Chapter 27

On the battle platform, Zichen stood coldly, while across from him was Wei Lin, who wore a sinister smile. Below the platform, many inner disciples had gathered to watch the spectacle, numbering in the hundreds. They had come for two reasons: first, the bet of ten True Qi Pills was a significant incentive; second, they wanted to witness the prowess of the top-ranked inner disciple.

In the inner sect, there were many talented individuals, but Zichen's brilliance overshadowed them all. At the Fifth Layer of True Qi, he had comprehended the essence of a Third-Rank Battle Technique and even integrated it, allowing him to match Wang Meng and Wu Sheng. Wu Sheng's talent was on par with that of Senior Brother Chen Feng from years ago.

Although Zichen had not entered the core, his reputation in the inner sect was high, and his talent could rival that of the top genius, Su Mengyao.

The crowd came with high expectations, hoping Zichen would achieve another glorious victory. However, this hope was slim, as many speculated that Wei Lin, who had reached the Sixth Layer of True Qi, had broken through again.

"Hmph." Below the platform, Wang Xiong and his group gathered, sneering at Zichen. The gap between the Seventh and Sixth Layers of True Qi was significant. Zichen was strong, capable of matching Wu Sheng, but he could not defeat Wei Lin, who had already comprehended a Second-Rank Battle Technique.

"I want not only your True Qi Pills but also your life." A cold light flashed in Wang Xiong's eyes.

Before the battle began, a small commotion arose in the crowd. Luo Men walked over from a distance, and the inner disciples made way for him.

"Senior Brother Luo Men." Wang Xiong's eyes lit up as he saw Luo Men approaching.

"Good job." In the midst of respectful gazes, Luo Men walked to Wang Xiong's side, his eyes showing approval. Zichen had publicly disrespected him, so he naturally wanted to teach Zichen a lesson, preferably by killing him. Now, with Wang Xiong taking the lead against Zichen, Luo Men was very satisfied.

"Senior Brother, you flatter me. This Zichen is like a mad dog; he needs to be taught a lesson." Wang Xiong said, and the others nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. I heard this brat bet eight True Qi Pills. He truly doesn't know his limits. You should have accepted his bet; it's just eight True Qi Pills, after all." Luo Men said indifferently.

"Yes, yes, Senior Brother Luo Men is right. But it's too late now. If Zichen dies, his other True Qi Pills will belong to you, Senior Brother Luo Men." Wang Xiong nodded, but inwardly he grumbled. Luo Men controlled a lucrative area, deducting others' contribution points, making him wealthy and powerful. They, on the other hand, were nothing.

"Very well, let's watch the battle." Luo Men nodded, satisfied with Wang Xiong's response, and turned his gaze to the platform.

On the platform, Wei Lin was already gathering his strength, while Zichen remained still, his eyes calm.

"Brat, today I'll show you the gap between a mere newcomer and us." Wei Lin sneered, his aura becoming solid, and layers of True Qi enveloped his body.

At the Seventh Layer of True Qi, Wei Lin had indeed broken through.

Zichen was not surprised by this. Inner disciples were not fools; without strength, how could they dare to be arrogant in front of Zichen? However, Zichen was not foolish either. He had the confidence to win the bet.

Facing the Seventh Layer of True Qi, Zichen remained still, but a powerful aura, like that of a fierce tiger, emerged from him. The Fierce Tiger Fist appeared.

"Hmph, a Third-Rank Battle Technique, Fierce Tiger Fist. Watch my Second-Rank Battle Technique, Rolling Stone Fist." Wei Lin sneered, and his Seventh Layer of True Qi surged. He swung his fists, attacking Zichen.

The battle began instantly.

The wind from the punches rolled, layers of True Qi were unleashed, and numerous fist shadows appeared, like a massive rolling stone in front of Zichen.

Rolling Stone Fist, a Second-Rank Battle Technique, was both offensive and defensive. The attack grew larger and more powerful, the wind from the punches was impenetrable, and it contained both offense and defense. If not suppressed early, it would be impossible to counter later.

"Good brat, you're quite arrogant." Wei Lin sneered, his punch wind already taking shape. Zichen still did not move, and Wei Lin's punch wind became even denser, pressing towards Zichen.

On the platform, the wind howled, and a heavy atmosphere emerged.

"What is Zichen doing? Why doesn't he attack? Doesn't he know that if the Rolling Stone Fist is not suppressed early, it will be impossible to counter later?"

"What is Zichen up to?"

Below the platform, the crowd was puzzled, even Miaokong frowned slightly, and Lin Xue was extremely anxious.

"Hmph." Just as the Rolling Stone Fist had taken shape, Zichen coldly snorted, and his aura surged, like a waking fierce tiger.

The Sixth Layer of True Qi enveloped his body, his fists clenched with a loud crack, and a powerful surge of blood and qi flowed within him, like a fierce beast.

"Roar!"

The tiger's roar shook the mountains, and the aura of a king was evident. The second form of the Fierce Tiger Fist flowed smoothly into the third form. In an instant, Zichen seemed to transform into a fierce tiger, charging into the dense punch wind.

Hard against hard, strength against strength.

"Boom."

A loud explosion echoed, and the entire platform shook. Stones fell from the surroundings, and cracks appeared on the ground.

