Days turned into weeks, and the great battle north of Gu Xiaoguan had been over for half a month.
...
Lin Zhao continued to practice his boxing with Xiao Shitóu on the stone bridge of Baiyuxi Creek. Only here could Lin Zhao feel the familiar atmosphere of his hometown, his heart becoming more steady, his punches more decisive. Xiao Shitóu's boxing was also becoming increasingly impressive. A young warrior in the second realm, his boxing style was fierce, and he could even exchange blows with Lin Zhao.
One day, an old man arrived in the town. He wore a simple blue short shirt. Though his hair was white, his face was rosy and full, appearing vigorous and spirited. He stopped as he passed the stone bridge and watched Lin Zhao and Xiao Shitóu spar for a long time. Shaking his head, he remarked, "Your boxing technique and intent are good, but your martial aura and decisiveness still lack a little. It's fine against someone weaker than you, but against someone two realms above you, you might not even withstand a single punch."
Lin Zhao turned to face the old man. He could sense the old man's deep breaths and immensely solid martial aura. Thus, he cupped his fists and said, "Senior, if you are well-versed in boxing, would you be willing to impart some of your knowledge?"
"Oh?"
The old man chuckled, "My threshold for teaching boxing is extremely high. If you can't withstand it, I might beat you to death. Are you willing?"
"This junior is willing."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly, "I only hope your boxing is as formidable as your words, and that you don't disappoint me."
"Hahahaha~~~"
The old man laughed heartily and said, "Come, let's find a place. I will teach you what a martial artist's aura should be like, like that of a peak warrior."
"Good!"
Lin Zhao asked Xiao Shitóu to return to the Mountain Peak Villa. He then led the old man through the town. They stopped in a mountain forest not far to the east of the Mountain Peak Villa. Turning to face the old man, he asked, "I don't yet know your esteemed name?"
"My surname is Chen."
The old man in the blue shirt smiled faintly, "Why, after being beaten, will you remember my name and seek revenge?"
"That won't happen."
Lin Zhao shook his head and chuckled, "Senior worries too much."
"You live at the Mountain Peak Villa?" the old man asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"So that after I've beaten you into a pulp, I can send you home!"
The old man in the blue shirt roared with laughter.
Lin Zhao also laughed, "Then I implore Senior not to hold back."
"Come, come, witness my fist!"
The old man in the blue shirt attacked without hesitation. His entire aura transformed instantly. His realm was already that of a seventh-realm warrior, but the boxing intent and martial aura he unleashed far surpassed the seventh realm. A straightforward punch arrived before Lin Zhao in an instant!
Too fast to dodge!
Lin Zhao was inwardly shocked. He never expected such a formidable presence to appear in the small town. This martial aura... was even more terrifying than that of Chu Huaixi in the Sea-Stepping Realm!
In a flash, the young man could only cross his fists in front of his chest to block!
With a loud crash, Lin Zhao was sent flying backward. After breaking several large trees, he stumbled into the forest. With just one punch, he felt as if his bones were about to shatter. The martial qi within him was thrown into utter disarray by the opponent's punch. Even more critically, the old man walked forward step by step, his boxing intent dense and potent. He laughed, "With such meager ability, you still dare lead troops into battle against the demon race? I fear a single punch from any great demon above the fifth realm would kill you, the young famous general!"
"Senior!"
Lin Zhao staggered to his feet, re-gathering his qi. Instantly, the Fire Kirin within him guided torrents of qi throughout his body. His War God's gall trembled, and in that moment, not only did his strength recover significantly, but a considerable portion of the old man's surging punch force was also deflected. The young man looked at the old man and gritted his teeth, "Whether you can kill me, Senior may not be able to decide!"
"Very well!"
The old man in the blue shirt continued to advance.
Lin Zhao took the initiative, launching an attack. He instantly assumed a powerful boxing stance, his speed exploding. He delivered three punches towards the old man's forehead, abdomen, and neck.
"Now this is getting interesting!"
The old man in the blue shirt chuckled. Time seemed to freeze. Lin Zhao's first punch slowed to an extremely agonizing pace. The old man's body slightly shifted, evading the punch aimed at his forehead. Then, with his left hand, he opened his palm in front of his chest, catching Lin Zhao's right fist. With a gentle push of his left fist, it landed on Lin Zhao's abdomen.
"Boom—"
With a deafening sound, the young man was sent flying for the second time. This time, it was worse. His boxing aura shattered, and his body crashed heavily against a pine tree as thick as a rice bowl. He lay pathetically on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Since entering the seventh realm, he had never been so humiliated. This old man not only had superior boxing skills but also delivered sharp blows. Who knew what his actual realm was!
At least, he was definitely a warrior above the fifth realm, starting from the Heavenly Origin Realm!
"Can't go on?"
The old man in the blue shirt smiled faintly, "Could you at least last until the third punch?"
Lin Zhao slowly stood up, his bones feeling as if they were about to fall apart. He gritted his teeth, "As Senior wishes..."
As he slowly steadied himself, the old man had already reached him. The old man was very tall, half a head taller than Lin Zhao. He gently raised his fist and said with a smile, "Feel the might of my punch, the boxing principle, the intent, and the aura contained within it."
