Chapter 64: I Really Didn't Corrupt Zhou Chen (Please Vote)

"The second realm of the Yi Archery, Arrow Intent..."

Qing Yuyao's cold and profound beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. She had not expected Zhou Chen to achieve mastery of sword intent and comprehend arrow intent so quickly, even succeeding in practicing 'Chasing the Moon', one of the three ultimate techniques of the Yi Archery.

Originally, she held a very poor impression of Zhou Chen.

It was in a young man's nature to visit brothels and dally with women; she could understand that. Although she was a woman, she was not a rigid moralist.

However, with the grand disciple-succession ceremony about to be held, Zhou Chen had still spent nearly half a month lingering in the Celestial Immortality Tower—that was simply going too far.

Indulgence dulls one's aspirations.

Moreover, while martial artists possessed formidable vital energy and powerful physical bodies, playing with women without restraint day after day severely impaired both their physical condition and their cultivation.

The saying that lust is a sharp knife scraping the bone was by no means false.

"Such a fine sapling, all ruined by Li Changfeng's teaching!"

Qing Yuyao felt even more annoyed in her heart. In her view, if Zhou Chen could comprehend arrow intent and master 'Chasing the Moon' so quickly despite spending all day playing with women, his innate talent and comprehension were even higher than she had previously imagined.

His future achievements might well surpass Li Changfeng's, making him a major pillar of the Azure Cloud Sect.

"I must remind him later and not let him learn bad habits from Li Changfeng!"

Thinking of this, Qing Yuyao couldn't help but glare at Li Changfeng next to her, who currently wore an excited and proud expression on his face.

"Uh..."

Feeling the sect master's gaze like a sharp blade, Li Changfeng gave a start. What was wrong with Qing Yuyao?

He hadn't done anything recently!

Jealousy!

She was definitely jealous that I took on a disciple with such great talent!

At this thought, Li Changfeng instantly felt his spine stiffen. Meeting Qing Yuyao's gaze without the slightest bit of fear, he said smugly:

"Sect Master, do you think my unfilial disciple's performance is passable?"

Hearing Li Changfeng's boastful words, the other peak masters turned to look over.

Seeing the smug look on Li Changfeng's face, Qing Yuyao said calmly:

"His archery talent is good, much better than yours!"

The corners of Li Changfeng's mouth turned upward. This was what they called the student surpassing the master, and his heart swelled even more with pride.

"However, good though his talent is, he has picked up your bad habits!"

Qing Yuyao added.

"Uh..."

The smile on Li Changfeng's face froze. Feeling the teasing gazes all around him, he felt utterly wronged.

"What do you mean by picking up my bad habits?"

"I honestly didn't lead Zhou Chen astray!"

The first time he met Zhou Chen was in a brothel, and Zhou Chen had even treated him to a meal.

He certainly hadn't taught Zhou Chen to frequent brothels!

Nor had he taught Zhou Chen how to take on ten at once!

He was truly more wronged than Dou E!

However, his reputation for being romantic was well-known, especially since he had once had his leg broken by the sect master because of it, becoming a standing joke. Even if he jumped into the Yellow River, he wouldn't be able to wash himself clean.

"Hiss!"

Hong Xifan, who had just been knocked off the arena by Zhou Chen's single arrow, widened his eyes in profound shock:

"Was this his true strength?"

When Zhou Chen had sparred with him earlier, he probably hadn't even unleashed ten percent of his power.

Otherwise, he would definitely have been killed instantly by a single arrow, just like Bai Shikang.

"A true successor of Azure Cloud, truly terrifying!"

The look Hong Xifan gave Zhou Chen was filled with awe. He knew that the gap between them would only grow larger in the future—so vast that he would never even be able to see his back.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Qiaobeming, leader of the Salt Gang, clapped his hands vigorously with a brilliant smile, exclaiming:

"True Successor Zhou's archery truly opens one's eyes. To witness this is to have lived not in vain!"

"Bai Shikang was arrogant and conceited, actually daring to act arbitrarily and overestimate himself by challenging True Successor Zhou. He truly deserved to die! No, being able to die under True Successor Zhou's peerless archery can be considered not living in vain!"

"Precisely! Precisely! I reckon Bai Shikang must have been possessed by some malevolent entity, otherwise how could he have had the audacity to provoke True Successor Zhou!"

The other accompanying elders and patrons of the Salt Gang chimed in one after another, their old faces full of fawning expressions, smiling like blooming chrysanthemums.

Clearly, they were all trying their utmost to ingratiate themselves with Zhou Chen, signaling that Bai Shikang was not cut from the same cloth as them and that they had no wish to make an enemy of Zhou Chen.

"Gang Leader Qiao flatters me."

