In time, the very life of the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou would also rest entirely within Jun Moxie’s grasp.
Jun Moxie, if he wished to kill him, could probably manage it after only a few more years of secluded cultivation!
For the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou, in the entire mortal realm, only Jun Moxie posed the single greatest threat.
All others were beneath consideration!
Even regarding a monstrous anomaly like the War Maniac—the Fourteenth Young Master possessed the confidence to stand against him, match him blow for blow, and neither yield nor gain an advantage. If the War Maniac hadn't merged with the Illusory Nine Sands, a life-and-death duel between them would have been a coin flip, a fifty-fifty chance!
Only Jun Moxie was the exception; Young Master Jun’s ascent rate, akin to a rocket launch, caused the powerful figures of the world to tremble in awe!
At such a stunning speed of improvement, surpassing the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou would certainly not be difficult, nor would it consume too much time.
In fact, the Fourteenth Young Master could already roughly calculate precisely how many days remained before Jun Moxie would overtake him!
Faced with such a colossal threat, and not being someone with the magnanimity to endure a viper nesting nearby, how could he possibly not wish to eliminate the danger as early as possible?
Yet, the two spoke simultaneously, laying bare the deepest, most hidden thoughts in their hearts—the thoughts they most urgently desired to enact—and simultaneously, the most despicable and shameless thoughts—all revealed with frank honesty!
The moment of silent confrontation just now, as their eyes met, was the decisive struggle within both men’s minds against their most base, selfish selves: To act, or not to act! Fortunately, in this battle against their basest selves, both emerged as victors!
The very moment they spoke those truths, both felt an overwhelming wave of extreme relaxation welling up from the bottom of their hearts!
The instant Jun Moxie voiced his innermost feelings, he felt a massive door, previously sealed within his soul, suddenly burst open. His entire body felt light beyond measure, as if ready to leap into flight; his mind was exceptionally clear, and even his inner perspective and spiritual realm expanded dramatically! In that moment, Jun Moxie suddenly grasped a genuine, heartfelt enlightenment: Perhaps another breakthrough was imminent! Before the battle, during the fray, or perhaps after it concluded.
The Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou felt a similar sensation. He clearly sensed that the Nine Nether Seal locking his mind had loosened considerably. Compared to before, his state of mind had taken a monumental leap forward!
The seal, once as sturdy as a bronze wall, now felt like a thin, flimsy barrier, no thicker than a sheet of white paper. All he needed was to quiet his heart, meditate upon it, and he could break through in one swift move!
Because they had both conquered themselves, conquered their inner demons!
The powerhouses of history could crush nearly everyone else, but the one entity they were utterly incapable of defeating was themselves!
The moment one conquers the self, that is the moment one achieves instant Buddhahood!
Because the self is the greatest enemy, and simultaneously the most formidable and difficult opponent to overcome!
In this world, there is no enemy more difficult to manage than this one!
This barrier, once crossed, meant that for both Jun Moxie and the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou, there would be no further obstacles in their subsequent cultivation!
“So this is how one achieves a breakthrough!?” The two spoke the exact same sentence almost simultaneously. Then their eyes met again, and they exchanged a knowing smile.
This smile was beautiful! The same thought arose in both their minds.
Immediately after, Jun Moxie’s eyes widened, because, at that moment, the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou did something unprecedented: he withdrew the layer of Nine Nether Mist that always shrouded his face, revealing his true features.
He was tall and slender, with hair as black as ink, a lean face, eyes narrow and thin, and lips thin, slightly downturned, lending him an air of cruel, isolated aloofness: but what held the most attention were the eyes of the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou.
Those eyes were practically a profound and colorful universe unto themselves!
Although they were both black pupils, they involuntarily drew the gazer deep within them.
It was as if another universe resided there—vast and boundless. This face also gave a strange impression; one would believe he was twenty, but accepting thirty was also plausible. Yet, if someone claimed he were sixty, few would be overly surprised. Even a person who had never cultivated, upon seeing that face, would instinctively believe: for someone like this, living ten thousand years would hardly seem strange.
“You boy are truly remarkable, because you have caused me, for the first and only time in my life, to taste the flavor of the word, ‘trust,’” the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou chuckled coldly. “It turns out this flavor can actually feel quite pleasant: and I even used this opportunity to pass through a stage of heart-demon tempering!”
Jun Moxie laughed: “Actually, you’re quite handsome, why do you always hide yourself?”
“Since antiquity, beauty has been cursed with ill fate, and the women of the world are the most sentimental,” the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou said earnestly. “Precisely because I am good-looking is why I must conceal it.” He sounded somewhat desolate. “I have long ago dedicated this entire life to the Martial Path; how could I possibly have the time to waste on matters of romance and affection?”
Jun Moxie was suddenly stunned; he wanted to laugh but couldn't force it out. If he didn't laugh, the pressure of holding it in became unbearable.
This was not vanity; what the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou said was undoubtedly the truth, a fact Jun Moxie was confident enough to perceive.
