Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 499: Full-On Acting
Due to Lu Yang’s tyrannical abuse of authority, Meng Jingzhou was cowed into agreeing to the terms—this time, he would play along and let Lu Yang shine, and next time, Lu Yang would return the favor.
The two greatest prodigies of their generation clashed. Although it was all an act, neither held back in the slightest. The spectators below were all cultivators seasoned in combat. If the two pulled their punches, the ruse would easily be exposed. Thus, they fought with everything they had.
Their battle was a storm of strength, speed, and reflexes. Even other prodigies on the same stage could only gape in disbelief. Compared to these two, winning the provincial-level competition and representing an entire province seemed to mean nothing. A massive gulf still existed between prodigies.
Even those reforged cultivators felt a chill in their hearts. Despite their painstaking efforts to disperse their cultivation and cultivate anew, they still couldn’t measure up to true prodigies.
The Battle of the Great Era is truly terrifying!
Lu Yang’s swordsmanship was so exquisite that even Ming Tai felt ashamed of his own inferiority. Meng Jingzhou’s fist techniques embodied the true essence of Third Elder’s teachings, bringing the strengths of a physique cultivator to their fullest potential. Every part of his body had been tempered to perfection, where even the Transcendent Tribulation old ancestors could find no fault.
“The Meng bloodline is truly fearsome...” an old ancestor murmured in awe.
Despite the Meng Family’s notoriety for troublemaking in the imperial capital, their position as the number one ancestral clan remained unshakable, all thanks to their indisputable, overwhelming strength. Even these Transcendent Tribulation old ancestors couldn’t help but feel a prickle of dread at the Meng Family’s power. Yet what they had witnessed was still far from the Meng Family’s full might.
Meng Jingzhou’s grand fist seals encompassed yang energy that could suppress demons and ghosts, shake heaven and earth, and conquer all obstacles; even ferocious beasts would cower before their brilliance.
Lu Yang’s sword qi surged forth like rivers breaching their dikes as they slashed through the fist seals.
The fierce battle was so evenly matched that the watching prodigies couldn’t help but clench their sweaty fists, their eyes fixed on every moment unfolding atop the stage. Only by focusing completely could they hope to keep up with the two combatants’ movements. These were true peers, and everything they learned from them would be immensely beneficial to their growth in combat.
Cough! A moment of negligence left Meng Jingzhou grazed by a sword qi. His qi and blood leaked out, putting him at a disadvantage.
Lu Yang pressed the advantage, allowing him no chance for respite.
“Meng Jingzhou, don’t give up!” someone shouted out their inner voice.
Meng Jingzhou represented the prodigies of their era—their hope. They couldn’t bear to see the Heavenly Court Creed win.
“Defeat this Young Creed Leader Lu!”
“Show them that this is now Great Xia’s era, not their ancient era of tyranny!”
The cheers reached Meng Jingzhou’s ears one by one, but unfortunately, against such consummate acting, they were meaningless.
“Heaven-Shaking Six Forms!” As if he was galvanized, Meng Jingzhou prepared to go all out, his veins bulging and his eyes bloodshot.
Lu Yang drew two fingers along his blade, offering his blood as a sacrifice to unleash his ultimate move. “Void-Breaking Sword Spell!”
Boom! The two drained every last bit of their spirit energy in this decisive showdown, kicking up a whirlwind of dust that swept across the arena. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
Whoosh! A figure was sent flying, coughing blood, and grievously wounded.
“It’s the Heavenly Court Creed who got sent flying!” Someone yelled elatedly. This so-called Young Creed Leader Lu is finally gravely wounded. It’s the first time something like this has happened!
Lu Yang knelt on one knee with his sword planted into the ground, dazed from the enormous impact.
But before the crowd could rejoice, the dust dispersed, revealing Meng Jingzhou sprawled on the ground, blood pooling around him. His breathing was faint, and his injuries were far worse than Lu Yang’s!
