Chapter 22

As Wu Sheng finished speaking, he was the first to walk towards the battle platform.

Zichen was recovering his consumed true qi. Beside him, Lin Xue bit her red lip and also prepared to step onto the platform.

"Just give up, you’re not his match," Zichen said with concern.

Lin Xue shook her head and smiled lightly, "It’s fine, I want to see just how strong he is and what moves he has up his sleeve."

After that, Lin Xue walked onto the battle platform.

"Really impressive, both beautiful and caring, and very smart. What kind of luck do you have, kid?" Miaokong said enviously.

Lin Xue’s intention was too obvious; she was trying to probe Wu Sheng’s limits to give Zichen a better chance of winning.

"Thank you," Zichen said softly, deeply moved.

On the battle platform, after Lin Xue arrived, Wu Sheng exchanged a few polite words and then launched his attack.

"Thousand Illusion Palm."

"Exploding Star Fist."

This was a clash of second-tier battle techniques, producing a series of explosive sounds, and the entire platform began to tremble again.

The battle on the platform was intense, but the situation was one-sided. Lin Xue relied on her strength rather than her appearance to get this far. With a second-tier battle technique and a profound understanding of true intent, her strength was considerable.

However, against Wu Sheng, who was at the sixth layer of true qi and also had a deep understanding of second-tier battle techniques, she was at a disadvantage from the start.

"This Wu Sheng has great talent; at just sixteen, he has reached such a realm and strength," one of the elders on the high platform said while watching the battle and chatting.

"Of course, Wu Sheng’s Exploding Star Fist has reached a very deep level of understanding."

"Wu Sheng’s potential and strength are among the best in this batch of disciples," another elder said.

"Not just among the best, I think Wu Sheng’s potential is number one."

The elders chatted, with the Great Elder watching the battle with half-closed eyes, and the Second Elder listening to the conversation, his expression relaxed.

The conversation seemed casual but deliberately ignored Zichen. While they were chatting, they were actually discussing who would enter the core and become the sole core disciple.

"Boom."

The battle on the platform lasted about a quarter of an hour. When Wu Sheng finally unleashed his full power, Lin Xue was defeated and was knocked off the platform, caught by Zichen.

This time, it seemed intentional. Wu Sheng demonstrated another second-tier battle technique, the Tyrant Step, a very profound and mysterious footwork.

While the two were recovering their true qi, the crowd was buzzing. If there were no surprises, the core disciple position would be between Zichen and Wu Sheng.

From the current situation, it seemed their talents were evenly matched.

Zichen’s only weakness was his lower strength, but his understanding of battle techniques was deep. The reason he didn’t have a second-tier battle technique was that he lacked the means to obtain one.

Wang Meng, supported by inner disciples, didn’t have a second-tier footwork, but the mysterious Wu Sheng did. At this moment, some people guessed that Wu Sheng had someone in the inner sect, and not just anyone.

"The next match, Zichen versus Lin Xue."

After Lin Xue’s true qi was restored, the elder’s voice came from the high platform again.

This time, Lin Xue was very decisive, "I concede."

A somewhat unexpected but reasonable decision, causing only a slight stir in the crowd.

After that, everyone’s attention turned to Zichen and Wu Sheng. If there were no surprises, the outcome of this match would determine who would enter the inner sect.

Whoever wins, enters.

Wu Sheng walked onto the battle platform, and Zichen followed slowly.

On the platform, the two met each other’s gaze, both extremely calm.

Below the platform, everyone’s eyes were fixed on them.

"Very good," Su Mengyao said softly from a distance. She had praised Zichen several times today. Chen Feng, standing beside her, had a cold look in his eyes.

In his heart, Su Mengyao could only praise him. Today’s excessive praise for Zichen made him feel a mix of jealousy and an inexplicable sense of danger.

All the elders’ eyes were on the two on the platform. Today’s lucky one would emerge from these two.

"Boom."

With a dull sound, the battle began. This battle was more intense than any before.

"Roar!"

The roar of a fierce tiger echoed repeatedly as Zichen unleashed the three forms of the Fierce Tiger Fist with full force from the start.

"Exploding Star Fist."

Wu Sheng, using the Tyrant Step, launched a powerful Exploding Star Fist attack, his true qi surging around him, as if about to explode at any moment.

"Boom!"

The sounds of impact echoed, and the entire platform began to shake.

"This Zichen has a very powerful physique, able to resist sixth-layer true qi with fifth-layer true qi," an elder on the high platform couldn’t help but exclaim.

"Wu Sheng is also very good, with strong strength and a deep understanding of battle techniques."

"Boom!"

On the high platform, another fierce collision occurred, and the two were pushed back again.

"Again." Zichen gritted his teeth, his fists clenched, and he swung his fists again.

