Chapter 44: The Tragedy of the Little Buddies!
Chapter 44: The Tragedy of the Little Buddies!
“Alright, I promise you!”
The Great Elder nodded in agreement, glanced down at the audience, exchanged a look with the Elders on the Elders’ Podium, then waved his hand casually to remove the soundproof Restriction/Barrier, and announced loudly, “Alright, the first match, Tang Yilin wins! The next match is between Tang Shan and Tang Hu. Both contestants, come onto the stage for the duel!”
“What on earth did the Great Elder and Tang Yilin say just now?”
“What were they doing?”
“I have no idea!”
“It seemed like they were talking about that person and something related to the Divine Wind Academy!”
Most people in the audience only saw Tang Yilin and the Great Elder discussing something on the Platform Stage, but none could hear because the Great Elder had isolated their conversation with a Restriction/Barrier when he went on stage. Everyone could only guess from their lip movements.
“Brother Biao, it’s my turn now. If you have questions you don’t understand, ask Ah Bi and the others—they know more than I do!”
Upon hearing that it was his turn for the duel, Tang Hu’s spirits lifted immediately. He stopped explaining things to Tang Jinbiao and leaped onto the Platform Stage in two or three strides.
“Alright, Ah Hu, you must do your best! Don’t let me down!”
Watching Ah Hu’s receding figure, Tang Jinbiao felt a slight chill in his heart, as yesterday’s glorious deeds of Ah Bi and the others still haunted his eyes. Especially Tang Bi’s words, ‘Look into my eyes, God-Slaying Gaze,’ remained fresh in his memory.
“Yes, Brother Hu, you’ve got this for sure!”
“Brother Hu, keep it up!”
“Brother Hu, look into my eyes, God-Slaying Gaze!”
The other youngsters also chimed in, cheering for Tang Hu.
“I…”
The more he watched this group’s overflowing confidence, the more speechless Tang Jinbiao became.
“Pah! Damn it, Tang Yilin, don’t give me a chance! Otherwise, I’ll make you wish you were dead!”
Tang Shan, who had been thrown to the ground, had eyes filled with maliciousness. He spat out a mouthful of blood and gazed at Tang Yilin’s slender figure on the Platform Stage, as if hatching some plan in his mind.
“Tang Shan, why aren’t you on stage yet?”
The Great Elder had already collected the Tiny Swords. He glanced at Tang Hu who had come on stage, then shifted his gaze to Tang Shan below the Platform Stage, and asked.
“I’ll be right there, Great Elder. Please forgive my delay!”
Tang Shan wiped the blood from his mouth, circulated the Spiritual Energy within his body, and flew onto the Platform Stage as well. His eyes were filled with malice as he stared at Tang Yilin.
“Hehe, Brother Shan, sorry about that! This little sister was careless and didn’t withdraw her attack in time. I’m going down now. I hope Brother Shan wins—there’ll be another chance then!”
Tang Yilin smiled charmingly, then lightly tapped her feet and floated away, returning to her usual spot.
“Alright, the duel begins!”
The Great Elder glanced indifferently at both men, couldn’t be bothered with anything else, announced the start, then his body flickered strangely as he reappeared on the Elders’ Podium. He started moving his lips slightly, seeming to discuss matters with the Elders.
“Hehe, Brother Shan, please be lenient with me!”
Tang Hu said with a smile on his face after seeing only himself and Tang Shan on the Platform Stage.
“Heehee!”
Tang Shan turned around, glanced at Tang Hu, then looked down at Tang Yilin and Tang Jinbiao offstage. He showed a strange smile and said, “Heehee, alright then, little Brother Hu. I heard you’re a Body Refining Cultivator and already at the Second Tier Advanced Stage? Brother Shan will definitely go easy on you! Heehee!”
Clang!
Tang Hu’s heart jolted violently when he saw Tang Shan’s eerie grin, a sense of deep foreboding washing over him. But the moment this premonition surfaced, Tang Shan on the opposite side made his move.
“Summon, Spiritual Treasure!”
As soon as he stepped onto the Platform Stage, Tang Shan pulled out his killing move. He boomed the command, pressed his palms together, and began muttering incantations.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The Flying Sword Spiritual Treasure on Tang Shan’s back instantly responded, emitting a resonant humming sound.
“I…”
Used to being bullied and having no inclination to fight back even when capable, Tang Hu was utterly unprepared for combat. The sight of his opponent instantly resorting to violence upon entering the stage left him completely dumbfounded.
“Ah!”
While Tang Hu was still stunned, the Flying Sword sprang into action. Like a massive club, it slammed viciously onto the top of his head. Darkness swam before his eyes as intense pain exploded across his skull. He cried out in agony, his hands instinctively flying up to cover the injured spot.
Thump!
Just as the searing pain from his head registered, something smashed violently into his kneecap. His legs buckled, and he pitched forward.
“Ah!”
Realizing he was about to fall, Tang Hu frantically threw his hands out to break his fall. But in that instant, a heavy blow like a log crashed into his back, sending him crashing heavily onto the ground.
Crack!
