As the crowd roared and the arena healed, Zhongli greeted Chen Xin backstage with a calm nod.
"Well done," he said simply.
"But remember—this is only the first cut of your blade. True refinement comes with time… and blood."
Chen Xin nodded, eyes steady.
"I'm ready, Master."
That night, Zhongli led Chen Xin to a quiet, refined hotel tucked into the side of a misted mountain path. The rooms overlooked a tranquil valley bathed in starlight. Once inside, the world seemed to fall silent.
As they sat by the open window, the soft breeze carried the scent of night-blooming flowers.
Zhongli folded his hands behind his back, gazing out at the moon.
"How much have you progressed in Armament Haki, Three Thousand Lightning Movement, and Star God's Broken Shadow?"
Chen Xin responded with discipline in his tone.
"I've reached Stage 2 in Armament Haki."
He raised his right arm and channeled his power. In a smooth motion, it became completely encased in a metallic blue sheen, radiating strength and resilience.
Zhongli gave a small nod of approval.
Chen Xin continued.
"In Three Thousand Lightning Movement, I've reached the second level—Instant Lightning."
Zhongli closed his eyes for a brief moment. He recalled the structure of the technique:
Lightning Flash — beginner speed burst
Instant Lightning — instantaneous movement in a single direction
Three Thousand Lightning — supreme speed across all directions, as though one becomes lightning itself
A soft hum of acknowledgement escaped Zhongli's lips.
Chen Xin added one last detail.
"I've also reached the Third Stage of Star God's Broken Shadow."
Zhongli's eyes opened slightly wider.
That meant three afterimages—phantoms of the user trailing behind or ahead of movement, confusing the enemy and overwhelming them with illusionary speed.
Zhongli finally smiled.
"You are progressing well."
Just then, as silence returned, Zhongli's gaze shifted toward the open window.
He spoke calmly, without turning his head.
"I know you've been following us since Spirit Arena. Come out."
There was no alarm in his tone—just certainty.
A shadow moved, and from the edge of the window frame, a man stepped forward and kneeled respectfully. His expression was calm, his presence sharp like a drawn sword.
"I didn't mean any disrespect," he said. "I was only curious about who Master Chen Xin had taken as his teacher… After all, his father—Chen Jianjun—was a revered figure. Many of us still remember him."
Chen Xin blinked at the name. He hadn't heard his father's name spoken with such respect in years. He listened quietly.
Zhongli finally turned and said evenly,
"You're from the Wind Sword Sect."
Chen Xin's eyes widened. He'd heard of the Wind Sword Sect—one of the Seven Great Sects of the Star Luo Empire, known for their grace, speed, and elemental swordplay.
The man bowed again.
"I am Wu Zhu. Your father was a good friend of mine. We used to spar constantly in our youth. I once tried to recruit him as a Great Elder of our sect. But he refused—he sought stronger opponents to refine his own sword path."
Chen Xin nodded solemnly. That sounded like something his father would do. He was always chasing a sharper edge.
Zhongli asked without malice,
"Did you come here to recruit him?"
Wu Zhu chuckled lightly, "Saying I didn't have that thought would be a lie. But… I can see now. You're no ordinary being."
Zhongli smiled faintly.
"Your eyes are rather unique. You've trained in a rare ocular technique."
Wu Zhu's gaze flickered, surprised by the insight. But he did not deny it.
"Yes… It's our sect founder's legacy. A technique that grants us a special extrasensory vision. We can see through the body itself—its breath, blood flow, muscle tension, and even intent. We use it to find weaknesses and evade incoming strikes… But in exchange, we gradually lose our normal sight."
Zhongli gave a respectful nod.
"A sacrifice. But one of clarity and insight. Let me ask—do you wish to work under me?"
Wu Zhu paused, caught off guard. His instincts screamed that Zhongli was no ordinary human—or perhaps not human at all. When he'd used his technique earlier, what he saw in Zhongli was beyond comprehension—a radiant, divine construct, cloaked in the calm form of a man.
Before he could answer, Chen Xin spoke up with confidence.
"My master would never wrong you. He's shown me a world I never knew existed."
Zhongli added,
"I won't ask anything drastic. But since you're here—allow me to give you something in return."
With a wave of his hand, three glowing scrolls appeared mid-air and floated toward Wu Zhu.
Wu Zhu caught them, his hands trembling as the knowledge within seeped into his mind:
1. Hurricane Blade
Also known as Hurricane Slice. Transforms the air into cutting blades and launches them at high speed. Suitable for those with Wind-type martial spirits.
2. Cool Breeze Sword
A refined sword technique requiring agility and grace. Best suited for sword-type martial spirits with fluid footwork and evasion at its core.
3. Dancing Wind Technique
Allows the user to temporarily dissolve their body into wind essence, evading attacks or setting up lethal counters. A high-level escape and misdirection skill.
Wu Zhu's breath caught.
These weren't ordinary techniques.
Each one was enough to elevate a sect on its own. To receive all three was… staggering.
He looked at Zhongli with open awe.
In this man's presence, he felt like a page standing before an ancient tome of boundless wisdom.
Without hesitation, he knelt deeply and declared,"I will await your orders… Master."
Zhongli waved him off gently.
"There is no need to call me that."