C14 Genius

Zhao Yu was seething with anger. His gaze fixed on Tian Feng, he said icily, "Tian Feng, I don't have time to deal with you right now. Be smart and beat it."

The crowd was taken aback by his words, momentarily doubting their own ears.

Tian Feng, equally shocked, quickly grasped the situation and, with a laugh fueled by rage, retorted, "Zhao Yu, it looks like you're the one in need of a lesson!"

He had been miserable lately.

Since his defeat by Zhao Yu, the news had spread like wildfire throughout the sect. He had even encountered disciples from other sects pointing and snickering at him when he descended the mountain.

It was an immense disgrace. Rage had been building within Tian Feng day by day, to the point where he longed to flatten Zhao Yu with a single slap.

Now, face to face with Zhao Yu and subjected to his mockery, Tian Feng vowed to himself that he would take Zhao Yu down a peg, sect rules be damned.

As Tian Feng was about to launch an attack, a stern voice cut through the air, "Tian Feng, do you dare to flout the rules?"

All eyes turned to see the Appraisal Elder from the Merit Hall standing on the steps, his face stern.

Zhao Yu's earlier bet with Liu Guang, though reneged upon by Liu Guang, was a private affair between disciples, and the elder had refrained from intervening.

However, witnessing Tian Feng's aggressive intent towards Zhao Yu, the elder could no longer remain on the sidelines.

Recognizing the sect elder, Tian Feng dared not show disrespect. With barely contained fury, he bowed with clasped fists, "Elder Qian, you've misunderstood. I merely wish to spar with Junior Brother Zhao."

"Spar?"

The Appraisal Elder scoffed, "Tian Feng, as an inner sect disciple, do you take pride in picking on someone who's unwell? Is that what gives you a sense of achievement?"

"Elder Qian, please, let me explain. It's not what it seems," Tian Feng attempted to defend himself.

"Enough, be gone!" the Appraisal Elder commanded, his patience worn thin.

With a face dark as thunder, Tian Feng shot Zhao Yu a venomous look and stormed off.

Although Zhao Yu was someone he'd gladly kill, the sect's strict hierarchy meant defying the elders was not an option.

This time, he had no choice but to spare Zhao Yu, but the future held ample opportunity for revenge.

Just then, Zhao Yu declared, "Elder Qian, I accept Senior Brother Tian's challenge to spar."

The announcement left everyone around him momentarily dumbfounded.

Tian Feng halted in his tracks, spun around, and gaped at Zhao Yu in astonishment.

The Appraisal Elder, thinking he'd misheard, asked, "What did you just say?"

Zhao Yu replied with composure, "Elder Qian, I'm grateful for your care, but I truly wish to test my martial skills against others. I hope you'll grant me this."

He had been harboring a smoldering rage for far too long.

Now that he had regained his strength, he couldn't keep it a secret indefinitely. Besides, he planned to enter the sect's examination to secure a spot in the Martial Meeting of Seven Sects; his power would be revealed sooner or later.

In his view, a true martial artist ensures those who cross him face consequences—not remain silent and be branded a coward.

If enduring insults was the cost of his martial path, he'd rather abandon it altogether.

The Appraisal Elder, observing Zhao Yu's eyes ablaze with battle intent, furrowed his brow, initially intending to dissuade him once more. But sensing something within Zhao Yu, his surprise softened his expression, and a flicker of excitement crossed his gaze.

He nodded, conceding, "If you're in agreement, then proceed with the competition."

The surrounding disciples' faces tensed, baffled by Zhao Yu's audacity to challenge Tian Feng head-on, and even more so by the Appraisal Elder's endorsement.

"He's an idiot. He surely doesn't think that a mere Spirit Weapon will let him best Tian Feng again?" Liu Guang sneered, believing he'd unraveled the truth.

Tian Feng, grasping the situation, let out a sinister grin. "Junior Brother Zhao, I too am eager for our martial contest."

He was at a loss as to Zhao Yu's true intentions.

