On the battle stage, the two were not fighting.
In the chase, Song Zhinan, who had used a forbidden technique, was gradually unable to hold on.
His pursuit speed slowed down, and the effect of the forbidden technique was about to disappear.
Zhang Ergou turned his head and saw that the distance between Song Zhinan and himself was widening, and the power of the magical spells he cast had also weakened considerably.
Strike while the iron is hot!
This was the opportunity Zhang Ergou had been waiting for.
He stopped his escape, turned his body, and charged towards Song Zhinan instead!
"Why did Zhang Ergou stop running?"
"Yeah, wasn't that guy running quite happily? I thought he was going to run all the way!"
"Look, Senior Brother Song's condition seems to be getting worse!"
As expected, everyone on the viewing platform noticed Song Zhinan's abnormality.
Zhang Ergou, who had turned around, moved like a phantom, his figure turning into an afterimage and charging straight at Song Zhinan!
Roar!
A lion's roar suddenly sounded, and then Zhang Ergou's figure appeared. He leaped up and directly into Song Zhinan's face.
"Hmph! You're seeking death!" Song Zhinan snorted coldly, swung his long sword, and changed his thrust to a chop.
"Is that so? That's not enough strength to kill me!" Zhang Ergou sidestepped, and the long sword grazed his body as it swung past.
"Take this palm strike!" Zhang Ergou dodged and roared, hitting Song Zhinan hard in the chest with his palm. Song Zhinan groaned and retreated.
The effect of the forbidden technique was no longer as potent as before.
Seeing that his attack had taken effect, Zhang Ergou pressed forward, giving Song Zhinan no chance to breathe.
Roar!
Roar!
Roar!
Lion roars echoed on the battle stage. Each of Zhang Ergou's attacks inflicted considerable damage on Song Zhinan.
Zhang Ergou was like an enraged lion, utilizing his joints to the utmost. Song Zhinan's entire body was continuously struck by Zhang Ergou.
"This is too brutal. Zhang Ergou is simply not human!" Xiao Qingyu exclaimed.
"This guy really doesn't hold back. You can't afford to offend Zhang Ergou!"
Yu Lin agreed wholeheartedly.
The several proud disciples among the top ten outer disciples sitting together nodded in unison.
Clearly, everyone shared the same sentiment.
At this moment, Song Zhinan's forehead was swollen, blood seeped from the corners of his mouth and nose. His clothes were tattered, his hair disheveled, and he was no longer the handsome and suave young man from before he stepped onto the stage.
"Ah..." Song Zhinan roared, but he couldn't break free from Zhang Ergou's relentless attacks. Each time his body was hit by Zhang Ergou, it felt like being struck by a heavy hammer.
"How does it feel? Senior Brother Song, do you remember the lashes you gave me back then?" Zhang Ergou's cold voice rang out.
That was the most painful experience of Zhang Ergou's life. Given his personality, he usually sought revenge on the same day.
Having endured for so long to find an opportunity for revenge, he would not let Song Zhinan off easily.
"Whoa, Junior Brother Ergou's close-combat skills are so fierce! Look, Song Zhinan has no power to fight back!"
Wang Teng pointed at the two on the battle stage and said.
"Zhang Ergou's close-combat skills form a complete system, not just simple physical combat. Judging by his familiarity, he must have been practicing for quite some time."
Lin Yichen's calm voice sounded, and there was even a hint of surprise in his words.
Everyone knew that cultivation involved absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and using it for oneself, so cultivation generally only required meditation.
Magical spells were the same; as long as there was enough spiritual energy and sufficient practice, they would function as intended.
However, close-combat skills were completely different. They required not only a powerful physical endurance from the practitioner but were also quite difficult to master.
The most crucial condition was that some powerful close-combat skills required the practitioner to be a body refiner.
This was also why Lin Yichen was surprised. From their previous fight, Zhang Ergou's magical skills were also quite impressive.
Could it be that this kid cultivates both immortal arts and body refining, dual cultivation?
Lin Yichen was startled by his own speculation. This kid was also an alchemist!
A prodigy!
Ah...
On the battle stage, Song Zhinan's roars continued. His hair was disheveled, and under Zhang Ergou's continuous barrage of attacks, he had no chance to retaliate.
Last time, he had lost to Zhang Ergou's almost monstrous close-combat skills. Therefore, he had prepared thoroughly to prevent a repeat of the previous situation.
For this reason, he had even used a forbidden technique at the risk of suffering a backlash, but in the end, it seemed to have been all in vain.
Facing Zhang Ergou's overbearing close-combat skills once again, Song Zhinan had a new understanding of their terrifying power.
If he could do it all over again, he would definitely choose not to be an enemy of Zhang Ergou...
However, it was too late now.
"What exquisite close-combat skills! It seems this young child is indeed a dual cultivator of body and arts. For our Misty Sect to have produced such a figure is truly our sect's fortune!"
Old Man Tiandao exclaimed in admiration.
Hearing Old Man Tiandao's words, the expressions of the elders on the main stage became interesting.
Zhang Ergou's two masters, True Man Chunyang and Qiao Yanyun, both wore pleased expressions and exchanged a knowing glance without revealing it.
As for True Man Chunyang and True Man Qiuyang, their expressions were rather complex. Their disciples had the most grudges with Zhang Ergou, and naturally, the two of them had instigated much of it.
Elder Yan Feng's face was also darkened, lost in thought.
"Indeed, this kid has given me many surprises!" Chi Yu's gaze towards Zhang Ergou was filled with admiration, her beautiful eyes shining brightly.
Puff!
Puff!
Puff!
On the battle stage, Song Zhinan was beaten to the point of spitting blood continuously. There wasn't a single spot on his body that wasn't injured. His peak Foundation Establishment cultivation was battered to the point of torn skin and gaping wounds by Zhang Ergou's punches and kicks.
On the main stage, Yan Feng's face darkened further. Watching his disciple being crushed, he couldn't help but feel anxious.
Today was a complete loss of face. His most favored disciple was being beaten like this by a disciple who had joined the sect for less than half a year. Yan Feng felt a burning sensation on his face.
It was as if every punch Zhang Ergou landed on Song Zhinan was also hurting him.
Seeing Song Zhinan's aura weakening, Yan Feng was worried.
Puff!
Ah!
Spitting out another mouthful of blood, Song Zhinan roared and, at the cost of being heavily struck by Zhang Ergou, prepared to distance himself.
"Trying to escape? Hmph, too late!"
Zhang Ergou snorted coldly and looked at Song Zhinan's hurried retreat with a sneer. As if deliberately letting him go, Zhang Ergou even stopped his attack for a moment.
"Haha! Zhang Ergou, I've escaped! Now, accept my counterattack!" Song Zhinan laughed loudly after creating distance.
He quickly formed hand seals, preparing to unleash a powerful magical technique.
"Are you celebrating a little too early?"
"Fierce Lion's Tail Whip!"
Zhang Ergou roared and his figure turned into an afterimage. A whip kick landed directly and heavily on Song Zhinan's head.
Song Zhinan's body flew backward like a kite with a broken string!
The entire arena fell silent...