Chapter 29: Going to Witness the Spectacle

[Hair loss] is gone!

While washing up, Zhang Chengyi glanced at his status bar and was surprised to find that the "hair loss" status, which had been troubling him, had vanished.

"Hmm, but the problem is, my hair doesn't seem to have grown back. Does the status disappearing mean I will simply stop losing hair?"

He touched his hair roots, which felt slightly sparser than the average person's, and calmed his excitement. On second thought, given his recent deep understanding of martial arts and internal energy, the impact of internal energy on the body is subtle and gradual, not instantaneous. His internal energy had come too easily, so its effects on his body would manifest slowly.

Whether it was the effect of his previous health-cultivation mental techniques or the Northern Profound Divine Art, the [Hair loss] status was gone. The only thing left to see was whether he could take it a step further and repair the necrotic hair follicles. Perhaps the Eternal Spring Art had similar properties? He might consider having Wu Yazi explore that direction.

Zhang Chengyi wiped his face, put on his coat with a sense of lightness, and went out to meet Su Xinghe and the Eight Friends of Hangu.

"Let's go. We won't take the carriage today; we'll sneak over. When they reach the height of their excitement, we’ll jump out and join the fun."

Just as he was about to set off, Su Xinghe whispered, "Master Zhang, yesterday others were tailing the subordinates of Chief Qiao. I had my men pursue them; they were members of the Beggar Sect. I fear Chief Qiao's meeting with you cannot be kept from others."

"Heh." Zhang Chengyi chuckled, as if recalling something amusing. Surely Xu Chongxiao wasn't stupid enough to think he could manipulate Qiao Feng while simultaneously targeting him? To be honest, this so-called "Hero Gathering" was just a bunch of motley fools. There were no top-tier experts present; even if he didn't intervene, Qiao Feng could fight his way in and out seven times over. In this era, concepts like "righteousness," "the nation," and "country" held no meaning for him. Without morality, no one could use moral kidnapping against him.

"Perhaps there will be a show to watch today," he said with a cheerful, nonsensical remark. "Come, let's go watch the spectacle."

With that, he channeled his internal energy, tapped his feet lightly, and soared away. Su Xinghe followed thoughtfully, trailing behind with his eight disciples.

As he ran, Zhang Chengyi suddenly remembered something. He slowed down slightly and asked, "Old Kang, how is it that even with your cultivation, you still couldn't beat Qiao Feng?"

Kang Guangling paused. Having long followed his master, he was somewhat accustomed to his eccentric speech. Connecting the context, he understood the meaning, lowered his head, and replied, "This subordinate is incompetent."

Xue Muhua helped explain from the side, "Master Zhang, Chief Qiao possesses extraordinary physical strength. I suspect he could tear apart tigers and leopards without using any internal energy. He must have practiced supreme skills like the Dragon Claw Hand; his fingers are as hard as steel, and he is exceptionally skilled in combat. That the Eldest Senior Brother did not suffer a loss during that hasty close-quarters exchange is already a credit to the profound internal energy you bestowed upon us."

"Hmm, wait, I think I understand what you mean."

Zhang Chengyi suddenly realized. After his internal energy improved, his body’s potential increased. He had used his ability to push his physical constitution to the maximum, so his body and internal energy reached their limits simultaneously. However, the others to whom he had passed his energy only saw their internal energy catch up, while their physical bodies remained as they were. Even with the protection of the Northern Profound Divine Art, real combat is not just about projecting internal energy, and it is impossible to maintain a state of active internal energy at all times. Different power-generating techniques require the operation of different meridians, which must be adjusted constantly according to the needs of the battle.

At the level of masters, it is the dual effect of physical fitness and internal energy that creates a synergy greater than the sum of its parts. Qiao Feng was the type whose physical fitness was naturally superior. Combined with a bold yet meticulous personality, he was adept at thinking in combat and possessed experience and understanding of killing that far exceeded the norm. His internal energy and martial arts were also top-tier. In the realm of close-quarters grappling, no matter how strong someone's internal energy was, they could still be caught off guard by him, resulting in a palm strike to the chest that caused them to cough up blood, thanks to his formidable physical prowess and exquisite external techniques.

