Chapter Twenty-Six: The Contest

“What are you staring at? Go eat something!” Flowerless Moon said.

Zhou Yu smiled, “Just what I wanted.”

Flowerless Moon shot him a glare. “I’ve burned so much energy. I just ate not long ago, and now I’m hungry again. If I keep hanging around you, I’ll turn into a glutton sooner or later.”

The two rose and headed toward the place where the Spirit Realm provided food.

It was midnight before Zhou Yu returned. From Flowerless Moon, he learned that Left Howl had been so terrified by Liu Yueming’s attack that he’d gone to live with Elder Jin.

But Zhou Yu suspected some collusion between Left Howl and Jin Buhuan. Although they seemed at odds in the council chamber that day, their behavior was strange. It was clear that Left Howl was the type to bully the weak and fear the strong, and confronting Jin Buhuan was not his style. Jin Buhuan, with his temper, should have erupted at such provocation, but he didn’t. While this could be explained by circumstances and political maneuvering, it still seemed unreasonable to Zhou Yu.

Thinking on this, Zhou Yu pushed open his door. The old man sat at the stone table, still awake, waiting for Zhou Yu’s return.

“Master, why aren’t you resting yet?” Zhou Yu asked.

The old man trimmed the lamp wick, and the room brightened. “How did it go?”

Zhou Yu smiled, raising his left hand. “It’s open.”

“That’s wonderful,” the old man said sincerely. “When will you let me help?”

“In a few days. The meridians in my right arm are too badly damaged. I need to work with Lady Du to carefully sort them out. Besides, your energy is too sharp and domineering. I’m afraid the newly repaired meridians won’t be able to withstand it,” Zhou Yu replied.

“Yes, this must be done slowly. We can’t rush it. It’s late. You shouldn’t push yourself tonight. Now that your left arm’s meridians are open, get some rest,” the old man said.

That was exactly Zhou Yu’s intention. Time was tight, but balancing work and rest was essential. One’s body was the foundation of all endeavors.

That night, Zhou Yu relaxed completely and soon fell into a deep, comfortable sleep. Only those who lack something learn to cherish it. Zhou Yu suffered severe sleep deprivation, so what was ordinary for others felt precious and rare to him.

The next morning, Zhou Yu woke up, stretched lazily, and got out of bed to find the old man had already prepared breakfast—a pot of medicinal porridge from the Spirit Realm and a heap of steamed buns. Though the Spirit Realm was the strongest place in the world, its inhabitants were still human, subject to the same needs. The only difference was that their food was always exquisite. This porridge, for example, contained eighty-one rare medicinal herbs, strengthening the body and nourishing the spirit. Long-term consumption would greatly benefit any cultivator.

After Zhou Yu slowly finished his porridge and buns, he let out a satisfied sigh and opened the window, letting the spring sunlight flood the room. The pink peach blossoms were in full bloom, their faint fragrance soothing and refreshing, and the warm sunlight bathed his body. Zhou Yu felt everything was so beautiful—this world was truly wonderful, and being alive was a blessing.

“Lady Du, let’s begin,” Zhou Yu said, sitting back in his chair, basking in the sunlight.

Rest was a luxury for Zhou Yu, necessary but something he couldn’t indulge in. Human laziness knows no bounds; if not forced to restrain it, it can quickly become uncontrollable.

Tiny currents coursed through Zhou Yu’s body. Eyes closed, he trembled as his cells rapidly divided and regenerated, absorbing and replenishing energy. In just one more day, his body would fully recover.

In fact, if not for the destroyed meridians hindering energy flow, Zhou Yu could have recovered much sooner.

As he repaired his damaged tissues, Zhou Yu mentally rehearsed and pondered the secret techniques Flowerless Moon had taught him. It didn’t matter if his meridians weren’t open; he could practice in his mind. If he waited for them to be completely restored before doing anything, he’d waste too much time.

After noon, Zhou Yu began working with Lady Du to repair the meridians in his right arm. His priority was to open the meridians in both arms, as they were the thickest. Thick meridians allowed energy to flow more rapidly, unleashing greater power in an instant.

The Medicine King had said Zhou Yu might never advance in rank, but as long as he mastered energy control and expanded his meridians to uniform thickness, he could challenge other powerful beings beyond his level.

For Zhou Yu, the energy he possessed was far from enough to level up, but once his meridians were open—and so thick—he could focus all his energy on a single point, unleashing tremendous combat power to match high-tier opponents.

As long as he could open both arms’ meridians before the duel, Zhou Yu was confident he could fight. Though he hadn’t been in the Realm of Rebirth long, his combat experience was the richest among all transmigrators—he’d fought demon tigers, slain demon wolves, faced giant bears and the celestial wolf king. That rampage against the Japanese foe was also a precious lesson.

That was the first time Zhou Yu used the Medicine King’s technique of concentrating all energy in one spot. Though it caused his uneven meridians to rupture, he proved the method worked, and the power unleashed was astonishing.

So what if he couldn’t level up? He could still annihilate his foes! Zhou Yu recalled the Japanese warrior who died beneath his finger and mused quietly.

By the evening of the second day, Zhou Yu had finally repaired all his tissues. Now he could focus entirely on opening his meridians. With his restored constitution, he could absorb and store energy more efficiently, which would help with meridian restoration as well.

On the third day, Abu Li visited. As usual, he chatted with Zhou Yu for a while and then left, knowing Zhou Yu was using special methods to recover. He never stayed long or disturbed him.

Zhou Yu increasingly felt Abu Li was truly kind and attentive.

When you devote yourself to something, time flies by. Zhou Yu’s life was monotonous—aside from eating, sleeping, and opening his meridians—but because he was so focused and invested, the days slipped by in the blink of an eye, and soon it was the eve of the duel.

The master of the Spirit Realm, Ling Youzi, had not yet returned, so Jin Buhuan continued to preside over all matters, with Flowerless Moon assisting.

Despite the current crisis posed by the demon race, the Spirit Realm still made the contest formal and grand.

Hundreds of second-generation disciples were assigned to security, and over a thousand workers revamped the Martial Hall.

That evening, the council’s deliberations finally concluded. The major sects and factions reached a preliminary agreement, and the Beast Sect pledged to join the fight against the demons.

Zhou Yu encountered Flowerless Moon at the food hall. For some reason, she didn’t speak to him, even avoided him from afar.

As usual, Zhou Yu ate a mountain of food. His prodigious appetite had made him a celebrity in the Spirit Realm, but as time passed, people grew used to it and no longer watched him with curiosity.

After eating, Zhou Yu glanced at Flowerless Moon. She had her back to him, but unwittingly raised a delicate finger. Zhou Yu noted this and walked out, thoughtful.

On his way back, Zhou Yu compared the transmigrators he knew with the candidates sent by the various sects. Suddenly, he remembered Flowerless Moon’s peculiar gesture, and his eyes lit up.