Chapter 55

Understood, but it was already too late.

Just as "Ice Palm" Ping Jiushan struggled to control his body and turned around, intending to face Tang Gu in a decisive battle, a dull, black long sword was already placed against his neck.

"Ice Palm" Ping Jiushan's body suddenly stiffened. He then turned his head with difficulty, looking at Tang Gu, who had revealed himself and was standing behind him with the sword, and after a long silence, he finally smiled bitterly.

"I have lost."

"Young talent is to be feared."

After saying these two sentences, he no longer paid attention to the sword on his shoulder, leaped down from the stage, and disappeared.

When they heard his words, the entire audience below the stage erupted.

"‘Ice Palm’ Senior Brother Ping actually admitted defeat, this is truly unexpected!"

"Yes, how could this be? Tang Gu is really the biggest dark horse of this competition, rising from 59th place to the top three, spanning a total of 56 places, unprecedented in history! Oh my God!"

"Yes, I didn't expect it either..."

The crowd was in an uproar, almost causing chaos. Even the inner court elder overseeing the competition was shocked.

"This Tang Gu is truly too surprising!"

He could continuously defeat the fourth-ranked "Snake Blade" Chen Xingxiu and the fifth-ranked "Ancient Spear" Chen Hun, who were at least of the same rank.

But as a newcomer with only the third level of Qi Dao, to defeat the fourth-level Qi Dao "Ice Palm" Ping Jiushan, was truly unbelievable.

He shook his head, not knowing what to say.

There have been talented disciples in the past who, as newcomers, entered the top ten, but a newcomer who, on their first attempt, entered the top three, was unheard of.

"Let's observe for another two days. If his momentum doesn't wane, we might as well cultivate him. He could be a good seedling."

"In this year's Supreme Autumn Wind Pavilion trial, only Ye Guyu and Fang Jingshuo were expected to pass the assessment, but now it seems there is one more."

"The Inner Court is about to flourish!"

Thinking of this, he immediately jumped onto the stage, announced Tang Gu's victory and the complete end of today's competition, and instructed everyone to come early tomorrow morning before leaving to report to the Dean.

After the elder left, the disciples slowly dispersed, still excited and discussing the next day's battles.

Tang Gu glanced at the crowd, then leaped down from the stage, intending to return to his small wooden house to rest and recuperate.

At this moment, a purple light flashed, and a rough-looking young man in purple clothing strode over, blocking his path.

"Surname Tang, are you feeling very pleased with yourself?"

"Tomorrow, I will make you crawl off the stage."

After saying this, the rough young man in purple turned and strode away, his sleeves flapping, producing a faint sound of thunder.

Seeing this, Tang Gu's eyes flashed with surprise: "Second in the Inner Court, ‘Thunder King’ Fang Jingshuo? A disciple of the Fang family!"

"What grudge do I have with him that he hates me so much?"

With this question in mind, Tang Gu turned to leave but bumped into Yan Shan, who had been waiting at the door.

Seeing him approach, Yan Shan looked worriedly at the purple-clothed young man leaving through another door, then lowered his voice and whispered in Tang Gu's ear: "Tang Gu, be careful in tomorrow's battle. If you don't have a high chance of winning, it's better to give up!"

Hearing this, Tang Gu knew that Yan Shan would never harm him. Since he said this, there must be a reason. He asked curiously, "I was just about to ask you, why does Fang Jingshuo hate me so much?"

Hearing this, Yan Shan pulled Tang Gu to the side of the door, and seeing no one around, he leaned close to Tang Gu's ear and whispered, "Don't you know? The six major families of Shiyantown often intermarry, and the Fang and Du families are old friends.

‘Thunder King’ Fang Jingshuo's mother is the aunt of ‘Silver Sword’ Du Zhongjing. They have always been close. I heard that you crippled ‘Silver Sword’ Du Zhongjing and stripped him of his family inheritance. ‘Silver Sword’ Du Zhongjing hates you to the bone. How could ‘Thunder King’ Fang Jingshuo look at you with a good face?

In short, be careful tomorrow. If it's not necessary, just admit defeat. I'm afraid he might pretend to slip up on the stage. If you're not careful, your fate will be tragic. It's not worth taking this risk just for the second or third place."

"Is that so?"

Hearing this, Tang Gu smiled instead, then patted Yan Shan's shoulder, who practiced "Fierce Sun Fist": "Thank you for telling me. I understand. I will consider it carefully tomorrow."

"Alright, if that's the case, get some rest early."

After saying this, the two parted ways and returned to their respective residences. Tang Gu first adjusted his depleted energy from the day's intense battles, then sat on the bed, thinking silently.

"The Fang and Du families are major families. Yes, how could I forget this? The six major families of Shiyantown, though sometimes enemies, are more often interconnected. No wonder ‘Thunder King’ Fang Jingshuo wants to take revenge on me for crippling ‘Silver Sword’ Du Zhongjing."

"It seems tomorrow's battle will not end well. But should I give up?"

Thinking of Yan Shan's earnest advice and the concern in his eyes, Tang Gu smiled slightly: "Even if you are in the top three of the Inner Court, who will win tomorrow is still uncertain."

"Let's wait and see!"

...

The night passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was dawn the next day.

Early in the morning, all the Inner Court disciples gathered on the martial arts square, waiting for the start of the battle. Today was the final decisive battle, the competition for the top three, the most exciting moment.

Who would be the champion among Ye Guyu, Fang Jingshuo, and Tang Gu?

The battle had not yet begun, and the three main characters had not arrived. The crowd had nothing to do but discuss.

A disciple in yellow clothing raised his hand and said, "I think it must be Senior Brother Ye Guyu. He has always been the second in the Inner Court. This time, Senior Sister Ning is not here, so he is definitely the first."

"Tsk, that's not necessarily true. Senior Brother ‘Thunder King’ Fang Jingshuo is also very strong. Although he lost to Senior Brother Ye in the past, it was only by a single move. This time, after enduring hardship, he might turn the tables and reach the peak."

A disciple in green clothing disagreed.

A disciple in red clothing, hearing this, wanted to tell a joke to liven up the atmosphere and said jokingly, "Hey, what's so special about these two being first? If I say that if Junior Brother Tang Gu can be first, that would be exciting!"

However, as soon as these words were spoken, the entire square fell silent. Then everyone's gaze turned to the red-clothed disciple, forgetting their previous arguments.

After a moment, a voice sounded, "Did a donkey kick your forehead?"

Another voice came sarcastically, "Yes, are you still asleep? Are you still dreaming? Defeating Senior Brothers Chen and Ping doesn't mean you can defeat Senior Brothers Fang and Ye. They are the true top contenders."

The disciple, feeling embarrassed and regretting his rash words, was left speechless.

Indeed, any of the three being first would be normal, but no one in the audience believed that Tang Gu could be first, even though he had defeated many people, including some strong opponents.

However... "Snake Hand" Ye Guyu and "Thunder King" Fang Jingshuo have always been listed alongside "Jade Sword" Ning Qingjun as the top three in the Inner Court, their names too illustrious.

To say that someone could defeat them, no one in the audience believed it.

Even the fourth-ranked "Ice Palm" Ping Jiushan, who was always respected among the Inner Court disciples, was never compared to the top two. Everyone believed they were on different levels.

They were from two different worlds. The only difference today was how long Tang Gu could last under their attacks, or which of the two would ultimately win the first place...

PS: Second update, making up for last night's second update.

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