Chapter 267 – Lord of Heaven Wu Chao, The Curtain Falls on the Old Era

“The exact details of my breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm, huh?”

Xu Weiguo’s eyes showed a faint reminiscence.

“I remember, that night, I was at ‘Red Romance KTV.’ I got into a conflict with someone over a hostess.

I was young and hot-headed then. In the heat of the moment, I accidentally killed the person. It turned out that the other guy had quite an extraordinary background. As soon as I stepped out the door, I was surrounded by dozens of guns, facing an almost certain death.”

Lu Yuan hesitated slightly, holding his teacup upon hearing this.

He recalled that Xu Weiguo had reached the Grandmaster Realm in his sixties.

In his sixties, still hot-headed… In his sixties, still fighting over a hostess…

It seemed Xu Weiguo, or rather Grandmaster Xu, had quite a long adolescence.

“In that kind of situation, I had nothing to rely on except my martial arts. The line between life and death carries great fear but also great opportunities. I barely survived, and after that, I naturally broke through to the Grandmaster Realm.”

Lu Yuan listened quietly, with the light from the ceiling’s incandescent lamp reflecting on the tea in his cup, subtly flickering.

“Nothing to rely on but martial arts. Nothing to rely on but martial arts.”

Lu Yuan seemed to catch on to something and began to grasp a slight understanding.

“Grandmaster Xu, have you heard about the breakthrough processes of other grandmasters?”

Lu Yuan continued to ask.

Xu Weiguo thought for a moment and said, “Yes, I have an old friend who, due to the unique nature of his martial arts, never had children. He was always deeply troubled by this for the better part of his life.

Then he finally had a woman who bore him a son. He was overjoyed and broke through to the Grandmaster Realm that very night.”

“What happened next?”

Lu Yuan found the story interesting and couldn’t help but ask another question.

Unexpectedly, Xu Weiguo sighed deeply with a look of lament on his face, and said, “He later discovered that the son wasn’t his. The woman had the child with someone else outside.

Having just entered the Grandmaster Realm with his foundations still unstable, he was so enraged and shocked that he suffered from Qi deviation, vomited blood, and died.”

“Uh…”

Lu Yuan was stunned for a moment, not knowing what to say.

He could only silently comment, “That’s a really sad story.”

“Indeed. Afterwards, I flayed the adulterous couple alive and had them kneel to death before his grave.”

As Xu Weiguo spoke, he downed the tea in his hand as if he were drinking alcohol.

Seeing how this final Q&A session was veering towards a narrative for kindred spirits, Lu Yuan quickly cleared his throat and said,

“It seems that the method of breakthrough to Grandmaster varies from person to person; there is no fixed shortcut.”

Lu Yuan was trying to steer the conversation back with a casual remark.

Unexpectedly, Xu Weiguo responded, “Well, it’s not entirely without shortcuts.”

“Oh?!”

Lu Yuan was quite surprised.

He began to realize the benefits of conversing with a Grandmaster like Xu Weiguo.

Apart from their strength, their rich life experiences were a treasure for others.

“On the Ascend the Heavenly Ladder of Penglai, hundreds of different Grandmaster wills are engraved. The ancient martial arts legacy of Xia State’s martial arts world has been passed down for so long that almost every Grandmaster has left their own imprint on the ladder.

These Grandmaster Imprints last for centuries without fading and are very effective in tempering a martial artist’s will. During my short eleven years in Penglai, I saw no fewer than three individuals achieve the Grandmaster Realm by relying on the Ascend the Heavenly Ladder.”

Xu Weiguo explained.

Lu Yuan’s expression slightly changed. He had heard You Long mention the Ascend the Heavenly Ladder before.

He hadn’t expected it to have such a history and such an effect.

“If I get the chance, I must make a trip to Penglai.”

Lu Yuan nodded, seemingly casually.

He poured tea for Xu Weiguo and then asked casually, “Grandmaster Xu, why did you leave Penglai? Is it convenient to talk about? If not, it’s okay.”

Xu Weiguo smiled and shook his head, “There’s nothing inconvenient about it.

The reason is actually quite simple, three words-“

Xu Weiguo said blandly, “No future.”

“Hmm?!”

Lu Yuan blinked, “How so?”

Xu Weiguo sighed lightly, “There are too many Grandmasters in Penglai. The Five Elders control all the resources. For a low-level Grandmaster like me, forget about meat, I can’t even get a sip of soup.”

