My Monster-Derived Skills Are the True Power
Chapter 22: The First Football Match in the Martial World

Gongsun Jie abruptly halted, his mind blank once again.

When he saw the flyers, he had anticipated that the commotion at Wolf Valley would be significant, but he never imagined it would be this grand.

Even as the leader of a sect, accustomed to grand events, his eyelid twitched uncontrollably at the sight. A sense of retreat welled up within him.

Casting a resentful glance at Li Ye, Gongsun Jie asked, “Sect Leader Li, this is a competition between martial sects. Why involve so many commoners?”

“Joy is better shared than kept to oneself. Sect Leader will understand after the match,” Li Ye said with satisfaction, admiring his handiwork and feeling the surge of demonic energy within him. With a faint smile, he added, “In time, Sect Leader Gongsun will come to love this feeling.”

Love it?

Gongsun Jie sneered internally at Li Ye. Once I slaughter you and your demon accomplices, I’ll withdraw in triumph. What future could there possibly be? Do you think I’ll hold back in front of all these commoners?

Unconsciously, Gongsun Jie’s reference to Li Ye had shifted from “scoundrel” to “demon.”

Li Ye gestured to a nearby staff member to take over the reception duties. He cupped his fists towards Gongsun Jie. “Sect Leader Gongsun, someone will guide you to the field shortly. I must go make preparations. See you on the field.”

Gongsun Jie nodded instinctively, but soon realized he had questions to ask. Before he could speak, however, Li Ye had already vanished with an agility that made his heart skip.

Li Ye’s speed rivaled his own. If this man were allowed to grow, he could become a formidable foe for the righteous path. Gongsun Jie resolved to put his life on the line to eliminate Li Ye during the match.

Regrettably, he now realized it was a mistake to come alone. If he had known things would escalate to this extent, he would have brought the sect elders along.

---

At the Xuanguang Sect's waiting area, Gongsun Jie encountered Senior Brother Zhong Wenhao and Junior Sister Zhu Zhirou again.

The moment Zhong Wenhao saw him, he hurried forward. “Senior Gongsun, don’t listen to Li Ye’s provocations. We’re not in cahoots with him.”

“I know,” Gongsun Jie replied as he sat cross-legged, working to steady his mind for the impending battle. “Later, I’ll keep Li Ye occupied. The two of you handle the others.”

“No problem.” Zhong Wenhao exhaled in relief and quickly promised, “Senior, my junior sister and I have already scouted them. Aside from Shi Xiang, the rest of their team are ordinary martial artists. Shi Xiang’s skills are on par with mine. As long as you deal with Li Ye, I’ll keep Shi Xiang busy, and my junior sister can handle the rest.”

“Understood,” Zhu Zhirou nodded, clutching her sword tightly. Gritting her teeth, she added, “This time, we’ll make that Li Ye pay.”

Gongsun Jie sighed, thinking of Cao Bin. “Focus on holding off the others. Once I kill Li Ye, I’ll assist you.”

“Yes, Senior Gongsun,” the two replied in unison.

---

Cheers of “Fun Seekers for Victory!” rang out again from outside.

Through the window, Gongsun Jie saw the scene on the field.

In the center stood over ten players in red jerseys. The front of their shirts bore the character for “fun,” while numbers were emblazoned on their backs. Li Ye stood among them, his number a prominent “10.”

Li Ye and Shi Xiang stood at the front, with the other eight spread evenly behind them. Their wide spacing left Gongsun Jie puzzled.

“What are they doing?” Zhong Wenhao asked, confused.

“Just trying to show off,” Gongsun Jie muttered, unable to make sense of the formation. With a snort, he added, “Ignore them. Stick to the plan.”

Before they could step out, Wang Zhenghui entered, cupping his fists. “Sect Leader Gongsun, it’s your turn to enter.”

With a glance at Wang Zhenghui, Gongsun Jie rose. “Let’s go.”

---

As they emerged from the waiting area, the crowd erupted again:

“Gongsun Jie, victory is yours!”

“Gongsun Jie, you must win!”

“Gongsun Jie, give those punks a beating! Go!”

“Gongsun Jie, I want to bear your children!”

Li Ye had arranged for the most outrageous shills to stir up the crowd.

The chaotic shouts quickly unsettled Gongsun Jie’s hard-earned composure. Zhong Wenhao stumbled in shock, nearly tripping himself. When he regained his balance, his face was beet red.

Zhu Zhirou froze, overwhelmed by the spectacle. When she heard the comment about bearing children, her cheeks turned crimson, and she muttered, “Shameless.”

“Focus. Don’t let these petty tricks distract you,” Gongsun Jie said, his face dark. Taking a deep breath, he added, “Don’t look at the crowd. Finish this quickly.”

Without waiting for the others, he bellowed, “Scoundrel, face your death!” and launched himself at Li Ye.

Moving as swiftly as lightning, he closed the gap in an instant and threw a punch aimed directly at Li Ye’s face.

Li Ye flicked his toes, sending the black-and-white ball into the air, perfectly blocking Gongsun Jie’s punch.

Boom!

The ball met Gongsun Jie’s fist with a deafening thud. Shockwaves rippled outward, blowing Gongsun Jie’s hair back.

The ball, now like a cannonball, shot towards the far end of the field.

Gongsun Jie, ready to follow up with another strike, suddenly froze in horror as he realized his internal energy was sealed, leaving his body rigid. “You…”

“Handball!”

Li Ye smirked and raised his hand.

Slap!

His palm struck Gongsun Jie’s cheek, snapping him out of his paralysis.

Gongsun Jie collapsed.

Li Ye had countless techniques that could have ended Gongsun Jie swiftly, but an immediate victory would make for a dull match. Drawing things out would offer the spectators a better experience and allow Li Ye to absorb more demonic energy as his powers grew.

Zhong Wenhao, still rushing forward, froze mid-step as he witnessed his senior being slapped to the ground. His eyes widened. “Senior Gongsun…”

Before long, Gongsun Jie leaped to his feet, his rage overriding all sense of reason. He charged at Li Ye, unleashing a flurry of punches that seemed to engulf him. “Scoundrel! I’ll kill you!”

The humiliation of being slapped in front of so many people obliterated all thoughts of schemes or strategies. His sole focus now was to tear Li Ye apart.

The valley fell silent as the crowd watched in stunned disbelief. Gongsun Jie’s initial ferocity, followed by his quick defeat, left the audience speechless. Only Gongsun Jie’s roars echoed through the air.

Unperturbed by the raging Gongsun Jie, Li Ye turned and chased after the ball.

From the sidelines, Tong Yi’s voice rang out at just the right moment. “The match has begun! Sect Leader Gongsun initiated an aggressive strike, his thunderous punch aimed at Li Ye’s face! But with a swift flick, Li Ye blocked with the ball. A handball! Sect Leader Gongsun was penalized and slapped to the ground! The Fun Seekers Club takes an early lead. It seems the Sect Leader is still adjusting to this new style of competition…”