After the first group’s performance, Tian Fangfang was deeply shocked and said in a daze, “Junior Sister, did you see that… our Taiyan Sect is truly a hidden dragon and crouching tiger
1.”
Zanxing comforted him, saying, “No need to belittle ourselves, individuals like him are rare.”
When reading the book as an outsider, Zanxing didn’t notice it, but being in the midst of it, she realized how insanely overpowered the author made the male lead, Mu Cengxiao.
To showcase Mu Cengxiao’s prowess, it was way too exaggerated. Looking at the disciple who had just been slapped off the stage with a single palm, she noticed that he already felt extremely embarrassed and ran away. After all, being defeated in one move sounded too pitiful.
Next, the second group of disciples went on stage. Zanxing raised her eyes and looked towards Mu Cengxiao. Mu Cengxiao noticed her gaze, frowned, and walked to the other side.
Zanxing thought to herself that Mu Cengxiao didn’t have the Xiao Yuan Pearl, but he still defeated his opponent with one move in the sect assessment. It seemed like the original plotline hadn’t changed because of her transmigration.
She wondered whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.
The disciples took turns going up the stage. Over the past few days, everyone had been diligently practicing their martial arts techniques, each with their unique methods. It was like an exciting competition, quite entertaining for the onlookers, keeping them engrossed.
Tian Fangfang also passed the assessment quickly. He had mastered the “Dragon-Slaying Technique” to the second level. His opponent for this assessment was a young female disciple. Her cultivation was not as good as Tian Fangfang and was struck down to the ground with a single slash, her hair cut in half. The young junior sister was so angry that her hands trembled, and Tian Fangfang kept apologizing frantically, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t control my strength well the first time, I’m really sorry.”
Some matches were swift, and some were more drawn out. In cases where the difference in strength was significant, the outcome was clear within ten moves. For those with similar levels of cultivation, they showcased their skills, resulting in intense and thrilling battles.
Before she knew it, the disciple announcing the matches said, “Match thirty-six, Yang Zanxing versus Feng Hu.”
Zanxing walked onto the competition stage, holding a staff in her hand.
From a distance, Daoist Yueguang was surprised, “She’s using a staff?”
“Senior Brother, what’s wrong with using a staff?” Xuan Lingzi asked, puzzled.
Daoist Yueguang lightly stroked his long beard and pondered, “Throughout history, very few female cultivators have chosen a staff as their weapon. It’s mainly because it doesn’t look very elegant. Long swords are graceful and can be worn at the waist. Golden knives are sharp and when held, they are both delicate and beautiful, serving as decorations when not in use. But if it’s a staff… carried on the shoulder, it does lack a certain level of grace.”
Xuan Lingzi was unimpressed, “But she chose the ‘Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff’. She can only use a staff.”
Daoist Yueguang’s voice caught, “What did you say?”
“That young girl,” Xuan Lingzi looked towards the girl on the competition stage, “found the ‘Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff’ in the martial arts hall.”
On the competition stage, Zanxing looked at her opponent.
Her opponent was a burly middle-aged man, tall and robust. To be honest, he didn’t look much like a cultivator but more like a legendary hero who fought tigers. With thick eyebrows and large eyes, a square face, and an air of dominance, he exuded a wild and formidable aura. Although he was wearing the standard gray robe, he had a string of tiger teeth hanging around his neck, whether they were real or fake was uncertain, but it gave him a ferocious appearance.
The tip of his long spear at his side was crafted in the shape of a tiger’s claw. Perhaps someone had a large head, as the claws were as sharp as knife edges, giving an intimidating impression.
In the audience, Duan Xiangrao, upon seeing this, nestled in Hua Yue’s arms and said softly, “Junior Sister Yang is really unlucky, encountering Feng Hu of all people. Feng Hu is not the type to show mercy or spare anyone.”
“Even if someone were to show mercy, it wouldn’t be to an ugly woman like her,” Hua Yue pinched Duan Xiangrao’s cheek, “It’s better to get rid of such disgusting people as soon as possible.”
Zanxing paid no heed to the discussions in the audience. She simply held her staff in front of her and said, “Please—”
Her opponent, Feng Hu, didn’t make a move but rather impatiently retorted, “Once I strike with my Tiger Claw Spear, your head will shatter. Woman, you’d better admit defeat quickly to save time.”
Zanxing replied, “If you want me to admit defeat, I’ll admit defeat. But wouldn’t that be embarrassing?” Before she even finished speaking, she charged forward with her staff, saying, “Let’s just fight and see!”
Feng Hu and Zanxing had similar cultivation levels, both being in the early Foundation Establishment stage. However, Feng Hu’s seniority and extensive combat experience gave him a clear advantage when compared to Zanxing, who lacked practical battle experience.
Although the Tiger Claw Spear technique wasn’t considered the most exquisite martial art in the martial school, it suited Feng Hu exceptionally well. Sometimes, the right technique in the hands of the right person could unleash unexpected power.
The burly man held his spear and thrust it toward the young woman in front of him. However, the woman’s movements were incredibly nimble, narrowly evading each strike. After a few attempts, the disciples in the audience began to stir, saying, “Feng Hu, are you perhaps showing mercy to this junior sister?”
“He must have taken a liking to her!”
Feng Hu was infuriated by these remarks and shouted, “Shut up! Who would be interested in such an ugly freak!” With that, he suddenly activated his elemental power. The long spear in his palm seemed to come to life, and the tiger claw at the tip of the spear expanded violently, casting a shadow resembling a beast’s claw.
The most formidable move of the “Tiger Claw Spear” was the “Tiger Claw Pierces the Heart.” Once the target was locked onto by the tiger claw on the spear, there was no chance of escaping unscathed. Initially, Feng Hu hadn’t intended to use this move during the first round of the assessment. However, perhaps provoked by the discussions in the audience and unwilling to admit any attraction to an unattractive woman, he decided to employ it to make a clear distinction and show no mercy.
The tiger claw rapidly enlarged, as if it had gained a life of its own, swaying and growing within the shifting shadows. It was about to grab towards Zanxing’s face!
“Junior Sister, be careful!” Tian Fangfang’s throat was almost hoarse from shouting.
Feng Hu sneered, “It’s useless. No one can escape my Tiger Claw…”
Before he could finish uttering the word “spear,” he saw the tiger claw in front of him miss its target.
Feng Hu was bewildered.
The tiger claw had indeed reached for Zanxing’s face, but just before it could touch her forehead, it seemed to sink into something soft, like water, a marsh, or quicksand. It became entangled and couldn’t be pulled back.
He tried to withdraw his spear, but it got stuck even tighter. Just as he started feeling uneasy, a woman’s voice suddenly came from behind him, saying, “Senior Brother, what are you attacking over there?”
Feng Hu was startled, and in the next moment, a tremendous force struck him from behind, leaving him with no way to evade. There was a loud “thud,” and the burly man tumbled from the stage, causing a small section of the ground to collapse.
With reddened eyes, he looked back up at the stage. There, a woman in a gray robe stood, carrying a staff on her shoulder. This action was originally somewhat rugged, but she infused it with a touch of unruly charm.
It means that Taiyan Sect has many hidden talents.