Chapter 1910: Impossible, I will not lose

That silhouette, like a kite with its string cut, flew straight at high speed toward the courtyard wall protected by a formation, and slammed hard into it.

However, unlike before, this time the courtyard wall did not collapse directly as imagined.

You should know, since Ye Zhangqing took up residence in this little courtyard, Ma Qiankun had long since replaced all the formations around it.

Those replaced were all formations of higher grade and stronger defensive capability, aimed at ensuring Ye Zhangqing's personal safety without fail.

At that moment, after that silhouette fell heavily to the ground, it proceeded to vomit several large mouthfuls of blood, looking in extremely poor condition.

Obviously, just that one strike left Wu Zhong severely injured; his originally steady breath instantly became feeble, like a candle in the wind, liable to go out at any moment.

Such an outcome was truly beyond Wu Zhong's expectations, to the point that he could not accept this fact at all.

Even the intense jealousy he harbored toward Huang Lao seemed to be snuffed out outright by Ye Zhangqing's slap.

In an instant, Wu Zhong felt his mind go blank, aside from that deep shock, with no other thoughts at all.

Recalling the scene just now, he had clearly struck out with a heart full of hatred, and absolutely had no intention of holding back.

Yet even under those circumstances, Ye Zhangqing could still swing a slap so casually and effortlessly defeat him completely.

From this one can clearly see just how vast the gap in strength between the two of them is.

With such a result, the victory was decided so quickly that not only Wu Zhong could not accept it, but Hei Lao's face was full of strangeness at this moment.

Even before the great battle began, he had made a guess based on his keen insight and years of experience: even if they were in the same realm, Wu Zhong would probably find it hard to match Ye Zhangqing.

However, when the fierce battle actually unfolded, the facts mercilessly confirmed his earlier guess, yet at the same time were not entirely as he had imagined.

As expected, Wu Zhong ultimately suffered defeat.

But shocking is that he could not even withstand a single move from the opponent, utterly powerless, being completely crushed.

At this moment, Hei Lao's gaze, filled with complex feelings, slowly turned toward Ye Zhangqing.

He seemed to understand some things at this moment, such as why Huang Lao would willingly agree to become Ye Zhangqing's Protector of the Way.

Without a doubt, the combat power displayed by this young Ye Zhangqing is terrifying to the extreme, having already entered the ranks of top-tier Yāoniè.

Apart from his currently slightly inferior cultivation, in all other aspects he already possesses the strength and resources to rival those famous figures.

Precisely for this reason, Cooking King Immortal City places such importance on Ye Zhangqing.

And Huang Lao becoming his Protector of the Way is truly the most suitable choice.

After all, for a youthful genius with heaven-defying talent but still shallow cultivation at this stage, if one wishes to ensure his safe growth, Huang Lao is undoubtedly the best choice.

If replaced by an ordinary Immortal Emperor Realm Protector of the Way, perhaps they truly might not have the ability to protect this youth of limitless potential.

Thinking of this, Hei Lao could not help but sigh inwardly.

"Yes, with such astonishing talent, plus his currently lowly cultivation, Huang Lao is indeed the only fitting choice for this Protector of the Way."

In contrast, Huang Lao at this moment had a calm, water-like face, showing no ripples; but when he directed his gaze toward Ye Zhangqing, his deep, abyss-like eyes held not only undisguised approval but also a fleeting hint of surprise barely perceptible.

This kid's performance this time truly far exceeded Huang Lao's expectations, even causing him to be unable to help but be astonished.

Originally his estimate of Ye Zhangqing's strength was already quite high, yet he never expected the abilities finally displayed to actually surpass that, truly making one look anew.

"No……impossible, how……how could this be, I absolutely will not lose, how could I possibly lose to such a nobody."

At this very moment, Wu Zhong was seen trembling all over as he slowly rose to his feet. Although he barely managed to support his swaying, on-the-verge-of-collapse body, anyone could tell he was now a spent force, with hardly any combat power left.

One could see blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, strands of it flowing down his chin, a shocking sight; and his internal breath was in utter chaos to the extreme, as if it might dissipate at any moment.

Under such severe injuries, where would he still have the strength to continue contending with Ye Zhangqing?

But Wu Zhong obviously was not willing to simply admit defeat so easily; he gritted his teeth, widened his eyes, glared viciously at Ye Zhangqing, and muttered to himself.

"I haven't lost yet; I am the strongest; that Ye-surnamed guy is not even worthy to be mentioned alongside me."

Having said that, he then charged at Ye Zhangqing again like a madman.

However, at this critical juncture, Hei Lao, who had been coldly observing from the sidelines, finally made a move.

One saw his body flicker, and in an instant he appeared before Wu Zhong; with a sweep of his wide sleeve, a powerful force surged forth, forcibly intercepting Wu Zhong. "Enough, stop embarrassing yourself."

Hei Lao let out an angry shout, his voice like a great bell, causing pain in Wu Zhong's eardrums, attempting in this way to make that fool sober up a bit.

Seeing Wu Zhong's lost, near-delirious appearance, Hei Lao's face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot, and he let out a cold snort.

At this point the situation was crystal clear; the outcome was as obvious as Sima Zhao's intent—known to everyone on the road.

In such circumstances, even if Wu Zhong recklessly rushed forward, what use could he possibly have?

Nothing more than throwing away his life for nothing; could he really be delusional enough to think he could overturn the heavens by his own strength?

Yet, facing Hei Lao's desperate obstruction, Wu Zhong showed no intention to retreat; on the contrary, he became even more determined to charge forward.

Seeing this scene, the anger in Hei Lao's heart flared up like a volcanic eruption, burning ever hotter.

In the end, he even disregarded the presence of Ye Zhangqing and the other two, launching directly into a tirade.

"Wu Zhong, Wu Zhong, how long will you keep going crazy? Don't tell me you still haven't seen the reality before you even now? Could it be you truly wish to bury your own little life here as well?"

You should know, Ye Zhangqing is not the type to be soft-hearted; or rather, someone with the bearing of a Yāoniè who has made it this far—how many would be kind-hearted? If such a person existed, they'd likely have been devoured down to the bones already.

Moreover, even without Hei Lao guarding him, just based on Cooking King Immortal City's high regard and favor for him, even if Ye Zhangqing truly struck a killing blow and took Wu Zhong's life, he would likely receive at most a trivial symbolic punishment.

After all, by that time Wu Zhong would already be a cold corpse; who would bother to offend a limitless‑potential top‑tier Yāoniè over such a worthless dead man?