Free Web NovelChapter 38: Chapter 37: Startled Swan Step Nearing the Great Success Realm
Zhaang Ye hadn’t gone far when he heard the laughter of Zhaang Jin and the others behind him. Zhaang Ye gave a slight shake of his head and muttered to himself, "Go on, laugh all you want. You won’t be laughing after the tournament is over."
By this time, the Elders’ speeches had concluded, and the drawing of lots began.
The Zhaang Family’s method for drawing lots was simple. A large wooden box was placed on the Martial Arts Arena. Inside the box were one hundred and twenty-eight wooden sticks. The one hundred and twenty-eight participating youths would go up one by one to draw a stick. The person who drew the same match number would be their opponent.
Zhaang Ye casually drew a stick and saw the two words "Second Match" written on it. He handed the stick to the Steward at the recording table and heard him say, "Second Match, eh? Let me see who your opponent is. Oh, Zhaang Shui also drew Second Match. That means your opponent for the first round is Zhaang Shui."
"Hm? Zhaang Shui?" Zhaang Ye was slightly taken aback.
Like Zhaang Ye, Zhaang Shui also had a cultivation at the Martial Arts Third Layer. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Although there were over a hundred youths participating in the tournament, only a handful had reached the Martial Arts Third Layer. Generally, those with a cultivation at the Martial Arts Third Layer were considered seeded contestants and wouldn’t face each other in the first or second rounds. For Zhaang Ye to run into Zhaang Shui right away was strange.
Zhaang Ye stepped to the side when he suddenly heard Zhaang Dashu’s voice. "Haha! Zhaang Ye, I heard you’re facing Zhaang Shui in the first round. You’re finished! With your strength, having just advanced to the Martial Arts Third Layer, I doubt you can even take ten of Zhaang Shui’s moves. I think it would be better for you to just give up early!"
Zhaang Ye glanced over and saw that the few youths around Zhaang Fang were all looking at him with unconcealed glee. Clearly, none of them favored Zhaang Ye; they were all certain he would lose.
"Zhaang Shui advanced to the Martial Arts Third Layer when he was fourteen. Two years have passed since then. His Inner Power is even more refined, and his Wind Mist Body Technique is on the verge of reaching the Great Success Realm. He’s a strong contender for first place. Zhaang Ye, against an opponent like that, how many moves do you think you can last?"
The one who spoke was Zhaang Fang. A few days ago, he had been soundly beaten by Zhaang Ye and fled in disgrace, losing a great deal of face. Now, seeing Zhaang Ye, he couldn’t resist taunting him.
Zhaang Ye’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. Instead of answering, he countered, "I drew Zhaang Shui in the first round. Did you pull some strings behind the scenes?"
Zhaang Fang just smiled smugly and said nothing.
Seeing his reaction, Zhaang Ye understood. He knew that drawing a powerful opponent like Zhaang Shui in the first round was most likely Zhaang Fang’s doing.
Zhaang Ye gave Zhaang Fang a cool glance and said slowly, "Only those who lack real strength resort to petty tricks. People like that are destined for mediocrity, destined to be nothing but wastes."
"You..." Zhaang Fang’s face changed, and he was rendered speechless.
Zhaang Ye sneered, walked around Zhaang Fang, and stepped down from the platform.
For someone with insufficient strength, facing a powerful opponent from the very beginning would indeed be a great disadvantage. But Zhaang Ye had slain several Martial Arts Third Layer masters before. He wasn’t worried about Zhaang Shui at all.
The Barbaric World was a place where strength was paramount; immense power trumped everything. Any plots or schemes would be nothing but a joke before his Thick-Backed Saber.
Zhaang Ye patted his Thick-Backed Saber, a cold smirk playing on his lips.
**********
Shortly after the lots were drawn, Zhaang Ye and Zhaang Shui took their places on the Martial Arts Arena.
Zhaang Shui was three years older than Zhaang Ye and carried himself with an air of arrogance.
