Childhood Friend of the Zenith-Chapter 722: The Divine Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (33)

It had been a long time since the appearance of the Ten Great Masters.

This title emerged after the Great War between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects—known as the Battle of Righteousness and Evil.

While some names had changed over time, the framework remained largely intact.

After all, Zhongyuan revered martial strength, and these ten were its most renowned warriors.

Once the rankings were established, it was far more unusual for them to change.

‘Just look at the Three Lords.’

The Three Lords hadn’t made a public appearance in over a decade.

The Celestial Lord showed up occasionally, but the Overlord hadn’t been seen in over twenty years—yet his position remained untouched.

This only proved how firmly their places were secured.

Now, let’s pose a question:

‘How strong are the Ten Great Masters, really?’

It was a fundamental question.

The Seven Irons and Three Fists—the supposed ten strongest warriors in Zhongyuan.

But were they truly the top ten?

I answered myself without hesitation.

‘No.’

I didn’t think so.

Zhongyuan was filled with people hiding their strength.

Just look at my father.

Because he hadn’t participated in the war, his strength was never revealed.

There must have been others like him—masters who didn’t step forward.

Perhaps they knew the war could be won without their help.

Or maybe they simply didn’t care whether the war was won or lost.

That’s why they stayed hidden.

But—

‘They showed themselves during the Blood Demon War.’

When the Heavenly Demon unleashed his massacre, all of Zhongyuan was set ablaze.

There were no more excuses to remain hidden.

It was during this time that the Thunder Saint and the Warlord rose to prominence.

They were monsters—perhaps not quite at the level of the Three Lords but certainly strong enough to be counted among the Ten Great Masters.

This meant there were still warriors out there stronger than the ones currently recognized.

The current Ten Great Masters were powerful, no doubt about it.

But the story surrounding them wasn’t the full truth.

Of course—

‘I’m not saying they’re weak.’

I simply meant that strength alone didn’t guarantee a spot on that list.

Tap. Tap.

I brushed my hands off lightly and looked forward.

The Sect Leader of the Emei Sect.

The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal stood before me with her hands clasped behind her back.

She stood there quietly, but the air around her rippled ever so slightly.

Was she flaring her energy like that idiot Clan Leader of the Peng family?

No, that wasn’t it.

It was more like her presence naturally leaked out, no matter how much she tried to contain it.

‘A Fist Immortal, huh.’

In the Emei Sect, which was famous for its sword techniques, this woman had risen to the top through her mastery of martial arts.

I steadied my thoughts as I observed the old woman.

At the same time, I focused on her presence and activated my body.

Thump.

My muscles tensed and expanded as I prepared for battle.

Just as I began to ready myself—

“Young Master Gu.”

The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal spoke.

“Are you really going through with this?”

I smirked.

“What do you mean? You came all this way.”

We were standing in the training ground behind the residence.

It was a space I had asked Lady Mi to prepare, mainly for sparring with the Overlord.

Now, it was the site of my duel with the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal.

Judging by her expression, she wasn’t too thrilled about it.

“I’ll ask one last time... are you sure?”

“There’s no need to ask. My answer won’t change.”

I shut down her pointless questioning.

“You should stretch a bit first. At your age, you might pull something.”

“...Ha.”

She let out a soft sigh, and I felt her aura brush against my skin.

My heightened senses caught every ripple.

“This is your chance.”

“A chance?”

“If we continue, I won’t let you off lightly.”

Her gaze darkened.

Breathing felt slightly heavier.

Her presence began to spread, gradually engulfing the training ground.

“You are impressive—so much so that I was shocked. You have the right to be arrogant and proud.

But that’s as far as it goes.”

Hum.

She brushed her hand through the air, and it shimmered faintly.

“Do I look like that idiot from the Peng family to you?”

The Overlord of the Peng family, reduced to a fool in an instant.

I almost laughed but held back.

The pressure in the air wasn’t something to take lightly.

“The Emei Sect doesn’t overlook insults.”

The small ripple transformed into a crackling force.

I tilted my head.

“So what? Are you backing out now?”

“If you apologize and beg for forgiveness, I might let this slide.”

“Apologize? For what?”

I laughed and quickly covered my mouth.

Oops. I couldn’t hold it in.

After a brief pause, I dropped my hand.

It was too late—I might as well stick to my usual attitude.

“You’re the one who barged in here unannounced this morning.”

“...Unannounced?”

She frowned at my choice of words.

“And now you want an apology? Did it upset you that a younger man stood up to you?”

“You’re seriously crossing the line.”

“If there was a line, I crossed it ages ago. It’s too much trouble to worry about things like that.”

“So you do realize you’re picking a fight with the Emei Sect?”

“Emei Sect, my ass.”

I sighed as I said it.

“I’m just messing with an old lady who’s getting on my nerves.

Call it the Emei Sect if you want—I don’t really care.”

“...!”

“And now, do you really think I don’t know that if I apologize and beg for forgiveness, you’ll just use it as an excuse to get the answers you want?”

