Chapter 227: Used Too Much Force

Although Zhang Xuan’s reputation had not been good previously, Lu Xun’s rise to his current position was due not only to his talent and strength, but more importantly, his mindset. He handled every situation calmly, without any arrogance or pride.

To determine the lineup for this competition, several of Zhang Xuan’s students were specifically investigated, and the best opposing team was selected from the entire school.

The investigation revealed that Zheng Yang and Mo Xiao had grown up together, practicing spear techniques. Mo Xiao's talent was clearly superior to Zheng Yang's, and he had won countless previous battles against him without fail.

This was why he had been recruited from his friend and taught the Wang Clan’s spear technique.

He had been certain of victory, yet... before the match even began, he threw down his spear and surrendered.

Lu Xun felt his entire body tremble; he was on the verge of going mad.

That Kong Jie, who was tricked by a couple of sentences and knocked unconscious with one punch earlier—I endured that.

Losing 600,000 gold coins (3 million divided among five people) was bad enough. But you... what happened?

I’ve seen people be tricked, but never to this extent!

I stayed up all night helping you improve your strength, precisely so you could win. Now, your strength has improved, the money has been spent, yet you surrender without even fighting...

“What is going on?”

“Two True Qi realm students—the first was sent flying with one punch, and the second directly surrendered? What’s happening?”

Not only were Wang Chao and Lu Xun bewildered, but all the students and teachers watching the competition were also utterly confused.

When Teacher Lu arrived with his True Qi realm students, everyone had expected a one-sided match. It was indeed one-sided, but unfortunately, in the opposite direction from what they anticipated.

In fact, it wasn’t just the spectators who were confused; even Zhang Xuan, the person at the center of it all, wore a puzzled expression.

When Mo Xiao and Zheng Yang were scheduled to compete, Zhang Xuan was at Grandmaster Lu Chen’s residence and did not know that the two had already sparred privately. Therefore, he couldn’t understand why Mo Xiao had surrendered without fighting.

“The reason I surrendered is that a few days ago, we had a private match, and Zheng Yang defeated me with just one move! It would even be effortless for him to kill me.”

Before Zhao Ya and the others could reply, Mo Xiao’s voice rang out from the stage. His tone was frank and open, devoid of any frustration or regret, and even carried a hint of nonchalance.

“For the past few days, I’ve been trying to figure out how to counter it. I thought that by breaking through to the True Qi realm, I could resolve it with enhanced strength. However, I just tried, and I still can’t withstand it. The moves Zheng Yang learned from Teacher Zhang grasp the true essence of the spear dao. I’m afraid I couldn’t understand it even if I studied it my entire life, let alone defend against it.”

“Knowing that if I continued the match, I would still be defeated by a single strike from his spear, it was better to surrender proactively!”

At this, Mo Xiao cupped his fists at his friend and smiled gently, “Zheng Yang, you have an excellent teacher. You must cherish him!”

After speaking, he picked up his spear and turned to walk away.

His voice resonated through the surroundings; almost everyone heard it.

“Mo Xiao said the moves taught by Teacher Zhang couldn’t be comprehended even after a lifetime of study?”

“In that case, doesn’t that mean it’s even more powerful than the Wang Clan’s spear technique? How is that possible?”

“During a formal competition, they shouldn’t be lying, right? Otherwise, wouldn’t Teacher Lu beat him to death?”

Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The Wang Clan’s spear technique was extremely famous in Tianxuan Kingdom; many could recognize its moves instantly, and it was virtually a symbol of invincibility among spear techniques.

Yet now, Mo Xiao claimed it was no match at all, which stunned everyone.

“It seems Teacher Zhang Xuan isn’t as incompetent as rumored; on the contrary, he’s very formidable!”

“Indeed, there are five matches in total, and he already has two consecutive wins. Could Teacher Lu possibly lose?”

“No one knows for sure, but let’s hope Teacher Lu can make a comeback later...”

Amidst the buzzing discussions, Lu Xun’s chest heaved on the stage, and his face grew increasingly pale with anger.

Damn it, what kind of students have I taught? You don’t betray your teacher like this.

What did you mean by that last remark?

Zheng Yang has an excellent teacher... Does that imply you don't have one?

I spent three million to buy elixirs for you and tirelessly expended my True Qi to help you improve your strength. And the result... is just that one sentence?

Although furious, he knew this wasn’t the time to vent his anger. If he did, his years of accumulated prestige would plummet and utterly collapse.

He scanned his surroundings.

Only three matches remained.

Bai Chao, Du Lei, and Zhu Hong.

Bai Chao specialized in fist techniques, specifically chosen to counter Liu Yang, who had an issue with his right arm meridian.

Du Lei possessed exceptional leg techniques and was incredibly fast. Coupled with a formidable movement technique he had been taught, he should have no problem dealing with Wang Ying, who had a leg disability.

As for Zhu Hong, he was pitted against Zhao Ying.

After two consecutive losses, they had to win the next match; otherwise, the more they competed afterward, the more humiliating it would become.

“Du Lei, you go!”

After careful consideration, he decided to send Du Lei forward.

According to the investigation, Wang Ying had a relatively gentle disposition. If Du Lei launched a swift attack from the start, it would surely intimidate her.

Furthermore, her leg was impaired. Even if Du Lei couldn't win, he could safely withdraw using his movement technique, avoiding a direct defeat like the previous two matches.

Du Lei nodded and walked onto the arena.

“Wang Ying!”

Seeing who his opponent had sent out, Zhang Xuan also gestured.

Wang Ying responded, her pretty face flushing, and stepped forward.

At the VIP seats.

