Now that Xu Xiang is dead,
the entire Outsiders' world is in chaos.
Chief Celestial Taoist,
now that Xu Xiang is dead, Mount Longhu has lost its protector.
But the Outsider Martial Arts Contest isn't over yet.
What if the villains
of Sinister Pleasure
take the opportunity to sneak inside?
Don't worry.
Although Mr. Xu has met his demise,
the company has already
dispatched a new person in charge here.
A new person in charge?
Sorry about that, everyone.
I'm late.
Say,
NDT has run out of personnel, hasn't it?
They actually dispatched you two to take over your dad's job?
Your dad fell for Sinister Pleasure's trick
even though he was a veteran.
This responsibility is too heavy.
You two can't afford to bear the responsibility.
I know my brother and I
are way inferior to our dad.
However, despite our limited strengths,
we still possess a tiny bit of righteousness.
However, the world is too vast.
We can't watch over the entire world.
However, we will never slack off
as long as it's within our abilities.
My dad worked for NDT for half of his life.
He encountered countless dangers.
Why was he able to persist for so long?
It's all because of his determination.
We're still young
and lacking in many aspects.
However, I can promise you guys this.
We won't allow any other accidents to happen
during the Outsider Martial Arts Contest.
Do you guys have any questions?
In that case, I'll leave this to you two.
ADAPTED FROM THE WEBCOMIC YI REN ZHI XIA
THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION.
ALL ACTIONS AND ABILITIES PERFORMED SHOULD NOT BE IMITATED
Chief Celestial Taoist, I've brought them here.
Chulan,
pay your respects.
When it comes to seniority,
this man is considered your grandmaster as well.
This is Tian Jinzhong.
Back then, me,
Jinzhong,
and your grandfather, Huaiyi,
were best friends on Mount Longhu.
Grandmaster Tian.
I have to kowtow to you then.
It's my first time being this close to such an embarrassing act.
I think I know what a boot-licker means now.
This must be Mr. Lu Jin.
I have to kowtow to you too.
No need. Spare the formalities. I don't deserve it.
Don't say that, Mr. Lu.
Of course, you deserve it.
The Outsider Martial Arts Contest wouldn't be this exciting
if you didn't take out Infinite Heavenly Talisman.
Zhiwei. Jinzhong.
This brat is mocking me.
He's pretty daring.
Of course.
I'm his grandmaster, after all.
Fine then.
I guess I landed you in trouble.
Now, I owe you a favor.
I'll promise you one thing.
I'll fulfill your request
as long as it's not harmful or immoral.
Thank you, Mr. Lu.
By the way,
who is this?
She's my colleague in NDT.
She's a contestant as well.
Lu Jin.
Let's get straight to business.
Alright. We interrogated Yu Huadu.
We found out that Hu Jie
was the puppet of the Four Crazies.
Sinister Pleasure manipulated
Yu Huadu's hatred for Xu Xiang
and used him
to kill Xu Xiang.
However, Yu Huadu
has no idea about what Sinister Pleasure is planning.
In your opinion,
why did Sinister Pleasure
make their appearance here?
They certainly wanted to obtain your Infinite Heavenly Talisman.
That is surely one of their targets.
I'm talking about the main target
besides that.
Don't tell me you're saying
that they're targeting me.
No matter if it's you or Infinite Heavenly Talisman,
both you and the item will act as bait.
As long as sorcerers of Sinister Pleasure take the bait,
we'll capture all of them
on Mount Longhu.
Chulan,
you've met both of your elders.
Don't worry.
The contest will resume.
You should head back and rest.
Baobao.
Chulan,
you may speak.
Grandmaster,
Lyu Ci told me that my grandpa
colluded with sorcerers of Sinister Pleasure.
Is that true?
Grandmaster, I know
that you're only willing to tell me about it
after I win the Outsider Martial Arts Contest.
But this incident is too…
Zhiwei.
Look at how desperate you're making him.
I don't know why you're hiding
that stupid incident from him.
I'm not from Celestial Taoist Mansion.
So I don't need to obey your sect rules.
I'll tell him if you don't want to.
You guys, leave the room.
Leave now.
I didn't intervene
in the incident back then.
I don't know about the details.
However, regarding the incident with your grandfather,
it was true.
Your grandfather did collude
with sorcerers of Sinister Pleasure.
It's more than just collusion.
They even became sworn brothers.
Of course, your grandfather wasn't the only member to do so.
