"Don't you find the joke so lacking, that's it even funny?"
"For real? What's up with the new guy?"
"He's completely sick!"
"But his words have really spiced up the fighting atmosphere."
"How is Xin Tong going to react to his not-so-friendly words?"
Everyone couldn't wait to see how the fight would unfold.
Some hoped for Zhao Wei to be taught a good lesson and learn to treat those stronger than him with respect.
Some spectators were just curious about what he hid behind that ordinary facade of his.
Xin Tong used one of his legs to forcefully stump on the ground, effortlessly leaving on it a few inches deep imprint of his foot.
He did it to control himself and contrary to what many had expected, Xin Tong didn't lash out like a rabies-infested mad dog.
He just couldn't go around getting angry at every little thing that was said by people.
Beyond the brawn, Xin Tong also held little bits of brains and he could effectively regulate his emotions and conduct.
But even then… That wasn't how he liked to do things. It didn't conform with his raw personality.
Xin Tong intently looked at the ordinary youth before him.
"You pass. I thought you would have reacted exaggeratively to incompetent and childish jokes like the common stereotypes. It seems you have refined your temperament quite well." Zhao Wei praised wholeheartedly.
"If you hadn't, I don't think I would have to hold back." He then hid his hands inside his pockets.
"Let's start."
"I thought you would never say that." Xin Tong smiled wickedly as he flexed his fists in preparation for pounding some sense into a conceited poser.
Just when Xin Tong was about to take his first step forward, he felt the brush of a soundless breeze on his neck and face.
THUMP!
H-How? H-How?
W-When? When did he move?
How can this be?
This can't be possible!
It's totally unrealistic!
THUMP!
Xin Tong's eyes widened like two saucers threatening to pop out of his eye sockets.
His body suddenly felt as if it had been locked in a chronostatic bubble and he couldn't even move a single cell.
THUMP!
Despite his seemingly frozen state, surprisingly, his heart incessantly drummed against his chest, making it the only sound echoing inside his ears.
THUMP!
Why can't I move? Xin Tong was immensely terrified since he had never experienced such a situation.
Never in his entire life.
THUMP!
'So this is what death feels like? The pungent smell of the Grim Reaper's mouth breathing down my neck.' Xin Tong felt his breath hitch inside his throat and he even forgot to breathe for a moment.
It felt as if the very personification of Death was standing in front of him.
Cold beads of perspiration trickled down his face, converging on his chin to form a substantial droplet that eventually gravitated down to the ground.
THUMP!
The sound of the sweat droplet hitting the ground echoed in sync with the rhythm of his chilled heartbeat.
Xin Tong didn't dare to even glance at Zhao Wei, as he summoned every ounce of his willpower to, at the very least, concede the spar.
"I-I-I admit defeat!" His voice trembled at a high pitch and almost at the same time, the feeling of instant death swiftly receded from his neck.
He released an extremely heavy sigh of relief as the seemingly infinite tons of heaviness that had been weighing on his body started to gradually decrease.
Xin Tong suddenly felt stuffy due to the frigid sweat overflowing from his terrorized pores and making his clothes wet and saturated.
He then hesitantly looked at the unfamiliar Zhao Youth who was just leisurely and slowly putting his right leg down on the ground.
The demonic youth still had his hands pocketed inside his robes which made it even more mortifying and thrilling.
"P-Please, may I know your name?" Xin Tong awkwardly stammered as he respectfully folded his hands in front of his body. He could already feel that his legs were almost going soft when he looked into his eyes.
"You spared my life so I think I should know your name."
"It's Zhao Wei." Zhao Wei replied in a cool voice.
"Zhao Wei… Zhao Wei… even your name oozes supreme confidence and power."
Zhao Wei felt that it was very cringe but he didn't show it on in his face.
He had never bothered about the meaning of his name and whatnot.
"Thanks once again for sparing my life." Xin Tong bowed his head wholeheartedly before struggling to return to the Xin Clan's Pavilion.
His eyes remained unfocused and his legs unsteady as if he would fall at any time.
Many eyes watched in silence as he dejectedly left the open battle platform.
