Chapter 119: Generous Rewards

The excruciating pain of having his arms snapped clean off forced a shrill scream from Zheng Hong. His face contorted, and he nearly blacked out from the agony.

Yang Ze gave a cold snort and struck Zheng Hong again with his palm. His True Origin Qi surged, causing Zheng Hong’s meridians to tremble violently as he coughed up several mouthfuls of fresh blood.

On the martial arts platform, as long as one did not kill or intentionally cripple another’s cultivation and physical body, it remained within the rules. Since the rules permitted it, Yang Ze was determined to give Zheng Hong a thorough lesson. Although doing this would undoubtedly cause a complete rift with the Water Alliance, the sect behind Zheng Hong, Yang Ze’s current strength meant he truly did not consider the Water Alliance a threat.

After a few more strikes, Yang Ze saw that Zheng Hong was on the verge of death. With a final kick, he sent Zheng Hong tumbling off the platform. Zheng Hong landed like a heap of wet mud, his body limp, with only a single breath left in him.

As Zheng Hong was kicked off, Sun Sheng, who had just regained consciousness, happened to witness the scene and was paralyzed with fear. Yang Ze struck a palm toward Sun Sheng, the force of the wind from the blow catching him and knocking him off the platform as well.

In less than a quarter of an hour, two Eight-Stage True Origin Qi experts from the Water Alliance had both been incapacitated by Yang Ze. The Water Alliance disciples below quickly surrounded Sun Sheng and Zheng Hong, glaring fiercely at Yang Ze on the stage.

Yang Ze remained unmoved by their stares. Instead, he pointed to the two remaining Eight-Stage True Origin Qi experts from the Water Alliance and said, "If you two are dissatisfied, you can come up now. I’ll be happy to spar with you as well."

Hearing this, the two remaining Eight-Stage experts trembled. Seeing Zheng Hong and Sun Sheng unconscious, they were gripped by fear and dared not accept the challenge.

"Since you don't dare, then get lost. Don't be an eyesore. From now on, whenever you people from the Water Alliance see me, stay as far away as possible," Yang Ze said, looking down at the crowd from the stage.

"Yang Ze, don't get cocky too soon! If our sect leader weren't in seclusion, he wouldn't let you act so wantonly here!" one of the disciples shouted in a rage.

"Your sect leader? It is fortunate he is in seclusion; otherwise, I would truly like to see just how much strength the leader of the Water Alliance actually possesses," Yang Ze replied calmly.

"You have quite a temper, kid. Don't worry, you'll get your chance. I hope you can survive the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament and give our leader a chance to deal with you himself."

A voice came from behind. A pale-faced young man stepped forward, holding a folding fan. The aura radiating from him clearly indicated he had reached the Ninth-Stage of True Origin Qi. As soon as he appeared, the Water Alliance disciples became excited. "Vice Sect Leader, you're here! This kid is incredibly arrogant—please, teach him a lesson!"

Though many disciples cried out, the Vice Sect Leader gave them a cold glance, silencing them instantly. "The sect leader is already aware of your incompetence. Yang Ze will be dealt with by the sect leader himself. All of you, get out of here and stop embarrassing yourselves."

The young man's sharp reprimand cowed the disciples, who sheepishly lifted Sun Sheng and Zheng Hong and retreated.

"I suppose you have enough self-awareness not to come up here and beg for humiliation," Yang Ze said, pointing at the departing group and chuckling. "Otherwise, they would have had to carry one more person back."

"Yang Ze, I am genuinely curious about what gives you the confidence to oppose our Water Alliance. We have two Ninth-Stage True Origin Qi experts at the helm. It is a pity the sect leader wants to handle you personally; otherwise, I would teach you a lesson right now," the pale-faced youth said, his expression cooling as he issued a threat.

"Don't waste breath on empty threats; anyone can say those words. Since you have no intention of fighting, I won't keep you here."

With that, Yang Ze jumped down from the platform. As he passed by the youth, both men suddenly struck out with their palms simultaneously. The palms collided, and the force of the impact radiated outward, pressing heavily upon them both. After three breaths, they withdrew their palms. Yang Ze gave the youth a smile and walked away.

