Chapter 124: Ning Fengzhi's Fatal Nemesis
Bone Douluo thought for a moment, then shook his head. "If my injuries recover, winning against Tang Hao shouldn't be a problem. But I can't do what Qin Xuan did."
"What if it were you?" Sword Douluo asked. "Could you dodge his sword?"
At this, Gu Rong broke out in a cold sweat. He probably wouldn't have been able to dodge either and could only have relied on his Martial Soul Avatar for defense.
The battle between Qin Xuan and Tang Hao was just a small interlude. Because no Spirit Abilities were used, the fight was too high-level for most to comprehend, leaving them bewildered as to how Tang Hao was even defeated.
The Sect Competition proper, however, was different. It was a pure clash between Spirit Masters, a visual feast of flashy Spirit Abilities from the most powerful Martial Souls in the world. But it was also incredibly brutal. The masters of the Lower Four Clans all risked their lives in a futile attempt to seize a spot among the Upper Three Clans. In the end, they all lost. The gap between a Spirit Douluo and a Titled Douluo was simply too vast.
Thus, the top three spots still fell to the Clear Sky Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
However, to everyone's surprise, Ning Fengzhi stood up and said, "Your Excellency, Supreme Pontiff, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan forfeits this round."
Forfeit? Although Bone Douluo had been crippled, Sword Douluo was uninjured. Why would they give up?
"Please state your reason," Qian Xunji frowned. The main purpose of the competition was to weaken the Upper Three Clans through infighting. This forfeiture would greatly reduce its effectiveness.
Feeling the questioning gazes, Ning Fengzhi's lips curled into a subtle, triumphant arc. He was about to spin a narrative of being oppressed by Spirit Hall, but before he could speak, another voice echoed.
"'Big Brother', perhaps I know," Qin Xuan said.
As soon as he spoke, Ning Fengzhi's heart sank.
"Speak," Qian Xunji said, surprised.
"It's very simple," Qin Xuan began. "I believe everyone knows that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's one-eyed Douluo wanted to assassinate me, but had his eye gouged out and his leg crippled by my wife. His injuries are quite severe."
"What does this have to do with them forfeiting?" Qian Xunji's mouth twitched. This guy was really going to dig a grave for them. After today, "One-Eyed Douluo" would likely replace Gu Rong's title completely.
"My apologies, my apologies, I misspoke," Qin Xuan said, though he was anything but sorry. "Senior Gu Rong, it should be more appropriate to call him Crippled Leg Douluo, or perhaps Complete Douluo. Remaining strong despite physical disability, you know."
After mocking him, he continued, "Originally, my wife estimated that Complete Douluo would need to be bedridden for at least ten days. The fact that he's up and about now means Sword Douluo must have consumed a large amount of spirit power last night to stabilize his injuries. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan isn't forfeiting because they don't want to contend for the number one spot, but because they are powerless to do so."
After hearing his words, everyone was enlightened. The masters of the Lower Four Clans were especially regretful.
"Damn it! I knew something felt off when Sword Douluo was holding back against me!"
"Exactly! It's Ning Fengzhi acting like a big shot again. That kid loves to pull this kind of stunt."
"This old man is enraged!" shouted Hu Yanba of the Elephant Armored Clan. "I should have noticed his state was off and persevered longer! My clan could have been among the Upper Three!"
"You can try," Sword Douluo's sharp eyes glared at him. "Even if my spirit power is less than sixty percent of its peak, it's not something a mere Spirit Douluo like you can challenge."
This, however, was tantamount to an admission that he was not in his peak state.
Could it be that this scoundrel Qin Xuan is truly the destined bane of my clan? Ning Fengzhi looked helplessly at his only remaining pillar of support and suddenly felt an urge to cry.
"Clan Master Ning, is that true?" Qian Xunji asked, thoroughly enjoying the show. At this moment, even he couldn't help but start to like Qin Xuan.
What else could Ning Fengzhi say? He could only hide his embarrassment with a smile.
Yu Yuanzhen saw that he had admitted it and curled his lips in disdain. "Last night he said he would deliberately give the opportunity to my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Thankfully, I didn't agree. It turns out he was just trying to get something for nothing." He then added a soul-crushing remark, "Chen Xin, by following Ning Fengzhi, you've also fallen."
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