Chapter 460: Chapter 14: The Eternal Flow of Rivers and Streams Never Ceases
“Junior, what do you think?”
Yue Xu waited on the spot for a while but received no response, growing a bit impatient.
“Sorry, please allow me to think it over.”
Zhuo Buping looked distressed.
“…Okay, there’s still some time before the competition starts, you can take your time to think.”
Yue Xu, feeling disgruntled, spoke harshly before turning away.
A moment later, Zhuo Buping’s companion came over:
“Yue Xu wants you to… not go all out?”
Yue Xu’s reason for approaching Zhuo Buping at this time was indeed easy to guess.
The companion asked with concern.
Zhuo Buping shook his head: “I said I needed to think it over.”
The companion was speechless.
What’s there to think about in this situation?
You don’t stand much of a chance to begin with, what’s wrong with losing the match as expected?
You could even make connections with top-tier nobility like Yue Xu, which could be very beneficial in the future.
“It was a great opportunity, but you had to hesitate, and even if you agree now, the favor would be greatly diminished, ah!”
The companion sighed.
“Should I not hesitate?!”
Zhuo Buping suddenly burst out, asking somewhat excitedly.
His companion was startled and stared at him in disbelief.
Zhuo Buping quickly calmed down, apologized to his companion, and then left with his head down.
Watching Zhuo Buping’s retreating figure, the companion sighed and shook his head.
On the field, the competition was in full swing.
Eight unparalleled talents had taken their turns, each winning very easily, with most settling their matches in just a few moves.
Li Fei’s first-round opponent was a disciple of the Upper Pure Sect, at the Qi Change Late Stage.
He didn’t tangle with his opponent excessively but directly overpowered him:
The first slash pushed the opponent back, the second broke through the defense, and the third decided the victor.
Even if just one more Implant was added, the vast chasm between the Tao Foundation Stage and the Qi Change Stage was difficult to bridge!
“Next match, Tianqu University’s Zhuo Buping versus Tianqu University’s Yue Xu.”
The staff member called out loudly into the microphone.
Zhuo Buping went to the edge of the arena, after being checked by the staff to ensure he wasn’t wearing any protective gear or carrying any prohibited items, he selected a long sword.
The sword was a Third Level Abnormal Weapon uniformly provided by Tianqu University, characterized by being hard enough that even fighters at the Tao Foundation Stage could clash at Full Power without damaging it.
On the other side, Yue Xu also chose his weapon—a pair of swords.
Before entering the arena, he just calmly glanced at Zhuo Buping, saying nothing more.
No matter what decision the other party made, the outcome would be seen in the arena.
The two entered the stage amid the applause of tens of thousands of spectators.
During the previous preliminary matches, there were eight competition stages at the same time, and the audience’s attention was divided, with the TV broadcast also fixed on only a few stages.
The stages with the most nobility’s children…
Now, everyone’s gaze was focused on this one match, and so was the television broadcast.
For the first time in his life, Zhuo Buping was fighting under the gaze of so many people.
He suddenly felt nervous.
Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Buping tried to calm himself.
On the other side, Yue Xu also felt nervous.
Although he was a noble’s son, it was his first time in such a situation.
However, the Innate Qi he cultivated was Yimu Xuan Qi, requiring the comprehension of the ‘Natural Heart’ to develop Force.
The ‘Natural Heart’ allows one to maintain a peaceful state of mind, not easily falling into abnormal states, and enhances sensitivity to the surrounding environment.
So Yue Xu was the first one to calm down.
He held his pair of swords, aiming them at Zhuo Buping.
The judge at the side of the field called out loudly.
The next second, Yue Xu charged rapidly towards Zhuo Buping.
Blue Force manifested as two giant pythons, one on each side, tearing towards Zhuo Buping!
This was Green Python Strength, fierce and versatile.
Zhuo Buping also came to his senses, and with a horizontal slash of his long sword, two streams of flame Force took the form of iron chains, firmly locking the oncoming blue pythons in place.
This was Bing Fire Gang Qi, intensely hot and possessing the characteristic to suppress other Forces.
One exhibited Wood Attribute Force, and the other Fire Attribute Force; there was no restraining interaction between the two in the Five Elements, so the key to victory lay solely in individual strength and performance. (Fire restrains Metal, Metal restrains Wood)
Having locked Yue Xu’s Green Python Strength, Zhuo Buping quickly entered combat mode.
The Innate Qi he cultivated was Bing Fire Gang Qi, requiring the comprehension of the ‘Heart of Battle’ to develop subsequent Force.
The Heart of Battle allows one to maintain high morale in combat and enhance fighting instincts.
Therefore, once in battle, Zhuo Buping quickly forgot the attention of the outside world, and his mindset changed accordingly.
Facing the approaching Yue Xu, he swung his sword to meet the attack.
Single sword versus double swords, sparks flying, the two exchanged several swift blows.
With Fire Attribute Implant’s Extraordinary Ability to ‘Power Burst’, Zhuo Buping had a clear advantage in strength and soon forced Yue Xu back.
“Is this your answer, junior?”
Yue Xu suddenly asked in a sinister whisper.
Zhuo Buping remained silent.
No matter how you looked at it, agreeing to Yue Xu’s request was the wisest and most effortless choice.
He could effortlessly gain compensation as well as Yue Xu’s friendship.
If he chose to fight Yue Xu to the end, setting aside whether he could win or not, even if he did, the rewards for the top 32 were tempting, but offending a top-tier noble’s son like Yue Xu would probably not be worth the cost.