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Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Just like this, you want to compete with me?
"This Luo Cheng is just too foolish to compete with Gao Ming in speed. Gao Ming is a Sixth Layer Transcendence Realm Martial Artist, with thriving vitality, Essence Qi burning like fire, and possessing the Three Forms Power, capable of exerting seventy-five thousand pounds of force! Isn’t he just slamming himself into a wall?"
"Haha, what do you know? Losing in terms of speed can be attributed to lower cultivation levels. At least it won’t be as embarrassing on the surface."
"Makes sense! It seems Luo Cheng knows he’s bound to lose in this competition and just wants to go down with a little more dignity!"
"Of course."
The crowd buzzed with discussions, and not one person on the scene believed that Luo Cheng could win.
"It’s over!"
Gu Lingfeng couldn’t help but shake his head.
He had harbored a sliver of hope initially.
But upon hearing that it was a competition of speed, that last shred of hope was completely extinguished.
"I hope for a miracle..."
Yuan Zhilan silently prayed while looking toward the entrance of Song Yuan Valley.
Outside Song Yuan Valley.
Luo Cheng and Gao Ming were sprinting forward, one in the front and the other behind.
Upon closer observation, both of them were employing the same footwork technique.
Gao Ming ran ahead, glancing back at Luo Cheng, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"He’s actually mastered the basic steps of Mist Shadow Step—no wonder he dares to be so arrogant!"
Gao Ming never would have thought that in just three days, Luo Cheng had grasped what took him two to three months to learn!
"Unfortunately, you’re overly arrogant and incredibly foolish! To dare to challenge me in speed! You’re destined for an utter defeat and total disgrace!"
Gao Ming’s gaze turned icy, and he sneered inwardly without a trace of panic.
As a Sixth Layer Transcendence Realm Martial Artist, he inherently had a speed advantage, and winning was child’s play!
Whoosh!
Taking a deep breath, Gao Ming sped up again, gradually widening the gap between himself and Luo Cheng.
Yet Luo Cheng followed behind at an unhurried pace.
His ability to use Essence Energy was currently his trump card, something he didn’t want to reveal too soon in front of others.
Fortunately, the road to Cuiliu Peak would pass through a large forest. He could surpass Gao Ming there when the moment was right.
After a quarter-hour, a dense forest came into view for both of them.
The forest was filled with towering trees, shrouded in mist, with countless small paths barely visible within.
At this moment, Luo Cheng was already two to three hundred meters behind Gao Ming!
"Kid, get ready to lick my boots!"
Gao Ming cast a glance back at Luo Cheng, grinned menacingly, and plunged into the forest.
Moments later, Luo Cheng entered another forest path.
"Just about time!"
Seeing no one else around, Luo Cheng immediately activated his Essence Energy and employed Mist Shadow Step. n𝚘vp𝚞𝚋.com
Whoosh!
In an instant, Luo Cheng’s speed soared severalfold. His figure streaked through the forest, leaving behind an afterimage. Even the mist among the trees was torn apart in a long, direct corridor!
Over the past two days, aside from practicing Heavenly Cauldron Fist, Luo Cheng had been honing his Mist Shadow Step, which was now incredibly refined.
As he executed his steps, his shadow stretched longer, and his speed grew faster. With a single point of his toes, he crossed over ten meters, appearing as though he was gliding across the ground!
Before long, Luo Cheng had raced out of the forest.
In the distance, a verdant green mountain shrouded in spiritual mist loomed grandly over the land—it was Cuiliu Peak!
"He should still be in there, right?"
Luo Cheng looked back toward the forest, his eyes glinting with sharp light.
If Gao Ming maintained his previous pace, he was likely still nowhere near the center of the forest.
Paying it no further mind, Luo Cheng sprinted directly toward Cuiliu Peak.
At the foot of Cuiliu Peak was a massive boulder, over ten zhang tall, lying tilted on the ground, with three magnificent characters carved into it: "Cuiliu Peak!"
This was the boundary marker of Cuiliu Peak!
Luo Cheng’s figure flickered as he appeared on the left side of the marker. Gathering his Palm Force, he pressed his hand down on it.
