The effeminate man held a feather fan, appearing gentle and courteous.
However, his thin lips marred his features, and his face was smeared with rouge and powder typically used by women.
"I am Xu Kang, here to exchange pointers with junior brother Zhang Ergou."
This disciple, fanning himself, did not engage in combat immediately. He first announced his name, and as he spoke, he cupped his hands towards Zhang Ergou.
But, unexpectedly, the moment he cupped his hands, a silver needle was instantly shot out.
Zhang Ergou, unprepared, was struck on the spot.
Soon, the potent poison carried by the silver needle spread rapidly throughout Zhang Ergou's body.
Following this, his body rapidly turned black, starting from the silver needle, its spread exceeding everyone's expectations.
*Puff!*
Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Zhang Ergou staggered. If not for the support of the chubby Xiong Bao, he would have fallen to the ground.
"Fighting on the training ground, you actually used poison? That's too shameless!" The chubby Xiong Bao glared at Xu Kang, his chubby face turning red with anger.
"Poison? Did you see me use poison? Don't wrongly accuse me."
Xu Kang feigned innocence, acting foolish.
"Chubby, this is a duel between Zhang Ergou and me. You have no business here, you can leave."
"That's right, duels on the training ground are one-on-one. Chubby, you should get down quickly."
From the stands, someone shouted loudly in secret.
Soon, others echoed the sentiment.
"We didn't see senior brother Xu Kang use poison. Don't think that because you're good friends with Zhang Ergou, you can slander good people as you please."
"Exactly, if you can't win, just admit defeat. Coming up with such an excuse, don't you feel ashamed?"
The jeers from the stands rose in waves, and the disciples who twisted the truth appeared righteous.
"Xiong Bao, you go down first. I can handle this."
Zhang Ergou said in a low voice to the chubby Xiong Bao beside him.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
Xiong Bao's eyes were about to spew fire. If Zhang Ergou hadn't held him back, he would have rushed forward to beat the treacherous Xu Kang.
"I'm fine!"
Zhang Ergou nodded seriously and even smiled at Xiong Bao.
"You can't push yourself too hard. If it's really too much, just surrender. Revenge isn't a matter of one or two days."
The chubby Xiong Bao looked at Zhang Ergou with great worry, very uneasy about Zhang Ergou's current state.
"I told you, I'm fine. Don't you believe me, look!"
Zhang Ergou bared a section of his arm and winked at the chubby Xiong Bao, speaking in a low voice.
Hearing this, the chubby Xiong Bao looked down and indeed saw the black stains on Zhang Ergou's arm slowly receding.
Seeing this, Xiong Bao nodded and stepped off the training ground.
"You dare to provoke our Xiayang Peak and Qiuyang Peak? Zhang Ergou, let's see how you escape this time?"
"Today is the day you spill your blood on the training ground, and I, Xu Kang, will be the one to end you."
Xu Kang's face was cold, and he looked at Zhang Ergou with arrogance, as if Zhang Ergou were a soft persimmon to be easily squeezed.
The disciples of Xiayang Peak and Qiuyang Peak on the stands were even more indignant, sneering.
On the training ground, Zhang Ergou leaned on his iron spear, listening to Xu Kang's arrogant words, his eyes shooting out a cold light.
Zhang Ergou finally understood that this challenge was a setup.
First, Yu Heng challenged him, then the true disciple from Qiuyang Peak. To take him down, these two main peaks felt their lineup wasn't enough.
True disciples were taking turns, intending to wear him down.
Even so, in the end, this Xu Kang had insidiously used a poisoned needle.
Zhang Ergou looked at Xu Kang with a cold expression, his spiritual fire responding to his thoughts, silently dispelling the poison within him.
With the protection of spiritual fire, ordinary poisoned needles were naturally not something Zhang Ergou took to heart.
Since this fellow was so arrogant, Zhang Ergou would not hold back next.
The curses from the stands grew louder, but Zhang Ergou ignored them. If curses could solve problems, why would one need to cultivate?
On the surface, Zhang Ergou still pretended to be deeply poisoned, leaning on his iron spear, his body swaying precariously, as if on the verge of collapse.
"Junior brother Ergou, what's wrong? You seem seriously injured. Are you about to collapse?"
Xu Kang changed his demeanor again, feigning concern.
"I'm already so seriously injured, and you still use poison? Xu Kang, are all you true disciples so unscrupulous?"
"Junior brother Ergou, don't talk nonsense. You can eat anything, but you can't say anything you want."
Xu Kang retorted.
"Since you're so shameless, don't blame me for being impolite." With a sharp cry, Zhang Ergou stared coldly at Xu Kang.
Hearing this, Xu Kang gave a mocking smile, no longer hiding his cunning.
"Since junior brother Ergou still has the strength, senior brother will have a good fight with you."
As he spoke, Xu Kang took a step forward, a spectral finger aiming straight for Zhang Ergou's throat. The ferocity of his attack was evident.
Seeing Xu Kang's finger strike, Zhang Ergou stood still, unmoved.
In the eyes of others, he had been poisoned and lost his ability to move, so he had to maintain the act.
Although Xu Kang was treacherous and cunning, his cultivation was solid, at the late Foundation Establishment stage, far superior to ordinary disciples.
"Die!" Seeing Zhang Ergou within arm's reach, a ferocious expression appeared on Xu Kang's face.
However, an anomaly occurred. Just as Xu Kang's finger was about to touch Zhang Ergou's throat, a hint of mockery flashed across Zhang Ergou's lips.
*Not good.* Xu Kang felt an inexplicable tension.
But at this point, Xu Kang could only brace himself and continue his move.
Before Xu Kang could react, Zhang Ergou suddenly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding his fingertip.
Then, Zhang Ergou smoothly grabbed Xu Kang's arm and executed a shoulder throw, sending Xu Kang's body crashing hard onto the ground.
*Bang!*
Dust flew from the impact. Cracks appeared in the bluestone of the training ground.
Xu Kang scrambled to his feet, looking at Zhang Ergou in disbelief.
"You're not... How can you be fine?"
"I'm not what?" Zhang Ergou stared coldly at Xu Kang. The dark color on his skin instantly disappeared.
"Zhang Ergou is not poisoned!"
"I clearly saw Xu Kang stab the poisoned needle into Zhang Ergou's body."
Not only Xu Kang in the center of the training ground but also the disciples from Xiayang and Qiuyang Peaks on the stands looked bewildered.
"Since that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless."
On the training ground, Xu Kang's face turned ferocious. Not only was he toyed with by Zhang Ergou, but he was also made a spectacle of.
This was something Xu Kang could not tolerate.
Now that his use of poison had been exposed in front of everyone.
He could only defeat Zhang Ergou to cover this up.
"Senior brother Xu Kang, didn't you say you wanted to have a good spar with junior brother? Come on!"
Zhang Ergou smirked, beckoning Xu Kang with a hook of his finger.
"Brat, don't be arrogant, die!"
Xu Kang shouted fiercely and struck out with a palm.