Chapter 111: Wang Baole: "The real battle is just beginning"
"Congratulations on making the top four, Junior Brother."
"Junior Brother, you've become a successful man at such a young age. Not bad, not bad."
As soon as Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian returned to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute and saw Wang Baole, they congratulated him.
For some reason, Wang Baole felt like his two senior brothers were making fun of him. He scratched his head and said, "Senior Brothers, I'll do my best to make it to the finals."
The two of them patted Wang Baole on the shoulder in unison and said, "Good luck. We'll be there to watch your match tomorrow."
Since the Outer Sect Tournament was entering its final day, the Inner Sect and Core Disciple Tournaments had paused for one day of rest.
This gave all the disciples a chance to watch the Outer Sect finals. More importantly, it allowed all ten institute heads to attend, showing how seriously the academy took the event.
As if something occurred to him, Cao Youqian asked, "Junior Brother, who's your opponent tomorrow?"
Wang Baole replied, "The monk Wu Ming from Heart-Questioning Temple."
"Heart-Questioning Temple..."
Cao Youqian's expression turned intrigued. "So you're going up against someone from Heart-Questioning Temple tomorrow. Looks like this one's going to be a real fight."
Xiao Chen nodded slightly. "Those guys from Heart-Questioning Temple are definitely odd. I remember one of the seed contestants in the Core Disciple Tournament also came from there."
Cao Youqian added, "They've got a Semi-Saint inheritance, after all. Every hundred years or so, one or two strange geniuses pop out."
The two of them spoke back and forth, only strengthening Wang Baole's resolve to win. What, as if he didn't have a Semi-Saint inheritance too? No—his inheritance had been improved by his Master, making it even stronger!
That subtle change in attitude didn't escape the senses of Cao Youqian and Xiao Chen. The two exchanged a glance and smiled, growing more eager to see the coming battle between Wang Baole and Wu Ming.
That night, Wang Baole didn't sleep at all—he trained like mad.
The next morning, he filled his stomach early before anyone else had woken up, making sure he was full of energy, then headed to his Master's courtyard.
Chu Feng was already waiting there for his disciples. When he saw Wang Baole, he didn't say much—he just patted him on the shoulder.
"Good luck, Fatty!"
"Mhm."
Wang Baole clenched his fists, his face brimming with fighting spirit.
Soon, everyone flew their artifacts toward the arena square. When they arrived, it was already packed with people.
The first semifinal match was Jian Chen versus Liu Li.
When he heard Jian Chen's name, Cao Youqian murmured, "Didn't expect a disciple from the Famous Sword Sect to start training early at Wendao Academy."
Xiao Chen smiled. "What can I say? The Taixu Secret Realm is too tempting. No power wants to miss out on even a single slot. Our Wendao Academy is a holy land—we get more slots than the Semi-Saint forces, so naturally they want a share."
Cao Youqian glanced sidelong at the institute heads seated nearby and didn't continue the conversation.
He was from the Cao family, so he knew the rules and layout of Wendao Academy well. Unlike other holy lands that just wanted to expand territory, Wendao Academy cared more about spreading its teachings across the world.
That's why Wendao Academy accepted disciples from all origins—except from other holy lands—and even supported Semi-Saint and Nirvana-level lords in building their own forces.
These powers, founded by the academy's former disciples, were considered part of Wendao Academy's orthodoxy. But to maintain that relationship, there had to be mutual benefit.
Wendao Academy had always given such orthodoxies special privileges—any cultivator below the Heaven Origin Realm could be recommended for admission. That was how the academy kept those factions loyal.
At the referee's signal—
The two contestants on the martial stage immediately clashed.
Blades and swords flashed wildly across the arena, explosions booming without end.
The outer sect disciples watching were wide-eyed with awe. After half an hour, Liu Li from the Law Institute edged out a narrow win and secured a spot in the finals.
"What a pity."
Xiao Chen murmured to himself. In his view, Jian Chen didn't lose because he was weak, but because his sword techniques weren't as sharp as Liu Li's blade arts.
