Chapter Sixteen: Enough Talk, Just Fight
Even the other peak masters slightly turned their bodies, their gazes drifting lightly with faint, almost imperceptible smiles at the corners of their mouths, as if eagerly awaiting Zhao Changsheng’s embarrassment to confirm their earlier disdain for Tongtian Peak.
Zhao Mingyue, the Moonlight Peak Master, gently waved her round fan, covering her mouth as she chuckled softly, “Now we can finally see what that Ye Xinghe calls ‘confidence.’ I’m curious to see what tricks Zhao Changsheng can pull off.”
The Sword Spirit Peak Master crossed his arms and snorted coldly, “Hmph, no matter how much he makes a fuss, when he faces the elite of our Divine Medicine Peak, he’ll only get knocked down. The medicinal pills at Divine Medicine Peak provide plenty of support; even just relying on the spiritual power accumulated from regular pill consumption, Zhou Tong can easily suppress Zhao Changsheng.”
Amidst the overwhelming hostility around him, Zhao Changsheng seemed not to hear a thing. His expression remained serene as calm as still water. He slowly rose and straightened his clothes.
Ye Xinghe patted his shoulder, whispering, “Changsheng, ignore the gazes and idle gossip of others. Steady your mind. The divine weapon in your hand is no ordinary blade—just unleash its full power.”
Zhao Changsheng nodded firmly, “Master, rest assured. I will not let you down!”
With that, he gripped the divine weapon, forged as a reward by Master Ye Xinghe’s system, and strode purposefully toward the arena.
At this moment, Zhou Tong, a disciple of Divine Medicine Peak, had also stepped onto the stage.
He was robust and burly, his complexion ruddy, emanating a faint medicinal fragrance, clearly a man who had consumed pills for years and possessed vast spiritual power.
Crossing his arms, he sneered as he eyed Zhao Changsheng, “Zhao Changsheng, you’d better be sensible and admit defeat now. Save yourself the pain and humiliation later, and don’t drag your master down with you.”
Zhao Changsheng appeared to ignore this provocation. He quietly stood still, stroking the blade of his long sword. Instantly, the divine weapon sensed its master’s intent, a glow flickering brilliantly as if gathering power, prompting gasps from the crowd below.
Raising his eyes, sharp brilliance flashing in them, he spoke each word deliberately, “Zhou Tong, enough nonsense. Let’s see your true skill!”
Without hesitation, he struck first. Planting his foot firmly on the ground, his body shot forward like an arrow released from a bow. The long sword in his hand enveloped in dazzling light transformed into a fierce sword qi, stabbing straight toward Zhou Tong’s throat!
At first, Zhou Tong scoffed loudly, “Amateur tricks!” His words dripping with disdain, his arrogant demeanor showing he didn’t take Zhao Changsheng seriously at all.
Then, with a grand wave of his hand, a streak of black light shot out from behind him and settled firmly in his grip—a magnificent mountain-splitting axe.
The axe’s blade gleamed coldly, clearly a treasured artifact of high grade. When Zhou Tong wielded it, the surrounding air seemed to be sliced by the sharp edge, emitting a hissing sound.
“Zhao Changsheng, today you’ll witness the might of Divine Medicine Peak!”
Gripping the mountain-splitting axe tightly with both hands, Zhou Tong’s spiritual power exploded beneath his feet. Like a charging bull, he lunged toward Zhao Changsheng, raising the axe high, the wind howling as he brought it down with tremendous force. Even before the axe shadow arrived, the fierce gust whipped Zhao Changsheng’s hair wildly.
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But Zhao Changsheng remained calm and unhurried.
The divine weapon in his hand trembled slightly, as if communicating with its master, and in an instant, its light surged brighter.
With a flash, Zhao Changsheng sidestepped the heavy blow.
Lightly tapping the ground with his foot, he sprang upward like a swallow skimming the sky, instantly arriving beside Zhou Tong.
