Sneak Attack

Zhang Yuntang had no idea what Zhang Yunhao was thinking. He looked at him with disdain. "Zhang Yunhao, do you see the gap between us now? How can your basic Five Forms Fist compare to my Surging Waves Fist?"

I practice immortal martial arts. Why should I tell you?

Zhang Yunhao sneered inwardly. "Surging Waves Fist is several times stronger than Five Forms Fist, but unfortunately, you're too weak to wield it!"

Hearing Zhang Yunhao call him weak, Zhang Yuntang flew into a rage. "Weak? You actually called me weak?"

"Of course you're weak. You haven't even mastered Surging Waves Fist, while I've completely mastered Five Forms Fist!"

Zhang Yunhao laughed aloud. Without another word, he leaned forward, his spine coiling like a dragon and his claws raised. He was like a fierce tiger, every muscle taut, ready to pounce on its prey.

The younger generation around them instinctively held their breath, afraid to make a sound. They were utterly astonished. Had Zhang Yunhao really trained Tiger Form Fist to such a level?

As the one facing him, Zhang Yuntang felt as if he'd become prey to a tiger. A chill ran through him, and he failed to strike in time. Just as his fighting spirit reached its lowest ebb, Zhang Yunhao lunged at him with a gust of wind.

The moment he attacked, Zhang Yunhao's assault was fierce to the extreme. His two claws struck one after another like lightning, each blow bursting through the air. Claw shadows filled the sky.

Zhang Yuntang was shocked. He hurriedly used his fists to block Zhang Yunhao's claws, but once he did, he was completely forced onto the defensive.

Zhang Yunhao had been like a tiger before, but now he became a mad tiger. Amid a series of roars like a tiger's, he launched an unrelenting assault. Zhang Yuntang had no time to think and could only desperately fend off Zhang Yunhao's increasingly ferocious claws.

Zhang Yuntang's martial arts were certainly decent, but under Zhang Yunhao's frenzied attack, he had no chance to use Surging Waves Fist. His blood and qi churned as defending became more and more difficult. It was as if he stood on the edge of a ten-thousand-foot cliff, one wrong move away from being smashed to pieces.

At the same time, under the pressure of Zhang Yunhao's tiger-like presence, Zhang Yuntang's resolve wavered. More and more, he felt that he couldn't win.

For Martial Artists, courage came first. Once it was gone, defeat was inevitable.

"Looks like Zhang Yuntang is about to lose!"

The sharp-eyed spectators could all see it. Many of them looked at the Great Elder with mocking gazes. What did all his scheming matter? His son still wouldn't get into the Heavenly Fist Sect.

Lei Nu was growing even more pleased with Zhang Yunhao. He quietly said to Nangong Ru, "That boy really is a talent. At such a young age, he's already grasped the essence of a martial art. With a little polish, he'll have boundless prospects."

Nangong Ru nodded. "If he weren't capable, how could he have killed Poisonous Snake Young Master? As for Zhang Yuntang, his martial arts are decent, but he lacks a measure of courage and ferocity. He's just a flower raised in the shelter of his Lineage. Otherwise, this fight wouldn't be so one-sided."

Just as most people thought Zhang Yunhao was about to win, the Great Elder on the platform suddenly let out a cold snort.

The snort didn't affect anyone else, but Zhang Yunhao on the arena felt a clap of thunder explode beside his ear. His head spun, and his attack came to an abrupt halt.

"Hm?"

Zhang Yuntang didn't understand why Zhang Yunhao had stopped, but he didn't waste the opportunity. His fist slammed into Zhang Yunhao's chest.

Zhang Yunhao cried out and staggered backward. If he hadn't reacted quickly, he would nearly have fallen off the arena. The moment he stopped, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Was that the Great Elder's Ghost Thunder Sound?"

The blow of blood brought Zhang Yunhao back to his senses. Without even wiping the blood from his lips, he whipped around and glared at the Great Elder, eyes wide with fury. How could anyone be so despicable?

Some of the spectators didn't understand what had happened, but others saw the truth and were utterly astonished. Wasn't the Great Elder going too far? He had openly sabotaged the match right in front of the Heavenly Fist Sect's steward! Many of the younger spectators felt the injustice keenly and were outraged.

Everyone turned to the Clan Leader and Liang Dong, the steward, to see what they would say. Was it really acceptable to sabotage the match like this?

"The Great Elder really is..."

The Clan Leader had naturally seen the Great Elder use Ghost Thunder Sound to ambush Zhang Yunhao. He frowned inwardly, not because it was unfair, but because the Great Elder had made too much of a scene. The Demon Extermination Alliance's people were here, after all. It would be embarrassing if word got out.

The Clan Leader said nothing, however, because he and the Great Elder had already struck a deal. The Great Elder would support him in everything from then on, and once Zhang Yuntang entered the Heavenly Fist Sect, he would do all he could to help the Clan Leader's daughter. That was why the Clan Leader let the Great Elder act so tyrannically.

At this point, the Clan Leader couldn't possibly fall out with the Great Elder over a mere Zhang Yunhao. So he pretended not to notice. After all, no one would stand up for Zhang Yunhao!

As for Liang Dong, though he looked down on the Great Elder's actions, he remained silent as well.

"The Great Elder gave me plenty of gifts, which is fine. But he never expected that he'd be connected to that person. The higher-ups have spoken: only Zhang Yuntang can enter the Heavenly Fist Sect. What a pity about the other boy. His aptitude should be quite a bit better than Zhang Yuntang's."

Liang Dong shook his head inwardly. What a pity. In this world, aptitude isn't all that matters. Background and status matter too.

The people around them were disappointed. A sharp glint flashed through Nangong Ru's eyes. She wanted to stand up for Zhang Yunhao, but Lei Nu stopped her.

"The sooner he understands how cruel reality is, the better. Besides, this will let him break away from the Zhang Clan completely and join our side."

Lei Nu explained. Nangong Ru nodded and didn't act, but she reminded him, "Uncle Lei, I owe him my life. He can't die here."

Lei Nu replied confidently, "Don't worry. He won't die. Once he loses, I'll save him."

In Lei Nu's eyes, Zhang Yunhao was bound to lose. He was already badly injured, and the Great Elder could interfere again. There was no way Zhang Yunhao could still win!

"How could this be?"

Zhang Yunhao was deeply shocked. It was normal for the Clan Leader to say nothing; he and the Great Elder were birds of a feather. But why was Liang Dong of the Heavenly Fist Sect turning a blind eye too? Had the Great Elder even bought him off?

As shock gave way to fury, Zhang Yunhao felt as if his whole body were on fire. He was angry at the Great Elder for ambushing him, and even angrier that the Clan Leader and the steward were pretending not to see it!

Looks like I was too naive. But do you think this is enough to beat me? I'll see just how far you're willing to go!

Zhang Yunhao's eyes slowly reddened. He was so furious he nearly lost himself to madness, but fortunately, he had a strong will and didn't lose his reason. Instead, his fighting spirit burned even brighter. He had never been one to admit defeat. So what if the match was unfair? He would win it, no matter what.

"Hahaha, Zhang Yunhao, you're nothing special after all."

Zhang Yuntang had guessed that his father had helped him earlier, but he was still very pleased with himself. Zhang Yunhao had been badly injured. Could he really turn the tables?

Besides, if his father had struck once, he could strike again. Zhang Yunhao was sure to lose!