119: Chapter 119 The Young Martial Artist 'Shi Zheng'

"Monkey!"

"Are you trying to die?"

Just then, the owner heard the commotion and rushed over. He looked at the chaotic forest behind the rockery and glared at the Heaven-Reaching Ape, who was still maintaining a dashing sword-drawing pose.

"Boss."

The Heaven-Reaching Ape coughed, gestured with his chin toward Fang Zhuo, and sheathed his blade, saying: "It has nothing to do with me; every debt has its debtor!"

The owner glanced at Fang Zhuo, who still seemed to be in deep meditation, and his anger instantly dissipated.

The Heaven-Reaching Ape immediately gave him the middle finger: "Bullying the weak and fearing the strong. Business ends here for today; Master Monkey wants an extra meal tonight."

Bai Shiwei's heart was entirely focused on Fang Zhuo at this moment.

Thunder Fire Blade Sixth Layer... Her husband had mastered it! It looked like he had also gained some insight into the killing move 'Thunder Fire Echo'; he wouldn't have comprehended that in one go too, would he?

Just then, after a rumble of thunder, raindrops began to fall from the gray sky, and the rain gradually grew heavier.

"Boss, do you have any umbrellas in your shop?"

Bai Shiwei took an umbrella from the owner, opened it, and walked over to Fang Zhuo's side, waiting silently amidst the pattering rain.

Fang Zhuo was completely unaware.

He remained immersed in his own world, repeatedly pondering the killing move 'Thunder Fire Echo' unleashed by the cosmic beast, the Heaven-Reaching Ape.

"Under this killing move... it's as if I am truly in a world of thunder and fire!"

"The power amplification of the killing move 'Thunder Fire Echo' should be the same as the Sixth Layer Thunder Fire Blade, both being 5 times, but the unique characteristics carried by this strike cannot be measured simply by power and numerical values."

Fang Zhuo thought to himself that this had a similar effect to his Martial Aspect ability 'Flame', counting as a special characteristic amplification.

Facing an attack enhanced by special characteristics, if a martial artist is not careful, they will be hit. No matter how tough a Transcendent body is, it will still suffer broken bones and damaged tendons!

"The killing move 'Thunder Fire Echo'... requires far more heaven and earth energy than the Sixth Layer Thunder Fire Blade! Before Body Control breaks through to the Heaven-Reaching level, even if I comprehend it, I won't be able to execute it."

Fang Zhuo suddenly snapped out of it.

Only then did he notice that it was raining heavily, the pitter-patter of rain sounding incessantly.

"Shi Wei?"

"How long has it been?"

Bai Shiwei looked at her wristband and said: "Half an hour. Husband, did you comprehend 'Thunder Fire Echo'?"

"Just a little bit of insight, it's still far from true comprehension."

Fang Zhuo shook his head.

He wasn't too disappointed, though. This trip was originally just to accompany Bai Shiwei to relax; he hadn't expected to accidentally master the Sixth Layer Thunder Fire Blade. He had even gained insights into the killing move 'Thunder Fire Echo'. It was a huge win!

"It's already amazing. The Sixth Layer Thunder Fire Blade is a move that even peak Transcendent Martial Artists at level 49 struggle to master."

Bai Shiwei couldn't help but feel some anticipation.

"Husband, after the Ocean Gathering in over a month, you will definitely have no problem reaching the top of the Legendary Group!"

"Yeah."

Fang Zhuo nodded with a smile.

Just then, the owner of the Starry Sky beast shop walked up, smiling broadly: "Congratulations, congratulations! Now that you have mastered the Sixth Layer Thunder Fire Blade, I imagine the Ocean Gathering is a sure thing for you."

"Oh? Boss, you know I'm going to represent [us] in the competition?"

Fang Zhuo was surprised.

He would be representing the Xia Kingdom; besides the senior management of the Group and his own people in the Supervision Department, no one else should know.

"For a shop like ours, being well-informed is a must...!"

The owner chuckled without explaining further.

The Blue Star Transcendent Martial Arts Tournament, this Ocean Gathering, had always attracted countless martial artists from the Federation to watch. For those who couldn't go to the scene, even more martial artists watched the online broadcast. It was in the billions!

Counting ordinary people, the number was even more terrifying. With the Federation's population in the hundreds of billions, eight or nine out of ten would likely be paying attention. With such level of attention, naturally, there would always be some betting pools each time...

