Chapter 129: Chaotic Battle
Others might not know who was in that private room, but did he, Fu Xuejing, not know?
Although that lord had suddenly caused such an incident, it indeed made this trade fair chaotic.
But he also realized that this was a test, and its weight was absolutely no less than a formal assessment.
For both emotion and reason, Fu Xuejing had to be the first to take the lead.
Seeing Fu Xuejing’s decisiveness, the crowd suddenly thought of something.
Especially Lin Family’s Lin Junhao, Lin Yuzhi, and others, their expressions slightly changed, and their gazes quickly became fervent.
“Brother Fu, let me spar with you.”
Lin Yuzhi held a long sword, jumped into the arena, eyes burning as he stared fixedly at Fu Xuejing.
He spoke politely, but had already decided to use Fu Xuejing as a stepping stone to showcase his own aptitude.
“Brother Lin, please.”
Fu Xuejing held a Black Steel Eight-faced Hammer in his hand, eyes slightly cold, and clashed with him.
The two respectively released their beast spirit phantoms; although not yet true intent, the aura was exceptionally strong, flipping over all the decorations, flower pots, and other items on the first floor.
On Fu Xuejing’s side was an Armored Ox phantom over three meters tall, clad in heavy armor, with a sturdy build.
On Lin Yuzhi’s side was a Shadow Leopard phantom surrounded by black shadows, also two to three meters long, with robust muscles, a massive frame, charging forward with him in an instant.
The two fought, weapons clashing with clanging sounds, auras colliding, true essence surging outward with each move, nearly destroying the floor and furnishings on this floor.
The two had comparable strength, both at Spirit Nurturing Great Accomplishment realm, just stepping toward perfection.
One was agile and ever-changing, the other steady and solid; their fight was truly hard to distinguish.
Su Yan watched the fight, glancing sidelong at the private room, vaguely seeing someone behind the thin window watching the situation below.
“Beast King Sect people have arrived.”
Bai Yun’s voice came; her eyes fixed on Fu Xuejing without turning back.
“Ye Chenyao was once the disciple of the Third Shopkeeper of Tian Feng Weapon Shop; three years ago she joined Beast King Sect. Unexpectedly, this time they contacted Tian Feng Weapon Shop first.”
Over the years, quite a few disciples from various families had joined Beast King Sect, mostly outer disciples and servant disciples.
Those who could enter the inner sect and stand firm were far fewer in number.
Normally when coming, based on relations with Beast King Sect, they would either enter the city directly or contact the Lin Family.
But now, unexpectedly entering the city quietly and also contacting Tian Feng Weapon Shop was something no one had anticipated.
Only Su Yan pondered; this was to support Tian Feng Weapon Shop, or Ye Chenyao was worried about her master Ge Ming’s safety.
“Who they contact isn’t important; he actually doesn’t care much.”
Having reviewed the matter in his mind, Su Yan’s gaze fell on Fu Xuejing.
At this moment, Fu Xuejing swung his hammer like a cape, his powerful and heavy attacks danced airtight, suppressing Lin Yuzhi’s sword momentum.
“Throwing out this《Eighteen Styles of Blood Tiger》 definitely caught Fu Xuejing off guard; he had no choice but to step up.”
“The upper sect has always been like this.”
Bai Yun’s expression was calm, showing no joy or sorrow over this matter; strength was fundamental, as it had always been in the martial arts world.
“Lin Yuzhi has lost.”
Su Yan’s eyes flickered slightly; he saw Lin Yuzhi’s Shadow Leopard merge with his long sword, the terrifying leopard form turning into black mist, the artistic conception fully integrated into the long sword.
One sword like a shadow, charging straight at Fu Xuejing.
Fu Xuejing’s expression steady, suddenly his Black Steel Eight-faced Hammer spun like a top, forming a black shield.
The Armored Ox phantom charged with its horns, colliding with the sword tip.
A clanging ring; Lin Yuzhi’s long sword was knocked flying, clanging into the beam pillar ten steps behind him.
