Comparing their Energy Transformation Cultivation, Zhu Chengyou and Gu Manzhou had already determined the superior and the inferior.
Zhu Chengyou’s blood heated, and his gaze sharp as a knife, fell upon Gu Manzhou as he declared loudly, "Again!"
His momentum was like a rainbow, and he himself was like an unsheathed blade, transforming into a shadow and charging at Gu Manzhou once more.
Gu Manzhou’s heart shuddered.
Both were at the Energy Transformation Seventh Rank, and he had been famous for many years, having reached this rank earlier than Zhu Chengyou. He had thought his strength would surpass Zhu Chengyou’s, but unexpectedly the opponent’s Inner Qi was more solid and refined, causing him to fall into disadvantage during their duel.
At that moment, seeing his opponent’s overwhelming fighting spirit, he even felt a trace of fear.
However, he soon snorted coldly and met the challenge once again.
Today, representatives from various forces of the Jiangbei Martial World were present. It wouldn’t matter much if he lost to Zhu Chengyou, but if he showed timidity, that would be a total disgrace.
He just needed to hold on now. Once Elder Feng arrived and the Zhu Family was utterly defeated, who would dare bring up his inferiority to Zhu Chengyou?
Even if Zhu Chengyou’s bravery were mentioned, no one would dare call him weak. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel※fire.net
The victor is king, and the one who survives to the end is the ultimate winner.
Thus, in the following duel, Gu Manzhou primarily fought with evasive tactics, only confronting Zhu Chengyou head-on when he was pushed to the brink. In this way, although Zhu Chengyou held the upper hand, it was not easy to quickly defeat Gu Manzhou.
However, the spectators enjoyed a great show.
The battle of Energy Transformation Grandmasters was indeed spectacular, each move they made was infused with unrivaled power, and the speed, grace, and strength of every move were evolved to the utmost, presenting a sense of simplifying complexity, a profound glimpse of simplicity which inspired many in the crowd.
Soon, the two had exchanged hundreds of moves.
A car sped from the distance, and the crowd let out exclamations—it was Elder Feng arriving.
Both contestants felt Elder Feng’s approach, Gu Manzhou’s heart steadied, and his momentum grew stronger.
Zhu Chengyou inwardly sighed, knowing he couldn’t delay much longer.
With this thought, a fierce light flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly exploded with formidable combat power, moving even faster than before, and violently punched at Gu Manzhou’s chest.
Gu Manzhou was shocked, a flash of terror crossed his eyes as he exclaimed, "You still had strength in reserve?"
He could dodge this attack, but the next moment he would be dragged into the formidable offensive, which would be even more dangerous.
Gu Manzhou summoned all his True Yuan and chose to withstand it.
A muffled explosion rang out.
Gu Manzhou was flung away once more.
Zhu Chengyou merely staggered, steadying himself after retreating three steps.
Gu Manzhou’s body flew out more than ten meters, landing as his entire face turned extremely red, his throat moved, a mouthful of fresh blood almost burst forth, but he swallowed it back forcibly.
Although he preserved his dignity, his internal injuries became more severe.
"Mr. Gu, are you alright?" several people approached Gu Manzhou and asked with concern.
Gu Manzhou’s lips moved a few times, but he did not answer.
Ni ma, can’t you stop asking? My blood is surging, and it’s not yet fully suppressed—wouldn’t speaking reveal my condition?
Zhu Chengyou glanced at Gu Manzhou, knowing his opponent was injured as severely as his fourth brother and felt he had avenged his brother.
He no longer paid attention to Gu Manzhou, instead turning his gaze to Elder Feng, who was now stepping out of the car.
Members from various forces of the Jiangbei Martial World gathered around, greeting and currying favor.
Elder Feng greeted them with a smile, nodding to everyone.
Feng Yuansi even gave a fist salute and gratefully said, "Thank you all members of the Jiangbei Alliance for coming to uphold justice for the head of the Feng Family."
"The Zhu Family disregards everyone, protecting criminals; we are merely standing up for justice," Yang Fei said.
"Indeed, the Zhu Family has controlled the Jiangbei Martial Alliance for many years, becoming arrogant and condescending. It really is time to put them in their place," Qin Yanyang added.
Some people began to eagerly seek the favor of the Feng Family.
Feng Tianzong was very pleased with this.
However, Zhu Chengyou was secretly disdainful and did not care.
The group was nothing but a rabble. They had fawned over the Zhu Family in the past as well.
The Martial World ultimately still revolves around strength. As long as he could survive today, these people would bow and scrape before him in the future, apologizing and vigorously explaining their actions today.
Feng Tianzong stepped into the center of the gathering, nodded at Zhu Chengyou, and said, "Impressive, I didn’t expect you to be on the brink of entering the Eighth Grade Energy Transformation. It seems Mr. Tian Shou truly has a successor."