Wei Lin felt a powerful force, with an overwhelming aura, surge from the opposite side, instantly breaking through his impenetrable punch wind and striking him. His body was then sent flying uncontrollably.

He landed outside the platform with a thud.

One strike, complete defeat.

Zichen stood victorious, where Wei Lin had been, the ground beneath him cracked, and his white robe fluttered in the wind, his posture extremely graceful, captivating many eyes below.

Below the platform, there was a deathly silence. Before the battle, they had imagined various outcomes, but each one ended with Zichen's defeat. The true result far exceeded their expectations.

Wei Lin, at the Seventh Layer of True Qi, was defeated in one strike.

"Zichen broke through to the Sixth Layer of True Qi in just one night." After the silence, a shocked voice finally broke through.

They noticed something was off. When Zichen attacked, he seemed like a fierce beast.

"Impossible, two days ago, he was still at the Fifth Layer of True Qi, and not even at its peak. How could he break through so suddenly today?" Wang Xiong was also incredulous.

He believed Wei Lin would win because he saw that Zichen had just broken through to the Fifth Layer of True Qi. Even with True Qi Pills, it was impossible to break through to the Sixth Layer in such a short time.

All his calculations were based on years of experience in refining True Qi Pills, but he could not have predicted that Zichen's speed of refining True Qi Pills was measured in minutes, and he had completely refined them without wasting a single bit of energy.

Zichen stood on the platform, completely ignoring the defeated Wei Lin, and looked down at Wang Xiong, extending his hand and saying coldly, "Hand them over."

"Pfft." Ignored, Wei Lin was filled with shame and anger, and finally, unable to suppress the surging blood in his chest, he spat out a mouthful and fainted.

"What are you handing over?" Wang Xiong asked knowingly, clearly regretting his decision.

"Are you going to back out?" A cold smile appeared on Zichen's lips, and he mocked, "It's just five True Qi Pills. If you want to renege, it's fine, just get down on your knees and crawl around the platform like a dog."

"You—"

Beside Wang Xiong, the crowd was furious, their eyes blazing, wanting to tear Zichen apart, but Wang Xiong held them back.

"Good brat, you have guts." Wang Xiong sneered and took out a porcelain bottle from his chest.

"Wang Xiong, are you—?" The others were stunned, and one of them spoke up.

"Win or lose, five True Qi Pills are nothing." Wang Xiong smiled calmly and threw the bottle towards Zichen.

Beside him, Luo Men's eyes showed approval.

"Clap." Zichen caught the bottle easily, opened it, and checked the contents, which were just right.

"Hmph, you're smart." Zichen sneered and walked off the platform, not even glancing at Wang Xiong again.

He left gracefully.

"Wow, so cool. Wang Xiong couldn't do anything to him." Some female disciples' eyes sparkled again.

But when they saw a graceful figure following Zichen, they all showed envy and jealousy.

"Zichen, you're so amazing." Lin Xue praised, her eyes sparkling.

"Thank you." Zichen smiled lightly.

"What are you going to do now?" Lin Xue asked.

"Go back and practice, or I'll be killed by others." Zichen said.

"Oh, improving strength is the most important." Lin Xue said.

Zichen looked at the somewhat disappointed Lin Xue and asked, "Is there something you need?"

"I want to look at battle techniques and see if I can exchange for a Second-Rank Step Technique. I want you to come with me." Lin Xue lowered her head, not daring to look at Zichen.

Zichen smiled lightly and said, "I don't think anyone will cause trouble for me today. Let's go, I'll accompany you."

"But, don't you have—?" Lin Xue hesitated.

"Don't worry, I have my plans." Suddenly, Zichen seemed to remember something and asked, "How did you get contribution points when you just entered the inner sect?"

"Senior Sister gave them to me." Lin Xue said.

Zichen understood. Su Mengyao had a high status in the inner sect and naturally had extra contribution points.

"Let's go, then."

They passed through several pavilions, and under the pointing and whispering of the inner disciples, Zichen arrived at the place where he had comprehended contribution points the previous day, but he turned and entered the Martial Techniques Pavilion.

The Martial Techniques Pavilion had three floors. The first floor was for Third-Rank Battle Techniques, the second for Second-Rank, and the third for First-Rank.

Among them, the Third-Rank Battle Techniques were the most numerous, lined up on the shelves.

Beside the Martial Techniques Pavilion, a red-robed elder sat, responsible for guarding the pavilion and registering items.

The two of them went directly to the second floor, where there were many Second-Rank Battle Techniques.

Explosive Star Fist, Overlord Step, Mountain Splitting Palm, Rolling Stone Fist, Stone Splitting Palm, and many others, totaling over a hundred.

Among the step techniques were Overlord Step, Frost Flow Step, Explosive Step, Cloud Flow Step, and about a dozen others.

However, when Lin Xue entered, her gaze did not focus on the Second-Rank Step Techniques but on some battle techniques. She already had a Second-Rank Battle Technique, Thousand Illusions Palm.

Zichen had not paid much attention at first, thinking Lin Xue was just curious. But when she stood in front of the Great Strength Fist and intended to exchange contribution points for it, Zichen finally understood her intention and could not help but ask, "Aren't you looking for step techniques? Why are you looking at battle techniques?"