"You hear that, Zhang Wei?" The second disciple sneered, his tone dripping condescension. "This fool is too arrogant. Let’s teach him how to respect his seniors in the arena."
"I don’t mind the location, but I hope your master’s ego won’t suffer too much after I pulverise your confidence and his expectations." Adam shrugged and gestured for them to lead the way.
The group’s veins throbbed on their foreheads as their breaths hitched. He noticed how their fists clenched and unclenched in suppressed anger.
Zhang Wei spat on the ground and whirled around.
"Follow me, bastard." He turned to his juniors, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I’ll do it myself. Warn master to cover for me... I’ll rip his right arm off today."
The others smiled viciously as they marched to the arena.
Adam followed with Misha.
"I don’t care about exposing too much, Adam. I want you to destroy that fool." Misha shoved a finger before his eyes, her expression solemn.
"The cow told me to show my talent, anyway." His glowing eyes narrowed on Zhang Wei. "I can kill him with a flick, but let’s make it more interesting."
He retrieved the Scarlet Dragon Inferno Fist Volume I, opened it, and read the technique.
A soft frown creased Misha’s brow. Was he planning to learn the technique on the way? The method of humiliating the elder made her chuckle and skip on the pavement in impatience.
Meanwhile, the viper asked the sixth-floor supervisor to replace him and contacted Shen, eager to see his crushed expression after his disciple beat Adam like a dog.
A moment later, both groups arrived at the arena. The elders went to the bleachers while Adam scratched his head in front of a reception desk.
Behind it, Wang Hao leaned closer, his core elder’s robes sparkling with sixth-coiling dragons that elegantly wrapped around his sleeves and collar.
"You don’t even know the arena’s rules, but you want to fight a golden core realm inner disciple in your first match? Ha! I’ve seen arrogant brats, but you beat them all."
Wang Hao stretched his palm out, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I’ll explain the rules because it’s my duty, but know that I’ll savour your defeat. First, the arena has a ranking system. The sect will distribute rewards to the top ten rankers each month, while we’ll penalise those with negative win rates. Inner disciples must fight once a month, or we’ll consider their refusal a loss. Now give me your card, so I can register you and enjoy the spectacle."
Adam raised a brow as he handed his card.
"What are the rewards and penalties?" Freebies? He wouldn’t pass on them.
"Loss of resources, shame. We can even take your inner robes back and forbid your master to continue teaching you. The top ranker gets a high-grade spiritual stone while those in the top five get one to three middle-grade ones," Wang Hao said, placing Adam and Zhang Wei’s cards in a glowing formation.
Then he returned them, the battle counter displayed on them.
Adam watched the sad 0-0 on his before he glimpsed at Zhang Wei’s.
’243 wins for 150 losses. Not bad.’ He walked out of the reception, jumped on the arena’s clean slabs, and cracked his neck. ’A shame I can’t put you in the negative.’
Meanwhile, a doubtful frown creased Shen’s brow as he scrutinised the viper.
"Are you sure you have no hands in this, Zhao Jun? Your disciples really just bumped into mine, and the situation spiralled out of control?"
Zhao Jun sighed and raised his palm in confusion.
"You know me, Shen Wu. I would never do something like that. In truth, I’m as confused as you about this whole situation."
"I’m asking because I do know you." Shen’s eyes narrowed. He knew Zhao Jun lied but had no proof. After all, why would a fourteen-year-old Golden Core realm disciple provoke someone half his age, who cultivated for the first time last night?
"Your disciple better not push this joke too far." He added, his fist tightening above his cursed leg as his voice grew darker. "Or I’ll take it out on you. You have my words."
Zhao Jun clenched his jaw, his lip curling in a grimace.
"Of course, they won’t bully kids. By the way, how is your leg doing?"
"Good enough to beat you up. Now shut up and let me watch."
On the stage, Adam watched Zhang Wei raise his fists and crouch in a low battle stance.
"Are you coming, senior? You said you would teach me something earlier." He laced his fingers behind his head in a relaxed posture that made Shen curse under his breath.
"Let’s see if your foul mouth still spouts bullshit after I’m done with you!"
Zhang Wei charged like an enraged bull, his fist cutting through the air. Wind Qi burst to life, swirling around it like a typhoon as his eyes flashed red.
Adam just watched the fist close in. When it almost reached his face, his arm came to life. He pushed the teen’s fist with his right elbow, the roaring wind shattering on his body. His fist blurred in a swift counterattack, stopping a centimetre before the fool’s nose as a disgusting smirk split his face.
Zhang Wei’s eyes widened as he sent a roaring hook imbued with a furious gale.
Yet, Adam just sidestepped in the teen’s dead angle and threw another fist, stopping it a centimeter before the teenager’s temple.
The same scene happened ten more times as Zhao Jun and Wang Hao’s mouths opened in shock. What was happening? Even Shen watched, confused by the ridiculousness of this fight and Adam’s overwhelming movements.
Meanwhile, Zhang Wei huffed, his fists trembling in shame and his veins bulging in rage.
"What if you could have hit me? Your punches are weak, like your cultivation level. You’re just roadside trash picked up by a failed elder who’ll die soon!"
Adam’s smirk faded with the insolent’s words. Each punch he had pulled back could have sent him to meet his ancestors. But he didn’t want to see reality?
’Fine... You’re too stupid to realise.’