His palms numb, face ashen.
Fu Xuejing cupped his hands from afar, steadying his breath: “Brother Lin, you yield.”
Lin Yuzhi snorted ‘you win’ and turned to retrieve his sword.
“Junior Brother, lend me a True Essence Pill.”
Bai Yun suddenly turned her head; Su Yan was stunned, then smiled: “Here, be careful.”
He handed the True Essence Pill to Bai Yun; she took the pill and leaped down.
The crowd looked in surprise at Bai Yun who suddenly appeared in the arena, especially Fu Xuejing, whose expression was slightly strained but still cupped his fists in salute: “Next is Miss Bai? Please…”
“True Essence Pill can nurture true essence, speeding up your recovery; eat it, and I’ll wait for you a quarter-hour.”
Her temperament decisive, she tossed the True Essence Pill, which landed in Fu Xuejing’s hand.
Fu Xuejing chuckled wryly, forthrightly said: “Good.”
He had no doubts, took out a True Essence Pill and swallowed it.
Immediately, a warm current spread from his abdomen, flowing into his meridians, then quickly circulating his true essence.
‘Such potent medicinal property, a fine one among first-order high-grade.’
He focused on regulating his breathing, standing in Copper Ox Stance; the Armored Ox behind him inhaled spiritual energy, continuously aiding his true essence recovery.
No one disturbed him; after just a quarter-hour, Fu Xuejing opened his eyes, a flash of sharpness passing through.
He loudly praised: “Good pill; if used in cultivation, one could save days of hard work. I should have bid on it earlier.”
Bai Yun didn’t take advantage of him; Fu Xuejing returned the favor, crediting it to Su Yan’s pill.
With this praise, the crowd was slightly surprised; the pills Su Yan refined were at least not inferior.
He tossed the True Essence Pill back, his eyes now burning with battle intent.
“Miss Bai, offended.”
Fu Xuejing attacked proactively, his aura fierce like a charging ox.
Bai Yun stood motionless, suddenly her White Ape rose behind her, abruptly charging forward; one fist collided with the Black Steel Eight-faced Hammer.
The sound like thunder striking a bell, air waves sweeping like blades.
In this strike, Fu Xuejing holding a sharp weapon actually retreated half a step.
So strong!
Fu Xuejing’s expression changed; he saw Bai Yun’s skin white as jade, true essence like myriad threads wrapping around her pale gloves.
The gloves were merely first-order high-grade refined steel gloves, a notch below the Black Steel Eight-faced Hammer.
But in aura, Bai Yun climbed steadily, suppressing Fu Xuejing.
She pushed off her feet like a spring, her form pouncing toward Fu Xuejing.
Muscles and bones roaring like a tiger, the White Ape behind hammered down; each move flowed seamlessly, forcing Fu Xuejing into the corner.
“What a tiger!”
Inside the private room, Xiang Ge’s eyes widened slightly, watching Bai Yun’s movements.
Clearly White Ape true intent, but every action with tiger momentum, pouncing like a tiger, even the dominance like a fierce tiger descending the mountain.
“Wrong, wrong; why refine ‘monkey’? Even reaching Mountain-moving Divine Ape or Lunar Spirit Ape, how does it compare to Swallowing Heaven Blood Tiger?!”
Xiang Ge muttered to himself; Ye Chenyao and Liu Bo wanted to speak but held back—talking like this, aren’t you afraid the other two peak heads will beat you to death?
However, they could see that Bai Yun’s tiger momentum was initially formed, yet extremely compatible.
In less than thirty exchanges, Bai Yun’s twin fists like a fierce tiger directly blasted away Fu Xuejing’s Black Steel Eight-faced Hammer.
Fu Xuejing staggered; Bai Yun advanced like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, fists clamping together, elbow striking out like a heavy cannon.
Fu Xuejing desperately circulated Tian Feng Weapon Shop’s body forging technique to the limit, skin like copper, using a Mountain-supporting Hand.
