Chapter 1475: I Can Break Through

The outcome left everyone stunned; the many core disciples below the stage stood with their mouths agape, utterly speechless. To them, Zhang Jiuxiao was merely a collateral branch disciple, so much weaker in strength. They had been certain that Qing would instantly defeat him. They never dreamed that the battle would be decided within three moves, with the stronger party being the one to lose!

“Zhang Jiuxiao wins...” Elder Fengchen, also surprised by the outcome, paused for a moment before making the announcement. Though it was true that without a match, it was impossible to confirm victory or defeat between two combatants of similar cultivation, for someone to be defeated by a single finger despite such a large disparity in strength was a rare sight, even for Elder Fengchen who had lived for many years. However, anything was possible in a match. There had been many instances where stronger individuals were decisively defeated by weaker opponents. Therefore, while this outcome was peculiar, it wasn't truly shocking.

“Next up, Zhang Lin versus Zhang Fengyun...”

After his victory, Zhang Jiuxiao descended from the stage and sat down to rest. He once again took out a supreme-grade spirit stone, continuously absorbing spiritual energy to convert it into power. Time was his most precious commodity now; he couldn't waste a single second.

While Zhang Jiuxiao cultivated, Qing was helped off the stage, and a group of his companions gathered around him.

“What happened?” a tall young man asked, looking over.

The battle had been incredibly fast, and Zhang Jiuxiao had struck at a precise vulnerability in his opponent's defense. Many in the audience still hadn't fully grasped what had happened.

“This guy is strange...” Qing shook his head. To be honest, he still couldn't figure out how he had lost. His cultivation was higher, his martial techniques were superior, and his overall strength surpassed his opponent's, yet this was the outcome. Even as he stepped off the stage, he found it hard to accept.

“A dignified core disciple losing to a collateral branch member with lower cultivation—Qing, you’ve certainly set a precedent for us core disciples...” A cold snort was heard, and then a tall, thin young man walked over.

“Zhang Quanyi, what do you mean?” Qing's face darkened.

“Nothing, just that it’s disgraceful...” The tall, thin young man named Zhang Quanyi snorted coldly.

“You...” Qing clenched his fists.

Zhang Quanyi, who belonged to the same branch as him, often quarreled with Qing. Despite his anger, having lost so miserably, Qing couldn't find the words to retort. He took several deep breaths, suppressing his rage, and said, “This Zhang Jiuxiao isn’t so simple. If I’m not mistaken, your next match is against him, isn’t it? Be careful!”

“Careful? Against a mere youngster who just broke through to the Mid-Domain realm, do I need to be careful?” Zhang Quanyi swayed slightly, releasing an aura of invincibility.

“Half-Step Void Realm?” Qing’s pupils contracted. He had often fought Zhang Quanyi, and their strength had always been comparable. How had this guy already broken through after just one night? Although Half-Step Void Realm and Domain Realm were only one minor level apart, there was actually a world of difference between them; they couldn't be compared.

“Exactly! For a martial artist, strength is paramount. No technique, no martial skill, amounts to anything in the face of absolute power! Your 'Fissure Punch' just now—if you had executed it with Half-Step Void Realm strength, do you think he could have broken it?” Zhang Quanyi stood with his back ramrod straight, a cold smile on his face.

“This...” Qing stiffened. What Zhang Quanyi said was true. If Qing’s power had been a bit stronger just now, even if his opponent had struck that precise point, his finger would have been twisted off by the sheer force, making it impossible to break the move!

“Don't worry,” Zhang Quanyi said. “Even though we've never gotten along, we belong to the same branch. If someone bullies you, I’ll still avenge you!” He flicked his sleeve, and with a cold glance in Zhang Jiuxiao’s direction, his eyes flashed, “When I face him later, I won’t be as soft-hearted as you. I’ll defeat him in a single move!”

