Tianqi Sect, Outer Sect Arena.
Although the Sect strictly forbids private fighting, it also understands that some conflicts are ultimately difficult to suppress completely, so an Arena was specially established.
Disciples are allowed to compete on the Arena, but it is strictly forbidden to take lives.
There is even an Outer Sect Deacon supervising on-site to ensure the duel proceeds within the rules.
The news that Liu Yi and Zhao Jiuxiao were about to duel caused a massive stir in the Outer Sect, and a large number of Outer Sect Disciples came to watch out of curiosity.
"Has Liu Yi lost his mind? How does he dare to duel Zhao Jiuxiao? Isn't he just looking for a beating?"
"Maybe he really did lose his mind. That fainting Spell a month ago must have damaged his brain. Now he won't even work overtime to earn spirit fragmentation stones; he's clearly just lying flat, waiting to be expelled from the Sect."
"I heard Liu Yi owes Zhao Jiuxiao 50 spirit fragmentation stones. The two agreed that if Liu Yi wins the duel, not only will the debt be canceled, but Zhao Jiuxiao will also give him another 50 spirit fragmentation stones."
"How could Liu Yi possibly win? In my opinion, Zhao Jiuxiao just wants to take the opportunity to give him a good thrashing. Since Liu Yi can't pay back those spirit fragmentation stones at all, instead of chasing the debt, it's more satisfying to beat him up to vent his anger."
Qian Duoduo looked at Liu Yi with a face full of worry and urgently advised, "Brother Yi, are you really not considering giving up? Although lives cannot be taken on the Arena, it's common for people to be seriously injured."
"Recovering from injuries wastes time, and time is what you lack most right now. Why take such a risk? If you need spirit fragmentation stones, I'll just lend you some more."
"Old Qian, I appreciate your kindness."
Liu Yi waved his hand and looked firmly at Zhao Jiuxiao opposite him:
"But this matter can't be avoided. If I back down today, he'll only keep pestering me endlessly in the future."
"It's better to just have a match now. If I lose, at worst I'll take a beating. If I happen to win, the rewards will be great."
"Brother Yi, you actually want to win? You should know that in the past, people would always open betting pools for Arena duels. Now, no one is even opening a pool."
Qian Duoduo looked at Liu Yi with a strange expression: "That last time you fainted, you didn't really damage your brain, did you?"
Hearing this, Liu Yi's face darkened, "I am perfectly normal!"
"It's not too late if you admit defeat now!" Zhao Jiuxiao walked up to Liu Yi with two lackeys, his chin tilted almost to the sky:
"Kowtow to me three times and call me 'Grandpa' ten times, then we'll call it even."
Liu Yi narrowed his eyes and stepped half a step closer: "What did you just say to call you?"
"Grandpa!" Zhao Jiuxiao shouted at the top of his lungs.
Liu Yi broke into a wide smile and immediately responded, "Aye! Good grandson, so well-behaved!"
The surrounding crowd was stunned for a moment, then erupted into thunderous laughter.
Qian Duoduo laughed so hard he couldn't stand up straight, his fat shaking along with his laughter.
Even the Outer Sect Deacon, Wang Yu, turned his face away, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
Zhao Jiuxiao's face turned red with rage, his hands clenched into tight fists with white knuckles, as he gritted his teeth and said:
"Stop your glib talk! If you have the guts, get on the Arena and fight for real! In a moment, I'll beat you until you're crying for your parents and begging to call me Grandpa!"
Before he had even finished speaking, he strode toward the Arena.
Liu Yi looked indifferent, shrugged casually, and followed unhurriedly.
Outer Sect Deacon Wang Yu stepped forward slowly, explained the duel rules, and only retreated to the edge of the Arena after confirming that neither side had any objections.
Standing on the Arena, Liu Yi thought to himself.
Combining both his lives, he had only learned Tai Chi for health in his previous life.
Although he had seen many exciting fight scenes in movies and TV shows, those performance routines were far removed from actual combat.
However, he also understood that actual combat relied on nothing more than speed, power, and being ruthless enough.
At this moment, thousands of eyes below the Arena converged on him. He took a deep breath, and his gaze gradually sharpened.
Zhao Jiuxiao's body surged with spiritual power. He didn't use any Spells but instead charged straight ahead, throwing a right hook toward Liu Yi's face.
Liu Yi's pupils constricted. In an instant, the Tai Chi he learned in his previous life and the combat scenes he had seen intertwined frantically in his mind, with countless counter-strategies flashing by like a revolving lantern.
In a flash, he had deduced the best strategy.
