Chapter 20 – The Legacy of Li Zhi

The battle between Li Zhi and Takahashi Ichiro raged on, their clashing energies shaking the very ground beneath them. Blades of raw mana cut through the air as ancient techniques long unseen in the world of warlocks were unleashed. Kalen and Seraphine could only watch in awe, struggling to follow their movements.

Despite Ichiro's relentless attacks and unpredictable fighting style, Li Zhi remained composed. Each of his counterattacks was precise, his mastery of warlock magic honed through centuries of experience. Slowly but surely, he began to gain the upper hand. His strikes landed with increasing accuracy, forcing Ichiro on the defensive.

With a final, decisive move, Li Zhi's palm surged with a crackling burst of arcane force. He struck Ichiro's chest, sending him skidding back across the battlefield. Dust and debris swirled around them as silence fell.

Ichiro wiped the blood from the corner of his lips and let out a deep laugh. "Damn, Li Zhi. You haven't lost your touch."

Li Zhi exhaled, lowering his hands. "And you still push me harder than anyone else."

Kalen's eyes widened. "He actually won…?"

Seraphine nodded, equally impressed. "Li Zhi is stronger than we thought."

Ichiro straightened up, stretching his shoulders as if the battle had been nothing more than a warm-up. "Well, I suppose that settles it. You get to train the boy."

Kalen glanced between them, still struggling to comprehend the scale of power he had just witnessed. He had assumed Li Zhi was just a strong warlock, but now he realized—this was someone who had stood against the most powerful figures in the warlock world and survived.

The Warlock Who Defied Corruption

As the dust settled, Seraphine took the chance to ask a question that had been lingering in her mind.

"Li Zhi… just how powerful are you?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Ichiro smirked, folding his arms. "Oh? You don't know? He's not the greatest, but he's one of the strongest warlocks to ever walk this world."

Li Zhi let out a tired sigh. "Titles mean nothing. Power fades, and history is written by those who remain."

But Ichiro wasn't going to let him brush it off so easily. He leaned against a broken pillar and began to recount the legend of Li Zhi.

Decades ago, Li Zhi had been one of the warlocks who fought against the growing corruption within the Warlock Councils. At that time, the warlocks were divided—some sought absolute power, delving into dark and forbidden magic, while others believed in balance, protecting the world from chaos.

Li Zhi stood at the frontlines against those who sought to twist warlock magic for personal gain. He challenged the corrupt elders, exposed their schemes, and waged war against them. His strength was undeniable, but his ideals earned him as many enemies as admirers.

Ichiro chuckled. "He became a thorn in the side of the Warlock Councils. They tried to erase him, tried to silence him. But no matter how many assassins they sent, no matter how many betrayals he faced—he never fell."

Kalen listened intently, feeling a newfound respect for the man who was training him.

The Cost of Rebellion

"But… if you fought against them, what happened? Why are you still here?" Kalen asked.

Li Zhi's expression darkened. "Because in the end, the war never truly ends. Power shifts, rulers change, but corruption always finds a way to return."

He exhaled deeply. "I lost people. Friends, students, allies… they were wiped out, erased from history. In the end, I realized that I couldn't win by fighting forever. So, I disappeared."

Kalen clenched his fists. The weight of those words settled heavily on him. He understood now—Li Zhi wasn't just strong. He had lived through battles that shaped the warlock world, and he had paid a price for it.

Seraphine crossed her arms. "And now? You're just training new blood?"

Li Zhi smirked slightly. "Perhaps I see something worth teaching. Perhaps I'm just an old man who doesn't want history to repeat itself."

Kalen took a deep breath. This only strengthened his resolve.

"Then train me," he said firmly. "If I want to stand against the corruption in this world, I need to be strong enough to survive."

Li Zhi studied him for a long moment before giving a slow nod. "Then you better prepare yourself. Because the road ahead is far worse than you can imagine."

The training was about to become even more brutal. And Kalen was ready for it.