Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 76: Lingjue

Fang Lingjue cupped his hands toward Yun Kaitai. "Grandmaster Yun, Master Li is still young and impetuous. Please don't take it to heart."

He then quickly chased after Li Pin.

Cao Tianyou shared some connections with Yun Kaitai. Seeing the two leave the private room, both of them felt a bit awkward. Li Pin and Fang Lingjue's actions had somewhat disrespected the Four Pillars Martial Hall's master.

To save face for the hall master, Cao Tianyou quickly said, "Grandmaster Yun, they are still young and reckless. Don't take them seriously. Didn't you see how Li Pin didn't even give way to the Solar Vermillion Sect's disciple? Since you're already here, why not sit down and have a drink with us before you leave...?"

Yun Kaitai shook his head. "No need for that. I only wish that the Four Pillars Martial Hall and the Five Elements Sect can still maintain a good relationship once my son competes tomorrow."

"Hahaha, Grandmaster Yun, there is no need to worry. Master Li and I have an agreement. He's free to leave the Five Elements Sect if he can achieve a ranking and qualify for the national competition, but if he fails, he must return to us and uphold the banner of our branch in Zanglong City. We would be quite pleased if your son, Master Yun, could defeat him," Cao Tianyou said with a smile.

Jiang Qingyue smiled and replied, "The bamboo that bends is stronger. With Li Pin's attitude, being targeted and not making the top ten isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's a chance for him to sharpen himself."[1]

Yun Kaitai nodded in agreement. "I am pleased to hear that."

He exchanged a few more pleasantries with Cao Tianyou but didn't stay behind for too long. Shortly after, he left the restaurant with Yun Yi and the specially invited legal advisor from the Four Pillars Martial Hall, boarding a luxurious sedan parked outside.

As soon as they got into the car, a hint of regret flashed across Yun Yi's eyes. "He didn't take the bait."

"Then we'll let the fists talk," Yun Kaitai said calmly.

Yun Yi hesitated for a moment then said, "Li Pin is not weak. Even if we defeat him eventually, it may come at a heavy cost. I fear we may not have the strength left to compete for a top ten spot."

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"It's fine. We've already done what Chairman Lin asked. I'll go see him again later. Since the match list hasn't been announced yet, there's still room for adjustments. I'll make sure Chairman Lin puts you up against another opponent," Yun Kaitai reassured.

Yun Yi nodded. "That's good to hear."

After a moment, he added, "It's not that I'm afraid of Li Pin; he's just not worth the trouble. My goal is to be in the top five, ideally even the top three. Facing him early on won't help my ranking in the round-robin."

Yun Kaitai remained silent. He knew the extent of his son's skill. While he might be stronger than Chang Yueming and Zhang Chiyan, his strength was quite limited. Taking into account Li Pin had overcome numerous challenges to reach this point, Yun Yi's chances of winning against him were quite slim.

"We should have offered thirty million instead of ten million. Ten million was too little. If we had proposed thirty million, he would definitely have been tempted. If he had taken the money and thrown the match, Chairman Lin could have banned him for life. Then, I would have won without a fight," lamented Yun Yi, his voice voice holding a twinge of regret at letting an easy victory slip away.

"Li Pin isn't an idiot. It's not even the semi-finals or finals of the round-robin. If we had offered him thirty million, it would definitely have raised his suspicions," Yun Kaitai said, closing his eyes. "Alright, calm your mind and prepare for the fight."

***

Meanwhile, Fang Lingjue was driving through the heavy traffic, his face showing signs of reluctance. "I'm afraid we may have even disrespected Grandmaster Cao and Grandmaster Jiang with the way we left."

"If they are so easy to disrespect, then so be it," Li Pin replied calmly.

Fang Lingjue glanced at him. "Old Li, I know you want to take a different path. But in this world, some things are unavoidable. If you keep doing things your way, you'll easily offend others."

"I practice martial arts so I won't fear offending others," Li Pin said with a smile, glancing at the traffic ahead. "Besides, shouldn't they be afraid of offending me?"

Fang Lingjue was speechless.

