His footsteps, which had been circling Nan Zhu while waiting for an opportunity, suddenly halted. He too lunged forward like an arrow released from a bow. His spear shook in mid-air, like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, producing a flash of cold light, carrying gang qi as it thrust straight at Nan Zhu’s front.
Nan Zhu remained calm and composed, seemingly not regarding the speed of this surprise attack highly. As the spearhead approached his body, he casually waved his sword to deflect it, slightly turning his body to force aside this strike.
Amidst a bang from the impact, the gang qi accompanying their exchange shook and overflowed in all directions, stirring up dust from the ground. From this, one could see that the force of the attack was not small.
Xiao Changdao, who had lunged forward, borrowed force to flip through the air. The raised spear shadows changed rapidly, then came crashing down from the sky with the momentum of a great mountain pressing down.
Nan Zhu put one hand behind his back, meeting the sky with a single-handed sword raised above his head. The blade was held at a slant. With a bang, he received the blow, and also slid aside the furious downward momentum of the long spear.
Only now did Xiao Changdao’s toes touch the ground.
Though it seemed slow in description, the process was actually very fast. In one leap he had already launched two consecutive attacks, showing how fast his attacking speed was.
As his feet touched the ground, the spear was withdrawn and thrust, stabbing and picking repeatedly, suddenly smashing and suddenly sweeping. The sharp light picked out by the spear was as chaotic as scattered stars, seemingly intending to pierce Nan Zhu into a sieve.
But Nan Zhu was no pushover either. His response speed was not slow, yet there was a free, unrestrained flavour to it like wielding a brush to splash ink. The composure with which he casually waved his sword to meet the attacks was visible to the naked eye. Amidst the barrage of chaotic spear strikes and gang winds, he still had one hand behind his back, occasionally even finding time to glance at Baili Xin’s reaction.
In fact, Baili Xin was indeed somewhat surprised. She stared blankly, discovering that this fatty’s close combat strength exceeded her imagination.
Yu Qing was also speechless. He discovered that all crows under heaven were equally black. Old Seventh had no qualification to criticise Old Ninth. The damned fatty was equally good at putting on airs. In a contest under the gaze of the masses, one that could even determine life and death, he actually dared to keep one hand behind his back. This posturing was far more outrageous than Old Ninth’s.
“This Longguang Sect seems truly not as simple as we thought.”
Someone in the viewing stands sighed with a grave tone, voicing the thoughts of many.
But the sudden change happened right at this moment.
Under repeated all-out attacks, discovering that the fatty before him truly possessed extraordinary strength, a fierce look flashed in Xiao Changdao’s eyes. At the instant when sword and spear shaft collided, as the spear shaft was withdrawn, he slightly turned the direction of the spear shaft he gripped.
Clang! A ringing sound. Nan Zhu suddenly realised something was wrong. He discovered that the sword in his hand suddenly could not be withdrawn. It had actually been caught by the spear collar between the shaft and the head. Only now did he discover that beneath that spear collar there was actually a gap that could trap blades.
Added to this, Xiao Changdao twisted the spear to lock the sword body. The gap in cultivation between the two within the Initial Profound realm was not large either. Nan Zhu was actually unable to pull out his sword for a moment.
But how could he allow the sword in his hand to be controlled? He immediately wanted to flip his body at an angle to pull out the sword.
Once the sword gained its freedom, he who had suffered this loss would naturally be careful and would not fall for a second trick.
But Xiao Changdao would not give him this chance.
Just as his body was about to rise, he suddenly saw a flash of cold light on the spear shaft, actually slashing towards his chest. Only then did he discover that there was actually another secret mechanism within the opponent’s spear. The spear shaft actually concealed a sharp blade. He nearly died of fright, no longer daring to contend with Xiao Changdao. Borrowing force, he released his grip, spread his arms wide, and flipped backwards violently to dodge.
The concealed blade, at the critical moment, was released by Xiao Changdao who had found the right opportunity. It sprang open like scissors. Whether one called it sweeping towards Nan Zhu or slashing towards Nan Zhu, in short it had already drawn a spray of blood from Nan Zhu’s body.
This sudden change startled both Yu Qing and Mu Aotie into standing up. Both their faces changed from fright.
“Wow!”
A wave of uproar rose from the viewing stands. Clearly everyone was shocked by this treacherous method.
Even Wu Ronggui was stunned. He had not expected that this “good friend” he had befriended actually concealed such a method. He had not known at all. He had been kept completely in the dark too.
