Chapter 587: Wild Ox Strength, a Profound Internal Art?

Watching the pale red Samadhi True Fire coil around the rapidly spinning mass of medicinal liquid like a tiny flood dragon, circling it continuously and occasionally plunging into it, Zhang Xiaohua wiped the faint sweat from his brow and finally let out a sigh of relief. After checking the True Qi within his body, however, he was startled. Simply completing the liquid fusion had already consumed nearly half of his entire supply of True Qi.

He could not help but lament once again that a Qi Refining cultivator’s strength was truly inadequate.

Yet he had always cultivated diligently. It was only because he had entered the Immortal Path not long ago. Who knew what year or month it would be before he could finish cultivating all eighteen levels of the cultivation method?

Sighing, Zhang Xiaohua carefully inspected the pill furnace with his Divine Sense before escaping back into the cave. The moment he returned, he was shocked. It was not because there was anything strange inside the cave, but because, standing at the cave entrance, he saw that the blazing sun hanging high in the distant sky had already begun to sink toward the west.

“Wha…” Zhang Xiaohua was momentarily at a loss. When he had entered the cave earlier, it had only been morning. The rising sun had just begun to cast light into the cave. Yet from liquid fusion to pill gestation—a seemingly simple process—it had taken the entire morning?

“Oh no!” Zhang Xiaohua slapped his forehead. It was already past noon. Wasn’t his wager match with Lu Lihong scheduled for the afternoon? Judging by the time, it was just about to begin.

Of course, his panic quickly subsided. He had been forced into this wager match in the first place. If he could arrive late and avoid fighting altogether, that would be for the best. Unfortunately, such beautiful wishes were always nothing more than fragile bubbles.

Outside the cave, on a flat stretch of the cliff, Bai Huan paced anxiously back and forth over a small area. Several times, he wanted to shout, but each time he swallowed the words back. Just as he gritted his teeth and prepared to enter the cave, Zhang Xiaohua finally strolled out unhurriedly.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua emerge, Bai Huan felt as though he had found his savior. He hurried over, grabbed Zhang Xiaohua by the sleeve, and complained, “Junior Brother, why did you take so long? Boss Chen has already sent people several times to urge you along. I wanted to call you, but I heard that those cultivating internal energy fear being disturbed the most, so I didn’t dare. But when I came to the entrance of your cave, I couldn’t see a thing inside—it was pitch black. I was so anxious I was about ready to jump off the cliff.”

Zhang Xiaohua, however, was completely unhurried. Smiling, he said, “Senior Brother Bai, you’re making far too much of it. It’s only a wager match, and not even an official one. Why be so nervous? Isn’t it still not time yet?”

“But…” Bai Huan had no idea how to reason with someone who treated his idol like dirt. An elite disciple of the Outer Sect wanted to build some goodwill by exchanging his otherwise useless herbs, yet Zhang Xiaohua was not the least bit anxious. He was simply… refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit.

Still, Bai Huan was afraid of letting Boss Chen down. Grabbing Zhang Xiaohua by the sleeve, he charged down the mountain at full speed. Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua said nothing and merely circulated the Levitation Technique as he followed behind.

The path down the mountain was long, but with Bai Huan deliberately sprinting the entire way, they reached the wager arena in only half the time it had taken the previous day.

The arena looked much the same as when Zhang Xiaohua had seen it before. The layout was unchanged, the referee was the same, and people were still busily placing bets. What was different, however, was the fervor in the disciples’ eyes. After all, it had been quite some time since the previous wager match, and standing in the arena now with his hands clasped behind his back, leisurely gazing up at the drifting clouds, was the idol they all admired. Seeing Lu Lihong standing there in spotless white robes with effortless grace, stars seemed to fill the disciples’ eyes. As they placed their wagers, none of them hesitated. If they were not going to support him now, then when would they?

When Chen Fengxiao saw Zhang Xiaohua hurrying over with Bai Huan, his face darkened with anger. He strode forward and demanded, “Junior Brother Ren, what is the meaning of this? I sent people again and again to ask you to come down. Why did you have to be so inconsiderate?”

Zhang Xiaohua cupped his hands apologetically. “Boss Chen, please don’t be upset. I truly am sorry. I began regulating my breathing this morning and completely lost track of time. I only realized it when I came to my senses just now. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Senior Brother Bai.”

Bai Huan quickly chimed in from the side, “That’s right, Boss Chen. Junior Brother Ren didn’t show himself even once the entire morning. Last night, he specifically told me that today he wanted to adjust himself properly and face Senior Brother Lu in his best condition. You sent people to call for him several times, but I didn’t dare shout recklessly for fear of causing Junior Brother Ren to suffer qi deviation!”

Chen Fengxiao shot Bai Huan a glare and was just about to speak when a voice sounded from nearby. “Oh? For Junior Brother Ren to be able to enter secluded meditation and regulate his inner energy at such a young age, his future is truly bright beyond measure.”

It was Lu Lihong, who had silently used his Qinggong to approach. Realizing that Lu Lihong had come so close without his noticing, Chen Fengxiao was inwardly astonished by his Qinggong. At the same time, he became somewhat doubtful of Zhang Xiaohua’s explanation and merely smiled as he said, “Senior Brother Lu, are you certain? I’ve heard that entering secluded meditation to regulate one’s breathing is a sign of profound internal cultivation. Do you really think Junior Brother Ren possesses such profound inner energy?”

Lu Lihong also looked surprised and asked, “Junior Brother Ren, don’t worry. You’re not really late—only a little delayed. By the way, could you tell me what internal art you’re cultivating?”

“Wild Ox Strength!” Zhang Xiaohua replied without the slightest hesitation.

What nonsense. It was the only internal art whose name he knew. If he did not mention that one, what else could he say?

