Chapter 78: Suppression by the Leader, Battle Spirit of the Bamboo Horse?!

"Those two were beaten by Wildcat," Zhao Xing said nonchalantly.

"Well done," Zong Shichang clapped and cheered. "I've long found that Chrysanthemum Face unpleasant."

"Do you have a grudge against him?" Zhao Xing asked curiously.

Zong Shichang snorted, "My father once wanted to hire a Li Xiu to accompany me up the mountain and approached him."

"Didn't work out?"

"It wasn't a matter of buying and selling, just didn't work out, so it's not really a grudge," Zong Shichang explained. "He named a price, was enthusiastic at first, but when it didn't work out, he turned around and acted all aloof, saying my Zong family money stinks and he wouldn't associate with us. Isn't that a slap in the face?"

Zhao Xing chuckled, "This person is indeed despicable. And what about your dealings with Li Chengfeng?"

Zong Shichang's expression turned complicated, "That was before entering the mountain. Don't ask... I once truly considered him a friend, and even though we've severed ties now, I don't want to speak ill of him behind his back."

Zhao Xing nodded, not pressing further.

At this moment, a calm voice reached their ears, "Brother Zhao, sorry for being late."

Zhao Xing turned his head to see a familiar figure striding over energetically. It was Shen Zhui, the martial genius they hadn't seen for the past two days.

"Not late at all, Brother Shen. There's still half an hour left, you're early," Zhao Xing replied.

"I broke my promise," Shen Zhui said apologetically. "I accidentally entered a Peach Blossom Spring and couldn't find my way out. It was only after much difficulty that I emerged, realizing it was already the third day, so I hurried over."

"Oh? Such a thing happened?" Zhao Xing was intrigued. "Looks like Brother Shen had a fortuitous encounter inside."

Shen Zhui nodded, "After entering that Peach Blossom Spring, I found a giant willow tree under which two ten-foot-tall giants were playing chess, and they beckoned me over."

"I don't know chess and felt the place was strange, so I just wanted to leave. But as soon as I tried, they struck me with a chess piece, and suddenly I was on a battlefield."

"And then?" Zong Shichang asked eagerly. "What happened next?"

Shen Zhui glanced at Zong Shichang, "Before my eyes appeared black and white soldiers fighting on the battlefield."

"I was forced to fight alongside the white soldiers against the other side. Strangely, every time I killed a soldier, a sword move would flash through my mind, and energy would enter my body. When the battle ended, I suddenly found myself outside the Peach Blossom Spring."

"And I even stepped into the Ninth Grade realm."

"Wow!" Zong Shichang gasped.

Zhao Xing laughed, "Why are you gasping like you understand?"

Zong Shichang said, "I didn't understand, but it sounds incredible. Uncle Cang, Uncle Tiger, don't you agree?"

Both nodded, acknowledging that such an event was indeed astonishing.

Yuan Bo suddenly spoke, "The world is a chessboard, energy is the chess piece, and spirits are the players. You accidentally became a piece, standing on the winning side, hence your cultivation soared."

"What if he stood on the losing side?" Zong Shichang asked.

"Death," Yuan Bo replied with a single word.

Shen Zhui's expression changed slightly, realizing the danger he had been in.

Zhao Xing patted his shoulder, "No matter the reason, Brother Shen, it's good you gained something. Don't dwell on the past."

"Yes," Shen Zhui nodded. "I had this realization before going up the mountain, but never thought it would lead to such an event."

After a pause, he looked at Zhao Xing, "Brother Zhao, now that I've entered the realm, the incense isn't as important to me. Tonight, I'll help you seize the incense to make up for my previous absence."

"Hahaha," Shen Zhui laughed, glancing at Zong Shichang, "Why are you laughing?"

Zong Shichang pointed at Zhao Xing, "If you had come out yesterday, you could have helped him, but now Zhao Top Three doesn't need you. He has a great chance of winning the incense on his own."

"Oh?" Shen Zhui was taken aback. He re-evaluated Zhao Xing and found that he was already at the Ninth Grade of Gathering Essence.

That wasn't surprising, but upon closer inspection, he noticed Zhao Xing's aura was unique, like a vast ocean, unfathomable, even giving him a sense of danger.

It was then that Shen Zhui noticed a small cat's head poking out from Zhao Xing's chest.

When their eyes met, Shen Zhui jumped in fright.

"An entry-level beast?!"

