Chapter 34: Taikang’s Champion Cannot Shake Gu Lin!
On the viewing platform, several backers behind the major gambling houses had gathered together.
“Anyone taken bets on Young Master Gu Lin?” one backer asked.
“Yes, our house has three hundred taels riding on him,” one replied, flipping open a ledger.
“Our Treasure Basin house has three hundred taels.”
“Our Harmony Brings Fortune house has two hundred taels!”
“Our Rolling Wealth house has two hundred taels, plus one man who bet ten taels.”
Once the words had settled, the group of backers exchanged glances.
If Young Master Gu Lin truly secured a Sacred Ground placement, that would be a fifty-nine-fold return. Never mind that a contract, once signed, allowed for no reneging—the man would be joining a Sacred Ground itself. Which gambling house would dare breach such a wager?
Fifty-nine times the payout!
“Young Master Gu is truly a man of principle!” one backer concluded.
The others nodded in agreement.
There was no doubt the two bettors were closely connected to Young Master Gu.
That was precisely what made him so principled. Had it been widely publicized, far more people would have piled on larger bets, and even if the houses adjusted the odds against Gu Lin at the last moment, they’d still have been bled dry.
Meanwhile, on the viewing platform, countless spectators were filled with regret, cursing themselves for not having been drunk enough at the time. Had they been intoxicated enough to bet on Young Master Gu, they’d be set for life now!
***
Time flew by swiftly.
The Round of Thirty-Two was about to give way to the Round of Sixteen!
A new lottery draw began.
Among the thirty-two remaining contestants, there were no weaklings. The one with the lowest cultivation realm was naturally Gu Lin, but in the eyes of the other competitors, Gu Lin absolutely had a real shot at securing a Sacred Ground placement!
The disc-shaped artifact activated once more.
The thirty-two contestants stood at the front, each wearing an expression of calm composure, showing no trace of nervousness.
They already held Blade-Bearer placements. Their status and standing had already made the leap—their mindset was entirely different now!
The third group’s stones shot forth—
“Gu Lin, Gao Youqi!”
Gu Lin would face off against Taikang Academy’s champion and lead contender, Gao Youqi of the Energy Condensation Ninth Level!
The moment the draw was announced, the spectators from Taikang County wore expressions of dismay, and the headmaster of Taikang Academy let out a heavy sigh.
Of all people, why did it have to be that Energy Condensation Seventh Level monster…
This was a monster of an opponent!
It looked like Gao Youqi’s run would end at the Round of Thirty-Two!
At Inspector Zhu of the Literary Dao Academy’s command, the match was set for Arena Four.
Gu Lin stepped onto the arena.
Gao Youqi followed close behind.
Countless gazes turned toward Arena Four.
The reason was simple—Gu Lin’s battles were simply too dominant, too breathtaking to watch. Everyone, without exception, fixed their attention on him while ignoring the other exceptional talents entirely.
Under the weight of that collective gaze, Gao Youqi stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and spoke with sincere and earnest words:
“Both my parents died when I was young. My family was destitute, and I survived only by selling myself into servitude to a wealthy family. Fortunately, I showed talent in the Martial Dao and was taken in and trained by my teachers. That I have made it this far was no easy feat…”
He paused briefly, then continued with unaffected candor:
“For this match, I ask that Young Master Gu give his full effort, but I also beg that Young Master Gu show mercy.”
Once the words had settled, the entire arena fell silent.
Was this shameful?
It was not!
Gu Lin had already demonstrated a terrifying capacity for lethal force. Had he truly harbored killing intent, Gao Youqi would almost certainly have met his death.
These were people with boundless futures ahead of them as Blade-Bearers now. No one wished to die before that dawn had even broken.
Likewise, if Gao Youqi dared to speak such words in front of everyone, then should he gain the upper hand, he too would surely show restraint—otherwise his name would be tarnished for it.
Of course, such a possibility was vanishingly small!
After all, one could take pills after the match to restore one’s internal energy. Even if Gu Lin couldn’t recover to full strength, seventy or eighty percent would be more than enough to handle Gao Youqi.
Gu Lin gave a light nod.
“Very well.”
Gao Youqi let out a long breath of relief and bowed with a smile.
Thoom—
As the drum’s report rang out sharply,
Gao Youqi roared like an unbridled wild horse, internal energy surging and coursing through his body. His left hand curled into a hollow fist while his right hand extended into a claw, fist and claw striking in tandem, moving with a speed too fast for the naked eye to track.
Gu Lin stamped the ground and leaped into the air, once again unleashing his Eighteen Consecutive Aerial Kicks!
