Tang Feng: Xiao Chen, I've Finally Found Your Weakness

"Senior Brother Tang, why did you ask me to come here so late at night?"

A tall, powerfully built figure asked.

The other man was naturally Tang Feng. He spoke unhurriedly. "Shi Qiang, you'll be facing Xiao Chen tomorrow. How confident are you that you can beat him?"

"Not confident at all. Senior Brother Xiao Chen has already comprehended seventy percent Sword Intent. I won't be able to fight back at all."

Whenever Shi Qiang thought of the opponent he would face tomorrow, he felt willing but powerless.

He ranked among the top five in the Body Cultivation Institute. By rights, his strength should have been more than enough to get him into the top hundred.

"What if you had this?"

Tang Feng took something out of his storage bag and placed it in front of Shi Qiang.

"This... Senior Brother Tang, you're willing to give it to me!"

Shi Qiang had never expected Tang Feng to bring out something so valuable, and he immediately became incoherent.

"I'm asking you, if you had this treasure, would you have a chance of beating Xiao Chen?"

Tang Feng's tone remained unchanged.

"Of course! Xiao Chen is strong because he comprehended seventy percent Sword Intent. The vast majority of outer sect disciples can't even block one of his sword strikes, much less fight back."

Shi Qiang grew more excited as he spoke. Naturally, he didn't want to become Xiao Chen's stepping stone.

"But I'm different. I'm a body cultivator to begin with. With this treasure to aid me, Xiao Chen will be no more than an ordinary Dao Foundation Second Layer cultivator before me."

"Good!"

Having received his assurance, Tang Feng couldn't help the slight upward curl of his lips.

"Then I'll entrust it to you."

Shi Qiang was no fool. He hurriedly said, "From now on, I'm willing to follow Senior Brother Tang's lead. In tomorrow's arena match, I'll cripple Xiao Chen again and send him slinking out of the Dao-Seeking Academy."

Tang Feng patted him on the shoulder. "I like dealing with clever people like you. I'll be waiting for your good news tomorrow."

"I won't let you down, Senior Brother," Shi Qiang said, gripping the treasure in his hand.

After the two exchanged a few pleasantries, Shi Qiang disappeared into the night.

Once Shi Qiang had gone far away, another figure emerged from the darkness.

"Senior Brother Tang, can that big guy really beat Xiao Chen? Just looking at him, he seems rather stupid."

Tang Feng smiled. "Shi Qiang's comprehension may be ordinary, but he's one of the few people who can awaken an Acquired Physique in the Dao Foundation Realm. What's more, his Berserk Bull Physique has thick skin and tough flesh, giving him extremely strong defenses.

"Even if he can't beat Xiao Chen, he can still give us an idea of how to defeat him."

"Brilliant, Senior Brother."

"Hmph."

Tang Feng snorted softly. "Tomorrow, let's watch this good show."

Early the next morning.

Quite a few disciples had already gathered around the square. Today, the outer institute's top hundred would be decided.

The top hundred were practically guaranteed places as inner sect disciples. Even if they couldn't enter the inner sect this time, they would have no trouble doing so within the allotted years, unless they met an untimely end.

At the Dao-Seeking Academy, the period of study in the outer institute was ten years.

Anyone who failed to break through to the True Fate Realm and enter the inner sect within ten years would be asked to leave the academy.

Of the thousands in the outer institute, only a third could enter the inner sect within ten years.

Upon entering the inner sect, they would have another ten years to study. If they passed the assessment and became core disciples, they could continue cultivating in the academy.

If they failed the assessment, they had two choices: leave the Dao-Seeking Academy of their own accord, or join the External Affairs Institute and complete various tasks, exchanging merit for cultivation resources.

For outer sect disciples, however, the grand competition held once every three years was the most important event of all.

Even if they couldn't make the top ten, they had to fight their way into the top hundred to secure more cultivation resources.

Chu Feng and his disciple Xiao Chen strolled into the square.

Chu Feng gave Xiao Chen no further reminders and headed straight for the raised platform.

Coming here every day to watch the grand competition made for a rather comfortable life.

Before long, the heads of the various institutes arrived one after another.

The Profound Fire Pill King was once again seated beside Chu Feng.

"Good morning, Senior."

"Good morning, Little Feng."

After spending the past few days together, the two could not be said to be close, but neither were they on bad terms. They were acquaintances who exchanged nods.

After all, the gap between their cultivation levels was too great for them to form a close friendship.

Once the referees were in position, the grand competition began.

"Will the two contestants in the next match on Arena Nine please come up?"

Without another word, Xiao Chen jumped straight onto the arena.

On the other side, Shi Qiang slowly made his way onto the arena, step by step. He wasn't walking fast, but every step landed with a thudding sound, giving the impression that each one weighed a thousand jin.

Chu Feng looked at the dark-skinned giant in the arena and took an unhurried sip of tea. Little Chen has finally met a worthy opponent. I wonder how many of Little Chen's sword strikes the big fellow can withstand.

"After you, Senior Brother Xiao."

"After you, Junior Brother Shi."

The two rarely had any dealings with each other, so they exchanged only a token greeting before making their moves.

"Begin!"

As soon as the referee's voice fell,

Xiao Chen drew the longsword in his hand without another word and swung it casually.

Clang!

A streak of sword light descended with the speed of lightning, too fast for anyone to cover their ears.

Everyone present had seen this scene many times before, yet every time, the sight of that sword strike still made their hearts tremble.

Just as the sword light was about to land on Shi Qiang, a golden shield suddenly appeared around him, enveloping his entire body.

Bang!

The sword strike landed on the shield, leaving only a few cracks and causing Shi Qiang no harm.

Seeing this, the crowd cried out in surprise.

"Supreme-Grade Vajra Talisman!"

"I didn't expect Senior Brother Shi to have such a treasure, but isn't he being too wasteful?"

"How is that wasteful? Winning this match means getting into the top hundred. The cultivation resources he'll receive are worth far more than a single Supreme-Grade Vajra Talisman."

As the crowd cried out, Shi Qiang suddenly threw a punch toward Xiao Chen.

"Berserk Bull Fist!"

The punch came roaring toward him like dozens of berserk bulls charging together, seemingly unstoppable.

Before the fist arrived, the wind of the punch had already reached him!

Below the arena, Tang Feng's lips curled slightly upward at the sight. Xiao Chen, I've finally found your weakness.

Not far away, Liu Yue'er bit her lip, her heart already in her throat. Eldest Senior Brother, you must be careful!

The eyes of the institute heads on the raised platform also lit up. None of them had expected the foolish-looking giant to have a bit of brains.

Using a Supreme-Grade Vajra Talisman for protection was indeed the most suitable way for someone at the same realm to counter Xiao Chen's Sword Intent.

The Profound Fire Pill King turned his gaze to Chu Feng, wanting to see what expression he would have at this moment.

To the Profound Fire Pill King's surprise, Chu Feng looked completely calm, not at all worried that his disciple would lose the fight.

Could that boy Xiao Chen have a trump card too?

In the arena, Xiao Chen saw that his strike had missed, but his eyes remained as calm as still water, and he felt not the slightest hesitation.

Facing Shi Qiang's punch, he swung his sword with effortless ease...