Wei Zhuang

Beyond the two groups, the outermost circle was surrounded by a considerable number of Lingxiao Pavilion disciples, all eager spectators pointing and whispering amongst themselves.

With a trace of curiosity, Yang Kai squeezed through the crowd, slowly making his way to Li Yuntian and the others.

A casual glance revealed Su Mu in the center of the scene, his face bruised and swollen, looking utterly wretched as he sparred with a youth not much older than him. The youth, with an air of composure, remained unscathed, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he deftly parried Su Mu's attacks, all while taunting him with biting words. Su Mu growled under his breath, lunging fiercely, only for his efforts to be effortlessly neutralized.

After observing for a moment, Yang Kai's brow furrowed slightly. He noticed something amiss: it wasn't that Su Mu's strikes didn't land—they simply had no effect on his opponent. When Su Mu's fists met the boy's body, the latter didn't even flinch, yet when Su Mu was struck, he inevitably suffered minor injuries.

The fluctuations of energy from their moves were nearly identical, indicating that their strength was comparable. So why was there such a disparity in their fight?

"What's going on?" Yang Kai asked, tapping Li Yuntian on the shoulder.

Li Yuntian turned, his face lighting up with joy. "Senior Brother Yang!"

At the sound of this, Zhao Hu and the others also noticed Yang Kai, greeting him warmly before resuming their tense standoff with the opposing group.

"Why is Su Mu no match for him?" Yang Kai asked, frowning. "Their abilities should be fairly even, right?"

Li Yuntian nodded quickly, his expression angry and frustrated. "Yes, Su Shao is at the second stage of the Kaiyuan Realm, and that guy is at the third. In a fair fight, even if Su Shao isn't his equal, he wouldn't be at such a disadvantage. But this guy is despicable—he's wearing a defensive artifact during a duel between fellow disciples. How can Su Shao possibly display his full strength?"

Yang Kai's face darkened. "A defensive artifact?"

"Indeed," Li Yuntian said through gritted teeth. "He's the grandson of the Great Elder, named Wei Zhuang. The artifact was given to him by the Great Elder himself."

"Another privileged heir, huh?" Yang Kai mused, beginning to understand. Su Mu had an elder backing him as well, while Wei Zhuang was the Great Elder's grandson. With similar statuses, others might hesitate to attack Su Mu, but that wouldn't stop Wei Zhuang. Yet, using a defensive artifact in a duel among peers was clearly overstepping the bounds.

"The Great Elder and the Second Elder have always been at odds, and that animosity extends to Su Shao and Wei Zhuang. Now that he's found an opportunity, he's going to make Su Shao pay dearly," Li Yuntian said, worry evident in his voice.

Yang Kai let out a low murmur. "So it's just some petty internal strife."

"Senior Brother Yang, please think of a way to save Su Shao. You know his temperament—if this continues, he'll be seriously injured," Li Yuntian pleaded.

Yang Kai's expression remained indifferent. "It's a spar between disciples. If his skills are lacking, he'll just have to take the beating. Are Lingxiao Pavilion disciples really afraid of something like this?"

"But this fight isn't fair. Wei Zhuang is relying on his artifact," Li Yuntian protested.

Yang Kai sneered. "The world is inherently unfair! The strong prey on the weak, and the strong rule over others. You should've realized this long ago."

Li Yuntian was stunned into silence.

As peers, they couldn't intervene in a spar. Although Yang Kai had shown his prowess in previous days, the sect's rules were clear. How could they expect him to save Su Mu as he had last time?

In the arena, Su Mu was already on the verge of collapse, his moves lacking strength. Meanwhile, Wei Zhuang laughed heartily, puffed out his chest, and taunted, "Su Mu, don't be shy—hit me here. I won't move an inch today. If you can make me feel pain, I'll admit defeat."

Su Mu's eyes were hazy, his fists bloodied. The defensive artifact Wei Zhuang wore not only shielded him but also reflected energy, causing Su Mu to bear the brunt of his own attacks. The injuries on his fists came from this.

Hearing Wei Zhuang's arrogant words, Su Mu spat out a mouthful of blood and sneered, "If you have the guts, take off that turtle shell. If I don't beat you down, I'm not my father's son!"

Wei Zhuang's face darkened, his expression turning ferocious. With a sinister grin, he hissed, "You've got some nerve! How dare you take advantage of me! You'll pay for those words!"

Clearly enraged, Wei Zhuang stormed toward Su Mu, swinging a punch at his face. Though Su Mu tried to block, he was too weakened and failed to stop the blow. His cheek was struck, swelling instantly, and his body was spun halfway around by the force.

Wei Zhuang, now like a predator, pursued his advantage, kicking Su Mu to the ground and raining down blows with both fists.

Su Mu struggled to resist, but his efforts were futile. The defensive artifact Wei Zhuang wore was beyond Su Mu's ability to break.

"Call me grandfather, and I'll let you off," Wei Zhuang threatened after a flurry of punches, pausing his assault.

Su Mu stared back coldly, a disdainful smile on his lips.

Last time, Su Mu had nearly been smashed in the head by Cheng Shaofeng with a rock, but he hadn't given in. How could he possibly yield now?

"You dare laugh!" Wei Zhuang's blows were relentless, his fists landing with no mercy. After a few more hits, one of Su Mu's teeth was knocked out, and blood oozed from his nose. His appearance was wretched beyond belief.

Wei Zhuang's brutality surpassed even that of Cheng Shaofeng.

"Su Shao!" Li Yuntian and the others could no longer bear the sight, stepping forward in desperation. But the sect's rules prevented them from intervening.

Wei Zhuang paused, looking at Li Yuntian and the others with a sneer. "Do you want to save him?"

Li Yuntian and the others said nothing, their breaths heavy, faces filled with righteous anger.

"I asked you, do you want to save him?" Wei Zhuang slapped Su Mu across the face, his voice laced with malice.

Seeing Su Mu struck again, Li Yuntian and the others quickly nodded, fearful of what further harm might come to him.

"If you want to save him, then kneel down! Bow your heads a few times, and if I'm in a good mood, I might let him go today!" Unable to subdue Su Mu, Wei Zhuang turned his attention to Li Yuntian and the others, knowing that humiliating them would be tantamount to humiliating Su Mu.

At these words, the onlookers gasped in shock, while Li Yuntian and the others turned pale with shame.

Su Mu struggled to look at Li Yuntian and the others, his eyes burning with fury as he spat out each word, "Don't listen to him!"

"Smack!" Su Mu received another slap.

Li Yuntian and the others were horrified, realizing that if they hesitated any longer, Su Mu would suffer even more. With expressions of deep sorrow and humiliation, they slowly sank to their knees.

Yang Kai watched them in surprise, not expecting that they would go to such lengths for Su Mu. A man's knees are as precious as gold—only deep bonds could compel someone to kneel for another.

Yang Kai had initially thought that Li Yuntian and the others were merely sycophants, hanging around Su Mu to enjoy the benefits of his status. But now it was clear that this was far from the truth.

Wei Zhuang's eyes narrowed, a malicious smile spreading across his face as he looked down at Su Mu. "I didn't expect you to train your dogs so well."

Tears of humiliation streamed down Su Mu's face. Even though he had been beaten to a pulp, he hadn't shed a tear. But now, seeing Li Yuntian and the others kneeling, he couldn't stop the tears from falling.