Chapter Eighty-One: Battle Between Equals

Chapter Eighty-One: A Battle with Li Hao at the Same Realm

“Well then, since you refuse a toast, you’ll have to drink the penalty cup.” Li Zhan said, preparing to strike Qin Zhen.

“Enough, stop fooling around. Since Brother Zhenba wants to know, let me explain. One must own up to what one has done. If you dare to act but not to admit, how can you call yourself a true man?” In the end, it was Kui Hu who took the lead. Li Zhan and Qin Zhen fell silent at his words.

The key was that Kui Hu spoke the truth—true men stand tall and upright. No one is flawless, and even gold isn’t pure. Even if one makes mistakes, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone errs; what matters most is knowing to correct oneself. That is rare indeed.

Kui Hu turned to Zhenba and said, “Here’s what happened. A few days ago, we had just arrived in Lishui City and saw the young master with Princess Lu Yao. The young master had plenty of money, and since he was young, we asked around and learned he wasn’t from a wealthy family in the city, nor did we know Lu Yao’s identity. The three of us, tempted by riches, decided to rob him on his way home. Li Zhan was severely injured by a single blow from the young master. That’s what happened. Had we known Princess Lu Yao’s identity, we’d never have dared to commit such a shameful act.”

“So that’s how it was!”

“Yes, ever since then, we’ve followed the young master. Even now, there’s something we still don’t understand.”

“What is it?”

“We tried to rob him, but he never retaliated harshly against us.”

Kui Hu’s conversation with Zhenba seemed to be directed at Li Hao, who listened in. Li Hao explained, “You hadn’t committed an unforgivable crime. Both Yao’er and I were unharmed. Had anything happened to her, you wouldn’t have had the chance to participate in the selection tournament.”

Li Hao’s answer sent chills down the spines of the three, cold sweat breaking out, especially on Qin Zhen. They realized how fortunate they were—one misstep, and they would have been doomed.

After Kui Hu finished, Li Zhan asked in confusion, “Our power of the laws of heaven and earth has been purified and compressed by the young master’s special array. I wonder how strong we are now?”

Having just received new strength, Li Zhan was deeply curious about his current power. His question sparked intense curiosity in Lin Xueyou, Lu Yao, Kui Hu, and Qin Zhen.

Zhenba said, “We don’t know how our strength compares to Li Hao’s at the same realm.”

“I’d like to know too, young master! Why don’t we try it?” Qin Zhen joked to Li Hao.

“I’m fine with it, but it’s troublesome to face each of you one by one. I have a suggestion,” Li Hao replied.

Qin Zhen eagerly pressed, “What is it, young master?”

“All of you, control your realm to the ‘Traveling Stage’ and have a battle. Whoever wins, I’ll face them. Although your laws of heaven and earth are immune to me, I won’t use my special abilities. I’ll fight fairly against the victor.”

Except for Lin Xueyou and Lu Yao, everyone was already itching for a fair match.

“Alright, let’s have a proper fight today. No aids, just the power of the laws at the Traveling Stage.”

“Agreed!”

Indeed, they were all youthful and spirited, each fiercely competitive. Lin Xueyou and Lu Yao were also excited for the fair contest, stepping aside to watch, wanting to see which of their friends was stronger.

Lin Xueyou said, “We have the grand selection tournament this year, but you’re holding a small selection contest of your own, aren’t you?”

Laughter echoed among the young people as they prepared the battleground.

The four split into two groups for elimination matches: Kui Hu versus Zhenba, Li Zhan versus Qin Zhen.

Each punch and kick stirred the laws of heaven and earth within a radius of six hundred yards, resounding with thunderous blows.

Kui Hu and Zhenba exchanged dozens of moves, evenly matched. The other battle was the same: Li Zhan and Qin Zhen traded attacks and defenses, neither gaining the upper hand.

After eighty moves, Kui Hu threw a straight left punch at Zhenba’s face. Zhenba blocked with a right swing and countered with a left punch to Kui Hu’s chest, which Kui Hu quickly parried.

As Kui Hu blocked, he leaned back, raising his left leg toward Zhenba’s waist. Zhenba saw the kick coming and lifted his own left leg, positioning his toes against Kui Hu’s ankle, skillfully neutralizing the sweep.

Kui Hu’s attack thwarted, he swiftly withdrew his leg and righted himself. As he did, Zhenba’s left foot grounded, and his right leg rose, executing a powerful spinning kick toward Kui Hu’s right waist.