A muffled bang with a slight bone crack; Fu Xuejing flew back, nearly falling to the ground.
“You yield.”
Bai Yun won cleanly and decisively, this overwhelming display making many on the second floor show grave expressions.
“Next.”
Bai Yun’s calm gaze swept the second floor, tone flat.
She won’t rest?
Actively challenging; Bai Yun wasn’t this type in everyone’s impression—she was always calm and indifferent.
Only a few showed subtle expressions, thoughtful.
Su Yan smiled faintly, muttering: “Winning the《Eighteen Styles of Blood Tiger》 isn’t the only victory.”
When that martial skill appeared, Su Yan had subconsciously thought the skill manual was key.
But when Fu Xuejing jumped down, he suddenly reacted.
This ‘throwing a brick to attract jade’—《Eighteen Styles of Blood Tiger》 was one part; when to enter the field, how to fight once down, how well fought, etc., were all elements of the assessment.
Results, courage, martial skills…
A Spirit Nurturing Realm Perfection lingering until last to fight versus a novice Spirit Nurturing Realm daring to jump first against a Spirit Nurturing Realm Perfection martial artist—the implications were completely different.
“I’ll go!”
Li Bowen carried a Dragon Pattern Staff, leaping down to stand before Bai Yun.
“Miss Bai, you rest first…”
Before his words finished, Bai Yun interrupted him.
“No need; let’s start directly.”
Bai Yun’s gaze decisive, no falsehood.
Li Bowen’s expression changed slightly, somewhat embarrassed, inwardly annoyed: “Miss Bai, staff and stick have no eyes; if injured, don’t blame others.”
“Mm.”
Bai Yun responded indifferently; Li Bowen immediately swung his staff at her.
Behind him rose a gray-furred old monkey, face like a skull, claws sharp.
The true intent phantom Gray Bone Monkey charged with Li Bowen, Dragon Pattern Staff sweeping at Bai Yun.
But Bai Yun’s battle intent surged; her form flashed like a wild beast entering the forest, charging quickly.
Li Bowen swung his staff to block, but was continuously parried by a pair of fists.
Their fight’s rhythm faster; Li Bowen’s expression grew graver.
After twenty exchanges, his originally attacking Dragon Pattern Staff now mostly defended.
Bai Yun’s White Ape behind her surged high, aura like a hunting fierce tiger.
Tiger Form Fist bold and sweeping, merging with the artistic conception in battle, advancing further.
At thirty exchanges, Li Bowen only defended, his long staff growing strained.
At forty, Li Bowen took heavy blows, fell back, defeated.
Bai Yun’s breath slightly disordered, hair sticking to her forehead; she brushed it aside, looked up: “Next.”
‘It’s done!’
Su Yan saw her aura, heart slightly settled.
As he expected, Eight Directions Trading Company’s Lu Dong, Left Commander’s deputy commander’s son Lin Zhinan, Wang Family’s Wang Xiaohu successively entered the field.
Bai Yun fought three bouts in a row; Tiger Form Fist stepped into Transformation Realm in battle, Tiger Body Bone Forging Technique closely following with breakthrough to Transformation Realm.
Clearly still a White Ape phantom, but it looked like a white-furred, tiger-headed ape-bodied, muscular ‘Tiger Vanguard’.
Bai Yun fought Wang Xiaohu over a hundred exchanges, finally striking down his Tiger Back Saber.
Bai Yun won another round.
But this time, her face pale, sweat like beans sliding down, temples sticking to skin, already soaked through.
Arms slightly trembling—not just true essence nearly depleted, but also muscle fatigue.
For a moment, the second-floor private rooms quieted; no one wanted to challenge Bai Yun like this.
Win, and it’s victory without honor.
Lose, and it’s a huge loss of face.
Remember, this wasn’t just sparring—someone was watching.
Xiang Ge watched this scene, grinning; his pale face with the smile always seemed somewhat sinister.
“Interesting.”
