Seven Tribulation Celestial Stars. Shadows of fists blurred before Zhou Yuanjue, yet he could find no trace of their trajectory.
A true master possesses a profound understanding of the human body and vast combat experience. When facing an opponent, they can predict an attack's trajectory by reading their expression, preparatory stance, and the tension in their muscles.
But the Profound Heart Fist utilized a different method of Power Release. And Gong Shouzhuo was a famously experienced master; before he threw a punch, his eyes, expression, and posture offered no clues for his opponent to read. Even Zhou Yuanjue could find no opening.
In terms of pure skill, Gong Shouzhuo was truly worthy of his title as a master of Nanjiang Fist.
The fist shadows danced before him, each punch possessing the power to shatter stone tablets.
However, at this critical moment, Zhou Yuanjue suddenly closed his eyes.
'This is...'
The seemingly suicidal act sent a ripple through Gong Shouzhuo's composure.
Darkness flooded Zhou Yuanjue's mind. Within that darkness, countless demonic shadows seemed to flicker.
He knew this was the fear and illusion instinctively produced by the human body under the threat of death.
The demonic shadows bared their fangs and brandished their claws, threatening to devour his Spirit and cause his movements and judgment to falter from panic and fear.
Amidst this trembling, instinctual fear, Zhou Yuanjue seemed to rediscover the feeling he'd had when he first stepped into the arena.
Excitement. Thrill. His blood surged.
It was the feeling of walking on a knife's edge, of dancing at the Death God's door. It was the thrill of life transcending itself in the midst of fear.
Intoxicating.
His opponent was truly a master. His movements were not only restrained and without any tells, but even his killing intent was nearly impossible to sense.
The whistling wind, the oppressive pressure, the crack of displaced air—it was all right at his ear.
At this moment, his body felt a stinging sensation. Though only the size of a pinprick, it was perfectly clear.
It was the direction of that subtle killing intent, the very point where Gong Shouzhuo's fist would land.
'I've got it.'
Zhou Yuanjue's mind was calm, but his hands moved without hesitation, coiling like a constricting python and striking like a venomous viper.
TAP! TAP!
The next instant, Zhou Yuanjue's arms had precisely entangled Gong Shouzhuo's, his fingers like venomous fangs, stabbing viciously toward his opponent's wrists.
SHUFFLE! SHUFFLE! SHUFFLE!
A pressure point in his arm had been brutally struck, leaving both limbs temporarily numb. With a dark expression, Gong Shouzhuo instantly retreated several steps, staring intently at Zhou Yuanjue, ready to counter his next attack at any moment.
However, after opening his eyes, Zhou Yuanjue simply stood his ground, making no move to press his attack. He looked at Gong Shouzhuo, whose arms hung at his sides, still twitching faintly. Zhou Yuanjue's eyes were filled with a sense of disappointment. "At the last moment, you wavered," he said. "It seems you are still far from Saint Awakening."
Seeing that Zhou Yuanjue wasn't pressing his advantage, Gong Shouzhuo's tense body relaxed. He forced feeling back into his arms, and the numbness quickly subsided.
A dead silence fell over the courtyard.
Zhou Shiyou and the other core members of the Zhou Family stood with their mouths slightly agape, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.
But the string of terrifying cracks and upturned flagstones on the solid ground served as a constant reminder of just how ferocious Gong Shouzhuo's assault had been.
'And yet, the master of Nanjiang Fist still lost?'
Disbelieving gazes fell upon Zhou Yuanjue, as if they were all seeing him for the very first time.
THUMP THUMP THUMP!
A moment later, the sound of many footsteps echoed through the courtyard. A large number of Gong Shouzhuo's disciples and subordinates streamed in from over the walls and through the main gate, all holding gleaming weapons and directing wary glares at Zhou Yuanjue.
Gong Shouzhuo waved his arm, which had partially regained feeling, signaling his disciples to back down.
He did not speak, quietly watching the young man before him as his mind replayed the scene.
'At that moment between life and death, he actually closed his eyes. He used an intuition honed through countless trials to sense the malice in my strike, using it to predict the fist's path and impact point.'
'I didn't hold back in the slightest. If he had miscalculated by even a hair, his head would have been crushed. And yet, in that exact situation, I was the one who hesitated. My resolve wavered, causing the intentionally suppressed, imperceptible malice to fluctuate and intensify, allowing him to capture it with ease.'
'It was like dancing on a tightrope. The man has absolute confidence in himself. He's a complete madman, indifferent to life and death.'
"Greed, hatred, and delusion... To be human is to be bound by the seven passions, unable to sever our worldly ties."
Gong Shouzhuo finally sighed. The moment he saw Zhou Yuanjue close his eyes, he had indeed hesitated. This was, after all, a scion of the Zhou Family. If he died by his hand, it would undoubtedly affect his partnership with them.
Too many concerns breed hesitation, and a hesitant will is not a firm one. It naturally reveals openings.
In a duel between masters, victory is often decided in a single instant. Gong Shouzhuo was mired in worldly affairs, shackled by petty concerns that made him hesitate. Zhou Yuanjue, however, had forgotten life and death, pressing forward without a care. The difference between them was clear at a glance.
"That's why most people are just that—people. Your Fist Technique is strong, but you've already hit your ceiling. In fact, you're even starting to decline with age. If you could let everything go, if you could devote yourself with absolute sincerity and focus, you might have a chance to glimpse a higher realm," Zhou Yuanjue said.
"This is the modern world. Everyone has different pursuits."
Gong Shouzhuo smiled helplessly and waved his hand. He was no longer just one person. Disciples, family, influence, legacy—how could he just let go of so many things?
"I've spoken out of turn," Zhou Yuanjue said. "This was just a friendly spar. Seeing your disciple simply sparked my interest. But since you're working with the Zhou Family, we'll leave it at that."
Zhou Yuanjue nodded, indicating he understood. Everyone in this world makes their own choices and lives by them. As long as there are no regrets, there is no right or wrong. He wouldn't force his own choices onto others.
Worldly attachments are also a choice. There is no right or wrong.
At this, Zhou Shiyou seemed to snap out of his stupor, asking tentatively, "Brother Gong... Yuan Jue... what was all that?"
"Haha, Brother Zhou, you really kept me in the dark!" Gong Shouzhuo said with a laugh. "With someone like him in the Zhou Family, why would you ever need me to deal with a few troublemakers?"
"This...? Yuan Jue, tell your Great-Grandpa the truth. What is all this?"
Zhou Shiyou turned his gaze back to Zhou Yuanjue. The clash between Zhou Yuanjue and Gong Shouzhuo had shocked him so deeply it felt like a dream.
"Great-Grandpa, it's true I've hidden some things from you. But that was because I didn't want to drag the Zhou Family into certain conflicts. Now that the Zhou Group has grown to the point where it's starting to brush up against that world, there are things you need to know. That's why I came today. As for the Zhou Group's business, I've heard of Harley Security. Partnering with Gong Shouzhuo is a foolproof plan. I will not get involved in the family's affairs. If I were to act, it would likely bring even greater trouble down the line."
"I came here this time, first, to witness the Profound Heart Fist, and second, for another, more important purpose."
"That is to sever all ties with the Zhou Family."
Zhou Yuanjue said slowly.