Back then, there were members from other righteous sects
who took part in the ceremony.
Lian's grandfather was truly a bold person, huh?
Everyone.
You guys are eavesdropping on the grandmasters' conversation
in broad daylight.
Yu, Qing, shut up.
I'll give each of you one sandalwood bracelet later.
Why is there no sound now?
Guys, don't fight back!
That's my grandpa's Infinite Heavenly Talisman!
Grandpa, we are sorry!
Please let us off!
You don't need any altar
or utilize your qi, huh?
Lu,
you could cast it at will just now.
Have you mastered
Infinite Heavenly Talisman?
Jinzhong, you flatter me.
I haven't mastered it completely.
Chulan,
this is Infinite Heavenly Talisman,
a talisman created by my best friend,
Zheng Zibu from Maoshan Shangqing Sect.
Zheng Zibu,
and predecessor of Feng Zhanghao, All-Encompassing Guild's leader
and the shaman of Liangshan,
Feng Tianyang,
all of them were present at the ceremony.
A total of 36 individuals
joined the ceremony.
People refer to them as
The 36 Thieves.
THE 36 THIEVES
Although the pact they made was discreet,
people still caught hold of the news.
All righteous sects
found it tricky
when they saw their members
colluding with sorcerers.
Therefore,
they formed an alliance
and issued a kill order
on The 36 Thieves.
They mentioned nothing about their crimes
or reasons for the hunt.
They did it
in order to protect
their sects' reputation.
They hoped that all 36 of them
would vanish forever.
Back then, I was the eldest son of the Lu family.
I knew what was going on.
However, as it involved many people,
I dared not help Zheng Zibu out.
They said I had never done anything bad.
Such nonsense.
Grandmaster,
if so, how did you treat my grandfather back then?
I wasn't the only one.
This guy was involved in the incident too.
Back then, from Celestial Taoist Mansion,
only the two of us left the mountain
to pursue your grandfather.
Grandmaster Tian,
-what about you? -Idiot.
Don't overthink it.
I've let down many people in my life.
However,
I didn't let your grandfather down.
The collusion between your grandfather, Zhang Huaiyi,
and sorcerers of Sinister Pleasure
did bring our sect
plenty of trouble.
I still remember
that sect leaders from other sects
kept putting pressure on my master.
He was the Chief Celestial Taoist back then.
His name is Zhang Jingqing.
However, your founding ancestor was known
for defending his disciples.
He ordered both of us to look for Huaiyi.
As long as we could bring Huaiyi back in secret,
he could punish him according to the sect's rules.
Other sects would have no way
to interfere with the private affairs of our sect.
Back then, Zhiwei and I
split up to look for your grandfather,
Zhang Huaiyi.
However, we couldn't find him in the end.
Not only that, but I was also attacked
when I was looking for him.
Qing.
Yes, sir.
Second Grandmaster.
Lend me a hand.
Even now, I don't know who they are.
They interrogated me
about the whereabouts of Zhang Huaiyi.
I had no idea.
But they didn't believe me.
Thus,
they damaged my meridians
and chopped off my limbs.
Now,
I'm a useless cripple.
Grandmaster Tian,
so you became like this because of my grandfather.
Chulan,
I'm not telling you this
to complain about the hardships I endured.
After I was wounded,
there was no way for me
to practice martial arts.
However, this allowed me to focus solely
on practicing my static qigong.
After all these years,
my mastery of static qigong
has made tremendous leaps and bounds.
I've heard about it too.
You never slept a wink
over the last several decades.
When you're brimming with qi, you don't crave food.
When you're brimming with spirituality,
you don't crave sleep.
Now,
I'm brimming with both qi and spirituality.
I don't need sleep
to sustain myself.
Grandmaster Tian,
you do look on the bright side of things, huh?
Child,
I don't know how you've spent your life out there
all these years,
but I know
that it must've been tough.
Naturally, your grandfather knew
that his master could defend him
once he returned to the sect.
But he didn't come back.
He was afraid he might drag the sect down.
That was why he would rather run and hide
for the rest of his life.
Child,
don't blame your grandfather for this.
I don't blame him at all.
I just wish to ask him
why he kept hiding the truth from me.
He had no one to depend on back then.
There were some things that he could not tell you.
That fool,
he didn't need to resort to this.
You wouldn't need to suffer that much
if he brought you
to the sect
in the first place.
All these years,
Zhiwei and I
have never hated your grandfather,
Zhang Huaiyi.
Grandmaster.
