I will eventually become a divine being through accumulating constantly

"Wan Yulai is a genius."

Wu Xuanzhu slowly began.

He had already noticed that the members of the Zhige Base around him had surrounded the place, yet they did not dare to come close.

But he did not consider it a matter, casually finding a rock of just the right height to sit on as if it were a chair, placing his palms on his knees, ready to start telling a story.

"This old man seldom uses the word 'genius' to describe others."

Wu Xuanzhu said.

"In any field, as long as one is not dead, the heights one can eventually reach are uncertain. Martial arts are the same; it's not about who practices faster or who breaks through earlier that determines who is stronger... Before death, nothing is conclusive."

"This old man barely broke through at nearly fifty years old, left behind by who knows how many so-called 'geniuses', unable to even catch a glimpse of their backs.

But in the end, this old man still stands here, atop the pinnacle, revered as the Gun Saint by the world, praised as the supreme peak of the realm of skill, while those 'geniuses', most have long been cleanly forgotten by the times, now lacking even the qualifications to be compared with this old man."

At this point, Wu Xuanzhu paused.

"However, even with this living example of myself, there are still some people whose existence forces this old man to summarize with the word 'genius'."

He pointed at Xue Jing.

"Another one today... including you, the number of people this old man has seen who can be called 'genius' total seven."

Xue Jing smiled and said, "That doesn't sound too few."

Wu Xuanzhu glanced at him, "This old man has lived nearly a hundred years, seen more martial artists than you can imagine, countless passing the Dragon Gate before the age of thirty, and not a few below twenty. The number 'seven' is much fewer than you imagine."

"Even 'White Emperor' Lu Shenliu from yesterday who came to kill you, has never been considered a 'genius' by this old man."

"But Wan Yulai is."

Wu Xuanzhu rolled up his sleeve, revealing a section of his strong forearm that did not at all look like that of an old man.

"The word 'genius' actually carries a somewhat despairing connotation. It attributes all efforts, hardships, luck, pain... everything one experiences to the talent given by the heavens."

"That's why this old man dislikes this word. Yet Wan Yulai is just like you, possessing an unreasonable nature that forces this old man to describe with the word 'genius'."

Xue Jing nodded his head, indicating his understanding.

Wu Xuanzhu paused for a moment, then continued:

"In his youth, Li Qi was known together with two others as 'The Trio of Jade City', acclaimed by people as very likely to touch the seven great titles in the future."

"Indeed, that was the case. Apart from Li Qi, who met with mishap, Zhou Liexiong and Chen Buyan from The Trio of Jade City are now both on the verge of claiming titles. I saw Chen Buyan of the Asura Blade two years ago at Sky Mirror Lake. He participated in the 'Army Master Battle' of Sky Mirror Lake.

Though he ultimately failed to claim the title of Army Master, he was still able to compete fiercely on the stage with the strong."

"Li Qi, one of The Trio and even seen as the informal leader, was undeniably a formidable person, but in his forties, he was challenged by a junior not half his age."

"Naturally, he wouldn't take it to heart. Such doorstep challenges were daily occurrences for him, and he always accepted all comers..."

"Then, he was defeated by this young man under the age of twenty."

"His defeat was utterly miserable. A single punch destroyed the True Dragon ambition he had nurtured for decades, broke his legs, and forced him to kneel."

Wu Xuanzhu remarked:

"Nobody expected this outcome. This old man also found it hard to believe when receiving the news... At that time, Li Qi was close to his second breakthrough. Setting aside his character for the moment, purely in terms of martial strength, the Old Martial Circle held him in high regard.

Many were optimistic about him, thinking he had a chance to seize the 'True Dragon' title within twenty years, which was also his dream."

"But this young man, before then, no one had heard his name."

"After that, stepping on Li Qi as a foothold, everyone came to know him."

"The former 'Dragon King Li', Li Qi, is now merely an insignificant note in the backdrop of battles achieved by 'True Dragon' Wan Yulai."

Xue Jing tilted his head slightly, puzzled, "Why would Wan Yulai challenge my master? Why did he strike so hard? Was there some grievance?"

Wu Xuanzhu shook his head, "Li Qi was aggressive and liked to stir up trouble, making countless enemies."

"But Wan Yulai, who reduced him to such a state, had absolutely no connection with him."

"After defeating Li Qi, Wan Yulai said something."

"'The title Dragon King... sounds displeasing to my ear.'

Xue Jing's expression became tranquil, without fluctuation, expressing a noncommittal 'huh'.

Wu Xuanzhu continued, "Li Qi's only disciple at the time... this old man remembers his surname was Meng, the first name forgotten, he demanded to know why Wan Yulai struck so mercilessly."

He paused for a moment, his tone becoming profound, "Wan Yulai said: 'If I didn't strike hard, how would the world know of my dissatisfaction with the title 'Dragon King'?