Little did they know, Xiao Changdao did not want to do this either, nor did he want to use this move under the gaze of the masses. He still had some confidence in his own strength, otherwise he would not have come to register for the Chaoyang Assembly.
This move was something he had prepared to deal with strong enemies. It was something he had prepared to use at the critical moment of breaking through in the contest. He absolutely had not wanted to use it publicly in the first match of the first round.
The reason was very simple. Once used, others afterwards would guard against it. The surprise effect of this move would be gone.
Even after seeing Mu Aotie’s contest skills earlier, he had not planned to use this move on Nan Zhu. At that time he still harboured hope, after all Yu Qing had come to his door hoping for “holding back at the point”. It was normal for fellow disciples to have varying levels of strength.
Later, when chatting with Ke Ran’s side, he accidentally learned that Yu Qing had also gone there to tell Wu Ji that he hoped for “holding back at the point”. How Wu Ji had lost previously, he had seen clearly. It could be said that half his heart turned cold in an instant.
Even when he reached the contest ground, he still harboured some hope. However, after launching all-out attacks and discovering that Nan Zhu dealt with him very easily, with strength no lower than Mu Aotie’s, this forced him to make up his mind and use treacherous moves.
There was no other way. If he could not even advance past the first round, what was the point of saving his ultimate move for later?
He could only get past this hurdle first and talk later.
Under the surprise attack, Nan Zhu who had spread his arms and sprung backwards was still a step too late in the end. The arm he swung back to dodge was the first to bear the brunt. The blade that sprang open like scissors directly sliced open his arm, then sliced open his chest.
Blood sprayed into the air in succession. Nan Zhu flipped away. After landing he staggered back several steps before steadying his form. He lowered his head to look at the bloody gashes on his arm and chest, feeling a wave of fear afterwards. He was grateful that his reactions were fast and his dodging timely, otherwise he feared he would have been disembowelled.
Even so, his arm and chest were already torn with flesh gaping open, the wounds deep enough to see bone.
Raising his eyes again, he discovered that the long spear in Xiao Changdao’s hand had already returned to normal. He could not help but angrily rebuke in a deep voice, “Despicable!”
Xiao Changdao waved his spear, picking up the sword that had fallen to the ground, holding it half-raised towards the sky. “Brother Zhu, let us hold back at the point. You had better leave the field and treat your wounds.”
At this time, seeing that the heart-stopping exchange had temporarily come to a pause, the viewing stands finally erupted in noise.
“He actually rigged the spear.”
“Damn, what’s the difference between this and using hidden weapons? Despicable enough.”
“The Chaoyang Assembly never said hidden weapons cannot be used. Using darts and hidden weapons in contests is also normal. It only forbids the use of poison.”
“Indeed, if that fatty insisted on bringing a Grand Archer’s bow and arrows onto the field, the assembly probably would not be able to do anything either. Unless special regulations are made, as long as it is not restricted by the rules, it is not really a problem.”
Seeing the discussions from all sides, Wu Tian on the host platform looked towards Sun Lianxing. Seeing that he remained unmoved, he made no gesture either.
Yong Zexue, who had looked at the reactions all around, finally fixed her gaze on her own son. She asked lightly, “Is this your friend?”
Because she had seen her son mingling with Xiao Changdao and Wu Ronggui. Those two had even specially come to pay their respects to her before, always respectful and polite whenever they saw her. Normally they seemed quite decent, but the way she asked now clearly carried another meaning.
Chan Shaoting did not answer his mother, but he also furrowed his brows.
Wu Ronggui, who sat on the lower tier, heard Chan’s mother’s words and immediately felt somewhat awkward, somewhat too embarrassed to turn his head.
He knew that for families who had reached the status and position of Chan Shaoting’s family, whatever the situation was in secret was unclear, but to some degree they had to pay attention to their surface reputation.
He felt that he had also been implicated by Xiao Changdao. It was a pity, the relationship he had finally built up with Chan Shaoting these past days.
No matter what others outside the field were like, Nan Zhu first looked towards Baili Xin’s side. Having made a great fool of himself before the woman he liked, he felt very embarrassed. After all, he had boasted quite a lot in front of Baili Xin. At this moment, he really did not know how to face her.
Now talking about holding back at the point was no different from making him admit defeat. How could he willingly admit defeat in public before Baili Xin?
Being a bit fat did not matter. But if even his backbone was gone, he himself did not know how he would face Baili Xin afterwards.
