Chapter 35

"Hu Gao, I didn't have the chance to challenge you yesterday, but today I've seized the opportunity. Ten thousand gold coins, whether you win or lose, you can take them. Of course, if you lose, you must leave Wushuang; you truly don't deserve him."

As Hu Gao approached the martial arts platform, a clear voice rang out from below, resonating in all directions. It was Wu Yun.

When he spoke, it was as if he were a bellows, amplifying his voice to a mystical effect.

"This Wu Yun is indeed a body cultivation martial artist. I wonder whose physical strength is stronger, his or mine."

Hu Gao looked at Wu Yun and immediately understood his strength. Relying on his physical strength, Wu Yun's combat power was definitely far beyond his peers. Even Zhu Lin might not be his match, and if he had any ultimate techniques, even Wu Qiong would be defeated.

Yesterday, Hu Gao didn't have the confidence to face Wu Yun; he had to admit the latter's strength. But now, after breaking through to the Sixth Stage of Condensing Shadows, Hu Gao no longer felt that his opponent could pose a threat to him.

"Ten thousand gold coins, you're quite generous. I'll start with you, then."

Hu Gao leaped and landed on the martial arts platform where Wu Yun stood.

The other three people, seeing Hu Gao jump onto Wu Yun's platform, immediately showed disappointment on their faces. Since Wu Yun's strength was not inferior to theirs, they didn't think Hu Gao could defeat him.

"Where is your sword?" Wu Yun, holding a long staff, stood on the ground and asked Hu Gao.

"Who told you my weapon is a sword?" Hu Gao smiled faintly.

"Then what is your weapon?"

"I don't have a weapon. If I must say, anything can be my weapon. My fists and feet are my most commonly used weapons."

"I understand!" Wu Yun nodded and directly threw the long staff to the side. "I won't let you suffer a disadvantage in this challenge. Let's start."

"Good, much better than the hypocritical Wu Qiong."

Hu Gao nodded inwardly. He could see that Wu Yun's challenge wasn't out of jealousy but because he truly believed Hu Gao didn't deserve Hu Yin Xue.

"Since you let me go first, I won't hold back."

Hu Gao grinned, then without wasting time, his body transformed into a whirlwind and rushed toward Wu Yun.

"Come on!"

Wu Yun felt a mountain pressing down on him, his eyes flashing with determination. He shouted and clenched his fist, smashing it into Hu Gao's fist.

"Bang!"

The two fists collided, and Wu Yun felt that what hit his fist wasn't a flesh fist but a real iron fist, filled with immense power, making it impossible to resist.

All this power was pure physical strength, without a trace of essence energy.

"Thud, thud..."

Wu Yun retreated several steps, his face showing surprise. "You're also a body cultivation martial artist?"

Hu Gao stood in place. He had only used fifty percent of his strength just now, and he sensed that Wu Yun had only used eighty percent. Yet, he had forced Wu Yun back while remaining still. He immediately judged the gap in strength between them. Wu Yun was still far from him. He smiled and said, "Yes, didn't you see it before?"

"I suspected it when I saw you never use essence energy in battle, but I didn't think deeply about it. I didn't expect you to be a body cultivation martial artist, and not weaker than me. But let me tell you, I only used eighty percent of my strength just now, and I haven't even used my strongest attack. Next, I'll show you my full strength. Be careful."

"Rumble..."

As he finished speaking, Wu Yun took a step forward, each step causing the ground to shake as if an earthquake had struck, making the entire martial arts platform tremble.

"Hmm? What is this?"

Hu Gao's eyebrows raised slightly. He could see the unusual nature of Wu Yun's attack. The latter now seemed as if he were filled with lead, immovable, possibly beyond the Sixth Stage of Condensing Shadows, requiring a Seventh Stage martial artist to defeat him.

"His defense must be incredibly strong now, but I wonder about his speed?"

If Wu Yun's speed was also fast, he would be at the top tier among Sixth Stage Condensing Shadows martial artists. In the ordinary hall, few could defeat him.

With his defense and speed being outstanding, and his strength also terrifying, others couldn't defeat him, but he could defeat them. His strength was formidable.

"Hu Gao, my strength has increased by twenty percent, almost doubling what you just used. Now I want to see what you can use to defeat me."

