Under One Person: The Sea Emperor Who Shattered Heaven and Earth

Lu Jin stood there blankly in the distance. He suddenly felt that the slap he received was truly worthwhile.

This battle ended in the desolation of the Lu family's back mountain.

Yet, in this peaceful world of supernatural beings, as the news of those who withdrew spread, a name called "Jiang Zhen," along with his achievements of "Shaking the River Dragon" and "Slaying the Celestial Master's Disciple," will sweep across the country like a hurricane.

Chapter 20 Oh no, I've become rootless.

When Jiang Zhen opened his eyes again, what he saw was no longer the devastated pit in the back mountain, nor the blinding white lightning, but an antique sandalwood bed frame and a semi-transparent blue gauze curtain.

An extremely strong medicinal fragrance lingered around his nose—a bittersweet aroma that, when he took a deep breath, brought a rare sense of coolness to his lungs, which were aching as if pricked by needles.

"You're awake? Don't move yet. Thirty-two bones in your body are broken, and your internal organs and meridians have also developed many minor cracks due to overload. You woke up overnight, all thanks to the Celestial Master and the Left Sect Master's tireless efforts in infusing you with Qi."

A calm and pleasant female voice came from beside the bed.

Jiang Zhen turned his head with difficulty and saw a woman wearing a light blue long robe with delicate herbal patterns embroidered on the cuffs sitting to the side, grinding some kind of powder that emitted a faint purple light in her hand.

She looked to be in her early twenties, with long, flowing black hair that fell smoothly over her shoulders. Her skin was slightly pale, and she wore a multi-layered necklace of colorful beads around her neck. Her clothes were loose and simple, and her overall demeanor was calm and reserved. Her face was delicate and pale, with exquisite features, exuding a tranquil aura as if she had spent many years surrounded by herbs.

"You are..." Jiang Zhen's voice was hoarse, as if he had just swallowed a handful of sand.

"Tengshan, Linzhu." The woman didn't even look up, continuing her work. "You were both badly injured. Old Master Lu asked my master to treat you, so I stayed."

As he spoke, he curiously looked at Jiang Zhen. Before his master left, he said he should befriend him. His sparring match with Zhang Zhiwei was truly amazing. Most importantly, he had innate special abilities. You should know that their Tengshan sect is known for its core abilities in medicine making, medicine refining, and medicinal baths. Moreover, they can also stimulate their disciples' special abilities through special medicinal bath rituals.

Her senior sister, Fang Ying, was hailed by their master as a once-in-a-century genius pharmacist. Although Lin Zhu admitted that her talent was inferior to her senior sister's, she had to work harder to make up for it. Now, she was extremely interested in Jiang Zhen's ability to awaken such a powerful superpower.

With that thought in mind, the medicine in his hand was ready.

Then, with Lin Zhu's help, Jiang Zhen struggled to drink a bowl of bitter and spicy medicine. It felt like a warm current rushed into his limbs and bones, and his numb body began to regain some sensation.

Jiang Zhen got a general understanding of the current situation from Lin Zhu.

After that battle, the Lu family's birthday banquet naturally ended. The leaders of various sects and factions, along with their terrified juniors, returned to their respective homes. However, because he and Zhang Zhiwei were seriously injured, they were both currently recuperating in the best guest room in the Lu family's inner courtyard.

Fifth Master Feng, Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing, and Sect Leader Zuo Ruotong were still there. Fifth Master Feng was worried about the life of his third leader, while the two big shots seemed to have seen something extraordinary in this battle and were discussing it together.

"Thank you very much, Miss Lin."

"How is Master Zhang doing now?" Jiang Zhen asked.

Lin Zu stopped what he was doing and gave a headache-ridden look: "Him? His condition is much worse. He's still not awake, but he's wrapped up like a silkworm in the next room."

After checking on Jiang Zhen's recovery, Lin Zhu gave him a few instructions and left. Jiang Zhen breathed a sigh of relief, but for some reason, he felt a little scared by the way Lin Zhu looked at him.

Not long after Lin Zhu left, Fifth Master Feng and Zuo Ruotong pushed open the door and entered.