"You must be Zhaang Ye. I just got back from my training, and I’ve already heard about you." Zhaang Shui clasped one hand behind his back, speaking with a condescending air. "A year ago, you were just a waste who had barely begun the Martial Dao. Now, even though you ate some Mutated Medicine and raised your cultivation to the Martial Arts Third Layer, cultivation doesn’t equal combat prowess. You are no match for me."
Zhaang Shui held up three fingers and said, "Three moves. I will knock you off the Martial Arts Arena in three moves. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll just roll off it yourself."
"Yeah!" Seeing Zhaang Shui speak with such imposing and majestic confidence, the crowd below let out a thunderous cheer.
Zhaang Shui was completely unmoved by the cheers from below. His composure only added to his aura, making him seem even more effortlessly cool. In contrast, Zhaang Ye looked like a bumpkin fresh from the countryside; no one wanted to spare him a second glance.
As the referee, Grand Elder Zhaang Chengdi didn’t look at Zhaang Shui. Instead, his gaze lingered on Zhaang Ye for a moment longer. He could faintly sense a trace of killing intent from Zhaang Ye—an aura one only acquired after having taken a life.
’This Zhaang Ye is so young, yet he carries the killing intent of a seasoned killer. He’s clearly battle-hardened and has plenty of combat experience. People forged in real battle are often the most difficult to deal with. Zhaang Shui is underestimating his opponent so badly; I’m afraid he’s going to pay for it.’ Zhaang Chengdi thought this, but out loud he bellowed, "The match is set! Begin!"
As Zhaang Chengdi’s "Begin!" rang out, Zhaang Shui moved.
The Body Technique Zhaang Shui cultivated was called the Wind Mist Body Technique. When used, it would instantly transform him into wisps of white mist, making it impossible for his opponent to track his figure.
Zhaang Shui had clearly put a lot of hard work into this Body Technique. The moment he executed it, half the Martial Arts Arena was shrouded in mist, as if a mountain fog had suddenly descended upon it.
Seeing Zhaang Shui’s performance, the Elders in their seats all nodded slightly. Second Elder Zhaang Chengren smiled at Sixth Elder Zhaang Chengxing and said, "You’ve taught your disciple well. His Wind Mist Body Technique has already reached the Minor Achievement Realm. With a bit more time and refinement, he’ll probably enter the Great Success Realm."
"Hehe." Hearing the Second Elder’s praise, Zhaang Chengxing couldn’t help but look pleased. He said, "Shui’er’s refinement is still a bit lacking. However, it’s more than enough to handle an average opponent..."
WHOA!
Just as Sixth Elder Zhaang Chengxing was speaking, a sudden cry of alarm came from the training grounds. Zhaang Chengxing quickly turned his gaze to the Martial Arts Arena, where he immediately witnessed a shocking scene—
Zhaang Ye, the one no one had favored, was now executing an incredibly fast Body Technique. He stuck close to Zhaang Shui, unleashing a relentless flurry of punches that sent his opponent into a helpless fury!
"Startled Swan Step, nearing the Great Success Realm!" the Second Elder exclaimed in shock. "This Zhaang Ye is a true hidden master! Everyone thought his cultivation was a fluke, but who would have thought he’d secretly practiced the Startled Swan Step to near the Great Success Realm! Zhaang Shui is finished!"
Just moments ago, the Second Elder had been praising Zhaang Shui, yet now he was declaring his certain defeat. This made Zhaang Chengxing’s old face flush with embarrassment. He was just about to voice a rebuttal when he saw Zhaang Ye let out a soft cry, his fist transforming into a blade-hand. He chopped out. With a strange WOOOSH, a sharp blast of True Force sent Zhaang Shui spitting a mouthful of blood as he was thrown wretchedly from the Martial Arts Arena.
"Ah—how is this possible!" The entire crowd erupted in an uproar.
