Chapter 1628: Chapter 1633: Ten-Year Punishment

Lin Fei nodded, "There’s no sign of any Dantian being formed within Gu Mang; he absolutely cannot cultivate. If he were to cultivate, he could only choose the Demon Refinement Technique, so I’ve taught it all to him."

Leng Daoqiu nodded, "You did the right thing, Junior Brother. There’s no suspense in this match anymore. However, Xia Yihua doing such a thing truly disappoints me."

"Don’t take it to heart, Senior Brother. After all, children have a tendency to compete fiercely. Just guide him a little," Lin Fei responded. Considering they are relatives, after all, aren’t they? Isn’t Xia Yihua his brother-in-law?

Leng Daoqiu nodded again. Regardless of the battle’s outcome, Leng Daoqiu’s path wouldn’t be simple.

At this moment, Xia Yi’s face darkened; his mentor had just scolded him, but he pretended not to hear. He expected to kill Gu Mang, not anticipating Gu Mang’s cunning escape.

"You want to kill me?!" At this moment, flames on Gu Mang surged straight up, tripling in intensity! Clearly, he had reached the third level of the Demon Refinement Technique, completely overwhelming Xia Yihua in momentum.

But Xia Yihua wasn’t easily defeated. He snorted coldly, refrained from answering, and unleashed "Righteous Judgment" from the Righteous Skills!

Suddenly, Xia Yihua’s momentum doubled—obviously Leng Daoqiu had added the cultivation-enhancing methods of the Demon Refinement Technique into the Righteous Skills.

Therefore, both their atmospheres elevated, and naturally, their combat power doubled.

"Since you want to kill me, I won’t hold back!"

Gu Mang’s entire aura suddenly changed; if initially it was a long-dusted sheathed sword, now it had unsheathed, with sharp eyes directed at Xia Yihua. The next moment, Gu Mang stepped out, directly executing Shadow Trace Step, his form transforming into a black shadow darting toward Xia Yihua.

Xia Yihua snorted coldly, "Don’t think only you can use footwork! Righteous Skills’ Light Crane Falling Wild Goose!"

Both the Righteous Skills and the Shadow Trace Step created by Lin Fei encompassed footwork, body techniques, attack methods, and cultivation-enhancing techniques, including other very practical skills, which is why they’re regarded as treasures in the Ancient Martial World.

At this moment, Xia Yihua seemed like a white shadow, gracefully weaving across the stage, whereas Gu Mang persisted like a black demon, incessantly attacking the white shadow, and yet Xia Yihua’s speed was inferior to Gu Mang.

Soon, Xia Yihua faced Gu Mang directly; upon receiving a punch, Xia Yihua seemed to feel his arm about to lose function, his body flew backward. Nonetheless, Gu Mang pressed his advantage, charged without a word, and reached Xia Yihua, his fists raining down upon him.

The Tian Gang Righteous Qi that Xia Yihua released was still ruthlessly destroyed by Gu Mang; in the end, Xia Yihua was struck to blood-spitting retreat by Gu Mang’s fists.

"Demon Shadow Kick!"

Ultimately, Gu Mang kicked out; his foot seemed like an iron rod enwrapped by black flames, kicked straight at Xia Yihua’s face, sending him flying into the audience seats.

"Shadow Trace Step! Flying Eagle Grasping Rabbit!"

Gu Mang immediately dashed off the stage, leveraging the force, his hands resembling sharp claws rushing towards Xia Yihua.

Xia Yihua felt the murderous intent from Gu Mang, wanted to dodge, but now, his body, scarred thoroughly by Gu Mang, couldn’t evade. He could only watch helplessly as the claw-like attack approached his neck.

On the stage, Leng Daoqiu abruptly stood up, before he spoke, Lin Fei already said casually, "Stop, Gu Mang."

Though the voice was languid, Gu Mang’s attack abruptly halted; at the moment Lin Fei spoke, he stopped attacking, seeming to have guessed Lin Fei’s intent, then leapt back onto the stage.

Lin Fei smiled, his eyes shining upon Gu Mang; evidently, Gu Mang is very smart—at least not foolish as others perceive.

Nevertheless, Lin Fei hoped Gu Mang wouldn’t harbor conspiracies, as such thoughts distance oneself from the righteous path, despite ample strength.

"It seems some words are due for Gu Mang," Lin Fei pondered.

Leng Daoqiu stood up, flew to the stage, observed the stage’s Gu Mang and the grounded Xia Yihua, and announced, "In this match, Gu Mang wins!"

"Wait a minute! Master! I... I can still fight!" Xia Yihua could hardly believe he had lost—and lost to Gu Mang, whom he looked down upon. Gu Mang shattered his future vision; he had even prepared victory remarks, yet Gu Mang crushed them all.

He struggled upright, but seemingly saw the surrounding eyes slowly turning into sneers—indeed, everyone was sneering at him. Is he now worthless?

Leng Daoqiu gazed at Xia Yihua, remarking, "Yihua, your talent isn’t lacking, even better than mine before, but pride in you has ruined you. I now decide to have you face the cave wall at Mount Man’s back hill for ten years. After ten years, should you have repented, then emerge again."

Upon hearing Leng Daoqiu’s words, Xia Yihua felt hit by a bolt from the blue, shocking him to trembles, subsequently fainting.

"Gu Mang wins, this victory belongs to Gu Mang. He proved himself with relentless effort; there are no weaklings, only insufficient diligence. Henceforth, disciples should take Gu Mang as a model," Leng Daoqiu concluded and left the stage.

Afterward, the host declared the conference concluded, and the crowd began dispersing.

The four victorious disciples were taken by Leng Daoqiu, whereas Xia Yihua was led to the cave behind the mountain for recovery and reflection.

When Xia Yihua awoke, he was already in the cave, looking at the unremarkable surroundings. He stood up, realizing the master had given him elixir pills; otherwise, he would hurt by now. His body contained ample Primordial Energy; despite some injuries, they were no longer crucial.

The emotional scars were what mattered most; Xia Yihua never expected to lose—to lose against Gu Mang. This truly exceeded his expectations. Moreover, last, Xia Yihua introspected, realizing he was utterly unable to defeat Gu Mang.

Gu Mang’s cultivation is far beyond this, implying Lin Fei passed his powerful Cultivation Techniques to Gu Mang.

Otherwise, Gu Mang absolutely wouldn’t have dodged that move; he would’ve been killed for sure.

"Dammit!" Xia Yihua punched the stone wall, inducing webs of cracks.

"Really shouldn’t have apprenticed under Leng Daoqiu!"