Chapter 42: Battle with Ji Changchen
Zhang Hao looked at Xin Long and smiled. "Why don't we warm up before starting?"
Xin Long nodded. He took out his sword and directed it towards Zhang Hao. Zhang Hao also did the same.
They rushed towards each other and crossed their swords. The continuous sound of crossing of swords from part of the arena to other part made the whole audience excited.
After crossing swords for over few hundred times, Zhang Hao thought. 'It's time'
He immediately changed the trajectory of his sword, allowing Xin Long's sword to pierce his body. Xin Long was caught off guard by the sudden change. His sword which seemingly pierced Zhang Hao's heart, was in fact just an inch away!
What he didn't expect was that, Zhang Hao didn't just stop there. Instead, he continued moving his sword and pierced his vital points, seriously injuring him. And without waiting for him to calm down, he took out a knife and started piercing different parts of his body without any mercy.
Xin Long only murmured one word before he lost his senses. "Why?"
Zhang Hao replied calmly. "Because you are in my way."
The whole crowd turned silent at his cruelty. But no one said any thing. This is the world of cultivation, this is the life of Warrior. Pain is a part of their life. Everyone is used to this.
Just like last time, Li Gang bowed to the sect leader and requested. "Please heal him. If possible, I hope you can also heal me. It would be beneficial for the next fight."
Su Zun didn't care about Xin Long's situation but he looked at Zhang Hao even more highly.
He first helped both of them heal and then said to everyone.
"Tomorrow will be the battle of Holy son of Celestial Sect and Zhang Hao."
Ji Changchen smirked at Zhang Hao and killing intent flashed in his eyes. 'I will let you die a terrible death.'
Zhang Hao retreated back to his resting place, where he found Su Zun waiting for him. He looked at him and smiled. "You are earlier than expected."
Su Zun narrowed his eyes. "Oh, why do you think I would come to you?"
Zhang Hao replied calmly. "From my fight with Qin Yuanzhe, it is clear that you were instructing him behind the scenes. In fact, initially I only had suspicion, but after you said those words to me and Qin Yuanzhe's change in demeanor mid fight confirmed it."
Su Zun smiled. "You truly are an incredible talent. I wonder why you came to join Ethereal Sect. Is it to find the method of increasing your talent?"
Zhang Hao's face remained calm. "It's worthy of a monarch. None of them are simple."
Su Zun didn't care. Instead, he asked: "Who sent you?"
Zhang Hao said. "Why must someone send me?"
Su Zun replied. "Because this information is confidential, not many people know about it."
Zhang Hao nodded. "It was Jiang Fugui. He wanted me to steal the scroll."
Su Zun smiled. "It seems even he was fooled by you. Or may be he thought he was controlling you."
Zhang Hao said with disdain. "Is he worthy of controlling me? I let him do it. Even if you hadn't met me, I would have met you sooner or later. Only this opportunity not only saved my time but also destroyed my plan. I wanted to control everything behind the scenes. Anyways, it is also good."
Su Zun nodded. "Yes, it is good. So, let me ask you something. What happened between you and Ji Changchen? He is known as the greatest genius in this world. I don't know what feud he have with you."
Zhang Hao laughed. "Greatest genius? What kind of greatest genius? I have seen geniuses beyond his abilities. I have seen a genius who reached Rank 6 at his age. I have seen a genius who defeated Rank 6 peak with Rank 6 early stage cultivation with her own abilities. I have seen even greater geniuses. Compared to them, He is just a trash. I defeated him with just Rank 3 early stage cultivation when he was Rank 3 peak. Even his protector couldn't save him and was forced to succumb to save his meagre life."
Su Zun narrowed his eyes. "Ohh, I would like to hear the details."
Zhang Hao looked at him and showed 1 finger and smiled. "1 million spirit stone"
Su Zun narrowed his eyes. "Forget it, I want to ask for a favour this time."
Zhang Hao asked. "You want me to defeat him?"
Su Zun nodded. "Yes."
Zhang Hao looked at him and shook his head. "I can defeat him, but why should I?"
Su Zun replied calmly. "I can make you the holy son of Ethereal Sect and my own disciple."
Zhang Hao laughed. "Deal!"
Su Zun smiled. Only a smart person can understand other smart person's intentions. Li Gang doesn't need to be his disciple, but it has multiple advantages. First, a holy son can't be an untalented person. And, since the method to increase talent is confidential, so it can be given to him once he becomes Holy son. Not only that, he would also be protected from Celestial Sect. He won't have to worry about anything other than cultivation. All the resources would be at his disposal.
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Next Day, Battle between Zhang Hao and Ji Changchen
Ji Changchen was waiting at the stage, and Zhang Hao was nowhere to be seen. Su Zun frowned. He used his consciousness to search for Zhang Hao and found that he was sleeping in his room.
