Ye Xingchen not recognizing him made Dai Lu extremely annoyed. After all, at Shengquan Sect, he had been publicly abused by him in broad daylight.

Sorry.

Night Emperor truly didn’t recognize him.

It wasn’t that his memory was bad, but rather he simply didn’t take trash seriously.

“Just you wait!”

Dai Lu clenched his fists tightly, raging: “This old man will use his strength to thoroughly trample your dignity underfoot in three days!”

Why such confidence?

Because, according to his judgment, Ye Xingchen and that other Iron Bones Sect disciple had strength at most at peak Wushi level. With his eighth-grade Wuzong level, he could absolutely crush them.

“At Shengquan Sect, this old man had just broken through to Wushi, my strength was inferior to yours. Now how much time has passed, and I’m already far ahead of you—this is the difference!”

Dai Lu was extremely proud.

In fact.

Ye Xingchen and Xiao Zuoji—one used the Taixuan True Scripture to deliberately conceal his cultivation, the other used a concealment technique to hide his cultivation, always giving people the feeling of only being at peak Wushi.

When going out, keep a low profile, keep a low profile.

“Senior Brother.”

Returning to the inn, Xiao Zuoji kept thinking about the black-robed man they encountered on the street earlier, saying: “That person seems somewhat familiar, like I’ve seen him somewhere.”

“Just trash.” Ye Xingchen said indifferently.

“Alright.”

Xiao Zuoji stopped thinking about it, returned to his guest room to cultivate, quietly waiting for the qualification battle about to begin.

…

Three days later.

The qualification battle commenced.

The area surrounding the qualification arena was packed with people.

Qualification battles were held every month. Everyone had long grown accustomed to them. Why were so many people coming today?

Because many wanted to see what the recently rising Iron Bones Sect was like, wanted to see just how formidable their disciples really were!

“They’re here, they’re here!”

When Xiao Zuoji and Ye Xingchen entered the qualification arena, they instantly became the focus of everyone’s attention.

The contestants who entered the arena first all looked unpleasant.

They had prepared for so long, finally mustering the courage to participate in the qualification battle, only to encounter Iron Bones Sect disciples—this was truly too tragic.

“Junior Brother.”

Xiao Zuoji said: “These people’s cultivation doesn’t seem very impressive. The highest is only peak Wushi.”

“Trash.” Ye Xingchen said.

The strength of contestants participating in qualification battles wasn’t high, mainly because they were held every month, and true geniuses wouldn’t necessarily concentrate in any particular month.

One after another, nearly fifty to sixty contestants entered the venue. Xiao Zuoji and Ye Xingchen were undoubtedly the most watched.

To the point that when Dai Lu walked in, he was completely ignored by everyone.

“Hmph.”

He stood in a corner, saying sinisterly: “I didn’t expect a qualification battle to attract so many people. This is also good—publicly abusing Iron Bones Sect disciples in front of everyone will settle my old grudge!”

“All contestants, take your positions.”

The steward in charge of the qualification battle announced loudly.

Sixty-four martial cultivators entered the center of the martial arts field, then after listening to the rules, each drew a number plate for one-on-one duels.

According to the numbers and calculations, at least six matches were needed to determine the champion. This author could happily pad six more chapters with this.

However!

After the competition started.

Xiao Zuoji and Ye Xingchen each fought, cleanly and efficiently defeating their opponents, using only one minute.

Even Dai Lu blasted his opponent off the dueling platform with absolute strength.

Among the martial artists participating in the qualification battle, the strongest was only peak Wushi. With these three people’s strength, if they couldn’t achieve instant kills, that would definitely be impossible.

Soon.

The first round ended, with thirty-two advancing.

The second round of duels began. Ye Xingchen and Xiao Zuoji took the stage in succession, both defeating their opponents at the fastest speed, giving opponents no time to think, and giving me no opportunity either.

“Third round, begin!”

Bang!

Bang!

The two continued fighting, continued defeating opponents!

