Chapter 523: with translation of chapter title

Just as everyone thought Jiang Cheng would use a psychic weapon, he instead grabbed a knife and charged forward.

"He! What is he doing?!"

Many people were stunned, mouths agape, letting out cries of surprise.

Isn't he a Spiritual Thought Master? Why isn't he using a psychic weapon?

"This?"

Xie Jianfeng and a few others in the crowd also froze.

"What is Teacher Jiang doing? With his proficiency in psychic weapons, he could relatively easily end the fight!"

Di Yun and Jiang Ping also didn't understand.

They had heard Xie Jianfeng say that Jiang Cheng's close-combat ability wasn't weak either, but since he could finish the fight with a psychic weapon, there was absolutely no need for close combat, right?

Even if it really came to that, one should wait until spiritual power is exhausted before engaging in close combat; it wouldn't be too late then.

Charging in like this right at the start—isn't that exactly what the opponent wants? If he loses, it would be disastrous.

"Little Brother Jiang is still young."

Yu Yang, on the other hand, noticed something.

He guessed that Jiang Cheng also knew that using a psychic weapon would leave no suspense in this match, so he voluntarily gave it up.

That way, losing wouldn't matter, after all this is only the first match; there are two more, and as long as he wins those two, it's fine.

If he wins, even better—he would not only take the match point but also earn the opponent's respect.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

In just a moment, the two on the screen were already locked in combat, weapons clashing and sparks flying.

"Teacher Jiang, what are you doing?"

Zou Ping didn't look happy at all; his tone carried some anger: "Do you think using a psychic weapon will let you easily defeat me?"

"Master Zou, you've misunderstood."

Jiang Cheng shook his head: "I still prefer close combat; if I face an opponent who uses long-range attacks, I will prioritize using a psychic weapon, but otherwise I'm accustomed to fighting with a knife."

"Really?"

Hearing Jiang Cheng say that, Zou Ping's anger instantly dissipated.

Although Jiang Cheng's action greatly benefited him, if it was out of pity, he would rather not have it.

After all, in the real world Jiang Cheng is merely a Level One Grandmaster, whereas he is a Level Five Force Master; if this got out, what would others think?

"Alright, Teacher Jiang, let's have a good fight."

"Good."

Jiang Cheng smiled slightly, his knife technique becoming a bit faster.

"!"

A flash of surprise appeared in Zou Ping's eyes.

Just moments ago, he had planned to let Jiang Cheng land a few blows, after all the latter wasn't using a psychic weapon, which was indeed to his advantage.

As it turned out, the opponent's knife work—if he didn't go all out—seemed to genuinely risk defeat.

Thinking this, he no longer held back.

Hearing their exchange, the venue fell silent.

Not far away, Xu Juan's face showed a hint of approval.

Actually, if Jiang Cheng fought with a psychic weapon, no one would complain; although strictly speaking, at the Force Warrior stage doing so is somewhat unfair, there's nothing to be done about it.

Just as there is nothing absolutely fair in this world.

But Jiang Cheng discarded that advantage; this courage is not something others can match.

"This kid, he's really arrogant."

Seeing this, Sun Tong felt uncomfortable.

As a Spiritual Thought Master, what's wrong with using a psychic weapon in battle? Others in reality, even if their spiritual power isn't strong, have also reached the Grandmaster threshold; if they think it's unfair for others to use psychic weapons in this Grand Competition, they could also use them, and no one would stop them.

As a result, this kid insisted on doing something unconventional.

Hmph.

If he loses this match, let's see whether he will go back on his word and fight with a psychic weapon!

If he does, that would truly be laughable.

"Teacher Jiang, you're really an interesting person."

In the lounge, Yao Jun laughed and spoke.

"Indeed, if he displayed the level he showed in his previous fight with Sun Tong, winning would still be relatively easy, yet he deliberately chose the difficult way," a male teacher laughed.

"I think he must be confident in his knife skills," Lin Ziwei's voice sounded.

Hearing that, everyone looked at the screen.

On the screen, the two combatants had already entered a fevered pitch; for a moment, blades and swords flashed, dazzling the eyes.

After two or three seconds, a somewhat incredulous voice sounded: "Teacher Jiang, it seems he has gained the upper hand?"

"Looks like it, indeed."

"Yes, yes."

One after another, several voices sounded.

At this point, anyone with clear eyes could see that Jiang Cheng forced Zou Ping to keep retreating; the former's attacks grew ever fiercer, while the latter merely defended, occasionally launching attacks to regain initiative, but was dodged by the former's footwork, leaving himself increasingly passive.

Precisely for this reason, they couldn't believe their eyes, couldn't believe that Jiang Cheng's close-combat strength was actually this strong!

"Teacher Jiang, he's a formidable opponent, isn't he?" Yao Jun wiped the smile from his face.

Only now did he finally see Jiang Cheng's full strength—no, I should say his close-combat strength; even if he himself went up, he wouldn't have a sure chance of victory.

Yeah, I thought Teacher Jiang Cheng could make it into the Top Ten before, but now it looks like at least he can get into the top five.

Impressive, it seems we'll have to be extra careful when we encounter Jiang Cheng from now on.

Several voices sounded.

Upon hearing that, everyone on the field grew even more solemn.

Yeah, at least Sun Tong is a Grandmaster adept at using electric weapons, not skilled in close combat, and precisely because of that, Jiang Cheng's combat strength hasn't been fully exposed.

But the person he's facing now is Zou Ping, who excels in close combat; even most of them would likely be eliminated upon encountering him, yet as it turns out, Zou Ping is being overwhelmed by Jiang Cheng in his own strongest area—just how strong is Jiang Cheng's close-combat ability? Do we even need to say?

This scene naturally fell into the eyes of everyone present, leaving them wide-eyed and unable to believe what they saw.

So impressive...

Di Yun murmured.

Earlier, Xie Jianfeng said Jiang Cheng's close combat was formidable; he had been a bit doubtful, but now he believes it, not just believes—he's convinced.

Truly, really impressive.

Hearing his voice, Jiang Ping came to her senses and whispered, 'I was just worried he wasn't a match, but now it seems I was overthinking it. You say, could Jiang Cheng really end up taking first place?'

Who knows?

Yu Yang swallowed a mouthful of saliva; right now it's only the first round, with several rounds left before the final—drawing conclusions now would be premature.

(End of chapter)