Chapter 549 - 532: The Biggest Upset
It was another crushing defeat. In the last round, the Holy Hall Disciples had already reached their breaking point. They had to fight with every ounce of their strength just to advance, and it was a close call. Now, entering the quarterfinals, they had clearly hit their limit. When the power gap is too wide, willpower no longer matters.
In truth, Zhang Xiaojiang could have stopped here. Making it this far was more than enough.
Who could have imagined that the Little Fatty from back then, who only knew how to slack off, would now be standing on the highest stage of the Cultivation Realm, fighting against the mighty Dragon Race?
「At this time, in the Four Directions Small Thousand World, Holy Hall.」
As the Sect with the most disciples in the quarterfinals, the Holy Hall had also set up a massive Teleportation Array, hoping to witness a miracle.
But now, the Holy Hall was deathly silent. They had already performed a miracle, but all these young disciples could see was a brutal defeat. Their opponent was too powerful. And even though they themselves had grown strong, a loss was still a loss.
For the Holy Hall to stand among the ranks of the strong, they couldn’t rely on Wang Meng alone. Someone else had to step up.
But that person could have been anyone—anyone but this fatty who spent all day thinking about how to slack off.
Zhang Xiaojiang wasn’t putting up a fight. He was just desperately, relentlessly dodging. This was, without a doubt, the type of opponent the Dragon Race hated most. The fatty’s speed was no match for the Purple Dragon’s, but his instantaneous dodges were incredibly well-practiced. His Eye of Truth was useless for attacking, but on defense, it always allowed him to avoid fatal blows. In fact, not even the Purple Dragon’s attacks could get past the Eye of Truth.
What shouldn’t have been a grueling battle had turned into one.
Zhang Xiaojiang was in a pathetic state, tumbling and crawling away from nearly every attack, sustaining new injuries each time. Meanwhile, the Purple Dragon was growing increasingly furious. There was the matter with the Celestial Dragon, plus he had intended to win this match decisively, yet here he was, mired in such a foolish fight. This was not the Dragon Race’s way.
SHING...
A flash of light, and a sword appeared in the Purple Dragon’s hand—a Treasure Sword of the Dragon Race. The dragons loved to collect treasures, and anything that caught their eye was sure to be at least Treasure Level.
BOOM...
Empowered by Dragon Power, Sword Qi erupted. The Purple Dragon chopped down, and before Zhang Xiaojiang could dodge, he was blasted away.
A cold smirk formed on the Purple Dragon’s lips.
The Dueling Platform exploded. Amidst the rubble, Zhang Xiaojiang lay in a crater, blood pouring from his abdomen... a piece of his intestine was spilling out.
This was the price of foolishness.
Within the Holy Hall, everyone was utterly silent.
This was the irresistible power of the Dragon Race. In the face of such strength, miracles and hope were ultimately shattered.
The Purple Dragon landed and turned to walk away. But after just a few steps, he was forced to stop.
Zhang Xiaopang slowly climbed to his feet. He stuffed his intestines back in, a smile spreading across his distorted face. "These are original parts," he said, "can’t lose them."
Wang Meng’s pupils contracted. Unconsciously, his hands had clenched into fists. He had ten thousand reasons to stop this fight, to make him forfeit, but a single reason held him back.
Because this was Zhang Xiaojiang’s fight.
The Purple Dragon stared coldly at Zhang Xiaojiang’s bloated body. It wasn’t that he didn’t respect the rules, but his opponent was stubbornly clinging on. He wouldn’t mind finishing him off.
The guy was full of openings. And to be honest, he hadn’t even used his full strength yet. There had been no need to even use the Dragon Race’s powerful Spiritual Power.
Zhang Xiaojiang barely managed to gather his Elemental Power, but frankly, it was nothing against the formidable Purple Dragon.
The Blast Bow was useless. The Eye of Truth was useless. His masterfully honed Arrow Technique was useless. Facing the Purple Dragon, who now wielded the Illusory True Dragon Sword, Zhang Xiaojiang’s most sensible option was to surrender.
