Free Web NovelChapter 43: Chapter 43: The Challenge
On the mountain cliff.
Wang Li’s gaze swept over the severed rope at Liang Cheng’s waist. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.
Sun Yan kept his head down the entire time, only occasionally stealing a glance at Liang Cheng. When he met Liang Cheng’s calm gaze, he would hurriedly look away.
Elder Huang paid no mind to their subtle interactions. He stored the Spirit Grass, walked at the front humming a little tune, and didn’t ask a single question about the life-or-death situation they had just faced at the bottom of the cliff.
Liang Cheng walked in silence. The group of four finally made it back to the Martial Arts Academy safely before sunset.
At the entrance to the Alchemy Room, Elder Huang took out his own Jade Token and transferred three hundred Contribution Points to each of their Identity Jade Tokens.
DING.
The number on the back of Liang Cheng’s Jade Token changed: 400.
’Still one thousand one hundred points short of the one thousand five hundred needed for the Complete Stone Armor Technique,’ Liang Cheng thought. ’Not to mention the minimum of three thousand points for an Inner Cultivation Method.’
Elder Huang then took out three Wooden Tokens and tossed them to the group. "Come back in three days at 7:00 AM to collect your Breaking Barrier Pills. Remember, I won’t wait for you. If the alchemy fails, don’t come complaining to me."
With that, he turned and entered the Alchemy Room, slamming the door shut with a BANG.
Wang Li clutched his Wooden Token and looked at Liang Cheng. He opened his mouth, but in the end, only managed to force out, "Junior Brother Liang, about what happened on the cliff..."
"What is it you want to say, Senior Brother Wang?" Liang Cheng looked up, staring at him.
Wang Li gave a dry laugh. "It’s nothing. I’ll see you in three days."
After speaking, he grabbed Sun Yan and hurried away. Liang Cheng watched their retreating backs, tucked the Wooden Token into his clothes, and turned to walk toward the Human Dormitory.
...
By the time he returned to the Human Dormitory area, the sky had already grown dark.
When Li Mu saw him return, he quickly asked, "Senior Brother Liang! Are you all right?"
"I’m fine," Liang Cheng said, pushing the door open and entering his room. "The harvest was good."
Li Mu followed him inside, closed the door, and lowered his voice. "Senior Brother Liang, something bad has happened! Senior Brother Yun Jinghong challenged Senior Brother Liu Meng in the arena yesterday and was defeated and severely injured!"
Liang Cheng’s hand paused as he was pouring water. "Tell me the details."
"Those people from the Earth Dormitory are different!" Li Mu’s voice trembled. "They’ve all learned Inner Cultivation Methods! They can continue to strengthen their Qi Blood until they achieve Refining Essence and Transforming Qi, reaching the True Qi Realm. So even though they’re also at the Transformation Force stage, those who have learned an Inner Cultivation Method are much, much stronger!"
"In yesterday’s match, Senior Brother Liu Meng broke Senior Brother Yun’s Sword Momentum in under twenty moves. Senior Brother Yun’s injuries are so severe he still can’t get out of bed."
"And Liu Meng has declared that you’re his next target! He also said the wager for the match will be raised to five hundred Contribution Points. Of course, he also said he’d let you off... if you kneel and admit defeat."
Liang Cheng took a sip of water, his expression calm.
’I’ve brought three Cultivation Techniques to the Perfection stage,’ he thought. ’My Qi Blood has long since reached its limit. Compared to an ordinary Transformation Force expert who has learned an Inner Cultivation Method, I might not necessarily be weaker.’
But of course, there was no need to say this to Li Mu. Seeing his silence, Li Mu could only continue to persuade him, "Senior Brother Liang, you must not accept the challenge."
"Those people from the Earth Dormitory aren’t someone we new disciples can challenge. Even Senior Brother Yun was defeated, and you’ve only just reached Transformation Force..."
"I know," Liang Cheng said, setting down his cup. "Thank you for telling me."
Seeing his attitude, Li Mu knew he couldn’t be persuaded and could only sigh. "Then what will you do? Senior Brother Liu Meng has been looking for you everywhere these past two days, saying he’ll issue a written challenge the moment you get back."
Before Li Mu’s voice had even faded, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door.
"Liang Cheng, get your ass out here!"
The voice was coarse and filled with undisguised arrogance.
Li Mu’s face paled. "It’s Liu Meng’s men..."
Liang Cheng stood up directly and pushed the door open.
Three men stood outside, all wearing the gray-white martial robes of the Human Dormitory. They were all lackeys that Liu Meng had subjugated.
The young man in the lead, who had a scar on his face, grinned when he saw Liang Cheng emerge. "You’re Liang Cheng, right? Senior Brother Liu Meng sent me with a message for you."
