Chapter 72

Hao Xiong's gaze was extremely fierce, like a bloodthirsty demon beast staring at a bleeding prey, cruel, savage, and malicious.

Wei Changfeng's eyes, however, were calm, resolute, and filled with an unshakable determination!

Both sides were fully aware that only one person would be able to leave this arena alive today.

Hao Xiong suddenly retracted his gaze, faced east, and shouted with a clenched fist, "Disciple Hao Xiong of the Lower Academy, today I challenge fellow disciple Wei Changfeng to a life-or-death match on the practice arena. I humbly request the approval of the senior master!"

For disciples of the Martial Academy to engage in a life-or-death match, they must not only sign a life-or-death contract but also obtain the permission of a senior master. Otherwise, they are not allowed to fight in the practice arena.

Although such life-or-death matches to settle grudges are rare in Jingyun Martial Academy, as long as both parties sign the life-or-death contract, the academy generally does not refuse their request to use the practice arena and will even dispatch martial masters or senior masters to arbitrate and supervise.

This is because the outcome of a life-or-death match is inevitably brutal, and the academy can use it to warn all disciples, making them understand the ruthlessness of martial artists fighting to the death and to hone their willpower and courage!

The entire practice arena was silent, and all the disciples held their breath, tense and excited, waiting.

After a moment, a calm voice echoed in everyone's ears.

"Jingyun Martial Academy has a history of hundreds of years, established and prospered through martial arts. Since you have signed the life-or-death contract, the outcome on the life-or-death arena will be final, with no regrets or complaints, and the loser will enter the netherworld!"

This voice was not particularly loud or intense, but every word was crystal clear, as if whispered gently in the ear, with a gentle and soothing feeling.

"Dean Dongfang!"

Many disciples were familiar with this voice, which clearly belonged to Dean Dongfang Zheng of Jingyun Martial Academy!

Dongfang Zheng is known as the strongest in Jingyun, having controlled the academy for over twenty years and enjoying a high reputation throughout Jingyun City, respected by all.

However, he usually kept a low profile and only appeared during the annual academy competition. It was unexpected that the life-or-death match between two lower academy disciples would draw out this powerful figure!

Only to hear Dongfang Zheng continue, "I approve your request to use the practice arena to settle your grudge, but you must follow the academy's rules. The match will be based solely on skill, no use of elixirs, hidden weapons, or spiritual items, and it is limited to three hours!"

"If the match is not decided within three hours, it will be declared a draw!"

"Additionally, the winner of this match will be specially promoted to the Upper Academy!"

Special promotion to the Upper Academy!

The entire arena was in an uproar, no one had expected that Dongfang Zheng would offer a special promotion!

Jingyun Martial Academy is divided into the Upper Academy and the Lower Academy. The Lower Academy has thousands of disciples, while the Upper Academy has never had more than a hundred. For Lower Academy disciples to be promoted to the Upper Academy, the main path is through the academy's annual competition for limited spots.

Additionally, the academy's dean, chief, and the heads of the three halls and two pavilions each have one special promotion slot per year, allowing a regular Lower Academy disciple to enter the Upper Academy without going through fierce competition!

The Wang family had spared no effort to secure the position of the Pavilion Master of the Library, and this special promotion slot was a significant reason.

Therefore, this reward was incredibly generous, even unimaginable!

Hao Xiong had never imagined that his match with Wei Changfeng would attract the attention of Dongfang Zheng, and he was overjoyed, almost wanting to howl in excitement.

Special promotion to the Upper Academy, that was like a leap to the heavens!

The look in his eyes towards Wei Changfeng immediately turned to a greedy and ecstatic one, as if he saw a golden path laid out before him!

Wei Changfeng was also very surprised.

However, among all the people present, perhaps only he had a vague understanding that this special promotion slot from Dongfang Zheng was intended for him, and it was related to Ouyang Feng.

But Dongfang Zheng offering the slot was one thing, and whether he could obtain it was another!

He couldn't help but clench his fists!

At this moment, two arbitrating martial masters approached to inspect Hao Xiong and Wei Changfeng.

They checked to ensure that neither of them was carrying elixirs, hidden weapons, or other items that violated the rules, to ensure the basic fairness of the life-or-death match.

On the west side of the practice arena, a sundial used for timing was erected by a martial master, and the gnomon was adjusted.

The sundial of Jingyun Martial Academy, crafted by a renowned artisan, could be accurate to one-tenth of an hour on sunny days.

Many disciples' eyes were fixed on the sundial, as most of them had placed bets on Wei Changfeng and Hao Xiong, wagering on the high-odds outcome of the match!

On the arena, the inspection process was quickly completed.

The two arbitrating martial masters retreated to the bottom of the practice arena, leaving all the space to the two combatants.

Wei Changfeng and Hao Xiong stood about ten steps apart, facing each other in a standoff.

The tense atmosphere silently spread across the arena.

At this moment, on a floating cloud stone platform in the Upper Academy of Jingyun Martial Academy, located on the Qingmang Mountain, someone was also paying attention to the impending life-or-death battle.