Since you're Huaiyi's grandson,
that makes you our grandson too.
Chulan,
no matter
what the final result of this contest may be,
Celestial Taoist Mansion
will always be your home.
If
Zhiwei bullies you,
just tell me.
I'll use Legend of the Phoenix
to blast him
when he's meditating.
Did I offend you?
Why would I make things difficult for Chulan?
You guys know that I'm a sensitive soul,
yet you guys still hold such a touching reunion in front of me.
Zhiwei, Jinzhong, congratulations.
You guys got yourselves a grandson now.
What were they telling Zhang Chulan just now?
I'm talking to you!
So you're Feng Baobao
from NDT, huh?
Stop!
Ms. Bao, stop it!
-Baobao! -Ms. Bao!
Baobao!
Baobao, what's wrong with you?
I don't know, either.
Ms. Bao, it will be fine. I know how you feel.
You will have what I have too.
I'll find them back for you.
OUTSIDER MARTIAL ARTS CONTEST, TOP 16 CONTESTANTS
ZHANG CHULAN VS TANG WENLONG
Dude.
Who is Tang Wenlong, and what's his ability?
Tell me about him.
Tang Wenlong's true ability
is that once he unleashes his poisonous miasma,
his qi will turn toxic.
There's no way to get close to him.
He's bragging to everyone
that he's going to get rid of you in this match.
According to my prediction,
this is the last time we shall meet each other.
-Zhang Chulan is shameless! -Zhang Chulan is shameless!
Tang Wenlong!
It all falls on you now!
Don't let this shameless scum win by accident!
Tang Wenlong!
Dear Taoists.
I won't go down there this time.
Tang Wenlong!
You must defeat Zhang Chulan!
Don't let that shameless scum win!
Stop the hate.
Haven't you heard of this saying before?
If you hate someone too much, you'll end up becoming their fan.
Morning, Tang.
Stop trying to cotton up to me.
I'm not here
to compete today.
I'm here to make you a cripple.
Tang,
if I'm not mistaken,
this should be our first encounter.
Your grandfather, Zhang Huaiyi,
killed seven members of Tang Sect on Mount Siguniang.
Even my martial uncle, Yang Lie,
died at his hands.
You will
repay the debt on his behalf.
Tang,
it's all in the past, you know?
There's no need for you
to prevail over me and be so aggressive.
Begin the match.
Once he unleashes his poisonous miasma,
there's no way to get close to him.
Does Zhang Chulan actually possess such speed?
POISONOUS MIASMA
Tang Wenlong has unleashed
his poisonous miasma.
Zhang Chulan will be poisoned
if he attempts close-quarters combat again.
Countless lightning bolts spark all around Zhang Chulan's body.
At the same time, he struck Tang Wenlong with the bolts.
Tang Wenlong has been surrounded
-by the lightning bolts. -What is this?
LITTLE WHITE WORM
The lightning bolts are striking Tang Wenlong.
Black smoke starts to appear.
Zhang Chulan can actually control these lightning bolts remotely
without getting close to his opponent!
This is unbelievable.
Zhang Chulan has become a different person entirely.
He defeated Tang Wenlong in an instant!
Tang Wenlong lost
because he underestimated his opponent.
However, Zhang Chulan was well-prepared
before engaging his opponent.
Revenge breeds revenge, you know? It's an endless cycle.
Have you turned into his fan now?
That's impossible.
He's a shameless scum.
How could he…
I'm sincere this time.
I don't know if he's shameless or not.
But you're mistaken about something.
Even if he's shameless,
that doesn't mean he's incompetent.
It's my defeat.
Zhang Chulan versus Tang Wenlong.
The winner
is Zhang Chulan.
OUTSIDER MARTIAL ARTS CONTEST, TOP 16 CONTESTANTS
ZHANG CHULAN, PROCEEDS TO THE TOP EIGHT.
TANG WENLONG, ELIMINATED
ZHANG LINGYU, LU LINGLONG
Zhiwei. Jinzhong.
Look.
Lingyu and Linglong
are a match made in heaven.
Lu Linglong
versus Zhang Lingyu.
The winner is Zhang Lingyu!
Zhang Zhiwei! Stupid Taoist!
Don't run away!
Zhiwei!
Slow down!
I can't afford to slow down.
I can slow down,
but Lu won't slow down for me.
Then you should let me go.
You're the one he's after.
What has this got to do with me?
So, you're disregarding our ties as fellow disciples now, huh?