Lin Zhao opened his eyes. He felt as if he were standing in an ice cave. What a terrifying sensation! Even before the old man in the blue shirt threw his punch, his body was already like a divine being from the heavens, forcing Lin Zhao to look up, even inspiring a desire to kneel and prostrate. What kind of aura was this?
"Cannot!"
Lin Zhao gritted his teeth. A trickle of blood flowed from his forehead into his eyes. He still opened his eyes and roared, "Cannot admit defeat!"
Thus, under the oppressive martial aura, Lin Zhao delivered another punch. His body slightly bowed, and his punch was like a wild dragon emerging from the sea, the "Qi Chong Dou Niu" style from the Farmer's Three Punches!
"Hmph!"
The old man sneered, but his eyes clearly showed a look of relief. Such a young seventh-realm warrior, under his peak aura of the twelfth-realm Rebirth Realm, still dared to punch. Moreover, this kid had led twenty thousand Snow Domain Heavenly Pool cavalry to bloodbath two demon camps just twenty days ago. Such a person was a true born warrior, a legendary born general. Compared to him, Liu Xilong, that born general at Fusang Great Wall, was nothing, just a brute!
At this thought, the old man felt a surge of warmth and cherished the young man before him.
"Boom!"
He punched the young man, sending him flying backward. The moment he was airborne, he had already lost consciousness.
...
In the afternoon, at the Mountain Peak Villa.
Dongcang, dressed in a long red dress, appeared elegant and graceful. She was holding a pile of carrots because Xiao Jiuer had mentioned missing the taste of carrot stewed beef yesterday. So, Dongcang had specifically gone into the mountains that morning to gather a bunch of wild carrots.
As she placed the items in the kitchen and stepped out, she saw a figure descend from the sky. It was a tall old man in a blue shirt, carrying someone on his shoulder. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Lin Zhao, the commander of the Death Camp, wearing his gray and white short shirt! And at this moment, Lin Zhao was covered in blood and had fainted.
"Master!?"
Dongcang trembled, instinctively sensing that the old man was not here with good intentions. She lightly twirled her hand, drawing a soft sword from her waist. The sword tip trembled, pointing directly at the old man in the blue shirt. She said in a low voice, "Who are you? Let go of my young master!"
"Oh?"
The old man pointed at Lin Zhao on his shoulder, "You recognize him?"
"Naturally!"
Dongcang frowned, clutching a signal flare in her right hand, about to ignite it for help.
"Don't."
The old man in the blue shirt saw her small movement clearly. He raised his hand and chuckled, "No need to call for help, it's unnecessary. I was just teaching him boxing. Now that the lesson is over, I'll return him to you!"
Saying this, the old man directly tossed Lin Zhao onto the wooden planks of the corridor. He clapped his hands and looked down at Dongcang, "Give him a bath, and prepare the medicinal soup for healing. Do you know the prescription?"
"Yes!"
Dongcang frowned and nodded, "The mansion has the prescription!"
"That's good."
The old man smiled faintly and said, "When this brat wakes up, tell him that tomorrow, at the same time, I will be waiting for him in the back mountains."
"Oh..."
Dongcang nodded, "Then... thank you, Senior?"
"Farewell."
The old man in the blue shirt stepped into the air and ascended, exceptionally graceful.
Dongcang glanced at Lin Zhao's condition, frowned, then turned and carried his arm over her shoulder. She then helped Lin Zhao back to his room step by step and began preparing water and other things, busying herself.
...
In the small town, on the stone bridge.
The old man in the blue shirt walked slowly onto the stone bridge with his hands behind his back. On the bridge stood a scholar in a gray and white Confucian robe.
"Thank you."
Qin Suihan smiled faintly.
The old man in the blue shirt nodded and smiled, "With Mr. Qin personally making this request, how could I refuse? However, this young Lin Zhao is indeed excellent material for boxing. It would be a shame if he didn't become a martial artist. Mr. Qin, although your realm is high, you are not as suitable as I am to teach him."
"Indeed."
Qin Suihan smiled, "When it comes to boxing, it is best taught by a martial artist from the mountain peaks. As for me, I only have a bit of skill in teaching him the ways of the sages."
"Hahahaha~~~"
The old man laughed heartily and said, "Lin Zhao's seventh realm... his foundation is already very solid. After all, he practices boxing diligently and has high innate talent. Mr. Qin is still worried, wanting an even more perfect seventh realm?"
"Yes."
Qin Suihan said, "There are countless seventh-realm warriors in the world. Elder Chen, do you have a way to make Lin Zhao's seventh realm the best in the world?"
"If I hadn't come, he would be at most in the top three."
The old man raised an eyebrow and said, "Now that I am here, he can only be number one! Even if Lin Zhao reaches the eighth realm, he will be the best in the eighth realm!"
Qin Suihan chuckled, "If that's the case, thank you, Elder Chen."
"Having helped Mr. Qin so much, won't you treat me to a drink?"
"Elder Chen, the esteemed First-Rank Palace Marshal, would be short of money for a drink? It's me, I haven't sold a single book in many days."
"Alright, alright, I'll treat you to this drink!"
"That would be excellent..."