Zhao Xing tucked the Wildcat back into his robe, "No need to be alarmed, Brother Shen. The Wildcat has been subdued by me."

Shen Zhui marveled, "I didn't even sense its presence. I must have been speaking nonsense earlier."

It seemed Zhao Xing had also had a fortuitous encounter, even more significant than his own.

Before entering the mountain, Zhao Xing was only at the Fourth Grade of Gathering Essence.

Now, not only had he reached the Ninth Grade, but he had also subdued an entry-level beast!

"Many people are looking at you with hostility, Brother Zhao. What did you do?" Shen Zhui asked, sensing the gazes around them.

It wasn't directed at the Wildcat but at Zhao Xing himself.

This made him curious about Zhao Xing's experiences over the past two days.

"Nothing much, just had a friendly exchange with Wildcat and others," Zhao Xing replied casually.

"You don't mean Wildcat snatched many people's spirits, do you? How is that friendly?" Shen Zhui seemed to understand something, noting Zhao Xing's skills and methods had improved significantly.

Even an entry-level martial artist like him felt intimidated, wondering how many spirits had been used.

But finding them on his own was impossible!

It must have been Wildcat's help!

Zhao Xing joked, "Brother Shen, you might not know, Wildcat is wild and hard to tame. It wants to take people's lives at first sight. It was only my kind heart and earnest persuasion that made it only snatch spirits without harming lives."

"As for the spirits Wildcat snatched, it insisted I use them. What could I do?"

Shen Zhui: "..."

Zong Shichang: "..."

Meow! The Wildcat poked its head out, looking at Zhao Xing in confusion.

Weren't you the one who told me to snatch them? You even fought with me over food!

"See, it's being mischievous again," Zhao Xing said, pushing the little cat's head back.

Shen Zhui glanced at the Wildcat, "With it around, it seems I can't be of much help."

Zong Shichang joked, "How could that be? Brother Shen, you're a seven-foot man, surely more capable than a cat?"

Shen Zhui didn't appreciate Zong Shichang's joke, but for Zhao Xing's sake, he just raised an eyebrow and said nothing.

Finding the joke uninteresting, Zong Shichang stopped talking to Shen Zhui and focused on Zhao Top Three, who was more intriguing.

The main reason, of course, was that Zhao Xing was now attracting a lot of attention.

Zong Shichang thought, if he could chat and laugh with Zhao Xing, perhaps Miss Liu would look at him more favorably?

"So he's the master of the Wildcat. It's hard to believe," Liu Muqing sighed, watching Zhao Xing's figure.

Originally, the Sinoong faction had no advantage in the competition, even at a disadvantage.

But Zhao Xing's performance was beyond everyone's expectations.

Last night, he pressured Cao Qiushui, helping Zong Shichang secure the fourth incense.

Today, he even brought an entry-level beast, becoming the most eye-catching presence.

"Hmph, this guy is incorrigible, always snatching from others," Lu Qian gritted her teeth, thinking she had a chance to reclaim her Sparrow Feather Robe tonight.

But who knew the enemy would grow stronger!

Is there no justice?

"Qianqian, you seem to care a lot about this person," Du Jiaojiao said softly. "Do you have a grudge against him?"

"No, I just can't stand his behavior!" Lu Qian denied.

"If you won't admit it, I'll just assume you gave him the Sparrow Feather Robe," Du Jiaojiao teased.

Liu Muqing laughed, "Right, just think of it as giving it to your lover."

"After tonight, it'll be as hard as climbing to the heavens to get it back," she added.

"Ah, lover? How could you think that?!" Lu Qian exclaimed.

"Will you say it or not?"

"Fine, I'll say it!" Lu Qian relented, recounting her previous conflict with Zhao Xing over the Zhu Fruit. "Sigh, now that he has the Wildcat, I'm afraid I really can't get it back. If he takes it down the mountain, how will I face anyone? It's so embarrassing."

Liu Muqing covered her mouth, laughing, "Your Sparrow Feather Robe has already formed a spiritual bond with you. Once you leave the mountain, you'll forget about the mountain affairs... At that time, you might even think you had a beautiful romance with him on the mountain, looking for the past... Who knows, it might even lead to something good."

"Ah, no, I don't want that!" Thinking of Liu Muqing's suggestion, Lu Qian went into a frenzy.

As time passed, the sky had completely darkened.

On the Temple of Heaven Square, the number of people was slightly less than the previous night, but there were more experts.

By the end of the hour, almost all the renowned experts had gathered on the square.

