Chapter 33 - Once Again Stepped onto the Death Match Arena
Within the Inner Sect of the Flying Cloud Sect, Wei Mingzhi was immersed in cultivation at his private residence.
Ordinary Outer Sect disciples were housed in communal dormitories, while elite disciples enjoyed the privilege of individual rooms.
Inner Sect disciples, however, were granted their very own courtyards! Emblazoned above the entrance to Wei Mingzhi's courtyard were the words “Spearhead Pavilion!”
Each Inner Sect disciple's dwelling bore a name, signifying their status as the sect's core strength, a distinction setting them apart from elite disciples.
Indeed, even the most formidable elite disciples remained part of the Outer Sect.
At that moment, Wei Mingzhi was deep in meditation within a tranquil chamber of the Spearhead Pavilion. Before him, a small incense burner wafted the scent of a stick of incense. This fragrance exuded a serene quality that instilled a sense of calm in anyone who inhaled it.
This was the Soul Fixing Fragrance, an exceedingly rare treasure capable of soothing the mind and aiding in the focus required to condense one's Martial Soul.
Yet, the Soul Fixing Fragrance was a treasure beyond measure, obtainable only by hunting a scarce mutated beast. Thus, it was out of reach for not just the common-born but also for many of the nobility's own offspring.
And there, before Wei Mingzhi, lay such a stick of Soul Fixing Fragrance.
This particular stick was quite short, clearly much used, but even the remaining fragment held immeasurable value.
With eyes closed and spirit concentrated, Wei Mingzhi continued his practice. Time passed until the incense smoke began to spiral above his head, then infused into his body, guided by his cultivation technique.
Within Wei Mingzhi, something was gradually taking form.
Suddenly, his body jolted, then shuddered once more.
After the third tremor, blood trickled from his nostrils.
Despite the bleeding, Wei Mingzhi's face was a portrait of wild joy.
“Excellent! This surge of vitality is overwhelming my body's capacity. I've finally attained the Soul Refining Stage! Though I've only managed to condense the Soldier Martial Spirit, which summons blood-soaked soldiers from the battlefield to bolster my strength, the task of condensing the more profound Martial Spirits is no simple feat!”
Wei Mingzhi tightened his fists, feeling the surge of energy coursing through his body. He exhaled deeply and quickly snuffed out the Soul Fixing Fragrance burning in the censer, preserving the small amount that remained. Even though it was no longer sufficient to condense a Martial Soul, it was still highly valuable. Wei Mingzhi, scion of a noble family, wouldn't dream of wasting it.
“With my current level, Peng Gengkun's unique abilities won't save him. His fate is sealed!” Wei Mingzhi's grip tightened, his face taking on a chilling resolve. “Xi Yingzhu's presence would have stayed my hand, but you foolishly challenged me to a duel in the Death Match Arena. Now, with Xi Ming's intervention, not even Xi Yingzhu can save you. You dared to steal from the Wei family and insult our honor; today, you pay with your life!”
In the blink of an eye, three days had flown by, and the disciples of the Flying Cloud Sect had gathered en masse at the Death Match Arena. The combatants' mismatched strengths only heightened the anticipation for the spectacle ahead.
One was an Inner Sect disciple; the other, an elite disciple.
One, born to nobility; the other, to humble beginnings.
Victor or vanquished, this clash promised to be unforgettable.
Peng Gengkun was already at the Death Match Arena, having arrived without any pretense of tardiness. On his side of the arena, a throng of Outer Sect and elite disciples, including Lin Huaqiao and his group, showed their support with enthusiastic cheers and words of encouragement.
Across from them stood Inner Sect disciples, Direct Disciples, and even Elders. The divide between the two groups was stark, suggesting an unlikely chance of mingling.
Wei Mingzhi, too, had reached the Death Match Arena but had yet to step onto the stage. Peng Gengkun, however, remained unfazed.
“Senior Brother Dou! Junior Brother Wang! Junior Brother Yue!” Peng Gengkun called out to Lin Huaqiao and the others with a confident turn, “Defeating Wei Mingzhi will be a breeze. Once I've bested him, we'll celebrate together with a toast!”
Lin Huaqiao chuckled, “Alright! Junior Brother Peng, I have faith in your abilities. Since you've boldly thrown down the gauntlet to Wei Mingzhi, you must be certain of victory!”
On the other side, Wei Pengxing was egging on Wei Mingzhi, “Big brother, you've become so much stronger. Peng Gengkun doesn't stand a chance against you! You have to get revenge for me!”
“Naturally!” Wei Mingzhi replied with a cold laugh, “But I won't let him off easy. He's sullied our family's honor. I'll start by breaking his limbs, utterly crushing his Qi Sea, and relishing his agonized screams before his end!”
Excitement flickered across Wei Pengxing's face as he nodded vigorously. “Go for it, big brother!”
Once the supporters of Peng Gengkun and Wei Mingzhi had finished their rallying cries, the two combatants ascended the stage together.
Stepping onto the Death Match Arena meant facing an uncertain fate—life or death. Both were fully prepared for the consequences.
Wei Mingzhi came unarmed, his arms crossed, exuding an air of nonchalance. Peng Gengkun, however, strolled up to the stage with an air of nonchalance that irked Wei Mingzhi.
“I'll make sure you won't even be able to weep when I'm through with you!”
From the sidelines, Lin Huaqiao remarked in surprise, “Junior Brother Peng sure seems indifferent.”
Among the Elders present, Chang Jipeng stroked his beard, eyeing Peng Gengkun as if he'd noticed something extraordinary.
Meanwhile, among the Inner Sect disciples, Little Prince was heartily enjoying a watermelon, unconcerned about the juice staining his clothes.
In high spirits, Little Prince tossed aside the remaining half of the watermelon, which promptly hit an Inner Sect disciple on the head.
The disciple was ready to explode with anger, but recognizing Little Prince, he quickly suppressed his ire and bowed with a flattering smile.
Uninterested in the disciple's reaction, Little Prince squinted towards the arena and commented, “Peng Gengkun sure knows how to stir things up. He's faced the Death Match Arena twice already in a short span! But I admire such people! Once he's an Inner Sect disciple, I'm definitely going to have a serious chat with him!”
The Little Prince hesitated briefly before a sudden realization struck him, and he smacked his forehead in epiphany.
Whipping out a pen and paper from his Space Ring, the Little Prince bellowed, “Gather around and place your bets on Wei Mingzhi versus Peng Gengkun! There's a winner for every loser. I'm feeling lucky today—I'm putting my money on Peng Gengkun to win!”
Hearing this, the Inner Sect disciples nearby couldn't suppress a wry smile.
If there was anyone among the Inner Sect disciples who epitomized irreverence, it was undoubtedly the Little Prince! To say he was a Warrior was almost a stretch; it seemed he joined the Flying Cloud Sect more for indulgence than for combat!
But, of course, that was to be expected.
The Flying Cloud Sect, for all its size, was just one sect within the Obeoton Empire. And the Little Prince? He was the sole heir to a princess of the Obeoton Empire! While many of the Inner Sect disciples hailed from noble families, the Little Prince stood above them all, the most prestigious of the lot.
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