Chapter 77: All Suppressed, Childhood Friend's Battle Spirit?

"Those two were beaten by the Mountain Cat," Zhao Xing said calmly.

"Good riddance!" Zong Shichang applauded, "I've always found that chrysanthemum face annoying."

"You have a grudge against him?" Zhao Xing asked, surprised.

Zong Shichang snorted, "My father previously wanted to hire a courtesy scholar to accompany me up the mountain, and he approached him."

"It didn't work out?"

"Even if a deal falls through, goodwill should remain. It just didn't work out, so it shouldn't be considered a grudge," Zong Shichang explained. "He named his price, and initially he was very enthusiastic. But after the negotiations fell through, he suddenly put on airs, claiming that my Zong family's money was 'smelly' and he disdained associating with us. Wasn't that defaming my family?"

Zhao Xing chuckled, "That person is truly despicable. And what about you and Li Chengfeng?"

Zong Shichang's expression was a little complex. "That happened before we entered the mountain, please don't ask... I once genuinely considered him a friend. Although our friendship has ended now, I don't want to badmouth him behind his back."

Zhao Xing nodded and didn't ask further.

Just then, a steady voice entered their ears: "Brother Zhao, I apologize for being late."

Zhao Xing turned his head and saw a familiar figure striding quickly towards them. It was Shen Zhui, the genius from the Martial Division, whom he hadn't seen for the past two days.

"Not late at all, Brother Shen. There's still half an hour; you're actually early."

"I broke my promise," Shen Zhui said, looking ashamed. "I accidentally stumbled into a peach blossom spring and couldn't find my way out. After finally escaping, I realized it was already the third day, so I rushed here."

"Oh? Something like that happened?" Zhao Xing became interested. "It seems Brother Shen had quite an adventure in there."

Shen Zhui nodded. "After I entered that peach blossom spring, I found two giants, thirty feet tall, playing chess under an enormous willow tree. They even called me over."

"I don't understand chess, and I found the place strange, so I just wanted to leave. But then they struck me with a chess piece, and I suddenly appeared on a battlefield."

"What happened then?" Zong Shichang asked, full of gossip. "What was the outcome?"

Shen Zhui looked up at Zong Shichang. "Before my eyes, black and white soldiers appeared, battling each other on the battlefield."

"I was forced to follow the white soldiers and fight the opposing side. It was strange; every time I killed a soldier, a sword move flashed through my mind, and Vital Qi flowed into my body. When the battle ended, I suddenly found myself outside the peach blossom spring again."

"And I even reached the Ninth Grade realm."

"Hiss!" Zong Shichang gasped.

Zhao Xing teased, "Why are you gasping? It's as if you understood what he said."

Zong Shichang replied, "Although I didn't understand it, it sounds incredible. Uncle Cang, Uncle Hu, don't you agree?"

Both nodded repeatedly. Such a thing was shocking no matter where it happened.

Elder Yuan suddenly spoke up, "Heaven and earth as the chessboard, Vital Qi as the pieces, deities playing a game. You stumbled into it and became a chess piece, happening to be on the winning side, which is why your cultivation greatly increased."

"What if he had been on the losing side?" Zong Shichang asked.

"Death," Elder Yuan uttered a single word.

Shen Zhui's expression subtly changed. He was clearly realizing the danger only now.

Zhao Xing patted his shoulder. "Regardless of the reason, it's good that you gained something, Brother Shen. Don't dwell on what's past."

"Yes," Shen Zhui nodded. "I had this awareness before coming up the mountain, but I never expected something like this."

He paused, then looked at Zhao Xing. "Brother Zhao, now that I've reached a grade, whether I get the 'first incense' or not is no longer as important to me. Tonight, I'll help you secure it to make up for my earlier absence."

"Hahahaha!"

Shen Zhui frowned, looking at Zong Shichang. "Why are you laughing, sir?"

Zong Shichang pointed at Zhao Xing. "If you had come out yesterday, you certainly could have helped him. But now, Zhao Sanjia has a very good chance of winning the 'first incense' even without you."

"Hmm?" Shen Zhui was startled. He re-examined Zhao Xing and realized that the latter was already at the Ninth Stage of Vital Convergence.

That alone wasn't particularly unusual, but upon closer inspection, he noticed Zhao Xing's unique aura, as profound and unfathomable as the ocean. It even gave him a sense of danger.

It was then that Shen Zhui noticed a small cat's head peeking out from Zhao Xing's chest.

When his gaze met the adorable, big eyes of the kitten, Shen Zhui jumped. "Graded exotic beast?!"

Zhao Xing tucked the Mountain Cat's head back in. "No need to panic, Brother Shen. The Mountain Cat has been subdued by me."

