My Monster-Derived Skills Are the True Power
Chapter 31: Battling the Grandmaster

“Murong Kaixin?”

Gongsun Jie’s sharp hearing had been further heightened by the Demonic Energy coursing through him. The moment Murong Kaixin appeared, he was instantly aware.

“Don’t mind him; focus on the game,” Li Ye said in a low voice.

What Gongsun Jie could sense, Li Ye could sense as well. But at that moment, he was locked in a fierce struggle with Gongsun Jie for the final ball, leaving no room for distractions.

This was the first full-fledged soccer match since he’d crossed into this world, and it had demanded his utmost effort.

From the start of the game, Demonic Energy had continuously been reshaping his body. Every hard collision, every thrilling goal, and even the cheers from the crowd had triggered surges of Demonic Energy in response.

Moreover, the outcome of this match would determine whether the league could proceed smoothly.

For both public and personal reasons, Li Ye had to see this game through without any further incidents.

Although he had yet to lose himself to the Demonic Energy, he feared that without unlocking a Derived Skill soon, his Demonic Energy levels would fail to pass the Demon Hunting Bureau’s detection once he returned.

Murong Kaixin’s presence clearly distracted Gongsun Jie.

A momentary lapse allowed Li Ye to slap the ball away from him and follow up with a fierce spin that sent Gongsun Jie sprawling to the ground.

Raising his foot, Li Ye took the shot.

The soccer ball rocketed like a cannonball, spinning violently as it sliced through the air. It struck the goalkeeper squarely, sending him spewing a mouthful of blood before the ball, still spinning, carried him into the goal.

The goalkeeper flew over ten meters before crashing to the ground, ball and body landing as one.

Ever since Li Ye’s first goal had knocked a goalkeeper unconscious by ricocheting the ball off his face, every subsequent goal in this match had followed a new tradition—targeting the goalkeeper directly.

Scoring by blasting the goalkeeper off his feet had become the ultimate mark of a forward’s skill.

...

“GOAL!”

Tong Yi’s enthusiastic shout rang out at the perfect moment.

“What a spectacular finish! ‘Dragon Hand’ Li Ye breaks through the defense of ‘Gatekeeper’ Gongsun, dodges two defenders, and charges in solo to score the final goal of the match, sealing the score at 7-5! Let’s congratulate the Fun Seekers Club on their first league victory!”

As a commentator, Tong Yi had a panoramic view of the soccer field and also spotted Murong Kaixin by the sidelines.

Though he didn’t recognize Murong Kaixin, he could sense the man’s overwhelming strength. To prevent any potential disruptions, Tong Yi forcefully ended the match a few minutes early.

The audience, oblivious to the exact duration of a soccer match, accepted his decision as cheers and curses erupted simultaneously.

Fists collided, blades clashed, and primal hunting instincts buried deep in their bones were awakened. Every sport could somehow be tied to the thrill of the hunt, and people were eager to cheer for their chosen team.

This match had delivered an unparalleled visual feast, leaving every spectator feeling their ticket money was well spent.

As for the curses? Most came from those who had bet on the Xuanguang Sect’s victory.

But their complaints were premature; the cruelty of the league’s future matches would soon teach them harsh lessons.

The players, basking in the audience’s cheers and the exhilaration of their newfound Spiritual Energy, all wore smiles of unrestrained joy.

Whether from the Fun Seekers Club or the Xuanguang Sect, everyone had felt the empowering boost of Demonic Energy when the match ended.

But Li Ye and Gongsun Jie walked straight to Murong Kaixin.

“Grandmaster Murong,” Gongsun Jie greeted him first, hoping to prevent the Grandmaster from attacking Li Ye in a fit of rage.

In Gongsun Jie’s eyes, Li Ye, even if slightly stronger, couldn’t possibly match up to a Grandmaster. If Li Ye were defeated here, Gongsun Jie’s hard-earned path to immortality would end.

“You’re Li Ye?” Murong Kaixin’s bloodshot eyes bore into Li Ye with a crazed intensity.

“That’s me,” Li Ye replied with a faint smile. “Greetings, Grandmaster Murong.”

“Are you truly an immortal descended from the heavens?”

A sudden, razor-sharp aura burst from Murong Kaixin, forcing everyone nearby to retreat, including Gongsun Jie.

To Li Ye, Murong Kaixin transformed into a bloodthirsty beast, and the world seemed to darken.

