Chapter 128: Underdog God Of War Lou Leshan
Moreover, what Jiang Ce wanted was not just the kind of support that pulls you up when you still have some strength left, but the kind that stabs knives into both ribs for you.
Therefore, what he gave to Xiao Lin was not only more than what the Gatekeeper gave, but at least it certainly could not be less than what they gave.
Only in this way could he make Xiao Lin take risks to help him when necessary.
Of course, just this bit of persuasion was naturally far from enough to make Xiao Lin do this, but rice must be eaten bite by bite, and roads must be walked step by step. Now everything was still in preparation, no need to rush for quick success. If the words didn’t get through, just take it slow.
Jiang Ce planned to get rid of Luocheng’s Gluttonous Ghost and then leave again as soon as possible.
Because he planned to go find Jie Tan again to test that side’s attitude toward him.
He had not forgotten that Jie Tan had taken good care of him from the very beginning. If possible, he also wanted to develop the relationship with Jie Tan more.
Because Jiang Ce always had a feeling that in the future, he would probably end up on different paths from the Gatekeeper sooner or later. At that time, not to mention making these powerful ministers he befriended in the Gatekeeper take sides, but at least he needed them to be able to step in and help him at the right time.
If such a day never came, naturally everyone would be happy, but preparing for a rainy day was never a bad thing.
After chatting with Xiao Lin a few more words, Jiang Ce was preparing to leave and make his move tomorrow, but was stopped by Xiao Lin.
Jiang Ce turned back in confusion, just meeting Xiao Lin’s relieved gaze: “I heard you cultivated the Golden Liquid Divine Elixir Compendium?”
“I can only use a little bit.” Jiang Ce thought about it and chose a more modest way of putting it.
“Use it on me, let me see.”
Jiang Ce replied “Okay” and said nothing more, gathering his Mental Energy and simply and plainly attacking Xiao Lin.
As expected, the Mental Energy hadn’t even reached Xiao Lin before it was blocked by an invisible barrier.
Xiao Lin nodded approvingly: “Not bad, indeed many times stronger than before, but your way of using Mental Energy is still too superficial. Have you never tried shaping Mental Energy into other forms?”
“I have.”
Xiao Lin was stunned: “Then you show me this?”
Jiang Ce scratched his head: “I figured you’d see my level just from something casual, so do I really have to go all out?”
“What nonsense.” Xiao Lin was somewhat speechless: “Am I a god? Do I know your level just by looking? According to you, from now on when everyone fights, no one needs to make a move. Just lay out Spiritual Energy, Daoist Qi, Buddhist Charm, and all that messy power, and we’ll know who wins and who loses.”
“Hiss” Jiang Ce sucked his teeth: “You’re right.”
“Go all out, do it again. I need to know your real current level to guide you on the next step.”
Jiang Ce’s expression became a bit more serious.
“Then I’m really going all out!”
“All out what?” Xiao Lin was stunned, not understanding the phrase.
But Jiang Ce had no mind to explain, because he had already mobilized all the amplification Sorcery compatible with his Mental Energy that he could mobilize.
First, he integrated the Mental Energy module into the mutated inverted Seven Star Sword Formation, then shaped the Mental Energy into the form of a sword.
Finally, he infused into the sword-shaped Mental Energy the Divine-Connecting Sword Intent that he had inexplicably absorbed at the Celestial Master’s Mansion.
“Xiao Gatekeeper, this is the ultimate Sorcery I can currently use. I call it—the Despicable Spirit Piercing Sword!”
“Spirit Piercing Sword? Shaping Mental Energy into a sword’s appearance, the path isn’t wrong, but Mental Energy is inherently of the strange dao, emphasizing surprise attacks. You shouting it out like this, are you looking down on me?”
Xiao Lin smiled helplessly, casually lifting one hand, preparing to block Jiang Ce’s strike.
Although with Jiang Ce’s help, he hadn’t untied his heart knot, he had at least found a direction to untie it, and he was very grateful to Jiang Ce. But on the other hand, he was an extremely proud person. Even other Gatekeepers at the same level as him, he usually ignored. Coming back to his senses, he felt it was embarrassing to be helped by a junior.
This was like parents discovering that their child had one day surpassed them in ability or knowledge, either partially or completely. They would feel happy about it, sure, but at the same time, they would more or less feel a bit uncomfortable.
So he did want to guide Jiang Ce, but he also harbored a childish thought of suppressing Jiang Ce to make himself feel better.
But just as he prepared to similarly operate the more profound Golden Liquid Divine Elixir Compendium to precisely sense where Jiang Ce’s Mental Energy was, then casually flick it back, and finally say “You’re still far from it,” he was stunned to discover that the sword-shaped Mental Energy released by Jiang Ce consisted of a full seven clusters!
