Chapter 126: A Young Boy's Inspiring Battle Against Illness
Both the Heavenly Fiend Foundation Establishment Technique and the Sumeru King Scripture were among the top cultivation arts this world had to offer. The combination of the two had enhanced Chu Qiguang's physical constitution to a level far beyond what his peers could hope to achieve. That was why he was able to withstand Tao Zhiyue's punches and throw him off the platform so easily.
In truth, Tao Zhiyue should really be thanking the Profound Origin Dao Lord that Chu Qiguang had managed to suppress his killing intent. Otherwise, his fate would have been far worse than simply being thrown off the platform.
Chu Qiguang made his way down the platform as everyone watched him in astonishment, and he lamented inwardly, There goes my plan of keeping a low profile. If they weren't onto me before, the Vast Heavens Faction definitely is now.
Tao Zhiyue was a far more renowned martial artist than Huang Weiming. He had been known as a child prodigy from a very young age, so everyone was stunned that Chu Qiguang had defeated him in such a crushing manner.
"What the hell just happened?!"
"How is Chu Qiguang this strong? Did he really only reach the third state recently?"
Tao Zhiyue was more shocked than anyone.
How is he this much stronger than me? It doesn't make sense!
Even Xue Chengdao was momentarily stunned into silence.
"This is an incredible level of physical constitution for someone so young! It's definitely not something that can be achieved through pill consumption alone!"
"Looks like we've all been fooled," Wu Liangxu sighed. "Chu Qiguang clearly doesn't come from an underprivileged background as he claims. His physical constitution is far superior to his peers. That can only be achieved under the guidance of a skilled master, combined with plentiful nutrition, pills, and medicinal baths."
"You're right, Senior Wu," Shang Ziyan agreed. "Chu Qiguang must've been secretly nurtured by the Wu Clan from birth! The Wu Clan definitely has major plans for him in the future!"
"At this rate, I'm not sure if anyone can stop him from securing the wusheng title," Xue Chengdao said with a look of dismay on his face.
The three examiners all belonged to the Vast Heavens Faction, so they were naturally unwilling to see such an exceptional young prodigy rising up from Wu Siqi's faction.
From that moment forth, an unspoken pact was formed between the trio.
Chu Qiguang had to be stopped right here and now. Someone had to cripple him, or better yet, kill him. After witnessing his power, the three examiners knew they allow him to grow to his full potential.
Xue Chengdao whispered something into the ear of a nearby servant. The servant sought out Jiang Longyu's servant to relay the message, and the message was passed on once again to Jiang Longyu himself.
***
In the restaurant, Hao Xiangtong let out an involuntary cheer at the sight of Chu Qiguang's dominant victory over Tao Zhiyue.
"Did you see that? That was amazing!" She turned to Hao Yongtai with an ecstatic expression, only to find him looking as if he were in mourning.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Hao Yongtai replied feebly.
How is Chu Qiguang this strong? Is it because of that master of his?
After witnessing Chu Qiguang's second battle, he had no choice but to admit that Chu Qiguang was almost certainly going to secure the wusheng title, which meant that all the money he had bet against him was going down the drain.
At least lose a battle or two so I can win some money back, Hao Yongtai secretly prayed.
However, Chu Qiguang's performance only sent Hao Yongtai sinking deeper and deeper into despair.
***
Chu Qiguang's third battle was against Li Xiwei, and he stepped onto the platform with a solemn expression.
I have to overcome these impulsive urges. Otherwise, this is going to be a major problem. I can't afford to turn into a brainless fool every time there's an audience!
In the next instant, Chu Qiguang had already grabbed his opponent by the head and thrown three consecutive punches into his chest. Before long, Li Xiwei was spewing blood and had to be rescued by the examiners.
I did it again! I just can't seem to help myself when there are people watching!
Chu Qiguang pounded the ground with his fist in frustration.
No! I can't just give up! I must fight against my illness and overcome my limits! In the next battle, no matter how weak my opponent is, I must drag the fight out for at least ten exchanges. I have to learn how to remain calm and controlled, even when my condition is affecting me!
Next, it was Chen Yuebai's turn to face Chu Qiguang. Chen Yuebai was one of the examinees who had declared that he would cripple Chu Qiguang, and his Chen Clan was also competing against Chu Qiguang and the Wu Clan in the textile trade.
Thus, Chen Yuebai harbored a great deal of hostility toward Chu Qiguang, and he was determined to win.
"Chen Yuebai won't be an easy opponent for Chu Qiguang to overcome," Xue Chengdao remarked, and it was clear that he had very high hopes for Chen Yuebai.
"Chu Qiguang, you..."
Chen Yuebai had barely managed to get out a word before Chu Qiguang launched himself across the platform like a cannonball.
Chen Yuebai raised his arms to defend himself, and a burst of excruciating pain instantly shot through his forearms, as if his bones were on the verge of breaking. Acting on instinct, he lashed out in retaliation and threw a ferocious punch at Chu Qiguang.
The Vast Heavens Faction was renowned for their spear techniques, and elements of those spear techniques had even been incorporated into some of their fist techniques, granting their punches immense penetrative power. With a single straight punch, Chen Yuebai was capable of tearing clean through a sandbag with his fist.
The average third-state martial artist would have been severely injured by this punch, if not killed outright, yet Chu Qiguang charged straight into it without hesitation.
To Chen Yuebai's utter astonishment, his fist was stopped the instant it struck Chu Qiguang's forehead, and the skin on his knuckles was torn open from the impact.
He opened his mouth to surrender, but Chu Qiguang grabbed him by the face, silencing him before he could speak. What followed were three incredibly powerful punches, and by the time they landed, Chen Yuebai already felt half-dead.
