"Eggie, are you going to use the eighth slash?" Suddenly, Eggie asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
Because the Azure Firmament Sealing Slash was no ordinary technique — it placed extreme demands on the body. With Chu Feng's current cultivation and physical condition, using the seventh slash already caused mild discomfort. But if he used the eighth, the backlash would be severe.
"To defeat it for good, I have no choice but to use the eighth slash." Chu Feng nodded.
Even at the risk of suffering backlash from the Azure Firmament Sealing Slash, he had to press on. To defeat Wang Qiang, Chu Feng had no choice but to use the eighth slash.
And so, Chu Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. Lightning churned rapidly within them as a cold, sharp intent grew denser and denser. At last, the martial power within his body shifted, and he bellowed — "Eighth—"
"Stop!!!"
"I... I surrender." But before Chu Feng could unleash the eighth slash, a shout suddenly rang out. Looking closer, he saw it was Wang Qiang.
Wang Qiang was deathly pale and drenched in sweat. Not only had he waved his sleeve to disperse the Purple Crystal Earth Beast, but he was also holding a white flag, waving it frantically.
"I surrender. I-I... I surrender. Stop — stop fighting. You got me, alright?" Wang Qiang continued.
In that moment, everyone was stunned — Chu Feng included. No one had expected that, in the heat of such a fierce battle, Wang Qiang would suddenly surrender.
Surrendering — for a martial cultivator, that was the ultimate taboo. It was an act of profound shame. Many would rather risk death in battle than ever utter the word "surrender."
Yet here was Wang Qiang, clearly far from the point of being fought to death, openly surrendering — and doing so with such composure, such casualness. It was hard not to admire him for it.
"This little tyrant has no shame at all. Just moments ago he was swearing he'd put Chu Feng to death, and now he's surrendering." Someone couldn't take it anymore and began mocking Wang Qiang.
As for Chu Feng, he said nothing, maintaining a calm and magnanimous demeanor.
After all, since he hadn't used the eighth slash, he didn't have to suffer the backlash. And with Wang Qiang's surrender, his victory was secured.
Forcing one's opponent to surrender after a fierce battle — that somehow seemed more impressive than simply defeating them with raw strength.
Besides, he had no real grudge against Wang Qiang. The man had a foul mouth, but Chu Feng didn't actually harbor much ill will toward him, so he saw no need to humiliate him.
"Tch, what do you... you guys know? This is called a wise man not fighting when the odds are against him."
"Besides, what era is this? Still going around fighting and killing — you people are so... so... so uncultured."
Wang Qiang was truly shameless. From the very beginning, he had been the one crying for blood and vowing to kill Chu Feng. Yet now he had done a complete about-face, pinning all the blame on everyone else.
He played the part of the innocent victim, acting as though it were everyone else's fault.
"What? Who's been fighting and killing? That was you, wasn't it?" Sure enough, someone began calling Wang Qiang out.
But Wang Qiang was clearly an old hand at this. He refused to take the bait, ignoring those who saw through him entirely, and simply carried on:
"What is this place?"
"This — this is Sealed Village! And what is Sealed Village known for?"
"It's — it's — barrier techniques! Since we're going to compete, let's compete with barrier techniques!"
"Right, barrier techniques. Chu Feng, you and me — barrier techniques. Do you... do you dare?" Wang Qiang said to Chu Feng.
"Sure. How do you want to compete?" Chu Feng asked with a smile.
"Whoa, you're... you're not afraid of anything, are you? I say compete, and you just... agree?" Seeing Chu Feng accept without a moment's hesitation, Wang Qiang faltered. He clearly hadn't expected that, in addition to being powerful in combat, Chu Feng would be so confident in barrier techniques as well.
"I don't believe I'll lose — so why should I be afraid?" Chu Feng said with a smile.
"Now that's some backbone!" Hearing these words, the onlookers erupted in cheers.
Though both Chu Feng and Wang Qiang were powerful, by now Chu Feng had won over everyone's hearts, while Wang Qiang had lost them all.
Almost everyone felt some degree of distaste toward Wang Qiang, while their admiration for Chu Feng was boundless.
To put it bluntly, even if Chu Feng broke wind right now, someone would probably say it smelled sweet. But no matter what Wang Qiang did, most people wouldn't buy it.