Moreover, they were seven different colors, emanating seven different auras. Each one was enough to make someone with lower Cultivation instantly go berserk, whether with lust, violence, loss of spirit, or sudden greed.
Xiao Lin subconsciously thought only one sword was real, but no matter how he searched, he couldn’t find any flaw.
In a short instant, Xiao Lin had already tried over a hundred identification methods, yet they were all completely ineffective.
“No way… they’re all real?”
While pondering, the seven Mental Energy long swords had already thrust right in front of him.
But at this point, Xiao Lin still didn’t realize the severity and remained very confident.
“Even if they’re all real, so what? Same thing!”
Xiao Lin’s originally relaxed palm tensed slightly, channeling a bit more power, preparing to catch all seven Mental Energy long swords at once.
But the instant his fingertip’s Mental Energy touched the sword glow of the foremost dark red long sword, his expression changed.
Then a question mark popped into his mind: How the hell is there real Sword Intent?!
And by the time he realized this problem, it was too late. Because of his arrogance, Xiao Lin had only gathered a bit of Mental Energy in his palm; the rest of his body was wide open, completely undefended.
Even though his Return to Origin Limitless body was extremely tough, it still couldn’t withstand the Divine-Connecting Sword Intent from the Sword God that Jiang Ce used.
The next moment, Xiao Lin urgently mobilized Mental Energy to cover his whole body, then realized it wasn’t right and also mobilized Spiritual Energy and Daoist Qi, wrapping himself in layers inside and out.
Due to the suddenness, although Jiang Ce was merely Third Rank and couldn’t unleash the full power of the Divine-Connecting Sword Intent, and thus couldn’t really injure Xiao Lin, its immense destructive power still shocked Xiao Lin flying out.
Boom!
The wall behind Xiao Lin’s desk was smashed with a big hole, and Xiao Lin was directly sent flying out through the hole in reverse.
In the martial arts field.
A group of White Talismans were surrounding a spirited young man.
This was none other than the Daoist Cultivator Li Zhijun, who had a past grudge with Jiang Ce.
He had now been promoted to Fifth Rank and come out of seclusion.
“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Li. Now at Fifth Rank, you’ll soon become a Blue Talisman.”
“Zhijun, your progress is really too fast. We can’t even hope to catch up.”
Li Zhijun’s face was full of smiles as he returned greetings one by one.
After more than a month in seclusion, he had accumulated deeply and broken through, with great progress in Cultivation. Originally, he had wanted to seclude longer to get more familiar with Fifth Rank power, but hearing that the Gatekeeper was about to act against the Gluttonous Ghost, he wanted to test his results and so came out.
The reactions of everyone were within his expectations. After all, among his past peers at Sixth Rank who were competitors, he should be the first to reach Fifth Rank.
But what puzzled him was that Ling Xun, Qin Shen Bo, and the others weren’t there.
Logically, as representative figures of their respective Great Daos among the White Talismans, their information should be very well-informed.
So he asked those around him where these people had gone, and the answer surprised him somewhat.
Qin Shen Bo and Ling Xun had gone out some time ago and had just returned tonight, then immediately went into seclusion.
“Seclusion? Have they gone mad? There’s a big operation tomorrow—this is the perfect chance to shine.”
Li Zhijun’s face was full of incomprehension.
At this time, someone replied: “Those two have been serving as sparring partners for Jiang Ce lately. Seems they comprehended something and touched the threshold of Fifth Rank. They said they’re secluding, but should come out tomorrow.”
Li Zhijun turned back and found the person somewhat familiar. Thinking about it, he recalled who it was: “Liang Zhi Che? Where’s your brother?”
“Don’t know. Oh right, I forgot to go find him. Thanks.”
Liang Zhi Che nodded and turned to leave.
Li Zhijun raised an eyebrow. He remembered this Liang Zhi Che kid used to be Liang Zhi Zhou’s lackey. Curiously, he asked: “Did you go out with them too? They sparred with Jiang Ce? He’s only Seventh Rank—what could they comprehend from him?”
“Seventh Rank?” Liang Zhi Che sneered, said nothing more, his disdainful gaze like looking at a country bumpkin.
At that moment, another familiar voice to Li Zhijun rang out: “Don’t rush to find your brother. Didn’t we agree to find Jiang Ce for late-night snacks?”
Li Zhijun looked and saw it was actually Lou Leshan.
Jiang Ce? Jiang Ce again?
“Lou Leshan, are you spreading rumors about me?” He glared fiercely at Lou Leshan.
During his seclusion, someone had just told him about the things Lou Leshan said behind his back. Suddenly remembering now, and with Lou Leshan right there, he had to get an explanation no matter what.
Lou Leshan glanced at him, pretending to be puzzled: “Who are you?”
Li Zhijun was speechless at this shameless attitude, then suddenly thought of something and eyed him suspiciously: “Don’t tell me you’re Fifth Rank too?”