Moreover, they formed small groups of three to five.

The newly entry-level martial artist Gu Feng had joined forces with Zhang Boran and Wenzhao.

Mechanic Hu Yang had also found two martial artists to assist him.

Except for Yang Junxiong, almost everyone had helpers, not fighting alone.

On this last day, no one was confident they could seize the incense.

Because the competition was too fierce, besides the entry-level humans, even Wildcat, an entry-level beast, had appeared. Everyone knew there would be a fierce battle tonight.

"I didn't expect he actually subdued an entry-level beast," Gu Feng said coldly, looking in Zhao Xing's direction. "Previously, Zhang Boran and Wenzhao, who had grudges with him, were severely injured by him. This person is not only vengeful but also ruthless. Even Cao Qiushui suffered at his hands. I must strike first to eliminate him."

Gu Feng resented Wildcat because beasts were harder to enter the realm. Once they did, they were stronger than human martial artists, and he wasn't confident he could win.

But if he could first eliminate Zhao Xing, Wildcat would surely not dare to attack.

"Haha!" As if sensing something, the little Wildcat poked its head out, glaring in Gu Feng's direction.

Not far away, Yang Junxiong, riding on a Bamboo Horse, also glanced over, his eyes thoughtful as he looked at Zhao Xing and Wildcat.

"Dong!" A heavy bell rang from the temple.

The sundial's needle also pointed to the 'Only Martial' area of the hour!

Ten golden light clusters floated out from the temple gate.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Silhouettes flickered, and in the dark night, people began to move, leaping into the sky to seize the incense.

Gu Feng didn't rush for the incense first but instead targeted Zhao Xing.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!"

He shot arrows from the southwest, aiming to harm.

The arrows were like meteors, and as soon as they were fired, Zhao Xing's skin felt a prickling pain.

An entry-level archer's killing power was immense, especially at this distance. To Gu Feng, killing a Sinoong was as easy as flipping his hand!

But just as he shot, Gu Feng suddenly felt a chill on his forehead, and the silver bow in his hand trembled slightly.

"Dong!" "Dong, dong, dong!"

The outcome was unexpected for Gu Feng; all his arrows were deflected!

What shocked him was that it wasn't Wildcat who blocked the arrows but Shen Zhui beside Zhao Xing!

At this moment, Shen Zhui held an iron ruler in his right hand and a shield in his left.

The shield was originally the 'woven vine hat' on his head, a specially crafted vine armor. Usually worn, it could be removed at a critical moment to serve as a shield, a treasure of the third grade!

Wildcat could block it, Gu Feng had considered.

But that seemingly ordinary young man with an iron ruler could also block it. And not with the shield, but by slicing through his arrows with a blade.

"Where did this expert come from? No... it's my archery power that's weakened, I've been affected!" Gu Feng was startled.

An archer's arrows are hard to dodge, even at a higher level, they can hit the target.

He had just used the secret technique 'Heart-Piercing Arrow,' yet it was blocked!

This was definitely not normal!

No time to be shocked, as he felt that chill attacking again, and the young martial artist was pursuing him.

He shot seven more arrows, trying to stop Shen Zhui.

But this time, both the power and speed were weaker.

Nine Turns Yin Wind attacked his soul, dispersing much of his energy to resist.

Causing the arrows to be easily deflected.

"An archer not hiding behind to shoot cold arrows, but standing so close, is simply seeking death!" Zhao Xing controlled the Yin Wind, wrapping layer upon layer around Gu Feng.

To the opponent, he was intimidating, and Zhao Xing was the same.

Not out of revenge, but among the entry-level martial artists present, the archer was the most intimidating to him.

Because the speed and power of arrows were too strong, even against an Eighth Grade martial artist, if their body technique was slightly lacking, they could be shot dead by a Ninth Grade archer.

So as soon as the 'Only Martial' hour arrived, Zhao Xing locked onto Gu Feng, raising the Yin Wind from his feet.

Nine Turns of Yin Wind stirred Gu Feng's soul, affecting his sense of position and control over his own power.

Thus, without Wildcat even making a move, Shen Zhui directly subdued him.

"Ritual use, and..."

Wenzhao's Ritual Method activated, trying to assist Gu Feng.

"And your mother!" Zhao Xing saw Wenzhao foolishly trying to intervene in the entry-level battle, and immediately shouted, sending Yin Wind into his mind.

