Against six mighty figures in the Ethereal Stage experts, their auras slamming into Hui Xiong one after the other, all he could do was shake like a leaf, turning a pale and whiny face to his master, squeaking, "Master, t-they're faking. Just three days ago they were cripples and now they're monsters? They have to have pulled something!"
"But what did they do?"
Elder Lu was just as stunned, feeling remorse for his imminent fate.
[What did they eat to get so big? How the hell can one change so much in just three days? And so many too.]
Hui Xiong hesitated, his eyes darting to and fro, "Master, the first round is lost. Should we just… forfeit? We'll just focus on Mystical Heaven Sect. There's just no way we can beat these freaks."
"Bullshit!"
Elder Lu snapped, "Do you have any idea why Double Dragon Gathering uses evaluation as a way to judge our ranks? For this precise situation, when someone uses a dirty trick to play against another sect. The result of every round's evaluation will be added together to determine our final places. By forfeiting a round, we get nothing!"
Hui Xiong put on a painful face, "But master, fighting them is the same as getting nothing either way. Just look at them. I'm starting to think Xie Wuyue played us. He gave us his weakest disciples to fight while these are the true elites."
Elder Lu's face twitched in anger.
It never occurred to him this was possible since Xie Wuyue was damn Sects Ruler, yet instead of acting like one, he used petty tricks. [Using weaklings instead, won't it make him look like a fool among the other sects?]
But now, when it mattered the most, he had no time to mind trifles, turning to Hui Xiong, "Don't worry too much, the fighting is done by drawing lots. They have six in the Ethereal Stage but four much weaker ones. All we can do now is pray for luck."
"Master, that makes quite the sense."
Eying the ten people, Hui Xiong nodded and his gaze landed on Zhuo Fan, "Master, that kid is only in the 3rd layer. Getting him couldn't be better."
Elder Lu sneered at Zhuo Fan, then knocked his head, "Damn coward, there are four in the Radiant Stage over there and you picked the weakest? Please, you're at peak Radiant Stage so act like one. Can't you go for those in the 6th layer and leave the weakling to your juniors? We would at least get the most out of this round. All you ever care about is yourself."
"Master, it's all up to luck. I'll fight who happens to be my opponent. Not everything will just go as you wish." Holding his head, Hui Xiong replied.
Elder Lu nodded, [He's right though.] Then glared again, "I'm angry at you for your cowardly nature, not your wishes. The strong must challenge the strong with a brave heart. That's the only way to become stronger. Picking on the weak all the time is boring, not to mention pointless."
Hui Xiong scratched his head and nodded.
"May the teams step forth to draw your lots. There are two boxes with ten numbers. Identical numbers on each team will be fighting each other while the order of the fights will be that of the numbers. "
In two short light shows, the judge's hands now held two boxes.
Zhuo Fan came first, sticking his hand in like he was picking apples in the market, and gave the number to the judge.
The judge nodded, "Demon Scheming Sect's leader, Zhuo Fan, has picked 10!"
"Ha-ha-ha, 10, wonder who's the poor sap going to fight that freak." Yan Mo snickered.
"Hi-hi-hi, senior brother Yan Mo, how is it you never felt like watching your fellow disciples in the elite area fight back at the sect yet you're now so excited that you came to watch the lower three sects' rounds?"
Whoosh~
A curvy and enticing woman popped on his side, bearing the most intoxicating smile.
"Oh, Yu Mei."
Glancing sideways, Yan Mo sighed, "The lower three sects are truly the scrape of the barrel. But I'm not here for them…"
Yan Mo's eyes flashed like a ravenous wolf on a particular man, "There's one person down there worthy to be my adversary."
Started, Yu Mei shuddered at Yan Mo's savage look. She always knew him as a player, toying around and doing whatever he wanted. If there was one thing he ever cared about in truth, that was the fight with Wu Qingqiu.
Yet by the looks of him now, he was putting this man way above even Wu Qingqiu.