Shen Zhui exclaimed, "I didn't even detect its presence. This... I spoke too rashly just now."

It seemed he wasn't the only one with extraordinary encounters; Zhao Xing's fortunes were even greater.

Before entering the mountain, Zhao Xing was only at the Fourth Stage of Vital Convergence.

Now, he was not only at the Ninth Stage of Vital Convergence but had also subdued a graded exotic beast!

"Many people are looking at you with hostility. Brother Zhao, what exactly did you do?" Shen Zhui asked, somewhat surprised, as he keenly felt the surrounding gazes.

These gazes weren't directed at the Mountain Cat, but at Zhao Xing himself.

This made him quite curious about what Zhao Xing had experienced over the past two days.

"Nothing much, just that the Mountain Cat had some friendly exchanges with them."

"You don't mean you ordered the Mountain Cat to steal many people's Spiritual Essences, did you? How is that friendly?" Shen Zhui seemed to understand. Zhao Xing's cultivation and techniques had clearly advanced significantly.

For even a graded martial artist like him to feel threatened, how many portions of Spiritual Essence must have been consumed?

But finding so many on one's own would be impossible!

The Mountain Cat must have helped steal them!

Zhao Xing casually made up a story, "Brother Shen, you don't know, the Mountain Cat is untamed by nature and tries to kill people it encounters. It was only because I am kind-hearted and earnestly advised it that it merely stole the Spiritual Essences and didn't harm anyone's life."

"As for the Spiritual Essences the Mountain Cat stole, it insisted on forcing me to consume them. What could I do?"

Shen Zhui: "..."

Zong Shichang: "..."

Meow! The Mountain Cat peeked out from his robes, looking at Zhao Xing with confusion.

Didn't you tell me to steal them? And you even fought me for them!

"See? It's being mischievous again," Zhao Xing said, casually tucking the kitten's head back in.

Shen Zhui glanced at the Mountain Cat. "With it around, it seems I won't be much help."

Zong Shichang jested, "How can you say that? Brother Shen is a dignified man, aren't you more understanding than a cat?"

Shen Zhui didn't particularly like Zong Shichang's joke, but out of respect for Zhao Xing, he merely frowned and said nothing more.

Zong Shichang, finding his joke unwelcome, stopped talking to Shen Zhui. He found Zhao Sanjia more interesting.

Of course, a major reason was that Zhao Xing was now attracting a lot of attention.

Zong Shichang thought to himself, if he conversed freely with Zhao Xing, surely Miss Liu would look upon him more favorably?

"So he is the master of the Mountain Cat. That's truly incredible," Liu Muqing murmured, looking at Zhao Xing's figure.

The position of Minister of Agriculture originally had no advantage in the competition, and could even be considered a disadvantage.

But Zhao Xing's performance had exceeded everyone's expectations.

Last night, he had overpowered Cao Qiushui, helping Zong Shichang obtain four sticks of incense.

And today, he had brought a graded exotic beast, becoming the most eye-catching presence.

"Hmph, that guy really hasn't changed his ways. He just knows how to steal from others." Lu Qian's teeth were almost grinding. She had thought she might have a chance tonight to reclaim her Peacock Plume Robe.

But who would have thought her enemy would become even stronger! Is there any justice left in the world?

"Qianqian, you seem very concerned about this person," Du Jiaojiao said softly. "Do you have a grudge against him?"

"No, I simply can't stand his way of doing things!" Lu Qian denied.

"If you don't tell me, I'll assume that Peacock Plume Robe was a gift from you to him," Du Jiaojiao said.

Liu Muqing teased, "Exactly, just assume you gave it to your lover."

"After tonight, trying to get it back will be as hard as climbing to the heavens."

"Bah! My lover? How could you even think that?!"

"So, are you going to tell us or not?"

"Fine, I'll tell you!" Lu Qian then recounted the incident where she and Zhao Xing competed for the Vermilion Fruit. "Sigh, now that he has the Mountain Cat protecting him, I'm afraid I really can't get it back. If he takes it down the mountain, how will I ever face anyone again? It's utterly mortifying."

Liu Muqing covered her mouth and chuckled, "Your Peacock Plume Robe has a telepathic connection with you, and after you descend the mountain, you'll forget everything that happened here... Then you might truly believe you had some beautiful romance with him on the mountain and go looking for him... Oh my, it might even lead to something good."

"Ahhh, I don't want that!" The possibility Liu Muqing described sent Lu Qian into a frenzy.

As time passed, the sky completely darkened.

On the Altar Square, the number of people was slightly less than last night, but there were significantly more masters present.

By the end of the Hai hour (9-11 PM), almost all renowned masters had gathered in the square.

They were in groups of three to five, each with their own small faction.