Fine. I'll toss you like a javelin
and send you to Lu Jin.
Lingyu is your disciple!
I can't touch him!
However, I'll put his debt
on your tab,
you stupid Taoist!
Fine.
You think Lightning Technique of Mount Longhu are strong, huh?
Fine! Stop right there!
Let's see if my Lightning Talisman can't strike you down!
Lu Jin,
we're already over 100 years old. Why are you acting like a thug?
Can you save your dignity for once?
Forget about my dignity!
Today, I will imitate your disciple!
I don't care about my dignity!
I'll fight you even at the expense of my life!
Can't you let the young guys
resolve their issues themselves?
Come! Let us raise our glasses!
I know it's a contest,
but we're friends when we're not competing.
To our friendship!
-Cheers! -Cheers! To our friendship!
Cheers!
It's just a bottle of beer.
What's with the huge reaction?
Sorry about that.
I'm used to practicing with my hidden weapons.
That was a conditional reflex.
Baobao, you should go there.
You don't need to keep us company.
Go and make friends with them.
Go ahead.
They got along with each other in such a short time.
They've put down their guard
to understand
and become friends with each other.
That's pretty nice.
Zhang Chulan,
to be honest,
I'm seeing you in a different light now.
I saw courage and strength in you.
If so, Tang,
let's talk about something.
I think that we shouldn't be affected
by the feuds of our previous generations.
We don't even understand the reason behind it.
Don't you think it's not worth it if we let it affect our relationship?
You do have a point.
If so,
let's have a real match some other day.
What do you think?
Can we stop fighting?
Fighting is bad.
We should play things like mahjong instead.
Crazy girl, don't just drink by yourself.
From an exchange of blows, friendship grows, you know?
I could tell that you were adept at martial arts
after exchanging blows with you.
Here. To you.
Let's put down our feud
and drink until we get hammered tonight.
Alright.
Let me finish this first.
CHINESE BAIJIU
Are you challenging me?
I'm from Haidong, you know?
How dare you challenge me to a drinking contest?
Give it to me. I'll have some strong liquor with you.
Do you have a glass?
Lian,
you're something else.
You're not bad at all.
Do you know? Your odds are 1-to-250 now.
If you do win the contest,
I will have to escape to the Moon because of all the bets that I took.
Isn't that better?
You can practice speaking the moon language on the Moon.
Zhang Chulan
is the focus of attention indeed.
By the way,
I heard that you fought him before.
Was he truly as unbearable as the rumors claim?
I'm always curious about something.
Have you always hated
Zhang Chulan?
I don't hate him.
You do.
And it's very obvious.
Don't tell me it's because he knows how to use
your Five Elements Yin Lightning?
Zhuge Qing, where are you going?
You guys are gossiping.
I'm uninterested in gossip.
Please excuse me.
Let's talk about Zhang Chulan.
Even if he does master Five Elements Yang Lightning with his perfect body,
he still can't affect your position on Mount Longhu.
Shixue, stop trying to provoke me with your words.
ENHANCE HEARING
I knew that.
I always knew that.
I just dislike the kid.
Back then, I committed a huge mistake
all because of one wrong thought.
Therefore, I wasn't able to inherit Five Elements Yang Lightning,
which I consider perfect.
But I can't blame anyone else for that.
I deserved it.
And now, I'm venting my anger on Zhang Chulan.
That proves that my level of cultivation isn't enough.
We've known each other for a long time.
Why don't you tell me
who drew your first blood?
So, Zhang Lingyu
has such a dark history.
I swear that I won't tell anyone.
That's impossible.
You're only asking me this so that you can spread the secret.
I won't tell anyone.
I'm begging you.
Please tell me.
Indeed. I should find a chance
to apologize to Zhang Chulan.
Zhang Chulan,
I'll teach you a Jinwei saying.
If you pronounce it wrong, you have to drink.
No problem!
Drink up!
Fire persimmon.
Live persimmons.
-You're wrong! -Drink up!
Bottoms up!
Lian!
Wait.
Lian,
what does your seal look like?
What does it look like?
Zhang Chulan,
show us your seal.
My seal?
Why do you want to see that?
You misunderstood me.
I'm not interested in you.
That seal is an Outsiders' technique that will soon be lost.
We just wish
to observe it closely.
You wish to observe it closely?
Do you believe that I'll poke your face with it?
I'm going to throw a fit!
Gold Brilliance Spell!
Calm down!
Don't be angry.
That's not what we meant.