Everyone, hearing him say this, was shocked and turned their eyes toward Zhu Chengyou.
They hadn’t expected him to be close to achieving the Eighth Grade Energy Transformation. The old Zhu Family really did produce talents.
First there was Zhu Tianshou, a legendary figure, and then came Zhu Chengyou and Zhu Chengpeng, both at the Energy Transformation realm.
Zhu Chengyou was even entering the ranks of grandmasters, now about to take one more step into the Eighth Grade.
This family was truly remarkable.
"I didn’t expect you, Senior, to personally come to the Zhu Family. This is really surprising," Zhu Chengyou said gravely as he looked at Feng Tianzong.
Feng Tianzong made no secret of his ambition, stating to Zhu Chengyou, "As you see, the Jiangbei Martial World has long been dissatisfied with the Zhu Family. Combined with the Zhu Family’s unfair practices and today’s blatant protection of a violent criminal, this has outrage spread throughout the Jiangbei Martial World. Graced by the favor of various allies from the Jiangbei Martial World electing me to oversee the situation, I had to come."
Among the crowd, representatives of the Jiangbei Martial World’s various powers quietly exchanged glances.
Wasn’t it you who called us here? How has it become that we recommended you to oversee the situation?
Although internally they extensively criticized, no one dared to speak out and clarify.
Zhu Chengyou scoffed and mockingly said, "Senior, you really know how to flatter yourself. Why don’t you point out a few matters where the Zhu Family has wronged our peers in the Jiangbei Martial World?"
Feng Tianzong’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled, "Your Zhu Family has bullied others by virtue of power, making many within the Jiangbei Martial World suffer. Does it really need me to spell it out? In the past, everyone was afraid of your family’s dominance and dared not speak up."
Zhu Chengyou disdainfully replied, "Feng Tianzong, your true aim today is for the Feng Family to replace the Zhu Family’s position in Jiangbei, all present here are aware of your ambitions. So, there’s no need for you to glorify yourself with these virtuous sounding words, which are truly nauseating."
Feng Tianzong, feeling the sting of being exposed, retorted angrily, "Rubbish! I was as renowned as your father, Zhu Tianshou. How dare you address me by name directly, and still say that the Zhu Family doesn’t act arrogantly?"
Zhu Chengyou sneered, "You really have thick skin. My father was upright and just, and everyone respected him for being fair to the Jiangbei Martial World’s peers. How dare you put yourself on the same level as him? It is a disgrace to my father."
"Exactly, my grandfather wasn’t bedridden yet, and what were you considered to be, to dare claim status equal to my grandfather’s?"
"Feng Tianzong, you are nothing but a downright villain. If you truly were righteous and respected, with your cultivation and status, the peers of the Martial World would have chosen you to lead long ago, during the more than a decade that my father was ill. Why did you need to scheme and manipulate behind the scenes these past few years to push this issue?" Zhu Chengping angrily said.
The members of the Zhu Family all spoke up, unanimously presenting a united front against Feng Tianzong, who was a formidable force in a tier of his own, showing no fear.
Around them, the Martial Artists of the Jiangbei Martial World felt awkward, none speaking up in opposition, and some even secretly enjoyed the drama.
People were aware of what kind of person Feng Tianzong was, just as Zhu Chengping had said. If Feng Tianzong truly had been esteemed and virtuous, with his unique power in the Martial World, he would already have been esteemed as a leader.
Feng Tianzong, ashamed and angry by Zhu Chengping’s words, glared harshly and directly said, "My grandson was crippled in one arm, and yet your Zhu Family insists on sheltering the criminal. I am giving you one last chance to hand over the criminal."
Zhu Chengyou’s heart chilled, aware that Feng Tianzong was seizing the opportunity.
But even if Yang Fei was Qin Yanyang’s husband, and considering that Yang Fei had come to Jiangbei only to save his father, and it was Feng Yufei who provoked the incident by pestering Qin Yanyang, leading to his injury by Yang Fei, Zhu Chengyou would not allow Feng Tianzong to unjustly oppress them.
"Your grandson knew they were a married couple, yet he still harassed and provoked them verbally. He got off lightly with one arm crippled given his insufficient abilities. Your Feng Family lacks discipline, allowing such disgraceful actions from your disciples without strict punishment, and yet you still seek justice?
Hahaha, with your bias in sheltering wrongdoers, what right and face do you have to be respected in the Jiangbei Martial World? Truly shameless!" Zhu Chengyou loudly berated Feng Tianzong.
Feng Tianzong felt extreme humiliation and fury from the confrontation, and bellowed, "You’re asking for death!"
A violent killing intent emanated from him.
He had only planned to cripple Zhu Chengyou, but now he was determined to kill.
Once he acted, his goal was to utterly crush the Zhu Family, leaving no threats behind.