[There's someone among them that senior brother recognizes?]
Her eyes washed over the crowd until she stopped on the bored Zhuo Fan and cried, "3rd layer Radiant Stage?"
"Yes, 3rd layer Radiant Stage…"
Yan Mo nodded, gnashing his teeth in hatred, "This rotten liar is anything but his cultivation shows. He's more like a wolf in sheep's clothing. Last time he almost…"
Yan Mo raved then held his tongue, realizing Yu Mei was there.
Yu Mei was damn curious now, "Last time?"
"Nothing. It doesn't concern you." Yan Mo flushed in embarrassment, not feeling like sharing his shame.
Was he going to shout to the world a 3rd layer Radiant Stage almost did him in? Hardly, he had a reputation to maintain.
Though his tight lip only got Yu Mei more intrigued, her smile creepily lingered on Zhuo Fan.
[Who is he to make senior brother so angry?]
"Number 10!"
On stage, Hui Xiong got his number and shouted in joy. Then he gave Zhuo Fan a snicker.
The judge and everyone else had looks of scorn. Elder Lu blushed.
[How the hell did I get such a coward for a disciple? I told you already there's nothing glorious about beating a 3rd layer Radiant Stage at peak Radiant Stage!]
The more excited he got, the more it proved how weak he was and, in equal measure, ruined his master's image.
While Zhuo Fan had a simple and boring reaction to this fool's ignorant mockery, [Dumbass.]
"Sigh, stupidity sure is terminal. What's there to laugh at having such a freak fighting him?" Third Young Master Han sighed.
Han Yunfeng scratched his nose, "This is great. With Hui Xiong, the strongest among the Beast Taming Sect, we can now catch hints of what this monster's capable of…"
The two nodded.
"I didn't know the lower three sects had an underdog. Their team is made to face the superior three sects. While a fall of a superior three sect is unlikely, we'll at least get to see a middle three sect kicked down a notch."
Yu Mei's honeyed voice floated, watching the Demon Scheming Sect in admiration, "For that muscle guy from Beast Taming Sect to get the weakest for an adversary is a real stroke of luck."
Yan Mo's ears twitched, his smile cold, "More like a stroke of rotten luck. He's dead."
"Eh?" Yu Mei raised a dainty eyebrow, "There are 6 layers between them, yet the kid can still squeeze a win?"
[More like insta-kill than a squeeze.]
Yan Mo's only reply was a roll of his eyes, but Yu Mei only grew more interested, her dewy eyes never leaving Zhuo Fan…
On Demon Scheming Sect's stand, Fiend Yang was looking chipper than ever, his face filled with pride, his smile wider than ever, "Brothers and sisters, I am proud to see you bursting with energy, filled with valor and courage. With you here, challenging the middle three sects is nothing…"
"Skip it!" Zhuo Fan cut his swag short.
Fiend Yang deflated a bit, but shook it off with a wave, "I was going to praise you guys some more, but since Steward Zhuo said no, I will get to the point. I want you all to hold back against the Beast Taming Sect. Sending them flying is within reason, but don't bruise them."
"Why?" Lu Xie asked, "Just look at that damn Hui Xiong strutting his hot air around. We're dying to give him his due. Yet now you want us to take it easy?"
Fiend Yang waved his complaint away then he turned serious, "That's called tactics, do you understand? The Double Dragon Gathering is based on evaluations. If we wound them, their next opponent will be the Mystical Heaven Sect. It will be the same as helping Mystical Heaven Sect. You should feel more disgusted with those so-called hypocritical and ungrateful righteous liars than with some ignorant fools."
The kids' eyes lit up, showing a nasty grin.
"And you, enough of your fraternizing with or you'll harm our position. You are up against their strongest so make damn sure you leave him in one piece. And don't cripple him either. You'll only be helping Mystical Heaven Sect." Fiend Yang rested a heavy gaze on Zhuo Fan.
