CHAPTER 159: 158. PRAISING THE ENEMY ON THE BATTLEFIELD

"Who’s next?"

Yang Lele walked back to the other end of the arena with a breezy demeanor, then beckoned challengingly to the disciples of the Barbarian Division and Flying Dragon Association opposite him.

Despite such a provocative gesture, no one from the Barbarian Division dared to step forward.

The people of the Barbarian Division revered strength and had always upheld it above anything else. But today, their strongest in the tribe was defeated in a show of strength; how could they dare to step forward again?

Wanyan Dadao sat on the chair, face livid while watching his own clan’s lack of courage, and then said to Long Ao beside him, "President Long, what do you think?"

The absence of challengers meant the youth contingent would be utterly defeated. Yang Lele could directly win seven victories, equivalent to defeating the remaining notable youth. Once it got to the 13th Layer, there would scarcely be anything to compete in. Even if one 13th Layer could defeat three opposing 13th Layers, it wouldn’t help. All together, it’s merely five victories.

Long Ao let out a cold laugh, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes, "None of your clansmen have any spine left?"

Wanyan Dadao swiftly replied, "President Long, even if they go up, it would be pointless. Why have them add to their injuries in vain?"

"Your Barbarian Division folks are truly worthless, lucky for you Elder Bai asked me to lend a hand. If you can’t rely on your own folks from the Barbarian Division, then let my Flying Dragon Association people step in. But remember, you owe me a favor this time." After saying this, Long Ao stood up and signaled to a pallid, sickly-looking young man standing below the arena.

The pale-faced youth immediately nodded.

Seeing the youth nod, Wanyan Dadao’s expression steadied, losing the panic it held moments ago.

However, as the pale-faced youth stood up, the onlookers mostly didn’t recognize him, puzzled at who this sickly youth was and why he dared to step up.

The common folks didn’t recognize him, but Luo Qianye did, and those in the stands had heard of him.

"Isn’t that Gong Suohua?"

"Yes, that’s him. So he really was with this group. Always standing at the back, no wonder he was unseen until now."

"This arena fight’s outcome is still up in the air."

Upon hearing the chatter behind him, Wen Ping asked Luo Qianye, "Sect Leader Luo, who is this Gong Suohua exactly? Stronger than Body Refining Seventh Layer?"

"Uh, almost thought we’d turn the tables, but we forgot about him." Luo Qianye didn’t immediately answer Wen Ping’s question, instead letting out a sigh, seemingly crestfallen, "Sect Leader Wen, Gong Suohua is a genius from the Flying Dragon Association’s Poison Lineage. Born with a sensitivity to poison, he can skillfully wield various toxins."

Wen Ping asked again, "By using poison, is he really stronger than Body Refining Seventh Layer?"

"It’s not about stronger or not. People who use poison often research toxins themselves, so to prevent self-poisoning, they understand the secret technique of sealing the five senses. They can seal their nose, ears, and mouth. The Sound Wave Attack your disciple used earlier was strong, but Gong Suohua could seal his hearing."

Luo Qianye made a gesture plugging his ears.

Losing hearing, no matter how strong the Sound Wave Attack was, it became ineffective and couldn’t overcome the Body Refining Sixth Layer.

But poison can kill across realms!

Just as Luo Qianye thought Wen Ping would become serious upon hearing this and devise a new combat strategy for his disciple, he unexpectedly received words of others’ praise from Wen Ping.

"Sealing the five senses! Impressive, truly impressive." Wen Ping couldn’t help but nod in praise, admiring the boundless talents of the world.

Upon hearing this, Luo Qianye shook his head with a smile, saying, "Sect Leader Wen, why are you praising your disciple’s opponent?"

Wen Ping replied earnestly, "Sealing hearing, that move is indeed pretty clever."

The sect leaders behind, hearing this, exchanged smiles with one another.

All shook their heads helplessly at Wen Ping.

They truly couldn’t understand whether Wen Ping was from the Immortal Sect or the Flying Dragon Association, praising another’s disciple on the eve of battle.

...

Gong Suohua walked slowly up to the arena, carrying on his back a large black gourd seemingly filled with something extraordinary. Standing firm on the stage, Gong Suohua gazed expressionlessly at Yang Lele; his pale face rendered his gaze equally pallid and hollow.

Suddenly, Gong Suohua spoke, "Yang Lele, I’m glad to meet you, already at Body Refining Seventh Layer at just 15 years old. I didn’t expect to make a name for myself in East Lake by stepping over your name before securing a Ten Glory spot. Frankly, your Sound Wave Attack is useless against me. I can seal my hearing, so you needn’t engage in futile endeavors. I’m telling you this as repayment for letting me step on you to fame."

Unperturbed, Yang Lele casually dug at his ear, then said softly, "Ah, you speak too much. I’ll say just one thing: if you can throw more than one punch, I’ll concede."

Even in a low voice, those in the Middle Profound Realm could hear it.

Long Ao, hearing these words, turned his head and his gaze fell on Wen Ping beside him, then said, "Sect Leader Wen, I’d like to ask you something. Who do you think will win? My disciple doesn’t look like a pig to you."

Wanyan Dadao’s smug smile froze abruptly, giving Long Ao a surreptitious glare.

Unfortunately, now it was Long Ao speaking for him, otherwise, he wouldn’t even have considered giving Long Ao a decent look. Wanyan Ali may very well be as handsome as Long Ao, so why should he resemble a pig?

Wen Ping replied to Long Ao’s words, "Hmm, your disciple is impressive. But I can only offer condolences on his behalf; he might truly end up deaf."

At this moment, on the arena, Gong Suohua suddenly pulled the stopper from the black gourd.

With a shake!

A stream of brown powder poured out like water, ascending rapidly as it hit the ground, permeating throughout the entire arena in the blink of an eye.

Simultaneously, Gong Suohua’s voice came through, "This is Stiff Powder; even if you’re at Body Refining Tenth Layer, if it adheres to your skin, you won’t be able to move."

Gong Suohua grinned, pulling a dagger from his waist.

Smack!

Yang Lele took a step in the thin brown mist.

Gong Suohua’s grin suddenly faltered.

Black Demon exclaimed in astonishment, "How... how is Yang Lele still moving?"

Alongside his words, Long Ao also looked at the arena in disbelief.

"How is this possible?"

Long Ao hurriedly focused his gaze intently.

He then witnessed a miraculous sight; the Stiff Powder had absolutely no effect on Yang Lele. Long Ao immediately stood up, glared at Luo Qianye, and said, "So that’s why you came prepared! I wondered why you, Luo Qianye, would become chummy with a Starless Sect Leader—turns out you had already made preparations against my Flying Dragon Association."

Luo Qianye was bewildered by the accusations but offered no explanation, only watching Yang Lele step by step approaching Gong Suohua in the arena.

Without halting!

Not the slightest hint of stiffness.

Gong Suohua evidently realized this amid the dust, immediately retreating, but Yang Lele reached him in a blink.

A raised hand resulted in a punch!

The punch landed squarely on his left ear, sending Gong Suohua like an arrow off the string directly into the crowd watching.

This spectacle rendered the entire grandstand silent at once.

After a long time, still no one spoke.

For they truly couldn’t believe Gong Suohua had lost so simply, indeed resolved by a single punch from Yang Lele.