Astral Apostle

Chapter 487: Spar (1)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Pak pak pak!

Luo Zhen suddenly clapped, attracting everyone’s attention.

“Master Chen is indeed a hero of the world. You’re courageous.”

Zhou Jing turned to look at him, “Who are you?”

“I’m Luo Zhen, the sect master of the Southern Hua Sect.”

Zhou Jing raised his eyebrows, “So it’s you. You were the one who got someone to give me the invitation to the Martial Arts Conference. Speaking of which, ever since I came to Huyang, I haven’t visited my neighbors.”

The corners of Luo Zhen’s eyes twitched as he stabilized his expression.

“Chief Chen, I’m sure you already know the reason why we’re holding the Martial Arts Conference. Everyone here is here to uphold the rules of the martial world that you’ve ruined. At this point, there’s no point in saying anything more. Let’s follow your rules and spar. If we can defeat you in a move or two, I hope you can keep your promise and return the sect’s secret manuals you stole and not spread them everywhere.”

“I won’t go back on my word. Anything is fine if you can defeat the spear in my hand.”

Zhou Jing nodded.

His gaze swept across the teams of the sects and paused on Lin Song for a moment. However, he looked away as if they were strangers and casually asked,

“I’ve heard of the reputation of the eight sects in the martial world. Are all these sects here today?”

Hearing the lack of respect in Zhou Jing’s tone, many people from the sect snorted with dissatisfaction.

Luo Zhen nodded and said in a deep voice, “Although you and I are opponents today, we’ll act with courtesy first. I’ll introduce you to the experts of the various sects.”

As he spoke, Luo Zhen introduced the people from the various sects around him one by one. This was not only for Zhou Jing to hear, but also for all the martial artists present. He wanted them to know which sects were leading this grand event for their reputation.

Wu Mountain Sect, Qingyang Sect, Purple Cloud Palace, Diamond Vajra Sect… Everyone introduced themselves and cupped their fists at Zhou Jing perfunctorily, their attitude unwilling.

Hearing the powerful backgrounds of all those present, Zhou Jing was secretly grinning in his heart.

The large sects of the martial world were basically all here. Experts were gathered here in droves. After passing this stage, he would probably be able to reach the milestone of being the number one in the world.

This time, he only brought some lackeys to the meeting. Guo Haishen, Fang Zhen, and the others wanted to accompany him, but they were dissuaded by him.

Because the news of the Martial Arts Conference was spreading like wildfire in the martial world, the Green Forest knew that he would not miss the appointment. Therefore, he estimated that after a winter of preparation, the other two flood dragons in Huyang might attack him when he was not in the stronghold. Therefore, he asked the leaders to stay in the stronghold to take charge of the situation while he went alone.

To ordinary people, the Martial Arts Conference was like a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den. On the contrary, he could come and go as he pleased without any obstructions.

Soon, the various sects reported their names and stared at Zhou Jing in unison. Without a word, the atmosphere suddenly tensed up.

Zhou Jing looked around and laughed loudly, “Looks like we’re done with the small talk. How do you want to attack? Do you want to attack together, or one by one?”

Luo Zhen said solemnly, “We of the righteous path will not rely on numbers. Naturally, we will spar with you one by one. We will only compete in martial arts.”

“Alright, then who wants to be the first to fight me?”

Zhou Jing hefted his Coiling Dragon Spear onto his shoulders and looked around.

Seeing that they were finally about to fight, the surrounding martial artists tactfully retreated, making the empty space in the arena wider for others to spar.

A few breaths later, a middle-aged man walked out of the teams of the various sects. His temples were white, and he held a red tassel spear. He assumed a posture and shouted,

“I’ve heard that Chief Chen’s spear techniques are outstanding. I’m Zhong Wu of the Nine Bends Sect. I’m willing to experience your skills!”

The Nine Bends Sect was not one of the eight major sects, but it was also a large sect that was only half a step inferior. They made a living in the Central Plains and were quite powerful. Today, they had come out to take the lead. Clearly, they wanted to take the lead and show off in front of the martial artists.

Zhou Jing glanced at him and suddenly stabbed the Coiling Dragon Spear into the ground. He walked forward with his two free hands.