“So strong!”

“Those contestants have absolutely no ability to fight back!”

“If nothing unexpected happens, the top two will definitely be Iron Bones Sect disciples.”

The martial artists watching discussed amongst themselves.

Dai Lu sneered continuously.

You two can show off for a while. When you encounter me, your nightmare will begin!

Bang!

He knocked out a contestant with one punch.

“Huh, that black-robed man seems very strong too!”

Everyone noticed Dai Lu, and he also enjoyed the feeling of being noticed by others.

However, looking toward Ye Xingchen, finding that guy never gave him a proper look, he raged: “Detestable fellow, when you face me, I’ll abuse you until you’re crying for your parents!”

The duels continued.

Perhaps there was some cosmic destiny at work. Over several successive rounds, Dai Lu didn’t encounter Xiao Zuoji or Ye Xingchen. Only after advancing to the top eight and drawing the final waist plates was it confirmed.

“As long as we both defeat our respective opponents, we’ll face each other!”

Dai Lu’s eyes immediately burned with fervor.

Boom!

Xiao Zuoji fought first, swiftly defeating his opponent, smoothly advancing to the top four.

After another match.

Ye Xingchen fought, smoothly defeating his opponent to advance.

Boom!

The last to fight was Dai Lu. He sent his opponent flying, the corners of his mouth curling into a sinister smile: “Ye Xingchen, your next opponent is me!”

Ye Xingchen furrowed his brows.

This black-robed man, from the moment he entered the venue, had been staring at him like a fly—it was truly unpleasant.

…

Top four battle.

Xiao Zuoji fought first, unsurprisingly winning the duel, smoothly entering the finals.

“Junior Brother.”

Walking off the platform, he smiled: “I’ve completed the mission. Now it’s up to you.”

According to the qualification battle rules, advancing to the top two would grant challenge qualification, so the championship didn’t have much meaning to him.

Ye Xingchen stood up and walked onto the dueling platform.

Dai Lu, who had already come up earlier, shook his head, grinning: “If I were you, I definitely wouldn’t come up.”

Xiao Zuoji’s mouth twitched.

This guy must be sick, right? From their chance encounter three days ago to now at the qualification battle, he’d been constantly provoking Ye Xingchen. Did he think Junior Brother was easy to bully?

Yes.

Dai Lu believed he could easily ravage Ye Xingchen, including all the Iron Bones Sect disciples!

Once his cultivation advanced higher, he’d thoroughly stomp Jun Changxiao underfoot too.

“The match begins.” The referee shouted.

Dai Lu’s eyes turned cold and fierce: “The humiliation suffered at Shengquan Sect, this old man will repay a hundredfold today…”

Swish!

Ye Xingchen appeared in front of him, saying: “Trash should roll back to the trash heap, not stand before me spouting nonsense.”

Boom—

A powerful wind attacked, air currents spread!

However, Dai Lu easily caught Ye Xingchen’s fist with his arm, grinning: “Is this all the strength you have?”

Whoosh whoosh—

His realm cultivation exploded outward.

“Wuzong!”

“This guy is a Wuzong!”

Everyone exclaimed.

Dai Lu felt extremely satisfied in that moment!

Swish!

Ye Xingchen swung his fist again, pouring spiritual energy into it and fiercely smashing it over.

Boom—

This strike was quite explosive, directly blasting Dai Lu back three to five steps. That satisfied face showed surprise: “You’re also a Wuzong!”

Ye Xingchen executed Mountain Collapse Earth Shattering Fist, maximizing his spiritual energy, blasting over again.

Boom!

Second-grade Wuzong!

Boom!

Third-grade Wuzong!

Boom boom boom—

Peak Wuzong!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Dai Lu was blasted backward step by step, the expression on his face becoming increasingly spectacular with Ye Xingchen’s rising power.

Impossible! Impossible!

How much time had passed—how could he advance from sixth or seventh-grade Wushi to peak Wuzong, how could he advance even faster than himself!