"Xiao Zhen! You're finally awake! I can finally relax." As soon as Master Feng entered the room, he shouted loudly. Although his eyes were full of heartache, he couldn't hide his pride.

Zuo Ruotong was still wearing that spotless white robe, exuding an air of otherworldly grace, but the look in her eyes as she gazed at Jiang Zhen held an unprecedented solemnity and depth.

Master Feng was a seasoned veteran. Seeing Zuo Ruotong follow him in and stare at Jiang Zhen as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, he understood and patted Jiang Zhen on the shoulder: "Alright, it's good that you're awake. I'll go get you some hot porridge. You two chat first."

After Master Feng left the room and closed the door, the atmosphere inside instantly became quiet.

Zuo Ruotong walked to the bedside and stood there. After looking at Jiang Zhen for a while, without any formalities or small talk, her first words stunned Jiang Zhen into silence.

"Young friend Jiang, would you be willing... to be my 'Daoist partner'?"

"Pfft—cough cough cough!"

Jiang Zhen coughed violently, aggravating the broken bones in his chest and causing him to grimace in pain. He stared wide-eyed, completely bewildered, at the top figure in the world of supernatural beings before him.

Zuo Ruotong calmly looked at Jiang Zhen and continued to explain, "In yesterday's battle, your shock not only shattered the air, but also tore apart my 'Reverse Life'. Since I started cultivating, I have never seen any kind of power that can so directly destroy the structure of Qi."

Zuo Ruotong stretched out her right hand, where the sense of aging from that moment when she had turned back into a mortal still lingered, and continued to explain.

"The philosophy of our Sanyi Sect is that when a person is born, the innate Qi manifests in the four limbs and the whole body as a natural order. Following the natural order is the way of heaven, but death is inevitable. Therefore, we seek to pursue a glimmer of hope by reversing our own nature and returning to the state of innate Qi. As the saying goes, 'Following the natural order can avoid calamities, while going against the natural order can lead to the attainment of primordial power.'"

"My Sanyi Sect's Reverse Life Triples: First, Dragon Tiger Strength; Second, Unyielding Life; Third, Immortal on Earth."

"But I am dull-witted and not up to the task. I have been at the second level for several years. Reconstructing the three dantian is not difficult, but I still see no hope of reaching the third level. Many years ago I dared to say that I had mastered the sect's mental cultivation method, but it is a fact that I am now stuck at the second level."

"However, this is all due to my incompetence. I cannot see where the road ahead leads, but the road ahead definitely exists. The most important things in cultivation are Dharma companions, materials, and land."

"I have already mastered the Reverse Life Technique, and the resources that the Three Ones Sect has cultivated over the generations are not a problem. However, there is one person I have not seen before. It is not because I am arrogant. With my current cultivation level, I might be able to find someone who can defeat me even by a move or two."

"But I couldn't think of anyone in the world who could repeatedly tear me apart from my life, until I saw him yesterday."

As she said this, Zuo Ruotong's gaze became intense.

“Repeatedly tearing apart my rebellious life.”

"Just like a broken bone that is rejoined becomes stronger! Muscles that are torn become stronger after recovery! This kind of regeneration formed later in life, under repeated external forces that break it down and reconstruct it itself, will become more and more complete. And this completeness is no longer the result of acquired skill improvement, but a natural perfection."

"Repeatedly tearing apart my rebellious life until it transforms into the innate wholeness!"

Jiang Zhen snapped out of his daze, and cold sweat trickled down his back.

Oh no, have I become a rootless being?!

"Even that Celestial Master won't do?" Jiang Zhen asked, voicing the question that had been troubling him the most while reading the San Yi Men chapter.

But Zuo Ruotong shook her head and said, "It's not that the Celestial Master's cultivation is inferior to mine. My Celestial Master has naturally sparred with me, but that's different. Defeating me and repeatedly tearing me apart are two different things."

"But your abilities are different!"

Jiang Zhen fell silent. He didn't arrogantly declare right away that the Third Heaven couldn't reach the Heavenly Realm. Such statements depend on the context. Wu Gensheng only said that after Zuo Ruotong arrived at the Third Heaven, and even after Zuo Ruotong had noticed something was wrong.