Zhuo Fan merely shook his hand, "Lighten up, I know what I'm doing. Besides, with her strength, even fighting Hui Xiong won't be a problem."
Hum~
With a ripple as the only sign, four walls rose up around the stage, trapping everything within.
"The barrier is set. Take your places!"
The judge made a sign, turning from Demon Scheming Sect to Beast Taming Sect to get started.
Bearing a cold smile, Qi Changlong with his highest cultivation strutted in the middle. He unleashed the full power of a 3rd layer Ethereal Stage, flexing his majestic strength.
Once inside the barrier, his aura got cut off, and the audience could finally breathe again. Though the same could be said about the shock, still reeling from the deadly pressure on their chest.
Beast Taming Sect's side was scared witless, shaking to the core.
The one holding the number one token in particular.
The guy's hands were quaking, and seeing Qi Changlong's cold sneer on the stage had him close to tears.
While not weak by any means by being in the 7th layer Radiant Stage, one couldn't say the same for his luck, or lack thereof. Faced with insurmountable adversity, he felt like a lamb to the slaughter.
[I'm going to get myself killed!]
He whipped his panicked and wheedling face to Elder Lu, "Elder, my loss is certain. Can I just forfeit?"
"Do you have any clue what Double Dragon Gathering's rules are?"
Elder Lu snorted, "A win is counted as two points, a draw as one, and a loss as zero. While forfeiting, humph, minus two. You not getting up there is ruining us. "
The guy's face sank, "Double Dragon Gathering won't even let us forfeit? They just want us all to die!"
"How the hell would you know what's on their mind?"
Elder Lu sneered, "Even knowing the risks you still have to take them. The Double Dragon Gathering set up this system to see how dedicated the disciples are to their sects if they are willing to give their lives for it. If a sect ends up with a negative score, it doesn't necessarily show its strength but it shows its cohesion, destined to be the runt of the lower three sects. So for the sake of the sect, you will get up there even if you were facing a peak Elder Stage!"
[That's easy for you to say. You're not the one going.]
All that complaining didn't help him at all, forcing him to drag his feet up there. Not going would end up with a fate worse than death, while at least he'd get a quick death up there in the ring.
Hui Xiong had a mocking smile like always, just loving it when others were in pain, "Didn't you always try to take my place as the best in our sect? This is your chance to earn a name. Unlike my battle with that weak guy, not getting any honor, ha-ha-ha…"
His teammate glared back in hatred.
[This bastard would mock and kick anyone!]
Then he turned to Zhuo Fan on the enemy's side in envy. [Just a 3rd layer Radiant Stage. Practically an easy wing for most of the guys in Double Dragon Gathering. Such damn luck he had. Did Hui Xiong save the world in his past life or something?]
Filled with bitter jealousy, the guy walked into the ring. Faced with Qi Changlong's cold smile, reality came crashing down on him.
[There goes my poor little life.]
Standing there all shivering, Qi Changlong only had a sneer on his face.
"Begin!" The judge gave the go-ahead.
The guy lowered his head and held his hand in prayer. His forehead touched the ground again and again, in the hope to gain some pity.
Qi Changlong cracked up. The entire Demon Scheming Sect's team did so in fact.
[No matter how weak you are, you don't even have the guts to face your enemy?]
Elder Lu's face twitched, while the Beast Taming Sect's team was ashamed.
[Senior brother, you're making us look like worms. Can't you die with dignity?]
Qi Changlong grinned wider, mocking, "You have good eyes to recognize greatness. In light of your exceptional decision, I shall let you go. Now scram!"
Whoosh~
A flick of his wrist sent a gale so strong the guy was sent crashing out of the ring.
It took a good minute to calm down and touch himself all over for wounds, only to find nothing hurting. He was alive and well!
"First fight goes to the Demon Scheming Sect!" The judge declared, feeling bored of the huge gap between the sects. This had never happened in the history of Double Dragon Gathering. They were both sects in the same grade yet worlds apart. The Demon Scheming Sect was a freak.