“The Five Elders?”

Lu Yuan caught this term from Xu Weiguo’s words but didn’t ask about it. Instead, he was puzzled and said, “To be honest, I don’t understand why Penglai, being so high and mighty, still places so much value on worldly wealth.”

“I’m not sure,” Xu Weiguo shook his head. “Actually, it’s not just about money. The main issue is longevity resources.”

“Longevity resources?!”

Lu Yuan’s expression shifted. This was the first time he had heard this term.

Seeing Lu Yuan’s reaction, Xu Weiguo looked at him with a somewhat envious eye and said, “Lord Lu, you are young, extraordinarily talented, with your life as radiant and dazzling as the morning sun around seven or eight o’clock. You still have a vast and excellent time ahead to squander.

But for people like us, it’s different. Even if one becomes a Grandmaster and takes care of themselves, they might only live a few decades longer than ordinary people.

Penglai truly attracts many Grandmasters to join because they have a continuous supply of longevity resources. And these longevity resources mostly come from the secret realm.”

“I see.”

Lu Yuan suddenly understood.

Xu Weiguo’s words also solved another of his previous confusions-why Yellow Bear was so keen on exploring secret realms.

If it’s connected to the “quest for immortality,” then everything makes sense.

Xu Weiguo’s reasons for leaving Penglai were indeed simple.

In Penglai, with low strength and low status, he couldn’t get anything.

It was better to join Yellow Bear directly and earn some tangible merit, at least having something to look forward to.

A very wise choice.

“What exactly are these longevity resources, Grandmaster Xu? Have you seen them?”

Lu Yuan inquired.

Xu Weiguo seemed a bit embarrassed by this question and shook his head apologetically.

So, Lu Yuan smiled and moved on from the topic, saying, “Grandmaster Xu, why don’t you tell me more about Penglai? That’s something I’m very interested in.”

Xu Weiguo asked, “What would you like to know about Penglai, Lord Lu?”

“People,” Lu Yuan casually put down his teacup, seemingly indifferent as he said, “for instance, the Five Elders you just mentioned.”

Xu Weiguo gave Lu Yuan a peculiar, meaningful look before beginning to speak, “The Five Elders are the most venerable Great Grandmasters within the Penglai Pavilion.”

“Great Grandmasters?!”

Lu Yuan was taken aback. “Are there different levels of Grandmasters?”

“It’s just a colloquial term.”

Xu Weiguo explained, “Within Penglai, those whose strength is several times greater than that of ordinary Grandmasters are respectfully referred to as Great Grandmasters. There isn’t a clear-cut division of strength, and Great Grandmasters also vary in power. The Five Elders are all at this level.”

Xu Weiguo even detailed all the information he knew about the Five Elders of Penglai for Lu Yuan.

He mentioned each of their names, the sects they came from, and the martial arts they specialized in.

Although most of it was hearsay, it greatly broadened Lu Yuan’s horizons.

“It’s said that the Five Elders excel in a combined attack technique. When they join forces, there’s almost no one on earth who can match them. But I haven’t seen it myself, so I can’t vouch for its authenticity.”

“Then it seems the Five Elders are the strongest individuals in all of Penglai.”

Lu Yuan commented.

According to Xu Weiguo, the Five Elders’ strength averaged several times that of ordinary Grandmasters, making them perhaps SS+ level.

If their combined attack technique was as formidable as rumored, they might collectively reach level SSS in combat power.

Given his current abilities, taking them down wouldn’t be too difficult.

If their combined strength reaches SSS, the key is to not give them the chance to merge their powers.

As Lu Yuan was mulling this over, he heard Xu Weiguo say, “Actually, the strongest person in Penglai Pavilion isn’t one of the Five Elders but rather the Lord of Heaven.”

“The Lord of Heaven?!”

Lu Yuan was slightly startled. “What a grand title.”

“It certainly is.”

Xu Weiguo nodded solemnly and said, “But he deserves it.”

“Oh? How so?”

Lu Yuan’s eyes narrowed, a faint glimmer flashing in them.

Xu Weiguo replied, “The Lord of Heaven, Wu Chao, is a legendary figure in the ancient martial arts world, from several generations before mine.

He hails from Pingzhou-uh, that’s Wangchuan Pingzhou City now. He started practicing martial arts as a child and reportedly reached the martial artist master level at the age of thirteen.”

“Thirteen?”

