Chapter 712: A Finger

"Under normal circumstances, the winner of six out of ten matches would be considered the victor..." Master Hong said, "Han Ling on stage is currently playing the tenth match..."

"Reaching the tenth match means there have been wins and losses on both sides..." Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing it was the tenth match.

If one side had been winning consistently, the match would have ended after six rounds. The fact that it's reached the final round indicates they are evenly matched.

"Wins and losses... no, that's not it!"

Master Hong's face flushed with embarrassment. "We did play ten matches, but we lost every single one... and they were all to the same person!"

"Lost to the same person? You mean... that guy on stage fought ten matches straight and didn't lose once?"

Zhang Xuan's eyes widened.

"Yes..."

Master Hong covered his forehead, and the others were too ashamed to lift their heads.

Ten people in a row challenged one opponent, and even in a successive battle, they were all defeated. The most critical point was... the person on stage was clearly not even their strongest fighter, which was truly embarrassing.

Speechless, Zhang Xuan was about to speak when he heard a muffled groan from the stage. Han Ling was sent flying backward before he could even react, landing in the courtyard.

"They lost all ten matches... how can we salvage this?"

Zhang Xuan's eyelids twitched as he looked at the person lying on the ground, his face contorted in pain.

He had hoped there might be a way to rescue the situation, but now that all ten matches were lost to the same person, what could be done?

Even if he wanted to find an excuse, there was none!

"Alright, the ten matches are over. You didn't win a single one. What more do you have to say?"

After knocking Han Ling away, the young man on stage smiled slightly and looked around.

"We..."

Master Hong and the others' faces flushed crimson.

If they had won two or three out of ten matches, they might have had the nerve to claim their strongest person hadn't arrived. But now that they had all been defeated by the same individual, how could they even speak?

Moreover, what if Master Zhang wasn't a match either? Wouldn't that be even more humiliating? A more complete defeat?

Although Master Zhang possessed exceptional talent and was considered top-tier among master teachers in many abilities, he was, after all, only at the peak of the Corrupted Clarity realm. It would likely be extremely difficult for him to defeat this opponent who had single-handedly taken on ten challengers without breaking a sweat, especially since this opponent wasn't even their strongest.

"If you have nothing to say, then, as agreed, you will follow Senior Brother Feng's arrangements!" The young man smiled faintly, then turned and cupped his fists. "Senior Brother Feng!"

As he finished speaking, a young man strode forward.

This individual had a more profound aura and greater strength, having already reached the Half-step Bridge Heaven realm, capable of breaking through at any moment.

The young man who had just won ten consecutive matches was already considered very powerful in Young Master Ruohuan's eyes, but compared to this newcomer, there was still a significant gap.

No wonder the many geniuses from the Illusory Feather Empire found it difficult to resist. If this person truly made a move, let alone defeating ten opponents in a successive battle, even if they attacked simultaneously, they would likely be easily crushed and unable to resist.

"Since we are forming an alliance, let's first clarify the rules!"

Standing on stage, Senior Brother Feng looked around, his voice like clashing steel. "Three days from now, the hunt will begin. All of you will follow my unified arrangements. After the prey is hunted, our Golden Sea Empire will have the first choice! Rest assured, as long as everyone works together, passing isn't an issue!"

"They get to choose first?"

"If the hunted quantity isn't enough, won't we all be eliminated?"

Although they understood that an alliance meant the dominant party would enjoy privileges, the opponent's direct clarity still caused everyone to clench their fists.

The benefit of the alliance was that they could sufficiently deal with powerful spirit beasts without danger. However, the drawback was that they had no control over the prey distribution. If the total hunt quantity that day was insufficient, the Illusory Feather Empire would very likely all be eliminated.

"What, still unwilling? It's your good fortune that Senior Brother Feng, with his strength, is willing to ally with you. Don't be ungrateful!" Seeing the gloomy expressions of the crowd below, the young man who had just fought scoffed.

Given their strength, they didn't necessarily need to ally with these people from the Illusory Feather Empire. However, a larger alliance brought them significant benefits as well.

Many academy teachers were observing this assessment. If they performed exceptionally, they would easily gain favor, earn admiration, and rise quickly through the ranks.

"You..."

Hearing the opponent's words, everyone's faces flushed red. They wanted to retort but couldn't find the words.

Who could blame them when their skills were inferior?

"I am somewhat unwilling..."

Just as everyone was feeling awkward, Zhang Xuan's calm voice rang out.

"Hmm? What do you mean? A master teacher from the dignified Illusory Feather Empire decided to ally, and now you want to go back on your word?" Seeing someone interject, the young man raised an eyebrow.

They were all master teachers, people of renown. Since they had agreed to an alliance and engaged in a match, were they perhaps trying to back out because they couldn't win?

If that were the case, they would become a laughingstock even before participating in the assessment.

"It's not about backing out, I just have an idea..." Zhang Xuan said.

"An idea?"

Zhang Xuan replied, "That's right. I'm also a master teacher who came from the Illusory Feather Empire this time. I wasn't aware of your matches earlier. However, since the matches have already taken place, I won't comment on them. I just want things to be fairer. When spirit beasts are hunted, everyone should share them equally!"