If this had been a life-or-death battle, Liu Li would likely have been the one to die.
Chu Feng smiled. "What are you sighing about? It's almost your Junior Brother's turn."
Hearing that, Xiao Chen immediately turned to Wang Baole and gave him an encouraging look.
Wang Baole bowed respectfully to Chu Feng. "Master, I'm heading up."
"Go on, go on."
Chu Feng waved his hand, beaming as he watched Wang Baole walk off.
Xiao Chen asked, "Master, you're not worried about Junior Brother at all?"
Chu Feng replied casually, "That kid might act all goofy, but his strength is real. No need to worry about him."
Wang Baole descended from the sky riding his firewood blade. The moment he landed, a wave of cheers erupted from beneath the stage.
"Senior Brother Wang, go for it!"
"Senior Brother Wang, you have to defeat that little monk!"
"…"
He didn't respond. Instead, his gaze locked onto the monk Wu Ming across from him. He cupped his fists and said, "Senior Brother Wu Ming, please."
Wu Ming pressed his palms together in a Buddhist salute. "Amitabha. Junior Brother Wang, please."
With that, he sat cross-legged in midair, slowly closed his eyes, and began chanting Buddhist scriptures.
The whole scene left Wang Baole dumbfounded. This guy seriously wasn't taking him seriously at all!
He slowly raised his firewood blade, then suddenly swung it—slash!
Clang!
With the ring of steel, countless blade lights streaked through the air.
Each one carried a trace of blade intent.
But just as they landed on Wu Ming, a faint golden light appeared around his body.
Ding ding dang dang!
The sound of metal clashing rang out. When it faded, Wu Ming was completely unharmed. His eyes remained shut as he calmly said, "Junior Brother Wang, have you finished?"
What the—!
Wang Baole cursed in his heart. This guy is even more of a poser than Second Senior Brother!
Before he could reply, Wu Ming spoke again, "Since Junior Brother Wang is silent, I'll take that as a yes. Vajra Demon-Subduing Palm!"
As he spoke, Wu Ming suddenly struck with his palm. Though it looked simple, the golden palm force radiated an unstoppable pressure.
Wang Baole's eyes widened as he slashed down with his blade!
Boom!!!
A deafening crash rang out. Wang Baole was knocked back several steps before he managed to steady himself. A sharp pain flared in his palm, and when he glanced at it out of the corner of his eye, he saw blood seeping out.
What a monster!
He silently marveled, then slashed out with his blade once more.
Wu Ming said nothing, responding with another casual palm strike.
The result was exactly the same. Wang Baole's hands trembled as he gripped the blade, now stained red with his own blood.
Down below, the spectators all went silent. They hadn't expected the monk to be this strong. Not only was his defense like a turtle shell, but he could also clash head-on with Senior Brother Wang.
Up in the stands, Chu Feng sipped his tea unhurriedly, showing no trace of concern on his face.
The Xuanhuo Alchemy King chuckled. "Looks like you've got a lot of confidence in that little disciple of yours, Xiao Feng."
Chu Feng calmly set down his teacup. "Fatty hasn't gone all out yet. Just wait and see."
As soon as he finished speaking, blade and palm collided again on stage.
With a thunderous bang—
Wang Baole's hand shook violently, and the firewood blade slipped from his grip, falling onto the stage.
Clang!
In the quiet arena, the crisp clatter of metal was exceptionally clear.
Many of the disciples watching wore expressions of disappointment. Compared to Wu Ming, who had entered the academy with a powerful background, they naturally supported Wang Baole more.
But now that his blade had fallen to the ground, the outcome seemed certain.
Wu Ming calmly said, "Junior Brother Wang, you've lost."
Upon hearing this, Wang Baole didn't show a hint of frustration. "Senior Brother Wu Ming, you're very strong. But the real battle is just beginning."
As he spoke, he sank into a horse stance right where he stood, forming the opening move of a Taiji Fist form.
His aura flared once more…
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