Chapter 75: I Admit Defeat!

“This fool actually let his mind wander during the fight with Senior Brother Wei. Who knows what he was thinking about?”

“Exactly. Senior Brother Wei was already strong, but in the past few days, he not only broke through to the ninth level of Qi Condensation but also killed several disciples of the Divine Sun Sect, seizing the power of their secret realm. He’s truly transformed!”

“That’s right. I wonder which of us will get a share of the secret realm power from Luo Tian this time.”

“Those wastes from the Divine Sun Sect never amount to much. I’m not expecting much from him either!”

The murmurs of the other disciples of the Grand Origin Sect had no effect whatsoever on the battle between Wei Zhongyuan and Luo Tian. Seeing Wei Zhongyuan launch another fierce attack, Luo Tian refused to back down. Yuan power surged around his fists like two blazing flames, shrouding his hands.

Blazing Flame Fists!

Though Luo Tian had encountered a few tricky opponents among the magical beasts over the past days, this technique had proven highly effective. However, this was his first time using it against another cultivator.

This Yuan technique was best suited for close-quarters combat—perfect for Luo Tian, who had nearly mastered the Nine Beast Boxing of Form and Will.

Wei Zhongyuan’s eyelids twitched. A close-range Yuan technique? This guy must be quite confident in his body-forging secret arts!

But so what? The Grand Origin Sect’s strength far surpassed the Divine Sun Sect—an indisputable fact. Luo Tian was just a waste clinging to the coattails of the Four Fallen Clans. How could he possibly be a worthy opponent?

Besides, fire Yuan energy was naturally suppressed by his water Yuan energy!

A cruel smile curled at the corner of Wei Zhongyuan’s mouth as he lunged forward, pounding his fist at Luo Tian’s chest like a sledgehammer. “No need for anyone else to intervene—just watch how I deal with the Divine Sun Sect’s trash!”

“What a savage blow!”

“No wonder Senior Brother Wei always leads the charge when we hunt down Divine Sun Sect disciples—never a hint of hesitation!”

“Our secret realm harvest is excellent this time. Looks like we’ll wipe out the Divine Sun Sect and reap all the rewards for ourselves!”

The Grand Origin Sect disciples had full confidence in Wei Zhongyuan and watched, poised for a splendid display.

Hunting Divine Sun Sect disciples?

Luo Tian’s mind stirred. Thinking back to what these Grand Origin Sect disciples had said about obtaining secret realm power, a sudden realization flashed through his thoughts.

If this power was indeed the recovery ability gained from magical beasts, wouldn’t killing Divine Sun Sect disciples also allow Grand Origin Sect disciples to seize all the power their victims had accumulated?

Though Luo Tian knew the laws of this world were cruel, the cold-blooded logic of these men was still hard for him to accept.

Crossing his arms to block Wei Zhongyuan’s fist, Luo Tian absorbed the blow with a slight shift of his body, enduring the attack head-on.

Shock flashed through Wei Zhongyuan’s mind.

Who exactly was this guy?

Though only at the eighth level of Qi Condensation, he had managed to block two of Wei Zhongyuan’s attacks in succession. Judging by the ease with which he moved, he seemed not yet to have revealed his true strength.

Damn it—he must be a child of one of the Four Fallen Clans, hiding his real identity for some unknown reason and using the name “Luo Tian” as a cover.

Trying to lull me into carelessness?

A cold smile flickered in Wei Zhongyuan’s heart. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught Luo Tian’s foot flying toward his abdomen. He quickly raised his knee to block.

But Luo Tian’s kick was a feint—the foot barely lifted before it landed, and Luo Tian dropped his weight, ramming his shoulder into Wei Zhongyuan’s chest.

Wei Zhongyuan had only just steadied himself when he saw Luo Tian’s shoulder crashing toward his chest. He hadn’t expected the Divine Sun Sect disciple to be so adept at close combat—punches and kicks came in a relentless, clockwork rhythm, giving him no chance to rest.

He lifted his arm to block, hoping that Luo Tian’s flurry would sacrifice power for speed, offering an opening for a counterattack.

This would be his only chance!

With all his meridians open and strength unified throughout his body, Luo Tian’s power was both smooth and overwhelming. His mastery of the Nine Beast Boxing was so refined that, aside from a slight awkwardness in the forms of fish and turtle, the other seven beast forms flowed as naturally as breathing, nearly becoming instinct.

With frustration boiling inside him, Luo Tian held nothing back.

Wei Zhongyuan felt as though Luo Tian had transformed into a raging bull, charging forward without hesitation; whether tree, stone, or mountain, nothing would stop him.

