Everyone was alarmed! They would have never thought that Zen Fu could execute a technique that would bring great oppression to every living being in the whole Center Part of the Demon King Forest!
Even Shu Feng was intrigued. His fight was interrupted with that imposing roar a while ago. He used his Flawless Eye to see the structure of the technique that could create a great disturbance to the surroundings.
But what he saw made him frown. The Technique is full of loopholes and flaws! It is not in a complete form, it means that it would be several times stronger if it was completed! This incomplete technique would cause a great burden to the user and Shu Feng was fully aware of that since his Third Eye was also activated and some Energies inside the old man's body started to run in turmoil!
When I said that the technique is incomplete, it means that Zen Fu could not perform the complete version of the technique. The old man is aware of the full stance of the technique but it is beyond his capability to perform it and he was only able to execute a portion of it!
...
Zen Fu grabbed the air with his left hand and forcefully punched his right hand forward to clash with the slash. Veins could be seen in his right hand and even some are popping up from his forehead.
It was visible that the technique brings great burden to his body.
"Azure Dragon Fist First Stance, Dragon Punch!!" He shouted with his full might. The energy that is in his hand manifested and created a long and roaring Azure Dragon that flew towards the slash with a domineering and majestic might! Even the illusionary image behind him started to roar again with a greater force like a king ordering it's subordinates to launch a full scale assault!
Zen Fu is not aware of the faint figure behind him since the last time that he performed this technique was too long ago when Long Zao was still alive and was always beside him to point out every mistake and flaw in his execution.
Back then, he is only barely fifteen years old when he started to learn this technique. He didn't know how important or powerful it is in the start and just blindly performing it without knowing it's origins. Even until now that he is over a hundred years old, Long Zao didn't yet give him any information regarding the Azure Dragon Fist and would occasionally avoid the question.
He keep on thinking the advice that Long Zao told him when he first practice the technique.
'Always be strong in heart and mind. Don't falter even in the face of death. Only the one with great way could become a Dragon.'
This is the only thing that leave a great mark into his heart and mind. But when the day that Long Zao died, his heart couldn't take it and he keep on failing to even perform a tiny bit of the technique's power.
It was until Long Zao magically appeared beside him and gave him some advice. It made him jump in fright but something inside him breath a relief to hear the same and familiar voice he is missing in a few years.
Yes you're right, Long Zao didn't appear for almost three years after he died and just stayed in the scale to take a rest snd watch Zen Fu everyday. He didn't plan on revealing himself so that he could preserve his strength before he could find the person he was searching for.
But everytime he saw the brat cry and sulk in the corner of the underground cave without eating the fruits and herbs that grows everywhere made him worried deeply.
Even when Zen Fu was asleep, he would keep on mumbling his name and tears would constantly come out from from his eyes.
Unbeknownst to Zen Fu, it was night time that Long Zao would come out from his scale to embrace him like a doting father. At least this action would surely bring comfort to the brat.
And after three years of enduring, he finally decided to come out from his shelter! And this action of his made Zen Fu shock and madly happy at the same time. And only after a long explanation did he able to calm the brat down.
Although he said that he is already dead and only a sliver of soul was left in order to carry his mission on. Back then when he extracted a piece of his soul and gave it to Zen Fu, the brat didn't know that it would become Long Zao. He is not that knowledgeable about this things in the first place after all.
Even if someone says that this is the sliver of their soul, it would not enter his mind that they could still come out from that tiny light. As fat as he knows, when someone died their soul would go to the afterlife and forever be gone.
But Zen Fu didn't care not listen to his explanation a little bit! The fact that Long Zao was there beside him and talking normally is already more than enough for him.
And just like that, their long and normal life continues until today. But with Long Zao coming ouy from his shelter often brings great risk in his existence.
.....
'BOOOOOM!!!!!'
Back at the battlefield, the collision between the Dragon and the slash created a massive explosion that rings all around the Center Part of Demon King Forest without holding anything back!
'I always strive to strengthen my heart and mind everyday. I know that a time would come that you would disappear into this world.
And I always prepared myself for that day but deep inside me knows that I couldn't bear to part with you.' Zen Fu thought while forcing himself to punch the slash out of his way! He is shouting madly but everything inside him was calm and only has one thought at the moment.
Kei, Zise and the others that heard the roar appeared at the foot of the Sky Mountain and manage to witness the fight that was beyond their understanding and comprehension.
