Setting aside the incident with Xi Yingzhu, the mere fact that Wei Pengxing had shattered Peng Gengkun's Qi Sea was a clear call for vengeance. Yet Peng Gengkun hadn't anticipated crossing paths with Wei Pengxing so soon.
"We're both at the Low Rank of Qi Refining! The Warrior's Stage Four is simply divided into Early, Middle, and High levels. He's no stronger than I am!" Peng Gengkun's fists tightened, his face reflecting a growing confidence. "And thanks to the Leviathan-roc Devouring System, I've unlocked the Leviathan-roc Astral Energy. My Innate Astral Qi is unique, setting me apart in battle—I certainly won't be at a disadvantage!"
The old adage goes, 'Plan first, act second.' Peng Gengkun wasn't about to foolishly rush into revenge. Now confident that his cultivation level matched Wei Pengxing's, he strode out of the Hall of Elite Disciples with newfound ease.
Peng Gengkun's gaze met Wei Pengxing's, who had also noticed his presence.
"I can't believe you had the nerve to show up!" Wei Pengxing's face darkened. "You've really caught me off guard. To think that after I destroyed your Qi Sea, you not only survived but also advanced to become an elite disciple!"
Peng Gengkun's fingers curled into a fist, his face breaking into a scornful smile. "Disappointed I didn't die, are you?"
"Die? No, I wouldn't dare. We are, after all, in the Hall of Elite Disciples. But…" Wei Pengxing's fists clenched tighter, his look turning malevolent. "But what if I shatter your Qi Sea again? How will you revive it this time? Attack him!"
With a wave of his hand, Wei Pengxing's cronies charged at Peng Gengkun, intent on leaving him crippled once more.
But Peng Gengkun, now a Low Rank Qi Refining warrior himself, was not intimidated by these ordinary disciples. His fists flew, Innate Astral Qi swirling, and in moments, he had sent his attackers sprawling to the ground.
Wei Pengxing's face registered a flicker of surprise. "I didn't expect you to have some skill after all. Sadly, you're still no match for me! Today, I'll shatter your Qi Sea once more, just to remind you that you don't deserve Xi Yingzhu!"
With those words, Wei Pengxing launched his attack.
The standoff had already drawn the attention of other Outer Sect disciples. Now, all eyes were on them, eager to witness the outcome.
The Elder in the Hall of Elite Disciples had noticed the commotion but showed no sign of intervening.
As Peng Gengkun and Wei Pengxing exchanged swift blows, murmurs spread among the onlookers.
"That's Wei Pengxing! Young Master Wei's wealth is legendary; no one would dare cross him!"
"Isn't that Peng Gengkun fighting with Young Master Wei? I heard that just a few days ago, his Qi Sea was shattered by Young Master Wei himself."
"All just rumors, apparently! Look at him channeling Innate Astral Qi with those moves. He's clearly a Qi Refining Warrior, and his strength surpasses ours! How could his Qi Sea have been shattered?"
"Still, Peng Gengkun got off unscathed last time, but this time he's doomed. Young Master Wei won't spare him again!"
"Watch! Young Master Wei is making his move! That's the Grade Two Rock Breaking Fist! Such an immense, unseen power!"
Peng Gengkun was aware of the whispers but paid them little mind.
After sparring with Wei Pengxing for a while, he witnessed the unleashing of the Rock Breaking Fist, a Grade Two Martial Art.
"Grade Two Martial Arts? Young Master Wei really is loaded," Peng Gengkun thought admiringly.
From what he remembered, Martial Arts ranged from Grade One to Grade Nine, with nine levels in total, and the same went for other treasures. For an average disciple, obtaining a Grade One Martial Art was an exceptional feat, let alone a Grade Two, which was typically reserved for Inner Sect disciples.
Yet here was Wei Pengxing, an ordinary elite disciple, practicing a Grade Two Martial Art. Clearly, his substantial family wealth had allowed him to purchase this high-level Martial Art outright.
"So what if it's Grade Two Martial Arts? I possess the Leviathan-roc Astral Energy. No matter how formidable your martial arts may be, they're no match for it!"
As Wei Pengxing launched his Rock Breaking Fist, Peng Gengkun too channeled his Leviathan-roc Astral Energy and countered with a punch of his own, meeting Wei Pengxing's Innate Astral Qi head-on.
This clash left the onlooking Outer Sect disciples in utter disbelief.
"Doesn't Peng Gengkun realize the collision of Astral Energy could unleash immense force? He could seriously injure himself!"ÚpTodated 𝒏ov𝒆ls on 𝒏o(v)𝒆l()bin(.)c𝒐m
"He's bound to lose for sure."
In the blink of an eye, their Innate Astral Qi collided. Contrary to the other disciples' predictions, the energy didn't vanish, nor did it create any massive force.
Wei Pengxing's Innate Astral Qi dissipated into nothingness, rendering his Rock Breaking Fist powerless. The sensation was incredibly disconcerting for him.
Before he could recover, Peng Gengkun's Innate Astral Qi struck him, sending him tumbling to the ground. As Wei Pengxing attempted to rise, Peng Gengkun was already stepping over him.
Wei Pengxing bellowed, "Release me!"
Peng Gengkun simply smiled, a sense of pride swelling within him. He glanced around to see the Outer Sect disciples' faces etched with astonishment; they hadn't anticipated Peng Gengkun's victory over Wei Pengxing.
Wei Pengxing's subordinates were equally stunned, at a loss for what to do. After much deliberation, they wisely chose to remain inactive.
Wei Pengxing's struggles were futile, and his protests eventually faded away.
Only then did Peng Gengkun speak up, his voice calm and deliberate, "Weren't you supposed to be formidable?"
"You claimed I wasn't worthy of Xi Yingzhu, yet you can't even best me. Doesn't that make you the inferior one?"
Though Peng Gengkun had the urge to shatter Wei Pengxing's Qi Sea, he was well aware of the consequences. Wei Pengxing came from a powerful lineage, and should Peng Gengkun destroy his Qi Sea, the Elders would never forgive him.
However, this did nothing to deter Peng Gengkun from menacing Wei Pengxing.
He pressed the tip of his foot against Wei Pengxing's chest and spoke deliberately, "You have two options. First, I can crush your Qi Sea, ensuring your cultivation will never advance!"
Before he could finish, Wei Pengxing pleaded desperately, "Please, don't destroy my Qi Sea!"
Peng Gengkun continued, "Here's your second choice: hand over several thousand Spirit Stones, and we'll call it even."
Peng Gengkun lifted his foot slightly, his voice laden with an unmistakable threat.