Chapter 243: Grievances Settled

"Is it over……"

A moment later, the dust dispersed, everyone stared intently, breathing rapidly.

The Hao Yang Storm gradually vanished, that red mist also like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun, quietly disappeared; the post-battle venue, the arena had completely vanished, the earth scorched, pitted and hollowed.

Yu Changsheng's figure stood amidst it, body half-bent, looking quite bedraggled, his face showing a weary expression, but the sharpness in his eyes made one's heart tremble with fear.

The crowd was silent, a deathly stillness, observing the situation; a moment later, an uproar broke out.

"Over? Where's Tang Chen? Dead!"

"To survive intact under such a battle is truly a miracle."

"Hiss…… not even bones remain, how tragic; didn't expect, this session of Yushou Peak, besides Zhang Tianwen, actually hid a Yu Changsheng too, how did he do it, clearly his cultivation base doesn't look high either."

Voices of discussion rose and fell; among the crowd, everyone who knew Yu Changsheng all sucked in a breath, complexions grave, some joy some sorrow.

One can imagine, after this battle, Yu Changsheng's reputation would thoroughly spread across both sects.

Also because of this battle, the atmosphere between the two sects began to turn somewhat subtle.

Previous matches, although also fierce, but no lives were lost, all held back; but this battle was somewhat different.

Although everyone understood the life-and-death enmity between the two, the result is just like this, Tang Chen died at the hands of Wan Xiang Sect Yu Sheng.

Linglong Sect people one by one faces gloomy and ashen, feeling they couldn't save face, looking at Yu Changsheng with increasingly unfriendly eyes, hating so much their teeth itched, yet helpless.

"Yu Changsheng…… this is your full strength?"

Yang Chengxu's brows and eyes were lowered, depths of his eyes flashing a trace of wariness for the first time; that final strike's power, even he felt a threat to his life.

"However, you've exhausted your tricks; meet again, won't be this troublesome. Tang Chen, your grudge, I'll help you avenge."

Yang Chengxu shook his head, turned his thoughts; as for Tang Chen's death, he didn't take it to heart.

"Peak Master, this match, Wanxiang Sect, Yu Changsheng wins."

Swallowing two Recovery Pills again, after recovering a bit of strength, Yu Changsheng propped himself up from the ruins, suppressing his mental fatigue, expression calm, looked up at Mo Pengchen on the Judge Seat.

This moment, the originally overcast sky suddenly cleared, a ray of heavenly light pierced through the dense clouds, just happening to shine on Yu Changsheng; the silhouette on the ruins stretched long, as if returned from antiquity.

Everyone's minds in a trance, moods complex; quite a few female disciples even secretly pledged their hearts, eyes looking at Yu Changsheng full of brilliant colors.

"Good."

As if a century passed, actually only a few seconds; yet saw Mo Pengchen reveal a smile, nod at Yu Changsheng, utterly ignoring Mu Yongxian beside him with ashen face; a wave of his hand, a gentle force surged into Yu Changsheng's body, rapidly repairing his injuries.

Simultaneously a finger flicked, a bottle of pill shot toward Yu Changsheng.

"After recovering a bit remember to take it, don't affect the subsequent matches."

"Many thanks, Peak Master."

Mo Pengchen's voice carrying a smile rang out again; Yu Changsheng nodded, dragging his weary body cupped fists in a bow to Mo Pengchen, then suddenly coughed violently.

"Cough cough……"

Two mouthfuls of congested blood also sprayed from his chest, steps appearing faltering as he slowly walked off the platform.

Along the way, Wan Xiang Sect disciples automatically made way, eyes looking at Yu Changsheng filled with awe; Zhang Tianwen smiled, cupped fists at Yu Changsheng, nodded slightly.

"Winning is good, safety first."

Li Minghan hurried forward to support, rarely serious for once; supporting Yu Changsheng, his own chest was puffed out, eyes first shock, complex, finally only amusement.

"Beautifully done, this counts as thoroughly slapping those Linglong Sect grandsons' faces hard. You alright?"

Li Minghan hehe laughed, showing a concerned expression.

"Fine, support me back to my Cave Dwelling."

Yu Changsheng shook his head, sensing the dried-up power inside his body, his head also feeling stabbing pain, somewhat helpless.

"Good, I'll take you there."

Li Minghan agreed in one breath, supporting Yu Changsheng walking away.

Regarding Tang Chen's death, Yu Changsheng's heart stirred no waves; under that situation, even if he himself didn't deliver the final finishing blow, Tang Chen was already spent, death only a matter of time.

