Free Web NovelChapter 76: Chapter 74: Zhaang Yang’s Challenge
Zhaang Ye and Zhaang Qing walked out of the wooden house. When they saw who it was, they both froze.
The person challenging Zhaang Ye was, surprisingly, an acquaintance—Zhaang Yang. It had been just over ten days, but Zhaang Yang had somehow grown a bit taller. The aura he exuded was also much stronger. Clearly, Zhaang Yang had officially entered the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage.
Sensing Zhaang Yang’s aura, Zhaang Qing was also taken aback for a moment. A look of realization then dawned on his face, and he whispered to Zhaang Ye, "Special family training."
Hearing Zhaang Qing’s three words, Zhaang Ye understood. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Back on the day of the talent and strength test, Zhaang Yuhu, Zhaang Dahong, and Zhaang Yang had been told to stay behind. Zhaang Ye hadn’t seen any sign of the three for over ten days. He had only heard faint rumors that due to their outstanding talent, Zhaang Yuhu, Zhaang Dahong, and Zhaang Yang had been selected by the family for special, intensive training.
It seemed the rumors were true. Zhaang Yang must have received immense benefits from the family during these ten days. Otherwise, no matter how talented he was, it would have been impossible for him to advance to the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage in such a short time.
While Zhaang Ye and Zhaang Qing were sizing up Zhaang Yang, he was doing the same to them. When he sensed the auras coming from Zhaang Ye and Zhaang Qing, a look of disbelief flashed in his eyes. He pointed at Zhaang Ye and said in astonishment, "You—Zhaang Ye, how did you also advance to the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage? How... how is this possible?!"
Zhaang Yang’s shock was understandable. After being selected for special training, the family had immediately arranged for him to soak in a medicinal bath for ten days to help temper his body.
As a family with a thousand-year heritage, the Cyan Mulberry Zhaang Family naturally had its own deep reserves. This specially prepared medicinal liquid, created with a Secret Technique, could re-temper a person’s body after soaking in it. It expelled impurities and made one’s Meridians more flexible. It was precisely because Zhaang Yang had soaked in this liquid for ten days that he managed to break through to the Martial Arts Third Layer.
As soon as his Cultivation progressed, Zhaang Yang’s first thought was of Zhaang Ye. He planned to defeat him in a single stroke. But he never expected that both Zhaang Ye and Zhaang Qing would have also advanced to the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage in those ten days.
Seeing Zhaang Yang’s astonishment, Zhaang Ye chuckled. "Zhaang Yang, are you sure you want to challenge me?"
Detecting a hint of disdain in Zhaang Ye’s tone, Zhaang Yang flew into a rage. "Of course I’m challenging you! It’s been ten days, and you’ve somehow cooked up this ’Eleventh Expert of the Outer Sect’ title to act like you’re above me. Hmph, I’m going to show you that you’re not worthy of being the eleventh expert of the Outer Sect!"
At this, Zhaang Yang spoke arrogantly, "Zhaang Ye, I’ve only just advanced to the Martial Arts Third Layer Middle Stage and haven’t fully adapted to my strength yet. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll surrender now. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold back and will end up beating you like a stray dog."
Zhaang Ye laughed heartily. "Zhaang Yang, it’s been over ten days. Your strength hasn’t improved much, but your arrogance certainly has. Come on, let’s see what progress you’ve made."
Zhaang Yang gave an arrogant smirk. His figure suddenly flickered, and in a flash, he was in front of Zhaang Ye. He lifted his leg and unleashed seven kicks. As he did, a fierce wind erupted in a ten-foot radius, and streams of True Qi shot toward Zhaang Ye like sharp blades.
These seven kicks were his signature skill—the Falling Leaves Leg. The Falling Leaves Leg was a Mid-Level Combat Skill, and its name was inspired by the saying "an autumn wind sweeps away the fallen leaves." When unleashed, the technique was as ferocious as a tiger and as nimble as a snake. Each kick generated a gale, and anyone with a weak will would be paralyzed by its sheer force before the fight even began.
