Free Web NovelChapter 80: Chapter 80: The Rising Storm
"HAHAHAHA!"
Zhu Kai threw his head back and laughed, his expression the very picture of smugness. "So what if I didn’t get a Bodhi Fruit? I got a Ling Luo Flower! Mo Yunlei, Chen Baxian, Shen Daoxing—from now on, you can all eat my dust."
He held a tri-colored flower in his hand. Red patterns covered its petals, resembling the meridians of a human body.
"It’s actually a second-grade Celestial and Earthly Treasure, a Ling Luo Flower!"
"That flower is no ordinary thing. It contains a massive amount of Primordial Energy that can allow a Martial Artist’s cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds."
"If Zhu Kai consumes that Ling Luo Flower, he’ll almost certainly break through to the Grotto Heaven realm."
"Not just the Grotto Heaven realm! In my opinion, that Ling Luo Flower could help him reach the Second Layer of the Grotto Heaven realm."
"Of all the geniuses from every kingdom who entered the True Dragon Secret Realm, Zhu Kai will likely be the first one to break through to the Grotto Heaven realm."
...
Zhu Kai, holding the second-grade Celestial and Earthly Treasure—the Ling Luo Flower—instantly became the center of attention.
After all, a second-grade Celestial and Earthly Treasure would be snatched up the moment it appeared on the market.
Zhu Kai was looking extremely smug. Who would have thought that even though he failed to get the Bodhi Fruit, he’d receive a blessing in disguise and obtain this Ling Luo Flower?
’When I get back, I’ll go into seclusion,’ he thought. ’Once my strength reaches the Grotto Heaven realm, Shen Daoxing, Chen Baxian, and Mo Yunlei will all be unable to withstand a single one of my attacks.’
As time passed, a steady stream of geniuses emerged from the True Dragon Secret Realm.
Just then, Lin Ke’Er’s master, Huang Yarong, walked out. "Not bad," she said. "I didn’t expect your luck to be so good. You actually obtained a Ling Luo Flower."
Huang Yarong was, after all, the National Preceptor of the Tang Kingdom. She naturally positioned herself to protect Zhu Kai, preventing anyone with ulterior motives from attempting to snatch the Ling Luo Flower.
"Thank you, National Preceptor!"
Although Zhu Kai was arrogant by nature, he was no fool. He immediately clasped his fist in a salute and spoke.
Huang Yarong nodded slightly. "After we return, I will report to Your Majesty and request a reward for you."
Hearing this, Zhu Kai immediately grew excited.
’If the Tang Kingdom is willing to pour its resources into training me, I’ll have the same kind of backing as Chen Baxian,’ he thought. ’Not only will I have an entire kingdom behind me, but I’ll never have to worry about cultivation resources again.’
Many of the geniuses who heard this were filled with envy.
"Zhu!"
Just then, Chen Guanggu hurried over. "I was wondering if you saw Mo Yunlei from my Celestial City Academy? Did he find the person who murdered Tang Ying, Zhou Bu’Er, and Hua Lin?"
Zhu Kai was taken aback by Chen Guanggu’s words. "Tang Ying, Zhou Bu’Er, and Hua Lin... they’re all dead?"
Those three were part of the Four Heroes of Celestial City Academy. Their strength was nothing to scoff at. To think they had all perished within the True Dragon Secret Realm.
"I didn’t know," he said. "This is completely unexpected."
Zhu Kai snapped back to his senses and said quickly, "I did run into Mo Yunlei inside the True Dragon Secret Realm. He, Chen Baxian, and I joined forces against Shen Daoxing. We lost in the end, and I was the one who escaped..."
As he said this, Zhu Kai’s expression turned grim.
It wasn’t exactly a glorious memory, but many people had witnessed it, so it was impossible for him to hide the truth.
"What!?"
The moment Zhu Kai finished speaking, the crowd exploded into an uproar.
The news landed like a bombshell among them.
It wasn’t just Chen Guanggu; the high-level experts from every kingdom were profoundly shaken.
"My gods! Chen Baxian, Zhu Kai, and Mo Yunlei teamed up, and they still lost to Shen Daoxing?"
