Chapter 369: Chapter 337: Hard Fate Can’t Learn to Bow Down

"What?!"

Even with Wu Li’s composure, hearing Bai Tao’s words, he couldn’t help but be shocked.

He looked seriously at Bai Tao, "Senior, are you serious?"

A brand-new Bone Marrow Skill was of significant importance to Wu Li. By referencing this, perhaps he could greatly accelerate his own Bone Marrow progress, increase his Body value, and maybe even improve his chances of breaking through to the Gang Body Realm from Thunder Sound!

Bai Tao smiled, "Of course."

Wu Li calmed down, "What are your conditions, Senior?"

Such a Bone Marrow Skill was priceless to a martial artist like Wu Li, especially since it couldn’t be bought with money. The two of them were neither relatives nor close friends, and Wu Li didn’t believe the other party would just give something away for nothing.

"As long as you are willing to join Zhiyuan Hall, I will teach you this Bone Marrow Skill," said Bai Tao.

As expected!

Right from their meeting, Wu Li could sense Bai Tao’s cordial gestures and recruitment attempts, and now, Bai Tao had made it crystal clear.

Zheng Yingrong had also tried to recruit Wu Li, hoping he would join Zhiyuan Hall, offering power and status, but Wu Li had refused; now Bai Tao was recruiting him, presenting a very tempting offer.

Wu Li thought for a moment and then said with some regret, "Sorry, but I’m still used to being on my own and free."

Upon hearing this, Bai Tao’s expression remained unchanged, "By killing Japan’s Sword Master Fujiwara Naoto, his teacher, who holds a high position in the Island Country Martial Arts World, wouldn’t there be plenty of people looking for trouble with you in the future? Xiaoze Wutian was a martial genius with great expectations from the Guandong Association, yet he was killed by you, and they suffered heavy losses because of you, do you think the Guandong Association will just let it go? And what about Spear King Feng Lin whom you defeated? Are you sure he won’t seize an opportunity to win back his loss?"

"Master Wu, you suffered internal injuries in the match yesterday, and I’m afraid many people could see that," Bai Tao looked at Wu Li, "If you were still at your peak, you could naturally face any challenge without fear, but now with your serious injury, and with Li San’s injuries also not yet healed, do you think Zhiyuan Hall can protect you?"

Wu Li’s gaze flickered; Bai Tao was indeed pointing out a problem. Along his journey, he had made quite a few enemies. It was fine under normal circumstances, but now that they knew he had an injury, there was indeed a good chance that many would seize the opportunity to challenge him.

Bai Tao continued, "You’ve also seen the strength of my Zhiyuan Hall. If you join us, as soon as someone gives you trouble, naturally someone will be there to take care of it for you."

"Furthermore, this Bone Marrow Skill of mine is very effective for healing internal injuries. Once you learn it, your injuries could recover several months earlier."

"If you join Zhiyuan Hall, you can become a Guest Elder. You don’t need to do much on a regular basis, just provide assistance during key moments. The level of freedom is high, and you won’t receive treatment any less favorable than Zhao Xuan and others."

Bai Tao’s words were sincere, spoken deliberately and candidly.

However, Wu Li shook his head, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Senior."

Bai Tao looked at Wu Li, "Do you have any reservations? Feel free to speak up, anything can be discussed."

His demeanor was humble, his gaze genuine; holding his status, it had been a long time since he had talked to someone in such a way.

Wu Li replied, "Actually, I have no reservations, I just don’t like being constrained by others."

Bai Tao’s brow furrowed slightly, "Joining us is just martial companionship, where is the constraint?"

Wu Li smiled, "Senior Bai, the way we are right now, meeting through martial arts, is equal in status. But if I join Zhiyuan Hall, no matter what the position, I’ll be beneath you. Could it be that you would let me take over as Hall Master?"

Bai Tao was taken aback, then burst into laughter, and Wu Li laughed along.

"Hahaha," Bai Tao laughed while shaking his head, "It seems I have still underestimated you."

Those who practice martial arts have their pride, especially a master-level martial artist like Wu Li, who would not easily bow down to anyone. Hence, whether it was Zheng Yingrong or Bai Tao, Wu Li ultimately refused their recruitment.

Although Bai Tao’s words were pleasant to hear, and he had lowered his posture, talking about Guest Elders, high levels of freedom, martial companionship, and so on; if it were someone else, facing someone of high status and power like Bai Tao showing such an attitude, perhaps they would have agreed, given there were also a lot of benefits.

But to Wu Li, what did it matter if you were the Vice-Chairman of the Hongmen? I don’t feel inferior to you and naturally don’t want to be beneath you. Moreover, Wu Li had his own plans for the future and didn’t want to be tied down by any status.

It was evident that Bai Tao understood Wu Li’s feelings, which was why he said he had underestimated Wu Li.

He composed himself; his body shifted, imbued with tortoise and snake stances, and then his Qi and blood surged towards his Dantian.

Then, he pushed out with one palm. As the palm moved, the Qi and blood circulated around the Dantian, rising northwards as if embodying the True Martial God!

Boom!

The air exploded! A series of low rumbles emanated from Bai Tao’s body, sounding like distant thunder.

That palm thrust of his wasn’t fast, yet it made an impressive show of force!

Wu Li’s eyes widened; having used master-level Experience Cards multiple times, he naturally recognized the technique Bai Tao was using.

Innate Gang Qi! Bai Tao had unleashed Innate Gang Qi!

After the palm thrust, Bai Tao withdrew his hand, looking at Wu Li, "How was that palm, Master Wu?"

In Wudang Fist, the concept of that strike was to nurture the southern Heavenly Separation Pill Fire with the northern Mysterious Heavenly True Water. Such a strike was as if exerting the power of True Martial God, immense and boundless. The great Yangtze River could not overturn a fraction of it; the colossal strength of Dragon and Elephant was like a mosquito in comparison, representing the pinnacle of Wudang Fist!

Wu Li fell silent; indeed, he hadn’t expected Bai Tao to be capable of unleashing Innate Gang Qi.

Unleashing Innate Gang Qi meant that the opponent could control the Dragon and Tiger Power at will and fully refine the Bone Marrow to achieve Great Success, practicing Thunder Sound with perfect harmony inside and out.

From a data perspective, Bai Tao’s Power value must have reached the Dragon and Tiger Realm, and his Body value to the Gang Body Realm - both values definitely exceeding 100!

The only reason he hadn’t broken through to the Grandmaster Realm must be because his Divine value wasn’t sufficient.

From Bai Tao’s palm just now, Wu Li could sense that arcane and majestic Fist Intent, but it was still a touch shy of the intent of the True Martial God.

That is to say, in terms of technique, Bai Tao had reached the highest realm of Wudang Fist, but he was still one step away in terms of Fist Intent.

Even so, Bai Tao was just one step away from the Grandmaster Realm, and indeed stronger than Wu Li in terms of Realm.

Wu Li looked at Bai Tao, "I had thought that in this day and age, Innate Gang Qi had become a thing of the past. I did not expect to witness it in Senior Bai’s hands today."

A touch of pride flashed across Bai Tao’s face; capable of creating a new Bone Marrow Skill and practicing to the level of Innate Gang Qi, he certainly had a reason to be proud.

"In light of this, Master Wu, would you consider reconsidering my proposal?"

He demonstrated his skill to Wu Li to convey that even setting aside worldly titles, his mastery of Fist was also superior; so what if Wu Li were beneath him?

Wu Li smiled freely, "Sorry, I’m stubborn by nature and don’t do well with bowing."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com