“What do you mean?” Zhong Wu was stunned. He frowned and said, “Why did you throw down your weapon? Quickly raise your spear to fight me!”

“I don’t need a weapon to deal with you.”

Zhou Jing’s lips curled up.

“How arrogant! Watch my spear, villain!”

Zhong Wu was furious. He shook his spear and stabbed out.

His inner strength cultivation was not bad, and his force passed through the tip of the spear. In an instant, he stabbed out a dense cold light in front of him, as fast as a rainstorm, revealing his extraordinary spear techniques, causing many martial artists to nod repeatedly.

“This is the Winding River Spear Technique of the Nine Bends Sect. As a Protector of the sect, Zhong Wu is quite accomplished in using spears. He’s quite familiar with this move, the Raging Waves Breaking Jade. Even experts have to retreat.”

An elder of the eight great sects stroked his beard in admiration.

However, at this moment, Zhou Jing did not retreat but advanced. He leaned forward and reached out.

Crack!

In the next moment, the spear light that filled the sky instantly dissipated.

Zhou Jing grabbed the tip of the spear tightly. No matter how hard Zhong Wu tried, he could not break free. Moreover, Zhou Jing’s palm was as hard as metal, and the blade of the spear could not cut through his flesh at all.

“What a powerful fleshly body technique!”

Seeing this scene, the expressions of the many martial artists present changed slightly.

At this moment, Zhou Jing’s feet sank, and the muscles all over his body flowed like water. He suddenly exerted strength, and his movements were like a tiger’s roar. The explosive internal force followed the spear shaft and attacked his opponent.

Zhong Wu felt that this internal force was like the charge of a bull, crushing his force easily. His entire body seemed to have been struck by lightning, and he immediately let go and retreated. He felt a sweetness in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood. He had already suffered internal injuries.

The web between his thumb and index finger split open, and blood flowed out, trembling non-stop.

“This is the Vanquishing Dragon, Subduing Tiger Force!”

Those who knew their stuff exclaimed.

The people from the Diamond Vajra Sect, one of the eight great sects, stood up in surprise.

The inner strength this person displayed was their Diamond Sect’s martial arts!

“How do you know our sect’s ultimate technique?!”

The Sect Master of the Diamond Vajra Sect shouted in shock.

Zhou Jing let out a long breath and stopped exerting force. He raised his eyebrows at this person and could not be bothered to hide anything.

“Don’t you know that the Sect Master of the Tiger Subduing Sect in the Jiangchun area was once a disciple of the Diamond Vajra Sect? I obtained this martial art from him.”

However, the Sect Master did not believe this excuse at all.

“Nonsense! Your attainments in the Vanquishing Dragon, Subduing Tiger Force is extremely deep. It’s not an exaggeration to say that you’ve reached the point of perfection. It’s something only possible after working on it for decades. It’s impossible for you to have just learned it! You must have secretly learned our sect’s ultimate technique long ago. Tell me the truth!”

Hearing this, Zhou Jing could not help but laugh in his heart.

This technique was too domineering and destroyed the meridians of whoever practiced it. Therefore, although he was not stingy with his teachings, almost no one under him cultivated it. He was the only one who cultivated this technique.

Unexpectedly, after mastering it, he realized that this internal art was extremely suitable for his physique. He could cultivate it at a tremendous speed. Coupled with his aptitude and accelerated cultivation, after a winter of cultivation, his [Vanquishing Dragon, Subduing Tiger Force] had already reached Lv5.

In just a few months, he had cultivated an Internal Force Art to this extent. In the eyes of these ordinary people, it was completely impossible. No one would believe it even if it was told, so it was not surprising that everyone from the Diamond Vajra Sect was shocked.

In addition, his other martial arts had also improved to varying degrees. Among them, he had spent the most time on the [Martial Artist] system. His mastery of the basic tempering method and the Swift Wind School of Thought had increased, providing him with more attribute bonuses.

At this moment, facing the questioning of the Diamond Vajra Sect, Zhou Jing raised the White Tasseled Spear that Zhong Wu had let go and shook it while speaking,

“Defeat me first before talking about anything else.”

