Chapter 1374 - 710: The Huaguang Martial Art Runs Wild, Divine Artifacts Throw the Capital into Chaos (Part 2)

After all, he once pursued the peak, and even with suppressed power, he already reached the pinnacle of Hidden Energy.

However, at the moment of striking Wu Ba, the Astra Bane Qi around him circulated, muscles trembled, and rebounded this force.

The ground beneath Wu Zun suddenly shook, dust scattered, easily deflecting the momentum.

"Good!"

Li Yan couldn’t help but praise.

This is the "Counter Strike" technique of the Huaguang Martial Art.

It’s somewhat like his Undying Seal Technique, but achieved through spells.

Lacking in flexibility, but crucial moments, it’s a means of survival.

Even Wu Ba showed a hint of joy on his face.

The process of imparting the technique wasn’t quick; they delayed for four whole days.

Even so, this was the first successful "Counter Strike".

"Indeed."

Wu Zun was unsurprised, shook his head with some disappointment, "Your talent is more suited for ’Secret Strike’ and ’Counter Strike’, but ’Five Thunders Strike’ and ’Shadow Strike’, as well as ’Summon Four Spirits’ and ’Body Stabilization Technique’, may see little progress in this lifetime."

Wu Ba grinned naively, "That’s enough, more than enough."

"Not enough!"

Wu Zun shook his head, returned indoors, took out a booklet and said gravely, "Heaven takes, and heavenly grants. With your talent, should you cultivate ’Secret Strike’ and ’Counter Strike’ to a profound degree and integrate them, you might have the chance to learn this ’Counter-Closing Strike’."

"This technique specializes in breaking spells and countering. If mastered, all lands can be traversed!"

He sighed, "That rascal always yearned to master this technique; if you succeed, it would be as if you inherit his legacy."

Upon hearing this, Wu Ba immediately became serious, respectfully received the booklet, and knelt to bow three times.

Wu Zun then turned to Li Yan, "Brother Li, I also have advice for you."

Li Yan quickly cupped his hands, "Please, elder, speak."

Wu Zun said solemnly, "That rascal mentioned often before that you have the potential of a Grandmaster."

"But the Divine State is vast, deep forests hide crouching tigers, deep pools conceal lurking dragons, many masters remain unnamed. Now, with the transformation of the Human Dao, the older generation of Ten Grandmasters are aging or dead, a re-election is inevitable."

"The Grandmaster competition is not only about fame and fortune but also the struggle for the future path. Failure means despair for this life, and don’t let your heart waver."

"Thank you, elder."

Li Yan earnestly cupped his hands and thanked.

He knew Wu Zun wasn’t wrong.

The matters behind a Grandmaster involve far too much.

Just like the Cheng Family in Shu and the Trigram Sect of the Dong family, flourishing due to a Grandmaster for fifty years.

Also, the Grandmaster struggles also involve mental level contest.

If Wu Zun narrowly lost, it would forever be an overshadowing presence, watching the opponent advance further and further.

If Wu Zun had become a Grandmaster back then, when Kong Hui harmed Wu Qu, he would have had to consider it more thoroughly.

As they spoke, the sky lightened in the distance but remained covered with clouds.

Rumbling~

Accompanied by thunder, raindrops began to fall pitter-patter.

"Let’s go."

Wu Zun waved his hand, "Later the mud will be hard to pass."

"Take care, elder!"

Li Yan and others were already prepared and bid farewell immediately.

Clouds rolled, thunder surged, the group rode horses and gradually disappeared into the rain.

Watching their departing figures, Wu Zun’s eyes grew dazed.

He seemed to see himself leaving home years ago, venturing into the pugilistic world, then transforming into Wu Qu, arguing with him, and secretly riding away at night. Awning his lips, he murmured, "A dragon hides deep in pine waves, thunder echoes to startle half a life; though the world has waves clear to the skies, new thunders break old heavens... sigh, I’ve grown old."

"Grandpa."

Just then, a timid voice sounded beside him.

It was Wu Qu’s sole child, carefully tugging at his sleeve.

"Angji."

Wu Zun bent down, touched the child’s head, shook his head and smiled, "I’ve been busy these few days, almost forgetting my peculiar grandson. But don’t worry, the old man Dong speaks well for Wan Shengying, leaving a path for his descendants; Grandpa left you an ace too."

"Let’s go, see if you haven’t been neglecting your punches and kicks these days..."

With that, he took the child back to the courtyard.

The once renowned "Iron Lion" now seemed no different from an ordinary old man...

...

Spring and summer are coming together, and there is a lot of rain.

Li Yan and his group returned from Cangzhou, stopping frequently along the way. Even upon reaching the Capital, the drizzle continued unceasingly.