Hearing his promise, Qing breathed a sigh of relief. Qing had fought Zhang Quanyi for years and knew his strength well. Now that Zhang Quanyi had broken through his limitations, Qing knew without a doubt that Zhang Jiuxiao, the collateral branch disciple, would be instantly defeated as soon as Zhang Quanyi made his move!

Taking a pill, Qing sat there to wait. After nearly half an hour, the second round of matches began, and the two indeed faced each other. Just as Zhang Quanyi had said, he unleashed his full power the moment he stepped onto the stage. Whether intentionally or not, he executed the same 'Fissure Punch' that Qing had used.

As his fist-wind surged, the seals around the arena rattled violently. Zhang Jiuxiao, across from him, frowned. This time, he didn't attack but dodged to one side.

“Can you escape?” Zhang Quanyi asked with a cold smile, spreading his five fingers. Unleashing his Half-Step Void Realm power, he created a pressure that made the surroundings feel like a cage, preventing even divine sense from escaping.

“It seems this level of strength cannot be withstood...” Just as his palm was about to land on his opponent, Zhang Jiuxiao, across from him, smiled faintly, and as if talking to himself, or perhaps just speaking casually, he said, “Then I’ll just break through!”

Boom! Before Zhang Quanyi could react, he felt an immense aura pressing down on him. The opponent, who had only been at Mid-Domain Realm moments ago, had broken through to Late-Domain Realm in the blink of an eye! With his cultivation advancing, Zhang Jiuxiao's power surged once more, and he countered with a backhanded punch. Fist met palm, and both combatants simultaneously recoiled.

“How is this possible?!” His eyes wide, Zhang Quanyi was so shocked he almost fell to the ground. He had personally witnessed this guy’s fight with Qing; he had just broken through a minor level then. How could he possibly break through again so soon? Even an empowerment ritual wouldn't be this fast!

“I don't believe it...” Gritting his teeth, he let out a roar and charged forward again. This time, he didn't use Fissure Punch but rather his most proficient martial skill!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! In the blink of an eye, the stage was filled with flickering afterimages, trapping Zhang Jiuxiao within what looked like a colorful ring. It was a Saint Realm Upper-grade martial skill: Coiling Dragon Body Technique! This martial skill integrated the mysteries of formations. Once unleashed, even Qing, when at the same cultivation level, would have struggled to contend with it. Zhang Quanyi was certain that even if his opponent had broken through, he was still only at Late-Domain Realm, making escape utterly impossible.

“Such speed...” Zhang Jiuxiao, trapped in the center, felt his spiritual energy becoming difficult to absorb and a slight dizziness. His eyebrows rose, and his expression turned serious.

“To force me to use this move—even if you lose, you can still be proud!” Seeing Zhang Jiuxiao's expression, Zhang Quanyi gave a cold smile and extended his palm.

Thump, thump, thump! Immediately, Zhang Jiuxiao felt a stifling sensation in his chest as he took several consecutive palm strikes.

“Heh heh, don’t worry, I won’t defeat you in one go,” Zhang Quanyi sneered. “I’ll let you know, little by little, that the dignity of a core disciple is not something a mere collateral branch member can profane!” He continued to attack while speaking.

For a moment, Zhang Jiuxiao couldn't find a way to retaliate and seemed somewhat flustered.

“Didn't you just break through? Go on, do it again if you’ve got the ability!” After several consecutive moves that left the young man in the center looking grim, Zhang Quanyi burst into laughter. Weren't you so happy breaking through just now? Why can't you do it now?

“Oh right, I can break through...” Zhang Jiuxiao slapped his forehead, a helpless expression on his face. Immediately after, before Zhang Quanyi could react, he felt the aura of the guy trapped in the center surge again. In half a breath’s time, Zhang Jiuxiao had broken through the Late-Domain Realm's limitations, reaching its peak. The next moment, Zhang Quanyi’s neck stiffened as his opponent seized him, lifting him up as if he were a mere rabbit.