Seeing this, Guo Xiancheng hurriedly called out to stop her. "Girl, do not act recklessly!"

He knew that Guo Fu was fully committed to executing the Empty Splitting Palm and feared that Chen Zheng would be unable to withstand its force.

Upon hearing the call, Guo Fu's consciousness gradually cleared like dissipating morning mist. She withdrew most of her strength, which receded like the tide.

Then, Chen Zheng raised his hand as if caressing the air and slowly pressed down.

This palm strike, seemingly light and airy, triggered a storm in the air.

"What!"

Guo Fu's pupils instantly contracted. She hurriedly withdrew her power, her hands forming a shield in front of her as her body bent in mid-air like a bow.

BOOM!

At that moment, Chen Zheng's power erupted like a volcano.

The next moment, Guo Fu's body shot out like an arrow, her speed astonishing.

Guo Xiancheng's pupils contracted instantly. His movements as fierce as a tiger descending a mountain, he appeared behind Guo Fu in a flash.

His palm passed over her back as gently as a spring breeze over a lake, the terrifying force dissipating beneath his touch. Only then did Guo Fu land softly like a feather.

"How is this possible?" Guo Fu looked at Chen Zheng in amazement, her eyes wide with shock.

That force was too powerful, far beyond her realm's ability to resist.

"The Grandmaster Stage! Who would have thought that at such a young age, you would have broken through to the Grandmaster Stage!" Guo Xiancheng's voice, like the light of dawn, broke through Guo Fu's astonishment and brought her back to reality, only to deliver an even greater shock.

"Grandmaster?" Guo Fu whispered, her face filled with shock.

In this world, Grandmaster was a lofty title. Whether it was a National Art Practitioner who broke through after reaching the stage of Dark Energy or an Ancient Martial Cultivator who broke through after Qi Condensation, they could both earn this esteemed title.

Yet, even among Grandmasters, the strength of an Ancient Martial Cultivator far surpassed that of a National Art Practitioner.

Guo Xiancheng was such a Grandmaster. Although he was only in the early stage, his power could compare to, or even surpass, that of a mid-stage National Art Practitioner Grandmaster.

"I already told you that you are not my match," Chen Zheng said, ignoring Guo Xiancheng and speaking directly to Guo Fu.

Guo Fu bit her lip and said nothing. She felt humiliated. Not only had she lost to Chen Zheng in calligraphy, but now she had also been defeated in ancient martial arts, her greatest strength. This deeply wounded her pride.

"Girl, you should apologize to Grandmaster Chen," Guo Xiancheng suddenly said.

If Chen Zheng had not demonstrated his cultivation level, Guo Xiancheng might have simply treated him as a junior. But now that Chen Zheng's strength had been revealed, Guo Xiancheng had to treat him with greater respect.

How could the might of a Grandmaster be easily slighted?

Though he too was a Grandmaster, he was in his twilight years, whereas Chen Zheng was in the prime of his youth with a boundless future. In comparison, his own status as a Grandmaster paled significantly.

Although unwilling, Guo Fu knew the gravity of disrespecting a Grandmaster and bowed in apology. "I'm sorry!"

Chen Zheng waved his hand lightly. While displeased with her behavior, the lesson he had just taught her was punishment enough. Now that Guo Fu's attitude was sincere, he decided not to dwell on it.

He turned to leave, but as he did, he said to her, "There is something wrong with your body. You should pay close attention to it."

Guo Fu was startled, looking at Chen Zheng in puzzlement.

Guo Xiancheng, however, asked in surprise, "Grandmaster Chen, you're skilled in medicine as well?"

"A little," Chen Zheng replied, then added, "You should stop practicing your Cultivation Technique."

"Why?" Guo Fu's question was like a breeze brushing across a lake, stirring ripples.

"Your True Qi is like a violent storm, far too fierce for you. Although its power is immense, your body cannot withstand the impact. If you continue to cultivate this way, I fear your life will wither by the age of thirty," Chen Zheng stated, his voice as calm and profound as a mountain spring.

This was no idle boast; as a Grandmaster-level physician, he possessed absolute confidence in his judgment.

"Thirty?"

Guo Fu felt as if she had been struck by a heavy hammer, leaving her completely bewildered. She was twenty-five, nearly twenty-six. Did that mean she only had four years left to live?

It was simply unbelievable!

Just as she was about to argue, Guo Xiancheng spoke up.

"Is what you said true?" Guo Xiancheng's voice trembled with an unmistakable mix of panic and reverence.

"What reason would I have to lie to you?" Chen Zheng shook his head helplessly.

"Grandfather… is what he said really true?" Guo Fu's eyes widened in disbelief. A wave of inexplicable sorrow washed over her, as if she were being shrouded in darkness.

"Indeed, it is." Guo Xiancheng's voice was like a soft whisper.

Their family's Yang Lie Technique was like the blazing sun, glorious and powerful. However, for a woman to practice it was as beautiful and perilous as an eclipse. Guo Xiancheng had tried to stop Guo Fu from practicing it, but her passion for cultivation burned like an inextinguishable fire. He had thought she would eventually grow tired and give up, but she had persisted for more than ten years.

Now that Chen Zheng had revealed the truth, Guo Xiancheng's heart filled with guilt and self-reproach.

"It's really true…" Guo Fu stood there dumbstruck, as if struck by lightning, mindlessly repeating the words.

She only had four years left?

Chen Zheng observed the two of them, his brow slightly furrowed. Guo Fu now knew her life was approaching its end, and this heavy secret was clearly something she couldn't come to terms with. However, he had no intention of partaking in their sorrow and turned to leave.

"Grandmaster…" Guo Fu's voice suddenly rang out, her mind having astutely grasped a key point. "How did you know about my condition? Was it from the contact just now?"

"Yes," Chen Zheng nodded.

An anxious look crossed Guo Xiancheng's face as he finally came to his senses. He eagerly asked, "Grandmaster Chen, is there any hope for my granddaughter's condition to be cured?"

A mere touch had allowed Chen Zheng to diagnose the root of the illness. Such medical skill was truly astonishing. Guo Xiancheng, overly focused on his granddaughter's grim prognosis, had completely overlooked this miraculous discovery. It was like holding a priceless treasure without even realizing it.

"Of course, she can be cured," Chen Zheng declared confidently. "It's not difficult at all. Just dissipate her True Qi, rest with a peaceful mind, and replenish her vital qi and blood. She can extend her life by another twenty or thirty years!"

"Twenty... twenty or thirty years!" A flicker of joy flashed in Guo Xiancheng's eyes. An additional two or three decades of life was a considerable amount.

"Dissipate my True Qi? No, I can't accept that!" Guo Fu, however, immediately shook her head in refusal.

The Martial Path was her soul's purpose; she could not part with her fervent True Qi. Even though she knew it might lead to her death, she would rather fall gloriously in her pursuit of the Martial Path than live out long, mediocre years.

Guo Xiancheng tried to reason with her, but she only shook her head firmly.

He turned back to Chen Zheng helplessly. "Grandmaster Chen, is it possible to treat her while she maintains her True Qi?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.