The crowd erupted—some in excitement, some in anger, and some in disbelief. While many were rowdy, the strong and the higher-ups of their respective forces were quiet, many narrowing their eyes or stroking their chins. One of the favorites, known to be one of the strongest of the younger generation, was beaten so quickly and easily? And by someone from the Flying Cloud Sect? Many couldn’t believe their eyes, and those who did were worried how this would disrupt the power balance. Whether or not Wū Shòu or Qīng Shuàizhí would win was already a controversial topic among the people of Blossom Falls. If Tiān Zhēbì could win so easily, what did that mean for Wū Shòu?
The people of the Yellow Qilin Academy were all quiet. Yàn Lìqín seemed to be thinking about something. Yù Quán’s face was cold, and all the others looked solemn. They had a surprise obstacle in their path with little time to prepare. Yàn Lìqín finished his thoughts and called Liàng Píng and Yin Mengxia to talk discreetly. Yù Quán was going to go over and see what was being discussed, but then he caught the eye of Tiān Zhēbì, who had been looking his way for some reason.
When their eyes met, that same feeling appeared. Yù Quán had an instinctive hatred for this man he had never met. He didn't know what it was or how to explain it, but he just knew he could never get along with him. Tiān Zhēbì seemed to get some type of feeling as well, but his signature wide grin appeared on his face instead. Yù Quán was lost in thought before Rèn Chāngmíng tapped his shoulder.
“Are you alright, Senior Brother?”
Yù Quán shifted his gaze and let out a heavy sigh. “It’s nothing, I just… don’t like that guy.”
Rèn Chāngmíng looked over and saw that Tiān Zhēbì was looking over, still smiling.
“He’s so cocky as to antagonize you without knowing if you’ll be fighting or not? What arrogance?!”
“We will.”
Rèn Chāngmíng looked over to Yù Quán in confusion. He was still staring back at Tiān Zhēbì. He looked the most serious Rèn Chāngmíng had ever seen him. Yù Quán was rarely a serious guy, so moments like now and when he crippled Dong Xiaoli were surprising to Rèn Chāngmíng.
Rèn Chāngmíng looked back to Tiān Zhēbì. “...How do you know?”
“He beat someone arguing to be the strongest in this competition without breaking a sweat. Wū Shòu won’t be able to do much better. We’ll see each other soon.”
“What if you lose to someone else?”
“I won’t,” replied Yù Quán without even so much as a blink.
Rèn Chāngmíng found this version of Yù Quán a bit domineering. But mostly hardheaded and stubborn. He didn’t think Yù Quán would lose to many people here after seeing his strength and ability to plan and scheme, but wasn’t it smart to be cautious?
“...What if you have to fight Wū Shòu?”
This time, Yù Quán was quiet for a bit. He even lowered his gaze from Tiān Zhēbì to think for a bit. Then he looked over to Rèn Chāngmíng.
“I’ll win.”
“Next! Liàng Píng! Fang Yusheng!”
The announcer interrupted Yù Quán and Rèn Chāngmíng’s conversation, as well as Yàn Lìqín and the others. Liàng Píng nodded toward everyone and went down to the arena grounds. Liàng Píng was usually straightforward and blunt, so no one was surprised. The only time anybody had seen him act differently was when he was interacting with Yin Mengxia. While Liàng Píng was entering the ring, his opponent had made it down and was entering simultaneously.
His opponent was a burly man with scars covering his body. When they walked in, Liàng Píng tried to acknowledge him with a nod, but the man snorted. Liàng Píng didn’t get angry but simply ignored the man’s attitude. He didn't know what he did but assumed it was probably a petty detail.
“Liàng Píng from the Yellow Qilin Academy versus Fang Yusheng of the Supreme Wolf Sect. Begin!”
“Ah… that explains the attitude,” Liàng Píng said after hearing the force he was from. After what Yù Quán had done to Dong Xiaoli, there was no way the Supreme Wolf Sect and the Yellow Qilin Academy could be friendly or cordial. He was more surprised that all he got was a snort instead of some cursing or threats.
Stolen novel; please report.
