“I… I surrender!”
Across from Wu Ming, a boy raised his hand and shouted as soon as he stepped onto the stage.
“Opponent forfeits! Winner! Dongfang Suoming!”
The host drew his right hand down and shouted loudly.
Wu Ming shrugged wordlessly, descending from the arena, only to immediately receive a punch from Dongfang Dieyu. “Congratulations… you’re quite the celebrity now, huh!”
“Oh!”
Wu Ming appeared calm and composed: “Actually… their choice was very correct!”
In the first round of the clan competition, he directly killed Luo Geng’s Ironclaw Wolf, earning a notorious reputation. These young people’s Phantom Spirits were even weaker than Luo Geng’s. How dare they step forward to their deaths? Weren’t they afraid that Wu Ming would kill their Phantom Spirits as well?
Thus, Wu Ming advanced effortlessly through consecutive victories, even making it into the top four of the clan. Most of his opponents forfeited, making it extremely easy for him, which Dongfang Dieyu envied greatly.
She had to maintain her leadership image, always paying attention to her appearance, unlike Wu Ming. Not only did she need to defeat her opponents convincingly, she also had to generously offer advice, analyzing their tactical advantages and disadvantages and reasons for defeat, making each match exhausting.
“Also… Yue Sister is really angry because after your first match, the bookmakers outside changed your odds, making her dream of making a big profit fall through…”
Dongfang Dieyu giggled, chatting with Wu Ming about many things regarding the clan. Eventually, she twirled a strand of hair from her braid and softly said:
“Currently, among the top four, I, Dongfang Shuwen, and Dongfang Ba all possess Outstanding-species Phantom Spirits, all at the mid-stage, which is equivalent to the peak of the Common-species Juvenile stage. Your Big Gray Wolf is in danger…”
“Not necessarily…”
Wu Ming smiled slightly: “When the top four elimination rounds come, if we unfortunately meet, I won’t hold back, you know!”
“Hmph! My Xiaobai is really powerful!”
Dongfang Dieyu turned away unhappily, leaving Wu Ming with a proud back view.
“Hehe…”
Wu Ming shook his head and left the arena as well. The youths coming his way all fearfully stepped aside.
Even within the clan, just possessing this little bit of power was enough to command respect and bring about dramatic changes!
Returning to the courtyard, Wu Ming found someone already waiting there.
“Sure enough, you came!”
A slight smile appeared on his lips as he slowly walked in.
“Dongfang Suoming, you might not know me, but I am…”
The figure turned around, revealing a kind face, like a smiling shopkeeper, with sharpness and cunning hidden in his eyes.
“Second Elder oversees the clan’s business, with the Four Stewards of Ri, Jin, Dou, and Jin under him. How could I not know you? Greetings, Dongfang Jin!”
Wu Ming smiled: “May I ask what brings you here?”
“This…”
Dongfang Jin’s eyes flickered with surprise. This youth was frighteningly mature, reminding him of those veteran rivals in the business world.
He carefully considered his words before speaking: “Shuoming, your talent is evident, so I won’t beat around the bush. Tomorrow’s top-four match draw results are out—you will face Dongfang Shuwen. How confident are you?”
“Confident?”
Wu Ming proudly replied: “About sixty to seventy percent!”
“Ha!”
That single sentence completely threw off Dongfang Jin’s prepared speech: “Sixty to seventy percent? Do you know who you’re talking about?”
He was almost panting with anger: “Shuwen is the direct disciple of our Second Elder, his Three-Eyed Stone Monkey an Outstanding-species, mid-stage, equivalent to the peak of the Common-species! I admit your Big Gray Wolf is well-trained, but its stage is only high-stage, one level lower! Moreover… in terms of training, combat techniques, and even temperament, do you really think Shuwen, supported by our entire Second Branch, would lose to you?”
“If that’s the case, then why is Dongfang Jin still here?”
Wu Ming feigned surprise.
“If it weren’t for Shuwen needing to preserve his full strength to face Dongfang Ba, who would come looking for you?”
Dongfang Jin huffed.
“See? Now that we’re speaking plainly, it’s better this way!” Wu Ming spread his hands: “Everything in the world has a price. If you want me to throw the match and lose to Dongfang Shuwen, it’s not impossible—I just want to see what price you’re willing to pay…”
At that moment, Dongfang Jin was absolutely certain that the youth before him was an old fox in the business world!
…
“What… you’re pushing it too far!”
After a while, Dongfang Jin’s facial muscles twitched violently: “You’re asking for way too much—we’ll never agree to these terms!”
“If that’s the case, then please, feel free to leave!”
Wu Ming waved his sleeve coldly.
“You… think about the consequences! Offending the Second Elder is no small matter… the terms we offered were already very generous!”
Dongfang Jin made one last attempt.
“Sorry… I won’t budge, and I’m worth this price!”
Wu Ming shrugged: “As for the consequences? In the clan competition, offering bribes to an opponent is already pushing the unwritten rules to the limit. Do you really dare to take action? Have you forgotten the Criminal Law Hall?”
Dongfang Jin hesitated, suddenly recalling the vague figure of Dongfang Tie standing behind Wu Ming, indicating that this youth wasn’t without backing, especially after revealing such talent, the Criminal Law Hall would surely be eager to extend its support.
“Hmph! Tomorrow, when you lose, you’ll definitely regret it!”
He huffed coldly, not lingering any further, and stormed out of the courtyard.
“From small signs, one can see the big picture… the Second Elder also has ambitions. Although the clan seems prosperous on the surface, hidden dangers have already been sown…”
Behind him, Wu Ming’s eyes flickered with thought, silently sighing to himself.