Lu Yuan frowned, interrupting Xu Weiguo. “Come on, at thirteen, the body hasn’t even started developing yet. How could he have reached Mastery and become a martial artist master?”

Xu Weiguo glanced at him silently, while Lu Yuan shrugged, picked up his teacup, and gestured for Xu Weiguo to continue.

Xu Weiguo cleared his throat and continued, “Later, Wu Chao traveled north, challenging approximately over five hundred sects.”

Lu Yuan suppressed his desire to make a sarcastic comment, nodding for Xu Weiguo to continue.

“Well, you didn’t live through that era, so it’s hard to comprehend. Actually, that number isn’t exaggerated.

Three generations ago, the Xia State was deeply immersed in martial arts culture. Martial arts gyms were everywhere; it was a time of rapid development, the most glorious and flourishing period for ancient martial arts. The last martial saint emerged from that era.

I’ve digressed. Let’s get back to the Lord of Heaven, Wu Chao.

Wu Chao had extraordinary talent. Even in that era, he was unparalleled. At eighteen, he killed a Grandmaster in front of a large audience, becoming the youngest Grandmaster-level figure in the history of the martial arts world-known as the Teen Grandmaster!”

“Teen Grandmaster.”

Lu Yuan was slightly moved upon hearing that term.

Then, he calculated how much time he had until he turned eighteen.

Still quite a while.

He exhaled a sigh of relief.

There was still a chance to break that record.

Why compete with others?

It’s just a man’s desire to win.

“Continue.”

Lu Yuan waved his hand, regaining his composed and calm demeanor.

“After becoming a Grandmaster, Wu Chao entered Martial Saint Island and went into seclusion under the guidance of the last martial saint for ten years.

Ten years later, the martial saint passed away.

Wu Chao emerged from seclusion and set up a hundred-day arena, proclaiming to challenge all ancient martial artists in the nation, causing a national sensation.

During those hundred days, nearly eighty Grandmasters came, not to mention countless martial artists of other skill levels.

During that period, Wu Chao barely slept, only consuming simple meals of rice and water.”

“And the outcome?”

Lu Yuan, now quite interested, couldn’t help but ask.

“The outcome…”

Xu Weiguo’s eyes reflected a sense of yearning.

“In over a thousand matches, he only lost three. After that, he never lost again.”

“That impressive?”

Lu Yuan noted with a hint of amazement, then became puzzled, “So what’s the connection to the title ‘Lord of Heaven’?”

Xu Weiguo looked at him and said, “After the hundred-day arena, Wu Chao created the ‘Heavenly Palace Style’ of martial arts, proclaimed himself the Lord of Heaven, and officially took charge of Penglai.

Many, many people tried to challenge him afterwards. But all they did was make his title of Lord of Heaven and the reputation of the ‘Heavenly Palace Style’ even more famous. Eventually, he rarely made any moves.”

“Heavenly Palace Style of martial arts.”

Lu Yuan softly repeated the words, a hint of fascination appearing on his face.

Xu Weiguo’s recount of Wu Chao’s legendary life seemed to unveil a splendid and glorious era before his eyes, showcasing countless dazzling talents like shooting stars.

But that era is long gone.

Even more regrettable is that he wouldn’t have the chance to compete against those legendary figures.

Or, perhaps, not entirely impossible.

“So according to Grandmaster Xu, the Lord of Heaven, Wu Chao, is still alive? That would make him over two hundred years old?”

“Yes.”

“Then his strength must have declined considerably?”

“Certainly, he’s no longer at his peak, but still far stronger than an average Grandmaster.”

Xu Weiguo sighed, “I heard while I was in Penglai that the year before I joined, the Lord of Heaven made a move. With a single strike, he killed a Great Grandmaster.

Just imagine how strong he must have been at his peak. It’s unimaginable…”

“A single strike to kill a Great Grandmaster.”

Lu Yuan’s eyes flickered as he calculated in his mind.

That means the Lord of Heaven, Wu Chao, probably hasn’t reached level SSS, but he’s very close to it.

And then there are the Five Elders of Penglai.

No wonder Penglai is such a tough nut to crack, even Fei Xiong level individuals have stumbled there.

However, the tougher it is, the more interested he is in making a trip to Penglai.

Lu Yuan looked at his own hands, feeling an inexplicable, burning excitement surging within him.

“In the end, someone needs to come and shatter these antiques, and finally close the curtain on the old era.”