After Yang Ze had gone, the pale-faced youth looked at his right hand and then toward the direction Yang Ze had disappeared, his expression turning somber.

***

After leaving the platform, Yang Ze intended to head to the Task Hall to pick up another mission. However, before he had gone far, Lin Hui appeared once again.

Lin Hui stood before him with a mischievous grin, eyeing Yang Ze with intense curiosity. The feeling of being stared at gave Yang Ze goosebumps, and after he couldn't take it anymore, he stopped Lin Hui.

Lin Hui then exclaimed, "Junior Brother Yang, you’ve really been holding back. Two Eight-Stage experts, dealt with in the blink of an eye—it seems I underestimated you."

"Senior Brother Lin, have you been following me? How do you know everything?" Yang Ze asked, annoyed.

"I wouldn't call it following, but I heard news of your battle and watched from the sidelines. How else would I know my Junior Brother had such great ability?" Lin Hui laughed.

"Then what is it that you want, Senior Brother? I assume you didn't come just to flatter me," Yang Ze said helplessly.

"I certainly didn't come just for that. Seeing that your strength has reached the point where you can contend with Ninth-Stage experts, I believe you should turn your sights toward next month's Martial Arts Tournament," Lin Hui said, his expression turning serious.

"The Martial Arts Tournament? I've been in the sect for two months and have heard it mentioned many times, but I’ve never understood what it's truly about. Please, enlighten me!" Yang Ze cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"Our Qingyang Peak has hundreds of thousands of registered disciples. Every year, the Qingyang Hall organizes a Martial Arts Tournament. All registered disciples may participate. The purpose is to see who among the masses is the true prodigy. It is a chance for every disciple to showcase their potential. If you perform well, you might even catch the eye of an Elder and be taken on as a disciple. That is why everyone gives their all to secure a top ranking," Lin Hui explained patiently.

"It is the most lively event on our peak. Hundreds of thousands participate, and each year the top one hundred are decided—these are the strongest registered disciples on Qingyang Peak. The leader of the Water Alliance was lucky enough to make it into the Top 100 a year ago, which is why they act so arrogantly."

Yang Ze’s heart grew heavy. It seemed the leader of the Water Alliance was indeed a formidable character. He knew there were "Half-Step First-Grade" disciples hidden among the registered ranks who would surely occupy the top spots. If the Water Alliance leader could hold a place among them, he must be among the strongest of the Ninth-Stage experts.

"For such an event, does the Martial Academy offer rewards? A hollow title hardly seems enough to make so many people risk their lives," Yang Ze asked.

"Of course there are rewards. If you make the Top 100, you receive a Breakthrough Pill, a low-grade Sharp Weapon, and two thousand contribution points!"

Seeing Yang Ze’s confused expression, Lin Hui continued, "Don't look down on these. A Breakthrough Pill increases the chance of reaching the First-Grade realm by twenty percent. Two thousand contribution points are valid throughout the entire Academy. As for the low-grade Sharp Weapon, they cost at least three thousand points in the Academy exchange. Even among the outer sect disciples, few possess one."

Yang Ze’s brows relaxed. He hadn't realized the value of such weapons was so high; it seemed his Blood Fiend Blade might be the best weapon among the registered disciples.

"Are there better rewards than the Top 100?" Yang Ze asked.

"Naturally. Above the Top 100 are the Top 10. The rewards are even more generous: two Breakthrough Pills, a mid-grade Sharp Weapon, and three thousand points. The top three are even better. The third place gets three Breakthrough Pills, one Bone-Refining Pill, a mid-grade Sharp Weapon, and four thousand points. Second place gets three Breakthrough Pills, one Bone-Refining Pill, a mid-grade Sharp Weapon, and five thousand points. And the first place reward is the richest of all!"

"First place receives three Breakthrough Pills, two Bone-Refining Pills, a high-grade Sharp Weapon, and ten thousand points! You may not know the value of these things yet. You can only take three Breakthrough Pills at a time, which is why that is the limit. As for the Bone-Refining Pill, it has one purpose: to help a warrior who hasn't reached the First-Grade Bone-Refining stage to directly temper a bone. It effectively puts you halfway into the First-Grade. With two pills, you temper two bones. Would you say that is precious?"