Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 261 - 261 0221 I Refuse No One_2

Chapter 261: Chapter 0221: I Refuse No One_2 Chapter 261: Chapter 0221: I Refuse No One_2 Zhang Guangyao’s cultivation was at the third layer of Foundation Establishment. Unlike Pan Yulin, who was a rootless rogue cultivator, Zhang Guangyao entered the Imperial Master Mansion at a young age and spent decades there, receiving guidance from famous masters and putting in his own immense efforts. His progress was slow due to his limited aptitude, but his foundation was extremely solid. Over the decades, he had engaged in hundreds of battles, large and small, and slain seven to eight hundred enemies, making him a formidable killer of no small renown.

Qi Tian did not react to Zhang Guangyao’s verbal disdain, considering verbal altercations to be pointless. The real proof would be in actual combat. He cupped his hands towards Zhang Guangyao and said, “Elder brother Zhang, please.”

Zhang Guangyao sneered. In the Imperial Master Mansion, Qi Tian, at his age, would be considered a whelp. In terms of true age, he could be Qi Tian’s grandfather. In terms of seniority, Qi Tian, at minimum, should address him as “master uncle”. However, because Qi Tian had already advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage, he could call him “elder brother”. This made Zhang Guangyao very uncomfortable, as if he was being insulted by Qi Tian.

“Qi Tian, if you want to match palms with me, fine. But I have one condition. Our match should not be one-sided. I am not one to passively get hit. We should approach this from the perspective of real combat. Since you can hit me, I should be able to hit you too. Why don’t we have a bout using palm techniques? If you want me to guard your safety at the frontier, I need to see if you’re worth the effort,” Zhang Guangyao stated his requirement.

“Zhang Guangyao, don’t stir up trouble. This is Qi Tian’s selection of manpower; he is the main character, not you. If you want to set conditions, wait until the next mission when you’re in charge,” Luo Xia hurriedly interjected.

“It’s fine. Since elder brother Zhang is willing to have a sparring match with me, I’m happy to oblige,” Qi Tian said, unperturbed.

Luo Xia hurriedly said, “Qi Tian, don’t overestimate your abilities. Zhang Guangyao is skilled in the Fire Cloud Palm, a mid-level mysterious technique. He has been immersed in this technique for over a decade. As far as I know, you practice boxing, not palm techniques, and even in boxing, you’ve only been practising for a few years.”

Zhang Guangyao said, “Since it’s real combat, there should be no restriction between palm and fist techniques, even leg techniques are acceptable, as long as they are martial arts skills.”

Qi Tian replied, “Since elder brother Zhang has said so, I’ll have a try with my Eight Desolate Demon Tiger Fist. Master, would you be the judge?”

Seeing that both of them were keen on a spar, Luo Xia knew he couldn’t change anything. Furthermore, he was well aware of Zhang Guangyao’s arrogance. So, he had no choice but to agree, “I’ll be the referee for you two. Remember, in a fight, you could get hurt, but you have eyes to avoid it.”

Zhang Guangyao assured, “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll know when to hold back.”

Since Qi Tian and Zhang Guangyao were about to spar, Luo Xia’s cave was not a suitable place. Therefore, everyone went to the Martial Arts Arena in Golden Roc Hall, a spacious place with sufficient defensive methods to avoid harming the innocent.

Their group, consisting of more than a dozen people, came aggressively and attracted a lot of attention in Golden Roc Hall. There were already people practising at the Martial Arts Arena. When they saw the group, they gathered around. Most of them were at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

They were all from the same faction, plus the spar between Qi Tian and Zhang Guangyao wasn’t anything secretive. Luo Xia couldn’t stop them from watching, so he simply greeted everyone and briefly explained the situation. When they learned that Qi Tian was going to have a real fight with Zhang Guangyao, they all took an intense interest and clamoured to watch.

Luo Xia couldn’t decide on his own and looked towards Qi Tian and Zhang Guangyao. Since neither of them said anything, Luo Xia went with the flow and agreed to their request.

