Book 2: Chapter 56: Zhang vs Zhou Fang

Book 2: Chapter 56: Zhang vs Zhou Fang

Zhang watched Yan Yun’s awakening, giving her a smile. She had come a long way to reach where she had.

“Will Yan Yun be withdrawing?” Elder Sheng asked. “It will be counted as a loss.”

“I can keep going,” Yan Yun said, turning around.

“No, you should rest,” Lu Jie said. “I know you want to, but you’re not in any condition to keep going. We’ll be fine.”

“Indeed, sister Yan Yun. I will go next. Leave the task to me,” Zhang said.

Brother Jie patted him on the shoulder, smiling brightly. “Go show them what you’re made of, Zhang!”

Zhang gripped his spear tightly, stepping forth. The time had come to prove himself. He had failed to protect Lu Jie from the assassin, and the failure had hung heavily on his shoulders. He could not allow that to happen again. He was not going to be a disappointment twice. Yan Yun had given her best, now it was his turn.

“And that’s the next participant!” Elder Sheng announced.

Zhang looked at Elder Yan, keeping his gaze firm. An anger he had buried from when he had been first crippled returned. No, today was not going to be just for Brother Jie. Today was also for him. He needed to win.

“Zhou Fang,” Elder Yan replied.

Zhang looked at Lord Zhou, who kept his expression neutral as he turned back to face Zhou Fang. He could understand why the lord had allowed Zhou Fang to fight, most likely Elder Yan had intentionally brought only two participants, to do something of this nature and when Lord Zhou refused, he would’ve said he was defending Lu Jie, making it a political matter. He had likely not anticipated that Lord Zhou would agree.

“I had never expected to spar with you in these circumstances,” Zhou Fang said.

“Neither had I,” Zhang replied, as Elder Sheng snapped his finger, and the spear in his hand was replaced with a wooden one. He swung the weapon once, getting a feel for it. It would do.The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

“May it be a productive spar then,” Zhou Fang said, taking his stance.

Zhang followed suit, raising his spear as well, as he prepared himself. He felt the world slowing around him as he let out a long breath. His focus sharpened, as he waited.

“Then, let the second round begin,” Elder Sheng said.

Zhou Fang shot towards him, a brilliant light covering his fist as he struck. Zhang dodged the strike, gravity chi flowing through him as his steps lightened and he glid across the arena with rapid dexterity.

The boy in Zhang’s hand collapsed into little particles of light, as Zhang’s eyes widened in surprise. A strike stuck at his back, launching him forward, into the wall of the arena.

“I was worried you’d catch on,” Zhou Fang said, turning visible once more, as his real body appeared.

Zhang picked himself up, looking at Zhou Fang, as the boy gave him a grin.

“I underestimated you,” Zhang said. Gravity Chi flared around him, as purple energy began to collect into a ball. “I will not make the same mistake again.”

“Wait, hold on—“ Zhou Fang tried, but Zhang moved with purpose as he rushed ahead.

Gravity Chi continued to grow in his fist, the purple now a blinding bright flash that burned everything around it. With a single motion of absolute strength, Zhang let his strike launch itself as he struck Zhou Fang.

Light covered the arena breaking the ground from the burst of gravity. Elder Sheng announced the end.

“The victor is Zhang!”

Zhang watched Zhou Fang, now on the ground and unconscious from the strike. He heard Elder Yan curse, and felt a flood of pride fill him. He’d done it.

“Well, that was something,” Elder Sheng said, lifting Zhou Fang before carefully putting him outside the arena. “Will you be changing participants?”

“No,” Zhang replied.

“Very well,” Elder Sheng said, turning towards Elder Yan. “I suppose there’s no need to ask since there’s only one participant left now.”

Li stepped forward, a scar marring one side of his hair, as he glared in Zhang’s direction.

“Strange abilities, but I understand them now. You control weight,” Li said, looking at Zhang with an intense gaze. “I’ll enjoy breaking you.”

Zhang looked at the boy, feeling his resolve strengthen. This was it then. This was the battle he needed to win, for Brother Jie. And for himself.

Elder Sheng looked at the two participants, before raising his hand.

“Then, let the third round begin!”