Chapter 1456: I Can Break Through!

Zhang Xuan was so angry he spat blood, while the many core disciples below the stage were all wide-mouthed, speechless.

In their view, he was just a branch disciple, and with such a lower cultivation level, as long as Zhang Linqing made a move, he would surely be defeated on the spot. They never dreamed that within three moves, the one defeated would be the latter!

"Zhang Jiuxiao wins..."

Not expecting this outcome either, Elder Fengchen was stunned for a moment before announcing.

If their cultivations were similar, a match would be needed to determine victory or defeat, but with such a large gap, being defeated by a single finger strike was rare even for someone who had lived so many years.

However, anything can happen in a match, and there have been cases where the strong are suddenly defeated by the weak. Thus, although this result was strange, it was not shocking.

"Next match: Zhang Lin versus Zhang Fengyun..."

After winning, Zhang Jiuxiao came down from the stage, sat down to rest, and once again took out a top-grade spirit stone, continuously absorbing spiritual energy to convert it into power.

What he lacked now was time; he could not waste a single second.

While he was cultivating, Zhang Linqing was helped off the arena, and a group of companions gathered around.

"What happened?"

A tall young man looked over.

The exchange between the two was extremely fast, and Zhang Jiuxiao's strike targeted the opponent's weakness. Many below the stage had no idea what had happened.

"This guy is a bit strange..." Zhang Linqing shook his head.

To be honest, he still hadn't figured out how he lost.

His cultivation was higher, his technique was higher, his strength was higher, yet this result occurred. Even after stepping down, he found it hard to accept.

"A proper core disciple losing to a branch disciple with lower cultivation—Linqing, you've set a precedent for us core disciples..."

A cold snort came, and then a tall, thin young man walked over.

"Zhang Quanyi, what do you mean?"

Zhang Linqing's face darkened.

"Nothing much, just think it's embarrassing..."

The tall, thin young man named Zhang Quanyi snorted coldly.

"You..."

Zhang Linqing clenched his fists.

This Zhang Quanyi was from the same branch as him, and they often quarreled. Though angry, having lost so miserably, he couldn't find words to retort.

Taking a few deep breaths, he suppressed his anger and said, "This Zhang Jiuxiao is not easy. If I remember correctly, your next match should be against him. Be careful!"

"Careful? Dealing with a little guy who just broke through to mid-stage Domain Realm—do I need to be careful?"

Zhang Quanyi's body flickered, releasing an invincible aura.

"Half-step Void Realm?"

Zhang Linqing's pupils contracted.

He often fought with the other, and their strengths were similar. How had this guy broken through overnight?

Half-step Void Realm, though only a minor level above Domain Realm, was actually as different as heaven and earth, not to be mentioned in the same breath.

"Exactly! For a martial artist, the most important thing is strength. What are techniques? What are martial skills? Under absolute power, they mean nothing! That move of yours, Fissure Fist—if you had used it with Half-step Void Realm strength, could he have broken it?"

Standing straight with his back, Zhang Quanyi sneered coldly.

"This..."

Zhang Linqing's body stiffened.

What the other said was right. If his power had been a bit stronger, even if the opponent struck that point, his finger would have been snapped by the force, and he couldn't have broken it!

"Don't worry. Though you and I have never been on good terms, we're from the same branch. Since you've been bullied, I'll help you get revenge!"

Flicking his sleeve, he coldly looked toward Zhang Jiuxiao's direction. Zhang Quanyi's eyes flashed: "In the upcoming match, I won't be as soft-hearted as you. I'll defeat him in one move!"

Hearing his promise, Zhang Linqing breathed a sigh of relief.

Having fought him for years, Zhang Quanyi knew well the difference in their strength, and now that he had broken through his shackles, as long as he made a move, there was no doubt that this collateral branch disciple would be defeated on the spot.

He took the pill and sat waiting in place. Nearly half an hour later, the second round began, and the two indeed faced off against each other.

Just as Zhang Quanyi had said, as soon as he stepped onto the stage, he unleashed his full strength. Whether intentionally or not, he used the same Fissure Fist as his opponent.

As the fist wind appeared, the seals around the arena rustled violently. Opposite him, Zhang Jiuxiao frowned, and this time, instead of attacking, he dodged to the side.

"Can you dodge?"

With a cold smile, Zhang Quanyi spread his five fingers, unleashing the power of his Half-Step Void Realm, pressing down like a cage, making it impossible even to release one's spiritual sense.

"It seems this level of strength can't withstand it..."

Just as his palm was about to land on the opponent, he saw Zhang Jiuxiao's lips curl into a faint smile, as if talking to himself or casually muttering: "Then let's break through!"

Boom!

Before Zhang Quanyi could react, he felt a tremendous pressure bearing down on him. The opponent, who was only at the mid-stage of the Domain Realm, had in the blink of an eye broken through that level and reached the late stage of the Domain Realm!

With his cultivation advancing, his power surged again. Zhang Jiuxiao threw a counterpunch to meet him.

Bang!

Fist and palm clashed, and both retreated simultaneously.

"How is this possible?"

His eyes wide, Zhang Quanyi was so frightened he nearly fell to the ground.

This guy—he had personally witnessed his battle with Zhang Linqing. He had just broken through a minor level; how could he continue to break through?

Even with a direct infusion of power, it couldn't be this fast!

"I don't believe it..."

Clenching his teeth, he let out a roar and charged again.

This time, he didn't use the Fissure Fist, but his most adept martial technique!

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, the stage was filled with afterimages, like a colorful ring trapping Zhang Jiuxiao within.

Saint-grade upper-rank martial technique, Coiling Dragon Body Art!

This technique incorporated the mysteries of formations; once executed, even Zhang Linqing at the same level would find it hard to contend. Even if the opponent had broken through, they were only at the late Domain Realm and couldn't possibly escape.

"Such speed..."

Trapped in the center, Zhang Jiuxiao felt he couldn't even absorb spiritual energy, felt dizzy, his brows furrowed, growing solemn.

"Being able to force me to use this move, even if you lose, you can be proud!"

Seeing his expression, Zhang Quanyi sneered coldly and extended his palm.

Bang bang bang!

Immediately feeling a tightness in his chest, Zhang Jiuxiao took several palm strikes in succession.

"Heh heh, don't worry, I won't defeat you in one blow. I'll make you understand little by little that the dignity of a core disciple is not to be profaned by a mere branch member!"

Speaking while attacking.

Zhang Jiuxiao couldn't find a way to counter for a moment, somewhat flustered.

"Aren't you going to break through? Go ahead, try it again?"

After several consecutive moves, the young man in the center was left with an ugly expression, and Zhang Quanyi laughed heartily.

Weren't you quite happy breaking through just now?

Why can't you do it now?

"Right, I can break through..."

Slapping his forehead, Zhang Jiuxiao looked helpless. Then, before Zhang Quanyi could react, he felt the trapped guy's aura surge again, breaking through the shackles of the late Domain Realm in half a breath to reach the peak.

The next moment, his neck stiffened as it was seized and lifted, like grabbing a rabbit.