parentshiftbook Chapter 63: Arriving by breaking through the gate, departing by stepping over the threshold.
Chapter 63: Arriving by breaking through the gate, departing by stepping over the threshold.
The martial arts school's main gate was smashed to pieces!
The strength of a challenger can be seen from their first move. Breaking through the gate often signifies deep-seated hatred, and a normal challenger wouldn't go to such lengths.
"Zhang Ping, the Ghost Blade? I've been waiting for you!"
Zhang Ping stepped through the broken pieces of the vermilion gate and entered. All eighteen masters of the museum were present and had already gathered.
"Heh, are you planning to attack all at once?" He glanced around and said meaningfully.
Figures quietly appeared on the rooftops surrounding the martial arts school. The spectators had arrived.
"Hmph!" Wan Eryang had clearly noticed these people, including some prominent figures in the city. This challenge was not large-scale, but the opponent was a young man in his early twenties who had already reached the level of projecting sword energy, which piqued the interest of many.
Representatives from the Dirty Refining Martial Arts School, the Bone Forging Family, and even the Demon Extermination Bureau were present. If he were to allow eighteen people to attack him, regardless of victory or defeat, the martial arts school's reputation would be utterly ruined!
"Arrogant brat, I alone am enough!" Wan Eryang shouted, leaping into the inner courtyard, one hand behind his back, signaling the other to make a move.
Without further ado, Zhang Ping raised his longsword, and the blade flashed out with lightning speed!
"He's still too green!" Seeing that he only knew how to release his sword energy, Wan Eryang felt a little more at ease. His figure suddenly became ghostly and elusive, dodging left and right to avoid the sharp sword energy.
At the same time, with a wave of his hand, countless fine needles rained down on Zhang Ping!
"Hidden weapon?" Zhang Ping's eyes flashed. He remained perfectly still, holding a knife in his right hand and making a grasping motion with his left, a ball of light condensing in his palm: "Divine Luo Heavenly Wheel!"
The light screen exploded, sweeping outwards from him! The flying needles landed with a clang, buildings along the way collapsed with a roar, and blue bricks on the ground shattered and flew everywhere!
Wan Eryang retreated rapidly, his eyes wide with rage at the sight! To restrain Zhang Ping, he had cleared the inner courtyard beforehand to prepare it as a battlefield, never expecting his opponent to possess such methods! With several loud crashes, the three domes collapsed, resulting in a loss of at least 100,000 taels of silver!
The onlookers burst into laughter: "Old Man Wan is probably going to be heartbroken this time!"
"You're courting death!" Wan Eryang's eyes were terrifyingly cold. He pulled a wooden box from his sleeve and took out half of a sword. Without hesitation, he poured most of his blood and energy into it, and the sword instantly locked onto Zhang Ping, transforming into a scarlet streak of light that shot out like an arrow!
"Oh? Interesting!" His forehead flushed, a hint of threat creeping in, but excitement flickered in Zhang Ping's eyes. "In that case, Ghost Blade - Radiant Light!"
He fiercely met the attack head-on, unleashing a dazzling burst of power that instantly pressed down on the red sword!
"Impossible!" Wan Eryang's cold expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in shock, "How can your qi and blood be so solid?!"
This broken sword blade is a rare treasure, and the fact that it has been infused with most of his vital energy has brought him to the level of Refining the Elixir! Even with the enhancement of his sword energy, Zhang Ping's vital energy should not be this strong!
The other seventeen hall masters watching were equally shocked. According to their intelligence, Zhang Ping had been cultivating for less than a year, and had only broken through to the Body Refinement stage a month prior! This kind of energy and blood was definitely not normal!
Although the onlookers in the distance did not recognize the origin of the sword, they could feel the power contained within it. Zhang Ping's ability to block it was truly unexpected.
Standing atop the Nangong family's high-rise building, Nangong Feiyan's gaze pierced through the distance, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "This young man is destined to be a leading figure among the younger generation."
Xiao Ling'er, standing nearby, had limited abilities and could only make out blurry figures. Frustrated, she stamped her foot, "I told you Zhang Ping was a genius, but Aunt Nangong wouldn't believe me!"
In the arena, the blade completely knocked the sword off and then severed Wan Eryang's right arm!
"Brother Wan!" a friend of his called out urgently, and was about to rush forward.
"Don't come any closer!" Wan Eryang screamed, clutching his severed arm. "Zhang Ping, I surrender! I'm willing to offer you two hundred thousand taels of silver!"
"Three hundred thousand taels." Zhang Ping sheathed his sword and casually smoothed his hair.
