Essentially, since Zen was only at the second grade of nature level, it seemed obvious to most people
that he was an opportunistic rat, who would come up against a mighty master, like a disciple of the
Illuminating Soul Realm, and then he would be at a loss and end up pulverized.
'So, Cecil Zhuge is a member of the Illuminating Soul Realm. Maybe I will try out the Sword Step, '
mused Zen instead of worrying like Mater Wen did. When he was at a half-step into the nature level, he
managed to get the upper hand during a fight against a master of the Illuminating Soul Realm. Now,
having broken through the confines that had held him back, Zen was at the second grade of nature
level, so, it shouldn't be as challenging to win against a disciple of the Illuminating Soul Realm.
Zen had completely mastered the extraordinary, quirky and ever fluctuating Sword Step, but, he wanted
to test it in a real fray.
The tall, handsome man with an effeminate air who stood arrogantly straight in the ring was Cecil
Zhuge. In his hand was a fan bearing Eight Diagrams. It became apparent that the Eight Diagrams
weren't patterns inscribed on it though, instead, they were slowly revolving against the fan, like they
were alive.
"Zen Luo, this isn't the first time I've heard your name," said Cecil Zhuge as he shook his head
disdainfully and continued, "There are quite a few members in my family who hate your guts, it seems.
If you weren't a disciple here at the Cloud Sect, you wouldn't be safe, and you would've died a hundred
times over by now. It seems your luck has run out! You're my opponent, and I'm going to destroy you.
Now, listen..."
Interrupting the monolog, Zen impatiently said, "I've got to hand it to the Zhuge family. Each of you, first
Fren, then Yale, Josef, and now you, with such an ego! Each of you has piled the crap higher than the
last! Let's get on with this brawl! Unless, you want to save yourself the hassle and forfeit now!"
It shocked the disciples who were present when they heard Zen.
Earlier, it was Rocher arrogant and boasting he'd fight Kim from the Illuminating Soul Realm without a
sword, but, in light of how Zen was behaving, Rocher's attitude was nothing.
Rocher could back up his words with his skills. Without drawing his sword, he took on a master of the
Illuminating Soul Realm.
But, what could Zen do?
True, it was a remarkable feat that someone at the second grade of nature level had a winning streak,
like Zen, relying purely on his agility and clout.
Nevertheless, most people thought it had been lucky that Zen hadn't encountered a very strong
opponent, up until now.
In contrast to his previous opponents, Cecil Zhuge, was one of the top hundred ranked inner disciples
and a true master of the Illuminating Soul Realm. The spectators couldn't help but think Zen had a
mental issue. Taunting his rival the way Zen was doing only added fuel to the fire, and brought him
closer to death!
"I won't talk nonsense with you, since you'll just argue, unconvinced until you come face to face with
the grim reality yourself! Instead, I'll show you the difference between masters of Illuminating Soul
Realm and nature creatures!" said Cecil Zhuge, seething. He'd been tipped off by his family, to do his
utmost to kill Zen if he ran into him at the All Peaks Competition, and if he succeeded, his family would
take responsibility!
In fact, it wasn't just the Zhuge Clan who wanted Zen's life ended during the competition. There was a
disciple who Saint Viana arranged to kill Zen. Because of Aura, Saint Viana was uneasy about
murdering Zen, and probably told the disciple to make it look like an accident.
Still, the ongoing conflict between Zen and the Zhuge Clan was publically known, so Cecil Zhuge had
none of the apprehension of ending Zen's life!
Accordingly, Cecil Zhuge was blatantly ruthless right from the start. He waved his fan, bringing an evil
wind of life vitality rolling at Zen. Adding to the intensity, rolling thunder heralded lightning that was
building within the amazing force of evil wind closing in on Zen...
As the violent onslaught barreled down on Zen, he made use of Rocher's Sword Step, and took a slow,
calculated step.
After he'd won against Kim, Rocher had gone back to join the other Skytop Peak disciples. He wasn't
interested in watching the other battles, so, instead, he was lying down, and resting with his eyes
closed.
When he heard Zen's outrageous remarks, his eyes shot open in surprise. A knowing grin spread as he
slowly shook his head before once more closing his eyes. Boasts were countless in such a vast,
strange world. Anyone could talk big and gloat, but, it was a rarity to find someone able to back up the
outlandish declarations.
Just as his eyes closed again, Rocher heard someone exclaim loudly, "What's going on? He knows the
Sword Step method too?"
"Yes, that's definitely the Sword Step! Zen mastered the method as well!"
As the audience watched, Zen slowly made his way around the ring, performing the same maneuvers
to the Sword Step method as Rocher did earlier, and dodged Cecil Zhuge's evil wind.
At first glimpse, some eagle-eyed disciples recognized the method and commented on Zen's
performance. "That's the Sword Step. He's performing the technique exactly how Rocher did, but,
Zen's Sword Step only appears identical. It doesn't contain the sword intent that Rocher used. How
ridiculous, it's merely a crude imitation!"
"Ha-ha! Rocher used Sword Step, whereas this guy copied the motions and how they appeared, and
hasn't learned about the sword intent within it. What's the use of that?"
The endless debating between disciples bombarded Rocher's ears. Intrigued along with being
annoyed, he studied Zen as he moved around the ring swiftly. Suddenly, one of Rocher's eyebrows
arched strikingly, and what he beheld left him pretty shaken up!
"That isn't true! Zen isn't taking simple steps!"
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