Fighting Man Kui (Part One)

"Talent, background, intelligence, etc., are not what a strong person must possess. What is the heart of a strong person? Only those who have experienced all kinds of hardships and the bitterness of the world, and can still stand tall, can be considered true strong people."

Zhuge Xiang muttered to himself, pondering Purgatory Elder's words. He had to admit that Purgatory Elder's remarks had deeply moved Zhuge Xiang.

Those atop Sword Peak wore expressions of deep thought, seemingly having gained some insight. For a Void Realm Great Expert to discuss what a strong person should possess was undoubtedly invaluable advice.

"Alright, you've Three Trials. The final battle for the Dragon Phoenix Ranking will officially begin in seven days." After saying this, Purgatory Elder didn't linger. With a flash, he transformed into a streak of light, streaking across the sky, and returned to the Asura Sect.

Whether those who failed the three trials were convinced or not, the fact was already established. The forty or fifty Cultivator who actually passed were naturally in good spirits. The matter on Sword Peak was temporarily concluded. With seven days left to prepare, the group did not linger and quickly dispersed.

"Zhang Kuang, I'll help you upgrade the Low Grade of your Blood Python Spear," Zhuge Xiang said to Zhang Kuang.

Zhang Kuang had given Zhuge Xiang the contribution points from slaying Zombie, which he exchanged for One Qi Furnace. Zhang Kuang agreed to help him repair the Blood Python Spear once he reached the Intermediate Artificer.

"Oh? Really? That's wonderful," Zhang Kuang said, slightly taken aback upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's words, before exclaiming with delight.

The Blood Python Spear, after all, is Damaged Treasure Artifact. Although it's excellent, Zhang Kuang's current strength is no longer sufficient to meet his needs. If Zhuge Xiang could repair the Blood Python Spear, that would be ideal.

Furthermore, with the Dragon Phoenix Ranking Battle underway, the two sides are now competitors. Zhuge Xiang's willingness to help him repair the Blood Python Spear made Zhang Kuang admire Zhuge Xiang's magnanimity from the bottom of his heart.

Without lingering on Sword Peak and wasting time, Zhuge Xiang flew directly back to the Inner Sect. He found the materials needed to repair the Blood Python Spear, returned to his room, took out One Qi Furnace, activated the Devourer's Treasure state, and began repairing Zhang Kuang's Blood Python Spear.

In the Life Profession, successfully repairing equipment or forging not only increases proficiency but also grants Experience Points, especially when it comes to Treasure Artifacts. The Experience Points are even higher; successfully repairing the Blood Python Spear not only increased proficiency but also brought Zhuge Xiang a gain of 800,000 experience points.

Blood Python Spear (One-Star Treasure Artifact): Attack +1750, Passive: Defense +20%, Active: Poison Tempering, which adds Poison Attribute effect to the next attack, stealing 50% of the opponent's defense for 10 seconds, Cooldown 100 seconds, Durability 130, Weight 30.

After the Blood Python Spear was repaired, its data changed significantly, but its practicality remains unquestionable. It not only increased its powerful attack capabilities but also its defensive abilities, and can even steal the opponent's defenses.

When Blood Python Spear to Zhang Kuang, he sensed the awakening of the Blood Python Spear's Artifact Spirit and the Blood Python Spear's abilities. Zhang Kuang's face also showed excitement.

This Blood Python Spear is practically a one-on-one duel weapon, giving Zhang Kuang even more confidence for the Dragon Phoenix Ranking Battle.

After Zhang Kuang left with the successfully repaired Blood Python Spear, Zhuge Xiang pushed open the door and saw Su Huayu standing at the door. Qin Qing, who had been there the whole time, was nowhere to be seen.

"Someone from Flower Full Building just came. Miss Qin Qing has left temporarily. Seeing that you are repairing the Treasure Artifact, she asked me to pass on her message," Su Huayu said before Zhuge Xiang could ask.

Flower Full Building? Zhuge Xiang nodded, understanding in his heart that it must be someone from the Hundred Flowers Palace. Qin Qing had also greeted Zhuge Xiang that day. If Zhuge Xiang successfully passed the Dragon Phoenix Ranking and could lead ten people into the Hundred Emperors Tomb's Mausoleum, Zhuge Xiang had promised them two spots.

"And you? What are you going to do next?" Putting Qin Qing's matter aside for the time being, Zhuge Xiang asked Su Huayu. Qing Mingzi had already committed suicide, so there was no need for Su Huayu to stay any longer.

"Me?" Su Huayu's Scarlet eyes held a hint of pain. From being the Young City Lord of Rakshasa City, showered with love and affection, to her current situation, the shock of reality was indeed immense for her.

After a moment of silence, Su Huayu said, "I think I should go back to Rakshasa City. I've been away from home for so long, and I don't know how my mother is doing. As for my father, I... I don't know how to tell her."

Su Huayu left Rakshasa City with the intention of seeking the Truth, but now that she knows the Truth, she feels no joy at all. Su Huayu also doesn't know how to face her mother.

"Yes, that's good. You really should go back and take a look." Hearing Su Huayu's words, Zhuge Xiang nodded in agreement. Perhaps for her, returning to Rakshasa City to spend the rest of her life was the best outcome?