Zhou Chen wore a look of mild regret, sighing: "Brother Bai possessed formidable strength, and I had no choice but to use this move which I have yet to fully master. It is merely a pity for Brother Bai!"

"True Successor Zhou need not blame himself. This was entirely Bai Shikang's own overestimation and bringing about his own demise. Moreover, didn't Bai Shikang himself say that martial artists fear neither life nor death? Since he could die under this arrow, he must have died without regrets, smiling in the netherworld!"

Qiaobeming said with a completely sincere expression.

"This old bastard is talking nonsense with his eyes wide open, how utterly shameless!"

The experts from the surrounding factions looked on with disdain, cursing inwardly.

Most of them were well aware of the unsavory history between Zhou Chen and the Salt Gang.

Firstly, Bai Guinong was, after all, the number two figure of the Salt Gang and an expert at the ninth stage of Body Refining; his death had a considerable impact.

Secondly, now that Zhou Chen had become a true successor of the Azure Cloud Sect, countless factions were curious about his background, which happened to be quite easy to investigate.

Once his background was uncovered, anyone who wasn't an idiot could guess at the history between Zhou Chen and the Salt Gang.

"Congratulations to True Successor Zhou on your promotion. Your Yi Archery has truly opened our eyes; this trip has been well worth it!"

Everyone offered their congratulations one after another.

As for the martial arts contest, with Bai Shikang shot dead by a single arrow, no one else dared to step into the arena.

By the time the grand disciple-succession ceremony concluded, the sun was already setting, casting a glow like flowing blood.

Zhou Chen took Qin Hongyu, whose face was flushed with excitement and joy, and returned to the Dust-Red Mansion on Divine Arrow Peak.

Dust-Red Mansion was the name Zhou Chen had given to his own residence.

It carried a twofold meaning.

One layer signified cultivating immortality amidst the mortal dust of the world, possessing boundless magical power.

The other layer was formed by combining one character from each of his and Qin Hongyu's given names.

"Brother Chen, you were simply magnificent today!"

Qin Hongyu's eyes were filled with adoration, her words accompanied by a radiant smile.

"Naturally."

Zhou Chen reached out to pinch her tender white cheek, gazing into her beautiful eyes as he teased:

"When am I not magnificent on any given night?"

"Hateful!"

Qin Hongyu's face blushed crimson, and she gave Zhou Chen's chest a playful punch with her small fist. However...

He really *was* quite magnificent!

"Hateful? I think you love it very much!"

Zhou Chen smiled mischievously. Before Qin Hongyu's little fists could pummel him again, he scooped her up in his arms and strode into the bedroom.

Although today's grand ceremony only featured two bouts, both of which ended in instant kills, socializing with endless streams of well-wishers had been thoroughly exhausting.

He needed a proper relaxation.

The night was like water, and the bright moon hung high.

The night slipped quietly away.

Zhou Chen looked at Qin Hongyu, who had accommodated his relentless conquest and fallen into a deep slumber in his arms, then quietly slipped out of bed to get dressed.

The divine weapon awarded to him at yesterday's grand ceremony required him to personally retrieve it from the Divine Weapon Pavilion.

Without delay, Zhou Chen hurried to the Divine Weapon Pavilion and produced his true successor disciple token.

"True Successor Zhou, the fourth-tier divine weapons are on the fourth floor. Follow me."

The elder guarding the Divine Weapon Pavilion inspected the token and opened the door, saying:

"Many thanks, Elder."

Zhou Chen followed the elder straight to the fourth floor. There were quite a few divine weapons here, all of them of the fourth tier.

Sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, forks...

Every imaginable type of weapon was present.

"For long-range weapons, I have the Setting Sun Bow, so bows and arrows are excluded first. As for close-combat weapons, Bai Guinong's third-tier General-Slicing Saber is sufficient for my needs..."

Zhou Chen thought for a moment, concluding that preserving his life remained the top priority.

An open spear is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against. If he possessed a fourth-tier divine inner armor, his safety coefficient would soar by a significant margin.

"Elder, I would like to choose a piece of divine inner armor!"

Zhou Chen cupped his fists and said respectfully.

"Divine inner armor? That is indeed a fine choice."

The elder stroked his beard and nodded:

"Since you already have the Setting Sun Bow, choosing inner armor is the optimal choice. Moreover, inner armor is scarcer and more precious than other weapons; once you leave the Divine Weapon Pavilion, getting your hands on a fourth-tier divine inner armor won't be easy!"

With that, the elder led Zhou Chen to the other side.

Several pieces of inner armor were displayed here.

Zhou Chen's gaze swept over them, and he secretly activated the Qi-Observing Technique, which he had upgraded shortly beforehand by consuming ten thousand wind-and-moon points. He saw wisps of halos emanating from them, resembling shifting mist.