"Wasn’t this Shen Daoxing supposed to be only a fraction stronger than Zhang Lei?"
"How could he be so strong?! He’s an absolute monster!"
"Heavens! To battle three peerless geniuses alone... After today, everyone in the Six Kingdoms will know the name Shen Daoxing."
...
Experts from every kingdom scrambled to find out more about Shen Daoxing’s identity and origins.
When they heard he was from the Sword Institute, their expressions all changed dramatically.
Ling Shuanghua was also somewhat taken aback. ’That kid...’
She knew Shen Daoxing was strong, but she had never imagined he was *this* strong.
"Speak!"
Huang Yarong stared intently at Ling Shuanghua. "Where did you find this monster?"
Ling Shuanghua shrugged nonchalantly. "He was a disciple Celestial City Academy didn’t want. Old Lin took him in."
Although her expression was serene, she was inwardly ecstatic. But to maintain her aloof persona, she had to keep her composure.
Huang Yarong rolled her eyes. "How is that possible? Is everyone at Celestial City Academy an idiot?"
’A genius like Shen Daoxing definitely has what it takes to get on the Martial Arts Ranking. Celestial City Academy gave him up... to the Sword Institute?’
Hearing of Shen Daoxing’s origins, the surrounding experts all wore strange expressions, and an unavoidable question surfaced in their minds.
’Is Celestial City Academy run by fools?’
Chen Guanggu’s face turned pale, then red. He was the one who had coveted Shen Daoxing’s Martial Techniques and ultimately forced him out of Celestial City Academy. The more monstrous Shen Daoxing’s achievements, the more his own face burned with humiliation.
"Impossible!"
Chen Guanggu roared, "How could the three of them together possibly lose to Shen Daoxing!?"
Zhu Kai was proud and cared deeply about his reputation. Admitting his failure was hard enough. Hearing Chen Guanggu’s disbelief, he could only sigh. "I don’t want to admit it either. It’s utterly humiliating that the three of us teamed up and still couldn’t defeat Shen Daoxing. But that’s the reality of it. Shen Daoxing is just too strong. Not only has he comprehended the Six Paths Sword Intent, but his physical body is also absurdly tough."
Chen Guanggu frowned. "Six Paths Sword Intent?! He only comprehended Five Sword Intent. Where would a sixth come from?"
Zhu Kai replied helplessly, "He has comprehended the Six Paths Sword Intent. One path is as black as ink. If I’m not mistaken, it must be an Upper Grade Sword Intent."
As an arrogant man, it took a lot for him to praise someone, but Shen Daoxing’s strength had earned his genuine respect.
"What!? An Upper Grade Sword Intent!?"
The crowd exchanged shocked glances, their minds reeling.
Everyone present knew that a single path of Upper Grade Sword Intent was equivalent to three ordinary paths of Sword Intent.
So while it seemed Shen Daoxing had comprehended Six Paths Sword Intent, it was effectively like having Eight Paths Sword Intent.
What kind of terrifying genius comprehends an Upper Grade Sword Intent at such a young age?
Chen Guanggu remained unconvinced. "But Shen Daoxing is only at the Sixth Layer of the Profound Platform realm. How could he possibly..."
"The Sixth Layer of the Profound Platform realm?"
Zhu Kai shook his head. "When I saw Shen Daoxing, he was already at the peak of the Eighth Layer of the Profound Platform realm. The True Dragon Secret Realm is filled with opportunities. Given his strength and fortune, it’s not surprising he found some Celestial and Earthly Treasures."
"If Elder Chen truly doesn’t believe me, you can ask the others. Quite a few people saw it."
Chen Guanggu’s expression was so dark it looked like it could drip water.
Soon, more geniuses emerged, including many of the experts who had watched the battle for the Bodhi Fruit.
"Shen Daoxing taking on three by himself was just incredible."
"That was absolutely the most spectacular fight I’ve ever seen."
"Shen Daoxing is too strong! He’s invincible!"
"What? You didn’t see it? You really missed out."
"If you didn’t see that fight, you’ll never understand what you missed!"
...
All the geniuses who had witnessed the battle were in awe, completely humbled by Shen Daoxing’s astonishing strength.
Some geniuses even expressed regret that they had missed the fight.
