The Challenge: The Chief Disciple's Arrogance
"By then, his meridians will be stiff and sluggish, his True Essence will be chaotic and turbulent in his dantian, and he won't be able to unleash even half of his Seventh Tier- level cultivation. As a fellow Seventh Tier cultivator, what will he use to contend with me?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire group of followers burst into laughter. Someone slammed their hand on the table and joked that in seven days, Zhang Shun would probably be beaten to a pulp and carried off the training ground.
Others echoed this sentiment, saying that being carried off the stage was already a stroke of luck; otherwise, their cultivation might have been crippled on the spot, completely ruining their chances of advancing to the inner sect.
Zhou Jingxuan simply smiled faintly, the smile on his face, but there was no warmth in his eyes.
The Zhou Family and Zhang Family families were originally friendly families for generations, but in recent years, they have completely broken off relations over a spirit mine that produces high-quality spirit stones, and have long since become rivals in secret.
Zhang Shun was originally a menial disciple of the sect, of humble origin, but he was exceptionally talented. In just three months, he jumped Third Tier, and in less than a year, he became an outer disciple.
Such a cultivation speed would rank among the top even within the entire thousand-year history of the Ancient Path Holy Land.
If he is allowed to pass the inner sect selection a year later and rise to prominence, the Zhang Family's power will inevitably rise accordingly. At that time, the Zhou Family's hard-earned plans in the outer sect will all have to be overturned and rebuilt.
A few days ago, his father specially sent a letter from the Heavenly Gift Dynasty, repeatedly instructing him not to let the Zhang Family, this descendant who rose to prominence halfway through life, gain any real influence.
In his reply, he assured him that this small area outside the gate was not a place for a lowly servant like him to cause trouble.
However, Zhou Jingxuan knew in his heart that a few words of warning would not be enough to suppress the other party's momentum. He had to solve the problem once and for all and make sure that Zhang Shun could never turn things around.
The safest way is to cripple someone's cultivation. Even if you accidentally kill someone, there are no limits to what can be done in the martial arts arena. At most, you'll be fined a few months' salary, and the sect's stewards won't pursue the matter too much.
At the same moment, Chen Du was sitting cross-legged in the cultivation room with his eyes closed, meditating.
The wisp of medicinal power that Zhou Jingxuan had secretly injected into his body had only traveled halfway along his meridians when it was crushed to dust by the residual essence of the Fundamental Law of Thunder within his body, leaving not a trace behind, and completely dissipated without a trace.
He had no intention of exposing the other party's underhanded tactics on the spot.
This hidden bomb must be detonated in public at the martial arts arena seven days later. Only when Zhou Jingxuan is confident of victory and full of assurance can his schemes be shattered, thus delivering a truly satisfying slap in the face.
In Chen Du's eyes, a Seventh Tier outer sect leader was no different from an ant.
He deliberately suppressed the urge to act and quietly waited for the right opportunity.
Only by waiting until the opponent is confident of victory and at the height of their arrogance can you strike, at which point their resentment will be at its most intense, and the Hatred Qi Value you gain will reach its peak.
Chen Du slowly closed his eyes, immersing his entire mind in his sea of consciousness, deducing the myriad patterns of the Thunder Abyss Law, treating the next seven days as a period of secluded cultivation.
Not long after he entered a deep meditation, a vast and boundless Divine Thought suddenly swept out from the deepest part of the Ancient Path Holy Land.
This Divine Thought was heavy and profound, like the entire sky crashing down. When it swept across the entire area outside the gate, even the bluestone paving stones underfoot trembled slightly.
At the critical moment, Chen Du's innate talent of [Beyond Cause and Effect] deep within his sea of consciousness suddenly heated up, instantly turning his aura into a chaotic and disordered fog.
The powerful Divine Thought swept across the courtyard, probing it repeatedly, but it couldn't detect even the slightest abnormality. It could only leave empty-handed and continue to spread to other areas of the sect.
Chen Du slowly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the misty forbidden area deep within the holy land.
Sixteenth Tier! The old monster from the Holy Land, who had been in seclusion for many years, has finally awakened.
Fortunately, he had the [Beyond Cause and Effect] talent to protect him. The opponent could only vaguely sense that the aura around the outer sect was slightly strange, but could not grasp any clues.
As expected, the Divine Thought swept back and forth across the outer sect territory three times, but could not find the source of the anomaly. In the end, it could only withdraw in frustration and return to silence.
Chen Du exhaled a soft breath, closed his eyes again, and continued to concentrate on his cultivation.
This old monster rarely leaves seclusion; after failing to find anything, he will temporarily withdraw.
However, he also had to speed up his cultivation progress. If one day this Sixteenth Tier expert became suspicious and personally set out to search the mountain, it would be far more troublesome than a mere scan with a Divine Thought.
Seven days later, the battle at the martial arts arena will begin; the real show is just getting started.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
Today, the outer sect martial arts arena was bustling with unprecedented activity, with hundreds of disciples crowding around it, encompassing almost the entire outer sect of cultivators.
Even in the strictly regulated servants' quarters, many people sneaked in to squeeze through the gaps in the crowd and watch the excitement.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on this highly anticipated duel: the newly emerging genius Zhang Shun versus Zhou Jingxuan, the top disciple who consistently ranked first in the outer sect.