"This... What in the world happened here to have someone at the Soul Projection Realm fight in this Part of Demon King Forest!" Luo Yong shouted unconsciously which also startled everyone. Even his subordinates were looking in fear and total submission to the people who are fighting right now.
They are just a puny Nascent Soul Realm and in front of those at the Soul Projection Cultivators, they are like an existential beneath an ant.
They didn't dare to get too close in fear that they would be caught on their fight and would die out of nowhere!
Long Zao didn't appear beside them and was closer to the battle. He watch Zen Fu closely as he could see the faint image of a Azure Dragon coming into being behind his back. He revealed a smile but worried at the same time.
The scene of the fight were too beautiful. A blue and black light was clashing like how you would picture the forces of light and dark going in a all out war.
It was magnificent but deadly at the same time.
Zen Fu was struggling with all his might! Although the First Stance was powerful, it is only limited to a strength of someone at the Nineth Stage Soul Projection Realm!
And the Slash that he was fighting on is something that has the strength of someone that was a half step to the Emperor Realm!
It was unthinkable for a mere Sixth Stage Soul Projection Realm to execute a powerful slash that could kill anyone that is below Emperor Realm! But looking at the fact that the axe that the Silent Devil was using is not a normal weapon but an artifact!
It is a artifact! And something like that would surely enhance the user's power to their limit of it was used fully! Zen Fu was lucky that the his opponent was only at the Sixth Stage or else the power of the slash would surely became much more destructive than the one he is facing right now!
This is also the reason why the Silent Devil is the strongest member of the Blood Skull Society just right after the Lord himself. It was because of the Artifact that he possessed!
Zen Fu puked a mouthful of blood! He couldn't hold on for much longer anymore and the Energy inside his body was already destroying him! If this went on, he would surely die before he could even fend off the attack!
'I need more strength.' He thought while gritting his teeth. It was then that he remembered the thing that Long Zao always told him.
Your strength will always be your weakness. And that weakness will serve as your strength.
Those words ring inside his head and it seemed like his world seemed to come to a stop and everything turned into white.
In that endless white space, Zen Fu was floating with a blank expression. He ia confuse about where he is right now. For what he knows, he is just in a battle a while ago and yet, he was suddenly here out of nowhere!
"I never would have thought that instead of my own race, a human would appear here and awaken me from my deep slumber." A voice suddenly resounded throughtout the whole space which startled Zen Fu and made him look around in confusion and wariness.
"Well, this Divine Being is someone who always keeps his word. So let me ask you something kiddo, Do you wish for more power?"
The voice was deep and carries authority that would make anyone bow in respect and fear. It is the same power that he felt when he first met Long Zao back then. But something about it is much more terrifying and divine at the same time!
He couldn't describe this feelings but he understood it inside him.
After thinking for a while, he just replied with a nod without talking that much.
"Before giving it, let me ask you another question....
Who is your weakness?" The voice was deep yet it was something that would make anyone enlighten with just listening to those words.
Zen Fu was started by the question. He suddenly fell into a deep silence and ponders about what would his answer be to the question.
It was this time that he suddenly recalled all the moments that he spends together with Long Zao. He always treasured those times and didn't want it to disappear into nothingness.
He is afraid of losing someone he considered as his most important. But what could he do? Time was pressing and the most fearful day would surely come.
He just needed to set his mind and make his heart ready for that incoming day.
But could he really endure it and face the reality?
No, he can't. He always pictured himself without Long Zao by his side but it was too painful.
"Nevermind, I already know your answer." The voice said which brings Zen Fu back from his dazed state.
"As for the power you are looking for....
It is always inside you.
You are afraid of someone dying and that is your weakness. But do you ever consider that person as your strength?" It was the last thing that he heard before the voice totally disappeared into the space.
He flinch about the last question that was thrown to him. And it was just this time that he realized something.
'That's right! Long Zao is my strength! He is the sole reason that I am who am I right now. He will always be my power that would drive me to become stronger!'
...
In the outside, Zen Fu seemed to be asleep as his eyes were close. But what everyone didn't know is that he came to a sudden realization!
It is not a mere realization but a whole different concept!
Everything inside that white space is too long but in the outside world, even a split second didn't yet passed.
Long Zao is staring at Zen Fu with a complicated expression wondering what he is up to that he even dared to close his eyes in that critical moment.
But it was only a few moments that he realized what was going on.
"This..." He cannot help but take a few steps back and looked in disbelief!