Kui Hu barely straightened up when he saw the fierce kick coming. He realized that blocking would leave him at a disadvantage, so he didn’t intend to resist head-on.

He stepped back with his right foot, sidestepping and leaning back, hands bracing against the ground. His movements were fluid and swift, responding with ease.

As Kui Hu leaned back, Zhenba’s leg swept just past his chest. The kick missed, and Zhenba quickly regained his stance. Kui Hu, hands on the ground, performed a backflip and landed firmly. They reached a stalemate again.

The two exchanged a glance, then simultaneously threw their right fists at each other.

The sound of laws colliding with fists rang out as they were knocked apart. They then attacked with their left fists, another thunderous collision, separating them once more.

Next, both leapt into the air, each executing a side kick toward the other. Upon contact, they exchanged three kicks, each knocked back three or four yards, with Kui Hu retreating an extra step.

After the third kick, neither attacked further, landing on the ground.

Kui Hu said, “Zhenba, you have the edge. I concede wholeheartedly.”

Zhenba replied politely, “You’re too modest. Our power at this realm is nearly equal. That last blow was only due to my physical cultivation being slightly ahead. My victory isn’t truly deserved.”

Kui Hu said, “A win is a win, a loss is a loss. From now on, I won’t call you ‘Zhenba Young Master,’ and you shouldn’t call me ‘Young Master’ either. What do you think?”

Laughter broke out.

“Very well!”

“We are brothers now. I’m a year or two older than you. If you don’t mind, I’ll call you Brother Kui Hu from now on. Is that alright?”

“Of course!”

“Kui Hu greets Brother Zhenba!”

“Good, rise, Kui Hu!”

Zhenba quickly bent to help Kui Hu up, giving him a hug. After a bout, the two youths embraced.

Brotherhood among young men is forged so swiftly and sincerely, free of cunning or duplicity. This is the most precious kind of friendship.

Li Zhan and Qin Zhen fought fiercely at first, their blows echoing through space. But after seeing Zhenba defeat Kui Hu, they lost the spirit of battle, pushing and pulling each other like mischievous children.

Applause resounded.

“Well done!” Lin Xueyou and Lu Yao generously applauded Li Zhan and Qin Zhen. The lively clapping brought laughter, and the two, unable to keep up their pretenses, came over with sheepish smiles.

“Brothers, at the same realm, our powers are evenly matched. I think it doesn’t matter who challenges Li Hao—you’ll get the same result,” Lin Xueyou remarked.

Everyone agreed.

They only wanted to test the new strength Li Hao had given them, and after their matches, they all realized the purified and compressed power was at least ten times stronger than before.

Zhenba, Kui Hu, and Li Zhan, being seven or eight years older than Li Hao, felt that winning against him would be unworthy, and losing would be embarrassing. They exchanged glances, settling their gaze on Qin Zhen, who immediately understood their intentions.

Li Zhan said to Qin Zhen, “This is your chance to shine. Do your best—we’ll cheer for you.” Thus, the task fell to the youngest, Qin Zhen.

Qin Zhen accepted without complaint, eager to see how he measured up against Li Hao.

After a brief discussion, everyone cleared space for Li Hao and Qin Zhen’s duel.

“Young master, be careful. I’ll attack with all my strength.”

Li Hao nodded, “You too—don’t expect mercy.”

He was always warm with friends, but ruthless with foes.

They took positions four or five yards apart. Qin Zhen launched the first attack.

He summoned the power of the laws into his hands, gathering the laws of heaven and earth from a radius of six hundred yards, and hurled them toward Li Hao.

Li Hao, meanwhile, was not idle. He quickly gathered the laws into his hands, absorbing them ten times faster than Qin Zhen. As Qin Zhen’s two spheres of power sped toward Li Hao, they arrived almost instantly. Li Hao formed a defensive barrier before himself with the laws.

Bang! Bang!

The clear sounds echoed as Qin Zhen’s energy balls collided with Li Hao’s shield. The energies dispersed, shaking the plants nearby, sending dust and debris flying.

Li Hao stood untouched within his shield, which remained unscathed.

The strength of Li Hao’s barrier astonished everyone. He then dispelled it and said to Qin Zhen, “Be careful now. It’s my turn to attack.”

“Come, young master!”

Qin Zhen quickly formed a barrier of laws before himself.