Chapter Thirty: The Center of Attention
At this moment, Leng Zikang, who had missed his chance at the outer sect rankings, had successfully advanced and entered the Foundation Establishment stage, becoming a true cultivator in every sense. The rewards of the outer sect competition were now useless to him, so the generous sect leader immediately decided to grant him a special reward: after the tournament, an elder from the Artifact Refining Pavilion would personally craft a high-grade treasure weapon tailored to him!
This honor instantly sparked envy among the many disciples who had already been part of the inner sect for years. For most inner sect disciples, possessing a mid-grade treasure weapon was enough to make others jealous; those with high-grade treasure weapons could be counted on fingers and toes throughout the entire inner sect.
Thus, Leng Zikang was genuinely thrilled from the depths of his heart!
...
Soon, with another gesture and incantation from the sect leader, the remaining five dueling platforms of the outer sect merged into one. Gu Xiaopang and Zeng Hu were simultaneously transported onto it.
Since the beginning of the competition, Gu Xiaopang had stumbled through in a manner that seemed almost farcical, and no one truly knew the extent of his abilities. As a result, few disciples below believed he could win this match.
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When Zeng Hu first made a name for himself in the outer sect, Gu Xiaopang was then locked in a three-year struggle against illness—or, more accurately, it was the previous master of his body. During the months when Gu Xiaopang recovered, Zeng Hu happened to be training outside, only returning as the tournament began.
Thus, Gu Xiaopang’s impression of Zeng Hu was shallow.
Nevertheless, since it was a match, the ritual of cupping hands in greeting was necessary. After saluting, Gu Xiaopang immediately retreated several meters, widening the distance between himself and Zeng Hu.
Having slain hundreds of mystical beasts and fierce birds, Gu Xiaopang’s instincts were now exceptionally sharp, far surpassing his peers. Previously, as he watched from below, he hadn’t felt it deeply, but now, facing Zeng Hu directly, a sense of dangerous oppression surged toward him.
He instantly realized that this battle might not be as simple as it appeared.
He grabbed the two fiery rhino horns in his hands. The rhinos he’d seen in his previous life all had broad, solitary horns, but the fiery rhino horns he now held fit perfectly in his grasp, and after several battles, he wielded them with increasing skill and ease.
...
Seeing Gu Xiaopang retreat and take up a defensive stance, Zeng Hu wasted no time. He channeled his true energy, gripped his mountain-cleaving axe, and charged at Gu Xiaopang, who stood several meters away.
Gu Xiaopang, already prepared, slipped aside with his ethereal steps just before the giant axe reached him. He dodged the blade and, holding the rhino horn, thrust his arm toward Zeng Hu’s left chest.
Zeng Hu instantly leaned back, using the motion to pull back his axe and, with a reverse grip, performed a sweeping strike.
Seeing his attack miss, Gu Xiaopang instinctively dropped to the ground, his right foot curling like a needle to strike the back of the sweeping axe.
Despite Zeng Hu’s formidable strength, the impact on the axe’s back forced his weapon to swing upward and miss its mark.
Spotting an opening, Gu Xiaopang pushed off with his left foot, his body flipping one hundred eighty degrees and, following the motion, stabbed the twin rhino horns toward Zeng Hu’s abdomen.
Knowing he couldn’t evade the blow, Zeng Hu allowed the horns to pierce his abdomen while simultaneously kicking his true energy-charged right foot straight into Gu Xiaopang’s chest.
It was a self-sacrificing exchange of blows—if you dare to take my knight, I’ll take your bishop!
Gu Xiaopang was sent flying, spitting a mouthful of old blood. He clutched his chest, but without pause, lunged again at Zeng Hu, whose abdomen was bleeding from two wounds.
...
Gu Xiaopang, at the eighth tier, fought fiercely against Zeng Hu, who was already on the verge of advancing to Foundation Establishment. After a flurry of intense attacks and defenses, Gu Xiaopang showed not the slightest inferiority.
Each move was perilous and swift, and the disciples below, who had underestimated Gu Xiaopang, were left stunned, their jaws dropping.
“Is that really Gu Xiaopang?”
“I knew Senior Brother Zeng was strong, but I never expected Gu Xiaopang to be this powerful!”
“Yeah, I thought he’d just been lucky up to now.”
“Looks like it’s no accident at all.”
“He’s a true master, hiding his abilities so well.”
“And his cultivation is only at the eighth tier?”
“So that means none of the senior and junior sisters in earlier matches forced him to show his real strength?”
“He’s been holding back this whole time!”
...
“Exactly. Looking back, none of the sisters who fought him suffered any injuries, even though they lost.”
“I actually cursed him countless times for being shameless.”
“So did I.”
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“Sister Wan’er, your judgment is sharp! You had us all bet on Gu Xiaopang earlier.”
“That’s right! My Xiaopang is the best—trust me, you won’t go wrong.”
“A complete reversal! All the disciples from the Pill Pavilion who placed bets are making a fortune.”
“Let me calculate—I bet ten middle-grade spirit stones. If Xiaopang wins, I’ll get more than one hundred fifty back! Hahaha!”
...
“How long has it been, and the gap between us and him has already grown so wide?”
“Yeah, he’s already at the eighth tier, and we’re still stuck at five or six.”
“Not just that—haven’t you noticed he’s been fighting above his level all the way?”
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“Brother Gu, I knew it! I knew you were amazing, and I was right!”
In a quiet corner of the stands, a pretty junior sister, prone to blushing, thought to herself.
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“Old Gu, your kid is something else.”
“Even I misjudged him before.”
...