Did she think I’d let her off easy? Not a chance.

No matter how much she tried to frame this as childish bravado, the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal followed me here for a reason—and it wasn’t just to scold me.

“Let’s keep it simple, shall we? I already gave you the justification you need.”

A seasoned master fighting someone of the younger generation was already controversial.

Especially when the fight was about settling «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» a conflict rather than simply exchanging pointers.

It could easily tarnish her reputation.

That’s why I handed her a clean justification—by picking a fight first.

Not to mention—

“I even placed restrictions. I already vowed not to disclose this incident publicly.”

I’d already ensured there wouldn’t be any loose ends.

Everything was handled perfectly, so what was she hesitating for?

I couldn’t understand it.

Apparently, neither could she.

“Why? Why go this far?”

“Sect Leader, have you gone deaf?”

“...What?”

“I’ve explained everything, yet here you are, asking again.”

Hadn’t she been listening?

Or did she hear it and still not understand?

If so, maybe I needed to make it even simpler.

“I just don’t feel like wasting time playing mind games. Let’s settle this with fists. Isn’t that how martial artists should resolve things?”

“Ha.”

This was getting tedious.

My schedule was already packed today.

I didn’t have time to entertain this old woman.

“So enough talking, Grandma. Let’s get this over with.”

That was it—my patience had run out.

I cracked my shoulders and let the words fly.

The woman beside the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal immediately flushed red with anger.

“You brat! Do you realize who you’re talking to?”

The same woman who had interrupted earlier.

Judging by her expression, she was furious.

But—

“How dare you speak to the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect—Ugh?!”

She never got to finish her sentence.

About ten steps.

That was the distance I covered in a single stride before grabbing her by the throat.

Her body trembled as I held her, and I spoke.

“What did I say earlier? That I’d rip your arm off?”

Crack.

“Ghhkk—!!”

I didn’t rip it off, but I did twist it into a grotesque angle.

I held back—barely.

“Why do you keep butting in when the adults are talking?

You’re going to get yourself killed, you know that?”

She couldn’t even scream.

I made sure to block her airflow while grabbing her throat.

Then, I looked directly at the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal.

Only two steps separated us now.

“Since you’re still hesitating, let me help you decide.”

Her eyes had widened, but this was my way of showing consideration.

A warning not to let her guard down before we started.

“If you’re not going to fight, I’ll kill her right here.”

I smiled as I said it.

And that was when her aura exploded.

The posture hadn’t changed, but the atmosphere had.

It felt like I was facing an entirely different person.

Was this the fighting spirit of one of the Ten Great Masters?

It was heavy—but not in a bad way.

Whoosh.

Boom!

I tossed the woman aside carelessly.

The sound of her slamming into the wall echoed across the room.

I held back just enough, but she might still be dead.

The thought crossed my mind as—

“You really have a talent for provoking people.”

The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal didn’t even glance at her disciple.

“If that’s your decision, I’ll respect it.

Youthful arrogance burns bright and loud.”

Slowly, she shifted into her stance.

“Make sure you don’t regret this—!”

Boom!

I cut her off with a punch to the stomach.

Thud—!!

“Urgh!?”

Her body folded in half, and I followed through with the strike.

Whoosh!

Boom!

Her body flew backward, crashing through the wall of the training hall.

Clatter.

Debris rained down.

I looked at the mess and muttered.

“Trying to act tough, huh? You’ll die at this rate.”

Even after all the warnings, she was still putting on airs.

Unbelievable.

I stared at the rubble with irritation when—

Hum—!

A surge of pressure erupted.

I immediately reinforced my grip and—

Whoosh—!

Heat gathered in my palm, and within moments, a flame orb materialized.

I put all my strength into it and hurled it toward the debris.

Boom! Whooosh—!!!

The explosion engulfed the area, the heat intense enough to leave nothing but ashes.

Was it over?

‘Like hell.’

I didn’t entertain that thought for a second.

I turned my gaze toward the far side of the hall.

Whoosh—!

I tilted my head slightly, and a fist brushed past my cheek.

The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal had already escaped the blast and closed the distance.

Barely noticed her movement.

“You brat—!”

Crack—!

She stomped the ground, and cracks spread out in every direction.

Her barrage followed immediately.

Countless strikes filled my vision.

I twisted my body and parried each one.

Thud! Boom—!!

Even deflecting her punches sent vibrations through my arms.

‘Heavy.’

The rumors about her strength weren’t exaggerated.

Despite her age, every punch felt strong enough to shatter bones.

‘Did my earlier punch not get through?’

The surprise attack to her abdomen—

I’d shattered her defensive aura, but it didn’t land properly.

She’d reacted in that brief instant.

‘Not bad.’

She was definitely one of the Ten Great Masters.

Completely different from the nobodies I’d faced before.

Whoosh—!

“!”

I felt it—a shift in the pressure.

Amidst the flurry of exchanged blows, something about the Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal felt off.

‘Her Qi flow changed.’

It was subtle—something I could have missed if I wasn’t paying attention.

