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When Huang Yaozu stood on the stage, the screams of young girls outside the stage were non-stop. Many girls were madly shouting Huang Yaozu's name like he was a superstar, a smile at the corner of his mouth, full of charm, he kept waving towards the crowd.
Yaozu did this not just because he enjoyed the adoration of the crowd but also because he had a deeper intention. Alone, one could hardly secure a good position in the National Master Manor. One must find allies, form alliances, or, frankly, become someone significant enough for others to rally around. Huang Yaozu aimed to become such a figure, attracting more talented people to follow him, regardless of their gender. The key was if they could help him fulfill his ambitions.
"Brother Huang is so handsome." A female cultivator sighed, her hands over her heart, "Look at his high brow, his sharp nose, and skin better than us girls. I really want to go and hug him."
"Psh, you're shallow. Do you think Huang's top attribute is his looks? No, it's his wealth. Look at his gear. Which piece cost less than a thousand taels? Have you noticed his jade belt? It's a White Emperor Python Jade Belt. The belt is crafted from the skin of a white python, and the buckle is carved from King Jade. The belt alone, which is of human-grade middle-rank, is worth six thousand taels. Additionally, do you see that jade pendant hanging on his belt? It's a Six Stone Pendant, the best among human-grade middle-rank spirit tools, valued higher than his jade belt. Do you know why?"
...
"Don't know, do you? Let me tell you. It's because this Six Stone Pendant can generate a protective shield that resists up to six stones, which is 720 pounds of force. Any strength less than six stones can't break the shield."
...
Some were recounting the worth of Huang Yaozu's expensive gear while others tried to get his attention in different ways.
"Brother Huang, we stand by you. I've bet a thousand taels on your victory. I believe you're the best."
"Move aside. You only bet a thousand taels and dare to shout here? I bet two thousand taels. Go, brother Huang! My name is Wu HuanChen. After the moon-duel, let me treat you to a drink."
The clamor below the stage didn't affect Huang Yaozu on the stage. After waving to the crowd, he respectfully greeted the referee of his stage, saying, "I'll need brother's help shortly. It won't be for naught. After the moon-duel, I would like to invite you for tea."
The referee nodded, saying, "Let's talk about it later. The moon-duel is more pressing. Is Qi Tian here yet? It's your turn to go on stage."
"I'm here." Qi Tian stepped forward and slowly climbed onto the stage. Compared to Huang Yaozu, his entrance was unremarkable. Among the outer disciples, he was a nonentity, known by few, and certainly not as radiant as Huang Yaozu.
"Let's begin." The referee gestured and moved to the side of the stage. For this duel, he didn't have high hopes for Qi Tian. He was prepared to intervene and rescue Qi Tian if required. This was part of his duty as a referee, and failure would result in punishment.
Huang Yaozu smiled and greeted Qi Tian, saying, "You there, you look unfamiliar. You probably don't know me, do you? I am Huang Yaozu. I come from a wealthy family. See me? I spent thirty-eight thousand taels on my gear for this moon-duel. With all my gear, you won't be able to break my defense. I suggest you forfeit now to avoid the embarrassment when you can't break my defense."
Qi Tian shook his head and said, "You're over-confident. Believe it or not, I can smash your protective gear with just a few punches. I can give you a chance. Hand over a few thousand taels and I'll go easy on you. Then you won't lose so badly."
"Turtle shell?" Huang Yaozu's face turned a little sour. Usually, everyone else would be serious and not dare to slack facing him, but today was different. Qi Tian was ignorant of Huang Yaozu's prowess and dared to flout him in public. Even more shameful, he even asked for his money. Truly, the tiger was taken as a sick cat when he didn't show his prowess. "Okay, Qi Tian, since you asked for it, I'll teach you a bitter lesson. You'll learn how to respect me, your senior, after this!"
With that, Huang Yaozu injected True Essence into his white python jade belt. A faint glow materialized into a protective shield covering him. Upon closer observation, one could see that besides the flickering runes, there was an image of a white python roaming around, occasionally flicking out its forked tongue with a mysterious cold gaze.
Huang Yaozu wasn't done. He then took out a jade talisman. He held it with three fingers in one hand while the other thumb and forefinger pressed against it. He kept chanting, "By the power of heaven and earth, grant me the divine power. The Thunder Talisman has a spirit; all evils shall retreat."
The Thunder Talisman was a middle-grade spirit tool of human rank, quite difficult to handle and needed a substantial amount of True Essence to use effectively. Huang Yaozu was already maintaining his white python jade belt and barely managed to use his Thunder Talisman, needing at least thirty seconds to gather enough True Essence.
