C32 The Story of the Victor

Yue Liqing was furious, more furious than he'd ever been.

As he ascended the steps of the platform, revealing his skills and basking in the awe of the onlookers, any unease he felt toward Woo Zhengyang vanished, replaced by an overwhelming confidence. He relished the admiration and the pressure he was putting on Woo Zhengyang. With a flourish, he drew the Phoenix Feather Sword, eager to boast about its origins and power, hoping to further intimidate Woo Zhengyang and chip away at his resolve.

But before he could even begin, Woo Zhengyang kicked him, sending him flying and hitting him square in the nose, causing a stream of blood. Never in his life had Yue Liqing been so humiliated, and this was the third time Woo Zhengyang had made him bleed like this.

The crowd was stunned. No one expected such a scene. Even though Woo Zhengyang attacked without warning, Yue Liqing didn’t even have a chance to defend himself before he was sent sprawling, blood splattering across the platform. Was this really a battle between a One-star Martial Disciple and a Four-star Martial Disciple? It seemed like their roles were reversed.

“Woo Zhengyang, I’ll make you pay!” Yue Liqing, consumed by rage, forgot everything else and lunged at Woo Zhengyang with the Phoenix Feather Sword.

Yue Liqing's speed was decent, and his sword skills were proficient, but Woo Zhengyang wasn't impressed. However, the Phoenix Feather Sword, being a treasure of spiritual weapon caliber, was something Zhengyang had to take seriously. No matter how tough his body was, it couldn't withstand a blow from such a weapon.

The Phoenix Feather Sword, with its resonant hum, came whistling through the air. Knowing his Green Steel Sword couldn't block it, Zhengyang didn't even attempt to counter; he simply chose to dodge.

Yue Liqing gave Zhengyang no time to catch his breath, ignoring the blood still trickling from his nose, and continued his relentless pursuit. The constant flow of blood, the clear boot print on his face, and his fierce expression made him look savage, like a beast ready to devour Zhengyang whole.

In contrast, Zhengyang, though constantly evading, remained calm and composed. This only fueled Yue Liqing's anger, as he felt Zhengyang was looking at him like a clown performing a ridiculous sword dance.

While Yue Liqing was consumed by rage, the spectators saw things clearly. Although Yue Liqing wielded the Phoenix Feather Sword with fierce intensity, and Zhengyang seemed to be on the defensive, everyone could tell that Zhengyang's calm demeanor wasn't an act. He truly was unbothered and in control of the situation.

Even though Woo Zhengyang was just a One-star Martial Disciple and had only recently begun his training, he moved with surprising ease against Yue Liqing, a Four-star Martial Disciple wielding a powerful enchanted sword. This unexpected display caught everyone's attention, making them reconsider their opinions about Woo Zhengyang, who was previously seen as the weakest among the outer disciples.

Despite this, most spectators still believed Yue Liqing would emerge victorious in this life-or-death duel. Woo Zhengyang's calm demeanor belied the danger he was in. A single hit from the Phoenix Feather Sword could be devastating, and even a One-star Martial Disciple wielding such a weapon could inflict damage that Woo Zhengyang couldn't withstand.

"Did you come up here just to scurry around like a rat?" Yue Liqing shouted angrily, his sole focus on defeating Woo Zhengyang. He was so consumed by his desire to win that he ignored his overwhelming advantage, relying solely on the power of his sword.

Yue Liqing's upbringing taught him to care only about the end result, not the means to achieve it. He was indifferent to others' opinions, believing that the victor always writes history.

Woo Zhengyang had no interest in responding to Yue Liqing's taunts. Up until now, he hadn't made a single move, not because he lacked the opportunity, but because he was waiting for the right moment—a chance to turn the tide of the battle with one decisive action.

The path of martial arts is long and arduous, and Woo Zhengyang has no time for constant, unreasonable provocations. Since Yue Liqing won't let it go, Woo Zhengyang decides to make a decisive stand, settling the matter once and for all.

Finally, the opportunity arises.

Yue Liqing, whose temperament is unstable, loses his rhythm in anger after being ignored. Without hesitation, Woo Zhengyang closes in, executing the "Azure Cloud Embracing Moon Palm."

Woo Zhengyang's sudden attack catches Yue Liqing off guard, though his panic is fleeting. Yue Liqing tries to dodge Woo Zhengyang's palm, swinging his sword back at Woo Zhengyang.

But in the next moment, Yue Liqing is confronted with nine palm shadows, indistinguishable from each other.

"Thud..."

Unable to evade, Yue Liqing takes a direct hit to the chest from Woo Zhengyang's palm. Under the force of Woo Zhengyang's strength, equivalent to over 1,300 pounds, Yue Liqing's relatively frail body can't withstand it, and he spits out blood.

The tide of the battle turns in an instant, catching the onlookers by surprise. The resounding drum-like impact of Woo Zhengyang's palm on Yue Liqing's chest leaves many gasping in shock.

At this moment, they have to admit that they had underestimated this seemingly last-ranked outsider, Woo Zhengyang.

Let's not even mention the sheer strength; just the nearly mastered palm technique alone would make many feel inadequate. At least, in just a few days of training, I definitely didn't reach such a level.

While everyone was in shock, the life-and-death struggle on the martial platform continued. Yue Liqing, who had been struck and coughed up blood, knew things were bad. He couldn't focus on defeating Woo Zhengyang anymore; he just wanted to escape quickly.

Unexpectedly, a large hand grabbed his wrist.

"Crack..."

The sound of bones breaking was sharp and clear, echoing in everyone's ears. Yue Liqing's arm, which had just been healed with medicine, was twisted and broken again by Woo Zhengyang's brute force. Ironically, the last time his arm was broken, it was also by Woo Zhengyang!

Three times with a bloody nose, two times with a broken arm, all by the same person in just a few days—was Woo Zhengyang his destined nemesis?

This thought flashed through Yue Liqing's mind, only to be replaced by a blank void. With his arm broken, he could no longer hold onto the Phoenix Feather Sword.

At that moment, the fallen Phoenix Feather Sword was in Woo Zhengyang's hand, poised to strike Yue Liqing. The sword's once-proud hum now sounded like a death knell, turning Yue Liqing's face pale.

"Please don't kill me... My clan elder is an inner sect elder!" At this moment, Yue Liqing couldn't care less about his dignity, scrambling and begging for mercy. He believed that his clan elder's status would surely make Woo Zhengyang hesitate.

"Even if the inner sect elder is involved, do you really think sparing you would mean they'd let me go? I warned you before, but you pushed me too far!"

"Please, please... if you spare me, I promise I'll never trouble you again..."

"In the past, I might have believed you, but now, I only trust my own strength!"

Woo Zhengyang declared, cutting off any further conversation with Yue Liqing. He swiftly caught up to Yue Liqing, thrusting the Phoenix Feather Sword toward his throat...