Chapter 137: Chapter 98: The Secret of Force Integration
Afterward, Li Hong left with a displeased expression, taking the disciples of Fierce Wind Martial Arts Hall with him.
Meanwhile, the disciples of White Cloud Martial Arts Hall all gathered around Jiang Che.
They chattered over one another, offering congratulations, compliments, or asking for guidance on their cultivation difficulties.
The previous distance and coldness were gone.
They understood.
After today, all of Lin Yuan City would know of a man with an Innate Iron Body.
Someone who, just after breaking through to the Iron Skin Realm, could fight a Half-Step Force Integration Expert to a draw!
Every major power would be extending an olive branch, scrambling to recruit him!
Even the Five Great Noble Families would treat him with respect!
The Jiang Che of the future was destined to become an influential figure in Lin Yuan City!
At the back of the crowd, Gong Yulei and Lin Xue’er were silent.
Too much had happened this day, completely overturning all their previous perceptions.
Toward Jiang Che, neither of them felt any contempt, jealousy, or resentment anymore.
In its place, there was only confusion and bewilderment.
And fear.
After all.
When someone is just a little stronger than you, you refuse to accept it. You feel jealous and think they just got lucky.
But when you discover they are far, far, far stronger than you...
...all those emotions vanish in an instant.
"Senior Brother Gong..."
"Hm?"
"Should... should we go over there too?"
"...Alright."
...
The news of Jiang Che fighting Cao Tieliu to a draw quickly spread throughout Lin Yuan City.
The various major powers all began to inquire about Jiang Che.
Soon, all his previous deeds were dug up.
Everyone was surprised to discover that not only was Jiang Che powerful in his own right, but he even had a mysterious Black Armored Martial Artist behind him.
This instantly shrouded Jiang Che’s identity in an aura of mystery.
Of course, some scoffed at this, believing it was all a self-aggrandizing trick.
Some even publicly declared their intention to challenge Jiang Che, to test if he was truly invincible below the Force Integration Realm.
However, in the eyes of the Force Integration Artists, Jiang Che was merely another promising newcomer.
They had seen others who were even more impressive than Jiang Che.
But few among them could actually break through to the Force Integration Realm.
And to them, a Martial Artist who couldn’t reach Force Integration was not much stronger than an ordinary person.
Therefore, they only mentioned Jiang Che in passing, treating him as a minor curiosity before paying him no more mind.
...
...
...
One day, Jiang Che was just about to enter the Martial Arts Hall.
When he saw a cluster of luxurious carriages parked at the entrance to the courtyard.
Upon seeing Jiang Che arrive, a group of well-dressed individuals who looked like stewards swarmed toward him.
"Master Jiang, I am from the Inner City’s Ye Family. We humbly request the honor of your presence at our estate for a talk."
"Master Jiang, Master Jiang! I’m from Li’s Weapon Shop."
"Master Jiang, my master is from Jishi Hall Pharmacy..."
"Master Jiang..."
Jiang Che was taken aback. ’I didn’t expect to be in such high demand.’
Moreover, it felt strange to Jiang Che, seeing these people who were, on average, in their fifties or sixties, calling him "Master".
Right now, he had no intention of affiliating himself with any other powers.
Lin Yuan City was currently facing both internal and external threats, and he didn’t want to get entangled with too many factions.
He was even planning to cut ties with some of the powers he was already associated with, keeping only a few core affiliations.
After politely refusing all of them, Jiang Che finally managed to enter the Martial Arts Hall.
Although they had been rejected, these people felt a slight sense of relief seeing that Jiang Che hadn’t chosen any of the other factions either.
Arriving at the Apprentice Hall, Jiang Che found all the apprentices looking at him with expressions of worship.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang!"
They all bowed in unison.
Jiang Che felt a little uncomfortable. He nodded, then headed to the Disciple Courtyard.
Behind him, the apprentices began to chat excitedly.
"That’s Senior Brother Jiang! His aura is so strong, I didn’t even dare to look at him!"
"Yeah, I wanted to ask him for some pointers, but my mind went blank the moment I saw him, and I couldn’t get a word out!"
"I heard Senior Brother Jiang was in the Apprentice Hall for almost a year before he could even sense his Qi Blood! If that’s true, then there’s still hope for me!"
"Tch, you think everyone can be a Senior Brother Jiang?"
...
When he reached the Disciple Courtyard, Jiang Che suddenly noticed a few unfamiliar faces.
Seeing Jiang Che approach, they immediately surrounded him.
"Junior Brother Jiang... Ah no, Senior Brother Jiang, I’m Zhang Lei. I joined the Martial Arts Hall two years before you..."
"Senior Brother Jiang, I’m..."
It turned out these were all former official disciples of the Martial Arts Hall.
They had all left after exhausting their potential, with no hope of further breakthroughs.
But now, hearing that White Cloud Martial Arts Hall had produced such a top-tier genius, they had all come back to curry favor.
Jiang Che shook his head inwardly. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he went to his master’s residence.
Luo Kun was drinking tea. Seeing Jiang Che arrive, he smiled.
"You’re here. Still not used to it?"
Jiang Che gave a wry smile. "I didn’t expect them to be so enthusiastic."
Luo Kun said, "Did you think just anyone can break through to the Iron Skin Realm? Even if you had lost to that Cao Tieliu, plenty of people would have come knocking today, let alone after you fought him to a draw! The Iron Skin Realm... don’t be fooled just because it’s only one realm higher than the Stone Skin Realm. The difference is like heaven and earth!"
Jiang Che nodded. "I see."
Luo Kun pondered for a moment before saying, "However, you’re in the spotlight too much right now. I’m afraid some people might get jealous. You should still be careful in your daily life."
Jiang Che said, "This disciple understands."
Luo Kun continued, "Right, now that you’ve reached the Iron Skin Realm, it’s time for me, as your master, to tell you about matters concerning Force Integration."
Jiang Che’s spirits lifted.
’I was just worrying about how to learn more about Force Integration!’ He immediately pricked up his ears and listened intently.
"In the three Qi Blood Realms, even up to the Iron Skin Realm, you’re just hitting people with your own physical strength. But with Force Integration, the power you unleash contains not only your own strength, but also a layer of Qi Force!"
