C21 Another Defeat 

Like a cannonball, Wu Mingliang's body flew and landed solid on the arena's floor. He hit the ground so hard that he vomited blood!

The moment he smashed down on the arena was the moment when everybody gasped in synchronization.

This kind of outcome was beyond everyone's expectations.

They believed that Wu Mingliang could definitely beat Xiang Shaoyun. Yet, now, Wu Mingliang, one of the cultivators in the top 10, had been defeated in just three moves.

Moreover, everything happened so quickly!

"T-this. A-am I seeing things? Was Wu Mingliang really kicked off the stage?"

"I guess so since I saw it happen too. Was Wu Mingliang always this weak?"

"What do you know? That oscillating fist carried over a 1,000-pound force behind it. Wu Mingliang's definitely not weak. It's just that this guy, Xiang Shaoyun, is too strong! If you look at it like this, it's only natural that Wu Mingliag suffered a defeat. That guy's a monster!"

"As expected of a Five Stars Brilliant Blue Sky prodigy. It has only been about ten days or so since he entered our Hall of Martial Arts, yet he has already reached such a level of strength!"

"..."

Many outer sect disciples went into an uproar. The way they looked at Xiang Shaoyun had radically changed.

"I said that I would defeat you within three moves, and I just did that," said Xiang Shaoyun while looking down at the bleeding-frothing mess that Wu Mingliang was.

"I-im-mpossib-ble! How could I, Wu Mingliang, be defeated by a loser like you! Impossible!" Wu Mingliang clenched his teeth as he roared in disbelief.

In denial, Wu Mingliang got back up and slashed out with the black sword resting on his back, all the while glaring at Xiang Shaoyun.

"Stop! You've already lost!" shouted the martial instructor when he saw Wu Mingliang's offense.

"It's okay. If I can beat him once, I can do it twice," said Xiang Shaoyun in a level voice, not rattled in the least.

"I was too careless just now. This time, the one who will lose will be you!" Wu Mingliang shouted in anger.

Wu Minglad was slashing out with his longsword faster and faster. Soon, all that remained was sword slashes densely covering Xiang Shaoyun.

Sword skill—Stone Shatter Sword!

The Stone Shatter Sword was worthy of its reputation as an all-mighty crushing combat skill. Just a bit of comprehension in skill5 could give the user the ability to crush 1,000-pound rocks.

Wu Mingliang had been practicing this combat skill since young and could use the skill at fifty percent comprehension.

Multiple toward slashed landed square on Xiang Shaoyun's body and forced him to retreat multiple steps. His clothes were ripped, and blood could be seen seeping out.

"As expected of a sword skill used with a compatible weapon!" Xiang Shaoyun's wounds were the testament of the skill's sharp offense.

Xiang Shaoyun was forced to retreat. He had lost the upper hand and was now looking for opportunities to counter.

"I want to see how long you can hold on. Loser!" Wu Mingliang was slowly regaining his confidence. He shouted and supplied all his strength to the skill. As a result, the sword slashed became even denser and looked like a dome surrounding Xiang Shaoyun. Facing the onslaught of the attack, he was pushed to the edge of the stage.

Right at this moment, Xiang Shaoyun's gaze hardened. He was in complete control of his surroundings now. He could see every one of Wu Mingliang's movements. He could make out every sword slash distinctly even though they were densely packed together.

This focus was the reason he was on constant defense. He wanted to feel and predict Wu Mingliang's moves so that he could make just one blow—one fatal strike!

"Break for me!" Xiang Shaoyun lowered his body and dodged Wu Mingliang's incoming strike. At the same time, a palm of his own rushed out.

Combat Skill—Cloud Breaking Palm!

Apart from the heavy sword combat skill, Xinag Shaoyun had mastered every skill that he had memorized from the Hall of Combat Skills.

The Cloud Breaking Palm was way stronger than the Blazing Air Fist and the Tornado Kick.

Bang!

Ah!

Wu Mingliang was once again sent flying from Xiang Shaoyun's attack. If one looked carefully, they would discover that every one of his attacks was directed at the same spot.

Xiang Shaoyun took the chance and chased after him. Channeling all his strength towards his legs, he ran. He ran, jumped, performed an air kick, and knocked the sword out of Wu Mingliang's hand. All the while, he didn't forget to kick his face multiple times.

"Did I ask you to snatch my food!"

"Did I ask you to send your henchman!"

"Did I ask you to provoke me just to show off!!"

"..."

Xiang Shaoyun vented all the anger in his heart and mercilessly pounded Wu Mingliang's face!

Right now, Wu Mingliang's head looked quite like a pig's head!

When everyone saw this scene, they felt a chill run down their spines. If this barrage of crazy punches and kicks landed on their face, their face and fate would be sealed.

This especially terrifies Wu Mingliang's henchmen. They were afraid that Xiang Shaoyun would target them in the future!

In a pavilion not far away, two elders could be seen... enjoying the show.

"Brother Changhe, this disciple of yours has a bright future." The older man sighed while facing the younger man.

These two people were the fourteenth elder of Hall of Martial Arts and Xiang Shaoyun's senior brother, Zi Changhe.

Zi Changhe chuckled, "I can't be his master. I am merely taking a disciple on behalf of teacher. However, this kid has indeed exceeded my expectations. In ten days, he has jumped two grades and had reached the seventh grade of the Martial Entering Stage. Quite befitting of his talent."

"More than that, he is simply a genius amongst geniuses. He defeated an opponent two grades above him with such a carefree demeanor. He is probably even more outstanding than the direct disciple of the principal!" The fourteenth elder praised.

"They should be matched in strength at most," Zi Changhe answered. Paused for a bit before continuing, "Alright, let's go to the Hundred Beast Mountain Vein. There has been quite a ruckus going on there. Maybe some spirit item had appeared. We need to take care of it before it causes some trouble to the disciples."

"Don't you care about your junior brother?" The fourteenth elder asked in surprise.

"I'm making him stay in the outer court for half a year. It is to tone down his arrogant and pretentious personality. Once he learns the necessary lessons of life, I will take him to the Cloud edge City so that he can pay respect to master," Zi Changhee said as he recounted his plan.

"Umm. You're right. He is an unrefined jade right now. Your methods are indeed much more insightful than those of the other elders."

At this time, Xiang Shaoyun had already stopped his barrage of attacks.

Wu Mingliang's face now had blood, wounds, bruises, and maybe even a broken jaw. It was a tragic sight.

"With just this bit of strength, you want to turn all the outer court disciples against me? Return to your mother's womb and practice for another 100 before even thinking about challenging me!" Xiang Shaoyun's voice was laced with contempt and arrogance.

Wu Mingliang glared at Xiang Shaoyun and muttered with his broken face, "Y-you dared to hit me? I—no, my brothers won't let you go…"

Before he could finish, he fainted.

"He isn't dead, right? I didn't even punch him that hard," Xiang Shaoyun said as he spread out his hands.

Everyone in the audience rolled their eyes. Who would believe that!

The martial instructor immediately rushed over and checked Wu Mingliang's nose. Realizing that he was still breathing, he announced with relief, "Winner, Xiang Shaoyun!"

"Haha, I knew that boss would win. Boss, you won because you're my boss! You must protect me from now on!" Xia Liuhui was the one most excited.

The people around him were all scoffing at him in their hearts, "Shameless bastard! Who was the one praying for Xiang Shaoyun's defeat, just not a miserable one?"

In the other direction, Lu Xiaoqing's beautiful eyes shone with a hint of color.