After continuous attacks, his true qi consumption was significant, but Wu Sheng’s was also considerable. After half an hour, Zichen’s true qi was depleted, his breathing became rapid, and his white robe was soaked with sweat.

Wu Sheng’s consumption was also significant, but he still had true qi.

"Finished, Zichen is going to lose. Without true qi, he’s like a toothless tiger," someone below the platform couldn’t help but sigh.

"Is he finally going to lose?"

A cold light flashed in Wang Xiong’s eyes. If Zichen lost, he wouldn’t enter the core, and staying in the inner sect, he had over a dozen ways to get rid of Zichen.

"Zichen, your true qi is depleted, you’ve lost."

Wu Sheng, who had been silent on the platform, said coldly.

"I haven’t fallen yet," Zichen responded coldly.

"Fine, I’ll oblige you." Wu Sheng sneered, stepped the Tyrant Step, and charged at Zichen, unleashing his full power.

The fierce wind howled, and Zichen swung his fists to block.

"Boom."

With a dull sound, the entire platform shook again, and Zichen took a few steps back but didn’t fall.

"What?"

Whether the elders on the high platform or the crowd below, everyone was shocked to see Zichen, who had no true qi, block Wu Sheng’s attack. His physique must be incredibly strong.

On the opposite side, Wu Sheng’s expression also changed, and he swung his fists again.

"Boom, boom."

After several more attacks, Zichen still didn’t fall, but Wu Sheng’s true qi was almost depleted. If both were out of true qi, Wu Sheng would lose in terms of physique.

So he retreated and stopped attacking. Zichen, panting heavily, also didn’t attack.

"Alright, stop."

At this moment, an elder’s voice came from the high platform. This person was sitting next to the Great Elder, the Second Elder. He stood up and said to the two on the platform, "You both have consumed a lot of energy and haven’t decided a winner. How about a draw, and the ranking will be a tie for first place?"

The Second Elder’s sudden words were unexpected by everyone, even the other elders were taken aback, but they soon nodded in agreement.

"Fine." Zichen’s breathing gradually calmed down, and he had no objection to the Second Elder’s suggestion. If they were tied for first, the second place would clearly be Lin Xue, and the third would be Miaokong, which was not bad.

Moreover, Zichen believed that the rewards for being tied for first would be double, not shared.

Zichen nodded, and the matter was almost settled. Anyone could see that if the battle continued, once Wu Sheng’s true qi was depleted, he would lose. So Zichen agreed, and Wu Sheng had no reason to refuse.

But there was an unexpected turn. What seemed certain had an unexpected twist. Zichen agreed, but Wu Sheng suddenly said, "I disagree."

The crowd was in an uproar, and even the Second Elder was taken aback, then his eyes flashed with anger.

Wu Sheng ignored the Second Elder’s gaze and looked at Zichen, saying calmly, "Zichen, I have my strongest move, which I haven’t used yet. Do you dare wait for me to recover and use this move? If you block it, I, Wu Sheng, will admit defeat and give you the first place. I, Wu Sheng, don’t like sharing things with others."

Zichen said calmly, "A good suggestion. I also have a move I haven’t used, and I don’t want to share the first place either."

The Second Elder suddenly stood up. Zichen had guessed some things when he suggested something disadvantageous to Zichen. Now, hearing Wu Sheng’s words, Zichen was certain that the Second Elder was looking after Wu Sheng. The sudden addition of a core disciple position this year was likely related to Wu Sheng.

If Zichen’s guess was correct, this position was for Wu Sheng, but his sudden appearance had disrupted the Second Elder’s plan. So when Wu Sheng was about to lose, he intervened.

If both were tied for first, one would have to enter the inner sect, and that person would be Wu Sheng. If Wu Sheng lost, choosing him to enter the core would be hard to justify.

Entering the core and becoming a core disciple was the dream of all inner disciples. Zichen had never dared to think about it before, but now the opportunity was in front of him, and he wanted to seize it. So he nodded, because he wanted to win. After winning, he could enter the core and become a core disciple.

"Hmph." The Second Elder on the high platform coldly snorted and sat down angrily.

On the platform, Zichen and Wu Sheng both sat cross-legged to recover their true qi. Unlike Zichen, Wu Sheng swallowed a pill while sitting.

"Recovery Pill." Some knowledgeable people recognized the pill.

The Recovery Pill was something only inner disciples could use, and to obtain it, one needed to exchange contribution points, one point for one pill, making it a luxury.

Wu Sheng had just entered the inner sect and had no contribution points, so the Recovery Pill was clearly given by the Second Elder.

While both were recovering their true qi, Zichen naturally didn’t dare to wildly circulate the Heavenly Thunder Body Tempering Technique, or his far superior absorption speed would draw attention.

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