Chapter 424 - 153: I Didn’t Want to Discourage You This Much (2)
In a rapid succession of six or seven moves, the two became speeding figures on the Cyan Qilin Platform, their fists and palms clashing as fierce winds radiated outwards.
Wei Dongting’s Body Technique was agile and erratic, each change in direction deviously clever. Yet Yang Jing managed to keep pace with him perfectly, and was even a cut above when it came to the transitions between his moves.
Wei Dongting’s expression changed drastically. His pupils constricted, and a storm of shock raged within him.
’How is this possible?!’
’Yang Jing has also cultivated a Body Technique to the Huajin Realm!’
Below the stage, the watching disciples from the various peaks erupted into an uproar as cries of astonishment rose one after another.
"Gods! Yang Jing mastered a Huajin Body Technique as well?!"
"I thought Senior Brother Wei was about to make a comeback, but I never expected Yang Jing to be hiding even more skill!"
"I suspected he’d trained in a Body Technique, but I thought it would be at an elementary or intermediate level at most. I never expected he’d already reached the Huajin Realm. And from the looks of it, he’s even a bit faster than Wei Dongting. He might even be approaching the Peak of Transformation."
"Jeez, are these guys prodigies or what? We struggle to find enough time and energy to master just one martial art, and he’s already reached the Huajin Realm with a secondary one. Do people like them not face bottlenecks? Do they not need to break through cultivation barriers?"
Steward Zheng froze for a moment, but then it hit him. He couldn’t help but clap his hands and laugh heartily, the worry on his face swept away and replaced with pure joy. "Excellent! What a kid! I always said his Body Technique was surprisingly fast at times. He really was practicing a Body Technique martial art, and to think he’s even reached the Huajin Realm!"
Below the Cyan Qilin Platform, Yuwen Mingjue’s eyes narrowed. His arrogant expression subsided, and for the first time, a hint of gravity entered his gaze as he watched Yang Jing.
He could feel that the strength Yang Jing was displaying was beginning to pose a real threat to him.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chong’s expression had also grown much more solemn. He clenched his fists, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes.
The Yang Jing before them now had the power to threaten both him and Yuwen Mingjue.
...
On the Cyan Qilin Platform, the battle between the two grew increasingly fierce.
After unleashing his Huajin-level Raging Wave Kicks, Yang Jing’s speed gave him a slight edge over Wei Dongting.
’I really didn’t want to crush your confidence like this.’
Yang Jing mused to himself.
His movements were like waves crashing against a shore, his assault relentless. The afterimages of his fists and the gusts from his palms wove together into an inescapable net, completely enveloping Wei Dongting.
They clashed for another twenty-some moves. Wei Dongting’s breathing grew ragged, and his techniques became increasingly sloppy.
His advantage in his Body Technique was completely gone. In fact, he was now a fraction slower than Yang Jing, leaving him able to do nothing but passively defend himself in a sorry state.
Finally, as their palms and fists clashed once more, Yang Jing seized the opening when Wei Dongting’s old strength was spent and new strength had yet to be generated. He abruptly sidestepped the other’s palm strike, gathered ninety percent of his Inner Strength into his right fist, and, like a collapsing mountain, smashed it viciously into Wei Dongting’s chest.
"BANG!"
With a muffled thud, Wei Dongting took the heavy blow. He was sent flying sideways like a kite with a snapped string, crashing violently into the railing at the edge of the Cyan Qilin Platform with a tremendous CRASH.
The railing bent on impact. Clutching his chest, he violently spat out a mouthful of blood, his face as pale as a sheet.
Wei Dongting struggled to rise, but the slightest movement sent a piercing pain through his chest. His Inner Strength was in utter chaos, a tangled mess.
He watched Yang Jing slowly approach, a flicker of unwillingness in his eyes. Still, he gritted his teeth and called out in a hoarse voice, "I... concede!"
After uttering those two words, a bitter smile tugged at the corners of Wei Dongting’s mouth.
He slowly raised a hand to wipe the blood from his lips. The pain in his chest came in intensifying waves, yet his gaze only grew sharper as he stared intently at Yang Jing.
He had lost this battle, utterly and completely. He had played all his trump cards, only to be crushed by his opponent’s absolute power without the slightest chance of a comeback.
Wei Dongting’s resolve hardened. He would burn the memory of today’s defeat into his mind. One day, he would return to a stage where all eyes were upon him and utterly defeat Yang Jing!
Seeing Wei Dongting’s bitter and resentful expression, Yang Jing broke into a smile of relief.
He turned his head and looked down at the audience, where a roar of voices and waves of cheers echoed in all directions.
Sun Ningxiang was on her tiptoes, hands cupped around her mouth, waving excitedly at him with her eyes curved into a beaming smile.
Steward Zheng was stroking his beard, his face flushed red with laughter.
Lin Ziheng, Zhang Hengyi, and Zhao Xuexiang were pumping their fists in the air and shouting, their faces alight with excitement.
Yang Jing’s gaze swept further into the distance, where he could vaguely make out a pavilion on a small hill. A few figures seemed to be inside, looking over in his direction, but they were too far away for him to see their faces.
He retracted his gaze. Just as he was about to step down from the stage, the Main Peak Steward presiding over the competition stepped onto the Cyan Qilin Platform and announced in a loud, clear voice, "The fourth match: Yang Jing of Lingxi Peak wins!"
As his voice fell, the cheers from the audience grew even louder.
It had been a truly intense battle!
Wei Dongting slowly stood up. Every movement made his chest feel as if it were being ground by a blunt instrument, and the pain caused cold sweat to bead on his forehead as more blood trickled from his lips.
He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and looked at Yang Jing. His voice was hoarse, but every word was distinct. "Yang Jing, I’ll remember you. You won today, it’s true. But just you wait. Next time, I will be the one to win!"
Hearing this, Yang Jing just smiled and said calmly, "You’re a worthy opponent."
He left the second half of his thought unsaid, thinking only to himself: ’You’re a worthy opponent. You almost forced me to use my full strength.’
Wei Dongting relaxed his tense expression slightly upon hearing the praise.