Who Agrees, Who Opposes

"Ah!"

A scream erupted from Feng Xiaoman as she clutched her face, rolling on the ground. Blood poured from between her fingers, and a clear shoe print was visible on her contorted face.

It hurt just to look!

Silence fell over the surroundings. The group that had been shouting just moments ago stared, dumbfounded, at Feng Xiaoman lying on the ground in the blink of an eye.

What just happened?

Lin Changkong looked at Feng Xiaoman and sneered, "As expected of someone with connections. You actually took my kick with your face. Impressive skill."

Feng Xiaoman trembled with rage, her eyes turning red.

"You, you're shameless! You attacked me by surprise!"

Zhang Dali also chimed in, "You're utterly despicable! Attacking a girl with such a dirty trick, a sneak attack! Have you no shame?"

"Exactly! Sneak attacks are nothing to boast about. If you have the guts, fight me head-on."

"You scoundrel, only capable of these petty, underhanded tactics. I look down on you."

"Utterly shameless! You've thrown all dignity away."

The others snapped out of their daze and immediately joined in the insults.

Lin Changkong remained calm, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Sneak attack? I asked her earlier if she needed to prepare. She said cultivators must face all sorts of unexpected situations and don't need preparation.

If that's the case, how can it be considered a sneak attack?

She herself said she didn't need preparation, and now she's calling it a sneak attack. And you all back her up? So, if she's shameless, are you all going to be shameless too?"

Zhang Dali and those who had chimed in looked crestfallen, at a loss for words.

After a few seconds of silence, Zhang Dali coldly snorted, "Regardless, the way you won is dishonorable. I look down on you. If you dare, fight me fair and square. Do you dare?"

Lin Changkong chuckled softly, "Do you need to prepare?"

Zhang Dali immediately took two steps back, wary of a sudden attack from Lin Changkong, but feigned fearlessness. "I'm already prepared! Take this!"

He assumed a stance, spiritual energy erupting from his body, noticeably stronger than Feng Xiaoman's earlier display.

"Qi Gathering Second Level!"

Someone exclaimed, immediately recognizing that Zhang Dali was indeed stronger than Feng Xiaoman, and not by a small margin, but by an entire minor realm.

Among the new students, the majority had reached the Qi Gathering Realm, with Qi Gathering First Level being the most common. Qi Gathering Second Level was definitely elite, while Qi Gathering Third Level was exceptionally rare.

Thus, Zhang Dali's display naturally drew gasps of surprise and envy from many.

Zhang Dali subtly glanced towards Luo Qingyi. He had stepped forward primarily to show off his strength, hoping to impress Luo Qingyi with his talent.

This way, his chances of gaining Luo Qingyi's favor might increase, and he might even have a shot at becoming an inner disciple of an elder.

Luo Qingyi did indeed glance his way. Especially since Zhang Dali had acted to curry her favor, it naturally made her feel pleased.

Therefore, Luo Qingyi said, "Not bad. To have reached Qi Gathering Second Level at such a young age, your talent is excellent, and your future is promising. Unlike some people, who not only lack talent but also resort to despicable means, destined to achieve nothing in this life."

Zhang Dali was overjoyed. "Elder Luo flatters me. I simply couldn't stand his arrogance and domineering behavior and was just standing up for Miss Feng. It's what I should do."

He then looked at Lin Changkong again, his eyes filled with malice.

"I'll teach you a lesson today so you know how to behave in the future."

"Mountain Splitting Fist!"

Zhang Dali shouted coldly and charged at Lin Changkong. He threw a punch, spiritual energy converging, and the compressed air exploded.

The moment he attacked, Lin Changkong moved as well, but with even greater speed and power!

He met Zhang Dali's punch with a fist of his own.

"Bang!"

Their fists collided. Zhang Dali's smile froze instantly as he felt an immense force bearing down on him. His spiritual energy was instantly suppressed.

At the same time, a sharp pain shot through his fist, and his footing faltered as he was forced backward.

Lin Changkong pressed his advantage, kicking towards Zhang Dali's groin.

Although Zhang Dali was at Qi Gathering Second Level, his cultivation was achieved through years of resource investment. He had little practical combat experience and was accustomed to being pampered.

He had never encountered such ruthless moves as groin kicks or eye pokes.

Before he could even react, Lin Changkong's instep landed on his crotch.

"Ah!"

A scream rang out as Zhang Dali instinctively drew his legs together, hunched over and trembling violently.

Lin Changkong seized the opportunity, grabbed his head, and pushed it down. Simultaneously, he pushed off the ground and raised his knee, slamming it into Zhang Dali's face.

Another dull thud echoed as Zhang Dali's nose became crooked, blood gushing out uncontrollably.

"Bang bang bang bang—"

Lin Changkong didn't pause. He repeatedly slammed his knee into Zhang Dali's face, seven or eight times in quick succession. Zhang Dali could no longer stand and collapsed like a puddle of mud.

By this point, his face was a bloody mess, even more gruesome than Feng Xiaoman's.

The fight, from start to finish, lasted less than five breaths!

Lin Changkong's attack was swift and brutal, without any wasted words or movements.

It was a seamless, perfect execution!

In an instant, the entire plaza fell silent.

Everyone watched Zhang Dali, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, earning their envy, praised by Luo Qingyi, and then, in the blink of an eye, beaten half to death by Lin Changkong and left lying on the ground, barely conscious.

They were stunned.

It was over already?

That was too fast!

This was Qi Gathering Second Level, for crying out loud!

Many felt their mouths go dry, swallowing involuntarily.

Looking at the downed Zhang Dali, then at Lin Changkong, who wore a bright, beaming smile, many took a few steps back.

This guy was too ferocious.

Luo Qingyi's expression also turned extremely grim, her gaze towards Lin Changkong filled with disbelief.

She knew Gong Lian and Gong Cheng had their legs broken by Lin Changkong yesterday, but that was because they were only at Body Refining Ninth Level. And Liu Qing had been beaten so badly her face was unrecognizable.

So, she had subconsciously assumed Lin Changkong hadn't even reached the Qi Gathering Realm yet. Feng Xiaoman's loss was entirely due to her carelessness and Lin Changkong's sudden attack.

But Zhang Dali had been prepared and had even attacked first.

Yet, in the next moment, he was in this state. And Lin Changkong hadn't even used any spiritual energy. Without spiritual energy, how could he have beaten Qi Gathering Second Level Zhang Dali so thoroughly!

Amidst a sea of horrified gazes, Lin Changkong looked at Zhang Dali, who was gasping on the ground, and said, "You wanted to teach me a lesson, didn't you? But you look more like a dog right now."

Zhang Dali gasped in pain, his consciousness slightly returning. He touched his face and his anger flared.

He had been defeated instantly too!

"You, you..."

"What? Are you going to accuse me of ambushing you again?" Lin Changkong sneered.

Zhang Dali's face twitched, but he didn't know how to retort. Feng Xiaoman's defeat could be attributed to her lack of preparation, but he had been ready and attacked first.

What ambush was there to speak of?

Lin Changkong shook his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone who had stood up to oppose him. He smiled and said, "Now, I declare all of you are trash. Who agrees? Who objects?"