Facing Xiao Changdao’s suggestion, he raised his hand and rapidly pressed his own acupoints, first stopping the bleeding from his bloody wounds.
Suddenly, he kicked with his foot, sweeping up a burst of flying sand and stones that shot towards Xiao Changdao. He too charged forward. Fighting again!
Xiao Changdao furrowed his brows, somewhat surprised. There was no time to think further, nor did he dare to be careless. After all, he did not know the depth of the opponent’s strength. First he flicked his spear in a swing.
Whoosh! Nan Zhu’s sword was first flung out of the field by him.
The spear spun through the air, swept across the ground, earth and stones flying as counterattack. He too charged back.
Amidst the flying dust, in just one exchange, Nan Zhu’s obese body was sent flying backwards spitting blood, forcefully smashed away by Xiao Changdao’s spear.
In such a situation, Nan Zhu had no way either. With his injured arm, his movements were hindered and he could not hit his opponent. When his body twisted, the pulling from such large wounds also caused his movements to slow. He could no longer deal with things calmly.
Seeing Nan Zhu crash to the ground with a thud, Mu Aotie’s body was about to move, but Yu Qing reached out and pressed down on his shoulder.
Seeing Old Fifteen blocking him from saving someone, Mu Aotie said in a deep voice, “Are the rules important, or is Old Seventh’s life important?”
The Chaoyang Assembly had its rules. No matter who the contestants were, or what their status, they all needed to know one thing.
In order to allow participants to fully display their strength, once on the contest ground life and death were not considered. As long as the contestant himself did not concede, no one outside the field was permitted to make any intervention towards the contestant.
Once on the field, then it was life or death determined by fate.
If you could not afford to lose, then do not come. Those who intervened without permission would be severely punished.
Yu Qing’s gaze was fixed on the contest ground, unmoved. He said indifferently, “Old Seventh won’t die. I doubt he would dare!”
That “he” naturally referred to Xiao Changdao.
In his calm tone at this moment, there actually seemed to be an air of dominance. It was that certain, as if what he said counted.
Baili Xin at the side, seeing this wretched little moustache suddenly erupt with such bearing, was also stunned for a moment.
Ke Ran was also paying attention to the reactions here. In fact, he had no interest in the contest whatsoever. His greatest task was to monitor Yu Qing. Naturally he also saw Yu Qing’s action of stopping Mu Aotie from saving someone. These were all situations he needed to report.
This situation seemed to indicate that the fatty’s life was not important to this little moustache.
Mu Aotie also fixed his gaze on Yu Qing. Since Old Fifteen was so certain, he believed him. It should not be out of fear of the assembly’s rules. Thus he fell silent and gave up.
And Yu Qing dared to be certain naturally because he had reasons to be certain. He had seen that Xiao Changdao had the opportunity to kill Nan Zhu but did not. He did not use the spear to stab, only used the spear shaft to smash. The identity of a Longguang Sect disciple or Grand Archer should be an important reason, after all he had threatened Xiao Changdao in advance.
The result also proved his judgement. Nan Zhu inside the field repeatedly climbed up and charged back, and was repeatedly smashed away by Xiao Changdao using the spear shaft.
Until Nan Zhu, his face full of grief and anger, covered in blood and dust, collapsed on the ground, truly unable to climb up, truly having lost the ability to counterattack, did Xiao Changdao cautiously step forward and press the spear tip against Nan Zhu’s throat.
Having reached this step, the contest result naturally came out.
Thus Xiao Changdao won, and Nan Zhu was also carried out of the field by Kunling Mountain disciples for treatment.
Mu Aotie and Baili Xin rushed over to visit. Yu Qing sat in the viewing stands without moving, watching the remaining three contests with an expressionless face before getting up.
However, he still did not go to see the injured Nan Zhu. Instead, he first sauntered over to Chan Shaoting and the others’ side.
He put his hands through his sleeves, folded before his abdomen, blocking Xiao Changdao who was about to leave. He stared at him coldly and asked, “Is this the ‘holding back at the point’ that you promised?”
Chan Shaoting, Yong Zexue and the others all stopped to watch. Ke Ran also hurried over to see the situation.
Xiao Changdao was somewhat awkward, but still spread his hands helplessly. “Brother Zhang, you saw it too. I had no choice. He refused to admit defeat.”
Yu Qing nodded slightly, very calmly saying, “Then it seems it was my problem. I should not have said those things to you. I retract my previous words. If we meet on the field, let us not bother with that ‘holding back at the point’ business.” Having spoken, he slowly turned and left.