He did not intend to use the Coiling Dragon Spear, afraid that he would scare others away. He also wanted to fight more experts to enrich his combat results and promote the milestone progress. Therefore, at this moment, he might as well use someone else’s wooden spear. He was not going to fight head-on, but to play some tricks.

While the two of them were conversing, Zhong Wu was still bleeding. The disciples of the Nine Bends Sect quickly came out and helped him back.

Beside him, the people from the Diamond Vajra Sect could no longer sit still. Immediately, an expert from the sect stepped forward to challenge him. Zhou Jing patiently exchanged a few moves with him. On the tenth move, he seized the opportunity and stabbed his opponent in the leg, defeating him.

Seeing that someone had fired the first shot, the experts of the various sects took turns to challenge him.

Zhou Jing did not use brute force again. He changed back to his familiar profession and walked the path of technique.

The White Tasseled Spear could be stabbed or swept across. A few spear techniques could be changed freely in his hands. Although they were not any divine techniques or ultimate techniques, he utilized them in a manner which left no flaws and had astonishing power. In order to confuse everyone, he deliberately controlled the extent of his strength. Usually, he would only defeat his opponent after a few rounds. Most of the time, he did not exceed ten moves.

To him, this kind of combat intensity was not even comparable to his morning exercises. It was simply as though he was preparing for retirement.

One by one, the experts of the sect were defeated. Zhou Jing quickly won 13 matches in a row.

Many people from the martial world exclaimed.

Chen Feng’s deeds had spread throughout the world, but many martial artists had never seen him with their own eyes. They only heard of him and were only curious of his deeds.

Seeing Chen Feng’s divine might today, the martial artists everywhere cheered in satisfaction. They felt that this trip was worth it.

Although this Chen Feng was not as extraordinary as the rumors said, every move he made was smooth and perfect. His strength flowed around his body without any obstruction, like flowing water. His every move contained an indescribable charm.

In comparison, many people felt that the martial arts they practiced were simply the style of farmers growing crops. Only Chen Feng’s skills truly displayed the charm of the word “martial”, making them intoxicated.

As for many experts who knew their stuff, their expressions became more and more solemn.

Luo Zhen and the other sect leaders gathered. As they frowned at the scene, they discussed softly,

“This person’s martial arts has probably reached the realm of returning to simplicity.”

“Indeed, plus his spearmanship is also superb. It’s really astonishing… However, it’s rumored that his divine power is astonishing. Why hasn’t he shown it yet?”

“This thief must have known that we were going to fight one round at a time and deliberately conserved his strength. This means that he does have some concerns.”

“That’s right. No matter how high this person’s martial arts are, if he continues to fight, his internal force will continue to be exhausted. Sooner or later, he will show signs of decline. We don’t have to be anxious.”

The sect leaders nodded to themselves and came to a consensus.

On the other side, a disciple came to Sha Xingzhou’s side and asked softly,

“I wonder when Senior Sha will step up?”

Sha Xingzhou retracted his gaze with difficulty and swallowed a mouthful of saliva. He forced himself to say naturally, “What’s the hurry? Let’s watch and see first…”

As an expert of the martial world in the harsh environment of the northwest, he looked down on the southern martial arts world. Originally, a few days ago, he did not think much of Chen Feng.

However, now that he had seen this person’s martial arts with his own eyes, Sha Xingzhou was surprised and immediately had plans to retreat.

He did not want to be a stepping stone to others’ reputation.

Coincidentally, at this moment, another martial arts expert who went up to challenge him was defeated by Zhou Jing’s spear. He was picked up by the back of his collar and smashed into the crowd, falling on his back in a sorry state.

Seeing this, the disciple of this sect simply bowed and cupped his hands. He said sincerely, “I sent a heavy reward to invite Senior Sha precisely for today. I hope Senior can help.”

Sha Xingzhou immediately had a headache. For a moment, he was in a difficult position. He secretly regretted taking advantage of others and being invited to help.

“Forget it, I’ll go face this man!”

He gritted his teeth and braced himself to go forward. His back view was filled with grief and indignation.