His face turned blank. He motioned one of the disciple to bring him.
Soon, Zhang Hao was brought here. He looked at Ji Changchen whose face was quite ugly. A person like him who has always been pampered is forced to wait. This is something unacceptable.
He looked at Zhang Hao and said slowly. "You have quite a nerve."
Zhang Hao laughed and said loudly. "Ah, what are you talking about? Did you forget what happened a year ago? I still loved that beautiful scream!"
He paused and narrowed his eyes. "There is nothing I fear. Even if it is your Celestial Sect."
Ji Changchen immediately took out his sword and said lightly. "I hope you have the same courage as your words."
Zhang Hao smiled. "My courage is something even your father dare not forget."
Ji Changchen felt strong anger burning in his heart. He can never forget the shame brought to him a year ago. But he is much more rational as compared to Qin Yuanzhe and immediately calmed his demeanor.
He looked at Sect Leader Su Zun and said calmly. "I want this battle to be life and death match. I hope you can..."
Before he finished, Zhang Hao strictly rejected. "I disagree."
Ji Changchen looked at Zhang Hao and tried to provoke him. "Are you afraid?"
Zhang Hao laughed. "What are you talking about? You are the holy son and I am just a nobody. Even if you loose, I can't kill you, or your life protector and even Sect Master will protect you. But, in case of my life, no one will protect me. Are you an idiot or what? Why would I fall for such cheap tricks?"
Ji Changchen narrowed his eyes. "I promise no one will interfere."
Zhang Hao responded with disdain. "Your promise holds no weightage. When your life is in danger, they would still protect you. Your identity of holy son is there. If they don't do, it would be making an enemy of Celestial Sect, which no one wants."
Ji Changchen frowned.
Zhang Hao said with smile. "How about this, you give me your Nine heavenly Lightning slash if I win?"
Ji Changchen looked at him deeply and ignored him. Zhang Hao still smiled but he felt some pity. 'He didn't fall for it. Tsk!'
Ji Changchen utilized his physique and used the Secret Techniques he learnt to attack Zhang Hao suddenly. He knows he can't let him even a second or Zhang Hao might use some underhanded tactics.
Zhang Hao immediately dodged his attacks. He never lets his guard down.
Ji Changchen looked at him and didn't speak. He knows there is no point in that. The opponent is smart enough to not fall for any tricks. He immediately started attacking, and Zhang Hao as usual started dodging his attacks.
Zhang Hao's stamina is too good for Ji Changchen. He could continuously dodge like this for an entire month! Even though Ji Changchen had improved very fast, he never worked hard as Li Gang did. Thus, he doesn't possess the resolve of Zhang Hao.
Even among the same Rank, those who worked harder and practiced more are stronger than others. But, there are also special cases like Ji Changchen. There is a reason he is called greatest genius. His mastery over Rank 4 Secret Techniques has reached Advance early Stage with the help of System, and even without any incompatibility because like Zhang Hao, he too doesn't possess any Spiritual Imprint.
Even his understanding has also reached 60%. Due to the limit of the system's level, it doesn't understand the vastness of the world and hence it can't further improve the understanding of the elements of Ji Changchen. Thus, in combat power Ji Changchen and Zhang Hao are at the same level. The only difference is Zhang Hao doesn't possess attacking Secret Techniques.
Zhang Hao is only intermediate stage in his Secret Techniques. But his understanding of most of the elements has reached overwhelming 99.99%, nearly close to completion!
Ji Changchen understood there is no point in dragging it anymore. He immediately took out his Sword and directed it towards the sky.
Zhang Hao's face changed seeing this. He immediately accelerated towards Ji Changchen and attacked him with his full strength.
'I can't let him perform that technique, or it would be over.'
He still remembers how strong Ji Changchen's Nine heavenly Lightning slash is. It was able to instantly finish off Shadow Panther in one shot. This is also why he coveted this technique, but Ji Changchen is not an idiot to fall for such cheap tricks.
Ji Changchen looked at Zhang Hao coming and smirked.
Zhang Hao's face changed.
Ji Changchen immediately changed his sword's trajectory and a sharp light flashed and pierced Zhang Hao, injuring him seriously.
Sword Intent!
The entire crowd gasped.
"As expected of the greatest genius in the world! He has already mastered Sword Intent at the age of 18!"
"He is the holy son of Celestial Sect, this much is expected from him."
"Zhang Hao is not weak, his tactics are incredible, but it's a pity that he met Ji Changchen!"
Su Zun looked at the scene and sighed. 'I thought he could win with his tactics, but he underestimated Ji Changchen! Unlike Qin Yuanzhe and Xin Long, Ji Changchen is cunning.'
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