They were Dongfang Caibai, Yu Qinghong, and Ye Qingxuan of the Qingyuan Cottage, with the former holding Tie Xinlan's hand.

"Master, do you think Junior Brother Wei can win?"

Yu Qinghong bit her lip and couldn't help but ask, "What if he loses?"

Due to the distance and her low cultivation, she could only see Wei Changfeng's figure on the arena, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Dongfang Caibai, still wearing a veil, said indifferently, "If he loses, he loses. My disciples are not cowards or weaklings. If he is not skilled enough, he deserves to die!"

These words were harsh, and Yu Qinghong felt a bit wronged but dared not contradict her. Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Ye Qingxuan, who was also standing beside Dongfang Caibai.

The latter said softly, "I think Junior Brother Wei can win..."

Although she had a certain indescribable feeling towards her junior sister, hearing her words, Yu Qinghong couldn't help but feel a bit pleased and curious, "Junior Sister, why do you say that?"

Ye Qingxuan hesitated for a moment but still said, "From what I know, Junior Brother Wei is very filial. He endured humiliation for his mother. If he didn't have confidence in defeating Hao Xiong, he probably wouldn't have come today."

This reason made Yu Qinghong a bit stunned, but upon careful thought, it did make sense.

She suddenly realized that her junior sister seemed to know more about Wei Changfeng than she did!

Tie Xinlan suddenly said, "Senior Brother Wei will definitely win, he is a good person!"

The innocent words of the little girl made Yu Qinghong and Ye Qingxuan laugh, and even Dongfang Caibai's eyes softened, as she gently patted her head and said, "Perhaps..."

Ding~

As she spoke, a clear and pleasant sound of a bronze bell echoed in the practice arena.

The life-or-death match between Wei Changfeng and Hao Xiong officially began!

"Hey!"

Hao Xiong, who had been preparing for a long time, did not hesitate to launch the first attack. He took a large step forward, suddenly accelerated, and charged at Wei Changfeng with his arms spread wide in a tiger pounce stance.

As a physical cultivator, Hao Xiong was most skilled in close combat. His Cross-Training Golden Bell Cover and Iron Sand Palm were quite famous among the Lower Academy disciples, and he had defeated over a dozen peers!

Physical cultivators are generally known for their endurance, but Hao Xiong clearly intended to end the fight quickly, so his attack was extremely fast and fierce, reaching Wei Changfeng in an instant.

Wei Changfeng's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly drew his green sword, slashing down at his opponent!

The Backward Sword Draw, Cutting the Golden Beam!

This was a combination sword technique of the Sword Drawing Art and the First Form of the Ten Thousand Sect Sword Technique, most suitable for countering an enemy charging head-on. Wei Changfeng had practiced it countless times, able to draw his sword instinctively.

With his opponent attacking with full force, how could he be careless? The green sword cut through the air, emitting a faint red glow, infused with at least ninety percent of his Dry Yang True Energy!

Faced with Wei Changfeng's fierce counterattack, Hao Xiong did not dodge or evade. Instead, he suddenly raised his arms and brought them together to block the descending green sword.

Clang!

The sword blade struck the arm guards, which were embedded with black iron plates, causing sparks to fly and a loud clanging sound!

Hao Xiong's arms sank slightly, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes. In a split second, he kicked out his right leg.

Groin Kick!

This was a vicious move that few Martial Academy disciples would use unless absolutely necessary. If used in a friendly match, it would often be considered dishonorable and despicable.

But Hao Xiong was clearly the type who would stop at nothing to achieve his goal, and he didn't care about his reputation!

Wei Changfeng reacted quickly, immediately withdrawing his sword and stepping back, narrowly avoiding Hao Xiong's groin kick.

Hao Xiong took advantage of the situation to step forward, and his left and right palms, carrying a gust of foul wind, struck at Wei Changfeng simultaneously!

Iron Sand Palm!

This palm technique was of the lower-grade spirit level. When practicing, one needed to repeatedly insert their hands into scorching iron sand, gradually wearing away the outer skin to form thick calluses until the palm strength could split stones and sever metal, and the thickness could withstand blades!

Hao Xiong had practiced the Iron Sand Palm for three years, using unconventional methods by adding drugs and poisons to the iron sand, making his hands much larger and thicker than ordinary people.

Any opponent struck by his Iron Sand Palm would either die or suffer severe internal injuries!

Wei Changfeng knew the reputation of the Iron Sand Palm and did not dare to block Hao Xiong's palm strike. He immediately used the Crane Body technique and Fox Steps, narrowly avoiding the second attack.

His cultivation and realm were inferior to Hao Xiong's, so a direct confrontation was the worst strategy. To win, he had to leverage his strengths and advantages.

Hao Xiong's right palm almost grazed his clothing, missing by a hair's breadth.

The two of them crossed paths in an instant, their positions swapped. Wei Changfeng suddenly turned and swung his sword, using the Clear Wind Sword technique to aim at Hao Xiong's throat!

The battle between the two entered the most intense close-quarters combat from the very beginning!

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