With a swift slash of his long sword, a crescent-shaped sword qi shot forth, accompanied by a sharp whistle, aimed straight at Zhou Tong’s right arm holding the axe.
Zhou Tong reacted quickly, pulling back the axe defensively. The axe handle swung horizontally, precisely blocking the sword qi.
With a loud clang, metal clashed and sparks flew, causing the surrounding spiritual energy barriers to flicker wildly.
Using the momentum, Zhou Tong spun, the mountain-splitting axe carving an arc through the air in a horizontal sweep aimed at Zhao Changsheng’s waist. The blade sliced the air, leaving a blur of afterimages—an overwhelmingly fierce attack.
Zhao Changsheng leaned back, bending his waist at an incredible angle to narrowly evade the fierce strike.
Landing, he dropped to one knee, quickly forming hand seals with his left hand while muttering incantations. Gripping the sword with his right hand, he plunged it into the ground.
In an instant, the arena floor trembled violently. Spiritual earth spikes shot up like bamboo shoots breaking through the soil, piercing toward Zhou Tong’s vital points. Dust and stones scattered spectacularly.
Seeing this, Zhou Tong’s expression changed slightly. Stomping his feet, his spiritual power exploded, forming a protective shield that shattered the earth spikes one after another.
“Hmph, is that all you’ve got?” Zhou Tong swung the mountain-splitting axe again, his assault growing wilder.
The arena seemed engulfed by a small spiritual energy storm, blowing fiercely, making it hard to keep one’s eyes open. The onslaught pressed Zhao Changsheng down relentlessly.
The spectators below were fired up.
“Come on, Zhou Tong! Crush that Tongtian Peak brat!”
“Let’s see how many moves Zhao Changsheng can hold out. Divine Medicine Peak will surely win!”
Those originally waiting for a spectacle now shouted excitedly, their voices hoarse from cheering.
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The peak masters watched intently, eyes sharp. The Sword Spirit Peak Master crossed his arms, a cold smile at his lips, “Zhou Tong hasn’t disappointed me. With such an offensive, Zhao Changsheng might not hold up.”
The Moonlight Peak Master gently waved her fan, nodding slightly, “With Divine Medicine Peak’s foundation and that treasure of his, if Zhao Changsheng doesn’t have real skill, he’s bound to lose. Still, I want to see what other tricks Ye Xinghe’s disciple has.”
Yet, at the eye of the storm, Zhao Changsheng showed no fear. The light in his eyes grew hotter and more intense.
He took a deep breath, spiritual power raging wildly through his meridians. The divine weapon’s glow surged again, dazzling to the point of nearly blinding onlookers.
“Zhou Tong, this ends now!” Zhao Changsheng shouted, his figure ghostlike as he surged forward. The long sword in his hand multiplied into countless sword shadows, as if a river of stars reversed its flow—overwhelming, engulfing Zhou Tong.
Zhou Tong felt a crushing force like a mountain collapsing upon him, a flicker of panic crossing his eyes.
Instinctively, he gripped the mountain-splitting axe tighter, desperately pouring all his spiritual power into reinforcing the protective shield on the axe, hoping to withstand the fatal strike.
But it was all in vain.
The fierce sword qi was like an indomitable blade, striking the mountain-splitting axe with ruthless force.
With a crisp, resounding crack like thunder, the originally solid, sturdy axe shattered in two from the middle.
Metal fragments flew everywhere, glittering in the sunlight like exploding fireworks.
For a moment, the entire arena fell into stunned silence. Everyone’s eyes widened in shock, mouths agape, unable to recover for several seconds.
Then, a chorus of thunderous, stunned exclamations erupted into the sky.
“Heavens! How is this possible? Zhou Tong’s mountain-splitting axe is a treasure of Divine Medicine Peak, yet it just broke in half!”
“What kind of weapon does Zhao Changsheng wield? How can it be so sharp and powerful? Could it be a legendary divine artifact?”
“Now this is worth watching! We thought Zhao Changsheng was doomed, but this twist is unbelievable. Divine Medicine Peak has miscalculated!”