He himself took a Blood Burst Pill, how could side effects not be great; then used a forbidden technique, under such burden, momentum passed, what awaited Tang Chen was only death.

And these, Tang Chen knew clearly in his heart too, but he had no choice; for revenge he could only do so, pity is, still couldn't succeed.

"Also counts as thoroughly settled."

Exhaled a breath of turbid Qi, the stifled chest seemed to clear considerably along with this exhalation; Yu Changsheng suddenly felt somewhat lighter inside, even though his body was still very weary.

Along the way, Li Minghan didn't ask much, only some words of concern; soon Yu Changsheng's Cave Dwelling arrived, personally supported him in, confirmed no problems, then Li Minghan returned to Pingding Square; the collapsed arena had already been restored to original state.

Ground also tidied, a stretch of smoothness; only the air still carried some scorched air, bearing witness to this battle's extraordinariness.

Regardless, at least result-wise, for Wanxiang Sect side it was beautiful; therefore Yushou Peak disciples one by one all in high spirits, fighting spirit soaring.

Conversely Linglong Sect side, much more stifled.

Almost no one expected, under such circumstances, Tang Chen was actually still killed by Yu Changsheng. The meaning represented therein……

"All just clay chickens and tile dogs."

Watching this scene, Li Minghan shook his head smiling lightly. A thought suddenly flashed in his heart; and after this period of silence, Mo Pengchen and Mu Yongxian on the High Platform also spoke again.

"The previous match, due to personal grudges between contestants, not counted within the two sects' competition; therefore we two didn't intervene. The following matches count as the two sects' disciples' normal sparring."

"This matter, ends here, no need to discuss; subsequent matches, both sects strive harder, compete well, get along friendly, strictly forbidden to have life-threatening incidents; we two will both do proper guardianship, just in case."

"Next, rest one day, tomorrow competition continues!"

Words fell, a long while later, everyone only then woke as from a dream; no one said much, but this battle's bearing was all buried in hearts, impossible to wipe away.

Tang Chen's recklessness, Yu Changsheng's ferocity, both branded into minds.

"Looks like this competition has added some more interest and unknowns……"

Bright moon hung high, suddenly rippling open the thick clouds, moonlight like water, shimmering silver, like thin gauze, sprinkling over Yushou Peak.

Nighttime Wanxiang Sect, lanterns sparse, yet a stretch of silence; those busy cultivating everywhere; this night, many tossed and turned sleepless. Yu Changsheng's Cave Dwelling, candlelight flickering.

"Hah…… finally fully recovered, this Mo Peak Master, also counts as a straightforward person."

Yu Changsheng exhaled a breath, moving his muscles and bones, only feeling his whole body comfortable, unable to help but groan aloud.

Looking at the empty pill bottle in his hand, Yu Changsheng smiled lightly.

"One Huan Sheng Dan, and one Lingqiu Pill, not bad."

The effect of the Huan Sheng Dan is beyond doubt; although Yu Changsheng's injuries were not light, it was still completely more than enough, and even Yu Changsheng only used half a pill to have already restored his physical condition to its peak.

The remaining half was fed to his own Spirit Beast, likewise letting its injuries recover; as for that remaining Lingqiu Pill, it was also a third-grade Pill, although its value compared to the Huan Sheng Dan was inferior by quite a lot, it was likewise valuable.

And its effect was also very simple: it is to accelerate the speed at which Foundation Establishment Cultivators condense their Spirit Platform; this point is somewhat similar in effect to the Ningtai Pill, only the effect is not that astonishing.

"This counts as compensation for me, does it."

Yu Changsheng muttered, his heart understanding that Mo Pengchen was expressing apology towards him; because of various reasons, at that time he could not make a move, so he could only afterwards use this method to compensate him, expressing his attitude.

After all, Tang Chen, who was comparable to Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer, the combat power he erupted with at that time was enough to make everyone's heart tremble; among them the danger was extreme, at any moment there was the risk of falling.

And at Yushou Peak locally, with the Peak Master right in front, a disciple dying before your face... that was also no small impact for Mo Pengchen.

Fortunately, Yu Changsheng won; the ones with headaches are the Spirit Dragon Sect people.

"Never mind; the distance to Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer is also not far; after this battle, cultivation base has also advanced somewhat; if I encounter Tang Chen again, presumably I won't be in such a sorry state."

Sensing the Fourth Layer Spirit Platform condensed to nearly eighty percent inside his body, Yu Changsheng smiled faintly, thinking secretly in his heart.

The remaining twenty percent of the Spirit Platform, he estimated that even without borrowing external force, cultivating steadily, in about three months he could also completely condense it solid.

At that time, Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer, easily within grasp.