What he said earlier was true—if the benefits offered were sufficient, he really might have considered it.
“But… who told you the benefits you offered could ever match another party’s? For maximum profit, I can only painfully give you up!”
…
The next day, at the arena.
Dongfang Shuwen, in flowing white robes, gracefully approached Wu Ming with a bow: “Regarding yesterday’s matter, I’m truly sorry! I must also thank Suoming Brother for not accepting the proposal, allowing us to fight freely!”
“Right! No need to dwell on past words. Let’s begin!”
Wu Ming summoned his Big Gray Wolf.
“Three-Eyed Stone Monkey, out!”
Dongfang Shuwen’s Phantom Spirit was a colossal ape, standing as tall as a human, its body covered in stone-like fur. It stood upright, pounding its chest and roaring fiercely. Between its eyebrows was a vertical eye, but unfortunately, it remained tightly shut, revealing only a narrow slit.
In Wu Ming’s eyes, a glimmer of sharpness flashed:
[Three-Eyed Stone Monkey]
[Racial Rank: Outstanding-species (Yellow)]
[Racial Bonus: 2]
[Attribute: Rock]
[Stage: Larval Mid-Stage]
[Abilities: Petrifying Beam, Stone Skin]
[Enhancements: Mid-Grade Claws, High-Grade Fur Defense, High-Grade Leap]
[Status: Healthy]
…
“Aroarrr!”
“Arooooo!”
The two phantom spirits exchanged glances, then suddenly roared and collided with each other.
“Claw Attack!”
Wu Ming mentally commanded. The Big Gray Wolf roared, its claws flashing with cold light.
“Screee!”
The Three-Eyed Stone Monkey winced in pain, showing its teeth.
“What? His Big Gray Wolf’s claws must have upgraded to High-Grade!”
Dongfang Shuwen’s face tightened: “Stone Skin!”
The Three-Eyed Stone Monkey roared, its body covered in a grayish-white skin, greatly increasing its defense, as it lunged forward.
“Don’t engage directly! Use endurance!”
Wu Ming calmly responded. Loud noises continuously erupted from the battlefield.
The audience in the stands became excited:
“Truly worthy of the top four!”
“Dongfang Suoming is indeed formidable, manipulating his Phantom Spirit as effortlessly as moving his own limbs! This surpasses verbal commands and visual cues, reaching the level of mental control! Truly a natural talent!”
“Come on, lose already! Lose!”
Dongfang Jin’s eyes were glued to the battlefield, screaming inwardly.
He had failed to bribe Wu Ming, and the longer Wu Ming resisted, the more humiliating it was for him. Thus, he was the one most eager for Wu Ming to lose immediately.
“Trying to drag out time, waiting for Stone Skin to wear off?”
Dongfang Shuwen noticed that his Three-Eyed Stone Monkey was completely outmatched in speed by the Big Gray Wolf. Several heavy punches had already dented the arena floor, causing significant energy consumption. He was now slightly sweating, his heart tightening.
“Create an opening…”
He glanced at the Big Gray Wolf, his eyes sharpening: “Again!”
“Aroarrr!”
The Three-Eyed Stone Monkey roared, raising its massive fists. Fingers merged, like a ten-thousand-pound iron cone, slamming downward.
Boom!
Rocks flew everywhere! The entire arena shook, leaving a small crater in the center!
“Dodge quickly!”
Wu Ming commanded.
“Three-Eyed Stone Monkey, Rock Attack!” Dongfang Shuwen shouted, making the monkey hurl numerous rocks to hinder the Big Gray Wolf’s movement.
Smack!
Finally, a rock hit the gray blur, causing the Big Gray Wolf to hesitate momentarily.
“Now! Open the Third Eye! Petrifying Beam!”
Dongfang Shuwen roared.
“The outcome is decided!” Outside the arena, Dongfang Jin clenched his fists, even more excited than Dongfang Shuwen.
“Now!”
Wu Ming’s eyes also lit up: “Big Gray Wolf, remove your concealment! Full attack!”
“Arooooo!”
A burst of light flashed from the Big Gray Wolf, as if breaking a seal, releasing an aura no less powerful than the Three-Eyed Stone Monkey!
Pfft!
The Big Gray Wolf’s speed surged. Dodging the Petrifying Beam, it struck again with a claw, tearing through the Stone Skin, causing the Three-Eyed Stone Monkey to bleed heavily.
“What? Peak stage?”
“It was hiding a level of power all along!”
“How cunning!”
Dongfang Jin nearly spat out a mouthful of blood: “This was definitely intentional—pretending to be weak at the start, luring Dongfang Shuwen into continuous attacks to exhaust his energy! Oh no!”
He suddenly realized: “Even though the Three-Eyed Stone Monkey is an elite species, it’s still only in the mid-stage of infancy—how much demonic power could it possibly possess?”
Indeed, the Three-Eyed Stone Monkey’s glowing aura collapsed, shedding a layer of stone skin.
The Big Gray Wolf, however, remained full of energy, pressing forward relentlessly.
Seeing this, Dongfang Shuwen could only smile bitterly and bow: “Brother Suoming’s strength is impressive. This match is mine to lose!”
“My pleasure!”
Wu Ming recalled the Big Gray Wolf. This wasn’t Luo Geng—he wouldn’t go for a kill.
“Winner! Dongfang Suoming!”
The host, slightly flustered, coughed before loudly announcing the result.
“What? Dongfang Suoming won?”
“A dark horse! A huge dark horse! The bookmakers must be crying!”
…
On the stands, Dongfang Jin’s face turned red and white by turns. Thinking about the consequences this would bring, his eyelids fluttered, and he fainted on the spot…
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage