"Winged Beast Peak, Ye Yuan?"
Hearing Ye Yuan introduce himself, Zhang Ergou's gaze softened considerably.
"Shi Wuchen of Winged Beast Peak, what is your relationship with Elder Shi?"
Glancing faintly at Ye Yuan, Zhang Ergou asked.
"You know my master?"
Ye Yuan exclaimed in surprise. His master was usually very low-key, and even ordinary inner disciples didn't know the honorable title of the Winged Beast Peak Master.
Hearing Zhang Ergou mention his master, Ye Yuan's eyes lit up.
Judging by Zhang Ergou's demeanor, it seemed he really had some connection with his master.
It was better to clarify. If Zhang Ergou had any connection with his master, it would be like family not recognizing family.
Ye Yuan's expression was excited and eager, and Zhang Ergou knew that this fellow must have misunderstood.
But this was for the best. His gaze earlier seemed to have scared the kid.
If they could establish some sort of connection, perhaps this seemingly refined fellow would voluntarily concede.
He would also expend less energy.
Zhang Ergou thought to himself, a plan forming in his mind.
"I met Senior Martial Brother Shi in the black market. When Senior Martial Brother Shi saw me, he even offered me some guidance. I've always wanted to repay Senior Martial Brother Shi, but I haven't found a suitable opportunity."
"Since you are Senior Martial Brother Shi's disciple, I won't fight you. I'll concede myself."
"This way, it can be considered repaying Senior Martial Brother Shi for his teachings and guidance that day."
Zhang Ergou spoke half-truthfully, but his face showed no unusual expression, appearing candid as if what he said were true.
"What? Master actually guided Junior Martial Brother Ergou?"
Ye Yuan exclaimed, his face flushing slightly with surprise.
He didn't look like the burly men from Winged Beast Peak at all, but more like a scholar.
"Indeed. I hadn't entered the inner sect then, and Senior Martial Brother Shi and I hit it off immediately. Senior Martial Brother Shi was also very generous in helping me."
Zhang Ergou continued to deceive this senior martial brother who seemed easy to fool.
"This is strange. Master is usually very low-key and never greets strangers."
"Since he hit it off with Junior Martial Brother Ergou, it means you have a great affinity with our Winged Beast Peak."
Ye Yuan looked completely convinced, showing no doubt about whether Zhang Ergou was telling the truth.
"This kid is too gullible! How did he get onto the inner sect rankings?" Zhang Ergou muttered inwardly.
On the stage, the two were discussing animatedly, while the crowd below also buzzed with conversation.
"Why is Ye Yuan talking to Zhang Ergou? Why aren't they fighting?"
"Yeah, Zhang Ergou is clearly recovering his energy. Ye Yuan shouldn't be fooled by him."
"What are they talking about? The sound is too low to hear!"
Zhang Ergou and Ye Yuan deliberately lowered their voices because their conversation involved the Winged Beast Peak Master, Shi Wuchen.
This suited Zhang Ergou's intentions, and it also made Ye Yuan feel deeply grateful.
This secret about his master, which Zhang Ergou spoke of, was unknown to other junior martial brothers. Knowing another secret of his master gave him one more thing to boast about.
Ye Yuan's mind was calculating, and his gaze towards Zhang Ergou softened.
"What's up with this kid? Why is he looking at me like that?"
Zhang Ergou's heart tightened. He thought Ye Yuan had some strange fetish.
The more Ye Yuan looked at Zhang Ergou, the more amiable he found him. Finally, he made up his mind.
"Junior Martial Brother Ergou, since you and my master hit it off immediately, and master even gave you guidance, we are practically family."
"As a senior martial brother, how can I let my junior martial brother concede? Your path ahead is still long. I will concede here, hoping to see you stand at the peak one day."
With that, Ye Yuan bowed to Zhang Ergou.
Then, he took Jiang Tian's body from Zhang Ergou and, carrying Jiang Tian, jumped off the battle platform.
Zhang Ergou was stunned by Ye Yuan's actions. What was going on? He was so easily fooled. He hadn't even deployed his best tricks yet.
With a few words, he had tricked Ye Yuan into voluntarily conceding. Even Zhang Ergou found it hard to accept this reality for a moment.
By the time he reacted, Ye Yuan had already left, carrying Jiang Tian, leaving him with a dashing silhouette.
Zhang Ergou felt a sense of accomplishment that was even greater than defeating an opponent with all his might.
Although he had deceived such a kind child, Zhang Ergou felt no guilt whatsoever.
All is fair in war. Anything can happen on the battlefield. The fewer fights he had to endure, the better.
Although the inner sect strictly prohibited killing during challenges, if someone who disliked him were to play a dirty trick…
That would be enough trouble for him.
He still had Qin Lang, ranked twenty and in the Golden Core mid-stage, waiting for him.
Zhang Ergou dared not gamble with his own life. Judging by the current situation, these experts on the inner sect rankings seemed to have reached an agreement.
They intended to use a war of attrition, not to defeat him, but to wear him down to death.
He took out a jade bottle from his storage ring, poured out a pill to replenish his strength, and swallowed it.
After several intense battles, although he hadn't used spiritual energy, his physical strength had been severely depleted. Su Dan Novel Network
At this moment, Zhang Ergou was already feeling somewhat tired.
As soon as Zhang Ergou took the pill, another figure floated onto the battle platform.
"Kid, I don't know how you managed to fool that simpleton Ye Yuan into conceding, but now, let me send you off the stage!"
Looking towards the voice, Zhang Ergou looked down to see the speaker.
The person who had appeared was short, his head only reaching Zhang Ergou's abdomen. If he hadn't spoken, Zhang Ergou, who was focused on dissolving the medicinal effects, wouldn't have known someone had stepped onto the platform.
*Poof!*
Unable to hold back his laughter, Zhang Ergou chuckled. The other person's expression became even uglier.
He had always hated people mocking his appearance, and Zhang Ergou's expression told him that this kid was once again laughing at him in his heart.
Even more peculiar was that this short individual wielded a long spear, its appearance comparable to Zhang Ergou's Ghost Spear, Tian Wen.
"May I ask how this senior martial brother is called?" Zhang Ergou quickly said with a serious expression. Seeing the increasingly displeased look on the other's face, he couldn't afford any misunderstandings.
With the experience of tricking Ye Yuan, Zhang Ergou seemed to have found another broad path leading to the top ranks.
However, Luo Sen's performance disappointed him.
The moment Zhang Ergou saw him, his initial reaction infuriated Luo Sen.
Even though Zhang Ergou later tried his best to cover it up, the sensitive Luo Sen no longer had any good feelings for Zhang Ergou.
"Yan Luo Peak, Luo Sen! Kid, prepare to die!"
As he spoke, Luo Sen moved. His long spear was brandished like the wind, forming several brilliant spear flowers. Zhang Ergou couldn't find any flaws in them.
"Spear expert!"
Zhang Ergou thought to himself. As he watched the approaching spear tip, he no longer dared to be complacent.