Chapter 238: Combat (2)

On the third floor of the training center.

The old instructor ascended once more, awkwardly retrieving a device before positioning it before Liu Hong’s group. Through the device, they could clearly observe the proceedings in the room below.

Liu Hong and Zhou Pingsheng weren’t surprised. Many training centers had a habit of monitoring their clients, particularly those offering sparring venues. These centers often recorded such encounters.

Some used the recordings for personal study, others for information-selling ventures. Thus, the two hadn’t bothered setting up their own surveillance. Cultivator sparring recordings served as valuable learning material for other cultivators.

“Manager Zhou, Assistant Liu, should I depart?”

The old instructor was somewhat flustered. Another group of important guests awaited him nearby.

“You may leave,” Zhou Pingsheng replied dispassionately. The instructor, relieved, quickly exited the room.

After the instructor’s departure, Liu Hong gazed at the figures on the screen, a smile gracing his lips, “Senior Brother, who do you think will prevail in this match?”

“Zheng Yunhui,” Zhou Pingsheng responded calmly, “Whether he defeats Su Yu or not, he will be the victor today.”

“Senior Brother,” Liu Hong frowned, “Are we intending to interfere in the match?”

“Don’t put it that way. We simply need to secure the data,” Zhou Pingsheng stated solemnly, “Su Yu will never willingly part with the data. Forcing it from him would invite accusations of theft and severe repercussions. We can only obtain it if it falls into Zheng Yunhui’s possession. Junior Brother, you understand. Senior Brother Zheng shares this view.”

He smiled, adding, “Don’t worry. If Zheng Yunhui loses even as an Eighth-Stage Great Strength cultivator, he’ll be utterly useless. He’s still a member of the Zheng Family’s main branch. He won’t be so weak.”

Liu Hong remained silent. If intervention were necessary, with a Seventh-Stage Cloudbreach expert on their side and the distance between them and the combatants, the two likely wouldn’t notice anything.

…

Second floor. Within a large room.

Su Yu and Zheng Yunhui had arrived. Hostility hung heavy in the air. Both regarded the other with icy disdain.

Zheng Yunhui demanded, “Where is it?”

Su Yu tossed out a pouch. The Skybreak Technique’s will-power text and a jade pendant were revealed. Upon seeing the jade pendant, Zheng Yunhui’s expression shifted, “Is the data within?”

“Yes. Do you know what this is?” Su Yu stated, “This is a temporary talisman for recording valuable information, equipped with a password system. Only with my password can you access the data. Attempting brute-force access will trigger self-destruction. Zheng Yunhui, don’t even consider subterfuge.”

Zheng Yunhui frowned, “How can I know if the data is genuine?”

“I will prove it later,” Su Yu’s eyes hardened, “My materials are here. What about yours?”

“Hmph!” Zheng Yunhui produced a golden vial. It wasn’t large, but a golden light emanated from it.

“Observe closely…”

He unscrewed the stopper, and a drop of blood essence shot forth. Zheng Yunhui, prepared, unleashed his willpower, forcing the blood essence back into the vial with a sharp pop, resealing it.

“Did you see that? Divine blood essence! Even a drop possesses a form of consciousness.”

Su Yu sensed a surge of blood essence power.

His gaze blazed as he inquired, “How many drops?”

“Five.”

Su Yu’s face fell, “We agreed on eight!”

Zheng Yunhui retorted furiously, “Your materials aren’t worth that much! I’ve inquired. They’re only worth five drops. Furthermore, the ten drops are in two separate vials. I can only take one. If I take both, they’ll discover it immediately.”

“You…”

“Enough! If I lose, I’ll pay you 2,000 merit points in addition.”

“Do you even possess that amount?”

“Hmph!” Zheng Yunhui coldly stated, “No. But I can offer you the two grotto entries the academy granted me.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course,” Zheng Yunhui impatiently stated, “You’ve already verified the authenticity of my materials. How about you?”

Su Yu smiled, tossing the temporary talisman, “Keep it. If I lose, I’ll provide the password. After the match, I’ll show you. You only need to prepare some materials. I’ll produce some blood essence right before you. You can easily see if I’m lying. If the data is false, feel free to expose my actions here. My reputation in the academy will be ruined.”

Zheng Yunhui frowned, “This is a private match. The academy won’t care. Stop trying to deceive me. If it’s fake, wouldn’t my efforts be wasted? Su Yu, don’t play games. Either prove the data’s authenticity now, or return the Skybreak Technique and call this off.”

Su Yu frowned, “You don’t trust me?”

“Of course not.”

Su Yu stated, “I don’t trust you either. If I show you the data now and you lose, wouldn’t you obtain it anyway?”