A flash of light, and something suddenly appeared in Zhang Xiaojiang’s hand... a doll.
A Life Artifact???
A second Life Artifact?
But what kind of Life Artifact was this? It looked like a child’s toy. At this point, it wouldn’t matter if it were a Life Artifact or even something greater than a Holy Statue. Against the tyrannical Purple Dragon, there was no hope.
Especially in Zhang Xiaojiang’s current condition.
The wooden doll was grinning, a perfect replica of the fatty. There were seven red dots on its body.
A needle pierced the wooden doll.
Instantly, Zhang Xiaojiang coughed up a mouthful of blood. But the leisurely Purple Dragon also suddenly doubled over, spitting up blood as well.
On the wooden doll was Zhang Xiaojiang’s blood, and a strand of the Purple Dragon’s flowing hair.
Life Artifact—Cursing Doll.
Truth be told, Master Zhang was quite ashamed of this Life Artifact. It was a product of Zhang Xiaojiang’s days as a street urchin. After getting beaten up, he would take out his frustrations on a doll. He had actually forgotten about it for years after meeting Wang Meng. But when it was time for his Life Artifacts to awaken, this thing had appeared alongside the Blast Bow. It was truly a bit embarrassing.
What was even more ridiculous was that this thing injured its user before harming the enemy.
The seven red dots on it were the seven great life acupoints, which included the Sea of Heart and the Sea of Fate.
The Purple Dragon clearly realized this and charged toward Zhang Xiaojiang, but Zhang Xiaojiang’s needle had already plunged down.
BOOM...
Zhang Xiaojiang’s chest caved in, and across from him, the Purple Dragon stumbled and fell.
Even after taking two curse attacks, the Purple Dragon stubbornly remained standing. The physique of the Dragon Race was truly formidable.
"Zhang Xiaojiang, that’s enough!"
Wang Meng said in a deep voice. He didn’t care about the outcome of this one battle.
Facing away from Wang Meng, Zhang Xiaojiang slowly shook his head. "Brother Meng, this one is mine. If you try to stop me, then I’m no longer your brother. Anyone who dares to desecrate the Holy Hall must pay the price!"
Without a shred of hesitation, he plunged in the third needle.
The Purple Dragon collapsed. The fatty himself slumped to the ground, unable to stand any longer.
"These worthless curs dare to challenge the honor of the Holy Hall," he muttered. "They really don’t know how big Lord Stove’s dick is."
He stabbed the fourth needle in. The first three were for the flesh. The fourth was called "Time"!
Before everyone’s eyes, both Zhang Xiaojiang and the Purple Dragon began to age rapidly, their bodies withering.
The entire Star Alliance was stunned by Zhang Xiaojiang’s terrifying Life Artifact.
This Life Artifact could only be described as forbidden and insane.
Zhang Xiaojiang’s body had become ancient, but his eyes remained just as determined.
To outsiders, it was pure madness.
’It’s just one Magical Combat match. What does winning or losing matter?’
’Is it so hard to understand?’
The fatty himself didn’t understand it. But he couldn’t stop. The glory of the Holy Hall had been built by everyone, through countless sacrifices, to get to where they were today.
Anyone who dared to trample on it would pay with their life—even the Dragon Race!
His trembling hand plunged in the fifth needle. Zhang Xiaojiang himself didn’t know what would come next, but he knew it was another step toward death.
"This match, the Dragon Race forfeits."
A cold voice rang out, interrupting the battle. The speaker was Linglong of the Dragon Race.
The Dragon Race had few members left; they couldn’t afford any more trouble.
This match, Zhang Xiaojiang of the Holy Hall wins!
It was, by far, the biggest upset since the start of the tournament—the most unbelievable victory.
Even Jii Wanli’s expression was grim. They weren’t frightened by Zhang Xiaojiang’s strength, but by his viciousness. Whoever the hell provoked the Holy Hall would be made to pay an unbearable price.
For a Sect that had risen from the bottom, the only way to earn respect was to make everyone understand: the Holy Hall was sacred and inviolable.
