Chapter 323 - 306: Beaten into a Cripple

One strike! A single strike sent a Martial Arts Ninth-Layer expert flying. What incredible power!

Even the referees were greatly surprised, and when the young experts from the Six Eastern Countries saw Fu Songshi’s miserable state, a chill ran down their spines.

The eyes of the four powerhouses of the Younger Generation—Chu Yuxiang, Yann Wutian, Ou Qingxin, and Du Hong—flashed with astonishment and an intense, irrepressible will to fight! Zhaang Ye’s dominant performance had far exceeded their expectations. Now, all four were itching to get on stage and battle him.

After their initial shock, the spectators outside the ring began to buzz with discussion. The fact that he’d sent a Martial Arts Ninth-Layer Expert flying in a single blow instantly made Zhaang Ye the center of attention. In their eyes, he had become one of the strongest of the Younger Generation, his name now mentioned alongside the likes of Chu Yuxiang, Yann Wutian, Ou Qingxin, Du Hong, and Fu Songcheng.

"Brother!"

As the crowd murmured, Fu Songcheng cried out and shot toward Fu Songshi like a wisp of moonlight. Fu Songshi was his younger brother and their father’s favorite. ’If anything happens to him in this fight, I’m sure to be punished when I return.’

Before Fu Songcheng could reach him, a faint shadow suddenly flashed past and caught Fu Songshi. Fu Songcheng breathed a sigh of relief when he saw who it was. The one who had acted so swiftly was none other than the Ninth Elder of the Moon Country True Hall.

The Ninth Elder of the Moon Country True Hall was one of the referees for this warm-up tournament. He had seen from the stage that Fu Songshi was no match for Zhaang Ye, but he had never imagined Zhaang Ye would send him flying with a single slash. It happened so fast he couldn’t even intervene.

The Ninth Elder’s face darkened as he examined Fu Songshi’s injuries. Zhaang Ye’s devastating slash had shattered the bones in Fu Songshi’s arms and completely severed his meridians. Violent Ancient Blade Qi had surged into his body, breaking dozens of other bones, while the residual energy ravaged his meridians and Dantian. With injuries this severe, even with the countless Spirit Elixirs in the Moon True Hall, it would take a miracle for him to make a full recovery.

In other words, Fu Songshi was likely crippled for life, his Cultivation so damaged he would probably never recover to the Martial Arts Ninth Layer. The Ninth Elder’s heart sank at this realization. ’I’ll face severe punishment for this when I return to the Moon Country.’

"Brat! How dare you cripple a disciple of my Moon Country True Hall!" The Ninth Elder’s gaze fell on Zhaang Ye as he spoke through gritted teeth. "Believe it or not, I can kill you with a single palm strike!"

The Ninth Elder’s Cultivation was at the Peak of Martial Arts Ninth Layer, just one step shy of the Half-step True Dao realm. In his fury, a killing intent swept from him like a great river. The area for hundreds of feet around him plunged into a winter-like chill, filled with a bleak, murderous aura. Some of those with weaker Cultivation were overwhelmed by the pressure; their inner energies fell into disarray, and they fainted on the spot.

"That’s enough! Injuries are unavoidable in a fight. Stop trying to intimidate a junior, Elder Fu!" The speaker was the Eighth Elder of the Wei Kingdom True Hall. His Cultivation was also at the Peak of Martial Arts Ninth Layer, and seeing the Ninth Elder unleash his killing intent, he immediately spoke up in Zhaang Ye’s defense.

Though the Ninth Elder’s killing intent was formidable, Zhaang Ye remained fearless. He leaped calmly from the stage and said nonchalantly, "Injuries are to be expected in a fight. Fu Songshi’s combat prowess was simply lacking. He couldn’t even withstand a single slash from me. Who is there to blame for that?"

"Good... Good..." A murderous glint flashed in the Ninth Elder’s eyes. Without another word, he took out a bottle of healing Elixir and fed it to Fu Songshi. At the same time, he channeled his own True Qi to help suppress the residual Ancient Blade Qi in the young man’s body.

After receiving the Ninth Elder’s treatment, Fu Songshi finally regained consciousness. His eyes were filled with pure hatred. "Ninth Elder, I’m crippled! I’m crippled! You must avenge me! You have to avenge me!"

Fu Songcheng arrived at his side. After checking his brother’s injuries, a thick killing intent emanated from him. He said in a low, grim voice, "Don’t you worry. Tomorrow are the open challenges. I will call Zhaang Ye out by name and cripple him with my own two hands."

Zhaang Ye was formidable, but Fu Songcheng had plenty of trump cards of his own. He was fully confident, planning to brutally cripple Zhaang Ye on the stage.

The Ninth Elder nodded slightly, a barely perceptible killing intent flashing in his eyes. ’Zhaang Ye is so young, yet he already has the Cultivation of a Martial Arts Ninth-Layer Expert and has even comprehended Ancient Sword Intent. His combat prowess is extraordinary.’ He had long wanted to eliminate such a talented young expert, but even as a True Hall Elder, he couldn’t attack a junior in public. ’I have a plan now,’ the Ninth Elder thought. ’I’ll just wait for this warm-up tournament to end, then I’ll find my chance to make a move.’

