"Brother Yang, aren't you underestimating me a little too much? Did you forget how I almost defeated you?" Feng Rui's voice was laced with frustration as he frowned, clearly displeased with the direction things were heading.
"No, Brother Feng, not at all," Yang Zhai replied with a calm smile. "It's just that our opponent specifically requested my master to compete. And since Master Zuh is willing to fight for the sake of the sect, I simply helped persuade Elder Yu Hao to approve it."
"You think I'm a fool?" Feng Rui narrowed his eyes. "You practically said he's stronger than me. Fine, how about this—let's have an arm wrestle to settle who truly deserves this fight."
Yang Zhai turned to look at Zuh Qil, only to see him silently shake his head and walk forward toward the battleground without a word.
Seeing this, Feng Rui felt a sting of humiliation burn through him.
But he bit his tongue. He could tell Yu Hao and Del Mo both preferred Zuh Qil to represent Iron Clad Sect. If he pushed further, he would only embarrass himself more. Not to mention, Yang Zhai's reasoning would easily convince others, even if it failed to convince him.
So, in the end, he stepped back with a bitter taste in his mouth and said, more for face-saving than anything else, "If it's for the sect, then I'll yield and let you take my place. I just hope Zuh Qil gives it his all."
Zuh Qil stood poised and calm, completely unfazed, awaiting the start of the duel.
"Excellent. I'm glad we've reached an agreement," Del Mo said smoothly. "Now, the rules are simple: if you lose, you join the Moonlight Sect. But if Mil Do Nim is defeated, he will join the Iron Clad Sect." As she finished, she motioned for someone to come forward.
The figure who stepped forth looked to be around nineteen. His black hair flowed just past his shoulders, sleek and straight. His eyes were dark—deep, black pupils like the unfathomable depths of an ancient ocean. He wore a striking lavender-colored Hanfu that fluttered with every graceful step.
He offered a small bow and spoke politely. "I hope we have a fair and good fight."
Zuh Qil, quiet as always, gave only a slight nod in response.
"Shall we begin?" Mil Do Nim asked, tone courteous but sharp.
Zuh Qil nodded once more. He then reached down, picked up a stone from the ground, and casually tossed it into the air—about four to five meters high.
Mil Do Nim understood immediately. That stone was the signal. He prepared himself.
As soon as the stone touched the ground, both fighters exploded into motion, charging at one another without hesitation. Mil Do Nim's movements were clean and confident, a reflection of his mastery and faith in his own strength.
But for Zuh Qil, it was never about confidence. He moved because Yang Zhai had given the order. That was enough. Still, he wasn't blind. He had fought many battles before. His instincts were sharp, and his tactics sharper. Unless Yang Zhai had commanded him to die, Zuh Qil knew how to survive—and how to win.
Mil Do Nim was a rank 5 cultivator, and Zuh Qil had been granted strength by Yang Zhai. His plan was clear: do not give the opponent a single moment to strategize. End it before it begins.
After all, the strength flowing within him right now was around 300 bulls.
Top-tier rank 5 body cultivators were usually capable of wielding the strength of about 160 bulls—true talents who outclassed most of their peers. Above them were the geniuses who could reach 170 or even 180 bulls' strength, exceptional even among the elite.
And if Del Mo's words held truth, Mil Do Nim might very well possess strength exceeding 180 bulls. Worse yet, unlike Zuh Qil who relied solely on brute force, Mil Do Nim was said to possess refined techniques and other hidden means.
Even though Zuh Qil could likely overpower someone with up to 200 bulls' strength, both he and Yang Zhai valued caution above arrogance. So, on Yang Zhai's command, Zuh Qil decided to end things swiftly.
Right from the start, he unleashed a punch backed with the raw strength of 180 bulls. Mil Do Nim dodged swiftly, his instincts sharp.
In return, Mil Do Nim countered with a high kick aimed straight at Zuh Qil's head. But instead of evading, Zuh Qil grabbed the leg mid-air and slammed a powerful punch into his opponent's face.
Mil Do Nim went flying, rolling across the dirt and stopping only after tumbling for ten meters.
What the hell?! My strength is at 191 bulls—and that's after years of grueling techniques, pushing myself every single day! A rank 5 with over 170 bulls is called a once-in-a-century genius. Someone reaching 180 is deemed once in a millennium. But this guy just flung me like a twig?! Mil Do Nim was stunned beyond belief.
So… Zuh Qil used the strength of 220 bulls? Is Mil Do Nim really that formidable? I hadn't expected this… Yang Zhai's eyes narrowed, calculating. It was clear to him now that Zuh Qil had raised his output beyond 180.
I can't hold back anymore. I need to activate my ire right now, and start using my techniques. I can't win with raw strength alone. I don't know how he acquired that monstrous power, but he's a beast, Mil Do Nim thought, and immediately activated a powerful defensive ire.
But just as he did, he felt something tug sharply at the right side of his head. In that instant, everything began to blur. His vision twisted, his mind reeled. Pain—cold and endless—began flooding through his skull like waves in an ocean. Within seconds, his consciousness faded completely into darkness.
Zuh Qil straightened his slightly hunched back and stood upright, composed.
Everyone watching was left in stunned silence.
"Just… two punches?" Feng Rui whispered in disbelief. "Was his opponent weak? No… that doesn't make sense. A body cultivator doesn't pass out so easily."
"If Del Mo herself claimed that Mil Do Nim was the best among the disciples of the Moonlight Sect present here, then that boy was definitely powerful," Yu Hao muttered, amazed. "But to be defeated in just two hits… I clearly underestimated Zuh Qil."
"Two punches…" Del Mo echoed with narrowed eyes, her expression unreadable. She thought to herself, My instincts didn't betray me. This boy… he's a true talent. But Mil Do Nim was my strongest. If even he couldn't stand against Zuh Qil, then sending anyone else would only be self-sabotage. No… I need to be patient. Wait and Watch.
!|!*****!*****!|!