Quanshin's "Dead" Maniac Zhang

"If that's what you're saying, then I'll come find you again in a couple of days!" Xia He said, leaping backward and quickly disappearing into the jungle.

"Crazy, dragging us out in the middle of the night just to say that!" Dou Mei sighed helplessly. "Staying up late is a woman's worst enemy. I need to get some good rest when I get back!"

"Indeed, we need to recover our spirits. There's a big event waiting after the conference...Hm? Who's there?"

The sound of footsteps crushing grass nearby instantly heightened their vigilance to the maximum!

"Heh, weren't the three of you just talking about me?"

A figure, elongated by the moonlight, gradually appeared in their sight. It was Shen Ye, clad in his ceremonial robes.

"Shen Ye! What are you doing here?" The three immediately formed a triangle, back-to-back, looking around warily for any potential ambush.

"Don't worry, it's just me!" Shen Ye chuckled softly. "If I had brought anyone else, that young lady's subordinates wouldn't have led the way!"

"Heh, to think that crazy girl had us figured out!" Dou Mei's eye twitched furiously.

"What exactly is she trying to do? If she's betraying Quanxing, it shouldn't just be you showing up here!" Shen Chong narrowed his eyes. "Could it be because of tomorrow's match?"

"Young benefactor, since you've heard those words, make your choice. Think carefully, as this is a decision about life and death!" Gao Ning said with a smile.

The three didn't take Shen Ye seriously. Although he had proven his strength at the Grand Heavenly Offering Ritual, their fame as the Four Maniacs wasn't just built on strength!

Wine, women, wealth, and anger—these four poisons of the heart directly corrupt one's core. No matter how strong you are, you'll be affected by them. If you can retain even thirty percent of your strength, your mental fortitude is considered firm!

Although there were only three of them here, the opponent was just a young kid.

Great strength could be explained by talent, but mental fortitude needed to be honed through experience!

"A choice? I've always been the one to give others choices. When did it become your turn to choose for me?" Shen Ye's voice was indifferent.

"How overbearing! Anyone who didn't know better would think young benefactor is the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain!" Gao Ning clasped his hands together, a fierce glint in his eyes. "Since young benefactor seems to misunderstand us, we'll just have to invite you back to be our guest. Attack!"

The three were seasoned veterans of battle, and once they made a decision, they didn't waste time.

Gao Ning unleashed the Twelve Laborious Emotion Array, Dou Mei released pollen with an alcoholic scent, and Shen Chong charged forward, using the power gained from Usury to engage Shen Ye in close combat.

After just a few exchanges, Shen Chong was already at a distinct disadvantage.

Although his strength was greater, most of it came from the interest of Usury, and the Qi between them was chaotic and intertwined. It was fine against ordinary enemies, but against Shen Ye, it was full of openings.

However, Gao Ning and the other didn't care. Instead, they laughed: "This combat talent is truly terrifying. But young benefactor, my Twelve Laborious Emotion Array isn't pleasant, is it?"

"Twelve Laborious Emotion Array? Heh, it's certainly interesting!"

Gao Ning's expression changed slightly: "You can still smile within my Twelve Laborious Emotion Array? How is that possible?"

Dou Mei's expression also changed: "Something's wrong, my ability doesn't seem to be affecting him!"

"If you had fought me fairly, you might have caused me some trouble. But to actually try and shake my mental state is simply laughable!" Shen Ye gently shook his head. His Dao Heart hadn't weakened due to his rebirth. "Also, did no one ever tell you that battles of the mind are very dangerous?"

The Twelve Laborious Emotion Array used Gao Ning's Qi as a medium, thereby affecting the twelve meridians of those within the array.

But this was like a tug-of-war; while he was pulling Shen Ye, he was also handing one end of the rope to Shen Ye.

With the resilience of Shen Ye's Dao Heart, taking control was effortless.

Sensing this change, Gao Ning's face drastically changed: "No good, he's taken control of my Twelve Laborious Emotion Array!"

Dou Mei and Shen Chong were both shocked: "What? Isn't that your ability?"

Gao Ning gritted his teeth and shouted: "I don't know either! This guy is too bizarre. In this situation today, I think it's better if we retreat for now!"

"It's too late to talk about retreating now!" Shen Ye's eyes were indifferent as he said, "One Hundred and Eight Laborious Emotion Array!"

"One Hundred and Eight? Are you kidding?" Gao Ning's heart pounded. He knew how dangerous the Laborious Emotion Array was. If its efficiency was amplified further, even the controller themselves would be affected.

Before he could think further, the Twelve Laborious Emotion Array, which had been flickering with a crimson glow, suddenly expanded its radius by nine times, engulfing all three who were trying to escape.

The red light flickered and pulsed at an extremely rapid rate. All four people within the array were affected, but the difference was that Shen Ye remained unmoved by the interference, while the other three instantly fell into a demonic state, slaughtering each other like madmen.

In just a few minutes, all three died tragically.

"Cultivation truly prioritizes mental fortitude!" Shen Ye sighed softly, looking at the three corpses. In his previous life, he had dealt with his Inner Demon for a hundred years; if his Dao Heart hadn't been firm, he would have been corrupted long ago.

"However, the souls of these three can be put to some use!" Shen Ye murmured, collecting the remnant souls of the three into his sleeve.

The next day.

The match hadn't even begun, but the crowd in the stands was already enthusiastically discussing who would win today.

"The Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain's closed-door disciple versus the biggest dark horse of this Grand Heavenly Offering Ritual. Today's going to be a good show!"

"I'm betting on True Person Lingyu. As long as Shen Ye isn't given a chance to build up power or summon spirits, his abilities will be largely restricted!"

"I'm more optimistic about young brother Shen Ye. Who says he only has those two abilities?"

"Exactly, for a genius like him, it's not strange how many techniques he knows!"

Listening to the intense arguments around her, the disguised Xia He couldn't help but sneer inwardly: Hmph, whether he even shows up today is a question!

Suddenly, the surrounding sounds paused for a moment, then erupted into a feverish buzz again.

"They're here, they're here!"

"Finally, it can begin!"

Xia He's heart jumped. She quickly looked down at the arena, only to see Shen Ye appear on the stage completely intact, not just uninjured, but his complexion hadn't changed in the slightest: Did they not fight yesterday?

While Xia He's mind raced, Zhang Lingyu's mood was also far from calm: Once I finish fighting him, it will only be Zhang Chulan and Hua Yue left. With that young lady's strength, Zhang Chulan has no chance of winning. Although most of the people who came to the Grand Heavenly Offering Ritual are here for the Heavenly Ascension Talisman, what if they are truly aiming for the position of Celestial Master? Then Master will surely be in a very difficult position! To prevent this possibility, I must win today's battle!

Thanks to book friend 20200415223730227 for the 104 reward.