Rustle!
The material of the boundary stone was exceptionally hard. Even with Luo Cheng’s strength, he only managed to leave a half-inch deep handprint.
After a moment of thought, Luo Cheng drew his Meteor Sword.
Swish swish swish!
As swift as a dragon’s flight and as fluid as a snake’s slither, Luo Cheng engraved his name and the date onto a hidden part of the rock.
"Now, no one can dispute it, right?"
Nodding in satisfaction, Luo Cheng sheathed his sword and started heading back.
Upon returning to the edge of the forest, Luo Cheng still didn’t see Gao Ming.
"I guess I overestimated his speed."
Muttering to himself, Luo Cheng shook his head and darted back into the forest.
After the span of a dozen breaths.
Whoosh!
A figure rushed out of the forest—it was Gao Ming.
He dashed to the boundary marker, left his handprint, then glanced back and, not seeing Luo Cheng’s figure, revealed a smug grin:
"Is that all? And you thought you could compete with me in speed?"
"This time, I’ll make sure you lose so thoroughly you’ll have to admit to everyone you’re nothing but trash!"
Just imagining the reward he was about to claim and the chance to humiliate Luo Cheng publicly left Gao Ming trembling with excitement. He executed Mist Shadow Step and started heading back.
Song Yuan Valley, Arena 37.
As time passed, the crowd’s gaze grew increasingly fervent.
Although the outcome of this competition seemed predestined.
Until the truth was revealed, the crowd remained eager with anticipation.
Many Outer Disciples speculated how far behind Luo Cheng would fall when returning to Song Yuan Valley.
"I think Luo Cheng will be at least half an incense stick’s worth of time behind Gao Ming!"
"Haha, Junior Brother Yan, you’re overestimating him. That piece of trash isn’t even in the same league as Gao Ming. I say he’ll lag by at least a full incense stick’s worth of time!"
The crowd buzzed with chatter.
"Hand over the Essence Energy Pill!"
At this moment, a few figures approached Yuan Zhilan. They were the Outer Disciples who had wagered alongside Gao Ming.
Yuan Zhilan furrowed her delicate brows and clutched her pouch tightly, "Why? The competition isn’t over yet!"
The slightly plump Cui Wen chuckled, "Does it matter if it’s over? Surely you’re not deluding yourself into thinking Luo Cheng can actually beat Gao Ming?"
"Why not! At any rate, let’s wait for the competition to finish before talking!"
Biting her red lips softly, Yuan Zhilan retorted.
In her heart, she too found it hard to believe that Luo Cheng could triumph.
But to admit defeat now would be utterly humiliating!
Hehe!
Cui Wen chuckled dismissively, shaking his head lazily, "Are you seriously still clinging to hope for a piece of trash..."
Before he could finish his sentence, an exclamation suddenly echoed through the air.
"Huh, someone seems to be coming back! Could it be Gao Ming?"
In the distance, a figure was rapidly approaching Arena 37.
"Impossible! It hasn’t been that long. Even Gao Ming shouldn’t be able to return so quickly!"
"Hmm, it must be a coincidence then."
The crowd turned to look.
Almost everyone agreed that it couldn’t possibly be Gao Ming returning.
The distance between Song Yuan Valley and Cuiliu Peak spanned dozens of miles. At Gao Ming’s speed, there was no way he could complete the round trip so quickly.
As for Luo Cheng, no one even mentioned him.
Not only did nobody mention him, but they didn’t even think of him.
Because it was simply impossible!
The figure moved at incredible speed. Moments later, they were less than a hundred meters away from Arena 37.
At that moment, the crowd finally saw the person’s face clearly.
Clad in the signature moon-white robes of the Outer Sect, with the distinctive "Xuan" emblem of Xuanyuan Sect on the chest and a long sword at his waist, the figure exuded an extraordinary presence.
At the sight of who it was, all sounds abruptly ceased. The silence was deafening, and all eyes were wide with shock.
Sha Qi furrowed his brows deeply, "How could it be him?!"
Swish!
The figure landed in front of Arena 37—it was Luo Cheng!
