Wei Chen, clad in white, projected an air of coldness, but his high-held chin betrayed his true feelings.
He strode to the edge of the training ground, leaped gracefully onto it, and landed with a flourish that drew a round of cheers.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Wei Chen stood solemnly on the training ground, surveying his surroundings.
"Look, Zhang Ergou has arrived too."
Soon, disciples in the stands spotted Zhang Ergou's figure.
The crowded space parted once more, creating a path as Zhang Ergou, carrying his Ghost Spear and employing the Heavenly Asked Steps, approached the training ground with steady strides.
"Good morning, senior brothers and sisters," Zhang Ergou said with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting to the disciples who made way.
He received no response.
Undeterred, Zhang Ergou strode confidently onto the training ground.
Standing at the center, Wei Chen fixed his gaze on Zhang Ergou. "Zhang Ergou, a mere Qi Refining stage cultivator, managing to defeat Li Qiang. You are no ordinary person."
"Senior Brother Wei, is it? Li Qiang's defeat was due to his inferiority. Are you seeking to save his face?"
Zhang Ergou shook his head, disdainful of Wei Chen's pretense of righteousness before engaging in combat.
After defeating the junior, the senior appears. Is this truly how one seeks satisfaction?
And to assume such an air of superiority, who are you putting on a show for?
"Zhang Ergou, I didn't expect you to have such a sharp tongue," Wei Chen sneered.
"Today, I will show you the consequences of underestimating my Xia Yang Peak."
With that, Wei Chen stamped his foot on the training ground.
An icy aura spread from the center of the arena, so potent that ice crystals began to form in the air.
Zhang Ergou was taken aback. "Ice-attribute spiritual energy?"
"Brat, you know quite a bit!" Wei Chen said with a chilling smile.
"Then let me experience your ice-attribute spiritual energy today, Senior Brother." Zhang Ergou stepped forward, advancing.
"Boastful fool!"
This was Zhang Ergou's first encounter with ice-attribute spiritual energy. To deal with Wei Chen, he first had to break through this frigid atmosphere.
Seeing Wei Chen's effortless demeanor, the ice-attribute spiritual energy was likely innate.
As a true disciple of the reclusive Xia Yang, Wei Chen was certainly not simple.
Soon, the chilling atmosphere in the air had spread to Zhang Ergou's surroundings.
Cold. Bone-chillingly cold!
The spiritual energy touched Zhang Ergou; this was his most direct sensation.
"What is Zhang Ergou doing? Why did he stop after taking one step? Has he been frozen by Senior Brother Wei's ice-attribute spiritual energy?"
"It's over, it's over. Zhang Ergou is bound to lose!"
Zhang Ergou remained motionless. The disciples in the stands shook their heads and sighed. They had expected a thrilling battle,
but it seemed to be over so quickly.
Some could not bear to watch and closed their eyes.
Clearly, in their eyes, Zhang Ergou had already lost.
Ice-attribute spiritual energy entering the body was something most people could not withstand. It not only froze meridians and bones but could also damage the dantian.
This was why the disciples were somewhat fearful of Wei Chen.
At this moment, Zhang Ergou's stillness suggested he had been affected by the ice-attribute spiritual energy.
However, Zhang Ergou's internal state was not as they imagined.
Possessing Dan Fire, how could he allow this spiritual energy to enter his body so easily? The moment the ice-attribute spiritual energy entered Zhang Ergou's body, it was refined by the Dan Fire.
It was given no room to exert its power.
Zhang Ergou still did not move.
Seeing this, Wei Chen's cold smile widened.
He had thought it would take some effort to defeat Zhang Ergou, but it seemed surprisingly easy to subdue him.
Perhaps this kid was not as formidable as rumored.
With that thought, Wei Chen intensified the flow of ice-attribute spiritual energy, intending to freeze Zhang Ergou completely.
He could already picture Zhang Ergou falling to the ground.
"The legends must be mistaken. I thought you would be more difficult to deal with, but you're just so-so," Wei Chen sneered, slowly approaching Zhang Ergou.
In his eyes, Zhang Ergou had lost all ability to retaliate.
Therefore, he let down his guard.
The disciples in the stands sighed helplessly as they watched Wei Chen approach Zhang Ergou.
Under the watchful eyes of all, Wei Chen reached Zhang Ergou and looked at him playfully. "How does it feel? Comfortable?"
Zhang Ergou's face contorted with struggle. He glared at Wei Chen. "Despicable and shameless! You only resort to sneak attacks."
As if bound by the ice-attribute spiritual energy, Zhang Ergou found it difficult to break free.
"Junior Brother Ergou, that's where you're mistaken. No matter what move you use, as long as it defeats the enemy, it's a good move."
Wei Chen adopted a lecturing tone.
"Challenging you is simply beneath my reputation. If not for my master's orders, I would never have made such a foolish decision."
Wei Chen sneered and raised his palm to strike Zhang Ergou.
But at that moment, Zhang Ergou moved. By the time Wei Chen reacted, it was too late.
The Zhang Ergou who had been motionless a moment ago suddenly lifted his leg and fiercely kicked Wei Chen in the abdomen.
"You!" Wei Chen exclaimed in shock. Caught completely off guard, he was hit squarely by Zhang Ergou's kick.
Stumbling back two steps, Wei Chen barely managed to regain his balance.
"He wasn't frozen by the ice-attribute spiritual energy!" The stands erupted in an uproar.
"How is that possible!" Wei Chen looked at Zhang Ergou in disbelief. A Qi Refining stage cultivator had so easily escaped his ice-attribute spiritual energy.
For a moment, he found it hard to accept.
While he was still reeling, Zhang Ergou gave him no chance to recover.
With a roar, like a lion, he charged towards the still unsteady Wei Chen.
Bang!
Another solid kick sent Wei Chen staggering backward.
Zhang Ergou followed closely, grabbing one of Wei Chen's arms. "Up you go!"
With a loud shout, Wei Chen, who had lost his balance, was lifted by Zhang Ergou.
Bang!
Another loud crash. Wei Chen's elegant body made forceful contact with the ground.
Zhang Ergou slammed him violently onto the training ground, cracking the surface.
Puff!
A mouthful of blood spurted out. Wei Chen struggled to rise.
But Zhang Ergou gave him no opportunity.
He continued to swing Wei Chen's body, slamming him hard against the ground.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of thuds echoed. The disciples in the stands were stunned, their mouths agape at the one-sided match.
"Damn it, what's going on? Is Senior Brother Wei Chen going to be smashed to death?"
"This is too bizarre. Senior Brother Wei, who was so confident moments ago, is now being thrashed like a stray dog."
"Who would believe this!"
Disbelieving murmurs soon arose from the stands.
Ah!
Wei Chen cried out in pain, once again slammed heavily onto the training ground by Zhang Ergou.
Wei Chen's once graceful demeanor was gone. His body was battered and bloody. If not for his cries, one would have thought he was already dead.
Wei Chen's eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Zhang Ergou. "Impossible! How could you be unaffected by the ice-attribute spiritual energy!"
Zhang Ergou leaned down. "Senior Brother Wei, that's not something you need to worry about."
"You issued the challenge, so you must be prepared to lose."
With that, he patted Wei Chen's blood-stained face.
"You... Pfft!" Wei Chen tried to say something, but another mouthful of blood erupted from his lips.