C526 Defeat Again!

Initially, Fong Zhiyuan wanted Woo Zhengyang to join them. However, Zhengyang declined because of the situation with Fong Jiaojiao. He preferred not to get too entangled with Zhiyuan, especially since the other three clearly didn't welcome him. He figured it was better to be on his own.

Besides, even if they stood together, Zhengyang would still be an outsider. In case of danger, even if Zhiyuan was genuinely sincere, the others might not be, and Zhengyang didn't want to walk into a trap.

The main reason, though, was that Zhengyang didn't see the need to play games. Others might view him as weak, but he didn't underestimate himself. If it came down to survival, Zhengyang believed he'd be the last one standing. Not even Yu Wenqing from the Heavenly Mirror Pavilion could match him with the power of the Ice Crystal Fire Hall.

This was just Zhengyang's perspective. To others, he was still the outsider. When problems arose and they needed someone to test the waters, Zhengyang was the obvious choice. Sun Siyu and the others from the Moon Light Martial Mansion, spurred on by Yuv Qingrong, were particularly eager, all eyes fixed on Zhengyang.

Woo Zhengyang was used to situations like this. When some unfriendly glances came his way, he ignored them, staying calm and collected. However, this time, he really didn't want to deal with those people's various expressions. So, while everyone else remained still, Woo Zhengyang stood up and walked over to Sun Siyu and Yuv Qingrong.

Everyone was surprised when Woo Zhengyang approached the Moon Light Martial Mansion group. The other three groups were eager to watch the drama unfold, but Sun Siyu furrowed his brows, a bit puzzled.

"Are you suggesting I should be the one to dive in and test the waters?" Woo Zhengyang asked bluntly.

His directness caught the five members of the Moon Light Martial Mansion off guard. After a few moments, Sun Siyu chuckled lightly and said, "That's right. No matter what, just waiting here isn't a solution. Someone has to take the plunge, and among us, you're the most suitable. I believe everyone thinks so too."

As Sun Siyu spoke, he glanced with a smile toward the Azure Sun Martial Mansion and Sea Heart Martial Palace. He didn't dare involve Yu Wenqing from the Heavenly Mirror Pavilion but wasn't afraid of the other two groups. Even if they had someone at the peak of the Inner Stage, they wouldn't directly confront them without a conflict of interest.

In the past, if such a situation arose, the Sea Heart Martial Palace wouldn't have hesitated to pressure Woo Zhengyang, as having him as a trailblazer would benefit them too.

Even the Azure Sun Martial Mansion wouldn't openly oppose it, considering Woo Zhengyang, despite accompanying them, was still an outsider. Yet, for some reason, when Woo Zhengyang stood up just now, everyone from both families felt an inexplicable sense that they shouldn't cross him. There was an unparalleled confidence about him that they couldn't quite place. Though unsure of the source of this confidence, both families chose to remain silent.

This silence left Sun Siyu feeling somewhat embarrassed. Although she sensed something unusual about Woo Zhengyang, she couldn't fathom why they should be so wary of a mere country boy. With a cold snort, Sun Siyu continued, "Or do you think someone else should go first?"

Sun Siyu's retort shifted the focus back to Woo Zhengyang. The strengths of each faction were clear, and she was confident that Woo Zhengyang wouldn't dare offend anyone. However, she had never considered that she didn't truly understand Woo Zhengyang at all.

"I believe... the people from Moon Light Martial Mansion are the most suitable!" Woo Zhengyang responded with a light chuckle to Sun Siyu's question. His words left everyone in shock. A nameless youth from a rural village, daring to suggest that the Moon Light Martial Mansion's members should take the lead, was audacious beyond belief.

"Arrogant! Do you not understand that strength is what commands respect?" Yuv Qingrong, already displeased with Woo Zhengyang from earlier events, immediately rebuked him upon hearing his bold statement.

"Strength rules, huh?" Woo Zhengyang glanced at Yuv Qingrong and continued, "A defeated opponent dares to talk about strength ruling?"

"You..."

Yuv Qingrong was fuming, retorting, "You only beat me by teaming up with that girl. If it were just the two of us, the outcome would be uncertain!"

Losing to Woo Zhengyang had always been a sore spot for Yuv Qingrong, and now, being reminded of it face-to-face, his face flushed with embarrassment. No matter how he tried to explain, he couldn't erase that fact.

"A one-on-one? You're overestimating yourself!" Woo Zhengyang chuckled lightly.

With that, Woo Zhengyang stepped forward with the "Dragon Countering Nine Steps" and thrust a palm toward Yuv Qingrong. A massive palm imprint appeared out of thin air, growing larger and quickly closing in on Yuv Qingrong.

Seeing the palm imprint formed by pure energy, Yuv Qingrong was shocked. "You've reached the Inner Stage!"

Previously, Woo Zhengyang was only at the Skin Stage, yet he had used his sword force to break Yuv Qingrong's strongest sword skill, "Zhiwu." In this world, Yuv Qingrong had also had his share of fortuitous encounters, and he believed that in a rematch with Woo Zhengyang, even if he couldn't win in a few moves, he wouldn't lose again. That's why he had been trying to provoke Woo Zhengyang, hoping for a chance to redeem himself.

He never expected that in just a few days, Woo Zhengyang had advanced to the Inner Stage, completely disrupting his plans.

Stunned as he was, Yuv Qingrong quickly reacted to the approaching force. He swiftly launched his long sword, which shimmered under the moonlight, forming a radiant blade aimed at the incoming attack.

"Whoosh..."

The force split in two, and Yuv Qingrong's face lit up with joy. However, instead of dissipating, the divided force transformed into two smaller attacks, hurtling toward him from both sides.

"How is this possible?" he exclaimed, retreating rapidly. But standing at the edge of the platform, he had little room to maneuver. One more misstep, and he'd be taking an unplanned dive into the sea below.

Just as panic set in, a brilliant sword light sliced through the air, shattering the two attacks. It was Sun Siyu who had intervened!

With the threat neutralized, her slender sword returned to her side, and she cast a curious glance at Woo Zhengyang. Splitting the force wasn't particularly difficult; any practitioner with a basic understanding of Soul Energy could manage it. Once divided, the force's power was significantly reduced, posing little threat under normal circumstances.

However, Yuv Qingrong's position had been his downfall. His initial strike left him unable to quickly launch another, and with nowhere to dodge, Woo Zhengyang had cornered him effectively.