Meng Jingzhou’s fingers twitched. He struggled to open his eyes, attempting to rise several times, but his limbs refused to obey.
Unwilling as he was, he could only give up on getting back to his feet.
In contrast, although Lu Yang knelt wounded on the ground, he still had enough strength to smile and speak.
The outcome was decided.
The referee gritted his teeth. Letting an ancient person claim victory is a humiliation for Great Xia, but as a referee, I can’t show favoritism.
“I declare...Meng Jingzhou...defeated.” The last word quivered on his lips, forced out only after a long, reluctant pause.
The referee checked on Meng Jingzhou’s condition and exhaled in relief. Thankfully, his injuries are severe but not life-threatening; they won’t affect his foundation.
The five heavenly kings leaped onto the stage, supporting their young creed leader.
“Young Creed Leader, are you alright?”
“Cough, cough... I’ll live. What a thrilling battle!” Lu Yang grinned, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
The Golden Flame Heavenly King hurriedly produced a small medicinal vial. When it became uncorked, a fragrant medicinal aroma suffused the air. He tipped out two golden pills, feeding them to Lu Yang. The latter immediately sat cross-legged to meditate, and his wounds and spirit energy began to recover rapidly.
~~~
Meng Jingzhou had lost.
The prodigy representing the current era of Intermediate Golden Core cultivators had lost.
Many couldn’t accept this reality.
So close! He was just a hair’s breadth away from victory!
Seventh Elder’s pills were highly effective. Lu Yang was soon fully healed. Under the five heavenly kings’ escort, he rose to his feet and gazed up to see the austere faces of the Five Great Immortal Sects’ leaders and the Eldest Prince Jiang Qun. “It looks like the prodigies of this era do have some skill. Not bad in combat. It’s a pity it’s just some skill—nothing more.”
The crowd erupted in outrage. That’s too cocky! What do you mean by “nothing more?” Everyone saw that the difference between you two was paper-thin. A single tiny detail could have tipped the scales. Given another match, who could say who would win?!
“Young Creed Leader Lu, your words dismiss the prodigies of this era too lightly,” Sect Leader Lu said with a meaningful look, his tone laden with warning. “You should know there’s always someone greater out there. This world doesn’t belong to your Heavenly Court Creed.”
Young Creed Leader Lu sneered, as if he was mocking Sect Leader Lu’s ignorance. “Someone greater out there? That’s just the excuse mediocrities use after losing. In terms of talent, who could surpass me?”
The Nether World Heavenly King gazed down at the crowd in contempt. “Had the ancient immortals not suppressed our young creed leader, he would have become an immortal in ancient times. How could he have waited until now?”
Young Creed Leader Lu shot the solemn Nether World Heavenly King a sidelong glance and waved his hand impatiently. “Enough, Protector Nether World. I’m in good spirits for once. Let’s not talk about these unhappy matters.”
“Yes.” The Nether World Heavenly King made no further comments and stepped back like a clay statue.
The crowd inhaled sharply, their astonishment beyond words. Is this Young Creed Leader Lu so talented that even immortals envied him?
Just how heaven-defying must his talent be?
There were only clear records of the Four Ancient Immortals, though no accounts had ever described their talents. In other words, Young Creed Leader Lu’s talent was without precedent in all of history.
“It’s just empty boasts. Since you’re so confident, Young Creed Leader Lu, why don’t you spar with me?” To everyone’s surprise, Sect Leader Lu jumped down from the judges' platform, landing steadily on the arena.
Young Creed Leader Lu toyed with his fingers. “Speaking of which, Sect Leader Lu, you’re also at the Intermediate Golden Core Stage. You could be considered an opponent. But I don’t like your tone.”
Their gazes locked, sparks practically flying between them. The five heavenly kings tactfully withdrew to avoid disrupting their young creed leader’s good mood.
“Bring it on then?”
“Bring it on!”