Gu Feng, the newly graded bow martial artist, had taken in Zhang Boran and Wen Zhao.

Mechanist Hu Yang had also found two martial artists to assist him, though no one knew where.

Aside from Yang Junxiong, almost everyone had helpers; it wasn't a solo fight.

On this final day, no one was confident they could secure the 'first incense'.

The competition was too fierce. Besides graded human martial artists, there was even a graded exotic beast like the Mountain Cat. Everyone knew there would be an intense battle tonight.

"I can't believe he actually subdued a graded exotic beast," Gu Feng said, his gaze cold as he looked in Zhao Xing's direction. "Zhang Boran and Wen Zhao, who had a grievance with him earlier, were severely wounded by him. This person is not only vengeful but also ruthless; even Cao Qiushui fell victim. I'll have to strike first and cripple him."

Gu Feng was wary of the Mountain Cat because exotic beasts were harder to grade, and once graded, they were stronger than human martial artists. He wasn't confident he could defeat it.

However, if he could cripple Zhao Xing first, the Mountain Cat would surely hesitate to unleash its full power.

"Hiss!" As if sensing something, the small Mountain Cat's head popped out from Zhao Xing's robes and hissed in Gu Feng's direction.

Not far away, Yang Junxiong, who was riding a bamboo horse, suddenly cast a glance. He observed Zhao Xing and the Mountain Cat thoughtfully.

"Dong!" A deep bell rang out from inside the temple.

The gnomon of the sundial pointed to the 'Martial Only' zone of the Zi hour (11 PM - 1 AM)!

Ten golden light orbs floated out from the temple gates.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Figures flickered. In the darkness, people immediately began to move, leaping into the sky to seize the incense.

Gu Feng didn't immediately rush for the incense; instead, he attacked Zhao Xing first.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!"

He shot arrows from the southwest, aiming directly for vital points.

The arrows were like meteors, and as soon as they were released, Zhao Xing's skin felt a stinging sensation.

A graded bow martial artist's lethality was immense, especially at this range. To assassinate a Minister of Agriculture, in Gu Feng's opinion, was as easy as turning one's hand!

However, at the very moment he shot the arrows, Gu Feng suddenly felt a chill on his forehead, and the silver bow in his hand trembled slightly.

"Clang!" "Clang, clang, clang!"

The outcome, however, surprised Gu Feng; all his arrow attacks were nullified!

To his astonishment, it wasn't the Mountain Cat that blocked the arrows, but Shen Zhui, who was next to Zhao Xing!

At this moment, Shen Zhui held an iron ruler in his right hand and a shield in his left.

The shield was originally his 'Coiled Palm Hat,' a specially made rattan armor worn normally, but which could be removed and used as a shield in critical moments. It was a top-grade Tier 3 treasure!

Gu Feng had considered the possibility of the Mountain Cat defending against them.

But that ordinary-looking young man with an iron ruler could actually block them. And he didn't block them with the shield, but cleaved the arrows with his blade.

"Where did this master come from? No... my arrow's power is diminished, I'm being affected!" Gu Feng's heart jolted with alarm.

A bow martial artist's arrows were incredibly difficult to dodge; even against someone of a higher grade, they could still hit the target.

He had just used his secret technique, 'Heart-Piercing Arrow,' yet it had been blocked! This was definitely not normal!

There was no time to be surprised, as he felt that cool breeze assault him again, and the young martial artist was now pursuing him.

He fired seven more arrows, intending to stop Shen Zhui.

But this time, both their power and speed were weaker.

The Nine-Turn Yin Wind attacking his soul diverted most of his energy to resist it.

This resulted in the arrows being easily parried.

"A bow martial artist shouldn't hide in the back and fire sneak attacks, yet he's standing so far forward; he's practically asking for death!" Zhao Xing controlled the Yin Wind, wrapping it around Gu Feng layer by layer.

The opponent considered him a threat, and Zhao Xing felt the same way about him.

It wasn't about holding a grudge, but among the graded martial artists present, the bow martial artist posed the greatest threat to him.

Because the speed and power of arrows were too strong; even against an Eighth Grade martial artist, if their movement technique was slightly lacking, they could be shot dead by a Ninth Grade bow martial artist.

Therefore, the moment the 'Martial Only' time arrived, Zhao Xing immediately locked onto Gu Feng and summoned the Yin Wind from beneath his feet.

The nine-turn Yin Wind instantly shook Gu Feng's soul, causing his sense of direction and control over his own strength to decline.

That's why the Mountain Cat didn't even have to act; Shen Zhui directly blocked him.

"The function of courtesy, harmony..."

Wen Zhao activated his courtesy technique, intending to help Gu Feng.

"To your mother!"

