Free Web NovelChapter 124: Chapter 123: Spreading
"Zhao Xuanqi wins!"
The referee finished his count. Since Gao Wujie was still lying on the edge of the arena, unable to rise, he was declared the loser.
Zhao Xuanqi smoothly secured his fourth consecutive victory.
Hearing the referee’s verdict, several Sanmei Sect disciples below the stage immediately leaped into the arena to check on Gao Wujie.
"Senior Brother, how are you?!"
The Sanmei Sect disciples all looked nervous. Zhao Xuanqi’s final few moves—a Hammer Technique fused with his Beast Form—had been utterly ferocious. The strikes seemed to distort the very air around his fists, so they couldn’t help but worry about Gao Wujie’s injuries.
"I’m hurt pretty badly, but thankfully, nothing is permanently damaged..."
By now, Gao Wujie had recovered slightly and spoke with some difficulty.
His injuries weren’t just from Zhao Xuanqi’s attacks, but also from the reckless outburst he’d unleashed while in his Heart Demon state after using the Yin Yang Intent Secret Technique.
Multiple muscles across his body were torn, blood vessels ruptured, his internal organs were displaced, and his very marrow was shaken. An ordinary person with these injuries would have died long ago. Fortunately, he was a Martial Artist who had reached the Five Qi Mysterious Realm. His body and internal organs had all undergone extensive training, reaching a superhuman level. For him, any injury that didn’t cause permanent disability or threaten his life could only be considered minor.
Of course, there was one other crucial point. In the final moments, the terrifying aura of Zhao Xuanqi’s last strike had actually knocked him out of his Heart Demon state. The Heart Demon itself had retreated. Otherwise, the spiritual trauma would have likely been far more difficult to deal with than his physical injuries.
This was the first time anyone had ever beaten him out of his Heart Demon state. ’What kind of opponent is this...?’ freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Supported by several disciples, Gao Wujie slowly got to his feet. He watched the back of Zhao Xuanqi, whose form had already returned to normal as he walked down from the arena, a complicated look flashing in his eyes.
In truth, there was something he didn’t say.
He could feel that his opponent had held back on that final strike and hadn’t used his full power.
Otherwise, with an aura terrifying enough to force his Heart Demon state into retreat, that strike—delivered while he was immobilized and nearly defenseless—couldn’t have possibly caused only these injuries. It likely would have pulverized his internal organs and killed him on the spot.
"After we get back, find out where this man lives. I want to pay him a visit."
Gao Wujie said in a low voice to the Sanmei Sect disciples.
TAP, TAP, TAP!
The sound of Zhao Xuanqi’s footsteps descending the arena stairs echoed through the venue. The surrounding spectators were completely silent.
"How are your injuries?"
Ge Chuanming immediately went up to him, asking worriedly as he looked at Zhao Xuanqi’s condition.
At that moment, Zhao Xuanqi’s condition wasn’t as good as one might have thought. The flesh of his fist was sliced open, revealing the stark white bone underneath. He was now suffering the backlash from ending his Dragon Gate Secret Technique. Although he had sustained the technique for a shorter period this time, and its power output wasn’t as intense as when he fought Feng Zheng, he still had considerable muscle damage and ruptured blood vessels. Bright red blood seeped from his skin.
"I’m fine. A few days of rest is all I need."
Zhao Xuanqi said, his expression calm.
Ge Chuanming nodded, composed himself, and went to the staff table to register Zhao Xuanqi’s victory. Then, the two turned and headed backstage. The crowd parted for them wherever they went.
On the other side, Gao Wujie also left, supported by the Sanmei Sect disciples.
Only after both of their figures had completely disappeared was the silence around the arena finally broken.
It was as if two terrifying beasts had left the scene. The crowd, whose stiff bodies had felt as if they were being crushed by a mountain, could finally breathe and move again.
The all-out clash between experts at the Five Qi Profound Level, both in terms of power and presence, had far exceeded the imagination of the common people. Many were witnessing a collision of this caliber for the first time and were utterly shocked by such inhuman strength.