"Zhuge Xiang, it's good that you're here. Senior Brother Bai has arrived. He's on the orders of Myriad Flowers Elder to have you take Su Huayu to the Sect Headquarters." Just then, a voice suddenly rang out, and two figures walked over. The one who spoke was Man Kui, the War Hall Master, and the person next to him was Bai Wuming, whom Zhuge Xiang had met once before.

On that day, Bai Wuming was ordered by Myriad Flowers Elder to send Zhuge Xiang to become his disciple, but Zhuge Xiang refused. Today, he was actually ordered by Myriad Flowers Elder Zhuge Xiang to send Su Huayu over.

"I won't go, I won't go..." Before Zhuge Xiang could answer, Su Huayu spoke first, her voice sharp and piercing. Her Scarlet eyes were filled with intense resentment.

From a factual standpoint, although Myriad Flowers Elder was Su Huayu's father, Su Huayu felt only hatred towards this so-called father.

In Su Huayu's heart, she only had one true father, Qing Mingzi. If it weren't for seeking revenge, why would her father have chosen to cultivate the Blood Demon Possession Divine Skill? Why would he have committed suicide?

"Junior Sister Su, you have no right to refuse Master's orders," Bai Wuming, still with his arrogant demeanor, glancing coldly at Su Huayu.

"Zhuge Xiang, hurry up and set off, don't keep Myriad Flowers Elder waiting," Man Kui urged Zhuge Xiang, ignoring Su Huayu's words.

"Hall Master, I'm afraid I cannot comply with this request," Zhuge Xiang replied calmly to Man Kui.

"Zhuge Xiang, you should know what you're saying. You're just an ordinary disciple, while I am the War Hall Master. I now order you to take Su Huayu to meet Myriad Flowers Elder." In front of Bai Wuming, Zhuge Xiang openly contradicted him, Man Kui felt humiliated and became stern.

"I'm sorry, I can't comply," Man Kui said sternly, but Zhuge Xiang remained calm and composed.

Although nominally Man Kui's subordinate, Zhuge Xiang showed Man Kui no respect whatsoever.

Zhuge Xiang had always known that Man Kui was jealous of his talent, but since Man Kui hadn't done anything to him, Zhuge Xiang had no intention of retaliating. Last time, when he fought Wu Zhao against that Two-Star Hairy Zombie, it was extremely dangerous. He originally sent Man Kui to rescue him, but Man Kui left halfway because of the Spirit Stone Vein, without even saying goodbye to Luo Wuxue and Xiao Xiao.

Zhuge Xiang didn't care about any of that. "You're not coming to save me? That's fine, after all, you have your freedom. But now, you're forcing me to do something I don't want to do, and that's unacceptable."

Why did Zhuge Xiang cultivate so desperately to gain immense power? Wasn't it so that he wouldn't be bullied in the future? But if he were to succumb to Man Kui's tyranny, what would be the point of his cultivation?

"It seems that Junior Brother Man Kui's subordinates don't know any manners. Do you need me, as their senior brother, to teach them a lesson?" Zhuge Xiang's answer, leaving no room for negotiation, made Bai Wuming glance at Man Kui and say with a forced smile.

"No need for your senior brother to intervene, junior brother can handle it himself," Man Kui said in a cold voice, his face ashen.

Looking into Zhuge Xiang's eyes, Man Kui's gaze was filled with threat and hostility as he said, "I'll ask you one last time. As the Hall Master, I order you to take Su Huayu to see Myriad Flowers Elder."

"Senior Brother Zhuge, don't insist anymore, listen to the Hall Master."

"That's right, since Myriad Flowers Elder has made this request, why do you refuse?"

"Hall Master, don't be angry. Calm down and let us try to persuade him."

The standoff between Man Kui and Zhuge Xiang naturally attracted a lot of attention within the Asura Sect Inner Sect. Many Inner Sect Disciple gathered around, and seeing that Zhuge Xiang and Man Kui were about to fall out, many disciples tried to persuade Zhuge Xiang not to act impulsively. Several Squad Leader also advised Man Kui to act as a peacemaker.

"Thank you for your kind offer, fellow disciples." These people tried to persuade him, and Zhuge Xiang understood that they meant well. However, Zhuge Xiang would not go against his conscience or betray his own heart to hand over Su Huayu.

"I refuse!" Zhuge Xiang first thanked the disciples around him, then stared at Man Kui and uttered each word clearly and firmly without the slightest wavering.

The fact that Zhuge Xiang rejected him in front of Bai Wuming had already made Man Kui feel humiliated. Now, in front of these disciples, Zhuge Xiang openly contradicted him. Man Kui's face flushed with anger, and he trembled with rage.

"Very well, very well, you, Zhuge Xiang, are known as the God of Slaughter. I, the Hall Master, must also learn from you today..." Man Kui laughed in anger, his eyes fierce as he looked at Zhuge Xiang. As he spoke, Man Kui flipped his hand, and an enormous battle Battle Axe appeared in his palm.

"Sigh, shouldn't we go and try to persuade him?" From the Shadow Hall, Man Kui's aura erupted, and the two Hall Masters, Luo Wuxue and Xiao Xiao, naturally sensed it as well. Luo Wuxue sighed slightly and asked.

"Their relationship will come to an end sooner or later. Can you stop it today, or tomorrow?" Hall Master Xiao Xiao, her elegant and noble face showing a hint of helplessness, said softly, leaving Luo Wuxue speechless. (To be continued...)