As he finished speaking, Wu Yun's steps quickened, rapidly closing in on Hu Gao like a tank, the sound of his approach intimidating.

"How will you defeat me? I'll use this fist to defeat you..."

Hu Gao's eyes burned with battle spirit. Wu Yun was the strongest opponent he had encountered so far, and unlike Wu Qiong, he was not hypocritical, and his fighting style suited him.

"Whoosh..."

Facing Wu Yun head-on, Hu Gao unleashed a full-strength punch.

"Hey!"

Wu Yun roared and also punched out.

"Bang!"

The two fists collided, and Wu Yun's forward momentum came to an abrupt stop, his face turning red.

"Again."

Hu Gao punched again, this time faster.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

Wu Yun had no choice but to block, as Hu Gao's punches were too fast. The two fists continuously collided, with Hu Gao dodging and weaving, while Wu Yun's punches missed. Many of Hu Gao's punches landed on Wu Yun, the powerful force making him retreat, feeling frustrated.

The sound of fists hitting flesh was like thunder, making the eyes of the many students below jump.

Heaven, if that punch landed on me, my frail body would be turned into a meat patty.

Many students looked at Hu Gao with fear and awe.

Only now did they realize that Hu Gao wasn't relying on Hu Yin Xue's support to challenge the ordinary hall students; he had the confidence to do so.

"Truly terrifying, Hu Gao's strength is definitely at the top in our ordinary hall."

"Even Wu Yun is being pressed, I wonder if the other three can be his match."

"There's no need to look; their strength is even less than Wu Yun's. How can they fight Hu Gao?"

"I'm getting more and more excited. I wonder if the other few from our ordinary hall will step up to defeat him."

The students below marveled, surprised by Hu Gao's strength, which exceeded everyone's expectations. They had thought he was relying on Hu Yin Xue, but now they knew Hu Gao had real talent and was not afraid of their challenges, instead taking the initiative to challenge them.

"So strong!"

Wu Yun felt frustrated, retreating step by step.

He finally understood what true body cultivation was. He had always thought that few in the ordinary hall could match him in body cultivation, but from the current situation, Hu Gao's physical strength was clearly much stronger.

If he added the combat skills he displayed yesterday, would he still have a chance to win?

"Stop!" Thinking this, Wu Yun didn't want to waste more time and called a halt.

"What?" Hu Gao stopped his attack, having guessed some of it.

The students below were amazed, many guessing the outcome. They simply couldn't believe or accept that the previously underestimated Hu Gao could defeat the strong Wu Yun.

And this defeat wasn't through ambush or other means but a direct confrontation.

They could clearly feel the terrifying power generated during their confrontation, and Wu Yun was definitely not holding back.

But even so, he was still defeated by Hu Gao, showing just how formidable the latter's combat power was.

Wu Yun panted heavily, exhausted, and waved his hand. "What else? I can't beat you. You're strong, I admit defeat!"

Saying this, he turned to leave the platform. Today, he had a new respect for Hu Gao, not expecting this younger man to have such strong physical strength.

After all, his physical strength was so powerful mainly because he had trained from a young age.

Although he lost today, Wu Yun would remember this battle deeply, imprinting every move of Hu Gao in his mind, hoping to improve from it.

In any case, this battle was the most exciting of his life, without a doubt.

"Wait..." Hu Gao called out to Wu Yun, who was about to leave. "You haven't given me the stakes yet!"

"Uh!" Wu Yun turned in surprise, his face showing a strange expression, but he still took out the gold ticket from his pocket and handed it to Hu Gao. "Isn't it just ten thousand gold coins? How could you remember it all the time?"

Hu Gao took the gold ticket from Wu Yun, quickly counted it, and stuffed it into his pocket. "What do you mean 'just ten thousand gold coins'? I was thinking about it all the time during the fight. If it weren't for these ten thousand gold coins, who would fight you? I fought you for the gold coins."

Wu Yun was completely taken aback by Hu Gao's words. He had just felt a hint of admiration for Hu Gao, but now he realized how shameless this martial artist was. When did gold coins become more important than a martial artist's dignity and honor? Was the Hu family so short of money?

Hu Gao, oblivious to Wu Yun's thoughts, took the gold ticket and leaped to another martial arts platform, asking the young man standing there, "Brother, how many gold coins did you bring as stakes?"

The martial artists below burst into laughter...