"If I can smoothly obtain First Place in this competition, then the competition's reward, the Ningtai Pill in hand, I can guarantee another promotion of one layer of realm..."

Yu Changsheng pondered, his gaze bright.

"Only a pity, I only have Seven-Layer Spirit Platform; calculating like this, Foundation Establishment seems to also be nearing its end; looking back, see if I can think of a way to strive to condense one more layer of Spirit Platform..."

"Forget it; those are all later matters; wait and see; Yang Chengxu is no simple opponent either..."

Shaking his head, throwing away these messy thoughts, Yu Changsheng's gaze recovered clarity and determination, continuing to cultivate.

One night passed calm and undisturbed.

………

Next day at noon, Pingding Square grew lively again; the competition continued.

Only compared to the previous two days, today's atmosphere had some slight subtle changes.

This day did not have Yu Changsheng's match, but holding the idea of observing and learning, early on, Yu Changsheng was still pulled over by Li Minghan.

Just entering the crowd, countless pairs of eyes looked towards Yu Changsheng; there were those with reverence, those with complex feelings; for these, Yu Changsheng did not care.

"How is the recovery? Any other major issues?"

Zhang Tianwen asked gently, face showing concern.

"No matter; with the Pills gifted by the Peak Master, it's already no problem; please convey my thanks to the Peak Master on my behalf."

Yu Changsheng laughed "hehe", speaking thus.

"That is what Master should do; no need for thanks; but it was hard on you."

Zhang Tianwen waved his hand, suddenly sighing imperceptibly, then shaking his head.

"Good that it's fine; today you didn't need to come, but coming to take a look is also good; just sit beside me."

"Good." Yu Changsheng nodded, not saying more; to a certain extent, it indeed was what Mo Pengchen should do.

Mo Pengchen simply said a few sentences as usual, and not long after the remaining matches began.

Overall, perhaps because of Yu Changsheng's reason, the Wanxiang Sect disciples on this side were universally more excited, their performance also better; as for the Linglong Sect disciples on that side, they were comparatively dejected.

Soon, after these seven matches of half a day, it was still Yushou Peak's side occupying the advantage, winning four losing three; counting Yu Changsheng's match yesterday, that equals saying in the first eight matches of the second round, Wanxiang Sect won five.

Among them, Linglong Sect won three matches, still including the situation with Yang Chengxu; however what made Yu Changsheng slightly regretful was that he did not make a move; the Wanxiang Sect disciple here voluntarily admitted defeat.

But no one blamed them; after all, facing this kind of opponent, admitting defeat is also normal.

Similarly, Zhang Tianwen's opponent here also voluntarily admitted defeat.

And this kind of situation also made Mu Yongxian, whose complexion was originally not too good-looking, have an even more gloomy complexion.

The following next day, continuing eight matches, what made Yu Changsheng feel surprised yet also within reason was that Li Minghan also successfully and smoothly advanced; his opponent's strength was even far inferior to his previous opponent.

Soon, after two days a total of sixteen matches finished, the Second Round Trial also concluded here.

Below the High Platform, Mo Pengchen pressed his arm down; the scene instantly quieted down; everyone quietly looked at him.

"After these days of matches, now announcing the list of those promoted to the next round."

"Among them, Wanxiang Sect disciples are respectively Yu Changsheng, Zhang Tianwen, Li Minghan, Chen Menghan, Gao Yiming... a total of eight people."

"Linglong Sect disciples, Yang Chengxu, Wang Junjie, Gu Yangguang, Liu Xinying... likewise a total of eight people."

After two rounds of matches, in the end no one knows how Mo Pengchen and Mu Yongxian negotiated; the final promotion list actually returned to an eight-versus-eight situation again.

"Tomorrow, the later matches will be held; at that time those promoted remember to arrive on time; those not promoted also need not be discouraged; strive harder."

After casually explaining a few matters, Mo Pengchen and Mu Yongxian departed; before leaving, they deliberately looked towards Yu Changsheng here, nodding slightly at him.

The competition having reached this point, it has basically entered a white-hot finale; the tense atmosphere also quietly rose; even Yu Changsheng felt a trace of pressure.

Only Li Minghan was instead carefree; hearing he also advanced, beaming with joy, putting his arm around Yu Changsheng's shoulder, calling him brother.

"Let's go, Senior Brother Zhang too, let's go to my Wan Beast Tower and eat a good meal. Haha."

But this happiness, at the next day's opening, vanished completely.

"Quarterfinal struggle for supremacy, first match, Wanxiang Sect Li Minghan, versus Linglong Sect Yang Chengxu!"

(Chapter End)