Chapter 501: Felling the Foe in a Single Blow
The Challenge to the Dao
Luke couldn't interrupt his plan for Jiu. The Heavenly Master's Strategy was something he had to obtain. As for the boy, he would do his utmost to save him, and if all else failed, he would summon No. 6 to inhabit his body.
The stadium match was just one factor; the truly critical item was the Tiger Fiend Scripture.
Some enthusiasts had already called it the Greatest Martial Art Under Heaven.
As Zhang Jiu's fame grew, so did the reputation of this technique.
After a three-day pause, a challenge letter was delivered to the Carefree Temple.
Challenger: Zhang JiuTime: The day after tomorrow afternoonLocation: Directly in front of the temple gate
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves. Unlike the martial arts world, the Daoist sect was surrounded by countless legends. Some powerful old Daoists were even called Immortals. Immortals couldn't be measured by common sense, and yet, this boy dared to challenge them.
The martial arts world instantly erupted. The various schools of the Daoist sect were also completely bewildered.
Not just them, even the high-ranking officials in China who received the news were full of questions. What was Luke Shaw trying to do? From martial arts to the cultivation world, was he planning to challenge all of China?
He was too arrogant!
Public opinion was boiling. Then, Derek called the sect leaders, telling them that if they wanted their plaques back, they must send their disciples to the Carefree Temple gate as cheerleaders and support, as required.
Now, everyone was uneasy. The high-ranking members of several sects gathered overnight, but their discussions yielded no result. Some wanted to avoid trouble, while others were secretly plotting, hoping to use the opportunity to verify the Daoist sect's strength and observe Zhang Jiu.
Hearing is not believing; seeing is. They couldn't fully trust what was online and needed to see it with their own eyes before making a decision.
Compared to their frenzy, the Carefree Temple seemed very calm, neither accepting nor rejecting the challenge.
A Clash of Worlds
Two days later, a large group appeared at the entrance of the Carefree Temple. Leading them was Jiu. He looked different from before, dressed in a silver battlesuit with a helmet on his head, his eyes shining with a spiritual light, appearing truly extraordinary.
The main gate opened, and a middle-aged Daoist priest stepped out. He spoke without emotion.
"The Carefree Temple is not a place for reckless fighting. When it comes to combat, we admit our inferiority. Please, friends, leave and do not disturb the temple's pure practice."
They surrendered just like that!
Everyone exchanged confused glances, feeling like their punch had landed on cotton. Some turned their attention to the young man, curious about his reaction.
Jiu didn't say much. He walked to the gate, jumped up, and plucked the name plaque hanging above.
"How dare you!"
The middle-aged priest roared in anger. His long sleeves billowed, and without apparent effort, he suddenly appeared right in front of Jiu. The next moment, the sound of bones breaking was heard. The priest flew back even faster than he arrived, clutching his chest and spitting up blood relentlessly.
Jiu asked blankly,
"Didn't you concede defeat?"
If you lose, you take the plaque. This was what Luke taught him, and the simple-minded boy saw nothing wrong with it.
The middle-aged priest was furious and heartbroken. The Carefree Temple had a legacy of nearly a thousand years and was a major branch of the Daoist tradition. If their name plaque was taken, they would be laughed at endlessly.
Jiu ignored his distress. He hoisted the plaque onto his shoulder and turned to walk out.
Everyone's expressions were a sight to behold. They wanted to laugh but didn't dare, so they quietly gave a thumbs-up, thinking that this kid was truly formidable—daring to slap the face of the Daoist sect.
"Stop right there!"
The middle-aged priest roared, enduring the pain to stand up. He spoke word by word.
"Didn't you come looking for a fight? Wait here. I'll find someone to compete with you right now."
With that, he turned and returned to the temple.
Jiu obeyed, putting down the plaque and waiting patiently.
The True Master
Ten minutes later, a group of people dressed as Daoist priests appeared at the entrance. The leading old Daoist had a youthful complexion and white hair, and a whisk wrapped around his wrist, exuding the demeanor of a reclusive master.
The old Daoist's real name was Zhao Hongyi, and his religious name was Xuanzhen.
He first looked at the crowded onlookers, then glanced at the plaque on the ground, and finally focused his gaze on Jiu. The spiritual light in the boy's eyes truly shocked him.
Fifteen years old, and such high cultivation. Truly remarkable.
Jiu stepped forward.
"Who among you wants to fight me?"
Zhao Hongyi sighed. "The Daoist sect is a place for pure practice, not fighting."
"Oh!"
Jiu responded and again picked up the plaque.
Zhao Hongyi: "..."
He finally understood his disciple's words. The boy was simple-minded, sticking to a single principle. Words were useless against him; only action could solve the problem.
"Daoyuan, you go. Do not take a life."
"Understood, Master."
A Daoist priest in his thirties stepped out of the crowd and stood before Jiu. He had a short beard, wore a simple robe, and his expression was as calm as an old well, making it impossible to gauge his depth.
Jiu asked as Luke instructed.
"How many matches are we fighting?"
Daoyuan replied, "One."
His simple answer conveyed immense confidence.
Jiu put down the plaque.
"Can we start now?"
"Yes."
With that, a tiger's roar exploded out of nowhere. The boy's eyes turned blood-red. A terrifying killing intent surged outwards like a tsunami. Internal energy overflowed from his acupoints, surrounding him and forming the faint red outline of a tiger phantom.
His Tiger Fiend Scripture was different from Linda's. A Kryptonian body was a battery, absorbing solar energy that had no particular attribute. Jiu, however, used internal energy, which possessed the will of the host body, making the manifested tiger phantom more ferocious and terrifying.
In a sense, Jiu was practicing the orthodox version of the technique, while Linda's was merely a copy.
Everyone was terrified by the sight and couldn't help but step back, their faces showing profound fear.
The old Daoist's face drastically changed. He roared,
"Daoyuan, retreat quickly!"
Unfortunately, it was too late. Daoyuan, whose mind was seized by the tiger phantom, couldn't move. Jiu, charging at extreme speed, struck him directly in the chest with a single punch.
The red punch force burst through his clothes, passed through his body, and struck the distant wall, leaving a spiderweb of cracks.
Daoyuan spat up blood and slowly collapsed to the ground.
The boy, like a demon in a frenzy, actually opened his mouth and moved to bite the opponent's neck. In the nick of time, a sharp pain shot through his brain. A green light flashed in his eyes. The killing aura vanished, and the blood-red light dissipated.
The boy returned to his usual simple-minded state, scratching his head and looking around confusedly. It took him a few seconds to realize.
"Did I win?"
He was met with silence.
The experience of being there was completely different from watching on a screen. Everyone finally understood why someone at the stadium had wet their pants.
This kid is truly a demon on earth.
Several Daoist priests rushed forward, supporting the severely wounded Daoyuan. One checked his pulse. After the examination, his face became grim.
"His internal organs are severely damaged. He only has a single thread of life force left."
The Daoists erupted in anger, staring at Jiu with man-eating eyes.
The boy asked innocently,
"Didn't you say only one match?"
"You..."
"Enough!"
Zhao Hongyi stepped forward, giving Jiu a deep, hard look.
"We lost this match."
"Then I'll be taking the plaque."
The old Daoist closed his eyes, the corners of his mouth trembling slightly.
Jiu was not one for pleasantries. He hoisted the plaque onto his shoulder and strode away amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd.
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