Page 74: Just like that
"Hey man, let's not be late. We might not be able to secure a good spot on the martial grounds if you're this slow. By the way, have you heard of the bet made between elder Wei's 3rd disciple and elder Cai's 1st disciple yesterday?"
"Yeah, I heard it was the junior alchemist who challenged Cuifen. That was daring of him, to challenge a grade 3 alchemist when he is just a grade 2 alchemist. Isn't the winner already obvious?"
"I don't know man. I heard that whoever makes the higher pill quality during the finals would be declared the winner. That is if that grade 2 alchemist will be able to pass the second test. It might be true that the grade 2 alchemist is in a disadvantage. He must be doing this for a reason."
A lot of conversation is taking place right now at the martial ground. One of the hot topics being discussed is the bet that transpired yesterday between Cuifen and Long Bai. Although it wasn't as hot as the main event today, the reason a lot of people talk about it is because it was related to Zhang Li, one of the most popular female alchemist in the sect. People can't just ignore a good story specially when it is related to famous people.
Right now, the stage is being prepared for the final showdown. The fight between the sect leader's 2nd and 3rd disciple. The sect leader who did not appear yesterday is now sitting on the highest viewing platform in the martial grounds. While waiting for the participants, the elders together with the sect leader are having their tea.
Twenty minutes later, the two disciples came from different directions. Yue came from the east while Weimin appeared from the west side of the martial grounds. The crowd began to cheer after seeing the two come up on the stage. The two greeted each other as martial competitors and then greeted the elders and the sect leader afterwards.
After such play, the sect leader stood up and gave a speech introducing his two new disciples. He even announced that anyone can challenge them later for an exhibition. The people were delighted with such announcement. This just meant that they will be able to watch more fights. Although that announcement
was already stimulating, the sect leader dropped something even more earthshaking statement.
"Lastly, I will allow you to raise a challenge. Anyone from the 6th to the 10th position can freely challenge anyone from the upper half twice but remember, you only have one chance. If you defeat your chosen opponent, the position will be yours."
The sect leader's announcement was a ray of hope for those on the lower half. Most of them beamed a huge smile while the upper half was giving a straight face. Now, they can't show any signs of weakness or else they would definitely become the target. Looking at the seats where three of the top 5 are seating, there's only one who was not feeling well.
Ah Mu immediately got the message saying that he is the target. Being in the 5th place, it is a common understanding that fighting him would give them a higher chance of winning since they thought that he is the weakest. Although this is what most of them have in mind, Li Xianliang, thinks differently. What he wanted was revenge. He wants to take back the humiliation he received during their last match. For him, what happened was unforgivable.
Ah Mu looked at Xianliang's direction and saw him beaming with sharp glare all over him. When he averted his eyes towards the others beside him, their eyes were like predators looking at him like their sumptuous prey ready to be eaten. With such atmosphere, he can only laugh inside and wait for their challenge later.
"Now let us begin the match!"
Yue and Weimin took their position on the stage and readied their stance. Yue was holding a grade 2 sword while Weimin was barehanded.
"Yue, are you going to fight with your martial sword skill again? Doesn't this show that you can't fight with our sect's martial skill and that you're just reliant with an outsider's skill? You are bring shame to our sect leader, have you thought of it?"
Weimin was trying to taunt Yue with his words. Last time they fought, he really felt embarrassed towards the sect leader since he saw him helpless against Yue's skill. This time, he planned to make up for his past loss.
"Fellow disciple Weimin, the sect leader recognized my skill and he never said that I can't practice other martial skills aside from the skills in his library. Say, If I defeat you without the sword, will you accept that you're just weaker and that you will never be able to defeat me?"
"Ha! You jest! Without the sword, you will lose. You are too dependent on the sword and neglected your martial palm skills. Haha!
Don't cry if you realized that I'm the stronger one. Come, let's not make this introduction go any longer."
