After all, he hadn't made a move from beginning to end. The only thing he'd done was use a tiny amount of mental power to probe at the very end. Given Zhang Tao's strength back then, he shouldn't have had much mental power, and there was no way he could have detected Zhang Tao.
"Old Zhao, what are you waiting for? Don't tell me you're scared. He's only just broken through to Rank 7, while you're High-stage Rank 7. What's there to be afraid of?" one of the Grandmasters heckled.
Zhang Tao looked at Zhao Changfeng with a smile, too.
Needled by the others, Zhao Changfeng flushed and snapped, "Old Qin, what are you shouting for? I was just a little surprised, that's all. Grandmaster Zhang, please."
Since he couldn't avoid it, Zhao Changfeng had no choice but to stop keeping a low profile. He walked out openly.
"Grandmaster Zhao, watch closely!" Zhang Tao didn't use a weapon. He hadn't brought his blade when he came out, and Zhao Changfeng hadn't brought one either. They were only here to watch someone break through—why bring weapons?
In fact, most of those present hadn't brought weapons. Divine weapons were the exception, of course.
Zhang Tao's palm had turned completely blood-red. Clearly, his blood energy was gathering, and even the power of heaven and earth was converging. Zhao Changfeng frowned. Was this Zhang Tao's divine ability? What kind of lousy divine ability was that?
When Zhang Tao's palm struck, Zhao Changfeng put aside his thoughts and punched back. It was an ordinary-looking punch, but it gathered the power of heaven and earth around him. With Zhang Tao having only just entered Rank 7, Zhao Changfeng figured he shouldn't have much trouble dealing with him.
But as soon as his fist met Zhang Tao's palm, his expression changed. The force behind that palm exceeded what he'd expected, and his fist was already going numb.
A muffled thud rang out. The Grandmasters around them narrowed their eyes. Zhang Tao's move was no simple thing. It looked ordinary enough, yet it had gathered so much blood energy and power of heaven and earth. But did Zhang Tao have anything left in reserve?
Li Xianling, a Rank 9 Great Grandmaster, frowned. Zhang Tao's move looked a little like the Blood Blade Art—only he'd turned it into palm power.
That kind of move left both sides injured. It was even the sort of move a Grandmaster used as a last resort to take an enemy down with him, short only of self-detonation.
Zhao Changfeng retreated two steps and suppressed the tightness in his chest. He knew he'd underestimated Zhang Tao a little. Still, how many times could he unleash an attack like that?
Zhao Changfeng suddenly thought that it might not be a bad idea to figure out Zhang Tao's strength here. Then he could make sure there were no surprises the next time he went after him. After all, he'd been embarrassed for a long time over the failure of his last mission. He hadn't finished Zhang Tao off back then and had instead hurried away. That hadn't been very clever.
But Zhao Changfeng was clearly overthinking it. Zhang Tao had been with Li Zhen back then. Would he have dared go out and take risks without a backup plan?
Zhang Tao had no idea what Zhao Changfeng was thinking, and didn't care to know. He simply kept chopping toward him with one palm strike after another. As Zhao Changfeng retreated from these attacks, he wore Zhang Tao down. In his view, an attack like that couldn't last. Young people were young people—far too impatient.
"Daoist Wang, Zhang Tao's still too young. He's using up so much energy right from the start. How's he going to fight later?" the Bearded Man said, shaking his head. He clearly didn't think Zhang Tao stood a chance.
Daoist Wang raised his brows. He'd also noticed that Zhang Tao's move looked a little like the Blood Blade Art. But what was Zhang Tao trying to show?
"Just keep watching," Daoist Wang replied. The Bearded Man curled his lip and said no more, turning his attention back to the fight.
Zhang Tao's attacks didn't let up, as if his blood energy were inexhaustible. Now even Zhao Changfeng was starting to feel numb. Could Zhang Tao really keep this up for so long?
The Bearded Man's eyes widened. How many palm strikes had that been? Could someone who'd only just reached Rank 7 really pull that off? He remembered how he'd just said Zhang Tao didn't stand a chance, only to have his words thrown right back in his face.
"Pfft!" Just then, Zhao Changfeng was struck in the chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Zhang Tao didn't hesitate. He pressed his advantage and struck again.
"Zhang Tao!" someone cried out. The fight should already have been decided, yet Zhang Tao was still attacking. How could the Grandmasters not be outraged?
But they were already too late to intervene. Zhang Tao struck once more, hitting Zhao Changfeng. Zhao Changfeng went flying like a rolling gourd, and a section of his chest had caved in.
"Zhang Tao, you're both human! How could you use such a heavy hand?" an old man immediately berated him.
"Everyone, watch out! He's an Evil Martial Artist!" Zhang Tao shouted as soon as he saw someone about to step forward and treat Zhao Changfeng.
The scene fell silent at once. Those who had been about to check on Zhao Changfeng all stopped in their tracks.
Li Xianling was the first to fly to Zhao Changfeng's side and reach out to examine him.
Zhao Changfeng immediately shouted, "Zhang Tao, don't slander me! What have I ever done to you?"
He didn't dare resist Li Xianling's hand, but he wasn't about to just sit there and wait to die either. He immediately protested.
Li Xianling had already seized Zhao Changfeng. He looked at Zhang Tao and said, "Zhang Tao, you'll be held responsible for your words."
Zhang Tao immediately replied, "Chief Overseer, I'll take responsibility for what I've said. The day I first left Kyoto, I was ambushed. If I hadn't pretended to be dead, I'd have been done for. Back then, Zhao Changfeng released a trace of mental power. I couldn't possibly have mistaken it. I'm sure he has a weakness. If you search, you should be able to find evidence."
After hearing Zhang Tao's explanation, Li Xianling nodded. The other Grandmasters were also half-convinced. After all, Zhang Tao was Li Xianling's successor and a human prodigy. He wouldn't frame Zhao Changfeng without cause. Many of them were already looking at Zhao Changfeng differently, but without evidence, they couldn't say much yet.
"Everyone, although I was only at Rank 6, at Essence Blood Unity, my talent is exceptional and my mental power is unusual. Zhao Changfeng, you were too cautious back then. If you hadn't let out that trace of mental power, to be honest, I really wouldn't have found you!" Zhang Tao explained to the Grandmasters around him. He also addressed Zhao Changfeng, making his meaning clear: you don't have a chance anymore.
Zhao Changfeng's expression darkened. From the way Li Xianling was acting, he clearly believed Zhang Tao. And Zhao Changfeng really did have something hidden at home. If they searched, he might actually be exposed.
"Even now, you still won't talk? Zhao Changfeng, tell us who you report to, and we'll arrange a dignified death for you!" Zhang Tao suddenly bellowed, his voice carrying tremendous mental power.
The roar made Zhao Changfeng's eyes grow unfocused for an instant. But he was still High-stage Rank 7, and he quickly snarled, "Zhang Tao, I won't betray the Holy Sect. You won't escape death either!" That was right—he was done pretending. There was no point.
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