“Teacher Lu is indeed formidable. Despite two consecutive losses, he has already identified Zhang Xuan’s weakness.”

Shen Biru’s brows furrowed, her face full of worry.

“Weakness? What weakness?” Han Qiong asked, full of doubt.

“This Wang Ying is the only daughter of Patriarch Wang Hong, from one of the four great clans. She has a gentle personality, is simple-minded, and easily trusts others. Among Teacher Zhang Xuan’s five students, she is the easiest one to exploit.”

Shen Biru explained.

“If that’s true, it is indeed Zhang Xuan’s weakness.”

Han Qiong nodded.

Cultivators defy the heavens, so a weak personality puts them at a significant disadvantage in combat.

“Not only that, but Wang Ying suffered an injury as a child and has a leg disability. While she can walk normally, a significant flaw emerges when she engages in combat. Patriarch Wang Hong had consulted all the renowned doctors in the royal city regarding this, and even Grandmaster Yuan Yu personally attempted to treat her, but they all returned helpless and disappointed.”

Shen Biru knew Wang Ying’s situation in detail. “This means… Wang Ying’s leg makes it impossible for her to fight effectively.”

“Ah?”

Han Qiong was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a situation.

“As for Du Lei, he once studied under Teacher Chen Hong.”

“Teacher Chen Hong? The one at the academy who specializes in teaching movement techniques?”

“Yes, that’s him! Du Lei has the best movement technique among all the students, and his speed is exceptionally fast. Using someone like him to face Wang Ying, who has an injured leg—what else could that be but exploiting a weakness?” Shen Biru shook her head as she spoke. “It seems this match, Wang Ying… is certain to lose!”

“Please… please guide me!”

On the stage, Wang Ying’s face was slightly flushed as she cupped her fists at Du Lei.

“I wouldn’t presume to offer guidance. If you’re ready to fight, let’s begin!”

Knowing he bore the heavy responsibility of securing a victory, Du Lei raised his eyebrows, stomped his foot, and rushed forward, staying low to the ground.

His speed was incredibly fast, like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.

“So fast!”

“Is he truly at the Martial Artist Triple Layer? Even a fourth-layer Skin and Bone realm expert wouldn’t be this fast, would they?”

“This move is called Phantom Nine Palace Steps; it’s Teacher Lu’s famous ultimate technique. I didn’t expect Teacher Lu to be so generous as to teach this move as well!”

“Phantom Nine Palace Steps? The highest-level movement technique secret from Hongtian Academy? A unique skill renowned even throughout Tianxuan Kingdom?”

“Indeed!”

“I’ve always dreamed of learning this move. How wonderful it would be if I could master it! This Wang Ying is likely in for a tough battle!”

Many of the students recognized Du Lei’s moves and were utterly shocked.

The Phantom Nine Palace Steps is an exceptionally formidable ultimate move among footwork techniques. Teacher Lu had once used this movement technique to defeat many powerful opponents, and no one had expected him to pass it on to Du Lei.

Although Du Lei had only learned the simplest part of it, it was still not something opponents of the same cultivation level could contend with.

Furthermore, Wang Ying already had a leg disability, and her cultivation was only at the Dantian realm.

In contrast to the crowd’s astonishment, as Du Lei swiftly attacked, Wang Ying gritted her teeth, twirled her delicate body, and dodged.

“Heh heh, you might dodge one move, but let’s see how many you can evade!”

Seeing that she could dodge his rapid attack, Du Lei was clearly a little surprised. However, he paid it no mind, sneered, and as True Qi surged within him, his speed grew increasingly faster, creating a blur of illusions on the stage.

At its peak, the Phantom Nine Palace Steps can create up to nine illusions, making it almost impossible to discern the real body from the fakes, rendering evasion extremely difficult and defense virtually impossible.

Although Du Lei was far from manifesting nine illusions, when he exerted his full power, his figure became so elusive that it was difficult to distinguish his true form.

“Too strong!”

“With such speed, you can’t even see the person. How can anyone fight that?”

All the students twitched their mouths, and after imagining themselves in that situation, they couldn’t help but shake their heads.

Given their strength, if they couldn't even see him, how could they fight?

“Du Lei is sure to win!”

Wang Chao smiled once more.

Two consecutive public embarrassments had left him with some psychological trauma. However, seeing that Du Lei, unlike Kong Jie, wasn't easily tricked and immediately engaged, and unlike Mo Xiao, wasn't unreliable, he finally felt relieved.

If a dignified True Qi realm expert, going all out, couldn’t defeat a Dantian realm girl with a leg injury, it would truly be shameful.

“Indeed, with such speed, even if I suppressed my cultivation to fight him, it would be incredibly difficult to counter, let alone for this little girl.”

Elder Hong Hao stroked his beard and suddenly smiled faintly. “Look, Wang Ying is about to make her move…”

Wang Chao looked over and indeed saw Wang Ying raise her right leg, a hesitant expression on her face, as if unsure how to attack.

“Haha, to counter such a rapid movement technique, one should use hand-based moves; after all, hands are more agile than legs! Her leg is clearly injured, yet she insists on using it. What an idiot, it would be a miracle if she could land a kick...”

With a cold chuckle, Wang Chao was about to continue his mockery when he saw the girl kick towards the illusory figure in front of her.

Before his mocking smile had fully blossomed, Wang Chao saw the illusory figure suddenly freeze. Du Lei’s face flushed red, and he was sent flying back over ten meters, landing heavily on the ground and spitting out mouthfuls of blood.

“Oh, Du Lei… I’m so sorry, I tried my best to control it, but I still used too much force…”

Wang Ying was flustered, her face full of apologies, almost on the verge of tears from shyness.