The Fierce Counterattack

The Bloodthirsty Technique at the Proficient Level, combined with Zhuge Xiang's scarlet eyes, made the seven senior disciples' hearts tremble slightly. They were well aware of the disciple who had just been defeated in a single move—his combat power might not be the strongest among this batch, but his defense was outstanding. If even he was severely injured and rendered combat-incapable in one blow, they wouldn't fare much better. Especially against his terrifying attacks; once struck by his arrows, survival was a slim chance.

"What's this? Weren't you all clamoring to collect twenty Spirit Stone Coins from each person? Is this all the strength you have?" Drawing the Hundred Refinements Bow, Zhuge Xiang stared coldly at the seven senior disciples. He wasn't afraid of battle. Even if they were at the Qi Cultivation Realm Sixth Layer, so what? Greater strength only meant more experience and loot.

Zhuge Xiang's words rang out with authority, but the seven senior disciples dared not respond rashly. The Piercing Arrow's devastating power had just frightened them. Yet, as senior disciples, being cowed by a newcomer would be too shameful if word got out.

"Very well. I'd like to test just how much talent this batch of disciples truly has. I'll spar with you," said Zhan Bing, who had been amiable and trying to persuade the others moments before. He spoke while pulling on a pair of Steel Gloves.

Whoosh!!!

The bowstring snapped taut. The moment Zhan Bing spoke, Zhuge Xiang had already acted. He released his fingers, and the Wolf Fang Arrow shot forward with a sharp aura, heading straight for Zhan Bing at incredible speed.

However, facing the Wolf Fang Arrow, Zhan Bing simply sidestepped, dodging it. His feet moved in a ghostly pattern as he lunged toward Zhuge Xiang—it was Ghost Step, and at the Mastery Level at that.

Although Hua Nongying's Ghost Step had also reached Mastery Level, the difference between a Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer and a Sixth Layer practitioner was night and day. No wonder he dared to act despite knowing the power of Zhuge Xiang's bow; he trusted his Ghost Step to evade the attacks.

"You lose!" Zhan Bing appeared beside Zhuge Xiang like a specter, his steel-gloved hands forming a familiar stance—Clear Wave Palm.

With Ghost Step and Clear Wave Palm combined, once he locked Zhuge Xiang in close combat, his Qi Cultivation Realm Sixth Layer cultivation would ensure a complete victory. Besides, an archer caught at close range was as good as defeated.

"Ding, movement speed reduced by 30%."

As Zhan Bing appeared before him, a mechanical system prompt rang in Zhuge Xiang's mind, surprising him. He hadn't expected the other party to also possess an item that reduced movement speed. It seemed Zhan Bing intended to suppress the speed boost from his Bloodthirsty Technique.

Though his speed was affected, catching him off guard, Zhuge Xiang still smirked. "I lose? You're too confident. Did I forget to mention? My specialty is close combat."

Seeing Zhuge Xiang's smile, Zhan Bing felt a pang of unease, but it was too late. The Frost Headband activated, instantly suppressing 20% of the opponent's speed. Then, a sharp crack sounded beneath Zhuge Xiang's feet.

Explosive Steps. Like a blood-red shadow, his movement speed rivaled that of a loosed arrow. He stowed the Hundred Refinements Bow and drew the Blood Refinement Saber, slashing it heavily across Zhan Bing's body.

Blood splattered. Zhan Bing only saw a blur before a sharp pain erupted in his chest. A tremendous force sent him flying, his ribs broken by the Blood Refinement Saber. He crashed to the ground, clearly unable to fight any longer.

Hiss...

Zhuge Xiang's ruthless decisiveness filled the remaining six senior disciples with fear. They exchanged glances. Was this a newcomer? What kind of person was this? He was only at the Qi Cultivation Realm Fourth Layer, yet two Sixth Layer disciples had been nearly one-shot by him. Was this really a new disciple?

"He's gotten even stronger..." Lu Yuling's beautiful eyes shimmered with a strange light as she murmured inwardly. A Sixth Layer disciple had been easily defeated. How much time had passed? Zhuge Xiang's growth rate left her stunned. No matter how dazzling a genius, compared to Zhuge Xiang, they paled in significance.

"Anyone else?" After Zhan Bing hastily conceded, Zhuge Xiang raised the Blood Refinement Saber, its blade pointing at the remaining six Sixth Layer disciples. He spoke coldly, his blood-red Qi Energy surging with intense battle intent.

Pointed at by Zhuge Xiang's blade, the disciples all took half a step back. Was this a newcomer? Being able to instantly defeat a Qi Cultivation Realm Sixth Layer disciple—even the few top geniuses of this batch might not manage it. Whether ranged archery or close combat, he was ferocious. Was this batch's talent truly this terrifying?