Lu Lihong was visibly taken aback, as though he had never heard of it before. After a moment’s thought, he nodded and said, “Hmm, judging by the name alone, this cultivation method sounds quite formidable. I vaguely recall hearing one of the Outer Sect instructors mention it. It should be one of the first-rate internal arts in the current martial world. Excellent, Junior Brother Ren. To have the good fortune to cultivate such a profound internal art, your destiny is truly extraordinary. I only wonder—which level have you reached?”

Lu Lihong deliberately spoke loudly, as though showing off his knowledge. The nearby disciples listened and nodded repeatedly.

“Huh?” Hearing Lu Lihong’s explanation, Zhang Xiaohua found himself caught between laughter and tears. Ordinary martial arts manuals from the jianghu naturally would never catch the eye of the martial experts of the Incense-Spreading Sect’s Wuming Hall.

Back when Lu Lihong had been in Spring Rebirth Valley, he had been nothing more than a medicine boy and had never practiced martial arts. He had only come into contact with internal cultivation methods after joining the Incense-Spreading Sect, so it was no surprise that he had absolutely no idea what kind of martial art Wild Ox Strength actually was.

Sneaking a glance at Yang Yao not far away, who was also forcing himself to suppress a smile while pretending to admire the drifting clouds, Zhang Xiaohua came to an understanding: everything was but floating clouds. So he smiled and said, “Senior Brother Lu overestimates me. I am untalented and have only just begun studying this profound internal art. How could I have achieved any level of mastery? I’ve merely gained a slight sense of qi and dare not make a fool of myself.”

Lu Lihong nodded. “We are merely medicine boys of Tuodan Hall. Planting herbs and refining pills are our true professions. Being able to learn such profound martial arts is already quite fortunate. If we compare ourselves to disciples who have practiced internal arts since childhood, the gap is simply too great. Junior Brother Ren, you needn’t belittle yourself. Once we exchange a few moves, we’ll know. Oh, and this concerns those herbs of yours, so you’d better do your best to win at least a move or two against me.”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head repeatedly. “How could I possibly be a match for Senior Brother Lu? During these past few days of practicing Wild Ox Strength, I’ve gained some understanding. The strength of one’s internal energy directly determines the outcome of a fight. Techniques and forms merely play a supporting role. Your inner strength is profound, far beyond anything the likes of me can compare to. Even if you used only one hand, I still wouldn’t be able to get close enough to attack you.”

Lu Lihong nodded knowingly and, in the tone of a seasoned senior, said, “Junior Brother, for you to have cultivated to this extent already shows that your aptitude is excellent. I believe that if you are given enough time and the proper environment, then in another ten years, you too will surely become one of the Outer Sect disciples.”

The surrounding disciples all looked at Lu Lihong with admiration and silently gave him a thumbs-up. “Now that’s the bearing of a senior brother.” At the same time, the way they looked at Zhang Xiaohua also changed. After all, this was someone who had a real chance of becoming an Outer Sect disciple—a rising star. If they were not going to get on his good side now, then when would they?

“This Lu Lihong really knows how to win people over,” Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself.

He immediately cupped his hands and said, “Many thanks for your encouragement, Senior Brother Lu. I will certainly cultivate diligently, taking Senior Brother Lu as the guiding beacon on my path of cultivation. I shall follow the road you have already walked and continue climbing upward. I only hope that Senior Brother Lu will continue to look after me in the future.”

Lu Lihong nodded. “Easy enough, easy enough. After all, we’re both medicine boys from Tuodan Hall, and we both came from Spring Rebirth Valley. If I don’t take care of you, who else would I take care of?”

“In that case, why don’t we skip the match? You can take the herbs, give me the Jade Restoration Pill, and that’ll settle everything.”

Zhang Xiaohua grinned.

Lu Lihong’s body swayed several times before he finally steadied himself. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he said, “Well… that won’t do. The greatest taboo in martial arts cultivation is obtaining things without earning them. It leads to an unstable foundation. If I let you obtain the pill so easily today, then when you cultivate in the future, you might always think of taking shortcuts. A tiny deviation at the beginning can lead to an enormous error in the end. Perhaps this small act of kindness from me today would become an obstacle to your future cultivation…”

He talked for quite a while, but in the end, it all amounted to one thing—he was not giving him the pill.

Seeing the hour growing late, Chen Fengxiao glanced at the sky and coughed lightly. “Junior Brother Lu, it’s getting late. Shall we…”

Only then did Lu Lihong stop talking, though he still did not forget to instruct Zhang Xiaohua. “You must remember what I’ve told you today. These are lessons I’ve learned from many years of cultivation.”

Zhang Xiaohua bowed deeply. “Many thanks for your guidance, Senior Brother Lu.”

He still could not quite understand why the Lu Lihong of last night and the Lu Lihong of today seemed so different in attitude. Yet judging from the way he was patiently offering instruction today, he truly seemed like a kind and approachable senior brother. Moreover, his advice struck directly at the heart of the matter and was indeed correct.

Although Zhang Xiaohua sensed that something was off, he could only nod in sincere acceptance.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua bow, Lu Lihong helped him back to his feet and said, “All right, enough talking. Let me see just how capable you, my junior brother, really are.”

As he spoke, he extended his right hand and his left leg. “I’ll attack using only this one hand and this one leg. If I use any of my other limbs, it will count as my defeat.”

“Very well.” Zhang Xiaohua also stepped several paces in front of Lu Lihong and assumed a fighting stance. “Please instruct me, Senior Brother Lu.”

Lu Lihong raised his right hand and said, “Junior Brother Ren, please instruct me as well. You may make the first move.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled. With a quick shift of his feet, he unleashed a strike from the Big Dipper Divine Fist, smashing toward Lu Lihong’s left shoulder.