In the very center of the training ground, Zhou Jingxuan stood tall and imposing, his brand-new brocade robe shimmering with subtle light, and the jade badge of the outer sect's chief disciple at his waist gleaming brightly.
He stood with his hands behind his back in the center of the arena, his expression calm and noble, exuding the arrogance of the number one outer sect master. He looked down on everyone from beginning to end, not taking the opponent who was about to enter the arena seriously at all.
Until Chen Du slowly stepped into the arena and stood steadily opposite him.
Zhou Jingxuan lazily raised his eyes, his gaze filled with contempt and impatience, his tone carrying a condescending admonition and sarcasm. "Zhang Shun, you overestimate yourself and are far too ignorant of your place. You only gained a few points of cultivation in a short period of time, yet you dare to be arrogant and challenge me? In the cultivation world, the strong are always respected; there is no room for luck."
"You were exceptionally gifted as a child, but grew up to be just another ordinary person. You surely understand the proverb 'The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.' Your unauthorized overstepping of boundaries and lack of respect for others is a recipe for disaster. Today, on behalf of your Uncle Zhang Family, I will teach you a lesson so that you don't become arrogant in your youth and fall into an abyss without even knowing where you went wrong."
As soon as he finished speaking, whispers rose and fell from the sidelines.
The vast majority of people shook their heads and sighed, convinced that Zhang Shun was doomed today.
Some people lamented that he possessed extraordinary talent but was too arrogant and didn't know how to Lie Dormant.
Many more people, with a gloating attitude, waited to see this newly promoted genius, who came from a menial background, get thoroughly trampled into the mud by the outer sect's chief disciple and completely fall from grace.
Hearing the surrounding chatter, Zhou Jingxuan's arrogance grew even stronger, and he said no more unnecessary words.
He suddenly burst forth, his powerful cultivation at the Seventh-Tier Peak Stage exploding outwards. His True Essence surged like the wind, carrying the Stone-Cracking Hard Force inherited from the Zhou Family, and he struck Chen Du's face with a fierce palm.
The palm strike was sharp and piercing, its force fierce and domineering. If it landed squarely, it could cause anything from broken bones and serious injury to complete loss of life.
He intended to crush and intimidate with this palm strike.
Chen Du's gaze remained calm, his heart undisturbed, and he went along with the act of feigning a disheveled state.
He seemed to hastily dodge to the side, deliberately staggering half a step, his body swaying precariously, barely avoiding the fatal palm strike, his posture extremely awkward.
Upon seeing this, a sneer flashed in Zhou Jingxuan's eyes, and he was absolutely certain of his outcome.
The medicine has fully taken effect!
The Meridian-Sealing Secret Medicine finally erupted today, just in time.
At this moment, Zhang Shun's meridians were sluggish, his True Essence was disordered, and his reaction speed and agility plummeted by more than half, making it impossible for him to perform at the level expected of Seventh Tier cultivator.
With no more reservations in his heart, Zhou Jingxuan's offensive surged, his palm shadows sweeping out in layers, each palm faster and more ruthless than the last, each move pressing on vital points without leaving any room for maneuver.
Chen Du dodged and weaved throughout, deliberately appearing to be controlled and retreating step by step, struggling to defend himself amidst the dense and fierce palm strikes.
Every now and then, the sharp wind from his palms would sweep the edges of his robes, causing them to flutter wildly. He looked like he was in grave danger and in a disheveled state, as if he could be crushed by a single blow at any moment.
Zhou Jingxuan grew increasingly smug as the fight progressed, a wide smile spreading across his face, victory already firmly in his grasp. At this rate, he would be able to crush his opponent to the ground within ten moves, utterly shattering Zhang Shun's arrogance and future prospects.
[Deliberate Revenge triggered. The opponent's arrogance is extremely high. A slap in the face is imminent! Hatred Qi Value increased: 2000 years.]
[Super Talent - Deliberate Revenge Ascension Triggered! Tenfold Multiplier! Ascension Enmity Qi Acquisition: 20,000 Years.]
After several moves, Chen Du's disheveled appearance became increasingly realistic. He deliberately made his breathing heavy and his body rose and fell slightly, looking like he was severely depleted of his True Essence and exhausted.
Several times, he seemed unable to dodge in time, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow by the slightest margin. The hearts of the spectators on the sidelines were pounding, and they all believed that the outcome was already decided and Zhang Shun's defeat was inevitable.
The disciples watching shook their heads in disappointment; no one had any hope for the duel anymore.
Having completely let down his guard, Zhou Jingxuan no longer bothered with defense, launching a wide-ranging and domineering offensive.
He continued to sneer, "You rely on your talent to act arrogantly, showing no respect for your elders and disregarding rules! Today, I will cripple your arm on behalf of your elders, so that you will remember this lesson and never dare to cross the line again!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he gathered all his cultivation power, his palm strike solid and domineering, and struck down directly at Chen Du's right shoulder dantian, intending to cripple Chen Du's arm and destroy his cultivation foundation in one fell swoop.
Just as the outcome seemed to be decided, Chen Du's eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light, and the aura he had been suppressing for many days was suddenly released!
The previously stagnant and weak aura instantly exploded and surged, breaking through the shackles from the seemingly weak Early Stage the Seventh Tier and soaring to the incomparably powerful Seventh-Tier Peak Stage!
Before anyone could react, Chen Du raised his hand, gathered his strength, and calmly met the attack with a palm strike.
"Boom!"