Chapter 51: Strong Enemy

"One move? Senior Brother Cang defeated Chen Dahu with just one move?"

"This... this is too fast, isn't it? Isn't Senior Brother Cang only at Warrior Stage 3?"

"Fool, Warrior Stage 3 was over twenty days ago; he is definitely beyond that now. I estimate at least Stage 7, perhaps even Stage 8..."

"Warrior Stage 7?! Are you not joking? How did Senior Brother Cang's cultivation improve so quickly?"

The disciples from Dormitories Xin One-Seven-Five, One-Seven-Six, and One-Seven-Seven stared at Facing Facing Cang Luo in shock, guessing his current cultivation level and why he had progressed so rapidly.

In the crowd, Zhao Renwu looked at Facing Facing Cang Luo with a hint of unwillingness, but it was very subtle and quickly suppressed by him.

He approached three overseers with several disciples and asked in confusion, "Overseer Liang, what is Senior Brother Cang's current cultivation? Was what happened just now a coincidence?"

Before this, he, Zhao Renwu, had been the disciple with the highest cultivation among the three dormitories, the only one at Warrior Stage 6.

He called others 'Junior Brother So-and-So', but just now, he had to address Facing Facing Cang Luo as 'Senior Brother Cang'.

Because Facing Facing Cang Luo defeated Chen Dahu, while he himself was defeated by Chen Dahu, this showed that his strength was inferior to Facing Facing Cang Luo's.

In the Yuanwu Continent where martial arts are supreme, regardless of which sect, seniority is not determined by who entered first, but by strength determining status and the power of speech.

This address of 'Senior Brother Cang' felt particularly awkward to him, even somewhat unpleasant...

Overseer Liang was very happy at this moment; he smiled and said, "It was not a coincidence, but the comprehensive result of keen eyesight, control over power, and confidence in one's own strength."

"Only thus could one remain calm in the face of Chen Dahu's attack and counterattack with the force of four ounces moving a thousand pounds."

Speaking, he added, "As for Facing Facing Cang Luo's cultivation... hehe, he is now at Warrior Stage 7!"

Upon hearing Overseer Liang state Facing Facing Cang Luo's cultivation, the disciples' eyes nearly popped out; their previous guesses had come true, and they had severely underestimated him.

Before the duel, everyone had jokingly guessed that if Facing Facing Cang Luo's cultivation could reach Warrior Stage 5, there would still be a sliver of hope to defeat Chen Dahu.

But now, Facing Facing Cang Luo was actually at Warrior Stage 7, knocking down Chen Dahu with a single move; this was truly far beyond everyone's expectations.

At this moment, the crowd looking at Facing Facing Cang Luo all formed a question in their hearts: How did Senior Brother Cang cultivate from Warrior Stage 3 to Stage 7 in just over twenty days?

Overseer Liang also had this question, but he quickly figured it out.

He believed that a twenty-two-year-old at Warrior Stage 3 must have extremely abundant Yuan force in his Lower Dantian; now it could be said that the accumulated force was being released, rapidly condensing the Yuan force accumulated in the Lower Dantian into a Yuan Wheel...

While the crowd discussed Facing Facing Cang Luo's cultivation, Chen Dahu clumsily got up from the ground; he had also heard what Overseer Liang just said.

Is this trash now at Warrior Stage 7?

Impossible!

Chen Dahu did not believe it; he roared, then activated the Leopard Shadow Leg and Tiger-Suppressing Fist to charge at Facing Facing Cang Luo again.

This attack was made with the determination to kill Facing Facing Cang Luo; as for the punishment after killing him, he could not care less.

Seeing this, Facing Facing Cang Luo sneered, remained still in place, and activated the Dynamic Capture ability to see Chen Dahu's movements clearly.

Only when Chen Dahu got close did he shift his body slightly; after easily dodging the attack, Facing Facing Cang Luo slapped Chen Dahu's back, sending him flying, but he was caught by Overseer Zhang, which also signified the opponent's surrender.

After Chen Dahu landed, he still wanted to attack; Overseer Zhang frowned and knocked him unconscious.

After throwing Chen Dahu to other disciples, Overseer Zhang raised an eyebrow and said, "Senior Brother Liang, we count this match as our loss, but you actually sent a disciple at Warrior Stage 7; isn't this bullying the small with the big?"

Overseer Liang chuckled but said, "Isn't the rule of this duel to fight until one side surrenders? You may continue to send people to challenge."

The rules for this duel were set after discussion by both sides; since Overseer Zhang's side had higher strength, possessing a disciple at Warrior Stage 7.

While the disciples on the side of Overseers Liang, Wang, and Liu had a maximum cultivation of only Warrior Stage 6, and there was only one such disciple.