A faint hint of fear crept into Wei Zhongyuan’s heart, and he took a step back to better absorb the impact.

A muffled “bang” rang out—Wei Zhongyuan staggered back several steps, eyes wide with shock.

The force of that collision still rampaged inside him, the aftershocks undiminished, his chest feeling as though it had been smashed by a massive boulder. For a moment, it was as if he could barely draw breath under the oppressive weight.

The Grand Origin Sect disciples, who had been waiting to divide Luo Tian’s secret realm power, now stared at each other wide-eyed.

Senior Brother Wei was being forced back?

And by someone with weaker cultivation?

They were deep within the forest now, surrounded by trees, leaving little room for maneuver or retreat. Wei Zhongyuan didn’t want to drag this out. Catching the expressions of his fellow disciples, he seethed with anger.

“Damn it!” he roared, white light flaring as he gathered his full strength, desperate to prove himself after his humiliation.

Seeing his opponent lose composure, Luo Tian only shook his head slightly, but his hands showed no mercy. The Blazing Flame Fists ignited at full force, the deep black glow contrasting with the white Yuan energy and adding a layer of mystery.

The two exchanged blow after blow, the crack of flesh against flesh echoing in the air as dust swirled around them. Though the battle seemed evenly matched, Wei Zhongyuan was suffering.

Every time their fists collided, it was as if a massive stone had struck him. A stone, at least, he could smash with his prodigious strength—but Luo Tian’s blows were a different matter, each one sapping his spirit.

Worse still, each time Luo Tian landed a hit, a searing heat seemed to surge into Wei Zhongyuan’s body.

Burning Will?

Originally, Wei Zhongyuan had dismissed Luo Tian after learning he had refined fire Yuan energy, but now his disdain had turned to fear.

Elemental attributes might have their natural interactions, but in the end, the cultivator was what mattered. A spear might have advantages over a blade, but if the blade strikes first, it doesn’t matter how long your spear is—you’re dead all the same.

Wei Zhongyuan had lost all confidence. He shouted, “What are you all waiting for? Help me! This is one of the Four Fallen Clans’ elite disciples!”

To lose to an ordinary outer disciple from the Divine Sun Sect would be an unbearable humiliation. Even if the victory went to an outsider favored by the Four Great Clans, that would still be unacceptable.

But to lose to an elite from the Four Great Clans? That was no disgrace.

Shedding his psychological burden, Wei Zhongyuan called for his junior brothers to join him, having already written Luo Tian off as a villain in his mind.

Mastering body-forging secret arts, wielding the Burning Will of fire, and using a close-quarters Yuan technique—yet still hiding behind a false name—such shamelessness!

How despicable could one be?

“Get him! Kill him!”

“Divine Sun Sect disciples are shameless liars!”

“Seize his secret realm power! We must leave none of the Divine Sun Sect alive, or we may never get another chance to come here!”

After all, it was the Divine Sun Sect who had discovered the secret realm. At best, the Grand Origin Sect could sneak their disciples in this first time, but after that, the Divine Sun Sect would have exclusive control.

For the Grand Origin Sect disciples, this was their one and only opportunity to seize the secret realm’s power.

Though the others weren’t far away, Luo Tian had no fear of their attacks. If Wei Zhongyuan was their strongest, then none of them would ever leave this place.

Taking advantage of Wei Zhongyuan’s distraction, Luo Tian pressed his attack, each punch and kick faster than the last. He considered trying the Blazing Flame technique with his legs, but his understanding of his own meridians was still incomplete—he dared not experiment recklessly in combat.

Wei Zhongyuan was now cursing his witless disciples. Couldn’t they see the situation? He was being pushed back—why hadn’t they joined in to help defeat this scoundrel who dared not even use his real name?

Already on the defensive, Wei Zhongyuan was struck several more times in the chest. Unable to catch his breath, a wave of weakness swept over him.

He staggered, nearly falling, as a streak of bright blood ran from the corner of his mouth.

Luo Tian did not wish to waste more time on these people. With a powerful kick, he shot forward like a leopard, his explosive speed making onlookers flinch.

Wei Zhongyuan wanted to hold out until his fellow disciples arrived and tip the scales, but he could barely lift his arms. Most of his Yuan energy was tied up resisting the fierce fire Yuan energy, imbued with Burning Will, that Luo Tian had driven into his body. The drain was far greater than he’d realized.

Damn it!

Unwilling to accept defeat, Wei Zhongyuan glared at Luo Tian. Suddenly, his expression changed. “I concede!” he cried.

He had seen the murderous intent in Luo Tian’s eyes.