Chapter 23

On the high platform, Zichen and Wu Sheng were recovering their true qi.

Below the high platform, the disciples were discussing animatedly, looking forward to today's battle. On the elders' viewing platform, they were also whispering to each other.

Their gazes would occasionally turn to Zichen, then to Wu Sheng.

After a moment, Wu Sheng opened his eyes and used a Qi Recovery Pill. His true qi had recovered to about 70-80%, enough to launch a full-power attack. At the same time, Zichen also stood up, his true qi having recovered to a large extent.

A hint of surprise flashed in Wu Sheng's eyes; he hadn't expected Zichen's recovery speed to match his own.

"Are you ready?" Wu Sheng asked indifferently.

Zichen nodded.

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, the two men's auras suddenly changed. Wu Sheng's true qi surged around him like a compressed fireball, ready to explode at any moment.

In the next moment, Zichen clenched his fists, his form transforming into a fierce tiger. The essence of the Fierce Tiger Fist was evident, but at this moment, the tiger Zichen displayed was no longer a purely fierce king of the mountains. Instead, it was a king that combined hardness and softness, was well-rounded, and had no weaknesses, both offensive and defensive.

While it had less ferocity, it gained a touch of suppleness, making this king flawless.

The two men faced off, their auras rising continuously. One was ready to explode at the slightest touch, while the other was flawless.

"This is the complete Exploding Star Fist."

On the viewing platform, the audience looked at Wu Sheng with shock. The second-tier combat technique, Exploding Star Fist, had been fully comprehended by Wu Sheng, indicating that his talent was no less than Chen Feng's.

Everyone, including Chen Feng, was taken aback by the current Wu Sheng. Today, he not only witnessed the genius Zichen but also another genius, Wu Sheng, who was no less than himself.

Chen Feng's face turned even darker.

"This Wu Sheng is terrifying. He was previously unknown and endured silently, but now he has made a stunning debut. It seems Zichen is about to lose."

"True qi at the fifth level against the sixth level, plus a complete second-tier combat technique, Zichen is bound to lose."

Sighs and disappointment spread through the crowd.

"Not necessarily," Miaokong said, his eyes shining brightly. He saw that Zichen's aura was no weaker than Wu Sheng's, and the tiger aura around Zichen had changed, a change that even Miaokong couldn't discern.

Not to mention Miaokong, even the elders couldn't see it at first.

"Exploding Star."

On the battle platform, the auras of the two men reached their peak. Wu Sheng suddenly shouted and launched the first attack. He clenched his fists and, relying on his peak aura, delivered a powerful punch. True qi surged wildly, all converging on Wu Sheng's fists.

Then Wu Sheng's fists lit up, like stars shining brightly, carrying a dangerous explosive aura.

As the fists approached, Zichen moved. He lightly stepped, moving like a flexible tiger. The Fierce Tiger Fist and Flowing Cloud Step were perfectly integrated, allowing him to slightly shift his steps and avoid the strongest part of the Exploding Star Fist. At the same time, Zichen also swung his fist and punched forward.

"Roar!"

The integrated Fierce Tiger Fist roared, carrying all of Zichen's true qi and strength, striking Wu Sheng.

The wind howled, and the battle platform was filled with tiger roars. The more powerful fist shadow, carrying a supple aura, made the punch even more powerful.

"This is a fused combat technique."

As Zichen punched, a cry of surprise echoed from the viewing platform. One of the elders suddenly stood up, unable to remain seated.

At the same time, the faces of the other elders also changed dramatically.

A fused combat technique was far beyond the essence of true intent, and its power was several times greater than ordinary combat techniques.

A flash of insight appeared in the eyes of the head elder, while the second elder's face turned pale, and cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Boom."

Amid countless expressions of surprise and shock, the two attacks finally collided. A loud crash echoed, and the entire battle platform began to tremble and shake. Many stones fell from the edges.

Zichen's figure, like an arrow, quickly moved along the ground, retreating over ten meters and falling at the edge of the platform, his face pale, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and his expression instantly weakening.

At the same time, a figure was also flying backward in the air. Wu Sheng, who had faced Zichen's fused combat technique, was thrown out, a trail of blood streaking through the air. Wu Sheng landed at the edge of the platform and, after a roll, fell off the platform.

One blow had decided the outcome, both sides were injured.

But Zichen was still on the platform, while Wu Sheng had left it, so Zichen had won.

There was no cheering, only silence. Everyone stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what had happened on the platform.

The appearance of a second-tier combat technique master was already terrifying, with talent rivaling Chen Feng. But they never expected to witness the emergence of a fused combat technique.

The perfect integration of the Fierce Tiger Fist and Flowing Cloud Step made this third-tier combat technique no less powerful than a complete second-tier combat technique.

