Chapter 141: If You're Unhappy, Let's Duel

"Again!" Zhou Zheng said earnestly to Wu Tian and Niu Wuji.

The two charged forward, only to be flipped over by Zhou Zheng once more. Wu Tian had several times been on the verge of using his true energy, but upon remembering the parameters of the test, he immediately suppressed the urge, leading to his inevitable defeat.

Exhausted from being thrown about, Niu Wuji finally asked in frustration, "Senior Brother Zhou, what is the point of testing our techniques?"

"That is a good question," Zhou Zheng replied. "When two people of equal cultivation and strength are locked in a life-or-death duel, if one person's techniques are mediocre while the other's are cunning, strange, and unpredictable, who do you think will survive?"

"The one with the cunning and strange techniques," Niu Wuji answered without hesitation.

"Exactly. The person with more flexible techniques will survive. While sheer force can overcome ten types of skill, in equal circumstances, the one with superior technique will always endure. That is why I am testing your techniques. Furthermore, there is another important reason: when I took the entrance examination, one of the trials focused on techniques. Many people with higher cultivation than mine were eliminated simply because their techniques were poor. I don't know if your examination includes this, but it is better to be prepared."

"I see. Then let us continue," Wu Tian said, finding the logic sound. He was well aware that his own techniques were lacking, and if such a test were to arise, he would have no one to blame but himself.

Following this, the three of them continued their training. Although Wu Tian’s cultivation was high, he truly lacked technique; he possessed only the Black Dragon Saber Art, which was useless without the ability to draw upon his true energy. Consequently, Wu Tian and Niu Wuji were repeatedly battered by Zhou Zheng, yet Wu Tian was like a sponge, constantly absorbing Zhou Zheng’s experience.

Bam! Wu Tian landed a punch on Zhou Zheng’s palm, forcing him to take a step back.

"Junior Brother Wu, I am increasingly impressed by you," Zhou Zheng said, steadying himself with a look of shock. "Just a moment ago, you were no match for me at all. In just two hours, you have not only managed to block my attacks but also launch counterattacks. I don't know what kind of monster you are!"

"My boss is a natural-born genius; this is just a small matter for him. I suspect Senior Brother Zhou won't be a match for him by tomorrow," Niu Wuji said proudly.

Zhou Zheng waved his hand helplessly. "No need to wait for tomorrow. I feel I can hardly handle him already."

"It's ending so soon? I wanted to keep training," Wu Tian said with a smile, rotating his neck.

"This morning has been sufficient. It is almost lunchtime; let’s go eat, and we can continue after a rest."

"Eating so early?" Niu Wuji asked, glancing at the sky.

"It's not early. Let’s go!" Zhou Zheng rolled his eyes.

The three made their way to the dining hall. The Qitian Sect had sixteen branches, each with its own canteen, and when they arrived, many disciples were already dining. They collected their portions and found a spot to sit and chat while they ate.

"Senior Brother Zhou, besides the technique trial, what other tests were there in your year?" Wu Tian asked after sitting down.

"A ring tournament is essential, of course, and there is also a mission-based trial. However, the rules change every year. After a series of assessments, the examiners collectively decide who stays and who goes. It depends on comprehensive ability; some disciples who take first place in one trial are still eliminated in the end."

"It seems the examiners play a major role in the final decision," Wu Tian nodded.

"True. Some disciples may not have great scores, but if they earn the favor of an examiner, they can still be kept on."

"So, there are backdoors in this examination as well."

"Heh, there is no absolute fairness in this world. Besides, this can also be considered a form of strength; if you can please the examiners, that is your skill," Zhou Zheng said with a wry smile.

As the three were deep in conversation, a group of disciples walked past with their trays. One of them stopped upon seeing Zhou Zheng.

"Oh! If it isn't Brother Zhou. It seems I haven't seen you in several days—so you are still in the Qitian Sect!" the disciple said with a mocking, sour smile.

Zhou Zheng glanced at him, frowning. "Shen Congyuan, what do you mean by that?"

Shen Congyuan shrugged dismissively. "Nothing special. I just find it strange that a disciple as weak as you is still in the Qitian Sect."

Zhou Zheng said nothing, merely giving Shen Congyuan a cold look before continuing to eat.

Shen Congyuan curled his lip and looked at Wu Tian and Niu Wuji. "Are these the two new disciples you've taken under your wing? Tsk tsk... I heard they are from Pingyang City. Disciples from that tiny, insignificant place are all weaklings—but then again, it suits you perfectly!"

Hearing this, Niu Wuji flared with anger and prepared to stand up, but Zhou Zheng held him back.

"Shen Congyuan, we are all fellow disciples; there is no need to be so foul-mouthed. If you have nothing else to do, take your own path, and leave me to mine," Zhou Zheng sneered.

"Oh, how eloquent! True, you and I entered the sect in the same year, but years have passed, and your cultivation is still only at the eighth-level Martial Spirit. I feel ashamed for you—it’s an embarrassment to have someone like you in my cohort! And these new disciples you’ve brought are just as trashy. A bunch of rubbish from a backwater town like Pingyang City all gathered together!"

Shen Congyuan’s attitude was incredibly arrogant; he looked down on the three of them with open disdain and ridicule.

"Senior Brother Shen, I haven't even heard of Pingyang City," one of the newcomers behind Shen Congyuan remarked.

"Pingyang City is an extremely small place. Every year, the disciples from there are weak, almost always ranking at the bottom. That is why the Master assigned these two to Zhou Zheng—because they are all the same kind," Shen Congyuan explained with a laugh, his eyes filled with contempt.

"I don't know where you get your sense of superiority. I am from Pingyang City, and I am indeed very weak, but I can still thrash you without a doubt!" Wu Tian finally spoke, his tone as domineering as ever.

Shen Congyuan’s smile froze, and his face turned gloomy. "What did you say?!"

"Are you deaf, or is there something wrong with your brain? You didn't hear me? I said I would thrash you without a doubt!" Wu Tian did not back down, speaking louder and enunciating every word.

Shen Congyuan’s expression shifted, and he shouted, "A newcomer with such a big mouth, not even respecting your senior brother! Where the hell do you get your courage? Do you believe I’ll slap you?"

"I certainly don't respect you. If you're not happy about it, let's fight one-on-one!" Wu Tian stood up, staring coldly at Shen Congyuan.