What had just happened?!
Even before a second had passed, it all had happened in an instant as if time had stopped.
In one moment, Zhao Wei had been standing ten meters away from Xin Tong, and in the next instant, before a blink could even complete, he had already executed a flawless high kick aimed at his opponent's neck.
The sheer speed alone made him a good competitor against Qiu Changyi who was famed to be the fastest among the four great geniuses!
"What type of technique did he use to move that fast?"
"Has he maybe practiced a high-ranked movement technique to the peak level or grand perfection?"
"Or maybe he has already practiced a peak-ranked movement technique to a high level?"
"Wouldn't that make him a genius just slightly below the four great geniuses?"
Various questions and debates arose among the awed spectators.
Xin Wuheng abruptly rose from his meditative posture as understanding and growing intense interest showed in his eyes after observing the non-existent battle.
Since every one of his movements was being watched by many due to his overwhelming strength and peculiar reputation, many wondered the cause of his reaction.
Could it be that Xin Wuheng also found Zhao Wei formidable?
But Zhao Wei clearly hadn't shown any of his fighting prowess apart from his startling speed!
"His movements hadn't been fast due to a boost from a high-ranked or peak-ranked movement technique." Xin Wuheng commented as he put his hands behind his back like a supreme expert.
Those around him were immediately taken by a storm.
"Could it be a middle-ranked movement technique?"
"Or maybe it is low ranked one?"
They fervently asked, seeking to know the truth from the strongest genius.
Xin Wuheng shook his head with profundity written in his eyes.
"It's even not a core ranked movement technique. Zhao Wei simply didn't use any technique to boost his speed."
Zhao Linglong also happened to see Zhao Wei's performance and even though it wasn't as impressive as his current abilities, he knew the technique which Zhao Wei had used to kick at Xin Tong.
"That's the [Relentless Tornado Kicks], a peak-ranked leg technique." Zhao Linglong announced with arrogance in his words.
"There was no way he can move like that without the use of a proper high-ranked technique." He then cast a gloating look toward Xin Wuheng as if he had already anticipated Xin Wuheng's thought process.
Some of the truly knowledgeable Zhao Clan's talented youths like Zhao Qin and Zhao Chi also found Zhao Linglong's opinion to be plausible since they also knew of the technique.
"I can't refute that the kick that he had used was a technique but I really don't remember ever talking about his fast movement being one." Xin Wuheng smiled while shrugging helplessly.
Zhao Linglong ground his teeth against each other in annoyance, anger, and embarrassment.
Being proven wrong didn't sit well with his very nature. His inherent arrogance demanded absoluteness in whatever he did or said.
He had many grudges to settle with Xin Wuheng and only by washing away the "ten moves" shame that he had suffered from the previous Genius Summit would he feel contented.
He didn't like Xin Wuheng's reign and he sought to prove a point in this year's Genius Summit.
Zhao Linglong straightened his golden robes, harrumphed, and maintained his silence.
Qin Mengyu used her soft delicate hand to cover her mouth and restrain her steadily growing smile.
She specifically found the day's events to be quite funny and enjoyable ever since Zhao Wei's presence was recognized.
'How interesting. He really isn't as simple as he portrays.'
'He also has surprisingly caught the interest of a fellow beautiful woman. Was her name Zhao Yufei? I would really like to have a heart-to-heart talk with her. I haven't had a sincere girl's talk for quite some time now.' Qin Mengyu cast a curious gaze at Zhao Yufei whose pure eyes were solely focused on the young man on stage.
'Ah, that look.' Qin Mengyu was honestly caught by surprise. She was already past coming of age and with her eighteen years of experience, she wasn't stupid enough to not recognize Zhao Yufei's situation. Even if it was just a surface discovery.
As if sensing someone looking at her, Zhao Yufei slightly turned her head and her eyes met Qin Mengyu's.
Invisible electric sparks flashed between them almost immediately. A battle of wills.
Zhao Yufei then confidently waved at her with an adorable smile on her pink alluring lips. Her smile didn't reach her eyes as she slightly closed them.