Xue Jing's eyes smiled without joy, "Quite an interesting person."

Wu Xuanzhu nodded, leisurely said, "Indeed, quite interesting."

"Li Qi, this man, is bravely fierce and violent. He has maimed and killed quite a few himself, which has made him quite unpopular. This outcome is within reason, and I don't know how many people are applauding it."

"But Wan Yulai seeking him out was not because of a personal vendetta, nor was it to act the hero; it was for a nitpicky reason that he found him disagreeable, which could be seen as a taste of his own medicine, a karmic cycle if you will."

"Today's Wan Yulai, after more than a decade of dedication, two years ago at the age of thirty-three, broke the record and became the youngest holder of the 'True Dragon' title."

"Over the next two years, he fought and won continuously. On 'Thousand-year Island', he secured the 'True Dragon' title twice in a row with overwhelming power, undefeated and thus acclaimed as the 'uncrowned eternal True Dragon'."

"Even an old man like me would not dare claim certain victory against him."

Wu Xuanzhu smiled and said to Xue Jing, "What do you think after hearing this?"

Xue Jing did not answer the question directly but after pondering, he asked, "Senior Wu, what sect is the 'Yanlong Liu' that Wan Yulai practices, and does it have any relation to my 'Hidden Dragon School'?"

Wu Xuanzhu felt quite a favorability towards Xue Jing and didn't mind his indirect answer being slightly impolite, instead replying with a smile,

"There are countless martial arts sects featuring the word 'dragon' in this world. It's not uncommon to stumble upon one by chance; it's probably just a coincidence."

"Your master, Li Qi derived the Hidden Dragon School from an ancient technique named 'Sleeve Dragon'. It can be considered a semi-original sect; he's like half a founding master."

"As for the origins of Yanlong Liu, they are rather mysterious. There was no word of it before Wan Yulai started showcasing his abilities."

"No matter how talented Wan Yulai is, it's impossible for him to have developed a complete and powerful sect on his own in his teens. To create something out of nothing without sufficient experience, that's something only a deity could do."

"However, he has never mentioned anything about the origins of Yanlong Liu. I'd guess there's likely a hidden, formidable individual teaching him."

Xue Jing nodded and said, "I understand, thank you for clearing up my confusion, Senior."

His eyes showed deep contemplation.

Ancient techniques, Sleeve Dragon, Yanlong...

Wu Xuanzhu stood up from the stone, brushed off the dust that had settled on him from the earlier fight, and said,
Stay tuned for updates on empire

"Alright, we have talked quite a bit... it's time I spoke about the reason I came to see you today."

Xue Jing looked at him attentively and nodded, "Please speak, Senior."

Wu Xuanzhu weighed his words and said, "Strictly speaking, there's no fundamental conflict between you and that disappointing disciple of mine. He is just a weapon in the hands of others; someone else is behind the scheme to kill you, not him personally."

"I have seen him before; he's pretty much half-wasted, a result of his own doing, so it's not worth mentioning."

"I hope you can do me the favor of not holding a grudge against him... consider this a request. It doesn't matter if you choose not to listen."

"As compensation for his once malicious intentions towards you, I will teach you a martial arts technique that you currently should find quite beneficial."

Xue Jing smiled and said, "What happened in the arena has ended. Although he wanted to kill me, it's like a lion doesn't bother with how much malice a rabbit harbors. In light of your position, Senior, as long as he doesn't provoke me again, I will not lay hands on him."

Wu Xuanzhu nodded, "Should he dare again, I won't plead on his behalf... Let's leave that matter be. Little Jing, you're quite magnanimous."

"I am an elder to Youqing, and since you have ties with Youqing... I ought to give you a proper welcoming gift."

His gaze shifted to the Forgotten Greatsword stuck in the ground not too far away.

"Little Jing, do you possess the skill to wield a flying sword? Is this a God-Given Secret Art?"

Xue Jing nodded, there was no point in denying, "It's a technique I recently grasped."

He extended a hand towards the room bearing the Forgotten Greatsword, gesturing a sword with his finger, and with a slight movement,

The Forgotten Greatsword immediately lifted from its spot, rising into the air, swiftly approaching Xue Jing. It circled around him ceaselessly, like a nimble fish gliding through water.

Wu Xuanzhu's eyes lifted slightly:

"This agility..."

Although he had already experienced it briefly, it wasn't until he observed the giant-sword-turned-door panel moving with such delicacy, as if weightless, that he truly appreciated its maneuverability.

"I may not understand the principles of this God-Given Secret Art, but since you can control it to such an extent, surely you can practice this extraordinary power," said Wu Xuanzhu.

"Today, I will teach you a supreme flying sword technique that is unparalleled in the world."

"Its name is — Mahayana Flying Sword."

...

(There will be another update later; I am currently writing it. I'm not sure how long it will take, so readers don't need to wait; go to sleep first.)

(Seeking monthly tickets...)