"Okay!" Without hesitation, Wan Eryang gritted his teeth and agreed.
The 300,000 taels of silver was painful for him, but still bearable. If he didn't agree, he dared not gamble on whether Zhang Ping would stop.
With the compensation in hand, Zhang Ping felt a surge of satisfaction and glanced at the remaining seventeen people. The owners of the establishment all took a step back, watching him warily.
"Hey fat guy, come here." Zhang Ping pointed to a fat man with small eyes. The man's hands were covered with rings, indicating that he was wealthy.
"You...!" Li Qiu's expression changed drastically. Seeing that all his companions' eyes were focused on him, and with no way to avoid it, he decided to go all out and shouted sharply, "Everyone! That move he just made must have exhausted most of his energy. Let's take turns attacking him until he's dead!"
These words completely severed all pretense of civility.
Laughter erupted from the crowd. A tag-team match itself wasn't shameful, but to shout it so openly showed a complete lack of decency. A martial arts school's livelihood depended on its reputation.
Once your reputation is ruined, who will want to learn your skills?
The other owners cursed Li Qiu in their hearts for being stupid, but now they were in a dilemma and had no choice but to agree.
"Hehe, come on!" Zhang Ping tapped the scabbard on the ground to support his body.
As soon as Li Qiu made his move, Zhang Ping's figure slashed in like a ghost. With the Dragon Slash Technique combined with lightning-fast bursts of speed, a flash of light and Li Qiu's left leg was severed!
Fast! Too fast!
"Ah—!" A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the courtyard, a chill instantly creeping into everyone's hearts. First an arm was severed, then a leg was cut off—this was an attempt to completely cripple the opponent's martial arts school business!
"Next!" Zhang Ping said without changing his expression.
Call him cruel or heartless if you will.
When they joined forces to devour the Lu family that day, did they ever consider the consequences? If he hadn't returned from Lingchuan in time, and the Lu family had been completely wiped out, what would have become of Lu Wanrou, an ordinary woman?
At this moment, it's no longer about right or wrong, but simply a struggle over grudges and interests!
None of the remaining owners dared to step forward.
"I am willing to compensate the Lu family with 300,000 taels of silver!" Bai Ye was the first to step forward and admit defeat.
While it's shameful to admit defeat and pay to save your life, even if it damages your reputation and ruins your business, it's still better than being crippled and living a miserable life in your later years.
"Torch Martial Arts School is willing to compensate!" "Qingxuan Martial Arts School is willing to compensate!" "...!"
The remaining owners of the museum rushed to speak, but no one dared to gamble on how much strength Zhang Ping still had left.
They were sensible, and Zhang Ping didn't pursue them to the bitter end. He accepted the IOU and let them leave. Then, under Wan Eryang's almost bloodshot gaze, he casually picked up the broken sword from the ground and put it in his pocket.
Unexpectedly, the anticipated eighteen consecutive challenges ended abruptly after only two matches. The onlookers felt it wasn't enough and began clamoring for more matches.
Zhang Ping wasn't about to be made a fool of. He whistled, stepped over the broken threshold of the Giant Stone Martial Arts School, and strode away.
They entered by breaking through the gate, and left by stepping over the threshold.
The commotion from the fierce fight had been so great that the streets outside were deserted. The people who had been squatting on the roof of the gatehouse saw Zhang Ping come out and quickly dispersed.
After today, the name "Ghost Blade Zhang Ping" may not be known throughout Lanjiang City, but it will certainly have a place on the rosters of various forces.
I had only taken a few steps when a woman walked towards me. She had an oval face, was about eighteen or nineteen years old, and had exquisite features.
Leng Ruxue gestured, "Young Master Zhang Ping, would you mind having a chat?"
Zhang Ping stopped, sensing the other party's late-stage Body Refinement cultivation level, and raised an eyebrow: "A scion of a powerful family in the city?"
Just as he was about to nod, a gust of wind suddenly came from behind. Turning around, he saw Xiao Ling'er rushing towards him.
"Zhang Ping, come with me quickly! Aunt Nangong has agreed to sell you!"
"They agreed?!" Zhang Ping exclaimed in delight. With the Dragon Bloodstone in hand, he had all the materials needed for the Black Dragon bloodline! The beast-patterned brand was just around the corner!
Thinking of this, he bowed to Leng Ruxue and said, "I'm sorry! It was an emergency. We'll talk again another day if we have the chance!" After saying that, he and Xiao Ling'er left in a hurry.
Leng Ruxue, who remained where she was, frowned deeply. "Is he related to the Nangong family?"