C21 Exceeding Expectations

"Feiyu, it looks like we'll have to come up with a different plan," Wu Tang said, his brow furrowed as he watched Huah Yunfei step back onto the stage.

Xie Feiyu's expression was grave; she knew full well Huah Yunfei's capabilities. When they had joined forces against the Horse-faced Blade Master, it was Huah Yunfei's decisive blow that shattered the opponent's weapon and secured their narrow victory. Now, with Huah Yunfei facing a non-Golden Core adversary, Xie Feiyu held onto a fair amount of hope for him.

"Uncle, we can discuss this later. Let's keep our eyes on the match," she said, her attention fixed on Huah Yunfei, without turning back to Wu Tang.

Wu Tang couldn't fathom his niece's high regard for Huah Yunfei. "The gap between him and his opponent is vast; winning would be harder than reaching the heavens. I just hope he's smart enough not to get hurt out of sheer stubbornness."

Since Wu Tang didn't share Xie Feiyu's faith in Huah Yunfei, and she couldn't sway him, she simply remained silent and continued to watch the contest unfold.

"Do you guys think that kid at the second level's peak stands a chance of winning this time?"

This query popped up among the spectators, only to be met with derision.

"What are you thinking? With a seven-level disparity, you think he can win? Remember how tough it was for the one at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment to secure a victory. A second-level hopeful beating a ninth-level peak? That'd only happen if the sun rose in the west."

"Well, you never know. The kid might have an ace up his sleeve!"

"Nonsense! Against overwhelming power, even the strongest ace is just wishful thinking."

The onlookers bickered, their voices rising as they placed wagers on the outcome of the match, right there beneath the prefecture's arena.

The commotion below didn't escape the notice of the two competitors on stage.

"Are you not planning to step down on your own?"

The contestant, fresh from a loss and at the peak of the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, was seething with frustration.

He had grown quite familiar with Huah Yunfei. Though he was taken aback by Huah Yunfei's recent victory over a higher-level cultivator, it was merely a fleeting surprise.

Losing the match, especially to an opponent he deemed weaker, filled Huah Yunfei's adversary with rage. Now, he directed all his fury toward Huah Yunfei.

"Perhaps stepping down voluntarily would spare me some physical suffering. But that would be too spineless. Even in defeat, one should lose with dignity. Besides, who says I'm bound to lose? Maybe I can still win?" Huah Yunfei, grinning, faced his fuming opponent, which only intensified the other's irritation.

Huah Yunfei's remark nearly made him grind his teeth in frustration. "You think you stand a chance of winning? Haha! That's hilarious! Do you really believe there's little difference between the peak of the ninth level and the seventh level of Foundation Establishment?"

"I do believe that. How much difference can there be between the peak of Level Nine Foundation Building and Level Seven?" Huah Yunfei retorted.

His intention had been to emphasize the disparity between the peak of Level Nine Foundation Building and Level Seven. Unexpectedly, Huah Yunfei suggested that the gap between them wasn't so vast.

"You..." His opponent was so infuriated he nearly choked on his own fury.

But Huah Yunfei remained unperturbed, smiling at his opponent. "Didn't you just lose to someone at Level Nine Foundation Building? That suggests your cultivation is lacking. If you can lose to Level Nine, then surely Level Seven could also pose a threat. And if I can triumph over Level Seven, doesn't that imply I might also defeat someone at the peak of Level Nine Foundation Building?"

Huah Yunfei's words were a verbal onslaught, striking at the heart of his opponent who, despite being second only in cultivation, had been bested by someone of lesser ability. To add insult to injury, Huah Yunfei was now mocking him with his own logic.

With his chest aflame with indignation, Huah Yunfei's adversary felt a powerful malice building up, ready to erupt at any moment.

"Do you want me to give you two free shots?" Huah Yunfei taunted his opponent, who was seething with rage, and added insult to injury with a smirk.

His words were the final blow that pushed his adversary over the edge. The tension that had been building finally exploded.

"I'll kill you!" the man bellowed in fury. With a flick of his wrist, a short spear emerged from his sleeve, quickly extended by a steel pipe that snapped into place with a resounding clang.

The silver spear thrust towards the ground, aiming for Huah Yunfei's feet.

Huah Yunfei's brow furrowed as he gauged his opponent's approach, a plan forming in his mind. His long sword vibrated, unleashing a wave of sword Qi that sliced through the air, targeting the spear.

The collision resulted in a thunderous boom as the sword Qi dispersed upon contact with the spear, leaving not a mark.

The buzzing aftermath saw the opponent's brow furrow even deeper. He leapt into the air, spear in hand, and lunged towards Huah Yunfei, the spearhead aimed directly at his shoulder.

The spear, swift as a silver dragon, struck with the speed of lightning.