Given the Fourteenth Young Master’s profound cultivation, vast knowledge, coupled with his rather outstanding appearance, if he traveled the continent, winning the affection of any woman in the world would not be a difficult matter! Not to mention that he possessed the publicly acknowledged title of being peerless in martial arts!
Surely, few women in the world could resist such an outstanding man!
Even knowing that the Fourteenth Young Master was the so-called ‘demon,’ many women would still flock to him.
This thought brought to mind how, in his previous life, some naive young girls would associate with petty thugs and ruffians; the worship of strength, for the reason of admiring power, was a universal constant, regardless of era or world.
Being able to do what others dared not—that was strength in the eyes of the vast majority of mortals.
This was not surprising!
It seemed the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou had experienced this sort of thing...
Because the Fourteenth Young Master spoke the truth, because Jun Moxie himself understood it clearly, even sympathized with it, he felt strangely uncomfortable. Because even though it was fact, that specific reason was utterly, unbelievably strong!
“Do you intend to never find a wife in this lifetime?” Jun Moxie unsuspectingly extended his hand.
The Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou subtly grasped the hand Jun Moxie offered, and just as subtly, began to slowly channel his Nine Nether True Qi, without defense or reservation, into Jun Moxie’s meridians, which had cast aside all defenses. The entire process was so harmonious and natural, as if the two had collaborated countless times; everything flowed perfectly, effortlessly.
Two supreme powerhouses simultaneously placed their very lives in the hands of the person opposite them!
This was undeniably unprecedented! The most precious act of trust in this world!
Regarding Jun Moxie’s question, the Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou smiled wryly: “Our Nine Nether Clan has a lifespan far exceeding that of ordinary humans on this continent. If we are inclined to find a wife, we seek a lifelong companion; before our cultivation reaches the level capable of altering fate for others, if we genuinely become emotionally invested, it is tantamount to truly harming both ourselves and the other party!”
Jun Moxie listened quietly to the Fourteenth Young Master’s explanation while slowly guiding the incoming Nine Nether True Qi into the third layer of the Hongjun Tower, allowing it to interact with the Chaos Fire, mentally conveying the message he wished to express. He spoke: “That’s not right, I know the First Young Master of Jiuyou had over a hundred wives, how do you explain that?”
The Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou snorted: “Is that hard to understand? Who is the First Young Master? Even if he took ten thousand wives, he could grant each of them Heaven-Defying Fate Reversal, rendering them immortal and indestructible! Didn’t I just say it? As long as one’s own achievement reaches the level of Heaven-Defying Fate Reversal, the limit no longer applies!”
“It still doesn't make sense. This goes against the principle of a lifelong companion you mentioned; shouldn’t a lifelong companion imply a single, exclusive partner?” Jun Moxie scoffed in reply.
The Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou raised an eyebrow, surprised: “What kind of logic is that?! Who told you a lifelong companion can only be a single person? As long as you have the capability, even if you married every woman in the world, it would still be as you wish! One is a companion; does that mean a hundred are not companions? Your logic is the real nonsense!”
Jun Moxie was momentarily speechless.
Marry every woman in the world? And he says it as if it’s the most natural thing?
And he claims my logic is the nonsensical fallacy?! Who is actually spouting nonsense here?
This is just too powerful!
“It seems you are the truly open-minded one! I truly, deeply admire you!” After being tongue-tied for a long moment, Jun Moxie finally praised him sincerely, completely convinced: “Setting everything else aside, just based on your level of stamina alone, that merits my worship, prostrating myself five times.”
“That’s just because your perspective is too narrow, what does that have to do with the strength of one’s waist?” The Fourteenth Young Master of Jiuyou glared at him three times, dismissively. “It’s all passive enjoyment, no exertion required…”
Jun Moxie instantly felt tears coming; utterly defeated, he beat a hasty retreat!
This old master is too terrifying!
Considering his own situation—laboring hard, tirelessly plowing, yet not receiving praise for it... Inside the Hongjun Tower, the Chaos Fire unexpectedly flickered. It tentatively touched the ethereal, dark Nine Nether True Qi Jun Moxie guided in, and the flames coiled around it, as if carefully assessing it. Then the flame flashed once, before returning to its original position, still rising and falling slowly, burning steadily. “Done?” Jun Moxie asked with his divine sense.
Isn’t that too lazy? Can it be done or not, just give me a quick answer…
The Chaos Fire remained unmoved, still burning slowly and steadily, completely ignoring the query of a certain simpleton. Haven’t I stopped them from being incinerated? Doesn’t that mean it worked? Does this even need asking?
How much of an idiot can one be!
In my entire brilliant life, why did I end up saddled with such a brain-dead master?
“Damn it! Just give me some reaction!” Jun Moxie burst out in exasperation. “Is it that hard to give a straight answer on whether it works or not?”
Pfft, even the Hongjun Tower couldn’t stand it anymore and immediately expelled Jun Moxie’s divine sense.
Truly, I have never witnessed idiocy this profound...