The guy looked up at Qi Changlong on stage and broke out in an unbridled smile, thanking and bowing over and over, "Thank you, thank you, thank you…"
It was without a doubt a most demeaning and vile sight. He earned the disgust of everyone with his servile attitude, and Elder Lu practically burned from rage.
[He got to get out alive but without any shred of decency either!]
Funny enough, the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect were bright-eyed. [So that's how I keep my life. It's worth a shot. Since we can't win anyway, we might as well come out alive.]
Ignoring the ingratiating disciple, Qi Changlong returned to his team with a wide smile. It was all part of their master plan to keep them nice and healthy. All that pleading and wheedling had no effect whatsoever. But this example gave the wrong impression to the rest that their very lives hung on how much of a toadie they were. Thus…
"Second fight, fighters on stage!" The judge announced.
Yue Ling stood up and walked up the stage. Beast Taming Sect's second adversary was shaking all over while taking slow and painful steps forward.
"Raise your head and don't you goddamn dare to do the same thing the other did. Be a man, and die with dignity!" Hui Xiong waved his fists and roared with might at his fellow disciple. Only to give the first one a look of scorn, "And you! You are a failure, a disappointment! You just ruined the name of our sect. Yet you have the nerve to come back?"
The rest gave Hui Xiong a glare of anger.
[Big talk for someone who is fighting a damn weakling. You have no damn thing to worry about. While we have to face the strongest they have. If you're that brave, why don't you take them on for size? We'll see who's begging!]
Ignoring them, or maybe downright oblivious to the stares of hatred, Hui Xiong's twisted smile never faltered and his self-righteous air never slacked. He was the picture of superiority standing on his skewed moral high ground. He was the bastion of Beast Taming Sect's dignity, bearing its flag with honor and heroism as the dogs surrounding him did all they could to cut him down.
His fellow disciples feared his strength and couldn't do anything but seethe in anger…
Meanwhile, Beast Taming Sect's second participant, in the 6th layer Radiant Stage, walked on stage. Facing Yue Ling who was in the Ethereal Stage, he broke out in a sweat.
Without so much as a sign or hint, the guy fell to his knees before her, showering her in pleadings, even worse than the other guy.
Laughter had broken out the minute he was on his knees, laughing so hard in tears of joy. [This is no competition, but Beast Taming Sect proclaiming its veneration for Demon Scheming Sect!]
The sect had lost all its dignity. Elder Lu was boiling mad. It wasn't just shaming the sect this time, but its legacy and all the respected leaders it had.
[We're all from the lower three sects, but you dare renounce your sect's name without remorse. You're not worthy to be a disciple of Beast Taming Sect no more.]
Who the hell cared? Certainly not them, not when their lives were on the line.
All Beast Taming Sect's disciples watched the worship being played out on stage with total focus and apprehension. Their dear senior brother was coming back home, alive.
This time, the disciple's begging was a notch above. If that worked, then Demon Scheming Sect was going to let them all go by doing the same. The most aware of their surroundings was none other than these disciples. They had to know how to beg when their lives were at stake.
Squinting, Yue Ling sneered, "Good, very good, I just love to see a man knowing his place. Now beat it!"
In the same way, Yue Ling sent the guy flying with a swish and flick, not too hard though, needing a softer touch to leave him unharmed.
The guy got back to his feet from the ground outside the stage and burst into joy, feeling like he had just escaped the jaws of death.
Beast Taming Sect's disciples lit up, just as excited, laughing with him. If one didn't know better, they'd think they just won.
The scene was too damn bizarre for the audience to take in, though only for a moment, as they got to laughing soon after.
[Beast Taming Sect's aim is so low this time. Coming out alive is already a victory.]
Elder Lu's eyes rolled back in his head from anger. [Not just Hui Xiong, every damn disciple is worthless.]
In this manner, Demon Scheming Sect and Beast Taming Sect 'fought' glorious battles. Beast Taming Sect's disciples slammed their heads on the flow without any exception, all wishing nothing more than to come out alive.