Geniuses naturally have their own way of thinking. However, a genius only holds value if they manage to mature successfully. If their potential is cut short halfway... Fang Lingjue pondered, unsure how to convey this to him.

By now, the car had turned toward the entrance of Riverscape Marvel.

Suddenly, Li Pin remarked, "It's getting late. I won't invite you inside. Hallmaster Fang, I still vividly remember our first meeting last year. I have a phrase in mind that I'd like to share with you."

"A phrase?" Fang Lingjue turned the steering wheel and pulled into the parking spot in front of Li Pin's mansion. "What phrase?"

Li Pin unbuckled his seat belt, pushed open the car door, and paused. "Remember the lofty aspirations of your youth, for you once vowed to be among the best in the world."

Having said that, Li Pin stepped out of the car, closed the door, waved, and walked into the courtyard.

Fang Lingjue watched as Li Pin entered the courtyard.

He understood what he meant, but....

Fang Lingjue remained seated in the car, not restarting the engine for quite some time. For a moment, memories of his confident self when he first joined the White Crane Sect flooded his mind.

My name is Fang Lingjue! I will surely ascend to the peak and survey all the mountains beneath me. One day, I'll stand as a Martial Saint atop the martial arts world, gazing at the vast expanse of the sky and sea, where clouds gather and disperse at will!

Countless memories of his youthful martial arts training flooded his mind.

Compared to the person he was back then... the person he was today....

At that moment, everything seemed to click into place, and he turned once again to look at where Li Pin had left.

In the presence of the three grandmasters—Cao Tianyou, Yun Kaitai, and Jiang Qingyue—Li Pin had simply uttered, "We've finished eating," and departed. Fang Lingjue could almost anticipate the opinions these grandmasters would hold of him.

He thought to himself. Onlookers may applaud or scoff at his nonchalant departure, but why should he care about their opinions?

Fang Lingjue suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha!"

At this moment, he felt all the hesitation that had accompanied him on his journey dissipate completely.

"In the vast, tumultuous world, none can cross the eternal dust. So let us pursue our ambitions, staying true to our youth and our hearts."[2]

With a single clear thought, everything became open to him.

Fang Lingjue stepped out of the car, and under the moonlight, he began to practice his martial arts. Like an egret soaring in the sky, like a crane dancing gracefully.

As his fists grew more vigorous and his Core Force radiated, a sudden combo attack of a crane emerged. It was as though white light filled the sky, followed by a rumbling thunder.

In that instant, Fang Lingjue, who had been stuck in the Core Formation realm for many years, manifested his Aura Force. He unleashed a set of fist techniques, each imbued with such formidable energy that it coalesced into a powerful Aura Force. After that, he was left breathless.

At some point, Li Pin who was supposed to have already gone to his courtyard reappeared at the gate. He waited until Fang Lingjue finished his fist technique and respectfully extended his cupped fist with a smile, congratulating him sincerely, "Congratulations."

Fang Lingjue caught his breath, replenished the energy he had expended in unleashing the Aura Force, and then gave a slight bow to Li Pin. "Thank you."

"Want to come inside and rest?" Li Pin asked with a smile.

Fang Lingjue agreed with a nod.

He desperately needed a quiet environment to fully absorb the insights gained from unleashing the Aura Force. After all, not everyone could recall and comprehend the state of unleashing the Aura Force as quickly as Li Pin. Some Core Formation experts still relied on luck to unleash the Aura Force again despite having manifested it a decade ago.

"I used to think that as time passed, we would gradually drift apart. But now, it seems we might still walk together for a while longer," Li Pin said frankly.

Fang Lingjue felt a mix of emotions. He understood what Li Pin meant by "walk together."

Dao! It was his Dao that set him apart from the other martial artists in the Taibai Kingdom.

He almost ended up like most of the other martial artists in the Taibai Kingdom. Fortunately, Li Pin's words just now awakened him.

"Thank you," Fang Lingjue said again.

The path ahead was clear. Aura Cultivation was within reach. From this point on, his life would be different.

1. it means facing challenges and setbacks can strengthen someone. ☜

2. It means to persevere and pursue meaningful goals despite the hardships that one may encounter along the journey. ☜