In Huang Yaozu's eyes, Qi Tian wouldn't be able to break his defense within thirty seconds. His white python jade belt was a middle-grade spirit tool of human rank that cost him six thousand taels. Translated into copper coins, it could literally bury Qi Tian. How could Qi Tian, who had only reached the First Level of Qi Cultivation, break his defense?
Even if we take a step back and say Qi Tian was lucky enough to break the defense of the White Emperor Python Jade Belt within thirty seconds, don't forget he's still equipped with lots of defense gears. Each one of them would take Qi Tian a significant amount of time. Thirty seconds is clearly not enough for QiTian. When the time comes, he could activate the Thunder Talisman, knock Qi Tian down with a single move, and easily win the duel, defending his, Huang Yaozu's, honor on the Sparrow List.
With unfounded confidence in his equipment, and needing to concentrate on activating the Thunder Talisman, Huang Yaozu's attention was not on Qi Tian at all. He failed to notice the faint indifference in Qi Tian's eyes.
Qi Tian took a step forward, his fist clenched, leaping out like a tiger that had found its prey.
Eight Desolate Demon Tiger Fist, fourth form - Flipping Tiger and Overturning Bear!!!
Qi Tian's punch landed on the defensive shield released by the White Emperor Python Jade Belt. His fist seemed to roar like a tiger, momentarily unleashing a force of up to a thousand pounds.
With a 'pop', like a bubble being pricked, the defensive light shield of the White Emperor Python Jade Belt couldn't even put up a struggle. It was effortlessly shattered by Qi Tian.
The momentum of Qi Tian's fist didn't decrease, he continued to attack Huang Yaozu who was still uttering his charm.
Several defensive pieces of equipment prepared by Huang Yaozu lit up in an attempt to block Qi Tian's punch. However, against Qi Tian's thousand-pound punch, they were like a mantis trying to block a chariot and failed to serve any purpose, collapsing in shards.
Huang Yaozu could only hear the exclamation of the crowd. Before he could understand what was happening, he felt as if he had been hit by a fierce beast and was thrown out, heavily landing on the ground.
Huang Yaozu was in a complete mess. The White Emperor Python Jade Belt he bought for six thousand taels was broken. The Six Stone Pendant he bought for seven thousand taels shattered into a dozen pieces. The hairpin on his head was also broken into three parts. His defensive robe was also marked with several holes. With a disheveled appearance, Huang Yaozu now looked like a beggar, no trace left of his previous graceful demeanor.
It took Huang Yaozu a while to get up from the ground, feeling as if all his bones had been broken by Qi Tian's punch. He propped up his upper body, half-lying on the ground, and looked terrified through the hair that covered his eyes. How could he be so powerful?
Qi Tian didn't go on to attack Huang Yaozu while he was down. He didn't have any grudge against Huang Yaozu. He wouldn't teach Huang Yaozu a ruthless lesson. Qi Tian, smiling, asked: "Brother Huang, do you want me to take another shot?"
"No need." Huang Yaozu's voice carried a hint of unmistakable terror. Qi Tian had nearly beaten him to a pulp with one punch, and all his defensive gear, bought with tens of thousands of taels, were rendered useless. If Qi Tian were to throw another punch, it would definitely be more than he could bear. If he had known Qi Tian to be so formidable, he would have agreed to Qi Tian's conditions and paid him the few thousand taels to send him away. Now, his entire outfit, bought for thirty-eight thousand taels, was all wasted. He was utterly ruined.
"Do you concede?" Qi Tian continued to ask.
"I concede, I concede." Huang Yaozu hastily yelled, "I was blind not to recognize a gem in the rock. Please, junior brother...or, I mean, senior brother, please show mercy and spare me your attention."
Qi Tian shook his head, no longer bothering with Huang Yaozu. He smiled and turned to the referee, saying, "Brother, can you announce the result of the match now?"
"Oh." The referee nodded in astonishment. Qi Tian's punch had left him somewhat impressed. He doubted if he himself could deliver such a powerful punch. He even had an illusion, that if he were to face Qi Tian, he might not necessarily win.
This generation's group of external disciples have produced such an impressive person.
"I hereby declare that in this spar, Qi Tian is the victor."
First, there was a moment of silence outside the ring, followed by a resounding cheer.
"Master Qi, you're too cool. A hundred times, no, a thousand times, ten thousand times better than that Huang Yaozu."
"Master Qi, I'm Wu HuanChen. Would it be possible for me to invite you for tea?"