Lingxiao Pavilion Sect Rule Number One: Each disciple of Lingxiao Pavilion is allowed to challenge another disciple once per day and must be challenged once every five days. The strength gap between the two sides must not exceed three levels. Avoiding or showing fear in a battle is prohibited, and violators will be expelled. The victor earns contribution points based on the opponent's rank, while the loser loses points based on their own rank.
Contribution points are also known as sect contribution value!
In Lingxiao Pavilion, contribution points are akin to currency. With enough points, one can exchange them for anything at the sect's logistics office—elixirs, secret manuals, weapons, armor, and all items related to cultivation. Of course, one can also exchange them for gold and silver, but since contribution points are hard to come by, most disciples are reluctant to spend them on such things.
There are many ways to earn contribution points, such as turning in treasures found during adventures or completing sect-assigned tasks. One of the simplest and most common ways to earn points is through challenges. By challenging fellow disciples within three levels of their own strength, disciples can earn contribution points upon victory.
This is why so many people are gathered around Yang Kai early in the morning—everyone knows he's an easy target.
Yang Kai's name is well-known in Lingxiao Pavilion, not only because he is one of the few trial disciples but also because he has never won a challenge since joining the sect. Every time he is challenged, he loses.
Some disciples remember the last time Yang Kai was challenged, and today marks the fifth day since then, making him eligible to be challenged again. For those hungry for easy contribution points, who wouldn't be tempted? Though beating Yang Kai doesn't yield many points, a small reward is still better than none. Besides, those who challenge Yang Kai are not wealthy or high-ranking themselves, so even a small amount of contribution points is valuable to them.
In the courtyard, Yang Kai and Zhou Dingjun have already taken their stances, both calling out, "Please guide me!"
Despite their words, everyone knows that Yang Kai is in for another beating today.
As soon as the words were spoken, Yang Kai charged forward. His thin, frail body erupted with surprising power as he took a step and punched towards Zhou Dingjun's chest. The attack was simple and direct, with the force of a fierce tiger, as if all his strength was concentrated in that punch.
This punch was a basic long fist technique that all entry-level disciples of Lingxiao Pavilion practiced. It was not profound, just a method to strengthen the body, and its moves were naturally simple.
Zhou Dingjun remained calm, smiling slightly because his realm was two levels higher than Yang Kai's, making the outcome of this fight predictable. As Yang Kai's punch neared, Zhou Dingjun sidestepped leisurely, his burly frame appearing unusually nimble.
The punch grazed his clothes without causing any harm. Before Yang Kai could retract his fist, Zhou Dingjun's elbow struck Yang Kai's forearm, and his knee lifted slightly, hitting Yang Kai's abdomen.
Yang Kai grunted, enduring the intense pain as he stepped back hastily, barely avoiding Zhou Dingjun's follow-up strike.
"Hm?" Zhou Dingjun was surprised. He didn't expect that this trial disciple, only at the third level of Body Tempering, would anticipate his moves and disrupt his plan to defeat him swiftly.
However, this minor setback didn't change the outcome. Zhou Dingjun quickly followed up, aiming to end the fight while Yang Kai was still recovering.
Unexpectedly, Yang Kai leapt towards him again. As they drew close, Zhou Dingjun saw the unyielding spirit and fierce fighting intent in Yang Kai's eyes. Yang Kai's fists were clenched tightly, ready for another long fist strike.
Damn! Zhou Dingjun's heart skipped a beat, realizing he had fallen into Yang Kai's trap. Although Zhou Dingjun's strength surpassed Yang Kai's by two levels, he lacked the same combat experience.
But so what if it was a trap? Zhou Dingjun steadied himself, refusing to dodge and retaliated with his own long fist technique.
Two soft thuds were heard as Yang Kai was sent flying, while Zhou Dingjun staggered but remained standing, his expression serious. If an opponent of equal strength had landed those punches, he would have been the one sent flying.
Others might not understand the intricacies of those punches, but Zhou Dingjun knew them well. Yang Kai's punches were actually faster, meaning he landed his blows first.
However, his punches lacked the power, and Zhou Dingjun's robust physique easily withstood the attacks. In contrast, Yang Kai's emaciated frame, pale and malnourished, was no match in terms of resilience, leading to the current result.
"Thank you for letting me win!" Zhou Dingjun felt a pang of bitterness. Despite his victory, he couldn't take pride in being outpaced by a weaker opponent. The outcome was clear, but it didn't feel right.
Whispers began among the onlookers: "Does he think he's won?"
"Ha! He probably doesn't know Yang Kai's reputation."
"This should be interesting."
Zhou Dingjun's brows furrowed. He had heard about Yang Kai but didn't know him well. He just happened to be passing by, saw the crowd, and joined in, never expecting to be chosen as Yang Kai's opponent.
But wasn't this a win? He had sent Yang Kai flying with a punch, clearly showing his dominance. According to sect rules, Yang Kai should concede since the fight was effectively over.
"Again!" Yang Kai, who had fallen to the ground, stood up once more, his eyes burning with even stronger fighting spirit despite his pallid complexion.
Before Zhou Dingjun could respond, Yang Kai charged again. At a distance of three feet, he suddenly leapt, his legs whipping towards Zhou Dingjun's lower body.
Whip kick! Another basic technique all entry-level disciples practiced. Yet, Yang Kai's execution revealed nuances that even higher-level disciples could learn from.
Just as the crowd was processing this, another soft thud was heard, and Yang Kai was sent flying again.
The two-level gap in strength and physical difference made it impossible for Yang Kai to compete with Zhou Dingjun. This punch landed on Yang Kai's shin, and when he stood up again, his steps were visibly unsteady, indicating a bone injury.
"Again!" Yang Kai gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with determination.
"Thud…" Yang Kai flew out again.
"Again!"
"Thud…" Yang Kai flew out once more.
Some couldn't bear to watch and left early, while others sighed, "Yang Kai's resilience is incredible. He never gives up until he's knocked unconscious."
This comment reached Zhou Dingjun's ears, filling him with bitterness. He didn't expect to face such a relentless opponent.
Yang Kai was sent flying seven or eight times, his face swollen, his eyes blackened, and his steps faltering. Yet, like an indomitable rock, he kept standing up, shouting and charging forward again.
Seeing this repeated, Zhou Dingjun finally changed his expression: "Are you crazy? If you don't concede, you'll get seriously hurt!"