Demon Scheming Sect's side was really enjoying being in the center of it, holding their heads high like good samaritans giving alms to the needy, or a flick to be more precise. One that promised a long-lasting life, followed soon after by endless thanks from the saved.
The constant disgraceful behavior his dear disciples had taken to with such fervor fueled Elder Lu's anger with more and more rage, evident by his bloodshot eyes. He wasn't far from popping a vein, or two.
While Elder Yun was beginning to see signs of something amiss. Sure, he mocked them just like the next guy, but as he watched the Demon Scheming Sect closer, he exclaimed, "This is Demon Scheming Sect's plan!"
"What's wrong, elder?" Shui Ruohua asked.
Elder Yun's brow was locked in a tight frown, glaring at the Demon Scheming Sect, "Good for you, Fiend Yang, you had me fooled."
It only worked to get the others more confused.
"Don't tell me you don't see it. Demon Scheming Sect and Beast Taming Sect's fights ended with no wounded." Elder Yun sighed.
Shui Ruohua looked at the rest and laughed, "At their disparity, it's only natural."
"Yes, the gap is abyssal, leading the round with ease. Such a case hasn't ever happened in Double Dragon Gathering. Since everyone would fight to their dying breath, all to make their sect proud and earn more resources. Not one sect could ultimately control the situation because of this."
Elder Yun squinted, "It was this that blinded me to Demon Scheming Sect's scheme."
Shui Ruohua asked, puzzled, "Elder, what do you mean by their scheme?"
"You really can't see it? Demon Scheming Sect has rigged the fights."
Elder Yun spat, "They let every Beast Taming Sect's disciple leave unharmed to keep their strength, to face us at full power."
"What?" Shui Ruohua looked over the ring closer, "But Beast Taming Sect's disciples are all begging for their lives and that is why they come unharmed. There's no reason to shed blood for nothing."
"Ruohua, that's one of our rules. Demonic cultivators don't have it. Those crazy bastards are both degenerates and twisted. One of them feeling pity I can understand, but all of them? They planned this from the start, and all for us."
Elder Yun huffed, "Damn those rotten demonic cultivators, they want us to end up last in the rankings."
The girls' faces turned heavy.
Xuan Shaoyu dressed his voice to get attention, cursing, "No demonic cultivators are ever trustworthy, filled with schemes and debased. "
"Senior brother, you're wrong. They're just using the rules to control the situation. How are they degenerates? And don't we owe them? We just kicked them when they were down so now they want revenge. It has nothing to do with the path we each take."
The sudden voice had everyone start and turn to Chu Qingcheng.
They have brought this on themselves, so of course, the Demon Scheming Sect would get back at them.
If it were them instead, they'd do it all the same.
With anger laced heavier on Xuan Shaoyu's face, he said "Junior sister, why do you always have to take those demonic cultivators' side? Is it because of him?"
"That's only half."
Chu Qingcheng smiled, "He is an old friend, and no matter when or where I'd stand by his side every time. Leaving that aside, the situation calls for using every trick in the book, so long as we are playing by the rules. We are after all adversaries here. Trying to look superior by accusing the other's morality when you have fallen into a disadvantage is the weak's way out. And I, for one, despise such people."
Their blood ran cold, and everyone considered Chu Qingcheng's words to find them true.
Xuan Shaoyu was outraged, "Junior sister, then does that mean you'll stop thinking about him if he stoops so low?"
"He will never do such a thing."
Chu Qingcheng smiled, her gaze firm, sinking into her memories, "None of you know him. In a pill competition, he had the speed to finish much sooner, yet despite the superior advantage, he resorted to petty tricks to keep his adversary back. He forced his opponent to use blood essence just to qualify. And right then, someone spoke up, that he was one second faster in finishing, yet had a much poorer quality so he should have the spot instead. Tell me, which do you think it's right?"
The girls were deep in thought, then Dan'er voiced, "Though he had a better pill, even if they were at a draw, he'd still come last."
"Ha-ha-ha, everyone thought so as well. Only he stood up for his adversary. Speed was of the essence in a competition, but here, quality took precedence."
"Is he a fool? Didn't you just say he wanted to get the other to lose? Why would he use this chance and help him instead?" Dan'er blinked her purdy eyes in doubt.
Chu Qingcheng explained with a smile, "That's just how he is, admitting his defeats and being generous with his wins. He is evil but with style. I also thought of it as a good chance wasted, but thinking back, he did the right thing. He would do anything to reach his goal but within principle. I knew then and there it didn't matter if he was good or bad, because he was a true man."
The hearts of the girls quivered, watching Zhuo Fan with a dreamy look.
[Young master Zhuo looks so sloppy but has such a great character?]
Xuan Shaoyu was close to blowing a gasket. Chu Qingcheng was humiliating him. [Zhuo Fan is a real man so that means I'm not?]
Being told by the woman he loved he wasn't a man was the heaviest blow one could take…
"Sister Qingcheng, did he win?" Dan'er blinked her doe eyes, eager to know the end of the tale, like the rest of the girls.
Chu Qingcheng smiled, "Of course."
"What of the adversary, did he die?"
"Ha-ha-ha, you might not believe it even if I tell you. I thought he did kill him as well, only to later find out when I came to the sect that his adversary was on his side now, both of them in cahoots."
[For real?]
The girls were stunned. [Weren't they enemies?]
Chu Qingcheng said, "Righteous cultivators say that heroes know other heroes. So why can't two devious demonic cultivators gang up? Besides, they're both top alchemists…"
"Qingcheng, righteous and demonic are clearly defined. You'd best remember that." Elder Yun had enough of this and interfered, afraid she would steer the girls along the wrong path.
Chu Qingcheng shrugged while the girls sighed annoyed, but now they saw Zhuo Fan with different and much deeper eyes.
Just out of earshot, where the boring round was ongoing between the two sects, all fights if one could call them that, ended the same way. Demon Scheming Sect's side stood on stage with pride and dignity, while Beast Taming Sect's disciples pleaded every time, in hope of receiving the same saving flick their brothers got.
What started off as mockery, the crowd grew bored as well, taking to yawning as a much better alternative than wasting their contempt on something worthless.
The insurmountable distance between the sects had turned the competition into a ceremony of respect to their lord savior. Only Kui Gang and Yue'er, still in the Radiant Stage, had to work a bit to get their win, though just a couple of moves. The extra wide meridians did wonders to bridge cultivation gaps.
Until it came to a head, the fight between Zhuo Fan and Hui Xiong.
"Bunch of good-for-nothing cowards. Let me show you how it's done, how you fight for the Beast Taming Sect." Hui Xiong roared, mocking his fellow disciples as he went on stage.
Like a mighty and unbeatable general, he walked on with his head held higher than ever thought possible.
Elder Lu was already numb from the humiliation each round inflicted, but now seeing Hui Xiong on stage, his hope rekindled.
"The name of Beast Taming Sect rests solely on your shoulders. Make sure to make him suffer."
"Ha-ha-ha, of course, master. Leave it to me. I'm not like those sniveling fools. I will bring back all the glory!" Ha-ha-ha roared with laughter.
The other disciples' faces fell, giving him despising grins.
[What does winning against such a weak opponent give you? Pride? Anyone of us would've been just as bold in your stead!]
Zhuo Fan got up and walked on stage, with the same calm expression as always.
Fiend Yang shouted in worry, "Zhuo Fan, hold back, you hear? Don't hurt him."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. What's the fuss about rigging a match?" Zhuo Fan mocked and waved him off.
Fiend Yang felt not in the least reassured, in fact, his worries mounted.
Gui Hu advised, "Venerable, Steward Zhuo has the sharpest mind among us. If I could learn to hold back, he is sure to be a master at it."
"What do you know? Your cases are different!"
Fiend Yang sighed, "Showing off your Ethereal Stage expert vibes got your opponent running scared and begging for mercy. Of course you went easy, but look at Hui Xiong and that grin he has like he wants to play. So you tell me, can you hold it in?"
Thinking about it, no, he probably couldn't. Hui Xiong was begging to be trashed, plastered, and broken into tiny little pieces, and the on-and-off taunts weren't helping his case. He was looking at Zhuo Fan like he was the king of the world. Who wouldn't be pissed off at that?
"No way." Everyone shook their heads.
Gui Hu gnashed his teeth, "This guy just doesn't know when to quit his bragging. If it were me up there, I wouldn't kill him, I'd cripple every bone in his body."
"That's what I've been saying. I can only hope Zhuo Fan's patience runs deeper than the earth. If the guy dies, our plan's effect is cut in half."
Fiend Yang was praying now, hoping for a miracle, the miracle of patience…
On stage at last.
Zhuo Fan's appearance earned some sharp glares. Not just Yan Mo and the Han brothers were watching his every move, but there was another one, in the shadows, right by the entrance, watching with a most intense gaze.
Yongning and Shuang'er were giddy that the star of the show, by their account, was here. They both had nothing but tender looks for him.
"Ha-ha-ha, punk, your sect has humiliated us so far and now, yours truly will take it all out on you. It's all your rotten luck to blame for getting the same number!"
Hui Xiong was getting more annoying and brash by the second in his taunts.
Yan Mo's side was right to mock him. [Dumbass!]
Fiend Yang's side remained silent, all chanting a silent prayer that Zhuo Fan would turn the other cheek. Luck had it, Zhuo Fan's mind and heart had shown tremendous growth since he came to the sect. No matter how much Hui Xiong blustered or taunted, nothing could break Zhuo Fan's tranquility.
Fiend Yang eased a breath, then his heart thumped back into overdrive. Zhuo Fan frowned, sensing something was calling to him. He turned his head to the entrance, peering at the shadows, and his eyes shook.
Hui Xiong paused, taken aback that his time to show off and insult his opponent was taken for clowning around with how his opponent never looked at him and he grew more furious.
[Fine, you ignorant simp! A puny 3rd layer Radiant Stage dares to ignore me? You're asking for it!]
Hui Xiong roared. "Punk, I'll give you ten moves, free to do anything to me while I won't move a muscle."
Hui Xiong's roaring entered the audience's ears only to earn their rolled eyes.
[A peak Radiant Stage showing off before one in the 3rd layer? Why don't you pick an Ethereal Stage expert if you got the guts? Nothing more than a coward picking on the weak.]
Yan Mo's side sneered, [What a moron. The instant that guy moved, you're done for.]
Yet nothing happened on stage. Zhuo Fan looked frozen, his eyes widening, staring with intent at the entrance's shadows. As for Hui Xiong's 'gutsy' declaration, he heard nothing of it, still standing there as his mind went out of commission.
Everyone was taken aback, even his sect's side. Fiend Yang thinking, [What's wrong with him? I did tell him to go easy on the guy, but not so much as to let him do what he wanted. Why isn't he moving?]
Hui Xiong had a grand epiphany, a miracle thinking of his thick skull housing that little brain of his. "Ha-ha-ha, ignorant fool, did I scare you? But don't think for a second this will change things. I will not go easy on you since I'm a man of principle!"
Hui Xiong shone in a gray hue and a huge bear image formed behind him. Its power ran rampant, its aura bearing down on the barrier so much that it turned gray as well.
Everyone cried in shock, having come to a newfound realization of this narrow-minded thug.
Gui Hu was also amazed. Hui Xiong knew only to bluster all day, every day, yet at the end of it all, he wasn't Beast Taming Sect's top disciple for nothing,
I was no less than Qi Changlong's previous level. Not like it would make a damn difference with Zhuo Fan around. If he had any other opponent in the Radiant Stage, he would have some pretty good odds of winning. As for this case, not a snowball's chance in hell…
Gui Hu and the disciples watched the one-man show with pity knowing Zhuo Fan's true power.