'Hehe, aren't you a possessive one, sister Yufei?' Qin Mengyu smiled back as her exquisite eyelashes fluttered involuntarily before their staring contest ended.
Many spectators who had happened to see the unusual interaction between the two most beautiful girls all had their breaths taken away by such an amazing scene.
Qin Mengyu then looked at the aloof youth standing alone in the battle arena.
"The spar ends with Zhao Wei's victory. I don't think I have anything to say about the fight."
"You have the option of challenging anyone or leaving the decision to those who wish to challenge you. What do you think?" Qiu Mengyu suggested.
'Hmm, picking up an opponent won't make a difference.' Zhao Wei thought briefly.
"It's better to leave that decision to those courageous enough to face me." Zhao Wei spoke lightly.
"A warm-up won't hurt before I fight the final boss." He then added before giving Xin Wuheng a side glance.
"Tsk tsk, too much conceitedness to think he could ever put up a fight against Xin Wuheng."
"Someone should remove him from the arena. He has already extended his stay."
"Was the Zhao Clan always arrogant like this?"
"What did the Zhao Clan create this time round?"
"Zhao Linglong…"
Angry tick marks manifested on Zhao Linglong's temples as he heard the various comments badmouthing his clan while some straightforwardly talked shit about him.
It was a pity that he couldn't pinpoint the offenders in a crowd of many.
It was all that bastard's fault.
Zhao Linglong then scoffed with a mocking grin on his face as he looked at Zhao Wei.
He was just waiting for him to lose face.
Unexpectedly, someone from the Qiu Clan's pavilion rose from their seat.
"I don't mind teaching you something about true speed. I hope you won't catch cold feet and backpedal on your decisions."
Those words came from a white clothed handsome young man. Every step he took gave the illusion that he wasn't merely stepping on the ground but on white clouds. He also had a refined scholarly aura that made him seem gentle and intellectual.
It was Qiu Changyi, one of the four great geniuses known for his overwhelming speed that distinguished him from other young talents. Additionally to that, Qiu Changyi also had a Peak Fifth Rank cultivation base, just like Qiu Mengyu.
Who would have expected Qiu Changyi to challenge an insignificant youth from the Zhao Clan?
Many spectators asked themselves but that couldn't stop them from watching with anticipation.
"I am not going anywhere." Zhao Wei stretched his hands upwards as he released a yawn. He looked like someone who had been tired from just standing.
"After I win, would you mind introducing me to your beautiful 'friend'?" Qiu Changyi said confidently as he unembarrassedly directed his interested and heated gaze at Zhao Yufei's form.
The latter awkwardly arched her eyebrows as if wondering what the hell was wrong with the brain of the Qiu disciple.
Seeing her reaction, Zhao Wei chuckled internally before concentrating on Qiu Changyi.
"Do you lack balls, my boy?" Zhao Wei said blandly, not giving a shit about his vulgarity and disrespectful approach.
Qiu Changyi was caught unprepared and was rendered speechless instantly.
"Are you a disguised eunuch? Oh, even certain eunuchs can hit it very well." Zhao Wei continued as he reminisced about a certain main character that had been once a eunuch for a few minutes but that hadn't stopped him from drilling his debauched rod into women's holes.
"Y-You…" Qiu Changyi pointed his trembling finger at Zhao Wei, the words that he wanted to say immediately evaporating from his mouth due to anger.
The spectators remained silent for a moment due to 'slow processing' before finally…
They really couldn't hold it in as they burst their lungs out with uncontrollable laughter.
Qiu Changyi clenched his jaws while tightly balling his fists. Several drops of blood momentarily dripped from his clenched right hand.
At that moment, a trail of cloudy mists and small snow-white feathers started emanating from his feet as he immediately executed his movement techniques to the max.
[Flowing Feather Step]
[Flowing Feather Flying Cloud]
WHOOSH!
Qiu Changyi then disappeared.
An imperceptible evil smile crept at the corners of Zhao Wei's mouth.
***
[Author's Note]
I am facepalming myself after writing this... I didn't keep my promise I wrote these 2.2k words before knowing it. I will finish it in the next two chapter truthfully. Pinky crossed.
Enjoy!
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