They calculated the timing accurately, returning to the Capital as evening approached and the gates had yet to close.

But as they passed through the city gate tunnel, they sensed something amiss.

Though it was not completely night, many places were already illuminated by candles, and the soldiers at the Nine Gates had removed the iron chains of the nightly curfew.

This was not particularly surprising.

Before they left, Zhao Qingxu faked his death to escape, plotting to seize the treasure from Qiankun Academy.

The court apparently took heed of the advice, turning the ploy on its head by lifting the curfew.

However, the open city gates were not bustling with their usual flow of goods; instead, small groups of porters and tea guests gathered at the bulletin board, whispering among themselves, as the soldiers struggled to disperse them, all the while bearing a strange excitement on their faces.

In their dialogue, words like "Qiankun Academy" and "Divine Artifact" were frequently overheard.

Li Yan’s brow furrowed slightly, "Let’s not rush back to the inn; we should inquire about this first."

In fact, they didn’t need to ask any questions.

Upon entering the teahouse, the tea server, carrying a copper pot, wove between tables, chatting away with familiar patrons, "Have you heard, guests? That artifact from the Academy can summon wind and rain!"

"Do you really believe such nonsense?"

As some dismissively refuted it, others chimed in.

"You better believe it, you know South City’s rice shop, Chen the Cripple, don’t you? His second uncle works for the Academy and personally saw the artifact ’buzz’ and collapse half a wall!"

"What does this artifact look like?"

"How should I know? I’ve only heard that it transformed into a beam of auspicious light that lit up the sky, and that night, all the flowers in the Imperial Palace bloomed!"

"Changing the world? Bah!"

In a rundown tavern, a street kid sneered, "I say it’s a Demon Artifact!"

"Yesterday, Old Liu, who fishes on the Yongding River, swore he saw a red light shoot up from the Academy, and the river’s surface froze three feet thick instantly!"

Even the beggar huddled against the wall was shouting with his broken bowl raised:

"Spare a copper coin! I’ll tell you how the Academy’s treasure will feed everyone under the heavens!"

When everyone heard this, they looked at each other, puzzled. Li Yan narrowed his eyes in contemplation.

The talk among these commoners was obviously all about exaggerated rumors, the steam engine is important, but it’s no Immortal’s Magic Treasure.

"Tsk tsk..."

Sha Lifei shook his head and murmured, "It seems someone’s leaked the information, trying to muddy the waters."

"Hmm."

Li Yan looked into the distance, and said in a deep voice, "Let’s not go back to the post station yet; let’s ask the Xuan Sacrificial Officer."

The end of the curfew seemed to have dissipated the recent chaos of the Capital.

Li Yan and the others faced no obstruction and soon arrived at the Xuan Sacrificial Officer’s place.

After sending in a message, they were led to the rear hall by a Daoist on duty.

Luo Mingzi was already waiting in the side hall, his face was ashen and he dismissed the attendants:

"The news has leaked!"

"Nowadays, all over the Capital, even little children are gossiping!"

Li Yan said solemnly, "What happened?"

Luo Mingzi sighed, "After you left, Jiao Wanbao transmitted from the Imperial Palace that he personally locked the information."

"The Ministry of Justice, Captain Bureau, Xuan Sacrificial Officer — all who heard the interrogation were put under gag orders. But yesterday morning, hundreds of posters suddenly appeared in Xizhimen Food Market, depicting the secret pavilion of the Academy with a ’red glow surrounding a box’, titled ’Whoever possesses this will hold the universe’!"

"His Majesty was furious, summoned Lord Pei and Jiao Wanbao into the Imperial Palace, and berated them for an hour..."

"This morning at court, the atmosphere was somewhat strange, many ministers intentionally steered the topic towards Qiankun Academy. Someone even suggested that since the celestial phenomena had changed, and the people’s hearts were unsettled, His Majesty should reveal the Divine Artifact to stabilize public sentiment..."

"Only His Majesty’s anger forced the officials to shut up. But after court, many were privately moving about..."

"Now everyone wants to know just what kind of Divine Artifact Qiankun Academy is hiding. Even Yan Jiuling has been pressured into hiding..."

Li Yan said coldly, "Isn’t it obvious this is Zhao Qingxu’s doing?"

"The court’s plan to lure and capture has likely been leaked, so he simply released the information and stirred the waters."

"It’s not that simple."

Luo Mingzi shook his head, "We’ve caught those who printed the posters, and according to their confession, those who paid them were a group of nomads."

"Moreover, Mr. Kong has found out Zhao Qingxu’s background."

"Oh?"

Li Yan became interested, "What is his origin?"

Luo Mingzi glanced out the window, then said softly, "He’s a Demon God that escaped from the Heavenly Master Mansion!"