She was gathering energy, trying to conceal it.

‘Where?’

I struck back while scanning her body.

‘There it is.’

From her left shoulder to her fist.

The Qi flow was twisted there.

So she was left-handed after all.

Her frequent use of her right hand had been a deliberate deception.

‘A feint.’ freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

She wanted me to believe she favored her right hand. Thorough planning.

But it didn’t matter now that I’d figured it out.

I narrowed my eyes, shifted my stance, and loosened my waist.

Her punch came flying toward me.

Boom!

Her powerful strike hit my shoulder, making my stance waver.

‘Tch.’

My shoulder throbbed, and the ache spread to my bones.

Even with Qi reinforcement, it still stung.

She was strong.

But—

‘This is it?’

It wasn’t enough to impress me.

“Hup!”

Sensing an opening, she shifted her posture to unleash the energy she’d been saving.

The hidden power in her hand flared as she extended her palm.

Martial Flood Palm.

A massive surge of Qi shaped like a palm burst forward—or tried to.

Boom!

“...!?”

Her technique was interrupted.

Just before it could fully manifest, I intercepted her palm with mine.

Boom—!!!

The energy scattered, exploding outward in every direction.

“Kuh!”

The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal staggered back, coughing up blood.

Her Qi had been forcefully disrupted, twisting her meridians.

“Huff... Huff...”

She gasped for air, her expression one of disbelief as she looked at me.

I had just used a brute-force method to block her technique.

I struck at the moment her Qi was about to release, creating a violent clash.

Normally, such a maneuver would result in both sides taking internal damage—

with the attacker suffering more.

But—

‘That’s only if our energy levels were equal.’

Overwhelming strength erased that problem.

I wasn’t completely unscathed, but it was manageable.

The Moon-Splitting Fist Immortal wobbled.

Even so, I had no intention of letting up.

I lashed out with a kick.

Smack!

She barely managed to block with her arm, but the impact sent her reeling.

‘Once more.’

This time, I gathered flames around my fist.

Nine Flames Ash Wolf.

My punch exploded with fire as it connected.

Whoosh—!!!

Flames engulfed the training ground.

Despite the raging fire, my eyes stayed sharp as I scanned the area.

Her silhouette was gone.

The attack had landed, but she’d used the momentum to slip away, using the flames to obscure my vision.

Not a bad move.

But—

‘You can’t escape my flames.’

The fire was an extension of my Qi.

Moving within it only made her position even clearer to me.

‘You should’ve tried to extinguish it.’

Too late now.

I extended my left hand.

Whip—!

Gui-jeong unfurled, a length of cloth shooting out from my sleeve.

Snatch—!

“Ugh!”

I caught her through the flames and yanked her toward me.

Whoosh!

She burst out of the fire, hurtling toward me.

I stepped forward and—

Smack!

“Urgh...!!”

I punched her in the face as she drew near.

I didn’t even need to reinforce it with Qi.

Even after taking the hit, she tried to retaliate.

I sidestepped and slammed her shoulder.

Thud!

Her balance faltered.

The failed counterattack left her wide open.

‘Now her legs.’

I aimed for her right thigh.

Crack!

The impact locked up her movements, and I followed up by shattering her ankle.

She collapsed.

I pinned her down and slammed my knee into her chest.

Boom!

Her Qi barrier shattered under the force.

“Gahk!”

She coughed up blood.

I twisted my body to avoid the splatter—

I didn’t have enough spare clothes for this mess.

Using the momentum, I kicked her in the face.

Smack!

Her head snapped back, blood spraying through the air.

Her Qi wavered and then completely dissipated.

I took a step back and then slapped her chest and sent her flying.

Crash!

She smashed into the wall and crumpled to the ground.

Even as she lay there, I didn’t relax.

What if this was another feint?

I kept watching.

“...”

But time passed, and she didn’t move.

The stillness was unsettling.

‘What the hell?’

I tilted my head.

‘No way.’

I frowned.

Surely not, right?

Come on.

I waited a little longer, but nothing changed.

“...Seriously?”

I walked over, grabbed her hair, and lifted her up.

Swish.

Her limp body dragged along the floor.

Her face was a mess, blood streaming from her nose and mouth.

Her breaths were shallow, barely there.

She looked completely broken.

I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

So that was it?

I felt hollow inside.

Nothing I’d hoped for had happened.

I stared at her ruined face and asked—

“This is really it?”

She wasn’t crippled or shattered.

Her internal organs were intact.

What kind of fight was this?

I glared at her pathetic form.

“You’re kidding, right? You’re this weak?”

She was one of the Ten Great Masters of Zhongyuan.

Even if she was weaker than the rumors claimed, this was ridiculous.

It wasn’t even close to what I’d expected.

I shook her by the hair, but her shallow breathing only grew weaker.

“Come on, Grandma. Get up. We’re not done yet.”

I couldn’t end it like this.

But—

Tremble...

She didn’t even respond.

Her body only trembled weakly in my grasp.