He pulled a gilt-edged challenge letter from his robes and threw it with a flick of his wrist. It cut through the air with a WHOOSH. Liang Cheng raised his hand and caught it; it felt heavy in his palm.
He unfolded it and read.
"Tomorrow at noon, East Courtyard, Arena One. The wager is five hundred Contribution Points. You are responsible for your own life and death. If you don’t dare to come, then crawl over on your knees and apologize."
Signed: Liu Meng.
The scar-faced youth crossed his arms and sneered. "Junior Brother Liang, Senior Brother Liu said that if you just kneel and kowtow three times right now, this challenge letter can be withdrawn."
"Otherwise, tomorrow in the arena..."
"Heh heh, you should know what happened to Yun Jinghong, right?"
By now, a crowd had gathered to watch, and upon hearing this, they began to whisper among themselves.
"Liu Meng really issued a challenge!"
"Five hundred points! That’s brutal!"
"The senior brothers from the Earth Dormitory usually can’t be bothered with newcomers from the Human Dormitory. For Liu Meng to issue a challenge personally, he must be truly pissed off."
"This newcomer is done for..."
Liang Cheng folded the challenge letter and looked at the scar-faced youth. "Tell Liu Meng I accept his challenge."
The scar-faced youth had been preparing to humiliate Liang Cheng further, but he was stunned by the response. "Are you sure? Even if you have a death wish, this isn’t the way to go about it."
"Just deliver the message."
Liang Cheng paid him no more mind and turned to go back into his room.
"Fine! Cocky enough!" The scar-faced youth’s expression turned ugly. He let out a derisive laugh. "Tomorrow, we’ll be waiting to see how tough you can talk then!"
The three of them swaggered away.
Li Mu followed him into the room, shut the door, and stomped his foot in anxiety. "Senior Brother Liang! Why did you accept? That’s five hundred Contribution Points! What will you do if you lose?"
"I won’t lose."
Liang Cheng placed the challenge letter on the table.
"But Liu Meng cultivates an Inner Cultivation Method! Even Senior Brother Yun lost, let alone you!" Li Mu grew more agitated as he spoke.
Liang Cheng nodded.
"Thank you. But I’m tired from the past couple of days. I’m going to sleep now."
Li Mu was taken aback by this and could only turn and leave, feeling helpless.
The room immediately fell silent. Liang Cheng sat cross-legged on his bed, deep in thought.
’With three Cultivation Techniques at the Perfection stage, my strength far surpasses that of an ordinary Transformation Force master. If I had the time to earn enough Contribution Points, my power would definitely rise to another level.’
’But right now, the one thing I lack is time.’
’Tomorrow, I really can’t hold back my strength anymore. It’s a shame that Wang Li already knows my true capabilities. He’ll probably be on his guard now... ’
’Still, five hundred Contribution Points is a decent prize.’ He couldn’t sleep, so he got up, took out a long saber, and began practicing the Gale Saber Technique.
Instead of letting his thoughts run wild, it was better to practice his skills and calm his mind.
And so, the night passed.
[Gale Saber Technique - Beginner Level (193/200)]
Early the next morning, Liang Cheng left his room. Many people pointed and whispered, but he remained unfazed. After finishing breakfast, he continued to practice the Gale Saber Technique.
"Is this kid crazy? What’s the use of practicing at a time like this?"
"Maybe the pressure’s getting to him. A desperate, last-ditch effort."
Not far away, Liu Meng’s lackeys saw this and burst out laughing.
Before he knew it, the sun was high in the sky, and it was noon.
[Gale Saber Technique - Minor Success (1/800)]
His strength had taken another step forward.
Just then, the scar-faced youth who had delivered Liu Meng’s challenge strode right up to Liang Cheng.
"Time’s up. Let’s go!"
Liang Cheng remained calm. "I’m going to eat first!"
"You!"
Scarface flew into a rage, but the lackey next to him quickly held him back. "He’s a dead man walking anyway, don’t get worked up over it. It’s just a meal. Makes no difference if he dies a little sooner or a little later."
Only then did Scarface sullenly withdraw his hand. He personally watched as Liang Cheng went to the dining hall to eat. The moment Liang Cheng finished his meal, Scarface stood up.
"Let’s go!"
Only then did Liang Cheng nod for him to lead the way. Along the path, people continuously joined them, and the procession grew larger and larger.
"This year’s newcomers are pretty damn cocky!"
"How many years has it been since a senior brother from the Earth Dormitory personally came down to deal with a newcomer? Looks like Liu Meng is truly furious."
"The Earth Dormitory’s reputation is on the line. After being provoked like this by a newcomer, how could he maintain his standing if he didn’t make a move?"
"Makes sense."
In no time, the crowd had swelled. Liang Cheng remained perfectly calm. When they arrived at the arena in the East Courtyard, Liu Meng was already standing on the platform.
Seeing Liang Cheng, he flashed a ferocious grin!