Zhang Xiaojiang was carried off the platform, and a crowd immediately surrounded him.
"If you ever dare to pull a stunt like that again, I’ll beat you until you can’t even take care of yourself!"
Wang Meng roared.
"Brother Meng, will I still be able to chase girls after this?" Zhang Xiaojiang joked.
Beside him, the power of Ma Tian’Er’s Tree of Life was continuously pouring into his body.
Wang Meng looked at Ma Tian’Er. "How is he?"
Ma Tian’Er shook her head slightly. Zhang Xiaojiang closed his eyes. ’I knew it was bad, but... damn it, I feel great. At least I took that Dragon Race Little White Face down with me. Worth it.’
Ma Tian’Er gave a cunning smile. "One more needle and he really wouldn’t have made it. But well, we got to him in time. With some Pills and treatment, he should be back on his feet and causing trouble within a year."
A smile finally broke through Wang Meng’s tense expression. "You scared me to death."
Zhang Xiaopang’s eyes flew open nervously. "So, I can be saved?"
"Weren’t you acting all brave just a moment ago?"
"Damn! I’m never playing the hero again. That’s really not my style."
But cheers erupted from the crowd, not just from the Holy Hall, but from other Sects as well. Among them were many Sect Leaders.
For a Sect to win dignity, strength is one thing. But the most crucial part is that you must care about your own honor.
Dignity is earned through blood and struggle!
The Ten Great Sects didn’t get where they are today on strength alone; it was because they possessed sect honor, something earned with the lives of generations of Cultivators.
Today, Zhang Xiaojiang had defended the honor of the Holy Hall with his actions.
This victory was won by gambling with his life, but it was more shocking and served as a greater warning than any display of brute strength.
Don’t mess with the Holy Hall. You can’t afford it!
In the fifth match, Zhang Xiaojiang secured an incredibly precious victory. He sent the entire Holy Hall, the entire Four Directions Small Thousand World, into a state of celebration.
Unity is a powerful force. One person does it, then two, but when a whole group acts as one, they become truly invincible. A Holy Hall like this is an invincible Holy Hall!
The Holy Hall had come this far and achieved its current glory, and without a doubt, Wang Meng deserved most of the credit. But he couldn’t have done it alone. In truth, if it weren’t for everyone else, Wang Meng wouldn’t be who he is. And likewise, it was because of who Wang Meng is that his brothers are the way they are.
The Holy Hall of today was "all for one, and one for all." It wasn’t just a Sect; it was a family.
Every Holy Hall Disciple understood one truth: the honor of the Holy Hall was sacred and inviolable.
There was no way a Sect like this wouldn’t be powerful.
Other Sects had seen Wang Meng’s power and acknowledged it, but they hadn’t equated it with the power of the Holy Hall itself. Now, however, these Sects had to acknowledge not only Wang Meng’s strength, but the strength of the Holy Hall as well.
From this day forward, the Holy Hall finally carried the air of one of the Ten Great Sects. At the same time, it had also developed its own unique style.
The sixth match began: Wang Meng of the Holy Hall versus the Demon Race’s Mengg Lord.
In the end, it all came down to Wang Meng. Zhang Xiaojiang, Hu Jing, and the others had made enormous efforts to get this far, and it hadn’t been easy. But in the Cultivation Realm, strength was everything, and to the victor went the spoils.
Wang Meng’s battle was undoubtedly crucial. All eyes were on him. This would be the fight that solidified the Holy Hall’s status.
And his opponent was the number one master of the Demon Race, the Mengg Lord.
The Mengg Lord’s towering figure carried the pride of a Demon Race king. He looked at Wang Meng and said, "The Holy Hall is special. You’ve earned the respect of my Demon Race. But I will defeat you. To beat a true expert is my, Mengg Lord’s, only pursuit!"
(The Little Fatty had it rough, didn’t he? Risking his life for a win. How about rewarding him with a monthly ticket, my dear readers?)
There’s a holiday well-wishes event in the comment section where you can win a Holy Hall blessing postcard from Skeleton. Come and join in! ^_^(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)