But they had more people; excluding those out training who had not arrived, there were twenty-four in total; if counting Facing Facing Cang Luo who appeared later, that made twenty-five.

So both sides set this seemingly fair rule: all disciples from both sides could enter the field, considered a relay battle, fighting until one side could no longer fight or surrendered.

Overseer Zhang said no more; he looked at a disciple behind him with a sharp gaze and shouted, "Zhang Tao, you fight."

Zhang Tao, with a robust physique, nodded slightly, walked to the center of the field, and locked eyes with Facing Facing Cang Luo; he was the only disciple at Warrior Stage 7 in Dormitory Geng Four-Five led by Overseer Zhang.

Originally, he did not need to fight in this duel; unexpectedly, a third party appeared out of nowhere, and the opponent actually had a disciple at Warrior Stage 7, so now he had to fight.

Zhang Tao crossed his arms, his expression cold, his robust body seeming to be rooted in the ground, heavy as Mount Tai.

Although his stature was not as tall as Chen Dahu's, his muscles were more solid than the other's.

Disciples at the Wu Shi cultivation level mainly refine the body, absorbing Yuan force to temper the body from inside out, strengthening muscles and strengthening bones.

Do not think that because he is only one cultivation level higher than Chen Dahu, his Yuan force reserves are not the point; speaking purely of strength, it is double that of Chen Dahu; the two men's strength cannot be compared on the same day.

Zhang Tao bowed to Facing Facing Cang Luo and said, "Zhang Tao, Warrior Stage 7, Tongzhou, Liuyun Commandery."

Facing Facing Cang Luo raised an eyebrow and bowed in return, saying, "Facing Facing Cang Luo, Warrior Stage 7, Tongzhou, Earth Village!"

After both sides exchanged greetings, Overseer Liang looked at Facing Facing Cang Luo, saw he still wore an expression of confidence, so he breathed a sigh of relief and shouted, "Both sides fight to a standstill; under no circumstances harm life... Begin!"

After Overseer Liang announced the start of the duel, Zhang Tao and Facing Facing Cang Luo did not attack immediately but scrutinized each other; since both sides had the same cultivation, they could not attack rashly.

The disciples of both sides watching the fight also looked at the two, discussing who would win and who would lose.

On Overseer Liang's side, Liu Xuande whispered, "Senior Brother Cang, do you think Senior Brother Cang can win this time?"

Cang Feng shook his head without speaking, but Li Zhanxing shouted loudly, "It is definitely Senior Brother Cang who will win; is there any need to ask? No matter how strong Zhang Tao is, can he defeat Chen Dahu with one move? Senior Brother Cang can!"

Several disciples nodded in agreement; they also thought Facing Facing Cang Luo could win, but there were also different voices.

Beside Zhao Renwu was a disciple who looked seven-tenths like him, named Zhao Renli, his clan junior brother.

Zhao Renli glanced at Facing Facing Cang Luo, then pouted and said, "This is not certain; although the two have the same cultivation, it does not mean their strength is the same. Do you know what technique Zhang Tao cultivates?"

"What technique?" the disciples asked curiously.

Zhao Renli said with a hint of schadenfreude, "Yellow Grade Upper-Class Mental Art Xuan Lie Sutra, Yellow Grade Upper-Class Martial Skill Breaking Void Force, and Yellow Grade Mid-Class Body Technique Star-Suppressing Step."

"Yellow Grade Upper-Class technique?!"

The disciples exclaimed; someone asked strangely, "Where did he get a Yellow Grade Upper-Class technique? Bought it? It couldn't be exchanged for sect contribution points, could it?"

Zhao Renli secretly pointed at Overseer Zhang on the opposite side and whispered, "Zhang Tao is Overseer Zhang's nephew; do you understand now?"

"So that's how it is..."

After hearing this, everyone looked at Zhang Tao with great envy; they, these martial artists from commoner backgrounds, besides receiving a free set of Yellow Grade Lower-Class techniques when they first became outer disciples, had absolutely no other channels to obtain techniques.

Buy? No money!

The harvest from the first month was barely enough for the monthly task items to be turned in.

Exchange for Sect Contribution Points? No chance!

With their strength, the tasks they could accept were all the lowest grade; even after a year of accumulation, they might not be able to exchange for a single Yellow Grade Mid-Tier Method.

So, barring any accidents, a Yellow Grade Low-Tier Method would accompany them until they reached the Warrior Stage 9 cultivation, and only upon breaking through to the Martial General cultivation could they receive a set of Methods for free again.

But it would only be a Yellow Grade Mid-Tier Method; as for a Yellow Grade High-Tier Method, one needed Martial Master cultivation to receive it for free.