Just as Zhaang Yang’s kicks were about to land, Zhaang Ye’s hands suddenly moved. In an instant, his hands turned a faint golden color before he abruptly chopped out with them.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
Unleashing his Basic Saber Technique, Zhaang Ye met Zhaang Yang’s kicks head-on seven times in an instant, forcefully shattering his offensive.
"Huh?" After clashing seven times, Zhaang Yang felt he had a slight upper hand thanks to his Falling Leaves Leg. What annoyed him, however, was that after colliding with Zhaang Ye, his own leg felt like it had struck a piece of metal. The rebounding force made the tips of his toes ache.
Zhaang Yang’s gaze fell upon Zhaang Ye’s palms. "What kind of Cultivation Technique are you using on your hands?"
Zhaang Ye just smiled. "You don’t need to know that. In any case, you are destined to lose to these two hands of mine today."
Zhaang Yang snorted in anger. With a slight pivot of his feet, his body traced a bizarre semicircle before he launched into the air, his two legs coiling toward Zhaang Ye like a pair of Flood Dragons.
This move was the Flood Dragon Strike from the Falling Leaves Leg technique. Zhaang Yang had put enormous effort into mastering it. Through years of constant challenges and bitter training, he had already cultivated the Flood Dragon Strike to the Minor Achievement Realm. With another year or two, reaching Great Success wouldn’t be difficult.
As soon as he executed the Flood Dragon Strike at the Minor Achievement Realm, two small, fist-sized tornadoes materialized out of thin air. Though the tornadoes weren’t large, they were incredibly agile and versatile. They instantly locked onto Zhaang Ye and descended upon him.
Seeing this move, Zhaang Ye knew he couldn’t rely on his Basic Saber Technique any longer. Although his Basic Saber Technique had reached Mastery and could even contend with a Mid-Level Combat Skill like the Demon Sound Hundred Split Fist, that was only because the main power of the Demon Sound Hundred Split Fist was its Demon Sound; the force of the punches was secondary. It was because its primary strength was the Demon Sound that Zhaang Ye was able to counter it with his Basic Saber Technique.
But now, Zhaang Yang’s Flood Dragon Strike possessed both the ferocity and the flexibility of a Flood Dragon. Against such a versatile move, the Basic Saber Technique was no longer enough.
SWISH! SWISH! Zhaang Ye sent out two slashes.
With those two slashes, Zhaang Yang was horrified to discover that the two small tornadoes he had created were instantly dispersed by Zhaang Ye!
’This...’ Zhaang Yang was bewildered. ’Wind is formless. How could it be cut apart so easily?’
While Zhaang Yang was confused, Zhaang Qing, who was watching from the side, had his eyes light up. ’Those two slashes must be Zhaang Ye’s ultimate technique, the Gentle Wind Slash! Hehe, when the Gentle Wind Slash is executed, it’s like a gentle breeze, seemingly weak but actually powerful. A Gentle Wind Slash at the Great Success Stage can break a Flood Dragon Strike at the Minor Achievement stage with ease.’
As Zhaang Qing was thinking, the situation on the field changed again. After dispersing the two small tornadoes created by the Flood Dragon Strike, Zhaang Ye flicked his hands up, striking Zhaang Yang’s legs as they came down in a follow-up attack.
SMACK! SMACK! Zhaang Ye’s hands struck Zhaang Yang’s legs hard. A sharp pain shot through his thighs, and he instantly lost his balance, plummeting from the air like a stone and crashing to the ground in a pathetic heap.
"Hahaha—" Seeing Zhaang Yang’s sorry state, Zhaang Ye and Zhaang Qing couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
"Oh, Zhaang Yang, Zhaang Yang. I told you that you were no match for Zhaang Ye, but you wouldn’t believe it. Hehe, you can’t even beat trash with Eighth-Grade Talent like him. What an embarrassment to us." Just then, two figures emerged from the woods, slowly walking over.
These two were, surprisingly, also old acquaintances of Zhaang Ye.
