Chapter 31

Lin Han shook his head, unconvinced. "Do you think Wudao is like you? As long as he has money, he can sell anything? Wudao has lofty ambitions. For years, he has been determined to join a major sect and become a renowned cultivator. Among our brothers, he has always been the most diligent in martial arts. The position of chief disciple is something he won't give up for any amount of wealth."

"Lin Han, you only know part of the story. Do you really think he can secure one of the top three spots in the competition? Unless our Sword Robe Hall can produce three to five qi practitioners, controlling four to five streets, there would be a slight chance. Even Yan Jun, who was no less accomplished than Wudao, barely managed to escape unscathed. The lessons are not far off. How could Wudao follow Yan Jun's old path? He surely doesn't take the position of chief disciple seriously."

As Ma Yuan said this, he sighed gloomily, but then his face lit up with a smile. "Let's not talk about this! Why don't we guess how many moves it will take for Zhuang Tong to be defeated? I bet five taels of silver that it will be within fifty moves."

Lin Han gave Ma Yuan a sidelong glance, thinking his brother was truly heartless. However, his interest was piqued, and he pondered, "With those Flame Wind Boots, Zhuang Tong is not easy to defeat even by a first-stage qi practitioner. But Wudao has already reached the initial stage of the Dragon Subduing Tiger technique, and he overcame that vicious woman on the ferry. This mere Zhuang Tong is probably not even in his eyes. I bet twenty! That vicious woman was defeated in sixty-eight moves; Zhuang Tong can't be any stronger than her, right?"

As the two spoke, they didn't lower their voices. The dozens of students nearby heard everything clearly, and their expressions were strange. Some couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Twenty moves to win? Are you joking? Three months ago, Zhuang Wudao and Zhuang Tong were evenly matched. Now, Zhuang Tong's strength has greatly improved, and his leg technique has reached the realm of combining hardness and softness. With the Flame Wind Boots, it would be against all reason for him to lose. I think Zhuang Wudao won't last twenty moves!"

"Zhuang Wudao is known as the Mad Tiger, but this time he might become a Sick Tiger."

"Zhuang Tong may be despicable, but it's no wonder. Zhuang Wudao, a street thug and beggar, has suppressed Zhuang Tong for three years, holding the position of chief disciple for three consecutive years, which is already an anomaly. If I were Zhuang Tong, I wouldn't be able to endure it either!"

"Is this his day? A street thug, actually becoming the head of our disciples, is a disgrace to our academy! What right does he have?"

But there were also a few voices speaking up for Zhuang Wudao: "Brother Wudao is actually quite good! Whenever someone comes to challenge, it's always Brother Wudao who steps up to defend our academy, maintaining its reputation. He is also kind and never uses his power to oppress others. When someone asks for guidance, he always gives his best—"

Lin Han and Ma Yuan couldn't help but exchange a cold smile. They then fell silent, knowing that arguing with these people was futile. They would wait for the results of the battle, which would be more convincing than any words.

As the students were discussing, the silk handkerchief finally floated down. Zhuang Tong's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he shot out like a ghost. The Flame Wind Boots glowed red, causing a fierce wind to blow within ten meters.

Zhuang Tong was already extremely fast, with agile movements. Now, with the wind at his back, he was unstoppable. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Zhuang Wudao. His first move was a powerful leg attack, like a sharp blade, aiming directly at Zhuang Wudao's head! Midway, a ball of red fire erupted, scorching and intense.

Zhuang Wudao sneered inwardly, showing no fear on his face. If it were three days ago, he would have chosen to meet force with force, enduring Zhuang Tong's fierce attack to avoid giving him the upper hand.

But now, he took a slight step back, just enough to avoid Zhuang Tong's leg attack, feeling the scorching heat from the Flame Wind Boots!

His face showed a hint of surprise and astonishment. In the past three days, Yun'er had guided him twice in his dreams. He had also experienced battles with Shi Hu of the Green Robe Hall and Beiting Wan'er. Being a person with a photographic memory and a keen mind, he could grasp the essence of martial arts with just a little guidance.

How much more so when someone explained everything in detail and he had two battles to verify it?

After three days, Zhuang Wudao felt as if he had undergone a complete transformation, vastly different from before.

Even he was surprised by the magnitude of the change. The opponent he had to be cautious about three months ago now seemed full of flaws in his eyes.

A hint of relief and a smile flashed in his eyes. He had been worried that with the help of the Flame Wind Boots, even if he could win, it would take some effort.

But when Zhuang Tong made his move, he realized that this brother, who had been meticulously plotting to become the chief disciple, had similar problems.

With Zhuang Tong's unformed true essence and bone marrow cultivation, using the Flame Wind Boots, which were equivalent to a fourth-stage forbidden spirit weapon, he couldn't control it accurately!

It was clear that he had practiced beforehand, but far from being able to use it freely. Although there were only minor inconsistencies, in his eyes, they were enough to determine the outcome of today's battle!

Zhuang Tong started with the 'Triple Flame' technique from the 'Fierce Flame Leg' style, which would be followed by the 'Four Directions Flame Sea,' a series of seven kicks in quick succession, the most powerful and relentless combination in this leg technique, leaving no room for the opponent to counter.

Zhuang Wudao took a sliding step back, then continued to retreat for the second, third, fourth, and fifth steps, narrowly avoiding each attack.

At this point, the fire clouds were surging in front of him, and he was less than ten meters away from the red line behind him.

Li Xiangnan, on the steps of the main hall, couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. He had thought Zhuang Wudao would last longer against Zhuang Tong, but he didn't even make it to ten moves. After the 'Four Directions Flame Sea' with its seven kicks, the next move would be 'Bifang Burn the Sky.' Zhuang Wudao would either have to take this powerful move or step out of bounds, either way, he would lose.

Wei Que, the referee in the arena, also showed a smile. Although he was only at the bone marrow cultivation stage with no hope of reaching the qi practitioner stage, he was well-versed in the 'Fierce Flame Leg' style. The 'Bifang Burn the Sky' move had the power to split mountains and crack rocks. With the help of the Flame Wind Boots, even a first-stage qi practitioner would be severely injured. The eighth move would decide the outcome!

Zhuang Wudao took his sixth step back. Just as everyone thought he would take the seventh step back, he suddenly stepped forward, a dragon's roar accompanying his right hand as it pierced through the fire clouds, grabbing Zhuang Tong's ankle.

This sudden move surprised everyone who had become accustomed to the rhythm of their advances and retreats.