Crippling You

Swish!

Wu Zongming was the first to arrive, only a moment slower than Zhang Haoran.

Casting Zhang Haoran a puzzled glance, Wu Zongming had no idea what the other was plotting. Hadn't he said he wanted to seize first place? Could it be that he had deliberately been waiting for him? This was outrageous—was this man not far too arrogant?

Though he felt somewhat puzzled and angry, Wu Zongming would not get entangled with the other over this. He was just about to pass through.

"Hold it!" Zhang Haoran stepped sideways and blocked his path.

Wu Zongming's face darkened. "What do you mean?"

Zhang Haoran said calmly, "Nothing else. Don't you think it's more fun with more people? There's no need to be in such a hurry."

"Whether it's fun or not has nothing to do with me. Move aside."

"Sorry, I can't agree to that request."

"You're courting death." Wu Zongming flew into a rage. His body, which had slowed somewhat, suddenly accelerated. His right fist turned crimson, carrying boundless heat as it blasted fiercely toward Zhang Haoran.

Human-grade High-tier Martial Skill—Blazing Fire Fist!

Zhang Haoran wore a faint smile as he threw out a punch of his own.

Boom!

As the two fists collided, the surrounding walls and ground seemed to tremble, while fierce gales radiated in every direction.

Wu Zongming felt his arm go numb. Three layers of force had actually traveled from the other's fist into his arm, immediately destabilizing him and forcing him three steps back. He exclaimed in shock, "Flowing Cloud Triple-Fold Force!"

The Flowing Cloud Triple-Fold Force was the signature Martial Arts of the Flowing Cloud Sect. Though it was merely a Human-grade High-tier Martial Skill, many Inner Sect Disciples still cultivated it and could not bear to abandon it. The chief reason was its unique trait: the stronger one became, the greater its Triple Force grew. It would scarcely ever fall behind.

Zhang Haoran flicked his hand, extinguishing the sparks on his fist. A trace of surprise appeared on his face. "It seems I underestimated you. Your Blazing Fire Fist has actually produced Fire Force."

"Likewise." Wu Zongming did not dare underestimate him. The Internal Energy throughout his body was driven to its limit, hidden without release, contained without display, waiting only for the critical moment to unleash a thunderous blow.

The hint of surprise vanished from Zhang Haoran's face, and he laughed loudly. "Likewise? Don't get it wrong. I only used seventy percent of my strength just now."

Zhang Haoran had every right to be arrogant. At only thirteen, he had not only cultivated his Internal Energy to the peak Qi Cultivation Realm Tenth Layer, but had also raised the Cloud Soaring Art to its highest, fifth level. Martial Skills such as the Flowing Cloud Triple-Fold Force had likewise reached the mastery stage. He had no shortcomings whatsoever. He was confident that even against a martial artist who had just entered the True Condensation Realm, he could contend for a few exchanges, let alone against someone like Wu Zongming.

Wu Zongming offered no rebuttal, because he knew that words were useless. Only strength could truly command respect.

Bang!

Sparks flared from his crimson fist. More and more sparks emerged, until they finally formed a faint flame. The fist wrapped in those flames resembled a red-hot branding iron—hard and scorching.

Wu Zongming sneered. "Do you think you're the only one who hasn't used his full strength?"

"Interesting, very interesting."

Zhang Haoran froze for a moment, threads of anger bursting from his eyes. The other had concealed his strength time and again, making him feel slighted. After all, whenever he fought others in the past, who dared not use all their strength? Otherwise, he would have beaten them so badly they could not find north from south.

An even fiercer battle was on the verge of erupting.

Just then, a figure flashed over. Seeing the two facing off, he warily slowed down and moved toward the other side of the passage.

It was Ye Chen!

Going all out, he was far slower than Wu Zongming and Zhang Haoran, yet he still surpassed everyone else. After all, when facing somewhat clumsy and dull Wooden Men, exquisite techniques often held a greater advantage. Meeting force with force was simply asking for trouble.

"I never expected these two to disregard the competition and start fighting directly in the Wooden Man Alley." Noticing the damage to the nearby walls, Ye Chen did not need to guess that a fierce battle had taken place here. The result had probably been inconclusive, or perhaps they had merely been testing each other.

But while they did not care about the competition rankings, Ye Chen did!

If these two remained unwilling to stop fighting, first place would very likely be his. It might be somewhat undeserved, but who would ever dislike a pie falling from the sky?

With a flash of his steps, Ye Chen was about to enter the passage.

"Insolence! Since when was it your turn?" Zhang Haoran had already been somewhat irritated. Seeing Ye Chen ignore them and attempt to enter the passage directly, he immediately vented his anger on him.

Zhang Haoran pulled and released his right hand. Icy Qi Force surged forth, leaving a thin layer of frost over the ground everywhere it passed.

Human-grade High-tier Martial Skill—Cold-Soaking Palm!

Ye Chen's gaze turned cold. He bore no grudge against Zhang Haoran, yet the other's first move was the Cold-Soaking Palm, a technique that injured one's internal organs. Used with his Qi Cultivation Realm Tenth Layer cultivation, it was absolutely more powerful than an ordinary Outer Sect Disciple using a Human-grade Top-tier Martial Skill. If he took this palm strike, lying in bed for a few months would be the least of it. His Meridians might freeze, turning him into a cripple. Though the Ye Family was wealthy and powerful enough to purchase many precious spiritual medicines to heal his injuries, that did not mean he was willing to take this palm strike and suffer for nothing.

"Mountain Rock Collapse!"

The Fine Steel Sword left its sheath. Carrying the Momentum of a collapsing mountain and a landslide, Ye Chen swept to one side, as fast as lightning and flint, vanishing in a flash.

It was precisely the move in the Thirteen Peaks Sword Style that excelled in footwork and speed.

Crack, crack, crack!

The spot where Ye Chen had been standing was covered in bone-piercing frost. One could imagine the consequences if Ye Chen had failed to evade it.

Keeping his distance from Zhang Haoran, Ye Chen said expressionlessly, "Isn't this going too far?"

"You, a mere Qi Cultivation Realm Sixth Layer disciple—what right do you have to rank third? Don't even dream of taking first place. Go stay off to the side." Zhang Haoran did not take Ye Chen seriously at all, even though Ye Chen had just evaded one of his palm strikes.

Even a clay figurine had three parts temper, let alone the young and hot-blooded Ye Chen. Cold light shot from his eyes as the joints of his hand bulged, gripping the sword hilt tightly. Though he did not have the slightest confidence, if it truly came down to fighting to the death, he might not be unable to injure the other.

"What, you still want to fight? Believe it or not, I'll cripple you right now. When the higher-ups investigate, at most I'll receive a slight punishment. No one will give up a genius like me for your sake." Zhang Haoran bared his teeth in a cold grin, a trace of killing intent stirring within him.

Wu Zongming, standing to one side, had no reason to let Zhang Haoran continue acting so arrogantly. He mocked, "What a grand display of authority. I'd like to see how you'll cripple him in front of me."

Zhang Haoran said darkly, "Wu Zongming, have you made up your mind to oppose me? Don't regret it."

"What a joke. What do I have to regret?"

"Hmph. Then let's see who becomes a True Condensation Realm martial artist first! But I'm definitely crippling this brat—right in front of you."

His figure suddenly stretched forward. With his left hand behind his back and his right brimming with icy Qi Force, Zhang Haoran strode like a dragon and tiger as he lunged straight for Ye Chen's head. Against such a sudden move, how could an ordinary person have time to react? In Zhang Haoran's eyes, Ye Chen had absolutely no way to escape.