"Ah!" Wenzhao felt as if his soul was leaving his body, floating up.

"Thud!"

He fell to the ground decisively.

The square was eerily silent.

Because at the first moment, neither Yang Junxiong nor Du Jiaojiao made a move for the incense, but observed the archer and Wildcat's actions.

To them, the archer and Wildcat were equally intimidating.

As for Zhao Xing himself, and the entry-level youth beside him, they could be ignored.

Gu Feng first targeted Zhao Xing, which they were happy to see.

Whether Wildcat was shot dead or the archer retreated, the result would be advantageous for Du Jiaojiao and Yang Junxiong.

But unexpectedly, Wildcat didn't even make a move, and the archer began to retreat.

"What's going on?" Lu Qian watched this scene, puzzled. "Both are entry-level martial artists, how can that person withstand Gu Feng's arrows?"

Du Jiaojiao's eyes glowed faintly with golden light, also possessing Bright Eyes Nine Turns, "It's Zhao Xing, Gu Feng is wrapped in a layer of Yin Wind."

"What's Yin Wind?" Liu Muqing asked curiously, knowing little about the magic arts of the military Sinoong.

"Yin Wind from the ground, specifically harms the soul," Du Jiaojiao explained with some disdain. "With the spirit and soul affected, the body's movements become distorted, and strength weakens. In severe cases, the soul might even be blown away."

"One layer, three layers, nine layers of Yin Wind?!" Du Jiaojiao's expression changed slightly.

Nine Turns Yin Wind was completely beyond her expectations. With this magic art, Zhao Xing could be regarded as an entry-level expert!

"This person is indeed sinister, even his magic arts are like this," Lu Qian thought of her previous encounter, where Zhao Xing had buried a scarecrow in the soil, pretending to be foolish to trick her.

"I understand why Cao Qiushui lost last night. It must have been due to this Yin Wind magic art," Du Jiaojiao sighed. "Tonight, this incense is difficult again, afraid it might be suspended for the second time."

"It's this move again, just this move!" Cao Qiushui watched Gu Feng being chased, his actions and arrows distorted, and immediately knew it was Zhao Xing's Yin Wind Method.

"What do you mean by this move, which move?" someone beside him asked.

"Yin Wind magic art," Cao Qiushui said with some fear. "Without soul-defense treasures, this move is unsolvable. Even Eighth Grade experts would be affected by the Mid-Level Nine Revolutions."

Not far away, Li Chengfeng looked at an old man beside him.

"Brother Zhang, why don't we take advantage of their fierce battle to act like clouds, seizing the opportunity for everyone..."

"Act like clouds?" The old man surnamed Zhang shook his head like a wave drum, "Who dares to act like clouds before Zhao Xing leaves? Didn't you see even Cao Qiushui hasn't moved?"

Li Chengfeng was stunned, "Is he that formidable?"

The old man pointed to the sky, "Last night, he first defeated four Eighth Grade Sinoong, then forced Cao Qiushui to admit defeat and withdraw. It's not that everyone doesn't want to, but they don't dare. I advise you not to act rashly."

Hearing this, Li Chengfeng's expression turned complicated. He thought he had a great opportunity, stepping into the Ninth Grade of Gathering Essence, enough to look down on the heroes. But unexpectedly, Zhao Xing was even more formidable, leaving him without even the thought of trying.

As Gu Feng and Shen Zhui disappeared from the Temple of Heaven Square, someone moved.

Yang Junxiong, riding the Bamboo Horse, leaped up, heading towards the golden light clusters in mid-air.

"Wildcat, go!" Zhao Xing patted the Wildcat's back, and it immediately shot out, charging towards Yang Junxiong from another angle.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Yang Junxiong suddenly jumped off the Bamboo Horse, separating from it, and his speed increased by threefold.

At the same time, the Bamboo Horse suddenly raised its head, neighing, and fiercely changed direction.

"Neigh, neigh, neigh~" The Bamboo Horse's four hooves shone brightly, its body igniting with fiery light, like a Heavenly Horse galloping in the sky!

The light under its hooves flashed in the air, spreading in waves, seemingly pressing down even the golden light of the incense!

"What? Such a heavy killing intent, this is actually a battle spirit Bamboo Horse?!" Mechanic Hu Yang exclaimed in shock.

On the other side, Du Jiaojiao also leaped up, her spear shooting out like a dragon towards the sky, "Zhao Xing, Zong Shichang, dodge quickly!!"

(End of Chapter)