Chapter 76: Poverty, The Semi-Finals

Chapter 76: Poverty, The Semi-Finals

The semi-finals had begun.

Xiong Wenwu’s dramatic blood loss immediately drew the crowd’s attention. Spectators gawked at the blood-soaked floor, stunned to see Songyang High’s students had defeated Red Pagoda High’s strongest contender.

Hu Yuntao rushed to Xiong’s side, carrying him to the infirmary. When he learned the hemorrhage stemmed from hemorrhoids, Hu instinctively clenched his own backside.

“What now? Do we operate? Recur every few months and keep paying for surgeries?”

The thought of mounting medical bills made Hu grimace. “Damn it! Why am I an external hemorrhoid case? Why not internal? At least internal ones get protected by Physique Cultivation techniques! I wouldn’t have to waste money on surgeries!”

A nearby competition coach patted his shoulder, smirking. “You poor kid. When your head’s the weak spot, what do you think everyone does?”

“Train Iron Head Art, obviously!” Hu’s eyes lit up. “Wait—you mean—?”

“Exactly.” The coach’s tone turned icy as he stared at Hu and the unconscious Xiong Wenwu on the operating table. “Back at school, prepare for intensive training. The Dragon Council Trustee is furious about your performance.”

An attending physician nearby thought bitterly, The head’s a vital spot. Why not wear a helmet?

---

Elsewhere in the emergency ward, Bai Zhenzhen’s face darkened as the doctor quoted her treatment costs. After confirming the price multiple times, she said flatly, “Forget scar removal or cosmetic fixes. Just use the fastest, cheapest method. This way, insurance covers it, right?”

The doctor sighed. “Fine. 98,000 credits covered by insurance. But these wounds will scar… badly.”

As he spoke, Spiritual Power surged through his hands, blurring as he cleaned wounds, reset bones, stitched flesh, staunched blood, and applied healing ointments. Finally, he channeled a wave of restorative energy into Bai’s body.

Though costly, his skill was undeniable. Half an hour later, Bai felt mostly healed—though fresh scars now marred her arms, thighs, calves, and waist.

Back in the rest area, Bai flexed her limbs. “Not bad. Feels like 80-90% capacity.” She dismissed the scars—luxuries like scar removal were for the wealthy.

Lei Jun watched her, conflicted. “You’re still fighting?”

“Of course,” Bai grinned. “Beat Le Muran next round, and I’ll face Yu in the finals. First and second place—wouldn’t that make you proud, Old Lei?”

Lei sighed. “Your insurance is nearly drained. I’ve seen Le Muran fight—her sword qi is razor-sharp, wide-range. Fighting her? Medical bills could hit hundreds of thousands. Maybe millions.”

Bai fell silent.

“You’re already in the top four. That’s impressive enough. Why risk more?”

Unspoken: You can’t even apply to the Ten Great Sects Academy. This tournament doesn’t matter that much to you.

Lei pressed on. “Your style always gets injured. If you had millions saved, I’d stay quiet. But are you really willing to gamble tens—maybe hundreds—of thousands in debt for this competition?”

Before Bai could answer, Zhang Yu limped over, freshly treated.

Lei groaned inwardly. Zhang’s out too.

But Zhang stretched casually. “Don’t worry, Old Lei. I dodged vital points. Just flesh wounds.”

“I just mastered a Body Hardening Art yesterday. Looks worse than it is. Insurance only cost 30,000.”

Lei checked his injuries, surprised. “You actually… aren’t hurt badly?”

“Go grab us food. Rest up.”

After Lei left, Zhang glanced at Bai. “Heard your talk. My credit’s maxed, but I can borrow 200,000 from my sister. Enough for your next match?”

Bai shook her head. “I’ll handle my own debts. But Le Muran’s tough—might need 400,000 to survive.”

Zhang sighed. “Wish we were rich, huh?”

Two lifetimes poor—what else could he say?

---

When the quarter-finals ended and all fighters stabilized, the semi-final lineup announced: Zhang Yu, Song Hailong, Le Muran, and Bai Zhenzhen.

The bracket: Zhang Yu vs. Song Hailong, Le Muran vs. Bai Zhenzhen. The winners would face off for the championship.

After a draw, the order set: Le Muran vs. Bai Zhenzhen first, then Zhang Yu vs. Song Hailong.

---

On stage, Le Muran eyed Bai’s scars, her nose wrinkling. “Why keep those?”

“Can’t afford fixes,” Bai shrugged.

Le Muran recoiled. She’d known poverty existed, but scars left untreated? Unbelievable.

This is what destitution looks like? Terrifying.

Facing an opponent too broke to heal, Le Muran’s fighting spirit wavered, replaced by pity.

Bai had exploited Xiong Wenwu’s weakness, but Le Muran remained confident. Against all freshmen, she had no equal. Her Celestial Array Sword Art had no flaws.

“Three… two… one—begin!”

Le Muran’s fingers flicked. Razor-sharp sword qi slashed through the air, spanning five meters—the pinnacle of her 5th-level technique.

Bai Zhenzhen countered with Body-Piercing Sword Qi, but quickly realized Le Muran’s attack pattern mimicked a battlefield formation. Each strike connected, cornering her from all angles.

Every step forward met denser assaults. She felt trapped in a phantom array, space shrinking as Le Muran’s relentless qi closed in.

She activated Stealth State—only to be exposed moments later by colliding sword qi.

Too fast. Too dense. Her speed couldn’t dodge outright.

Could she wait for Le Muran’s Spiritual Power to deplete? Impossible—Le Muran’s reserves showed no sign of exhaustion. Bai’s own energy would run dry first.

Stealth’s only useful as a surprise, Bai realized. Once they adapt…

Le Muran’s voice cut through. “My Celestial Array Sword Art is flawless. Without a powerful protective technique, no peer can close the distance.”

Bai disagreed silently. Her weaknesses exist… but my stats aren’t high enough. Even if I win, the cost…

“Could cost 300,000… 400,000.”

The thought of debt froze her resolve. She’d pierced Xiong Wenwu’s storm of attacks, but now—

Hesitation means defeat. I’ve already lost my edge.

Seconds later, surrounded by sword qi, Bai raised a hand. “I forfeit.”

Stepping offstage, she exhaled. Still too weak. Too poor.

“Tell Yu the weakness. Let him avenge me. He’s richer—won’t bleed as much.”

With Le Muran’s victory, the second semi-final began: Zhang Yu vs. Song Hailong.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end