"We admit you're strong. None of us here can beat you today. But we've trained at the Asura Headquarters for a year longer than you. The top geniuses of our batch haven't shown up yet. Just wait—they'll come for you. The unwritten rules of the Asura Sect aren't something you can break alone," Zhan Bing said, struggling to his feet after applying crushed medicine to his wounds, facing Zhuge Xiang's blade.

"That's right. Once you run into Zhang Kuang and the others, you're done for," added the disciple wielding the Wolf Fang Club, also rising. As a Sixth Layer disciple, being defeated without even getting close to his opponent was frustrating. He could only pin his hopes on those top geniuses. Newcomers needed their arrogance crushed, taught to keep their heads down—this was an unwritten rule of the Asura Sect that hadn't changed in decades.

"Oh? Is that so? There are stronger ones? Perfect. They don't need to come find me—I'll go challenge them right now." Zhuge Xiang deactivated the Bloodthirsty Technique, sheathed the Blood Refinement Saber, and turned to leave. Throughout it all, he stood on the Rope Bridge.

"Wha... what? Did I hear that right?" Zhuge Xiang's words and his decisive retreating figure left everyone behind wide-eyed, including the two thousand new disciples. Zhuge Xiang's strength had surpassed what he'd shown in the Grand Tournament, but who knew how far the top geniuses of the previous batch had progressed? And he was going to challenge them without a second thought?

"Madman... this madman..." Zhan Bing and the others stared, exasperated. Bringing up Zhang Kuang and the other top geniuses was supposed to pressure him, but he showed no sign of stress—only heightened battle fervor. This guy, reckless and oblivious to danger, was a complete lunatic!

Even Lu Yuling and Hua Nongying, who knew Zhuge Xiang better, widened their eyes. Though everyone knew from their days fleeing in the Endless Mountain Range that Zhuge Xiang was a battle maniac with formidable strength, coming straight to the Asura Headquarters and challenging the previous batch's top geniuses was indeed a bit insane.

"He had the courage to face a Two-Star Demonic Beast, so this behavior is normal," Ji Wuxue said with admiration in his eyes. He'd been unconvinced after losing to Zhuge Xiang before, but now he truly respected him—not just for his combat power, but for his fearless courage.

"Back then, we faced the Two-Star Demonic Beast together, and it was a near-death struggle to kill it. But now, he's challenging the top geniuses alone. Can he really succeed?" Hua Nongying shook her head, doubt coloring her expression at Ji Wuxue's words.

"Well, let's just go see what happens," Lu Yuling said, her face still cool and composed. She smiled faintly, her white dress fluttering as she followed.

With Lu Yuling's lead, Hua Nongying and the others exchanged glances. Niu Geng and the rest nodded and followed. Whether Zhuge Xiang succeeded or not, they should go cheer him on—they couldn't let this batch's reputation falter.

"Let's go! We're all going!" With Zhuge Xiang leading and several top geniuses following, the disciples who had been angered by the unwritten rules raised their voices. Apart from a few who wanted to avoid trouble, about fifteen hundred of the two thousand disciples marched out of the Green Bamboo Peak's Rope Bridge behind Zhuge Xiang.

"They've all gone mad..." Zhan Bing and the others stood dumbfounded, mechanically muttering as they watched the fifteen hundred disciples shouting and moving out.

Fifteen hundred disciples shouting and marching—anyone with eyes could see them. As they passed, all the Asura Sect disciples were drawn to them.

"These must be today's new disciples, right? What are they up to?"

"Looks like they're heading to Green Willow Peak. Interesting. Let's follow and see."

"Coming to headquarters and stirring up trouble on such a grand scale right away? This batch has some spirit..."

Regardless of what people thought of the fifteen hundred disciples' grand procession, at least every disciple who saw it grew curious and followed. Among them were even Qi Cultivation Realm Eighth or Ninth Layer and Body Tempering Realm disciples.

Zhuge Xiang took the lead, heading straight for Green Willow Peak, where the previous batch's disciples resided. The fifteen hundred new disciples' arrival naturally alerted the Green Willow Peak disciples. Most came out to meet them, their cultivation levels starting at Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer. Though only about a thousand emerged, their aura was stronger than Zhuge Xiang's fifteen hundred.

"What are you new disciples doing at Green Willow Peak?" A leading disciple at the Qi Cultivation Realm Seventh Layer stepped forward and barked. His cultivation marked him as one of the top figures among the previous batch.

Ignoring the opponent's imposing presence, Zhuge Xiang walked forward, raised the Blood Refinement Saber, and pointed its blade at him. He spoke coldly: "Nothing much. We just arrived at the Asura Headquarters and found you senior disciples a bit too arrogant. So we're here to take you down a peg."