The churning waves of qi, the cratered floor, the dazzling speed and reflexes—a duel of this level was usually only seen in the A-class Arena. The ticket prices there were exorbitant, far beyond what ordinary people could afford. It was only during this special period that they had the chance to witness such a confrontation.
"That was terrifying! Is that the destructive power of a top-tier expert? Did you see the arena floor?"
"Absolutely brilliant! Today’s ticket was worth every penny! Did you see how Zhao Xuanqi seemed like a completely different person during the final exchange? What kind of Fist Technique was that?"
"That Gao Wujie was no slouch either! Did you see the wound on Zhao Xuanqi’s hand? His Hand Blade was just like a real sharpened blade! You have to remember, experts like them are said to have bodies of bronze and arms of iron. If a Hand Blade like that hit you or me, wouldn’t we be sliced in two?"
"..."
Everyone was excitedly discussing the fight. The atmosphere was so feverish that the arena staff had to be deployed to disperse the crowd just so they could close on time.
At the same time, details of tonight’s battle quickly spread through the populace of Jinmen via these spectators, to the point that many ordinary people had now heard of Zhao Xuanqi’s name.
「Meanwhile.」
「Yan Mansion.」
「In Yan Shuntao’s study.」
Ning Dao’an stood to the side like a silent fixture, while Yan Shuntao, wearing glasses, was busy with official affairs.
It was nearly eleven-thirty by the time Yan Shuntao finished all his work for the day. He took off his glasses wearily and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
CLICK!
Just then, the study door opened, and the old butler walked in carrying a bowl of soup, which he placed on Yan Shuntao’s desk.
Yan Shuntao picked up the soup, took a couple of sips, and asked the old butler, Heng.
"Heng, Mr. Zhao started fighting in the arena tonight, didn’t he? It should be over by now. What were his results?"
Hearing this question, even Ning Dao’an, who had been standing by like a silent fixture, opened his eyes slightly. His posture didn’t change, but his attention had subtly shifted.
"Boxer Ge Chuanming sent word. Mr. Zhao fought four matches in the D-Class Arena tonight and achieved four consecutive wins. Most notably, in his final match, Mr. Zhao faced an expert from the Sanmei Sect of the three northern provinces named Gao Wujie. This Gao Wujie demonstrated the power of the Five Qi Tongxuan, but was ultimately suppressed and defeated by Mr. Zhao."
Heng reported in a low voice to Yan Shuntao.
"The Sanmei Sect? Aren’t they the power behind Huayan Company, which has been making quite a name for itself recently? I heard they’re a force that even the Chengtian Army has to show some respect to."
A look of surprise appeared on Yan Shuntao’s face.
"Gao Wujie of the Sanmei Sect? I heard of him when I was training in the Northern Territory. Like me, he’s an expert who has attained one of the Five Qi. The Sanmei Sect’s Secret Transmission is the Samadhi Yin-Yang Blade, which combines the Sanmei Saber and the Yin Yang Intent. It’s a top-tier technique on par with those from the Warlords’ sects. Even if I were to face him, the outcome would be uncertain."
Ning Dao’an asked. freeweɓnøvel.com
"How were their injuries in the end?"
"Gao Wujie was injured and fell, needing others to help him leave. Mr. Zhao suffered a deep cut to his hand, down to the bone, but otherwise seems to have no other major injuries."
Heng replied.
"This man’s strength is even greater than I anticipated."
Ning Dao’an was silent for a moment before speaking. Then, he once again withdrew his focus, returning to his role as a silent fixture.
"Expedite all the Medicinal Materials and Rare Beast Materials that Mr. Zhao requires, and charge him only the cost price. Also, take a bottle of ’Golden Willow Jade Liquid’ from my personal pharmacy. Have it delivered to Mr. Zhao tomorrow morning along with the other goods."
Yan Shuntao pondered for a moment before giving the order to his butler, Heng.