Now, Zuo Ruotong keeps thinking about Sanchong. He believes in Zuo Ruotong's character and says that Zuo Ruotong will listen and think about it. However, there are only two possible outcomes: either she will still want to see the scenery of Sanchong, or she will lose her enthusiasm and stop trying to head the ball.

The first one is alright, but if it's the second one, what if the whole martial arts world starts spreading rumors that the leader of the San Yi Sect passed away not long after his secret meeting with Jiang Zhen? Then he would truly become a rootless person.

"Master Zuo...you flatter me." Jiang Zhen explained with a wry smile, "My current abilities are purely self-taught; I haven't even fully grasped them myself. That day, I relied on a burst of energy; now I can't even lift my arm. Let alone repeatedly tear apart your Reverse Life Technique...I..."

Zuo Ruotong waved her hand and said.

“I understand that you are still young. This is just a personal request of mine, and you don’t need to give an answer now. Once you have recovered, if you have the time, you must come to visit my Sanyi Sect.”

Zuo Ruotong did not linger. After telling him these things that made his heart race, she told him to rest well.

The next few days were the most bittersweet days of Jiang Zhen's life.

Lin Zhu would prepare a special medicinal bath for him every day. The bathwater was an eerie dark green, and when you soaked in it, it felt like a million ants were gnawing at your bones. But the effects were immediate. Under the catalysis of the medicine and combined with his body's self-repairing ability, his broken bones healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

By the fifth day, Jiang Zhen was able to walk with difficulty.

Curious, he leaned against the wall and slowly made his way to Zhang Zhiwei's room next door.

As soon as Jiang Zhen pushed open the door, he was stunned by the scene before him.

The once tall, imposing, and spirited Zhang Zhiwei was now lying on the bed in a starfish position. His entire body, from head to toe, was tightly bound in white bandages, even his neck was immobilized. From a distance, he looked exactly like a newly unearthed mummy.

The only part of his body that was exposed was his pair of squinty eyes, which were either open or closed, it was hard to tell.

"……puff."

Jiang Zhen couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at... Brother Jiang, that's not very kind of you." Zhang Zhiwei's voice came from the gap in the bandages, sounding muffled. "I've been cooped up like this for the past few days. You can still get out of bed and walk around, but I can only lie here."

Jiang Zhen plopped down on the edge of the bed, looking at the "Peerless Master" of later generations reduced to such a state, and felt a strange sense of relief.

"Master Zhang, when you use your thunder magic to summon heavenly lightning, it is truly incredibly powerful!"

Hearing Jiang Zhen's words, Zhang Zhiwei felt frustrated. His master hadn't let him go since he woke up, constantly interrogating him about how far he had come to understand. Only when Zhang Jingqing learned that he hadn't fully grasped the concepts and that she, as his master, still had something to teach him, did she finally let him go.

"So, how about it? Do my skills meet Master Zhang's standards?" Jiang Zhen asked with a hint of smugness.

Zhang Zhiwei actually nodded seriously, "Having lived this long, this is the first time I've realized how big the world really is. Brother Jiang, how about we have a chance to compete again sometime?"

Jiang Zhen looked at those eyes, which still gleamed with fighting spirit even when entangled, and grinned:

"Okay, let's have another match next time."

Chapter 21 The Injured and Disabled Team

In the early morning at the Lu family compound, before the dew had even had a chance to roll off the bamboo leaves, a series of rhythmic yet somewhat discordant footsteps echoed from the backyard.

More than a week has passed since that earth-shattering duel that shook the world of supernatural beings. The day after his earth-shattering conversation about "Daoist partners," Sect Leader Zuo Ruotong departed. Before leaving, he didn't privately instruct Jiang Zhen, but simply nodded towards Jiang Zhen's room from afar. The expectation in his eyes still sends chills down Jiang Zhen's spine.

A few days later, he said, "Xiao Zhen, I have to go back to Shanghai first."