Small bets are just for fun. Shop owners like him enjoyed participating. Learning about the contestants in advance and mastering the strength of various Transcendent Martial Artists was necessary homework.

Fang Zhuo didn't press for more details, instead looking at the chaotic forest and asking the owner about compensation. The owner just shook his head repeatedly.

"Small matter, a few trees aren't worth much."

"Come visit often when you have time!"

The owner enthusiastically sent Fang Zhuo and Bai Shiwei out of the shop.

Bai Shiwei pulled Fang Zhuo along as they walked in the alley, looking back from time to time, clicking her tongue in wonder: "The talent of this cosmic beast, the Heaven-Reaching Ape, is truly amazing. When I saw it online, I just thought it was the shop's marketing."

"Its learning ability is indeed terrifying."

Fang Zhuo couldn't help but sigh.

"Fortunately, this race's bloodline isn't as powerful as other cosmic beasts; most of them don't even reach Life Level 30 after adulthood, otherwise... their combat power would be extremely terrifying!"

Bai Shiwei narrowed her eyes, searching her mind for information about cosmic beasts.

Just then, a boy's crying came from the alley entrance ahead. It sounded absolutely heartbreaking.

When they got closer to the exit, Bai Shiwei and Fang Zhuo heard clearly that the crying was mixed with the scolding of two adults giving a mixed doubles beating.

"You brat, why are you so stubborn?"

"With this stinking temper of yours, what will you do when you grow up?"

As soon as the two stepped out of the alley, they saw two adults wearing combat uniforms. A slightly chubby woman held a whip in her hand, lashing out from time to time.

A thin man seemed unable to bear it anymore and started persuading from the side: "Shi Zheng, apologize to your mother, and this will be over."

"I did nothing wrong!"

The boy named Shi Zheng straightened his back, refusing to bow his head in the slightest in the face of his mother's whip and tyranny.

"You clearly promised me that as long as I could raise my Life Level to 13 before February, you would buy me a ticket to the Ocean Gathering. It's you, Mom and Dad, who went back on your word!"

His martial arts uniform was torn in many places, revealing bronze-colored skin marked with welts.

When Bai Shiwei passed by with Fang Zhuo, she asked Fang Zhuo with her eyes.

She could hear that this young martial artist seemed to be in the right; the adults going back on their word like this and not keeping their promises made her feel somewhat repulsed.

The young couple had been inseparable for over a hundred days and nights.

Fang Zhuo understood Bai Shiwei's meaning with just one look.

Bai Shiwei felt that these parents were only Advanced Martial Artists and neither was over level 35; she wanted to intervene.

Fang Zhuo shook his head gently and whispered: "It's someone else's family business, it's not convenient for us to interfere."

"Alright."

Bai Shiwei pursed her lips.

The two were about to step onto the main road of the Outer City, following the main thoroughfare toward the Inner City to return to the Starry Sky Group headquarters.

"Brother Fang Zhuo?"

A surprised shout came over, and Shi Zheng suddenly took off, running wildly toward Fang Zhuo.

"You... do we know each other?"

Fang Zhuo pointed at himself.

Bai Shiwei, holding Fang Zhuo's arm, also turned to look.

Shi Zheng rushed in front of them in one breath. His parents were shocked, not expecting their child to suddenly rush out.

They hurriedly followed after a few steps.

They didn't know Fang Zhuo, but they recognized the Starry Sky Group.

The slightly chubby woman's gaze swept over the training suit Fang Zhuo was wearing. After seeing the two upright characters 'Starry Sky' on his chest, she said with some bluster: "You two, this is my child. If he accidentally offended you, please forgive him. Shi Zheng, what are you shouting about? Come back here!"

As a mother, she knew her child's background best.

How could Shi Zheng know any martial artist from the Starry Sky Group?

Fang Zhuo just nodded slightly to the woman without replying, instead looking at Shi Zheng.

The boy's eyes shone with joy, not appearing fake; he really knew him, and most likely, there was really some connection.

"Brother Fang Zhuo, you don't know me, but I know you. I am a classmate of Fang Jing, and also... a good friend. She has told me about you many times."

Shi Zheng ignored his mother and, acting familiar, leaned in close to Fang Zhuo, revealing an honest smile.