"That guy is really Zhang Ergou!"
From the stands, the disciples of the Misty Sect recognized Zhang Ergou's iconic iron spear.
Other things might deceive people, but that black iron spear would not.
"Where did that kid Zhang Ergou go? He only shows up now, making everyone worry for nothing."
"Yeah, he doesn't consider the other disciples of the sect at all."
"Silence!" Shi Wuhen snorted, and the grumbling disciples shut their mouths, though their faces still showed unconvinced expressions.
"Zhang Ergou must have his reasons for disappearing. Once this matter is resolved, the elders will investigate the cause. Do not speak carelessly again."
Both the disciples and elders of the Misty Sect had many doubts about Zhang Ergou's disappearance.
However, with so many eyes and ears here, it was possible that a powerful divine sense might sweep over this area, which would not be a good thing for Zhang Ergou and the Misty Sect.
Seeing Shi Wuhen's anger, the disciples dared not speak further. After hearing Shi Wuhen's explanation, their expressions gradually became more natural.
...
"That's it?"
Zhang Ergou raised his spear again, easily deflecting the sword energy Hua Ying had swung with all his might. The sarcasm on his face completely enraged Hua Ying.
"Kid, I hope you can still say that next!"
As Hua Ying spoke, his weapon transformed into a blue longsword, enveloped in spiritual energy. It was clearly no ordinary item.
...
"A spirit artifact!" a surprised cry erupted from the stands.
"It's actually a spirit artifact! Who is that kid to force Hua Ying to use one?"
"But that kid won't be able to last much longer. Spirit artifacts are incomparable to ordinary weapons."
From the stands, the disciples and elders of various sects watching the battle also noticed the change on the Golden Core stage.
When they saw Hua Ying actually take out a spirit artifact, a wave of discussion immediately ensued.
"Spirit artifact?" Zhang Ergou's face darkened, and his expression turned serious.
Although he had stolen quite a few spirit artifacts from the secret chamber of the Flowing Sea Sect, he dared not take them out now.
He had to treat the attack of a spirit artifact with caution.
Ghost Spear Tian Wen had been with him for so long. When it was discovered by the spiritual fire, Zhang Ergou felt it was extraordinary.
He wondered if it could withstand the attack of a spirit artifact.
Meanwhile, Hua Ying circulated his spiritual energy to activate the spirit artifact. The blue longsword's color grew more intense, and its luster became brighter.
"Die!"
With a roar from Hua Ying, the light flared, and a blue beam shot towards Zhang Ergou.
The blinding blue light caused people to close their eyes briefly.
When they opened their eyes, they found Zhang Ergou was gone. Soudan Novel Network.
"Where is Zhang Ergou?" As the light dissipated, Zhang Ergou's trace was nowhere to be found, as if he had vanished into thin air.
"Was he pulverized by the spirit artifact?"
"Impossible. No matter how powerful a spirit artifact is, it can only enhance a cultivator's offensive power. With Hua Ying's cultivation, he couldn't unleash such a powerful attack."
"Then where is he?"
Not only were the people in the stands in an uproar, but Hua Ying on the opposite side was also somewhat stunned.
Activating the spirit artifact had consumed a significant amount of spiritual energy from his body. According to his expectations, even if he couldn't defeat Zhang Ergou instantly, he would at least inflict some damage. But now, where had the person gone?
Could this spirit artifact bestowed by his master truly be so powerful?
This blue longsword was specifically given to Hua Ying by his master before the grand competition for him to deal with difficult opponents.
Upon encountering Zhang Ergou, the very person who had almost killed him back then, Hua Ying had completely forgotten his master's instructions.
To ensure Zhang Ergou's utter defeat, he had acted without regard for the consequences.
But now, with more than half of his spiritual energy depleted and Zhang Ergou's whereabouts unknown, he had no way of knowing if the spirit artifact had even worked.
It also made him, who was using a spirit artifact for the first time, doubt its effectiveness.
"Heh heh, are you looking for me?"
While Hua Ying was lost in thought, Zhang Ergou's voice sounded in his ear.
"Here, have a punch!"
As Hua Ying turned his head, he saw a fist the size of a cooking pot lunging at his face. It was too late to dodge now.
Bang!
Hua Ying's body slammed heavily onto the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Clearly, the punch was not easy to bear.
Before Hua Ying, who was lying on the ground, could get up, Zhang Ergou appeared beside him again.
Bang!
Hua Ying's body flew high into the air, kicked up by Zhang Ergou with a fierce sweep. After describing a beautiful arc in the air, he crashed heavily onto the ground again.
"No way, Hua Ying is in the middle stage of Golden Core, is that Zhang Ergou really that powerful?"
The Flowing Sea Sect disciples could hardly believe what they were seeing.
Hua Ying was a genuine cultivator in the middle stage of Golden Core, while Zhang Ergou clearly only had early Golden Core cultivation.
Zhang Ergou's easy deflection of Hua Ying's attacks earlier had already surprised the disciples of the Flowing Sea Sect.
Now, seeing Hua Ying being unilaterally beaten by Zhang Ergou completely surpassed their expectations.
While Hua Ying's combat ability was not the strongest in the Flowing Sea Sect, he was still far stronger than an ordinary early Golden Core cultivator.
Moreover, he had even brought out a rare spirit artifact and still couldn't gain any advantage. This was something the disciples of the Flowing Sea Sect could not accept.
Unlike the Flowing Sea Sect, the atmosphere on the Misty Sect side was much more cheerful.
Although many people had strong opinions about Zhang Ergou, seeing him display his might on the stage and beat the mid-stage Golden Core cultivator into helplessness made everyone smile.
The disciples of the Misty Sect were not surprised by Zhang Ergou's performance at all.
This kid was the one who dared to challenge the inner sect rankings of the Misty Sect when he was in the Foundation Establishment stage.
It was important to remember that the cultivators on the Misty Sect's inner sect rankings were all Golden Core cultivators.
Now that he was in the early Golden Core stage, even if Zhang Ergou fought to a draw with a late Golden Core cultivator on the stage, the disciples of the Misty Sect would not be surprised.
However, Zhang Ergou's performance not only puzzled the disciples of the Flowing Sea Sect but also attracted the attention of the elders of the Flowing Sea Sect.
"Keep an eye on that kid. Instruct our disciples who will be participating later to attack that Zhang Ergou with all their might. Even if they can't kill him, crippling him would suffice."
In the area where the elders of the Flowing Sea Sect were located, an old man with a white beard nodded towards the stage and transmitted a message to someone beside him.
The recipient nodded and silently retreated.
Little did Zhang Ergou know that while he was displaying his prowess on the stage, he had already become a target.
Seeing Zhang Ergou flash forward again, Hua Ying, having recovered his senses, scrambled and hastily moved his body.
Being caught off guard by Zhang Ergou's sudden disappearance earlier did not mean he had lost his ability to counterattack.
Seeing Zhang Ergou raise his leg high again, Hua Ying hurriedly raised the blue longsword in his hand.