The Wave-Treading Steps combined with the Nine Heavens Thunder-Runner Leg—as he leaped and shifted through the air, his defense and offense became inseparable, striking from every conceivable angle.
Boom!
It was only the ninth kick, and amid the thunderous roar of that explosive sound, it shattered Gao Youqi’s fist strike, heavy and powerful as it was, dead center.
A chill shot down Gao Youqi’s spine as he felt an all-encompassing pressure bearing down on him. He attempted to unleash his signature technique, but a searing wave of energy surged straight toward his face.
“I concede!” he shouted immediately.
The claw-shaped afterimage vanished without a trace.
It had come swiftly, and it left just as swiftly.
Even the many Sacred Ground members present found themselves astonished.
Such mastery of control was nothing short of the pinnacle of skill!
To cultivate such martial arts, Gu Lin must have endured tremendous hardship—training diligently day and night, and possessing an unmatched talent for comprehending the Martial Dao, to have reached such a level before even turning twenty.
Cold sweat poured down Gao Youqi’s face, his entire body rigid with tension. He had come frighteningly close to ending up a corpse, just like Zhao Yao.
He offered his sincere gratitude:
“Thank you, Young Master Gu, for showing mercy!”
He knew Gu Lin had held no killing intent. Had that intent been present, he doubted he would have even managed to utter the words “I concede.”
The Lotus-flower-robed official of the Literary Dao Academy announced in a clear voice:
“This match goes to Gu Lin! Congratulations to Gu Lin for advancing to the Round of Sixteen!”
Gu Lin returned the bow and walked back toward the elevated platform.
The other competitors watched him with bewildered expressions.
Toward Gao Youqi, who had no background or connections to speak of, he had been gentle and gracious, restrained and courteous.
Yet toward Zhao Yao, who came from a powerful background, he had been ruthless and merciless!
Up on the elevated platform, Zhao Can kept his eyes closed, cultivating his composure. He couldn’t afford to lose control again—having just been struck across the face by the Centurion in front of everyone, he would surely face punishment once he returned to the Martial Extremity Hall of Chu Province.
Little Yao was already dead. All that remained for him now was vengeance, so that Little Yao’s spirit could finally rest in peace!
This was a disgrace to the entire Zhao Family, and it had ground Zhao Can’s own dignity into the dust.
“My lord.”
Zhao Can suddenly opened his eyes and strode over to stand before the official in the pristine white Three-Legged Golden Crow robe of the Martial Extremity Hall. Forcibly suppressing the grief in his heart, he strove to keep his voice steady and spoke with utmost respect:
“It was my failure to maintain composure. I ask that my lord mete out punishment!”
The Centurion of the Martial Extremity Hall fixed him with a cold stare and said in a low voice:
“While I understand the pain of losing your younger brother, you nearly stepped onto the arena itself in your recklessness, threatening to undermine the fairness of the selection trial. I will report this matter truthfully to my superiors!”
Zhao Can bowed respectfully, offering no argument or plea for leniency. Instead, he said in a deep voice:
“My lord, I request that the Blade-Bearer Bureau under the Martial Extremity Hall select Gu Lin. I ask that my lord, in consideration of my years of diligent and loyal service, grant this wish of mine!”
A flicker crossed the Centurion of the Martial Extremity Hall’s eyes. After a moment’s contemplation, he spoke, his voice barely audible:
“Given Gu Lin’s combat strength, he is indeed capable of securing a Sacred Ground placement.”
Zhao Can’s expression turned rigid as iron, and he spoke each word with deliberate weight:
“My lord, in his battle against Little Yao, he unleashed every one of his trump cards. The other formidable contestants all witnessed it and will surely be on guard against his various techniques now. Gu Lin may not necessarily secure a placement!”
No one could interfere with the lottery draw of the disc-shaped artifact, but he prayed that the beast surnamed Gu would draw an opponent in the top five and be stopped there!
The Centurion of the Martial Extremity Hall studied his subordinate for a moment, then nodded.
“Should he suffer a narrow defeat, this official will claim him. The Blade-Bearer Bureau under the Martial Extremity Hall needs a formidable young talent such as Gu Lin.”
Zhao Can had boundless prospects ahead of him and had always been fiercely loyal. Such a small request was certainly one his superior would grant.
He understood full well what was on Zhao Can’s mind, of course. The Blade-Bearer Bureau of the Martial Extremity Hall answered entirely to the Martial Extremity Hall of Chu Province—it would prove tremendously convenient for whatever plans lay ahead.
Sign up to join the discussion...
Already have an account? Log in
No comments yet. Be the first to discuss this chapter.