C6 Zhuang Guai

After standing for a moment, Zhuang Xing returned to his bed. He ingested a Pill and commenced his cultivation practice.

His body was exceedingly frail, and the quality of the pills he consumed was subpar. But with the Top Grade Pills he had crafted, these issues were inconsequential. The Top Grade Pill, being free of impurities, was ideal for cultivation.

"Qi Refining Stage Level Six Heaven."

"Qi Refining Stage Level Seven Heaven."

"Qi Refining Stage Level Eight Heaven."

In the span of a single night, Zhuang Xing's cultivation soared to the Qi Refining Stage Level Nine Heaven. Within a mere day and night, he had advanced from Qi Refining Stage Level Two Heaven to Level Nine Heaven. Such a rapid pace of cultivation would surely astonish anyone who learned of it.

As night gave way to day, Zhuang Xing emerged from his cultivation. His breakthrough to Qi Refining Stage Level Nine Heaven didn't elicit the excitement one might expect. Reborn, he had grown more composed—a mindset that could be advantageous for his cultivation journey.

Post-breakfast, Zhuang Xing stepped outside to stretch his limbs. Not yet having reached the Spirit Wheel Stage, he was unable to practice or wield many of the Profound Arts.

The training ground was where the Zhuang family's young disciples gathered for their morning drills. As dawn broke, the field buzzed with activity, with some participants as old as fifteen or sixteen and others as young as seven or eight.

"Zhuang Xiang, you're hopeless. You got knocked down by a single punch from Zhuang Xing."

"My defeat yesterday was because I didn't give it my all. If he dares to show up today, I'll surely beat him."

Zhuang Xiang's fists tightened. His loss to Zhuang Xing the previous day was the most humiliating moment of his life. He had vowed to exact revenge.

"Zhuang Xiang, here's your chance—Zhuang Xing is on his way."

The crowd turned to see a teenager approaching the entrance. It was Zhuang Xing.

Upon laying eyes on Zhuang Xing, Zhuang Xiang's heart surged with enmity. He stormed up to Zhuang Xing and spat out, "Prepare to die."

Zhuang Xiang could no longer contain his impatience. With a thunderous shout, he launched himself into an attack, fists clenched, charging at Zhuang Xing. His aim was to take Zhuang Xing by surprise.

However, it was clear he had gravely underestimated Zhuang Xing's capabilities. Zhuang Xing was far stronger than him at this point.

With a slight smile, Zhuang Xing spoke calmly, "So eager to meet your end? I shall oblige."

Zhuang Xing effortlessly sidestepped Zhuang Xiang's assault and landed a solid kick on him.

Zhuang Xiang let out a wretched scream as he was sent flying once more, his dantian shattered by the impact of Zhuang Xing's kick.

"How merciless."

Onlookers winced as Zhuang Xiang writhed on the ground. With his dantian destroyed, his prospects of cultivating ever again were dashed.

"You're so cruel, destroying his dantian. You've lost your mind," someone from the crowd exclaimed.

A young man stepped forward from the throng, Zhuang Guai, the Zhuang family's most prodigious talent.

Zhuang Guai eyed Zhuang Xing, inwardly fretting over the lack of a pretext to eliminate him. Now, Zhuang Xing had inadvertently provided him with the perfect excuse to strike without remorse.

"You're the one without a heart," Zhuang Xing retorted coolly. "Just yesterday, you sent two assassins after me!"

His revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd, sparking a wave of murmurs and speculation.

Zhuang Guai's face twisted with anger, his mind awash with murderous intent. If he let Zhuang Xing reveal more about yesterday's incident, his reputation would be in tatters. He had to silence Zhuang Xing swiftly.

"Devil Thief, your life ends today."

"Have you lost your cool? Are you that desperate to kill me?" Zhuang Xing asked, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Zhuang Guai wasted no time, immediately unleashing his attack. His formidable presence exploded forth, stirring the air into a frenzy.

He was a Spirit Wheel Stage Expert.

The crowd stepped back, recognizing the gravity of the situation. Zhuang Guai was intent on slaying Zhuang Xing to uphold his status as the preeminent member of the Zhuang family.

"This is the Human Rank High Level Martial Skill, Heaven Shocking Palm. I didn't expect Zhuang Guai to resort to such a high-level technique right from the start."

"Within the entire Zhuang family, there are only two Human Rank High Level Martial Skills: the Heaven Shocking Palm and the Strange Sect Seal. Only those who have attained the Spirit Wheel Stage are eligible to practice them."

"I had assumed Zhuang Xing could withstand a move or two, but it appears he can't even handle one."

"Indeed, the might of the Heaven Shocking Palm is formidable. A single strike can shatter even a large tree in an instant. There's simply no force that can stand against it."

The crowd's expressions shifted dramatically as they watched Zhuang Guai's hand movements, and a buzz of conversation erupted among them.

Human Rank High Level Martial Skill?

Zhuang Xing's eyebrows lifted subtly. The skills he had mastered were far beyond the mere Heaven Rank. To him, a Human Rank High Level Martial Skill was hardly worth mentioning.

He clenched his fist as the Fire Phoenix Spell within him surged to life. A potent flame burst forth, enveloping his fist and transforming it into a blazing Fire Fist.

Without any attempt to evade, Zhuang Xing charged forward, his fist ablaze as if to set the very air on fire with its fearsome power.

As Zhuang Xing launched his attack, the anticipated devastation did not manifest. Instead, Zhuang Guai was repelled by the Fire Fist. A scorching blast radiated from the epicenter, rapidly heating the surrounding air.

"Qi Refining Stage Level Nine Heaven."

Through this clash, Zhuang Guai recognized Zhuang Xing's true level of cultivation, his face etched with astonishment.

The others, overhearing Zhuang Guai, were equally astounded.

"Wasn't his cultivation level stagnant at Qi Refining Stage Level Two Heaven? How did he suddenly advance to Qi Refining Stage Level Nine Heaven?"

"Is it possible he was concealing his true strength?"

"It's likely; he's hidden it well."

"If someone like him is still considered worthless, what does that make us?"

"We've been too quick to judge. Clearly, we can no longer dismiss him as worthless."

Zhuang Xing shot Zhuang Guai a look of sheer disdain, his face etched with shock.

"Is that the extent of your strength? You're truly a disgrace."

Given Zhuang Guai's level of ability, should he dare to enter the Hidden Dragon Ranking Great Competition, he would be nothing but a laughingstock. He'd do nothing but bring shame upon the Zhuang family, getting knocked out in the very first round.

"Worthless, just die already."