In that moment, all he could see was Murong Kaixin.

Though Murong Kaixin stood motionless, Li Ye felt as if all his movements were being sealed off. He knew that even the slightest action would trigger a storm-like barrage of attacks from the Grandmaster.

This was the power of a Grandmaster?

Li Ye was stunned. No wonder Grandmasters were said to possess the ability to split rivers and cleave mountains.

Murong Kaixin had already mastered the art of "Momentum."

This was a power that even many Demon Hunters couldn’t grasp, reserved only for those who had long commanded authority or carved their path through seas of blood and corpses.

The moment Murong Kaixin revealed his aura, Li Ye realized he wasn’t a match for him—not even with the aid of Demonic Energy.

Truly, Grandmasters were the chosen champions of this world’s destiny.

“Fight me.” Murong Kaixin’s voice suddenly boomed, as if he had seen through Li Ye’s hesitation.

“Grandmaster Murong, no!” Gongsun Jie’s face turned pale as he hurriedly intervened. “Li Ye isn’t of this world. You should befriend him, not make him an enemy! If you harm him, you’ll be cutting off our world’s path to advancement!”

“If he’s truly an immortal, why fear a fight? And if he isn’t, then his death is inconsequential.” Murong Kaixin’s aura intensified, solidifying into an immovable mountain.

“You old scoundrel! If you want to hurt Li Ye, you’ll have to get through me first!” Gongsun Jie roared, stepping in front of Li Ye. “Don’t you know he’s still recovering from serious injuries—”

“Silence.”

With a casual wave of his hand, Murong Kaixin sent Gongsun Jie flying like a broken kite, blood spraying everywhere.

Li Ye froze in disbelief.

Good grief!

So much for bragging about being a Half-step Grandmaster—against a real Grandmaster, you’re nothing but cannon fodder!

No doubt about it. A Grandmaster and anyone below are like two entirely different species!

“Do you dare fight me?” Murong Kaixin’s eyes locked onto Li Ye once more.

“Don’t fight him. You’re no match for him at this stage,” came the urgent voice of the Team Badge in Li Ye’s mind.

“Alright,” Li Ye replied, ignoring the badge’s plea.

He nodded, accepting the challenge.

For the first time, he felt an unprecedented surge of battle intent from Murong Kaixin.

He knew there was no stopping this battle now, no matter what. Perhaps this was the pride of the world’s top experts.

To become a Grandmaster was no accident. A Grandmaster should possess the courage to defy even the heavens!

Much like humanity on Earth, refusing to give up their fight against monsters.

“Have you lost your mind?” The Team Badge was almost hysterical in Li Ye’s head. “If you die, I’ll be forcibly sent back! You still have time to run!”

Run?

Run, and I’ll never get the league off the ground. Without the league, how will I compete against the other two streams of Demonic Energy?

Run? Easy for you to say!

Murong Kaixin’s aura had already locked onto him—there was no escaping now. Turning his back would only mean a quicker death.

Grandmasters were indeed powerful, but Li Ye’s regenerative abilities were equally formidable. As long as he didn’t die outright, he believed he stood a chance.

“Shi Xiang, form a team. We’re fighting a Grandmaster,” Li Ye called out loudly as he stepped toward the field.

“Got it.” Shi Xiang, already sensing the unusual situation, had gathered the Fun Seekers Club members, ready to support Li Ye at a moment’s notice.

They were in this together; their fates were inseparable.

Liu Guangsheng, Fan Jie, and the others had recovered from their injuries. Standing behind Shi Xiang, their expressions were solemn, yet none wavered.

“Count me in, Li Ye,” Gongsun Jie said, wiping the blood from his lips and stepping beside Shi Xiang.

Being sent flying by Murong Kaixin’s casual strike had revealed the true gap between himself and a Grandmaster. That gap saddened him, but it also solidified his resolve to follow Li Ye.

Only by staying with Li Ye could he hope to surpass a Grandmaster someday.

“One of you, step out,” Li Ye said, glancing at the team.

A relatively unknown defender voluntarily stepped back. Everyone understood by now that eleven players formed the optimal balance.

Elders Li Qiang and He Zhang from Xuanguang Sect’s Disciplinary Hall and Transmission Hall also silently joined, replacing weaker players from the Fun Seekers Club.

Anyone who had reaped the benefits of Spiritual Energy was now naturally inclined to protect Li Ye.

Protecting Li Ye was protecting their path to immortality.