https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-380-The-Second-Half-of-the-Battle/13686966/
Chapter 381: What's the Point of Competing Without Money? (Thank You, 'Angry Cat' for the Patronage)
Ma Xuan’s mind raced, his thoughts flashing like lightning. In an instant, he made his decision.
Good. Now’s the perfect chance—crush Zhang Yu and send him packing.
Without hesitation, he issued the command through the competition group chat:
“Attack! Use the plan we agreed on—knock him out!”
After the first half, Ma Xuan and his teammates had already analyzed their battle data, especially their experience fighting Zhang Yu, and updated their combat strategy accordingly.
Now, his mind was a storm of tactical insight.
Compared to his first training session half a year ago, Zhang Yu has made staggering progress.
His Physical Strength Level, Martial Energy capacity, combat techniques, even the rank of his Jiuxiao Yun Kongjin—everything is leagues ahead.
The old tactics—powerful strikes, one-on-one combat—have proven ineffective in actual combat.
Especially with his 20th-level Jiuxiao Yun Kongjin, capable of rebounding up to twenty attacks...
After the first half, they had finally taken Zhang Yu seriously.
And so, Ma Xuan’s new strategy was clear:
Reduce the power of each strike, but increase the number of strikes per second.
No heavy blows—just a barrage of rapid, consecutive hits.
That way, each strike is weaker, so even if he rebounds it, it won’t matter.
And the relentless, torrential assault will drain Zhang Yu’s stamina fast.
Second, remote attacks are ideal—minimizing the risk of being hit back.
To implement this, Ma Xuan and his team had already ordered takeout and upgraded their gear before the second half began.
And the weapon used matters too.
With a sharp exhale, Ma Xuan spat out a stream of silver particles, which poured like liquid silver onto the ground beneath him.
The Silver Sand—ordered during his break.
When mixed with Mud and Sand, it dramatically increased the material’s strength and resilience. Combined with his Xiao Sanhe and Zhi Di Cheng Gang, it amplified the destruction of Zhang Yu’s Gang Qi to devastating levels.
The effect was powerful—just as expensive.
Ma Xuan had never expected to use such a luxury in this match against Shi Huaixu’s team.
He muttered inwardly: I wonder how much I’ll recover after this.
At the same time, he activated the Eye Armor’s recording function—already planning to reclaim the Silver Sand afterward.
As the silver particles soaked into the earth, a radiant web of silver spread outward from his feet.
In the next instant, Ma Xuan channeled his Martial Energy.
The ground beneath him surged upward—silver arms erupting like roots, twisting and stretching like branches.
Xiao Sanhe shaped the Mud and Sand.
Zhi Di Cheng Gang reinforced its strength.
Silver Sand further enhanced both strength and durability.
Dozens of silver limbs rose—then hundreds—each one a fist, a palm, a finger—lashing out in a torrential storm toward Zhang Yu.
This was Ma Xuan’s 20th-level Martial Art, Wuxiang Qianshou—powered by Zhi Di Cheng Gang, shaped by Xiao Sanhe, amplified by Silver Sand.
Facing the overwhelming onslaught, Zhang Yu let out a low, fierce cry and instantly activated Wuxiang Yun'gang to defend.
Pang! Pang! Pang!
The air exploded with impact as Zhang Yu’s Gang Qi surged outward like storm-wracked clouds.
Feeling the relentless barrage, Zhang Yu thought: Hmph… Have they finally found a way to counter Jiuxiao Yun Kongjin?
But even as Ma Xuan struck, the other three teammates moved too.
Yang Yan had switched into brand-new Heart Spirit Armor and Hand Spirit Armor, rented just during the break.
As the Heart Spirit Armor pulsed violently, Martial Energy flooded through it—transforming into electric charges that surged through his bloodstream.
Then, with a flick of his fingers, the bloodflow passed through the Hand Spirit Armor’s electromagnetic acceleration system, triggering the embedded 20th-level technique: Dan Zhi Jing Xue.
Instantly, a shower of crackling blood shadows burst from his body—flying toward Zhang Yu like a storm of lightning.
Each Blood Thunder consumed Martial Energy, amplified by both armors, and driven by the 20th-level Dan Zhi Jing Xue technique.
But since the Spirit Armors were rented, the cost was calculated per Blood Thunder—each one costing 0.02 Lingbi.
Watching the bill on his Eye Armor skyrocket, Yang Yan’s eyes blazed with battle lust.
Zhang Yu! You damn well better lose already!
The more the cost rose, the more his battle spirit surged.
The Heart Spirit Armor beat faster, the bill climbed faster, and as his cultivation technique flowed, it fed back into his mind—fueling even greater will, strength, and speed.
Yang Yan knew this was the plan all along.
He always relied on rental Spirit Armors—showcasing his wealth, flaunting his resources, and most importantly, using the ever-rising bill to drive himself into a frenzy.
