Chapter 43 (1/2)

Standing at his spot, Lin Qian surveyed the man who spoke, his posture reeking of indifference.

The man who spoke stood at the tip of the gathered pack. He had an assertive figure, his muscles packed his white robe to the brim, tightly wrapping around his beefy physique. Topping off the little giant that led the crowd gathered was a bald head.

Liu Ming. Lin Qian had heard of this name before. Within the Inner Sect disciples, he was dominant, standing at No.7 in the rankings. He had swept across the disciples with his powerful Martial Soul, a pair of Wrist Blades, and his attributes, an additional boost to fortify the Physical Body. His usual emphasis on strengthening his body during training added with the Martial Soul’s traits, his skills were easily doubled.

In the realm of close combat, Liu Ming was an expert amongst the experts in the Inner Sect.

In the past, many Universal Phenomenon Sect disciples had compared Lin Qian against Liu Ming, examining the strengths of the two. In the eyes of the Outer Sect disciples, Lin Qian did have a body that was much more sturdy than that of many Nirvana Stage Practitioners. However, when compared to Liu Ming, Lin Qian simply couldn’t hold a candle. After all, Liu Ming too specially trained his body and even had his Martial Soul attributes to buff it further.

Seeing that Lin Qian remained silent, Lei Qian stepped forward and spoke in his place,”Liu Ming, why didn’t you act as you said, violating your promise?”

“Ah! Isn’t this Lei Qian? I heard you lost to a Materialised Vitality Stage brat. What’s more, you even shamefully recognise him as the Boss! But I don’t believe it, how can the proud number 10 Practitioner be such a spineless fool?” Rubbing his shimmering bald head, Liu Ming burst into a volley of insults as he laughed, showing off his sharp yellowing teeth.

As he spoke, his arms widened, gesturing towards the crowd gathered behind him, “Look carefully! Many of your Rushing Thunder Guild members had come under me!”

Following the gesture, Lei Qian looked behind. Indeed, many were originally from his Rushing Thunder Guild.

“Scumbags. Brother Lei had always shared whatever benefits he received with us. Yet, how dare these people…!”

“It is alright. We knew this from the start. What’s there to be angry about?” The remnants of the Rushing Thunder Guild sighed heavily, shaking the heads in utter disappointment.

“Moreover, it isn’t even noon yet. The challenge hasn’t begun. It is up to me to change the venue and challenge mode for I am the rules. Tell me, how is this any form of violation?” The bald Liu Ming smirked, as though he was mocking Lei Qian.

Before Lei Qian could rebut, a hand raised, shutting his words. Lin Qian walked forward, keeping his arms raised, staring at the baldie in front of him. “Spill it, how do you want to challenge me?”

Watching the youngster walking towards him, Liu Ming immediately knew this man was Lin Qian.

“Simple, team fight.” As the corner of his lips raised, Liu Ming pointed towards the sky. “There’s half an hour before Noontime. Before that, you can bring as many people as you can gather.”

“How despicable!” Hearing the method suggested, Lei Qian couldn’t help but burst out in anger.

The team fight was a special battle convention. When Liu Ming changed the venue to the 36th Arena, Lei Qian had already seen this coming.

As the name suggested, the team fight was a messy battle with each party bringing their contingent. However, they decided the size of each party fairly well beforehand.

As this was a challenge for the Ancient Ruins candidature, Liu Ming had jurisdiction to the rules.

Now, following Liu Ming’s rules, both parties can bring as many people as they could before noon.

Per these rules, Lin Qian was at a massive disadvantage.

Being the top 7 Inner Sect disciple, Liu Ming had a massive following within the Inner Sect. Coupled with the deserters from Lei Qian Guild, he at least had close to 600 supporters.

Just on this platform, there were 300 men gathered behind Liu Ming.

On the contrary, on Lin Qian’s side, there were only tens of people gathered. With only half an hour to Noontime, there was no time left for Lin Qian even to try to gather anyone else.

“Lin Qian, you can call your trash from the Outer Sect. At least you would have a semblance of numbers.” Quickly, Liu Ming burst into a peal of contemptuous laughter. “In a challenge, we cannot leave your opponent’s life in mortal peril, but it does not rule out any permanent disabilities. Think before you ask anyone, they might leave with one limb less!”

“What gives you the right to mock the Outer Sect disciples and call them trash?” Liu Ming insults caused Lin Qian’s face to turn ice-cold, “Did you not spend time in the Outer Sect?”

“It’s precisely because I’ve been there that I know. They are trash!” Smirking, Liu Ming spread his palms at his cheeks, innocently, “Sorry man, I’m just honest.”