Chapter 115: You’ve Broken Through? (Please Bookmark)

The subtlety of footwork had puzzled him for a long time; he simply could not find the key. Only after his breakthrough, when his true energy surged significantly, was he able to execute a strike without sacrificing much speed.

“It seems that hiding here to train alone won’t solve the problem. I must find someone to spar with; perhaps then I can discover the secret.”

Stepping out of the training room, Yang Ze stretched his limbs. Since the last minor trade fair ended, he hadn’t left his room except to complete tasks. This solitary training had enabled his rapid breakthrough.

This progress was also thanks to his two subsequent visits to the Spiritual Plant Garden, from which he obtained two gourds of spiritual water. Without this aid, his cultivation would not have accelerated so quickly.

Besides the spiritual water, he also had two bags of spiritual soil, which he had not yet had time to trade away.

Holding the bags of spiritual soil, Yang Ze’s gaze lingered on them for a moment, solidifying his resolve to step outside.

He still had some contribution points left. If he sold these two bags, he could gain about seventy points, enough to repay the contribution points he owed Lin Hui.

Yang Ze disliked owing others. He had accumulated quite a debt with Lin Hui, something he had been uneasy about. If he could repay it, he wanted to do so as soon as possible.

...

The next morning, just as Yang Ze awoke from sleep, someone knocked on his door.

Opening it, he was surprised to see Wu He standing there. Yang Ze immediately invited him in.

Pouring a cup of tea for Wu He, who had come from elsewhere and was parched, Wu He drank it down in one gulp before fixing his gaze on Yang Ze.

Upon seeing him, Wu He’s expression changed dramatically. His eyes widened in disbelief, nearly dropping the cup onto the table.

“You—you’ve broken through?” Wu He’s eyes grew even wider, as if he had seen a ghost.

He couldn’t believe that in just over a month, Yang Ze had achieved a breakthrough.

Yang Ze remained calm and looked at Wu He. “Brother Wu, there’s no need to praise me. Haven’t you broken through yourself?”

Since Wu He had just broken through the day before, his blood energy was still unsettled, easily revealing his breakthrough. The same applied to Yang Ze; the unstable blood energy occasionally radiated his strength, signaling his own breakthrough.

Wu He was already a master at the eighth level of true energy. This breakthrough elevated him to the ninth level—an impressive feat.

After being called out by Yang Ze, Wu He’s expression shifted slightly. Clearing his throat, he said, “I had been stuck at the eighth level for nearly two years. Only after exchanging many contribution points for pills did I manage to break through. I’ve exhausted my resources for this breakthrough and don’t know how long it’ll take to recover.

“But you’re different. I heard from Lin Hui that you’ve been training for less than two months and have already reached the eighth level of true energy. It seems I’ve made an extraordinary acquaintance. With your talent, Brother Yang, your time at Qingyang Peak may be limited.”

Wu He’s amazement was shared by all who knew how short a time Yang Ze had been practicing. Seeing him break through so quickly was almost unbelievable.

“Just lucky, Brother Wu. No need to flatter me. By the way, what brings you here?” Yang Ze asked, unwilling to dwell on the breakthrough topic.

Wu He suddenly remembered his purpose. “After my breakthrough, I wanted us brothers to spar. I don’t know many ninth-level true energy masters, and sparring with a few eighth-level ones isn’t very helpful. So I thought I’d bring you all together to test things out.”

“I thought you were going to organize another trade fair,” Yang Ze mused, eyeing Wu He carefully.

Wu He’s casual tone masked a lingering desire to avenge his last defeat—he wanted to test Yang Ze through sparring.

But this plan was about to be thwarted.

Wu He suddenly said, “If everyone gathers, it wouldn’t be impossible to hold a trade fair. But Brother Yang, do you have time?”

“Of course. Just let me know when, so I can prepare,” Yang Ze replied eagerly. He was glad to have the chance to spar; since Wu He had sought him out, he wouldn’t miss it.

Wu He brightened and said, “Good! This afternoon, at the usual place. I’ll be waiting there.

“I haven’t called the others yet. I won’t keep you; I’ll leave first.”