Regardless of the circumstances, since Zhao Yu had agreed to the fight, Tian Feng had no grounds for refusal.

The onlookers quickly made room, clearing an area for the two combatants.

"Tian Feng, today I won't need a Spirit Weapon to ensure your complete defeat," Zhao Yu said with a cold laugh.

Having regained the peak of Qi Refining Layer Two, he was eager to gauge his combat prowess. Tian Feng's challenge was timely.

Tian Feng, unable to contain his fury any longer, let out a roar and charged at Zhao Yu.

Three meters from Zhao Yu, Tian Feng leapt two meters into the air in a single bound. His right leg swung in a half-moon arc, a whirlwind accompanying his kick aimed viciously at Zhao Yu's head.

"Mountain-splitting Leg!" the disciples gasped in unison.

The Mountain-splitting Leg was a formidable leg technique. Tian Feng's power was so great, it could likely shatter granite. A direct hit to the head with such force would be fatal.

Even the Appraisal Elder's face betrayed concern.

He had sensed that Zhao Yu's strength might have returned, but it was only speculation until he could see it confirmed.

Unmoved, Zhao Yu stood his ground and concentrated. He waited until Tian Feng was less than half a meter away before launching a sudden counterattack. Rather than evading, he met the assault with a forward punch.

Their fist and foot collided with a heavy thud.

Zhao Yu stood unshaken, while Tian Feng was sent hurtling backward, stumbling over a dozen steps before he could regain his footing.

The surrounding crowd was astounded.

Tian Feng's Mountain-splitting Leg was a move not even inner sect disciples at Qi Refining Layer Three could withstand head-on.

Yet Zhao Yu had not only countered with his fist but had also managed to send Tian Feng reeling. The sight was nothing short of astonishing.

"Damn it," Tian Feng cursed, seething with rage.

During the attack, he had harbored a slight concern that he might kill Zhao Yu.

While he would feel no remorse for killing Zhao Yu, he recognized that as an inner sect disciple, it could complicate matters for him.

But his kick had been too swift to pull back. What he hadn't anticipated was Zhao Yu's ability to withstand his Mountain-splitting Leg in a direct confrontation.

Even now, Tian Feng's right leg tingled with numbness.

"Senior Brother Tian, try to block my attack," Zhao Yu said with a light chuckle as he charged at Tian Feng, executing the Mountain-splitting Leg technique.

His Mountain-splitting Leg stirred up the ground's sand and dust, proving to be more ferocious, sharper, and quicker than Tian Feng's own. It seemed capable of splitting mountains and rocks, exuding a terrifying presence.

Tian Feng felt the wind slash against his face, bringing with it a sharp sting that instantly altered his expression.

How could this be possible? Zhao Yu was supposed to be a frail, dying man. How could he possess such strength?

Tian Feng struggled with disbelief, his heart refusing to accept this reality. With a roar, he quickly brought up his hands to defend himself.

Their limbs clashed.

In a flash, Tian Feng felt as though an iron rod had brutally struck his arm, sending pain coursing through it and a powerful force rippling into his entire body.

He couldn't withstand the attack! Realizing this, Tian Feng hastily retreated, his arms shaking violently as he tried to fend off the overwhelming power.

Zhao Yu hit the ground, leaving cracks in the granite surface.

Not relenting, he pressed his advantage, launching forward with the Ten Shadow Palms. Palm shadows swirled around Tian Feng, engulfing him.

Tian Feng's complexion turned ashen.

Twice repelled by Zhao Yu, his blood circulation in turmoil, he had no choice but to resist the onslaught. Drawing upon a surge of genuine energy, he desperately held on.

As the battle raged on, Tian Feng was pushed back relentlessly, clearly outmatched.

The onlookers were dumbstruck.

Witnessing Zhao Yu's fierce Palm Technique, memories of the past surfaced unbidden.

It was as though the sect's top prodigy of a year ago had finally made his triumphant return.