Lou Leshan shook his head: “Not at all.”
Hearing this, Li Zhijun relaxed his brows and smiled arrogantly: “Then from now on, be my little brother.”
“I’m a Red Dragon!” Lou Leshan suddenly started going mad.
“What Red Dragon? I’m One of the Bamboo Suits.” Li Zhijun was baffled.
“You’re not One of the Bamboo Suits. One of the Bamboo Suits is someone else.” Lou Leshan spread his hands.
Li Zhijun suddenly felt like he couldn’t understand this world anymore.
These guys had been stuck at Sixth Rank for several years without progressing. How come now that he was Fifth Rank, they didn’t seem to care at all?
Lou Leshan aside, his brain wasn’t normal.
What gave Liang Zhi Che the right?
Just as he was about to ask what exactly happened during his seclusion, there was suddenly a loud boom.
Everyone’s attention was instantly drawn over.
They turned back, and a human figure crashed onto the viewing platform like a cannonball.
When everyone saw clearly who it was, their faces were full of disbelief.
Xiao Lin stood up, patted the dust off his body, and turned his head, just meeting everyone’s gazes.
A rough glance showed at least dozens of people.
Xiao Lin’s facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.
He forcibly pretended to be nonchalant, waved his hand: “Everyone’s here.”
Lou Leshan clapped: “Good!”
“What madness are you on?” Li Zhijun scolded, then carefully asked Xiao Lin: “Xiao Gatekeeper, are you alright?”
Xiao Lin, due to social death, had his mind in a mess at the moment, pondering how to speak to smooth things over, when he heard Lou Leshan retort: “What do you know? This is clearly performance art from Xiao Gatekeeper. If you don’t look carefully, how could you tell it’s intentional?”
Xiao Lin was stunned, then mentally gave Lou Leshan a thumbs up.
Good kid, I didn’t dote on you for nothing.
“Good!” Liang Zhi Che reacted quickly and also clapped: “Though I don’t get it, I’m deeply shocked!”
Mm! Xiao Lin nodded inwardly.
After going out with Jiang Ce once, even you, the most stubborn Confucian Cultivator, have grown. Truly impressive!
Li Zhijun was half-believing, followed the direction Xiao Lin flew from, and spotted a human-shaped big hole at the top floor of the main building.
And at the edge of that big hole, Jiang Ce was poking his head out half his body, sneakily observing in secret.
Li Zhijun rubbed his eyes, startled by his bold guess, and uncontrollably shouted: “Xiao Gatekeeper, did Jiang Ce hit you out?”
Xiao Lin’s face darkened.
The others followed Li Zhijun’s gaze and also saw Jiang Ce.
Because of the distance, Jiang Ce didn’t hear clearly what they were saying, only vaguely catching words like “Jiang Ce” and “hit.”
This made him mistakenly think Xiao Lin was inciting these people to beat him up. In panic, he shouted: “Can’t afford to lose, huh?!” Then turned and ran, vanishing from sight.
This shout confirmed the fact that Xiao Lin had been beaten by Jiang Ce. Everyone stared at Xiao Lin in disbelief, waiting for an explanation.
And Xiao Lin’s face grew even uglier, gloomy as if water could drip from it.
At this moment, Lou Leshan, who was the Sitting-Forgetting Dao read as Mischief Maker, sniffed a wonderful scent called “opportunity” and immediately said respectfully and loudly to Xiao Lin:
“I didn’t believe it when Jiang Ce said he wanted to compete with you at the same Realm, but you actually agreed. My fault for not telling you this kid is now addicted to same-Realm fights. After learning this competition rule from the Celestial Master’s Mansion, he’s been obsessed, even beat up the Old Celestial Master.
I’d say you should properly punish him, suppress his arrogant sharpness.”
Hearing this, Xiao Lin suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
Having found a way out, he suddenly felt relieved and smiled magnanimously:
“No harm. It’s good for young people to have drive and sharpness.”
The more he looked at Lou Leshan now, the more fondly he saw that previously hated image.
The crowd exchanged glances, still half-believing. Even the Old Celestial Master got beaten like that?
Seeing Xiao Lin not clarifying, if it was true, then Xiao Lin being sent flying like this seemed acceptable.
Suddenly, Li Zhijun clasped his fists, head lowered, gritted his teeth, and said loudly: “Please, Xiao Gatekeeper, compete with me at the same Realm too!”
Xiao Lin looked at Li Zhijun. Though both from the Daoist Sect, he now found this guy who couldn’t read the air increasingly unpleasant.
Thus, he scolded in a tone completely different from with Lou Leshan:
“Are you very idle? If idle, go into seclusion. Don’t shame the Daoist Sect!”
With that, Xiao Lin flicked his sleeve and left, leaving a baffled Li Zhijun.
