The Left Celestial Sovereign
Hua Buyi remained silent, but Zhuo Xinyi snorted derisively. "What do you know, brat? Sword Immortal Situ Xing's 'Heavenly Descent Strike' pierces enemies from a hundred paces—near-flying sword mastery. That's why the martial world reveres him as a Sword Immortal."
She then shot Hua Buyi a skeptical glance. "Shixiong, you overestimate this disciple. Would Situ Xing trade his signature technique for an ancient blade?"
"He owes me a life debt," Hua Buyi stated flatly. "This sword plus that favor suffice for the 'Heavenly Descent' transmission."
Zhuo Xinyi's eyes narrowed—Huo Xuan's status in Hua Buyi's hierarchy crystallized. To expend a Sword Immortal's life debt merely for this boy's martial progress...
Anxiety prickled her resolve. The matter can't wait. I'll force his agreement tonight.
That evening, Huo Xuan demonstrated his "Explosive Force" in their chamber. Hua Buyi observed critically: "The force manifests, but lacks intentionality. You haven't yet Comprehended Jin."
"Master, what defines Comprehending Jin?"
"As the adage goes: 'Technique is easy, Jin comprehension elusive.'" Hua Buyi assumed the Hunyuan Stance. "Strike me."
Huo Xuan launched a Sword Thrust from the Tai Chi Mother Fist—fist condensed to a blade's point.
Hua Buyi's palm brushed the incoming strike, instantly locating Huo Xuan's center of gravity. A subtle arm rotation sent Huo Xuan staggering—only his Whole-Body Force foundation prevented a full collapse.
"Was that Comprehending Jin?" Huo Xuan marveled, steadying himself.
"That was Listening to Jin," Hua Buyi corrected. "To Comprehend Jin, first master Listening. When enemies move, their Jin reveals weaknesses instantly. Your unrefined force broadcasts intentions—hence inevitable defeat."
Huo Xuan pondered briefly. "Again, Master."
The master-disciple pair practiced deep into the night. Though repeatedly deflected, Huo Xuan's penetrative vision gradually decoded Hua Buyi's force trajectories—edging toward enlightenment.
Much like his billiard intuition at the club, where he'd instantly calculated ball velocity and angles, this too was Listening to Jin.
By midnight, Hua Buyi arched an eyebrow—Huo Xuan began counterattacking with increasing precision.
Their session shattered as Zhuo Xinyi barged in with a black-suited teenager. The youth's immaculate grooming and striking features contrasted sharply with his venomous aura.
"Still scheming, Shimei?" Hua Buyi sighed.
"This prodigy surpasses my younger self tenfold!" Zhuo Xinyi urged. "Train him instead—he'll eclipse your current disciple."
Huo Xuan smirked coldly, recognizing her vendetta.
"My disciple criteria are absolute," Hua Buyi dismissed. "Leave."
The youth's killing aura flared. "What merit earns Hua Buyi's favor?" he demanded, lunging at Huo Xuan.
"Piss off, brat."
A palm strike whistled through air. Huo Xuan pivoted into Tai Chi Stance, parrying left while his right fist bulleted forward—
The youth arched backward, foot snapping toward Huo Xuan's groin.
Dragonflight Steps swerved the vile kick. Huo Xuan retaliated with Tai Chi Cannon—a lethal fusion of Diamond Form and Hammer Strike.
Zhuo Xinyi lunged to intercept, halted by Hua Buyi's sleeve flick.
CRACK!
Huo Xuan's fist slammed into the youth's shoulder. A dislocated joint launched him airborne, face blanched in agony.
"Shixiong, do you know whose son he is?" Zhuo Xinyi snapped furiously.
Hua Buyi calmly replied: "He initiated violence—consequences follow naturally."
The youth named Wang Zun glared venomously. "You're nothing special! I don't need your pathetic sect!" He stormed out without awaiting Zhuo Xinyi.
"That's Left Celestial Sovereign's heir!" Zhuo Xinyi hissed. "Rejecting him will haunt you!" She chased after the youth.
Huo Xuan rubbed his nose. "Master, this 'Left Celestial Sovereign' sounds formidable."
"Not just formidable," Hua Buyi deadpanned. "A tectonic-level badass."
"How so?"
"To be blunt: his power and wealth could reshape the chessboard."
Huo Xuan blinked. "That intense?"
"Precisely." Hua Buyi frowned. "Never anticipated Zhuo would bring his spawn."
"You should've accepted him," Huo Xuan joked. "We'd have unlimited backstage passes in the martial world."
"A hundred Wang Zuns can't match one Huo Xuan."
The rare praise lit Huo Xuan's face like sunrise.
Seven days later, Feng Yulong completed his first treatment cycle, departing for the provincial capital with herbal prescriptions.
With Feng gone, Huo Xuan returned to Jiangzhou with Hua Buyi. Their afternoon flight landed at 3 PM. Huo Xuan immediately sought Lin Yue to finalize the jewelry store launch.
Lin Yue, though composed, carried subdued grief. "Xiao Di... Lin Jian is..."
"Dead," Huo Xuan stated. "Not by my hand—Nangang's underworld rats finished him."
She exhaled shakily. "Thank the heavens it wasn't you."