Consequently, nearly a hundred spectators appeared in the stands of the Martial Arts Arena, over eighty percent of whom were at the Foundation Establishment Stage. The remaining were disciples at the Qi Cultivation Period from the Golden Roc Hall. These weren’t ordinary disciples at Qi Cultivation. They were mostly students of some Elder or steward at the Imperial Master Mansion, whose talents were so exceptional that they would all at least achieve Foundation Establishment in the future, like Luo Xia and Zhang Guangyao used to be.

The two highest-ranking individuals among them were Cui Ziqiao and Fang Junqiang. One was Cui Ziqiao, who had reached the sixth level of the Foundation Establishment stage, higher than Luo Xia, and also the one with the highest cultivation among all spectators present. The other was a half-step Foundation Establishment disciple, Fang Junqiang. Known as the foremost among the half-step Foundation Establishments of the Imperial Master Mansion, he once challenged Qi Tian for the principal component of the Foundation Establishment stage pill in Qi Tian’s possession, but unfortunately he was no match for Qi Tian.

After that, Fang Junqiang immersed himself in hard practice, hoping to catch up with Qi Tian, but he never expected that in such a short time, Qi Tian had advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage and was about to face Zhang Guangyao, one of the most promising beginners at the Foundation Establishment stage within the Mansion, for a real battle. His promotion speed was simply lightning-fast, which made Fang Junqiang somewhat despairing.

When everyone had taken their seats in the stands, Cui Ziqiao said, “I’ve heard of this Qi Tian, but isn’t his rise a bit too fast? Elder Luo, aren’t you afraid that his foundations are not solid? In this state, isn’t he just asking for a beating by competing with Zhang Guangyao in a real battle?”

Luo Xia gave a bitter smile. He himself didn’t think highly of Qi Tian, but since Qi Tian had agreed to it, he could not prevent it. Letting Qi Tian fight Zhang Guangyao could benefit Qi Tian, even if Qi Tian lost. At least it would let Qi Tian realize that not all at the third level of the Foundation Establishment Stage were losers like Pan Yulin.

Zhao Yanwei and Han Tianyu, who had just been smacked away by Qi Tian, also followed. They wanted to see Qi Tian humiliated by Zhang Guangyao. However, hearing Cui Ziqiao belittle Qi Tian so much, and Luo Xia not speaking up for Qi Tian, they felt a bit uncomfortable. It’s not that they were feeling unfair for Qi Tian. Instead, they felt that if Qi Tian really was as contemptible as Cui Ziqiao suggested, wouldn’t they be even more miserable?

“Brother Cui, you’ve never competed with Qi Tian. I’ve personally experienced Qi Tian’s prowess. From what I see, Zhang Guangyao might not even be Qi Tian’s match,” Han Tianyu retorted.

Cui Ziqiao shot Han Tianyu a sideways glance. “Han Tianyu, what qualifies you to babble in front of me?”

Han Tianyu angrily replied, “I’m not babbling, I’m telling it like it is. Brother Cui, if you don’t believe me, how about we have a wager? I bet Qi Tian will win, you bet Zhang Guangyao will. How about it? We can stake five spirit stones, what do you say?”

“Pah, you want me to take action for just five spirit stones? My name, Cui Ziqiao, is at least worth that much. Han Tianyu, you’re insistent on supporting Qi Tian, aren’t you? Let’s bet ten spirit stones then, dare you?” Cui Ziqiao yelled.

For five spirit stones, Han Tianyu could only grit his teeth to get them. But he could not afford ten. At this moment, Zhao Yanwei spoke, “Brother Cui, Han Brother and I can collectively put in ten spirit stones to bet with you.”

Cui Ziqiao burst into laughter. “Fine, as long as it’s ten spirit stones. Anyone else want to bet against me? I accept all comers. Elder Luo, don’t you want to have a bet?”

Luo Xia hastily shook his head. He could indeed put up ten spirit stones, but for bets involving Qi Tian, it’s better to stay out of it. Betting on Qi Tian winning, he wasn’t very confident, but if he bet on Qi Tian losing and Qi Tian found out later, it could affect their relationship. For such a bet, no matter which option he chose, there was no benefit for him, so it was better to refrain from participating.

At this moment, to everyone’s surprise, Fang Junqiang spoke up. “Uncle Master Cui, I’ll bet with you.”