Chapter 254 - 133: Seeing Yu Hualong Again

Not only had the sect paid a heavy price, but it would also continue to support Zhang Su’s Cultivation in the Upper Sect.

The entire Guiyuan Sect was marshalling all its resources to help him.

If Zhang Su were to agree, he would be shouldering the hopes of everyone in the Guiyuan Sect.

At that moment, Zhang Su suddenly understood the words Yu Hualong had spoken to him before.

Being a Sect’s Celestial Pride wasn’t just about enjoying various privileges; it also meant shouldering responsibility.

Now, the very survival of the Guiyuan Sect rested almost entirely on his shoulders.

The cave residence was silent.

A flood of images flashed through Zhang Su’s mind.

The image of Zhao Qianfeng.

In the Instructor Pavilion, his master had taught him to identify various Martial Arts Secret Manuals and explained the mysteries of the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill.

Whenever he needed help, his master would be there for him without a moment’s hesitation.

The faces of Zhou Peng and Xie Guanchao.

In Hengshan County, they had fought side-by-side with him, risking life and limb.

And then there was Yu Hualong.

On Dragon Transformation Peak, every word Yu Hualong had said to him was engraved in his heart.

"The sect is my home."

Yu Hualong had said those words with such candor.

Zhang Su took a deep breath.

"The Upper Sect..."

Zhang Su murmured in a low voice.

"Yes, the Upper Sect. It’s fortunate that you cultivate the Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill. This Martial Art is our Guiyuan Sect’s Supreme Secret Transmission, but it was actually brought back from the Upper Sect’s Mixed Element Peak by our founding patriarch. There is also a reason why I want you to go while you’re still in the Gang Force realm, rather than waiting until you advance to the Postnatal Realm."

Meng Shouzhen paused, then continued, "From Gang Force to Postnatal, many people spend their entire lives and are overjoyed just to generate Inner Strength. In truth, this step is absolutely crucial; it can even determine whether one can advance to the Innate Realm."

"In any case, you’ll understand everything once you get to Mixed Element Peak. But before you go, even if you achieve Perfection in your Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill, do not perform the Nine Unification for the time being. Do you understand?"

Zhang Su nodded.

Of course he understood.

The Sect Leader meant for him to go to the Upper Sect at the Gang Force realm, not the Postnatal Realm.

He wasn’t entirely sure of the difference yet, but since the Sect Leader had said so, there had to be a good reason.

’The sect is even giving me a Three-Thousand-Year-Old Ice Lotus to get me into the Upper Sect. What is there to hesitate about?’

’Besides, it wasn’t as if the sect was sending him to the front lines to fight the Jingyuan Sect to the death.’

’In that regard, he was already far luckier than many other disciples.’

"I understand. I am willing to go to the Upper Sect."

Zhang Su’s voice was firm.

A smile appeared on Meng Shouzhen’s face.

"Good. I trust my judgment. You will surely shine brightly in the Upper Sect. The survival of our Guiyuan Sect now rests entirely on you."

Meng Shouzhen waved his hand. "You are dismissed. Depart in three days."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Zhang Su immediately stood up, bowed to the Sect Leader, then turned and left the cave residence.

He walked out the stone door, crossed the courtyard, and exited the Sect Grand Hall.

Watching Zhang Su’s departing figure, Meng Shouzhen let out a long sigh.

’In truth, if the situation weren’t so dire, why would he ever entrust the sect’s survival to a disciple in the Gang Force realm?’

But the Guiyuan Sect had no other choice.

Zhang Su left the Sect Grand Hall. He didn’t return directly to Pure Yang Peak, but instead went to Dragon Transformation Peak.

Dragon Transformation Peak and Zhang Su’s Pure Yang Peak were only a few hundred yards apart, separated by a valley.

On the list, Zhang Su had seen Yu Hualong’s name.

Yu Hualong would also be going to the Upper Sect to participate in the disciple selection.

’His injuries must have healed, then.’

Zhang Su followed the bluestone steps, making his way up Dragon Transformation Peak.

The door to the cave residence at the summit was open.

Zhang Su walked to the entrance of the cave residence but didn’t go in.

He heard a sound coming from inside.

It was the sound of fists cutting through the air—a series of deep, powerful thuds.

Zhang Su stood at the entrance, looking inside.

Yu Hualong was practicing his martial arts inside the cave residence.

He wasn’t using a Weapon; he was practicing a Fist Technique.

His Fist Technique was fierce and domineering. With every punch, a muffled roar echoed through the air.

The wind from his fists swept across the stone walls of the cave, leaving shallow fist imprints.

Watching Yu Hualong’s Fist Technique, Zhang Su’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’I don’t recognize this Fist Technique.’

’But I can feel its terrifying power.’

Every punch contained immense Inner Strength.

’So this is the power of the Postnatal Realm.’

Zhang Su didn’t make a sound, just stood at the entrance and watched quietly.

Yu Hualong finished his Fist Technique routine, relaxed his stance, and turned around.

"Junior Brother Zhang, please sit."