A short silence ensued before Su Yu proposed, “Why don’t you have the shopkeeper procure the materials? Buy as many as you want. Since you’re willing to pay, I don’t mind. Also, don’t even dream of deducing the formula from the materials. If you win, I’ll produce blood essence immediately. If I fail, you can further injure me. I won’t protest. Do you truly believe someone like me would willingly allow myself to be injured so severely, requiring months or even a year of convalescence?”

Su Yu solemnly declared, “If you still can’t trust me, there’s nothing I can do. I won’t show you the formula now.”

After some hesitation, Zheng Yunhui nodded. He left the room and summoned the old instructor. Su Yu swiftly compiled a lengthy list of materials—blood essence, pills, natural resources, ores, and more—nearly a hundred items in total.

The old instructor, seasoned by age, was astonished, “You’re buying all this? It’s worth at least 300 merit points.”

Su Yu remained silent, his gaze fixed on Zheng Yunhui.

Zheng Yunhui inwardly cursed. Damn it! That bastard is deliberately making me waste money. What a jerk!

But Su Yu clearly wasn’t going to pay for it all. To prove the data’s authenticity, Zheng Yunhui had no choice but to pay. He gritted his teeth and handed the old instructor 300 merit points, smiling, “If this isn’t enough, I’ll reimburse you upon your return.”

“Certainly,”

The old instructor didn’t hesitate. These two had attracted considerable attention today. After the instructor’s departure, Zheng Yunhui looked at Su Yu again, wondering if Su Yu could truly produce blood essence before him, or if he needed assistance in faking the display. Whatever. He’d adapt accordingly.

…

Third floor.

Zhou Pingsheng’s eyes flickered as he looked at Liu Hong. Liu Hong nodded, “I’ll provide all the materials. We’ll ensure they use only our materials. That way, he can’t cheat.”

“Umm,” Zhou Pingsheng nodded, “Don’t give Su Yu a chance. Pay close attention after his defeat. If he truly can produce the blood essence…”

Zhou Pingsheng’s eyes gleamed. Then they would earn big! 50,000 merit points were nothing compared to what they could gain.

“We better not let the Xia Family get the list. We don’t want them deducing the formula from the materials…”

Before he could finish, his expression changed. Outside, the middle-aged man from the Xia Family had stopped the old instructor.

Upon seeing the materials list, his face contorted. Was this a joke? Could these materials produce that special blood essence? What was he looking at?

The list included ores for cultural weapon forging, various blood essence from the Great Strength and Infinite Strength realms, natural resources from the Allheaven Battlefield (not overly expensive), even everyday items like soy sauce. What was this list? It was completely illogical. He’d lick anyone’s shoes who could deduce the formula from such a list.

After glancing at the list, the middle-aged man left decisively. Waiting for the outcome was more prudent. Trying to study that list was futile. That little bastard was too cunning.

…

Second floor. Inside a room.

Su Yu shed his robe, donning martial attire, a standard-design saber in hand.

Zheng Yunhui, seeing this, sneered, “You won’t be my match even naked. I’ll give you a chance. Why don’t you consume your blood essence now and try to harm me?”

Su Yu ignored the provocation. He took a deep breath. After a moment, he looked at Zheng Yunhui, “Shall we begin?”

“I don’t care,” Zheng Yunhui smirked disdainfully, “You’re at the Fifth-Stage Great Strength Realm, right? Do you really think I’m unaware?”

“You talk a lot.”

Immediately, a chilling arc flashed through the air.

Whoosh!

The arc was formed by the swing of a saber. Su Yu, unbothered by concealing his cultivation level, unleashed a surge of source qi with his saber.

“Too weak…”

Zheng Yunhui was mid-sneer when darkness enveloped his vision.

“Hah!”

Zheng Yunhui, without time to react, roared, unleashing his willpower and Divine Character. A rumble echoed as he shattered the illusion.

Only to be confronted by a saber rapidly approaching his throat.

Zheng Yunhui’s heart chilled. He instinctively recoiled, parrying the incoming saber with a simultaneous swing of his own tiny sword.

From his instantaneous reaction, he was experienced in combat, someone who had truly faced opponents intent on killing.

Weapons clashed, Zheng Yunhui falling back, rolling on the ground.

Bang!

Su Yu’s saber struck the hard floor, sparking and sending shattered stones flying. A bloody gash appeared on Zheng Yunhui’s throat. The flying stones also left several bloody marks on his face. His blood had been drawn!

Su Yu, seizing the upper hand, showed no mercy. His killing intent surged as his cultural weapon materialized.

“Battle!”

“Kill!”

Facing the incoming saber, Zheng Yunhui roared, rising from the ground, swinging at the saber, his cultural weapon aimed at Su Yu.

“Murder!”

His murderous intent intensified as he utilized his murder character.

Su Yu projected his willpower, but the sword pierced through his willpower barrier. A lightning character activated, striking the sword with a lightning strike.

Splurt!

The sword’s trajectory shifted, but it still inflicted a small wound on Su Yu’s face, drawing blood.