Huah Yunfei's frown deepened. He shifted his stance, facing the incoming spear without yielding an inch.

The enraged opponent, seeing that Huah Yunfei didn't even attempt to dodge, felt the sting of being underestimated once more.

"He dares to dismiss me! Unforgivable!" he roared, unleashing his Spiritual Energy in a furious outburst.

The glow from the silver spear intensified, its overwhelming presence bearing down like a force of nature. The arena's surface cracked under the pressure, and Huah Yunfei felt as though a giant hand was squeezing him, making it hard to breathe.

"Is this the pinnacle of Level Seven Foundation Establishment?" Huah Yunfei wondered in amazement. This power was a far cry from that of the horse-faced swordsman in the Ghost Wailing Cave, yet the aura it exuded was truly terrifying.

This was a pressure that not even the horse-faced swordsman had managed to impose on him.

As the silver spear struck the ground, Huah Yunfei's clothing billowed, and a whirlwind of dust rose around him, forming a barrier. With no escape in sight, Huah Yunfei kept his eyes fixed on the spearhead.

Xie Yu, who had been playfully mocking Huah Yunfei moments earlier, suddenly became frantic when she saw him make no attempt to dodge the incoming attack. She turned to Xie Feiyu in a panic and asked, "Miss, why isn't he moving out of the way?"

Xie Feiyu, equally concerned for Huah Yunfei, was inwardly sweating bullets. Who knew what was going through his mind? He wasn't even trying to dodge at such a critical time.

"Feiyu, should your uncle call a halt to this?" Wu Tang, sensing the gravity of the situation, quickly turned to Xie Feiyu with the question.

Xie Feiyu, holding his breath, was too engrossed in the unfolding scene to respond to Wu Tang. The silver spear was already thrusting towards Huah Yunfei.

Huah Yunfei's brows were tightly knit. In that do-or-die moment, he suddenly let out a loud shout, breaking free from the oppressive aura and leaping into action.

"Sword Breaking Style!"

With a swift thrust of his sword, Huah Yunfei's blade emitted a green thunderous glow, narrowly missing the tip of the silver spear.

A sharp clang resonated as the two Spirit Weapons clashed, unleashing a tremendous force upon impact.

Pu! A gush of blood sprayed from Huah Yunfei's mouth. He could acutely feel his arm nearly snapping under the immense force of his opponent, which then coursed through his body, causing internal damage.

His adversary, though looking serious, was unfazed. With an agile flip in mid-air, he landed with poise and stability.

Huah Yunfei stumbled back a couple of steps before regaining his balance.

"You've got nerve! Do you really think so little of my peak Level Seven Foundation Establishment that you'd meet my spear without hesitation? I must admit, you're lucky to be alive; that last blow could have killed you!" His opponent, teeth clenched, glared at the bloodied Huah Yunfei and spat out the words with venom.

The recent turn of events had everyone on edge, their hearts lodged in their throats. But now, as the dust settled, there was a collective sigh of relief for Huah Yunfei. He had survived a direct hit from a full-powered strike at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

Wu Tang let out a sigh of relief and cracked a smile. "This kid is incredibly resilient; he's unscathed. No wonder Feiyu values him so highly. It's quite rare to find someone at the mere second level of Foundation Establishment with such courage and fortitude!"

"Uncle, he may only be at the second level of Foundation Establishment, but he's a diamond in the rough. Given time, his potential is boundless," Xie Feiyu had long since concluded that Huah Yunfei's future cultivation would far surpass his current state. Who knows how far he could advance in the years to come?

"You're giving me too much credit. If you truly possessed the strength of the peak of Level Seven Foundation Establishment, I would have been dead by now," Huah Yunfei said to his opponent, breaking into a laugh.

The opponent, who had initially felt a measure of admiration for Huah Yunfei, could not tolerate such mockery. He pointed his sword and said through clenched teeth, "Kid, as you said. If you can still stand unharmed after this spear thrust, I'll concede defeat!"

"Agreed!" Huah Yunfei replied with a slight smile, accepting the challenge without a moment's hesitation.

He spat out the blood in his mouth, took a deep breath, and braced himself for the impending spear attack.

This time, his adversary was not going to hold back. His previous restraint had only earned Huah Yunfei's ridicule. He was even prepared to run Huah Yunfei through with his spear rather than show any mercy.

With a powerful leap, he thrust his spear forward, and the Spiritual Energy swirling around it morphed into a fierce dragon, snapping and clawing its way towards Huah Yunfei.

Huah Yunfei clutched his long sword with both hands, his right hand no longer able to bear the full brunt of his opponent's strike.

All eyes were riveted on the spear. The onlookers held their breath as they watched Huah Yunfei stand motionless beneath the dragon-shaped Spiritual Energy.

With a resounding crash, the spear struck squarely against Huah Yunfei's chest.