Yu Hualong gestured for Zhang Su to sit.

He had a slight smile on his face, and his tone was casual.

Zhang Su walked into the cave residence and sat on the mat opposite Yu Hualong.

After sitting down, his gaze naturally fell on Yu Hualong.

With that one look, Zhang Su’s pupils contracted sharply.

"Senior Brother Yu, your hand..."

Zhang Su saw Yu Hualong’s right hand.

The thumb on Yu Hualong’s right hand had been severed at the base.

Although it was just a missing thumb, for a Martial Artist, the thumb is crucial.

Yu Hualong specialized in Saber Technique.

Without a thumb, he could no longer grip a saber.

All the Saber Technique he had practiced before was now useless.

No wonder Yu Hualong was practicing a Fist Technique just now.

Yu Hualong glanced down at his right hand, then looked up and smiled faintly. "It’s nothing. It’s just a thumb. I was extremely lucky to have survived at all. I can’t ask for more."

His tone was light, as if losing a thumb was a trivial matter.

"Even without a thumb, I can still practice fist techniques, I can still practice palm techniques, and I can even learn Left-Handed Saber in the future."

Yu Hualong raised his left hand and clenched it into a fist.

Zhang Su looked at Yu Hualong’s right hand and fell silent for a moment.

He knew that Yu Hualong spoke lightly, but for a Swordsman, losing a thumb was a devastating blow.

So many years of accumulated mastery in Saber Technique, vanished overnight.

Everything had to be started from scratch.

Anyone else might have already broken down.

But Yu Hualong hadn’t.

He was practicing fist techniques, practicing palm techniques, searching for a new path.

"Senior Brother Yu, is the Celestial Pride of the Jingyuan Sect really that terrifyingly strong?"

Zhang Su asked.

His gaze was grave.

"Jiang Tianze of the Jingyuan Sect is indeed terrifying."

"Lu Danxi, Shi Buyi, and I joined forces, and we were still no match for him."

He paused, seemingly recalling the scene of that battle.

"His Inner Strength is appallingly vast. Our attacks were like striking an iron plate—he didn’t even flinch. His Swordsmanship is both swift and ruthless, and every strike is filled with killing intent."

"The three of us used every trick we had. Lu Danxi’s Nine Spirits Sword Technique at the Perfection Realm, with Nine Swords Superimposed, was incredibly powerful. Shi Buyi’s Five Elements Unite, with five types of Inner Strength rotating endlessly, was almost invincible. And my own Saber Technique, which I’ve practiced for twenty years, I believed was second to none."

"But even with the three of us combined, we only lasted thirty moves. After thirty moves, we were defeated."

As he said this, Yu Hualong gave a bitter smile.

"Thankfully, we had Shi Buyi. Speaking of which, the only reason Lu Danxi and I survived is because of him. He took the brunt of Jiang Tianze’s attacks, creating an opportunity for us to escape. You could say we both owe Shi Buyi our lives."

Zhang Su was silent.

Shi Buyi... The man who had defeated Yu Hualong. The Celestial Pride of the Five Elements Sect. The number one Celestial Pride of the Three Sects Alliance.

In the eyes of the Guiyuan Sect, Shi Buyi was terrifyingly strong.

But now, even Shi Buyi had been defeated.

And defeated soundly.

The three of them together had only lasted thirty moves.

’Just how strong is this Jiang Tianze?’

"Still, Shi Buyi was so powerful, and yet he still lost."

Yu Hualong shook his head and sighed.

"Zhang Su, you must have seen the list of those going to the Upper Sect, right? I know it too. For people like us, it’s basically impossible to become an Upper Sect’s Direct Disciple. But you... you can stay in the Upper Sect. You are the Guiyuan Sect’s only hope right now."

Yu Hualong’s gaze fell on Zhang Su, his eyes filled with a trace of expectation.

His meaning was clear.

He was going to the Upper Sect, but it was likely just a formality.

The one with real hope was Zhang Su.

"Junior Brother Zhang, go back and prepare. We leave in three days. In the future, you’ll fight for your place in the Upper Sect, and I’ll stand guard over the Guiyuan Sect. Together, we’ll protect our sect, and maybe one day we can even make it thrive."

Yu Hualong stood up and said with a smile.

"Alright. Then we’ll leave together in three days."

After speaking, Zhang Su turned and walked out of the cave residence.

He stood on the summit of Dragon Transformation Peak and gazed down the mountain.

In the distance was the Guiyuan Sect’s Mountain Gate. The layered buildings shimmered with a bluish-gray luster under the sun.

Further beyond were rolling mountain ranges, shrouded in clouds and mist, appearing and disappearing from view.

The mountain breeze blew, carrying the fresh scent of flowers and grass.

Zhang Su took a deep breath.

’Senior Brother Yu... Sect Leader... Master...’

Zhang Su glanced back at Dragon Transformation Peak.

Without even realizing it, the Guiyuan Sect had come to hold a significant place in his heart.

Perhaps this was what it felt like to belong.