Back on the stage, after announcing Zhaang Ye’s victory, the referee slowly said, "The next match: Chu Yuxiang of the Great Rong Country True Hall versus Yann Lengmu of the Great Prosperity True Hall. Will the combatants please enter the ring."

BOOM!

The crowd went wild. Eyes alight with excitement, everyone fixed their fervent gazes on the stage, waiting for the battle to begin.

There was only one reason this battle received so much attention: Chu Yuxiang was taking the stage!

Chu Yuxiang had reached the Martial Arts Ninth Layer at the young age of thirty-five. Now, merely a decade later at forty-five, his Cultivation had already reached the Late-stage Martial Arts Ninth Layer. This astonishing rate of progress made him the undisputed number one expert of the Younger Generation in the Six Eastern Countries.

Since his debut, Chu Yuxiang had defeated an untold number of young experts. Even many masters from the older generation had fallen to the arrows of his longbow. It could be said that he had fought for every ounce of his reputation; he was the type of person who grew stronger with every battle.

As everyone watched, a young man with short hair and a longbow slung across his back suddenly appeared on the stage. His hair stood on end, each strand like a short, unyielding arrow. His frame was lean and lanky, yet he carried an austere, domineering presence, looking for all the world like a long, incomparably sharp arrow himself!

"CHU YUXIANG! CHU YUXIANG!! CHU YUXIANG!!!" The moment the short-haired young man set foot on the stage, the crowd began to chant his name in unison, their voices rising in wave after thunderous wave. The frenzied atmosphere stunned the other young experts from the Six Eastern Countries; none of them had imagined Chu Yuxiang was this popular.

"This Chu Yuxiang... his Cultivation is formidable, and his popularity is just as incredible," Wei Jingtian said with a wry smile. "His opponent is probably already affected by this atmosphere before the fight has even begun. Someone without a strong will might not be able to display even eighty percent of their true strength in a situation like this."

Xuli Long nodded as well. "This warm-up tournament is being held in the Great Rong Kingdom, so Chu Yuxiang has the home-field advantage. That, combined with his high Cultivation, means it’s unlikely anyone here can contend with him. In the Land of Divine Abandonment, his only true rivals are probably Yangx Guyuan, Helian Bi Bi, and Ling Kongyun."

Wei Jingtian nodded. "That’s right. His Cultivation is incredible, and his Arrow Skill has reached a level of Mastery. An ordinary Martial Arts Ninth-Layer Expert would be struck by an arrow before they even saw him make a move. Among the Younger Generation of the Six Eastern Countries, people like Yann Wutian, Ou Qingxin, Du Hong, and Fu Songcheng all have their unique techniques, but they’re still a far cry from Chu Yuxiang..."

As Wei Jingtian and Xuli Long were talking, they both suddenly fell silent. They clearly saw Chu Yuxiang, who was standing on the stage, turn his gaze toward Zhaang Ye, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips.

Both Wei Jingtian and Xuli Long were taken aback. They exchanged a look, the same thought running through both their minds. ’Could it be that Chu Yuxiang already sees Zhaang Ye as his greatest rival? Hmm, it’s a real possibility! Still, even though Zhaang Ye is incredibly powerful, there must still be an insurmountable gap between him and someone like Chu Yuxiang, right?’

Although Zhaang Ye had repeatedly demonstrated unfathomable strength, Wei Jingtian and Xuli Long still favored Chu Yuxiang. After all, Chu Yuxiang had fought in countless battles since his debut and had won almost every single one with ease. His glorious combat record had forged his invincible reputation. No matter how brilliantly Zhaang Ye performed, they simply didn’t believe he stood a chance.

Back on the stage, Chu Yuxiang’s opponent, Yann Lengmu, finally took his place opposite him.

Yann Lengmu’s Cultivation was at the Early Stage of Martial Arts Ninth Layer. Much like Fu Songshi, he was an expert on the verge of breaking through to the Middle Stage, so his combat prowess was not to be underestimated. Yet even a man this powerful stood on the stage with an unfocused gaze, his entire body as taut as a drawn bowstring. Clearly, facing an expert of Chu Yuxiang’s caliber for the first time had left him anxious and incredibly tense.

Zhaang Ye had been sitting cross-legged all this time. Now, seeing the battle was about to begin, his eyes and Spiritual Power instantly locked onto the stage. Chu Yuxiang’s fame preceded him; Zhaang Ye had heard of his glorious reputation even back when he was in Python City. He didn’t dare to underestimate such a formidable opponent, even with several trump cards up his sleeve.

The referee walked to the center of the stage, had Chu Yuxiang and Yann Lengmu take their positions, and then called out, "Begin!"

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I’d like to recommend a book called ’Doomsday Shadow Killer.’ Feel free to check it out if you’re interested. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian.com to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)