheng Jian couldn’t say without facing Dongfang the Invincible himself.

Using Xiang Wentian as a reference, Zheng Jian realized his previous estimation was off; now, it seemed Dongfang the Invincible was at the level of at least five Xiang Wentians, while Zuo Lengchan was at three. Don’t ask why—she was simply that formidable.

Why did Zheng Jian still have a chance? Because having witnessed the Evil-Repelling Sword Art, he now possessed an initial understanding of the Sunflower Manual. His own Nine Swords of Dugu, which grows stronger against stronger opponents, meant that as long as he could withstand the early onslaught, he could gradually close the gap.

Furthermore, there was the Innate Power Technique—his foundation, and the key to enduring a prolonged duel with Dongfang the Invincible.

After this calculation, Zheng Jian concluded that he had about a forty percent chance of remaining undefeated, and a ten percent chance of achieving victory. That sliver of hope lay in making a breakthrough in the heat of battle!

Zheng Jian had already mastered the second stage of the Innate Power Technique, refining energy into spirit. If he could break through to the third stage—refining spirit to return to the void—he would truly reach the innate realm. That was his opportunity.

It was unpredictable, but at least there was a chance!

Thinking of this, Zheng Jian couldn’t help but sigh. The system was just too stingy. If only it offered him the generous benefits it did when they first met, would he need to struggle so desperately now?

If only life could be as it was at first meeting...

“System, you’ve changed...”

...

Zheng Jian returned to Mount Hua with Lin Pingzhi and Yue Lingshan. Master Yue had already received the news and was waiting with Madam Ning Zhongze in the Hall of Righteousness.

Upon seeing Zheng Jian enter with the two, Master Yue sighed and waved his hand. “Pingzhi, Lingshan, you two go on ahead. I have matters to discuss with your senior brother.”

Yue Lingshan was aggrieved but dared not disobey her father’s command, so she left with Lin Pingzhi.

After they had gone, Master Yue pointed to a nearby chair. “Sit.”

Zheng Jian sat obediently. “Master, you wanted to see me?”

Master Yue glanced helplessly at Ning Zhongze. “Enough, my daughter must have told you everything. Why are you pretending? Tell me—if you knew, why did you still return?”

Zheng Jian smiled. “Knowing makes it all the more impossible to run. I could run, but could the temple?”

Master Yue sighed again; he realized he’d been sighing far too much today. “Jian’er, if it truly comes to it, go seek help from Uncle Feng. No matter how much he resents or hates me, he’s always liked you...”

Ning Zhongze was shocked. “Senior brother, what are you saying? Uncle Feng?”

Master Yue nodded. “If Uncle Feng hadn’t taught him swordsmanship, how could he have reached this level? I should have realized it, but I always assumed Uncle Feng was long dead. If Master Fangsheng from Shaolin hadn’t mentioned it at the Songshan duel, I’d never have guessed...”

“Uncle Feng is still alive? That’s wonderful! Jian’er, go beg him. With his mastery of the sword, he can surely withstand Dongfang the Invincible,” Ning Zhongze said, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Zheng Jian hadn’t expected Master Yue to think of this, but he had never intended to trouble Grandmaster Feng. He shook his head. “It’s alright. I already have a plan for Dongfang the Invincible.”

“!!!”

Master Yue and Ning Zhongze were stunned.

“Master, Mistress, Dongfang the Invincible may be the strongest in the world, but she’s not some invincible deity. I have my ways.” Zheng Jian didn’t mention that, if all else failed, he could always seek out Ren Woxing.

In the original tale, even with Ren Woxing, Xiang Wentian, and Linghu Chong joining forces, they weren’t victorious, but they weren’t powerless either. With his current strength replacing Linghu Chong’s, his odds would be even better.

Ren Woxing would be eager to ally with him.

But Zheng Jian disdained the idea of joining forces with Ren Woxing.

He had his own resolve and principles. Since Dongfang the Invincible had come openly to issue a challenge, Zheng Jian would face her openly as well.

A person may not be arrogant, but must never lack pride!

Even if they slew Dongfang the Invincible together, so what? Would that make Zheng Jian the strongest in the world? Would that grant him the breakthrough he sought?

On the contrary, only a one-on-one duel, teetering on the edge of death, could grant him the chance to shatter his final barrier and be reborn through fire.

From Xiang Wentian, to Ren Woxing, to Zuo Lengchan, Zheng Jian had fought his way here and was no longer that small-minded man. He had truly become a part of this martial world, this romantic and heroic age.

A true swordsman does not fear a powerful opponent—he is delighted.

Perhaps that was why Dongfang the Invincible had challenged him.

...

(End of Chapter)