[What a waste of good strength, thrown in the jaws of the beast.]
Whoosh~
The gray bear behind Hui Xiong came at Zhuo Fan, enraged that even this wasn't enough to get him out of his stupor, and unleashed a mighty paw attack. "Punk, you asked for it. Mid profound ranked martial art, Descending Bear Paw!"
As the paw came crashing down, the tile under Zhuo Fan shattered, flinging rocks everywhere. The immense power sent howling winds within the barrier.
Any average guy would turn into a meat patty under such a paw. Not Zhuo Fan though, he merely raised an eyebrow, his fixed stare still on the entrance to unravel just what was giving him the strange feeling. He had no time nor care to mind what happened around him.
The crowd gasped, worried for Zhuo Fan. [Is he scared to death, frozen in place?]
Even the girls in the stands were worried. Fiend Yang's side was perplexed as to what brought this on. While some of the people around felt fear, others felt worried; what was universal though, was doubt. Only Zhuo Fan stook stock still, his piercing gaze never budging.
Hu~
Two flickers of light shone in the shadows and Zhuo Fan felt a danger like never before taking over his mind. Purple lightning exploded out of him, his red Qilin arm shone bright red in its glorious and awe-inspiring power, and his eyes flickered with azure flames.
Zhuo Fan's three trump cards were out of his control, coming out like he was facing mortal danger. It was at this time the bear paw came crashing down.
Zhuo Fan reacted purely on instinct, raising his fist and attacking.
Boom!
Scarlet flashed, purple lightning crackled, and the two powers combined into a devastating force coming right at Hui Xiong.
Whoosh~
In that instant, before Hui Xiong could even register what happened, he was gone, consumed by the billowing power of the Qillin arm and the savage purple lightning. There had not been time to even let out a cry. One might argue, that he was so taken by the suddenness of it all he didn't know how he even died. And so passed Hui Xiong from this world, from oblivious to oblivion.
The almighty power was far from finished, slamming into the barrier. It shook like a leaf under the purple lightning eating at it.
The judge furrowed his brow and cried out, but even he did not have the time to reinforce it as it caved and shattered. As for the power of the punch, it exploded with lighting ever forward and right into Beast Taming Sect's disciples.
Boom!
The jarring thunderous sound came as the mighty aura went through them, through the walls, and lost in the horizon.
The only sign of what had happened was the crackling of purple on the debris.
Dust and thick smoke rose and once it passed, Beast Taming Sect's team was erased from this world. Only a faint blue mote shook now and then, wailing in pain. "W-what the hell is going on here…"
"E-Elder Lu?" The judge shouted, looking at the smoldering ruins with shock. "Beast Taming Sect's disciples are annihilated. Not even the elder's body survived, only his soul…"
Sss~
The judge's gasp echoed with utmost clarity in the arena, making everyone stare lost, then they came to as they blinked at the center of the stage.
The dust was fading now and revealed first the sharp eyes and a solemn face. His red arm pulsed, sending frightening power every time.
The people watched him in a daze, sweat trickling down their foreheads, their hearts screaming in unison. [Monster!]
Even Yan Mo shook at the display He knew now that this punk had not gone all out at all back in that cave.
Just a casual punch today was so powerful it not only pulverized Hui Xiong from existence but took all the disciples and the elder of the Beast Taming Sect with him.
It all happened so fast and so strong that even the judge was late to react.
He had no idea Zhuo Fan was capable of unleashing such raw power nor that it only came out because Zhuo Fan lost control. And the reason for it was the entrance's shadows.
Zhuo Fan squinted at the two flickers in the shadows going away and the rush of power calmed down, yet his heart felt heavier.
His fated enemy was here. This was the only explanation for his mightiest power to be unleashed without his control. But who was he?
Zhuo Fan's frown deepened…