The impact was so tremendous that the stone slabs of the Platform Stage cracked beneath Tang Hu’s body, the sound sharp and grating.
Thump!
“Ah!”
Before Tang Hu could even process the pain from his back, agony detonated in his buttocks.
“Ah!”
Buttocks smarting, he hadn’t even registered that pain fully when his occiput was struck heavily by another solid blow. Tang Hu felt a thick fog descend over his mind, plunging him into confusion.
“Ah!”
While in this muddled state, another colossal blow landed on his back. The fog instantly cleared, replaced by another wave of piercing pain.
“Ah!”
One blow followed another. It turned out Tang Shan was simply using the Flying Sword Spiritual Treasure like a big stick. Standing on one side of the Platform Stage, a trace of mockery curling his lips, Tang Shan made a series of gestures with his hands, directing the Flying Sword Spiritual Treasure to rain blows down on Tang Hu’s prone form.
“Ah!” “Ah!”
Savage cries of pain erupted continuously from Tang Hu’s mouth. Given no chance to react, he was beaten mercilessly—scurrying around like a rat, covering his head, utterly battered.
“Heavens!”
“Are my eyes deceiving me?”
“This…”
The spectators below the stage, witnessing this scene, one by one revealed looks of astonishment in their eyes.
They only saw Tang Shan standing to one side, guiding the Flying Sword, while Tang Hu lay sprawled on the Platform Stage, rolling this way and that like a stuck pig, wailing miserably. Hovering above him, the Flying Sword, still sheathed as usual, now transformed into a large club. Methodically, one heavy strike after another thudded onto Tang Hu lying prone on the ground.
“Pfft! Those youngsters are pure comedy!”
Tang Xingchi burst into laughter as he witnessed Tang Hu getting beaten up by Tang Shan.
“Haha, Brother Xingchi, yesterday’s batch was funny enough, but today’s tops them all!”
Tang Huaxi beside him also couldn’t help but guffaw after seeing Tang Hu knocked down before he could even blink.
The day before, they had been shocked by Tang Hu’s test results, fearing it would be harder to trouble Tang Jinbiao in the future. Seeing this scene now delighted them immensely.
“Hmm, it seems that good-for-nothing is something else, hanging out with these losers. Brother Huaxi, remember that one yesterday? That look she gave me? ‘God-Slaying Gaze’! Pfft!”
Tang Xingchi recalled Tang Bi’s expression from the previous day and snorted with laughter.
“Hahaha…” Tang Huaxi roared with laughter.
“Isn’t he a Body Refiner, Body Refining Second Rank (Advanced)?”
“Should… should be? Third Elder tested him yesterday… shouldn’t be wrong, right?”
“I thought Body Refiners were unbeatable in the early stages? This is just like beating up kids!”
“I…”
“Fight! Go on!”
“Brother Shan, so handsome!”
“Brother Shan, smash him! Bullying the newbies!”
Down at the Platform Stage, the Cultivators were stunned, unsure what drama was unfolding above. However, once they grasped the situation, many quickly joined the enthusiastic shouts and cheers.
“Brother Hu!”
“Brother Hu, you can do it!”
Youngsters like Tang Bi had pinned their hopes on Tang Hu’s Body Refining Second Rank (Advanced) to get payback. Seeing him instantly battered and cowering on stage filled them with despair; they silently urged him on.
“Ah, my eyes! Gods, save these kids!”
Tang Jinbiao couldn’t bear the bloody violence any longer. He covered his face with one hand, mourning Tang Hu’s plight.
“Agh!” A pitiful wail echoed from the Platform Stage.
“Brother Hu!” Tang Bi and his friends twitched involuntarily.
“Ah, my eyes!” Tang Jinbiao couldn’t stand to look.
“Argh!” Another agonized cry!
“Brother Hu!” The group tensed up.
“Ah, my earth!” Tang Jinbiao turned his face away!
“Aaagh!”
“Brother Hu!”
“Dammit, where’s my Watermelon Cleaver?”
…
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Ow! Agh! Ugh!
Up on the Platform Stage, each time the Flying Sword Spiritual Treasure transformed into a heavy club landed—accompanied by a dull thud—a scream of pain followed.
This was no longer a simple match, nor even a slaughter. It was pure, unadulterated bullying!
The beating went on until Tang Hu’s voice grew hoarse, reduced to muffled groans. Tang Bi and the other boys wore anxious expressions, realizing Tang Hu wouldn’t achieve an upset. Nervously, they looked towards Tang Jinbiao, silently begging him to take up the mantle of saving the day!
“Brother Biao! Brother Hu can’t take it anymore! Do something!”
“Brother Biao! Brother Hu’s done for! Please think of something!”
“Brother Biao!”
The young boys stared at Tang Jinbiao with hopeful desperation, urging him to step in.
Damn, how slow can you guys be? Tang Jinbiao cursed inwardly. Outwardly, however, he adopted a supremely arrogant look. He spoke coolly: “Relax. With Brother Biao here, just hand it over. I’ll show you true mastery of Body Refining Technique! Let Brother Biao defend the peace of this planet!”