Fang Yusheng was a strong guy. The Supreme Wolf Sect was usually made of strength types, so it wasn’t surprising. Fang Yusheng didn’t hesitate to burst out. The way he moved was primitive, like a beast on the prowl if it ran on only two legs. Everyone expected Liàng Píng to burst out, but he just stood there, ready. Fang Yusheng felt he was being underestimated, which made him angry. He responded by speeding up, flying towards Liàng Píng on foot.
Liàng Píng remembered one of the things Yàn Lìqín had told him. It wasn’t just about winning. They needed to show off their strength to the other powers. Before, keeping discreet was fine, but now the Yellow QIlin Academy was attempting to carve out a place for themselves in Blossom Falls, which required respect.
Liàng Píng kept this in mind for his fight. As Fang Yusheng got closer, Liàng Píng ground his feet into the ground below him and slowly pulled his fist back. Fang Yusheng arrived quickly. He only wanted to test Liàng Píng first. Although angry, he had seen what going in blindly from rage did to Dong Xiaoli. He wouldn’t make the same mistake. But that didn’t mean his attack would be weak. He had filled his punch full of qi before throwing it.
Boom!
The loud noise from the punch landing made many people flinch. It was a direct hit; Liàng Píng had stood there to the end. But everyone, including Fang Yusheng, was surprised that Liàng Píng hadn’t moved an inch. He had taken a direct hit on the face, and his neck hadn’t even budged. Fang Yusheng was confused, followed by fear. His instincts were screaming at him. But before he could move, there was a strong grip around his neck.
Liàng Píng wasn’t fast, but he was strong. More so than these so-called “strength cultivators.” What he focused on was body cultivation. While others practiced new techniques and fighting styles, Liàng Píng was tempering himself. Over and over, day by day, Liàng Píng would spend hours on body refinement at the very least. He had spent some time doing what Yàn Lìqín had needed, spending time with Yin Mengxia, and practicing how Yàn Lìqín told him to, but other than that, he refined.
Liàng Píng didn’t even react, simply saying, “Decent.” before throwing his punch.
BOOM
Fang Yusheng went flying all the way from Liàng Píng’s side of the ring back to his, crashing into the wall and falling on the floor. He was more than bloodied and bruised; he was broken and barely breathing. The crowd had been shocked several times that day but had just witnessed Liàng Píng’s pure strength. Some felt fear, some felt excited, and some felt their blood boiling to get to work and reach that level. Liàng Píng stood proud. He couldn’t bear being gawked at by so many people, but he needed to do this to garner fame and notoriety for the Yellow Qilin Academy.
“Liàng Píng goes on to the next round!”
When Liàng Píng made it back to his seat, everyone extended their congratulations.
“I was only doing my duty,” responded Liàng Píng with crossed arms.
“Congratulations, Brother Liàng Píng,” Yin Mengxia said softly.
“O-oh… well, thank you, Sister Yin Mengxia.”
“Softy,” said Yù Quán.
“Shut up!”
Rèn Chāngmíng watched as Fang Yusheng was carried out of the arena, likely to receive medical treatment.
“...I’m just glad you didn’t kill him and get disqualified.”
Hearing this, Liàng Píng returned to his hardened, straightforward nature.
“How could he die? I went easy on him.”
Everyone, “...”
They all wanted to roll their eyes. This is what he called going easy? What would he do if he bore a grudge?
…
Yù Quán
Realm: Body Tempering Realm
Stage: 1st Level Skin Tempering
Main Cultivation Art: [Stolen-eyed Mùmùlián Body](Level 3)
Strength: 550 Catties
Qi: 0/2060 wisps
Mùmùlián Core: 6/100
Strange Fire: (Level 2)Murderous Flame(x1)
Techniques:
[Mùmùlián Eye Stealing](Level 3)
[Mùmùlián Eye Refining](Level 3)
[Murder Mantra](Level 1)
[Yellow Qilin Dance](Level 1)
Attributes:
[Strange Fire: Murderous Flame]
[Star Gazing Eyes](Level 1)
[Top-Quality Mortal Avarice Eyes](Level 1)
[Top-Quality Mortal Avarice Eyes](Level 1)
[Top-Quality Three-Finned Boar Aggression Eyes](Level 5)
[Top-Quality Three-Finned Boar Aggression Eyes](Level 1)(x2)
[Top-Quality Five-Finned Boar Aggression Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality Blue Wolf Ferocity Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality Winged Watcher Awareness Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality False Dragon Pride Eyes](Level 1)