After a wave of envy, someone couldn't help but say, "Then, then isn't Senior Brother Facing Facing Cang Luo destined to lose?"

Zhao Renli smiled without speaking, exchanged a glance with his clan elder Zhao Renwu, and then looked at the two people fighting in the arena.

In the arena, Facing Facing Cang Luo also heard the conversation of Zhao Renli and the others; he found it a bit strange, feeling that Zhao Renli and the rest seemed to be hoping he would lose.

Heh! Is a Yellow Grade High-Tier Method that impressive?

Should I tell you that I cultivate the Earth Grade High-Tier Heart Method 'Meiti Shengong'?

Although currently only two layers can be cultivated, it is still hundreds of times stronger than any Yellow Grade Method!

Chen Dalong, who was at Warrior Stage 8 cultivation, died at my hands; the opponent is only at Warrior Stage 7, so would I lose?

Since someone hopes I will lose, I will activate Meiti Shengong and go all out, winning decisively and killing the opponent in one strike!

It's just... it's just that I have no grudge against the opponent; isn't it bad to easily kill him in one strike?

Others also have face; what if we become enemies because of this?

Facing Facing Cang Luo wanted to show off his power once and act cool, but hesitated again, worried about making an enemy of the opponent.

After thinking it over, Facing Facing Cang Luo finally decided a narrow victory would suffice; winning with more difficulty would give the opponent some face, and perhaps they could even become friends, as the saying goes, 'no fight, no acquaintance.'

Just as Facing Facing Cang Luo was thinking this way and that, pondering how to make the opponent lose with some dignity.

Zhang Tao suddenly took a long stride, sank his feet as if they weighed a thousand jin, and strode majestically toward Facing Facing Cang Luo.

Although Zhang Tao's speed was not fast, Facing Facing Cang Luo felt the opponent seemed to possess an unstoppable momentum, like a war chariot.

Meet a city, destroy the city; meet a mountain, push the mountain!

Facing Facing Cang Luo had to become serious and regard the opponent a bit higher; although the opponent's speed was not fast and Facing Facing Cang Luo possessed Dynamic Capture ability to easily dodge, dodging would put him at a disadvantage.

Therefore, Facing Facing Cang Luo decided not to dodge or evade, to clash directly with the opponent; after making the decision, Facing Facing Cang Luo secretly circulated the Thunder-Running Palm to prepare for the counterattack.

A few seconds later, Zhang Tao, taking heavy steps that left an imprint with every step, arrived before Facing Facing Cang Luo; seeing that Facing Facing Cang Luo actually did not dodge or evade, he frowned slightly, but did not think much of it.

Gazing at Facing Facing Cang Luo, Zhang Tao slowly raised his right arm, formed a fist, let out a low shout of 'Sky-Breaking Force', and at the same time, struck out with his right fist, aiming directly at Facing Facing Cang Luo's chest.

This punch, seemingly powerless and seemingly ordinary, made Facing Facing Cang Luo feel as if he faced a great enemy; before the opponent's fist even arrived, he felt a forceful wind rushing toward his face.

Facing Facing Cang Luo knew that Zhang Tao's punch was no trivial matter and allowed no hesitation; the prepared Thunder-Running Palm was instantly struck out.

"Boom!"

Fist met palm, a dull sound rang out; Zhang Tao maintained his punching posture, steady as Mount Tai, while Facing Facing Cang Luo trembled in his right arm and retreated several steps.

After stabilizing his stance, Facing Facing Cang Luo was slightly startled; he discovered that Zhang Tao's punch, 'Sky-Breaking Force', was somewhat different from the martial techniques of the Chen Dalong brothers.

This difference did not mean Zhang Tao's Sky-Breaking Force was more powerful than their Dragon-Subduing Palm or Tiger-Subduing Fist; in terms of power, Zhang Tao was far inferior to Chen Dalong.

Yesterday in the Beast Mountain Forest, when fighting Chen Dalong, Facing Facing Cang Luo clashed his Thunder-Running Palm against Chen Dalong's Dragon-Subduing Palm, and the result was that he was blasted away more than ten meters.

And just now, he only retreated a few steps; who was stronger, Zhang Tao or Chen Dalong, was clear at a glance.

However, Facing Facing Cang Luo discovered that after clashing with Zhang Tao's Sky-Breaking Force, the opponent had a 'forceful energy' that entered his right arm, destroying the muscles of his right arm.

Is this the Yellow Grade High-Tier Martial Technique Sky-Breaking Force? Sky-Breaking... Force!

Facing Facing Cang Luo knew he had encountered a strong enemy; if he did not activate Meiti Shengong, winning would be somewhat difficult.

However, this was exactly the result Facing Facing Cang Luo wanted, so as to avoid people seeing that he had not fought with full strength.