Bai Yun’s bone structure was good, young, already at Spirit Nurturing Realm Perfection.
But this courage and resolve drew attention.
Martial artists must contend, and dare to contend.
Fighting others requires contention; reaching further in martial arts, to the peak, means contending with heaven.
Not contend, just wait for death?
“《Eighteen Styles of Blood Tiger》 is a great spear technique, bold and sweeping; in Hundred Tiger Peak Martial Arts Pavilion outer pavilion, martial skills rank ninth.”
At these words, second-floor crowd’s expressions changed uniformly, instantly realizing the manual’s value.
Even outer pavilion manuals, not for external transmission, required status and contributions to exchange.
If not outer disciples, servant disciples, or secular disciples, then sufficient contributions and a weighty recommender were needed.
In the private room, someone who could produce this and mention Hundred Tiger Peak was likely to be that recommender.
Suddenly, Lin Junhao, Zhao Ziyun, Zuo Feiying, Liu Ruoshi, and others felt stirred.
Lin Junhao leaped down, holding a newly exchanged Cold Iron Spear, in azure-black long robe martial attire, star-bright eyes and sword brows, cupping hands: “Miss Bai, martial arts is about contention; Lin had no choice, please forgive.”
“Fight!”
Bai Yun attacked directly, mustering her last burst of momentum; White Ape behind charged, fists clashing directly with Lin Junhao.
Lin Junhao swept the Cold Iron Spear, pressing Bai Yun’s fist moves; he held back somewhat, not wanting to seem too harsh.
But this hesitation let Bai Yun find an opening, her attacks fiercer, bold and sweeping like a fierce tiger rampaging.
In a burst, they fought twenty rounds; Bai Yun exhausted, Lin Junhao suddenly unleashed, spear shaft flicking like an escaping fierce tiger charging.
Bai Yun crossed her arms as shield with armguards; clang, arms numb, retreating three steps, arms powerless.
“You yield.”
Lin Junhao won; Bai Yun just nodded, turned, and strode back to the second-floor private room.
She wanted《Fierce Tiger Eighteen Styles》; this martial skill was surely more suitable than her current Tiger Form Fist, more domineering and powerful.
Even switching to spearmanship would be worth it.
But beyond the skill, she wanted the people in the private room to see her abilities.
Only by showing abilities could she get better recommendation tokens, more likely to enter the inner sect.
Bai Yun returned to the private room; Su Yan already handed her Rejuvenation Pill and True Essence Pill.
“Thanks.”
Bai Yun softly said thanks, tilted her head to swallow the True Essence Pill and Rejuvenation Pill, body easing slightly.
Su Yan stood; Bai Yun abruptly opened her eyes, surprised at her junior brother.
“I’ll go play.”
Su Yan’s voice fell, his form already at the arena center.
Lin Junhao saw it was him, showing surprise.
But Su Yan’s next words stunned the crowd even more.
“Brother Lin, Brother Zhao, Brother Zuo, come together; save time. If Miss Ruoshi wants, she can join too.”
His expression calm, neither arrogant nor mad, said as casually as eating or drinking.
“Su Yan, what do you mean?”
Zhao Ziyun’s face ashen, first to challenge; he felt belittled.
Su Yan calmly said: “It’s just a contention either way; everyone here has plans. Better to come down and fight, save time. If you feel ganging up insults you, then all come down for a free-for-all. The lord in the private room probably wants to watch the show too.”
“Fine.”
Xiang Ge showed a subtle smile, voice transmitting.
Atmosphere shifted; Zuo Feiying jumped down, Tiger Back Saber in hand.
“One by one is indeed tedious; count me in for the melee.”
After Zuo Feiying led, several more jumped down.
In less than a cup of tea’s time, eleven or twelve people stood in the hall.
Lin Junhao, Zhao Ziyun, Zuo Feiying, Liu Ruoshi, and others at the forefront; the rest also held weapons, each standing aside.
Su Yan’s gaze swept, faintly said: “Everyone, begin.”
