C20 Wuji Zhan

Zhang Nan had initially intended to decline, but upon hearing someone hitting on Murong Wan, he quickly responded, "I'll walk you back. It's not safe this late at night."

With that, Zhang Nan donned his jacket and escorted Murong Wan to the Central Arena.

Upon their arrival, they noticed that despite the late hour, the arena was bustling with spectators engrossed in the ongoing matches.

A man approached Murong Wan and Zhang Nan, offering a smile as he said, "Miss Murong, back so soon? Would you do me the honor of allowing me to buy you dinner?"

"Sorry, she's not available."

Zhang Nan cut in before Murong Wan could reply, dismissing the invitation.

"And who might you be? I was speaking to Miss Murong. What gives you the right to interrupt and speak for her?" the man demanded, his tone icy as he turned to Zhang Nan.

"It doesn't matter who I am. What you need to understand is that she's busy right now. Got it?" Zhang Nan retorted sharply.

In a hushed tone, Murong Wan informed Zhang Nan, "That's Wuji Zhan from Charkzed Academy. He's at the ninth level of Foundation Building. Be cautious."

Zhang Nan nodded, mentally weighing his options. At the fifth level of Foundation Building, bolstered by various skills, he considered whether he could take on someone at the ninth level.

Wuji Zhan misinterpreted Murong Wan's whispering to Zhang Nan as a sign of intimacy and scoffed, "Here I thought Miss Murong was the paragon of virtue. Seems I was mistaken."

Zhang Nan's eyes flashed dangerously at Wuji Zhan's comment. He challenged him coldly, "Care to repeat that?"

With a taunting smile, Wuji Zhan replied, "Oh, you want to try and kill me? Go ahead, make your move. I'm curious to see how you'd manage that."

"Let's step outside," Zhang Nan suggested tersely, then strode out of the arena.

Murong Wan, recognizing Zhang Nan's fury, hurried after him, urging, "Zhang Nan, please, don't do anything rash. Wuji Zhan is at the ninth level of Foundation Building; you're not his equal. It's no big deal if he insults me."

Zhang Nan chuckled upon hearing this, "No worries. He's merely at the ninth level of Foundation Building. I'm not about to lose."

As they spoke, the trio had already stepped outside.

Murong Wan, thinking Zhang Nan was just showing off, quickly interjected, "Let's not engage Wuji Zhan anymore. We'll drop the matter; you should head back."

"You think I'll just let it go? That's too simplistic. Moreover, it seems this gentleman here isn't keen on letting it slide either," Wuji Zhan said, looking at Zhang Nan with a grin.

Zhang Nan nodded affirmatively, "Of course, I don't want to let it go. Since I initiated it, I should be the one to see it through."

With that, Zhang Nan unleashed his Thunderclap Palm, launching an attack at Wuji Zhan.

Wuji Zhan burst into laughter, "Well met! Now, try to counter my Ghost Hand."

Zhang Nan saw four hands materialize before him, but only one was real. At a loss, Murong Wan shouted out, "Zhang Nan, watch out above!"

Alerted by Murong Wan's cry, Zhang Nan looked up and, with determination, propelled his Thunderclap Palm towards the hand overhead.

With a loud "Bam!" their genuine energy clashed, sending Wuji Zhan and Zhang Nan both reeling backward.

"Humph, it's a duel. Outsiders shouldn't interfere," Wuji Zhan said with irritation.

"I can do as I please. It's none of your concern," retorted Murong Wan with a smug tone.

"People from Azure Academy are truly without shame," Wuji Zhan spat out in anger.

"Are we continuing or not? If so, spare me the pointless chatter," Zhang Nan pressed on.

"Of course, we continue. Why wouldn't we? I haven't been defeated," Wuji Zhan declared.

Zhang Nan was growing concerned. Wuji Zhan was the only one at his level who could match him in combat, which led Zhang Nan to question his identity. Given that his own martial skills were exceptional, it stood to reason that Wuji Zhan's skills were equally remarkable.

After coming to a realization, Zhang Nan promptly drew the Skycleaver and proposed, "Now that we've finished showcasing our skills, let's see whose spirit artifact is superior."

"Fine by me, that's exactly what I had in mind."

Wuji Zhan responded and produced a long spear.

"This is the Wraithlance, a gift from the academy when I came of age. And now, I intend to use it to defeat you."

Wuji Zhan caressed the spear as he spoke.

Zhang Nan let out a cold laugh before replying, "I hope your spear remains in one piece after this."

He had witnessed the power of the Skycleaver firsthand; even a low-level spirit weapon like the Skycleaver could easily break him.

"Really? You're quite the braggart. Well then, prepare to meet your end."

With those words, Wuji Zhan swung the Wraithlance, sending a shadowy spear thrusting towards Zhang Nan.

"Voidripper!"

Golden sword energy clashed with the shadow of the spear.

"Boom!"

The energies collided and exploded, vanishing into thin air.

Both competitors furrowed their brows at the outcome and then turned their gazes towards each other.

"I must admit, the spirit weapon you possess is quite remarkable," Wuji Zhan remarked with a grin.

"I was about to say the same thing to you," Zhang Nan replied with a hearty laugh.

They clashed again for dozens of rounds until they were both completely drained, barely able to stand by leaning on their spirit weapons.

"Do you concede?" Zhang Nan inquired.

Wuji Zhan burst into laughter and retorted, "You're the one who's mistaken. You can barely stand yourself, and yet you ask if I concede?"

"Hmph, can you stand without support? If you can, then stop leaning on the Wraithlance. Let go," Zhang Nan challenged.

Hearing this, Wuji Zhan awkwardly retorted, "Hmph, I won't let go. This is my spirit weapon; there's no reason for me to release it."

Zhang Nan, undeterred, grasped the Skycleaver and charged at Wuji Zhan once more.

After a few more exchanges, neither could remain upright, and they both collapsed to the ground.

Following her own match, Murong Wan emerged from the Central Arena and approached Zhang Nan, saying, "My match is over. Should we head back?"

Zhang Nan dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand, "I'm not going back. I haven't finished here. I want to go another hundred rounds."

"Hah, you think you can handle another hundred rounds? I'd be impressed if you could even stand up, let alone continue," Wuji Zhan retorted with a snort, panting heavily.

"Stand up if you can. What are you doing lying there on the ground?" Zhang Nan said, clearly annoyed.

"I like it here. It's cool on the ground. What's it to you?" Wuji Zhan replied, showing no interest in continuing the conversation.

Murong Wan looked at the two exhausted fighters and shook her head in resignation. "Both of you, go back and rest. We can continue the fight tomorrow. Now, go and get some rest."

Upon hearing Murong Wan's words, both men nodded and agreed together, "Alright, we'll resume the battle tomorrow."