Chapter 18: Daring to launch a sneak attack, are you courting death?

The Pillmaster's gloomy expression lifted completely, and a smirk of schadenfreude curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Ye Xinghe, oh Ye Xinghe, your boastful words at Haikou might just end up dooming your own disciple. But perhaps that's for the best—no more accusations that the Pillmaster's disciples lose unfairly. Now, the truth will be revealed."

The Moonlight Peak Master lightly covered his crimson lips, a sly gleam flashing through his eyes. He slowly fanned himself and said with measured amusement, "Peak Master Ye certainly has grand spirit. Let us hope Zhao Changsheng doesn't embarrass himself too badly later. After all, this is a promise you made with your own mouth. With so many eyes watching, we shall see how it unfolds."

Ye Xinghe appeared unfazed by their biting sarcasm. He turned to Zhao Changsheng with a calm and composed demeanor. "Changsheng, I know this puts a heavy burden on you. Your innate talent is extraordinary, and your strength solid."

"This time, you will fight without your divine weapon. Just perform as you normally would. Do not let their doubts disturb your mind. Show them with pure, genuine skill what it means to be a disciple of Tongtian Peak!"

Zhao Changsheng nodded firmly, eyes burning bright. He cupped his hands respectfully and said with solemnity, "Master, rest assured, I shall not disappoint you! I have never forgotten your painstaking guidance and rigorous training. Even without my divine weapon, I am confident I can handle whatever comes."

"In this promotion match, I vow to give my all and restore Tongtian Peak’s honor!"

Ximen Feixue stepped forward, grasping Zhao Changsheng’s sleeve and lowering his voice anxiously. "Senior Brother, this is too risky! Those people are clearly trying to provoke Master. Why must you accept this challenge..."

Zhao Changsheng patted Ximen Feixue’s shoulder reassuringly, smiling gently. "Junior Brother, don’t worry. Just watch closely—Senior Brother knows what he’s doing."

"The more they underestimate us, the more I will shock them. Besides, I want to see how far I can go without my divine weapon’s blessing. Consider it a form of self-discipline."

With that, Zhao Changsheng unfastened his divine weapon from his waist and solemnly entrusted it to Ye Xinghe’s care. He then stretched his limbs, took a deep breath, and strode confidently toward the arena.

At this moment, the barrier of the promotion match activated, and a powerful spiritual energy pressure enveloped the surroundings.

It was clear this match would be even more challenging than the last.

Zhao Changsheng’s opponent was Sun Yao, a renowned disciple of Spirit Ore Peak.

Sun Yao was a burly and muscular figure clad in dark battle attire. A faint aura of hard, ore-like spiritual power emanated from him, evidence of years spent cultivating deep within the spirit ore mines and absorbing their essence. His strength was formidable.

Sun Yao was momentarily stunned upon seeing Zhao Changsheng arrive empty-handed. Then a sneer twisted his lips. "Zhao Changsheng, I heard you threw away your winning treasure. Are you admitting you’re no match and giving up?"

"Fine by me. Saves me the trouble. I’ll go easy on you—wouldn’t want anyone saying I’m bullying someone unarmed."

Zhao Changsheng seemed not to hear, his expression calm and serene. He quietly cultivated spiritual power, and the Hunyuan Galaxy Technique rapidly circulated within his body. Spiritual energy flickered subtly through his meridians, and his entire aura shifted sharply—like a blade drawn from its sheath, gleaming with deadly edge.

"Enough talk. Let’s see who’s truly stronger!" he growled low.

With a flash, Zhao Changsheng surged forward. His footlight barely touched the ground before he was right in front of Sun Yao, his right fist enveloped in swirling wind, hurtling toward Sun Yao’s face.

Sun Yao’s expression shifted; he hadn’t expected Zhao Changsheng to attack barehanded. Hastily, he raised his hand to block.

With a tremendous explosion, their fists collided, sending shockwaves rippling outward. The barrier at the arena’s edge flickered wildly, and a gust of wind blew over the crowd, causing many to instinctively lean back.

The audience, who had come expecting a spectacle, gradually withdrew their disdain.

They had been sure Zhao Changsheng would lose without his divine weapon, but now it seemed they had underestimated him.

Even the peak masters furrowed their brows, growing serious. The Spirit Sword Peak Master clenched the armrests of his chair tightly and murmured, "Zhao Changsheng… still this tough without his divine weapon? Looks like we underestimated him."

Meanwhile, Ye Xinghe stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed, his gaze locked unwaveringly on Zhao Changsheng.

What a joke—his system was not a liability.

Those who once looked down on him would soon have their faces thoroughly beaten!

On the arena floor, Zhao Changsheng executed a swift spinning kick, forcing Sun Yao to stagger back several steps. Regaining his footing, Zhao Changsheng folded his hands behind his back and said sternly, "Sun Yao, you’re no match for me. You can admit defeat now and save yourself some pain."

Sun Yao’s face flushed red as if he’d heard the world’s greatest joke. Spitting a mouthful of blood, he snarled fiercely, "Zhao Changsheng, don’t get cocky! You think you can make me concede just because you caught me off guard? Dream on! Who knows who will win this match? You’re not the one who has me figured out."

He was a once-in-a-century prodigy of Spirit Ore Peak.

Everyone said his strength was extraordinary.

How could he allow a disciple from Tongtian Peak to look down on him?

He was utterly unworthy of such disdain!

The Spirit Ore Peak Master sat among the spectators, his face darkening at his disciple’s predicament. He bellowed loudly, "Sun Yao, quit wasting time! Don’t bother with words—finish this quickly. Don’t tarnish Spirit Ore Peak’s reputation!"

Receiving his master’s order, Sun Yao’s eyes flashed with a cruel light.

Feigning a fierce attack, he swung both fists toward Zhao Changsheng’s face with blinding spiritual radiance and overwhelming force, as if throwing everything into one final desperate strike.

Zhao Changsheng remained unperturbed, easily dodging this seemingly fierce blow.

However, before he could fully settle, Sun Yao used the momentum to suddenly crouch low, hiding behind the spiritual light. His left hand covertly gathered a chunk of spirit ore, its surface shimmering with a dark glow and concealed runes—clearly enhanced by special techniques.

Seizing the moment when Zhao Changsheng’s old power had waned and new energy not yet surged, Sun Yao lunged from below. The ore stone flew like a cannonball toward Zhao Changsheng’s abdomen in a sneaky strike, accompanied by a fierce shout: "Die!"

The sudden twist caught everyone off guard, prompting gasps from the crowd.

Ximen Feixue, heart pounding with anxiety, sprang forward to intervene but was firmly held back by Ye Xinghe, who shook his head and gestured for patience. "Don’t rush. Watch how Changsheng handles this."

Zhao Changsheng’s gaze sharpened. At this critical moment, his spiritual power erupted explosively. He urgently circulated the Hunyuan Galaxy Technique and rapidly formed hand seals.

In an instant, a translucent spiritual force shield solidified before him, barely blocking Sun Yao’s sneak attack with the spirit ore stone.

Boom!

A tremendous impact sent ripples across the shield. Zhao Changsheng was pushed back several steps, his shoes gouging two deep furrows into the arena floor.

Though he had successfully blocked the blow, rage surged within Zhao Changsheng’s heart. He despised such cowardly tactics—sneak attacks and dirty tricks on the battlefield!

He had never expected Sun Yao to be so shameless!