The only exception was Zhang Chengyi. His 2,000 points of internal energy—pushed to the human limit—filled his organs and every meridian, meaning his entire body was constantly in a state of active energy, with his internal energy being continuously consumed. It was like a vessel overflowing; if a normal person were to reach such a level, they would gradually regress. Yet, he could constantly add points to keep his internal energy at the limit, leaving him with no weaknesses in either sneak attacks or close-quarters combat.

*Excellent, good to know I am even more invincible.*

Zhang Chengyi didn't have much of a real feeling about it; after all, for someone who was already invincible in the world, what more could he expect? How lonely it is to be invincible.

*The body is like a container, and internal energy is the water inside. If I want to expand the container, I naturally need to make the body more accommodating or larger.*

He turned his thoughts to whimsical ways to break through the limits of martial arts. *Perhaps I should have Wu Yazi develop a method to use internal energy to nurture the body in reverse...*

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Half an hour later, Jingfu Temple, Hero Gathering.

Qiao Feng arrived in a hurry, carrying his long bag, only to find the gates shut tight. According to the original proceedings, as the Chief of the Beggar Sect, he should have been welcomed by everyone. Yet, when he arrived, not only was there no one to receive him, but the gates were closed, and even the Beggar Sect brothers who had arrived early failed to appear.

Could it really be a trap? Recalling what Zhang Chengyi had said, his heart sank. He channeled his energy and called out:

"Qiao Feng has come to pay his respects."

Soon, the temple gates swung wide. Monks holding staves stood in two rows on either side, their faces expressionless, as if welcoming him—or perhaps like the teeth of a giant beast named Jingfu Temple, ready to tear him apart and swallow him whole.

Qiao Feng steadied himself. Involved with the brothers of the Dayi Branch, he would venture into this dragon's den and tiger's lair regardless. Watching him walk into the temple with a dragon-like stride and extraordinary demeanor, even the monks who knew this "Beggar Sect Chief" was a "Khitan dog" could not help but show a trace of admiration.

Qiao Feng passed through the two rows of martial monks and saw the gathered martial arts heroes. Everyone remained silent, watching him with various expressions. The atmosphere was incredibly oppressive. He clearly recognized some of them, and for others, he could guess their identities based on their weapons and appearance.

After he walked in, the crowd naturally parted to form a path. He arrived in the center with poise, and the path behind him was blocked by the throng.

*Clang, clang, clang!* The bell rang.

Shenshan of the Qingliang Temple, the four Guardian Elders of the Beggar Sect, and the newly freed Xu Chongxiao emerged from the main hall.

Qiao Feng swept his gaze across both sides. Tan Gong and Tan Po of Mount Tai, the "Iron-Faced Judge" Shan Zheng leaning on his cane—these were people he knew. There were many others he did not recognize, yet they appeared to be highly respected figures.

Finally, he fixed his gaze on Quan Guanqing, the Branch Leader of the Dazhi Branch, who was standing to the side with the Beggar Sect disciples. He spoke, "Why are the brothers of the Dayi Branch and Branch Leader Jiang not here?"

"Chief Qiao," Xu Chongxiao replied, taking the lead. "Today, heroes have gathered here not only to denounce the evil villain Zhang Chengyi but also to disclose one more matter to the world."

Qiao Feng’s mind raced. Noticing the coldness and hostility in the eyes of his Beggar Sect brothers and the familiar heroes, he knew that this would not end well.

"Let me speak," an old monk with a square face and large ears stepped out from the crowd. "I am Zhiguang of Mount Tiantai. There is an old matter that concerns you, Chief Qiao."

The visitors were ill-intentioned. Facing the encirclement of hundreds and the suspected betrayal of his own sect brothers, Qiao Feng remained extremely calm. He stood naturally, his muscles slightly relaxed, ready to unleash his power at any moment.