With that, Wu He left. Yang Ze smiled as he watched him go.

He had never faced a ninth-level true energy master before and was eager to see their true strength.

Grabbing his long knife and slinging it on his back, Yang Ze stepped outside. Since he would spar in the afternoon, he needed to fill his stomach first.

As he approached the dining hall, he once again encountered Lin Hui at the entrance.

Seeing Lin Hui’s familiar face and the dining hall’s doorway, Yang Ze was momentarily taken aback.

Why was it that every time he saw Lin Hui, it was always at the dining hall entrance? The feeling was oddly peculiar.

Before Yang Ze could greet him, Lin Hui came forward first. Like Wu He, he was amazed by Yang Ze’s breakthrough to the eighth level and exclaimed in surprise.

Lin Hui praised Yang Ze repeatedly, insisting that Yang Ze treat him to a meal to celebrate the breakthrough.

Unable to refuse, Yang Ze invited him inside for a good meal.

Once inside, Lin Hui eagerly chose the restaurant and started ordering dishes.

Yang Ze was astonished by the quantity and quality of the food Lin Hui ordered. Fortunately, the dining hall used silver coins, not contribution points. Otherwise, Yang Ze would have been deeply pained.

After a satisfying meal, the two exchanged news. Wu He had already informed the others and invited them all to spar at the usual place that afternoon.

“Since Wu He broke through, he’s gotten a bit cocky. Ostensibly, he’s gathering us to spar, but really he just wants to show off,” Lin Hui said disdainfully.

“Is that so?” Yang Ze asked.

“That’s just his nature. We all know him well. He’s a good person but loves the spotlight. If it weren’t for you, this afternoon would have been all about him showing off. But now, who knows?” Lin Hui smiled at Yang Ze knowingly.

Yang Ze shook his head. “Brother Lin, you overestimate me. I just broke through to the eighth level. Compared to Brother Wu, I’m far weaker. This afternoon, I doubt anyone will be his match.”

“Brother Yang, no need to be modest in front of me. I know your strength to some extent. If you don’t want to talk about it, fine. Let everyone see your true power this afternoon,” Lin Hui said with a grin.

Yang Ze sighed, tired of talking, and turned to leave. The time was near, and he didn’t plan to return home but go straight to the gathering place.

Lin Hui followed closely as the two exited the Ding District.

When they arrived, everyone except Jiang Hua was present.

Upon seeing Yang Ze, the crowd gasped, amazed by the speed of his cultivation.

Wu He, whose breakthrough had been overshadowed by Yang Ze’s, stood beside them with a sullen look. This was supposed to be his home turf, yet it had turned out like this. What was going on?

He quickly stepped forward. “Since everyone’s nearly here, let’s not waste time. Let’s spar.”

“Brother Wu, that’s unfair. You’re already a ninth-level true energy master. Sparring with you was fine before, but now the gap is too large. How about all us seventh-level fighters sit this one out, and the eighth-levels spar among themselves?” Lin Hui said, standing back with no intention of fighting.

His words immediately found agreement among many seventh-level true energy cultivators. They clearly didn’t want to be beaten senseless for no reason.

Wu He’s face darkened. After his breakthrough, only three eighth-level true energy masters remained in the group, including the newly advanced Yang Ze. Such a small number hardly made for a good sparring match.

The two other eighth-levels exchanged glances and nodded. “Brother Wu, with your current strength, it’s not suitable for us to spar with you. You’d better find others.”

Wu He did not expect even these two to back out. Suddenly, no one remained, and the atmosphere plummeted to an icy low.

Seeing this, Yang Ze glanced at Lin Hui, who smiled at him knowingly. Though Yang Ze didn’t know how Lin Hui had arranged it, he was sure it was his doing.

“Brother Wu, if you don’t mind, how about just the two of us sparring?” Yang Ze said, stepping forward. There was no other choice; he had his own plans.

Wu He hesitated. “Brother Yang, just you alone? Isn’t that a bit...”

“Brother Wu, if we’re sparring, let’s not be petty. I’m not that fragile!” Yang Ze declared loudly.