Because renting meant he had to use the armor as efficiently and quickly as possible to save money.
And saving money while achieving the same results? That was a form of profit.
Every time he thought of this, his mind burned hotter, his cultivation technique surged harder, and his battle spirit reached new heights.
Meanwhile, Ji Susu also activated her attack.
To counter Zhang Yu, she needed a new approach.
But for the past month, the senior student had already spent every last deposit she had—investing in her strength before the match.
Seeing Ma Xuan and Yang Yan drop money like water, she had no choice but to take out a Lingbi loan and rent a new Hand Spirit Armor—replacing her old one.
The new one, named Kong Hoo Sword, could absorb air and compress it into electrical thunder when infused with Martial Energy. Then, wrapped in Gang Qi, it fired out Qi Bao Jian—lightning-like energy blades.
But since it was temporary rental, the fee was astronomical. Worse, because she was competing, she was denied insurance altogether.
From the start, Ji Susu had been cautious—constantly checking the durability readout on her hand armor.
It had dropped from 95% at the beginning to 94% now.
Durability was a composite estimate based on wear and tear across all components.
Once it fell below 20%, serious malfunctions occurred. Below 10%, it became unusable. At 0%, it was completely destroyed.
And Ji Susu knew: if the durability dropped more than 10% above the initial, maintenance fees would spike sharply.
She vowed in her heart: I’ll end this fight before durability hits 85%.
Now, she channeled her Martial Energy, activating her 15th-level Chi Huo Gang Qi. She poured it into her hand armor and unleashed a barrage of fiery Qi Bao Jian.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each strike exploded against Zhang Yu’s Wuxiang Force, creating shockwaves of fire and wind.
Meanwhile, Bu Ziran, at the edge of the battlefield, finally released the sword qi he had been holding back.
During the break, he’d replayed his humiliating defeat in the first half—his face burning with anger.
To counter Zhang Yu in the second half, he’d changed his lung Spirit Armor’s output mode—from the usual Fei Jin Jian Qi to the more aggressive Geng Jin Niumao Jian Qi.
He also swapped his hand armor for a backup one—Ji Jian—capable of high-speed sword techniques.
But Ji Jian was a seldom-used spare. It hadn’t been maintained in months. The self-check showed only 33% durability.
Bu Ziran frowned slightly.
It’s fine. This fight won’t wear it down much. I’ll fix it after the match.
Now, he channeled Geng Jin Niumao Jian Qi through his lungs, poured it into his right hand, and unleashed his 15th-level Martial Art: Tian Pu Jian.
In an instant, golden sword qi erupted—like a river of heaven pouring down, interwoven with glowing golden threads, engulfing Zhang Yu in a storm of divine blades.
For the first time in the battle, Zhang Yu faced his greatest threat.
Ma Xuan’s Wuxiang Qianshou.
Yang Yan’s Dan Zhi Jing Xue.
Ji Susu’s Qi Bao Jian.
Bu Ziran’s Tian Pu Jian.
Each technique had been enhanced—by materials, Spirit Armors, and refined techniques—building power in layers until they surpassed their original strength.
And worse, the sheer volume of attacks overwhelmed the very system that had once protected him—Jiuxiao Yun Kongjin.
With Gang Qi trembling and draining rapidly, sword qi, flames, blood thunder, and silver palms tore through his Wuxiang Yun'gang, smashing into his body again and again.
In seconds, Zhang Yu was riddled with over a dozen wounds. Blood streaked his skin, painting him like a battlefield ghost.
If only I had Xiao Qingxuan’s 20-hit Nine Dragons Gang Qi Palm right now.
But Zhang Yu knew—his Jiuxiao Yun Kongjin could rebound force, but only store it briefly in the empty cavities. There was no Nine Dragons Gang Qi Palm energy in his body at all.
Yet, with his Third Eye Ability scanning the entire arena, he remained calm.
This passive defense won’t work. I need a breakthrough.
“Hah!”
Zhang Yu roared, his Wuxiang Yun'gang suddenly surging outward, expanding in all directions.
Amid the swirling clouds, countless figures formed—flashing toward every side, charging into the enemy’s assault.
Pang! Pang! Pang!
Each silhouette exploded under the combined fire.
But in the chaos, Zhang Yu’s true body used the moment to break free—and shot straight toward the nearest target: Bu Ziran.
Remote attacks do indeed counter my style.
But they have a flaw: when I close the distance, your attacks weaken… and risk hitting your own teammates.
If I’m going to get hit… let’s make someone else get hit too.
Seeing Bu Ziran sprinting backward in panic, Zhang Yu grinned—a cold, cruel smile.
And then he charged forward.
Why Bu Ziran?
Because Zhang Yu remembered how flamboyantly he’d shown off his wealth in the competition group chat.
Fujie thought: Zhang Yu’s always been the type to hate the rich.
(End of Chapter)
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