His Qi flooded his meridians, erupting to cover his fist in soft, crackling flames. The power was so bad compared to his mana techniques... But he caught Zhao Jun’s constricted pupils and hastening breath in the bleacher and it was all he wanted to achieve.
’Watch carefully, viper.’
His robes flapped as he blurred to Zhang Wei. His right foot slid forward, his leg firmly planted on the ground as his hips rotated.
"My punches are weak? Let’s see how far you can fly."
Before Zhang Wei could understand what happened, his fist exploded forward displacing air with horrible momentum.
The noise of shattering teeth deafened the arena as his fist collided with the fool’s mouth.
The jaws collapsed, his mouth dropping open as the flames licked his darkening skin. More importantly, the impact sent him rocket like a ragdoll to the bleachers.
"Hope you’ll like my present, elder. A well-taught disciple one!"
He controlled the trajectory to make Zhang Wei fall right above his master. Wasn’t he nice?
However, he frowned when Zhao Jun leapt aside with a wrathful expression, letting his disciple collide with the bleacher.
Then, his teeth clenched when he heard this viper’s disgusted tone and how fast he cut ties with Zhang Wei to save face.
"I have no such shameful disciple. Return your robes and get the hell out of my sight!"
Leaving his bleeding disciple behind, he leapt on his sword and took off like a sore loser.
Simultaneously, Wang Hao dashed to the arena and scrutinised him.
"Not bad, little fellow. You have great potential!" He produced a high-grade spiritual stone from his spatial ring. "Follow me. I’ll guide you on the cultivation path and shower you with resources."
After all, he’d be a fool to miss a disciple who could fight two realms above his, not to mention the age disparity. No, he had also caught his fluid, almost feral movements as if a magical beast had taught him.
Adam’s lips twisted as he ignored the stone and walked to the bleacher. "Didn’t you say you’ll savour my defeat? Quite a strange change of heart, don’t you think so?"
Wang Hao blurred before him, a smile playing on his lips.
"Don’t be like that. When you see arrogant brats every day like I do, you tend to underestimate people."
Seeing Wang Hao’s persistence, Shen Wu leapt from the bleacher and landed between them, his hand on his sword’s pommel. He couldn’t lose Adam after his display, not when he had failed to assess his talent for what it truly was: that of a monster towering above all the others.
"The kid already refused. Step back, Wang Hao."
"So, you’re his master," Wang Hao said, his eyes digging holes into Shen’s leg. "Who are you trying to intimidate? I’m not that weakling, Zhao Jun."
He ignored Shen and threw a middle-grade spiritual stone at Adam, a small preview of what he could get by making the right decision.
"Take it, boy. You’ll get more and a guaranteed spot among the core disciples in a few years if you join me. So, don’t waste your time with dying men." He stepped back, glaring at Shen. "You know where to find me, but don’t take too long."
Shen’s shoulders slumped. This offer... only a fool would refuse it. Even more so when Adam wasn’t really his disciple and with his goal to learn under the sect leader.
Yet, Adam threw the stone back and moved behind him.
"I’ll buy what I need myself. Don’t decide or force me into things I don’t want to do. That’s my only warning."
Wang Hao caught the stone, a bewildered expression on his face. It was worth two thousand sect points. Was Adam a fool, or did he not know about its value?
"Humph. Forget it. I’ll see you stagnate and then cry in regret after She Wu passes away. But let me tell you this: no core elder will ever take you under him because of your big mouth."
Adam watched him leave with a shrug before he turned to the stunned Shen.
"Thank you for your help, but don’t bother next time. I’m not accepting anyone but the sect leader, anyway." He rolled his eyes, adding in his mind. ’And even he is just for his technique.’
Shen gazed at him, conflicted before he drew him into a hug.
"Your refusal means a lot. Thank you for not seeing me as a dying man."
"Who said you’ll die? Keep your hopes up, and a miracle may happen."
Adam pulled back, a soft smile curving his lips. Honestly, Shen standing up for him despite his weakened state and lower realm compared to Wang Hao had touched him.
"I’ll return to manage my shop. Remember Xiu Ying? I need to check if she’s not messing up with the clients."
Shen nodded. "Go. Mei Lan will bring your lunch soon." He glanced at the cheering Misha and chuckled. "You can’t let your big sister wait, either."
Adam waved his hand, returned to Misha, and chatted with her on the way to the shop.
"He’ll think twice before opening his mouth again. You should have seen his junior brothers. They almost peed their pants. Hahaha!" she slapped his back excitedly.
"That’s just the beginning. Let’s target the golden core realm disciples to establish our prestige before we jump to the core formation realm."
He passed his hand over her shoulder, walking and chuckling as she nodded.
"We should also target five or six-star missions to refill on materials." A mischievous grin blossomed on her face.
Adam understood her and already planned to do that. Even if he could buy most materials between the first and fourth tier, those on the fifth were rarely available. Collecting them in the wild or looting them from high-ranked targets like Baldur remained the best option.
He nodded. "It’ll help us diversify our pill collection, and I don’t believe we’ll find any on the sixth tier or higher outside auction houses."
A bright smile played on his lips as he passed by Shen’s house. ’The blood of a plant-type and sea magical beast on the seventh tier. I’ll get them and refine the life-extending potion for you, Mei Lan.’
They walked to their shop, their determined steps echoing through the bustling streets, their eyes turned toward the amusing future and the sect leader’s disciple selection next year.