"Share equally? Since we're forming an alliance, there must be a primary and secondary party. With a primary and secondary, fairness is impossible!" The young man sneered.

"I understand that since we lost the previous matches and roles have been designated, it's hard to achieve fairness. So how about this!"

Zhang Xuan smiled, placing his hands behind his back. "Let your Senior Brother Feng make a move. If he can last three moves against me... then I won't bring up fairness again. You can distribute everything however you wish! In fact, we won't take a single spirit beast from the hunt!"

"What did you say?"

The young man's eyes immediately narrowed.

This guy actually wants Senior Brother Feng to make a move, and for him to last three moves against him?

He had seen arrogant people, but never anyone this arrogant!

Do you know Senior Brother Feng's strength? How dare you boast so shamelessly here?

Three moves? With your appearance, whether you can even withstand one move from Senior Brother Feng is still unknown!

"What? Lacking confidence? How about this, one move. As long as your Senior Brother Feng can withstand one move from me, our Illusory Feather Empire won't take a single spirit beast from the hunt!"

Seeing the other party hesitate, Zhang Xuan thought his condition was too high and couldn't help but revise it.

"Are you serious?!"

Seeing his serious expression, the young man nearly exploded with rage on the spot!

Senior Brother Feng's vision also went dark; he nearly fainted.

His strength had reached the Half-step Bridge Heaven realm, not much weaker than some second-year veterans. Yet these few guys from the Illusory Feather Empire actually wanted to defeat him in one move?

What kind of joke was this?

The two were so enraged they almost fainted, while Young Master Ruohuan, Luo Xuan, and the others nearly spat blood.

They had already guessed that Master Zhang would stir up trouble upon his arrival, but they never dreamed he would say something like this!

They, so many of them, couldn't defeat the young man from earlier. Senior Brother Feng was naturally even more formidable. To defeat him in one move... how was that possible?

If he truly lost, would they really end up helping others for free, not taking a single piece of prey?

If that happened, everyone would be miserably eliminated...

"What, is one move still too much? How about this, I'll use one finger... surely that's acceptable! If you're still afraid, there's nothing more I can do..."

If even one move was too much, he couldn't exactly defeat them without using any techniques, could he?

Although he could do that, it would certainly expose his Witchcraft Soul and other methods. Hmm, it's better to keep a low profile.

Having just arrived in the Hongyuan Empire, it was best not to reveal too much.

Zhang Xuan wore a look of difficulty.

"Pfft!"

The young man and Senior Brother Feng nearly spurted blood.

What the hell do you mean, "too much"?!

And what's with that look of difficulty on your face?

Am I really so weak that I'm causing you such distress?

"Fine, I'd like to see how you defeat me with just one finger..."

Unable to hold back any longer, Senior Brother Feng let out a long cry.

"Senior Brother... this insolent fellow, let me teach him a lesson..." Seeing his senior brother enraged, the young man stepped forward.

"No need. I want to see for myself what methods he possesses to speak such arrogant words!" Senior Brother Feng's gaze was like electricity as he stared coldly.

This guy was so brazen, he must have something to rely on. He also wanted to see if it was just nonsense or if he truly possessed power.

"My friend, come up. If you can truly defeat me, then this alliance matter will be dropped. But if you lose, remember your words: you won't take a single spirit beast from the hunt!"

Narrowing his eyes, Senior Brother Feng flicked his sleeve.

"Alright!"

Hearing the other party agree, Zhang Xuan stepped onto the stage.

"This..."

"Can Master Zhang win?"

"I don't know either..."

Seeing Master Zhang make such a wager with the opponent, everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

Defeat Senior Brother Feng with one finger?

Master Zhang, are you serious?

Although I know we lost and you're anxious, this wager... it's too big!

"Senior Brother Feng, let me teach this fellow a lesson..."

Seeing Senior Brother Feng so angry, the young man couldn't help but step forward again. "If I lose, it won't be too late for Senior Brother to step in!"

This guy spoke so arrogantly, he might actually have some strength. Perhaps it's better if I test him first. If he's weak, I can beat him up to vent. If he's strong, Senior Brother will at least be mentally prepared.

"This..." Senior Brother Feng hesitated, about to speak, when he heard the slightly impatient voice of the young man opposite him. "If you're scared, both of you can come at me. I'll use... two fingers!"

If they hadn't heard those words, it would have been fine, but upon hearing them, Senior Brother Feng and the young man's vision simultaneously went black.

"No need. I'll see for myself what kind of strength you possess!"

With a cold snort, Senior Brother Feng charged forward fiercely.

The person in front of him was simply too infuriating. He feared that if the conversation continued, he would literally die of anger.

Stamping his foot on the ground, he moved like a charging beast. Before he even reached his opponent, he exuded the formidable presence of a dragon and a tiger.

His Half-step Bridge Heaven realm strength was fully unleashed. The wind howled, giving the impression of dark clouds pressing down, an irresistible force.

"So strong!"

Master Hong and the others' eyebrows couldn't help but twitch.

With such strength, even if they were at the early stage of the Bridge Heaven realm, they would likely find it difficult to contend and would only be able to temporarily avoid his edge.

Hastily turning to look at the young man not far away, wanting to see how he would respond, they saw him shake his head, extend a single finger, and leisurely point it forward.