Yue kept her sword back in her cosmic pouch and decided to fight mano y mano. No weapons, just skills and the bare fists. Yue was confident she can fight him without the sword skills however she would need to use her higher cultivation as an advantage against the higher success of mastery in the
At the sound of the gong, Weimin initiated the attack. It was a simple tactic. Dash to intimidate the opponent and when they will try to run away or evade, that's the time he would activate a skill which will make the attack more difficult to evade. However, opposite to what he thought, Yue did not run but instead dashed towards him. Rattled by the the unexpected situation, he didn't have a choice but to face Yue head on. He knows that Yue was already ahead of him in cultivation since he couldn't detect her level. This situation he is in pisses him off since they train under the same conditions. He felt like he is being cheated on even though he was the 2nd disciple while Yue was the 3rd.
When both are just one meter apart, Weimin gave out a punch but his outstretched right arm was caught. What happened after was that Weimin was already laying on the floor while getting puzzled of what happened. It happened so fast that he didn't have time to think.
Yue on the other hand was standing two meters away from Weimin who was lying on the floor. As of how the situation became like this, just when Weimin made the punch, Yue used the grappling technique of the defensive martial skill she was practicing. Although the grappling skill was just a minor skill, it became useful in her situation. After grabbing the arm, Yue went in and used the
The crowd was utterly speechless. No one said a word due to the shocking event. Weimin, the 2nd disciple was taken down in just seconds. Even the elders who were sitting near the sect leader stood up due to the amazement. While all of the spectators were looking at the unbelievable scene on the platform, the elders were looking at the sect leader with their eyes full of curiosity.
"Don't ask me. I did not teach her that skill nor I knew where she got that. My only speculation is that she might had a lucky encounter with someone who came from the mainland. You know that skills as unusual as that can only exist in the mainland. If anyone of you are thinking of approaching her, I am already warning you. I will be the one to deal with you personally."
The sect leader's voice was not loud but the warning it had have his own killing intent in it. This just shows how serious he was in the matter.
"Sect leader, we don't have such thoughts. We are happy for the sect leader to have a talented disciple."
"Congratulations sect elder!"
"Congratulations sect elder!"
The elders gave their greeting altogether although their hearts were full of envy. Having a disciple who have a connection with the mainland is just like finding a treasure in a desert. It is almost to impossible for it to happen in this island.
Back on the platform, only when Weimin got back on his feet that the crowd recovered from their surprised state. Praises for Yue came from all directions. There were also some who gave her the name of being a goddess.
"Our goddess Yue is the strongest!"
"Goddess Yue is the prettiest!"
"Goddess Yue!"
"Goddess Yue!"
"Goddess Yue!"
The hype spread on all corners of the martial grounds to the extent that the only words that could be heard was a single chant, "goddess Yue".
Yue who was on the stage was surprised on the development and thanked the crowd's support. When the crowd settled down, the sect leader announced Yue as the Winner. Weimin was silent the whole time still trying to inject the situation into his mind.
Now, the event has moved on the second phase which is to challenge any one from the top 5.
"Now, who would like to start the challenge?"
"Sect leader! (x5)"
All five of the lower bracket stood up and presented themselves. Each looked at each other trying to say that they want to go first.
On Ah Mu's side, Ling Tian chuckled and gave Ah Mu a thumbs up.
"Look brother Ah Mu. You're famous now. Everyone wants to be with you on the stage. Even that angry man would fight with the girls just to be with you. I really envy you now. Don't forget your brother Ling Tian when you get too famous ok?"
Ling Tian gave off a playful smile. Just for today, Ling Tian was happy to make fun with Ah Mu's current situation.
Ah Mu gave out a sigh and stood from his seat. He walked steadily towards the platform and faced the sect leader's shade.
"Greetings to the elders and sect leader. I am Ah Mu and I believe these 5 over there would like to fight me and steal my position. Since I can't fight all of them, will you grant me the power to choose two among them to fight against me? Please consider this insignificant one's desire."
Ah Mu tried his best to be eloquent. A lot was asking why he was doing this but in reality, Ah Mu was trying to be smart. Since the sect leader doesn't know his feelings about him wanting to prevent any fight against Li Xianliang again, he took a bold step and spoke to the sext leader himself.