Faster than it takes to tell, his left foot suddenly stepped half a step to the left, and his whole body instantly flashed to Zhao Jiuxiao's side.
His right hand grabbed Zhao Jiuxiao's right hand and pulled along with the momentum, just like 'using four ounces to move a thousand pounds,' using the opponent's force against him.
Immediately after, his right leg kicked out like lightning, landing precisely on Zhao Jiuxiao's buttocks.
With a "whoosh," Zhao Jiuxiao flew forward and fell directly off the Arena, landing on the ground with a "thud."
The scene instantly fell into a dead silence. The watching Disciples were dumbfounded, staring blankly at Liu Yi on the Arena and Zhao Jiuxiao who had fallen below.
No one expected this duel to end so abruptly in such a dramatic fashion.
Jiang Neng's face was full of shock as he blurted out, "Zhao Jiuxiao is too useless! He actually lost just like that? Since when did Liu Yi become so powerful?"
Lin Xiuyuan frowned, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness: "Zhao Jiuxiao underestimated his opponent; he didn't even use a Spell."
Zhao Jiuxiao lay on the ground, completely dazed. It wasn't until his two lackeys came forward to help him up that he snapped out of it.
He stared at Liu Yi, his face turning red and white in turns, unable to accept that he had actually lost to someone he usually regarded as waste.
"Let's have another match!"
Qian Duoduo immediately jumped out, pointing at Zhao Jiuxiao and questioning loudly, "You want to back out after losing? Not a chance! Hurry up and give the 50 spirit fragmentation stones."
Zhao Jiuxiao snorted coldly, took out 50 spirit fragmentation stones, threw them toward Liu Yi, and said with a fierce look:
"This is the stake! I was careless just now. Do you dare to have another match? If you win, I'll give you another 50 spirit fragmentation stones!"
Liu Yi bent down to pick up the spirit fragmentation stones, unable to hide the joy on his face; he hadn't expected to win so easily.
Hearing Zhao Jiuxiao's words, he thought to himself:
The gap in strength between the two might not be as large as it appeared on the surface.
Even if Zhao Jiuxiao used Spells, if he really couldn't hold out, he would just admit defeat; there wouldn't be any extra loss anyway.
If he won, he could earn another 50 spirit fragmentation stones, making him more confident about breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "Fine."
Zhao Jiuxiao gave a sinister laugh, leaped onto the Arena, quickly formed hand seals, and cast the Fire Dragon Technique.
"Watch closely, this is my true strength!"
Crimson fire-attribute spiritual power surged out like a tide, condensing into a Fire Dragon a full two meters long.
The Dragon's body, churning with flames and carrying a scorching heatwave, pounced toward Liu Yi with claws and fangs bared.
Feeling the oncoming heat, Liu Yi's expression changed drastically.
He immediately circulated his spiritual power with all his might, kicked hard against the Arena, and flashed to the side like lightning.
With a loud "boom," the Fire Dragon slammed heavily onto the Arena.
But before he could catch his breath, Zhao Jiuxiao summoned another Fire Dragon and charged at him again.
Liu Yi dodged nimbly while looking for an opportunity, quickly charging toward Zhao Jiuxiao.
In an instant, Liu Yi had closed in on Zhao Jiuxiao. His right hand swung out like lightning, striking heavily on his face, followed by a flying kick to his abdomen.
Zhao Jiuxiao let out a muffled groan and was kicked flying backward, falling directly off the Arena.
The scene was first met with dead silence, followed by the sound of collective gasps, and then an explosion of thunderous exclamations.
"How is this possible? Liu Yi actually won? I'm not dreaming, am I!"
"To be able to make a comeback under Zhao Jiuxiao's Fire Dragon Technique, Liu Yi is too strong! If I went up there, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to withstand one move."
"Unbelievable! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, who would have thought Liu Yi was so good at fighting!"
Qian Duoduo's eyes widened, and he stared at Liu Yi in shock, muttering to himself, "Brother Yi is actually this powerful? That's simply awesome!"
Zhao Jiuxiao staggered to his feet, blood still at the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with confusion and resentment:
"How could this be?"
"How can you be so strong?"
"My cultivation is higher than yours, and I know the Fire Dragon Technique. How could I lose?"
Just as Liu Yi was about to respond, a sudden clap of thunder sounded in the sky, followed by continuous booming.
He shrank his neck in fear and stared at the sky in terror, his heart roaring frantically:
"It's just winning a duel and earning some spirit fragmentation stones. It shouldn't warrant being struck by lightning!"