"Hah, heaven's will turns, the heavens show mercy, that Zhang Ergou's luck is truly terrible," disciples from Xiayang Peak and Qiuyang Peak were all smiles.
"That Zhang Ergou's luck is just too much!"
"What a sin!" The chubby kid Xiong Bao clutched his chest, looking helplessly at the two still staring each other down.
Lin Yueru also rubbed her temples in exasperation, speechless at Zhang Ergou's luck.
"Zhang Ergou, did you do something that angered gods and men recently? Otherwise, your luck wouldn't be this bad!" Wang Teng and the others shouted at Zhang Ergou.
The elders on the main platform also wore strange expressions upon seeing this situation.
"This little fellow's luck is indeed rather poor," said Heavenly Dao Elder with a sigh.
"Alas, this unlucky child," Chi Yu also looked helpless.
In the stands, when Zhang Ergou and Lin Yichen, who were staring at each other, finally reacted, they looked at each other again, sensing surprise in each other's eyes.
What was this? Did even heaven disapprove? they muttered to themselves.
"Zhang Ergou is too unlucky, not only did he face two direct disciples, but now he's up against the number one outer disciple, Lin Yichen. That guy is not comparable to Jiang Hao or Song Zhinan."
"Lin Yichen, a direct disciple from the Mission Pavilion, is rumored to have killed a cultivator at the early Golden Core stage while on a mission."
"Has he already reached the Golden Core stage then?"
"That's unknown, but Zhang Ergou meeting him is truly dire misfortune."
Zhang Ergou felt a million alpacas stampeding in his heart; his luck was truly against the heavens.
Too unlucky, others easily advanced in the outer disciple competition, but for him, he had to face two top-ten direct disciples consecutively.
The third round was even more absurd, directly facing Lin Yichen, the number one ranked outer disciple. This was truly dog awful!
Zhang Ergou felt like crying without tears. Even if he were at his peak, with his spiritual energy at maximum, he couldn't guarantee lasting long against Lin Yichen.
In his current state, what was the difference between going up and seeking death?
"Shouldn't Zhang Ergou be scared now?"
"If he dares to accept this challenge again, I'll respect him as a true man!"
"Tch, easy for you to say. Who is that? Lin Yichen. Even a peak-condition Zhang Ergou would be no match for Senior Brother Lin."
"To think of winning against him is simply wishful thinking."
The stands were abuzz with discussion. Though Zhang Ergou felt helpless, he maintained a calm and composed demeanor.
"What? No way, Zhang Ergou, you're not actually going to fight me, are you?" Lin Yichen looked at the standing Zhang Ergou, his face filled with disbelief.
"As cultivators, we only learn from our failures; there is no such thing as bowing our heads and admitting defeat," Zhang Ergou glanced at Lin Yichen, his face showing a resolute and passionate expression.
"Awesome! Zhang Ergou!" Xiao Qingyu and the others gave him a thumbs-up upon hearing Zhang Ergou's words.
They praised Zhang Ergou's courage and pride.
"Kid, you're the first person to speak to me like this," Lin Yichen looked at Zhang Ergou with a playful gaze.
"You'll get used to it in the future."
"Uh!" Lin Yichen suddenly felt that this guy seemed even more arrogant than himself.
He was the genuine number one outer disciple, and his cultivation had already broken through to the early Golden Core stage. He had just been keeping it hidden, and few knew about it.
This youngster, who had only been around for a few days, seemed far more arrogant than him.
If one were to say Zhang Ergou was young and impetuous, his past experiences hadn't shown much of that.
Instead, he seemed exceptionally low-key, not acting ostentatiously.
But now, his words were completely out of character. Did he have other plans in mind?
Lin Yichen found himself unable to quite understand this little fellow.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhang Ergou and Lin Yichen walked onto the battle platform side-by-side. Those who knew understood they were going to fight.
Those who didn't might have thought they were going up to perform some kind of show.
"Holy cow, no way, Zhang Ergou actually went up. This kid's courage is insane."
"Amazing, amazing. From now on, Zhang Ergou is my idol. This is how cultivators should be, fearless in the face of the strong, daring to challenge."
"That's not bravery, it's stupidity to go on stage knowing you can't win!"
Two different opinions erupted from below, and everyone was puzzled by Zhang Ergou's choice.
"Alas! Chunyang, has your disciple been knocked silly? To face Lin Yichen in such a state!" Dongyang Sanren nudged Chunyang Sanren beside him, teasing him.
"This kid has always acted strangely; how would I know what he's thinking?" Chunyang Sanren grumbled irritably, frowning.
"What is this kid thinking? Is admitting defeat really that difficult?" Chi Yu also knitted her beautiful brows.
Watching Zhang Ergou and Lin Yichen stand on the platform, each in their respective positions.
The presiding elder on the high platform loudly announced, "The third round of matches, Zhang Ergou versus Lin Yichen, begins now!"
"Kid, you really want to fight me?" Lin Yichen stood on the platform, still looking at Zhang Ergou in disbelief.
"Stop with the nonsense. If you want to fight, fight. Let's get it over with quickly!"
Zhang Ergou said this and assumed a ready stance.
"Then don't blame me for being impolite!" Lin Yichen showed a hint of helplessness on his face.
"Too much talk!"
Zhang Ergou said this and lunged at Lin Yichen.
"Take my palm!"
*Bang!*
"Ah!"
As Zhang Ergou reached Lin Yichen and threw a palm strike, he was repelled by the counterforce and forced back.
With a *bang*, he directly fell to the ground, unable to rise!
...
Silence!
Absolute silence in the entire venue!
What happened? Zhang Ergou was defeated by Lin Yichen with such a simple move!
No one had reacted, not even Lin Yichen, who hadn't even made a move. Su Dan Novel Network.
Lin Yichen was also dumbfounded. Since when was he this formidable?
Was it his overwhelming aura that knocked this kid down?
Zhang Ergou, lying on the ground, secretly opened his eyes and observed everyone's reaction.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he quietly closed his eyes again, pretending to be unconscious.
Seeing that Zhang Ergou remained still for a long time, everyone assumed he had been knocked out by Lin Yichen's counterforce.
"It must be that this kid was too heavily injured before and hasn't recovered. Forcibly using spiritual energy must have caused a backlash!" Heavenly Dao Elder stroked his beard and explained.
"Senior brother's words are wise. In that case, what is the result of this match?"
"Naturally, Lin Yichen is declared the victor!"
"Chunyang Peak's Zhang Ergou versus Mission Pavilion's Lin Yichen, the victor is Lin Yichen!" The presiding elder then loudly announced the result of this bizarre match.
"Heh heh, Senior Brother Lin, it seems I am no match for you. I am impressed, truly impressed!"
Upon hearing the presiding elder announce the result, Zhang Ergou immediately jumped up and cupped his fists to congratulate Lin Yichen.
"Bah, that Zhang Ergou is too shameless..."