Chapter 284: The Bottom‑Drawer Move

Zhang Ziqiang saw his master's solemn expression, fell silent for a moment, and said, "Master, I saved that move for Wu Tianlei; using it early wouldn't be right..."

"Kid, is your brain not working? If you lose to Lu Jing you'll be eliminated outright; how could you still have a chance to face Wu Tianlei?!"

The middle‑aged man said irritably, "It's hard to say whether Lu Jing or Wu Tianlei is superior; have you even watched their fight?"

Zhang Ziqiang nodded, "Lu Jing only threw a single, ordinary kick in the first round; the opponents in the next two rounds all surrendered. By contrast, Wu Tianlei is scarier—everyone who faced him was left half‑dead, none got up."

"Just one kick? Nothing impressive. The technique you just grasped isn't afraid of his Thunder innate talent; find a chance to use it and end the fight quickly."

The middle‑aged man seemed very confident in his disciple's move.

"Don't worry, Master, I know how to deal with him; if he still underestimates his opponent, he'll lose badly!"

Zhang Ziqiang lowered his head to wipe his Tang sword, a strange green glint flashing in his eyes.

"The fourth round of the tournament begins; everyone, quickly gather by the arena and prepare to fight!"

In the lounge, the loudspeaker suddenly blared.

Lu Jing stood up and glanced over the crowd from Mufu Martial University.

After three rounds, only Zhugeqing and Xu Kuang remained uneliminated.

The others had poor luck; they ran into members of the martial hall and were kicked out early.

Lu Jing arrived at Ring Seven, and coincidentally he was the first to step onto it.

"Mufu Martial University's Lu Jing versus Demon Elephant Martial Hall's Zhang Ziqiang!"

After hearing Lu Jing's name, the idle spectators from Mufu Martial University began cheering him on.

"Go Lu Jing!"

"Take him down, take him down!"

Only NieZhenghao's gaze narrowed slightly as he looked at the youth brandishing a Tang sword on the arena.

He had heard of the martial hall disciple named Zhang Ziqiang; he graduated from Mufu Martial University, so technically he is Lu Jing's senior.

"I didn't expect this guy, after graduating, to join the Demon Elephant Martial Hall; with his talent his current strength is not to be underestimated."

Soon, the two stood their positions on the stage.

The referee stepped onto the stage, "The tournament officially begins!"

Lu Jing and Zhang Ziqiang did not move, staring at each other from a distance.

"Lu Jing, I graduated from Mufu Martial University; calling you junior isn't too much, right?"

Zhang Ziqiang drew the Tang sword at his waist and said with a smile.

Lu Jing glanced at the opponent's ornate Tang sword and replied with a smile, "Of course, you may go first."

Since the opponent was his senior, Lu Jing decided to be careful when he eventually acted and to give the opponent a move.

However, Zhang Ziqiang heard it differently; he glanced at the Thousand‑Blade Demon Sword still sheathed at Lu Jing's waist, frowned, and said:

"Junior, what does that mean? You have a sword you don't use and you let me go first—are you looking down on me?"

"No, I just think there's no need to draw the sword."

Lu Jing didn't expect his goodwill to be misunderstood.

As for not using the Thousand‑Blade Demon Sword, it truly was out of consideration for the opponent.

A foe that can be knocked away with a single punch, if struck with the Thousand‑Blade Demon Sword, might have half a body sent flying.

The sharpness of the Thousand‑Blade Demon Sword is no joke; even a slight slash can easily cut through the skin of a master or strongman laced with charged Qi.

When the arena is stained with blood, what will happen to the kids watching on TV who get scared?

"No need? Junior, you're so reckless; you remind me of my younger self."

Zhang Ziqiang narrowed his eyes, fell silent, held his Tang sword across his chest, and assumed a striking stance.

Clang—

Zhang Ziqiang's figure vanished in an instant, leapt over several meters, and reappeared two meters in front of Lu Jing.

His Tang sword swung horizontally, an intense glowing green charged Qi enveloped the blade, extending a long protrusion from the tip.

"Perhaps we don't even need to use innate abilities to defeat him!"

Zhang Ziqiang thought to himself, "The fierce blade Qi streams through the sword, charging straight at Lu Jing's face!"

The slash landed, Lu Jing's expression remained unchanged, stray hair on his forehead fluttered in the gust.

The spectators near Ring Seven felt the terrifying blade Qi and involuntarily stepped back.

Zhang Ziqiang's strength was evident; this slash displayed it to the fullest.

"So strong! Who is this person? I've never heard of him."

Amid the crowd's exclamations, Lu Jing moved.

Since he promised to give his senior a move, he must keep his word.

Lu Jing's expression stayed calm, his body shifted slightly, and a pair of Thunder battle boots materialized at his feet, speed reaching its peak.

Boom—

A wave of Qi surged as Zhang Ziqiang slammed a heavy downward slash into the ground, scattering a spray of stones.

"This Lu Jing truly is extraordinary; relying on his second innate talent, Thunder, his speed is literally beyond the eye's capture," the director of the Demon Elephant Martial Hall said with narrowed eyes from the viewing stand, "but this ability is precisely countered by a strong one…"

Zhang Ziqiang has a Wood‑type innate talent that enhances physique and Blood Qi recovery, making him adept at prolonged battles.

He recently comprehended a technique called Vines Entangle, which can unexpectedly trap an opponent.

At this level of combat, controlling the enemy for even one second is enough to turn the tide.

Originally Zhang Ziqiang intended to save this move for Wu Tianlei, but now he should use it early on Lu Jing.

If ensnared by Wood‑type vines, even Lu Jing's powerful Thunder talent would be of no help…

"The speed is indeed fast!"

Zhang Ziqiang was a bit stunned, then quickly leapt backward, creating distance from Lu Jing.

"Alright, one move is done; I'm going to strike now."

Lu Jing's voice turned cold; the opponent's attitude irritated him a bit.

He raised his right fist, his expression calm, and with a flash he moved in front of Zhang Ziqiang, hurling an invisible fist wrapped in Fist Intent at him.

Boom—

The punch struck Zhang Ziqiang's chest, instantly sending him flying.

The Tang sword in Zhang Ziqiang's hand fell, his chest caved in, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

If it had been anyone else, this blow would have left them unable to fight, but Zhang Ziqiang, a wood‑type Talent Endowed, stood up as if nothing had happened.

As Blood Qi surged within his body, the sunken spot on his chest slowly bulged back out, returning to normal.

"A casual punch has this kind of power—so strong..."

Zhang Ziqiang wiped the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression solemn.

He was looking for a chance, a chance to unleash that move!

The next moment, Lu Jing moved, his fist launching again.

A flash of green light flickered in Zhang Ziqiang's eyes—this is the moment!

Zhang Ziqiang raised his hand, and in an instant, a blue‑green energy gathered in his palm.