Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior

Chapter 257 172: Clash of Factions, Two Fingers Shatter the Sword!

"That's right, Brother Li Li will definitely win this battle!"

"Please forgive me, Mr. Lin."

Li Lishi respectfully spoke, his face revealing nothing, but inwardly he was dismissive. This Mr. Lin was a Daoist Cultivator and likely didn't understand much about Martial Artists like them. Naturally, he had more confidence in his own Martial Arts Hall's Li Li, whom he had trained.

Su Mu merely closed his eyes at this, causing the people from Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall to become even more annoyed.

"Father, I think Mr. Lin here..."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Li Lishi immediately reprimanded him. Although he disagreed with Su Mu's opinion, he didn't wish to offend him. "Just watch and see."

Before long, after two or three dozen rounds in the arena, Zhou Gang seized an opening in Li Li's technique, securing the victory.

"I, I lost?"

Li Li, defeated, looked unconvinced, while Captain Qiu merely announced indifferently,

"In the first match, Zhou Gang of the Cangying Gang wins."

At this moment, the young girl from Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall, as well as Li Lishi, looked surprised and turned their gaze to Su Mu in the wheelchair; the match had been predicted accurately by him.

Was it a self-fulfilling prophecy, a coincidence, or was his perception extremely sharp?

Li Lishi couldn't quite determine, and the girl beside him pursed her lips, "It must be that Brother Li was careless."

"Sir, you were right!"

Qinghe alone was not surprised; her eyes sparkled like stars, very pleased.

Soon, the second pair of contestants entered the ring. The people from Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall were all waiting for Su Mu to speak again, but they were disappointed. Su Mu closed his eyes and remained silent, merely relaxing.

Earlier, his words were simply in response to Qinghe's question.

"In the second match, Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall wins!"

"In the third match, Cangying Gang wins!"

"In the fourth match, Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall wins!"

Time passed, each side had won two rounds, finally coming to the deciding match between each group's strongest fighters.

Li Lishi first cupped his fists towards Su Mu, then stepped out boldly, while from the opposite side, the Cangying Gang sent out a slender man with an extraordinary aura.

"Li, if your reliance today is on that cripple, then we of the Cangying Gang are sure to win today. You might as well surrender." Cang Ying sneered as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Li Lishi's heart trembled, a vague sense of unease arose, he surveyed the Cangying Gang's side but saw no unfamiliar faces. Where did Cang Ying's confidence come from?

Could it be psychological warfare?

Li Lishi took a deep breath, "Hmph, winner or loser, we'll see the proof through combat."

The two quickly assumed their stances, immediately, two waves of Qi Blood stronger than those prior emanated from them, stirring excitement among the spectators on both sides.

"This is the might of the Eighth Grade, the leader of the Cangying Gang is about to strike!"

"The Master's Iron Wire Fist has achieved Great Success. The leader of the Cangying Gang is certainly not a match for the Master!"

Both sides began cheering for their respective Gang Leader and Master, many from the Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall glanced secretly at Su Mu, but he remained indifferent as though the happenings in the arena had nothing to do with him, frustrating the young girl.

Clang!

Li Lishi's iron-ringed arms shook with a deafening metallic clatter as they met Cang Ying's Long Saber.

Clang clang clang!

The metallic clang continued endlessly, sparks flew, their clashes stirred up dust and sand, blurring the spectators' vision, Qinghe included.

"Sir, who do you think will win this match?"

Amidst the tension, Qinghe asked once more, drawing the attention of many Martial Arts Hall disciples.

Su Mu on the wheelchair did not open his eyes, calmly said, "Master Li is stronger."

Upon hearing Su Mu's response, the young girl finally nodded in satisfaction.

Clang clang clang!

Another round of fierce exchange ensued, Li Lishi began to take the upper hand, after more than ten rounds, Cang Ying was punched back, but it was at this critical juncture.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort came from afar.

Upon hearing this sound, both Li Lishi and Captain Qiu turned pale; they could discern the rich Qi Blood behind it, suggesting the arrival of someone above an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist!

Compared to their drastic change in expression, Cang Ying looked smug, "Cang Ying welcomes Elder Lin of the Qingfeng Gang!"

"What, Elder Lin of the Qingfeng Gang?!"

On the arena, Li Lishi's face further changed dramatically; the Qingfeng Gang was one of the five major forces in Qingyun County, utterly untouchable.

A black shadow swiftly dragged afterimages, arriving directly at the Cangying Gang's area; it was an elder in green clothes with white hair, a Ancient Sword tied around his waist.

At this moment, Captain Qiu from Qingshui Town walked quickly to Lin Zhen's front, cupping his hands and bowing.

"Elder Lin."

Lin Zhen waved his hand, his unfriendly gaze fell on Li Lishi, "Since the competition isn't over yet, you two should continue."

On the arena, Li Lishi swallowed hard, his expression bitter. How could he not understand Elder Lin's implication? If he dared to win this battle, Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall would face extinction afterward.

Seeing Li Lishi's struggle and pained expression from being suppressed earlier, Cang Ying seemed triumphant, about to ridicule when.

An untimely calm voice traveled from not far away.

"Qingfeng Gang? Could it be that Gu Feng is here today?"

Upon the utterance, the venue fell deathly silent; the name of Gu Feng was known by all in Qingyun County, as he was the Gang Leader of Qingfeng, and yet someone dared to call his name aloud?

Lin Zhen was astounded at the words, immediately sought the source, finding a young man in his early twenties on a wheelchair with no detectable Qi Blood fluctuation. A flash of killing intent passed through Lin Zhen's eyes.

"Brat, how dare you insult the Qingfeng Gang!"

As his words dropped, Lin Zhen tipped his foot, his green clothes brushed over the arena, crossing several yards in a blink to stand before the one who had spoken arrogantly.

Hiss!

The Ancient Sword was unsheathed, cold gleams flashing, causing several Iron Fist Martial Arts Hall disciples to feel as if falling into an ice cellar, retreating several steps, except Qinghe who didn't retreat but instead showed concern on her face, wanting to shield Su Mu from the sword.

"Sir!"

Facing this sword, amid Qinghe's alarmed cries, the young man in the wheelchair still kept his eyes closed, seemingly unaware.

Just as everyone could foresee the scene of blood-stained ground.

The young man in the wheelchair responded; he gently raised his right palm, leisurely extending two fingers.

Hiss!

Those two slim, jade-like fingers seemed cast from metal, halting Lin Zhen's swift and murderous sword midair, unable to advance.

In this instant, Lin Zhen's pupils constricted, his heart heaved with surprise; those slender fingers were immovable!

Crunch!

In midair, two fingers twirled lightly, immediately unleashing an irresistible force, the three-foot Ancient Sword shattered into several pieces.

Suddenly, a strong sense of unease welled up in Lin Zhen's heart, as he saw the youth on the wheelchair slowly open his eyes.

Lin Zhen's heart trembled violently; in this moment, disregarding face, he hastily retreated, abandoning his sword.

The youth on the wheelchair, after extending two fingers, never acted again.

Lin Zhen, separated by several yards, watched the composed youth on the wheelchair, tremblingly cupped his hands and bowed.

"Thank you for sparing my life."

...