Seeing Wen Zhao, unaware of the danger, still trying to get involved in a fight between graded martial artists, Zhao Xing roared, and the Yin Wind surged into his mind.

"Buzz!"

Wen Zhao felt as if his soul had left his body, and he himself floated upwards.

"Thud!"

He simply collapsed to the ground.

The square became eerily quiet.

Because at the very first moment, neither Yang Junxiong nor Du Jiaojiao made a move for the incense; instead, they were observing the movements of the bow martial artist and the Mountain Cat.

To them, the threats posed by the bow martial artist and the Mountain Cat were comparable.

In fact, the bow martial artist's threat was even greater than the Mountain Cat's.

If they had leaped into the air at the start, they would have found it difficult to leverage themselves in mid-air and would become live targets for the bow martial artist.

As for Zhao Xing himself and the graded young man beside him, they could be largely ignored.

Gu Feng targeting Zhao Xing first was something they were quite pleased to see.

Whether the Mountain Cat was shot dead or the bow martial artist retreated, the outcome would be highly advantageous for both Du Jiaojiao and Yang Junxiong.

However, unexpectedly, the Mountain Cat didn't even act, and the bow martial artist began to retreat.

"What's happening?" Lu Qian watched the scene, confused. "They're both graded martial artists, how can that person block Gu Feng's arrows?"

Du Jiaojiao's eyes glowed with a faint golden light, indicating her 'Bright Eyes' were also at Nine Turns. "It's Zhao Xing. Gu Feng is enveloped in a layer of Yin Wind."

"What is Yin Wind?" Liu Muqing asked, somewhat curious, as she knew little about the military agricultural division's spells.

"Subterranean Yin Wind specifically harms the soul," Du Jiaojiao said, a hint of apprehension in her eyes. "If the physical soul and spiritual soul are affected, bodily movements will distort, and strength will diminish. In severe cases, even the soul might be scattered."

"One layer, three layers, nine layers of Yin Wind?!" Du Jiaojiao's expression shifted slightly.

The Nine-Turn Yin Wind completely exceeded her expectations. With this spell, Zhao Xing could truly be considered a graded master!

"This person is indeed insidious; even his spells are like this," Lu Qian recalled her previous encounter, when Zhao Xing buried a straw figure and pretended to be foolish to trick her into his trap.

"I understand why Cao Qiushui lost last night; it must have been because of this Yin Wind spell," Du Jiaojiao sighed. "Securing the 'first incense' tonight will be difficult again. I fear even getting second place will be uncertain."

Not far away, Li Chengfeng looked at an old clerk beside him.

"Brother Zhang, why don't we take advantage of their fierce battle, and you and I work together to perform 'Cloud Walking' to seize the initiative for everyone..."

"'Cloud Walking'?" The clerk surnamed Zhang shook his head like a rattle-drum. "Before Zhao Xing moves, who dares to perform 'Cloud Walking'? Didn't you see Cao Qiushui hasn't even stirred?"

Li Chengfeng was stunned. "Is he that formidable?"

The clerk surnamed Zhang pointed to the sky and said, "Last night, he first defeated four Eighth-Grade Ministers of Agriculture, then forced Cao Qiushui to concede and withdraw. It's not that people don't want to, but that they don't dare. I advise you not to act rashly either."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengfeng's expression became complex. He had thought that with his great opportunity, having entered the Ninth Stage of Vital Convergence, he was strong enough to look down on all others. Yet, he never expected Zhao Xing to be even more powerful, to the extent that others didn't even dare to try.

The moment Gu Feng and Shen Zhui disappeared from the Altar Square, someone made a move.

Yang Junxiong, riding his bamboo horse, leaped up and headed towards the golden light orbs in mid-air.

"Mountain Cat, go!"

Zhao Xing patted the Mountain Cat's back, and then the Mountain Cat shot out, heading straight for Yang Junxiong from another angle.

Unexpectedly, at that very moment, Yang Junxiong suddenly jumped off his bamboo horse, separating from it, and increasing his speed by another third.

At the same time, the bamboo horse suddenly reared its head, pawed the air, and sharply changed direction.

"Clippity-clop!" The bamboo horse's four hooves glowed, and its entire body burned with fiery red light, like a Pegasus galloping through the air!

The light beneath its hooves flickered in the sky, and ripples spread out, seemingly overshadowing the golden light of the incense!

"What? Such heavy baleful energy! Is that actually a Battle Spirit Bamboo Horse?!" Mechanist Hu Yang sharply looked up and couldn't help but exclaim.

On the other side, Du Jiaojiao also suddenly rose, her spear thrusting out like a dragon straight towards the sky: "Zhao Xing, Zong Shichang, quickly get out of the way!!"