However, such an Outsiders' technique has been lost for a long time.
And there's no record of it in the ancient manuals.
That's right.
We just don't want to miss out on the opportunity
to observe it closely.
Just for a little while.
We're buddies, right?
I'll show it to you guys.
Let's go!
Shixue! We did it! Hurry!
Zhang Chulan,
you're a man who is going to achieve great things.
You shouldn't mind such minor details.
Zhang Chulan,
now, no one else has the right
to bear the seal except for you.
That's right.
You have to expand our horizons today.
Show us something new.
Do you guys wish to see it that much?
We do!
If so,
I'll show it to you guys!
I saw it!
I saw faint qi symbols
flowing on it.
But it's a little…
It's too blurry!
It's simple if you don't want it to be blurry.
I just need to utilize the true qi in my body.
Gold brilliance,
cover my body.
See the invisible,
hear the unhearable.
Here you go!
Indeed.
That seal
is made with unique symbols.
This is so wonderful!
It's totally different
from the superfluous design they make nowadays.
All these symbols show hints of Classicism.
They're uniquely modest! And they're filled with mysterious beauty!
This isn't Classicism!
This is…
This is Bohemianism!
What do you think?
I'm a cool dude, right?
I will make you guys speechless!
Friendship forever!
What was I thinking?
Did I actually want to apologize to a person like him?
Master was wrong.
He shouldn't have allowed such an idiot
to join our sect.
Every generation has its heroes.
These young ones
will take on our responsibility.
I didn't come here
to compete today.
I'm Zhang Lingyu from Mount Longhu.
I'm looking forward to your ultimate techniques.
I'm looking forward to our match too.
I came to Mount Longhu
to find like-minded friends.
I wish to prove
that infinite possibilities exist within me.
I'll show you guys my family's secret technique.
We, the Deng Brothers, will definitely surprise you guys.
Witness our strength!
-Making friends is my priority here. -I will surprise the Outsiders' world!
I'm here to spar with other martial artists.
We will win Infinite Heavenly Talisman!
I want everyone to remember my name!
Chief Celestial Taoist.
What are you doing here?
What's wrong with your eyes?
It's so lively over there.
Lu Jin just had to punch me in the eyes.
Aren't you joining them?
I don't even have enough sleep during the daytime,
let alone during nighttime.
How about one sip?
It's pretty nice.
Come, let me help you.
Wang Ye.
You came to me at such a late hour.
What are you up to?
I'm not up to anything.
I'm here to resolve your issue for you.
Resolve my issue for me?
I came here to tell you
that you don't need to fret about Zhang Chulan for now.
At least he won't be eliminated
before he faces me.
I know
you care about Zhang Chulan very much.
However, as Chief Celestial Taoist of Celestial Taoist Mansion,
you're thinking about interfering with your junior's affairs, am I right?
Chief Celestial Taoist,
please don't do it.
Forget about doing it.
Don't even think about it.
Once you do it,
not only will Celestial Taoist Mansion's reputation be ruined,
but your destiny will also be altered.
What?
You…
You shouldn't be
so curious about me.
It's bad for you.
You're right.
And I don't want to cause trouble for myself.
But Wang Ye,
judging from your tone,
it seems like you joined this contest because of Zhang Chulan.
That's right.
However, my intention
is the opposite of yours.
I'm here
to stop him from being the champion.
I'm here to stop him from inheriting Tianshidu.
You have your own reasons
for wanting Zhang Chulan to be the champion.
And I have my own reasons
for stopping him.
If you want to eliminate him,
you have to eliminate Zhuge Qing first.
Even if it's Zhang Lingyu we're talking about,
I dare not guarantee
that he'll win against Zhuge Qing.
Are you confident that you can win against him?
About that,
I guess so.
Why don't I
give you a test?
Well.
Alright.
Pardon me for the rudeness, then.
Chaos Golden Space Rip!
He's strong.
I only used Chaos Golden Space Rip once against that old man
and I almost collapsed from exhaustion.
Is this the power of a Celestial Taoist?
This is pretty interesting.
I was actually detached
from the world momentarily.
You manipulate time
to force your opponent to follow your rhythm.
I was wrong about you.
I assume
Yunlong wasn't your only teacher.
Wang Ye,
you can pursue whatever you intend to do.
Whether or not Zhang Chulan can proceed,
that doesn't depend on you
or me.
It depends on no one but himself.
Chief Celestial Taoist,
pardon me for my rudeness.
I shall take my leave.