Master Feng sat casually on the edge of Jiang Zhen's bed, a large twisted dough stick from the Lu family that he had somehow acquired, crunching loudly as he chewed it. "The affairs of the Grand Canal Gang, although Bai Fu is keeping an eye on them, I can't leave for too long. Just stay at the Lu family's place and rest peacefully; they won't mistreat you."

On the other hand, Zhang Jingqing's farewell seemed more like that of a Celestial Master.

He stood at the door of the next room, watching Zhang Zhiwei, who was wrapped in a white cocoon and was trying to pupa up on the bed, and the veins on his temples throbbed.

"You insolent fool, I'm going back to the mountain first." Zhang Jingqing stood with his hands behind his back, his voice as calm as water. "As for the second half of the Thunder Technique, I'll consider whether to teach you it or not when you can walk back to Longhu Mountain on your own. In the meantime, if I hear that you've done anything unpleasant in the Lu family, you'll be in trouble."

“Master…you really are my dear master…” Zhang Zhiwei’s voice was terribly hoarse, but it still carried that irritating tone. “Take care, I’d like to discuss things with Brother Jiang some more.”

Zhang Jingqing, the Celestial Master, and Feng Wuye also took their leave one after another. After all, one was the leader of Longhu Mountain, and the other was the head of the Shanghai Canal Gang. With the time they spent here and the time they would spend going back, the mundane matters piling up at home must have already become a mountain.

"These two rascals are tough; they won't die. Miss Lin, I'll leave the rest to you."

Thus, the once bustling Lu family now consists of only four young people who haven't left yet, or rather, who can't leave for the time being.

Since Jiang Zhen and Zhang Zhiwei are both the type who are "severely injured but have a tenacious will to live," Lin Zhu, the Tengshan pharmacist and their current attending physician, said directly: "They can't just lie down all the time. They need to see the sunlight so that their blood and energy can circulate faster."

On the winding paths of the Lu Family Garden and on the mountain behind it, a strange combination appears punctually every day.

As the landlord and the only one with all his limbs intact, Lu Jin was excitedly carrying the front half of the stretcher. Although Jiang Zhen's bones weren't fully healed, he helped carry the back half of the stretcher thanks to his exceptional physique.

Lying on the stretcher was none other than Zhang Zhiwei, the number one mummy of the Celestial Master's Mansion, who was still unable to move.

“To the left, Junior Brother Lu, move a little to the left. The peonies over there are in full bloom, and I want to admire them.” Zhang Zhiwei’s annoying voice leaked out from the gap in the bandages. “Hey, hey, don’t shake it. If you shake it, I feel like my wound is going to burst open.”

"Hey Junior Brother Lu, your steps are unsteady, making this humble Taoist a little dizzy." Zhang Zhiwei lay on the stretcher, his mouth chattering like a machine gun, "Look at Brother Jiang, he's still recovering from serious injuries, yet his steps are heavier than yours."

Lu Jin suddenly turned around and grinned, "Alright, Senior Brother Zhang, you can lie down comfortably now."

Looking at this smiling Zhang Zhiwei, he couldn't help but shiver. He suddenly remembered yesterday, on the mountain, there was clearly a small stream that could be crossed with a jump, but Lu Jinfei said that Jiang Zhen was still seriously injured and could not make any big movements. Lin Zhu also nodded, so they used his stretcher and Jiang Zhen together as a bridge.

Jiang Zhen was fine with it, but Lu Jin was shameless and insisted on checking the quality before letting Jiang Zhen leave, otherwise what if it collapsed? He walked over Zhang Zhiwei, who was lying down, several times, and each time Zhang Zhiwei felt that Lu Jin's feet wanted to step on his face.

Is he planning something bad again?

"Oh, right, Senior Brother Zhang, I forgot to tell you, before the Celestial Master left, he told me that he cares about you a lot, so he asked me to write to him later to tell him about your situation at the Lu family."

"What!" If he weren't too injured to move, Zhang Zhiwei probably would have sat up.

"Um... Senior Brother Lu, I've been quietly recuperating at your residence the whole time. As your older brother, you can't just say things like that," Zhang Zhiwei said with a fawning smile.