Combined with Zichen's strong physique, which compensated for the lack of true qi, and the slight shift that avoided the most powerful part of the Exploding Star Fist, Zichen was able to win by a narrow margin.

On the platform, Zichen slowly stood up, his eyes becoming incredibly bright. In front of everyone, he had won, and the elders had no reason to favor one side.

The judge elder, with a shocked face, did not announce the winner.

"This battle is a draw." Just as Zichen was about to urge the other side, a voice came from the high platform. The second elder stood up and said loudly.

"A draw?"

The crowd was in an uproar. Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zichen stood on the platform, while Wu Sheng lay below. The second elder declared a draw, and in the uproar, many thoughts and realizations emerged.

"Respectful elders, where does this draw come from?" Zichen turned his head, looking at the standing second elder, and questioned. For his future, he had to be bold.

Faced with the facts, the second elder could not argue, but his face changed as he said to Zichen, "Bold, how dare you question the elders' decision? Don't you know the rules of the sect?"

"Rules, what rules?" Zichen shouted, "I only know that I am standing on the platform, and I have won. But the elders say it's a draw. Is this the rule of the sect?"

Zichen's insistence left the elder speechless, and he could only glare at Zichen. Today, Zichen had offended another person.

Zichen turned his head and looked at the head elder, bowing respectfully and saying, "I hope the head elder will make a fair decision for Zichen."

The head elder's eyes narrowed again, staring at Zichen without speaking. Today's events were truly unexpected. The core disciple position was originally intended for Wu Sheng, but they never expected Zichen to defeat Wu Sheng.

The other elders looked at each other, clearly unable to handle the current situation.

Wu Sheng slowly stood up, lowering his head in shame. He now regretted his rashness. If he hadn't been too confident, they could have tied for first place, and the core disciple position would have been his.

But he had lost, and the position was no longer secure.

The disciples in the audience looked at Zichen, some with schadenfreude, some with jealousy, some with sympathy, and some with a cold, murderous look.

The head elder's narrowed eyes opened again. Under the pleading gaze of the second elder, he said indifferently, "We will deliberate on this matter and make a decision tomorrow."

Zichen's heart sank, feeling a sense of foreboding.

After the head elder's words, everyone dispersed. The outer disciples returned, the inner disciples dispersed, Chen Feng left with a cold laugh, and Su Mengyao gave Zichen a complex look before leaving.

Wang Xiong, with a murderous look in his eyes, left with Wang Meng and the other inner disciples.

"Take it easy. Even if it's a draw, your first place is still secure." Miaokong walked up to Zichen, lightly patting his shoulder to comfort him.

Zichen nodded, but the anger in his eyes and the heaving of his chest showed that he was not calm.

Lin Xue's eyes had long turned red, feeling a sense of injustice but powerless to do anything.

Zichen also left. He was only eighteen years old. Although he had experienced death, he had never experienced such a situation. His mood remained unsettled for a long time.

The head elder's final words were like a heavy hammer, striking Zichen's heart.

The simple words "deliberate further" made Zichen realize that even if he kept his first place, he would not keep his core disciple position.

If the position was intended for him, it wouldn't have been delayed until tomorrow.

Today, Zichen's heart remained unsettled, filled with boundless anger. He had an impulse to leave the Lingwu Sect immediately.

Lin Xue had just returned and quickly left. A moment later, she stood outside a small wooden building. The building was surrounded by flowers and plants, creating a beautiful scene with a faint floral fragrance in the air.

Lin Xue quickly entered the small building, where Su Mengyao was already waiting, seemingly having anticipated her arrival.

"Senior Sister, please help Zichen. Today's events..." Before sitting down, Lin Xue said anxiously.

"Xue'er, don't be anxious. Sit down and let's talk." Su Mengyao smiled gently.

"How can I not be anxious? Today's events clearly show that the second elder is wrong. He is deliberately favoring Wu Sheng. Even if Zichen wins first place, he might not become a core disciple." Lin Xue pleaded, "Please, Senior Sister, help Zichen. I don't ask you to speak on his behalf, just hope that the elders' decision will be fair."

Su Mengyao was hesitant. Although she also valued Zichen, this was a decision made by the elders. To seek trouble for the elders for the sake of one person seemed not worth it. But seeing Lin Xue's pleading face, Su Mengyao finally nodded and said, "Alright, I'll try."

Su Mengyao left, and Lin Xue stayed, waiting hopefully.

After a long time, Su Mengyao returned, but her face was full of disappointment. She said apologetically, "He won't intervene, saying that the elders' decision must be followed."

Lin Xue's heart sank.

At the same time, the ten elders who were present today gathered again to discuss today's events.

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