Volume 1, Chapter 26: Noticing Something Amiss

Wang Zide gave a cold snort and said with disdain, "Talk nonsense all you want, I know my disciple's character well. Regardless of the circumstances, he would never forfeit a match. I suspect he was simply delayed by something."

Lin Yang shrugged, offering no further comment. After speaking, however, a trace of concern flickered across Wang Zide’s face. After all, regardless of the reason, if Zhao Feng did not appear within the allotted time, he would be automatically disqualified. "Feng-er, where on earth are you..." Wang Zide muttered to himself. Yet, even more anxious than Wang Zide was Wu Qingshan.

Wu Qingshan’s eyes darted frantically across every corner of the competition arena, but he could not find a trace of Zhao Feng. "Damn it! Where the hell has that brat run off to?" Originally, Wu Qingshan had planned for the two of them to retreat in success and leave the Great Desolate Immortal Sect once Zhao Feng killed Lin Hongye. But now, with Zhao Feng nowhere to be found, his plans were thrown into total disarray.

Just as the time was nearly up and Wu Qingshan was about to stand up and make excuses for his disciple, Zhao Feng finally appeared. He leaped onto the stage, his eyes bloodshot and brimming with a faint, murderous intent. Seeing that Zhao Feng had finally arrived, Wu Qingshan let out a heavy sigh of relief. If the boy hadn't shown up, he would have had to stall Zhang Xianfeng for more time. If Zhao Feng didn't kill Lin Hongye today, the plans of the Bloodthirsty Demon Sect would be completely derailed.

Wang Zide also breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Zhao Feng, but upon observing his state, he frowned, sensing something was wrong. "This... why is his state so strange?" Wang Zide watched the aura radiating from Zhao Feng—bloodthirsty and savage, like a demon. As Zhao Feng’s master, he could clearly see that something was amiss, but with the match about to begin, he decided to address it afterward.

He was not the only one to notice. The disciples in the stands looked at Zhao Feng with confusion. "What's going on? Senior Brother’s usual demeanor isn't like this, is it?" "Exactly. He is usually such a refined person, so why does his current aura feel like that of a demonic cultivator?"

"Is this really our Senior Brother? His energy feels completely wrong."

From his seat on the peak master’s platform, Wu Qingshan watched Zhao Feng’s state on the stage with a secret sense of glee. As the creator of the Yaksha Pill, he could naturally tell that Zhao Feng had already consumed the drug. Judging by his appearance, Zhao Feng had taken the entire dose, leaving nothing behind. "Good lad, you didn't let my efforts go to waste. I don't believe that with this pill in your system, you still can't defeat Lin Hongye!"

In truth, Wu Qingshan had lied to Zhao Feng; with his alchemy skills, it was impossible to halve the side effects of the Yaksha Pill. However, he felt no guilt over deceiving him. So what if he lied? Zhao Feng was merely a pawn; being lied to was of no consequence. How could a pawn planted in an opposing sect possess true loyalty? Even if he did, who would dare use him once he returned to his own sect? Therefore, from the very beginning, Wu Qingshan never intended for Zhao Feng to return to the Bloodthirsty Demon Sect alive. It was all a lie. All he needed was to maximize the utility of this pawn.

On the Chiyang Peak seating area, Lu Chen, as a Sword Immortal from the Upper Realm, possessed even more experience than Lin Hongye. He could tell at a glance that Zhao Feng had definitely taken some sort of pill to boost his strength. "Hmph! I actually thought highly of you, believing that despite your average skill, you had a decent temperament. Now it seems you are nothing but a hypocrite."

Lu Chen grumbled to himself and was about to raise his hand to report the scoundrel, when a voice echoed in his mind: "Don't be in such a hurry to report him. Let's see what Hongye wants to do."

Lu Chen recognized the voice as Lin Yang’s. He looked toward him in confusion, and Lin Yang met his gaze. Realizing it was a telepathic transmission, Lu Chen asked, "Master, that scoundrel Zhao Feng is using a pill to boost his strength. Shouldn't we expose him?"

"No matter what, Zhao Feng is the Senior Brother of our Great Desolate Immortal Sect. If we expose the Senior Brother for using performance-enhancing drugs in the Sect Grand Competition in front of everyone... regardless of the truth, it will damage our sect's reputation. Besides, it is Hongye who must fight him. Let us see how she handles it. If a report is to be made, it should come from her. As spectators, we should just watch quietly for now. We can report Zhao Feng after the match concludes."

Lu Chen looked at Lin Hongye on the stage and saw that she had no intention of backing down. He shook his head in frustration and chose to let things be for the moment.

Zhang Xianfeng, sitting on the Sect Master’s throne, also sensed that something was wrong. Realizing Zhao Feng had used a secret drug, a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes, but he ultimately shook his head in resignation. His thoughts mirrored Lin Yang’s—no matter what, they would wait until the match was over.

Wang Zide gritted his teeth, his eyes showing a mix of disappointment and deep shock. He cast a glance toward Zhang Xianfeng on the Sect Master’s throne, but finally, he unclenched his fists and said nothing more.

On the stage, Lin Hongye looked at Zhao Feng with disgust, as if she were witnessing something vile. She used a telepathic transmission to speak to him: "Senior Brother Zhao, I thought highly of you, but I never expected you to resort to using a secret drug. Win or lose, I only wish to see a fair match. Your behavior truly disappoints me."

Though Zhao Feng appeared bloodthirsty and wild on the surface, he was actually quite calm within. Facing Lin Hongye’s disappointed words, he offered a bitter smile. "Junior Sister Lin, if you were in my position, you would have no choice either."

Lin Hongye was confused. "I know that as the Senior Brother of the sect, you are under great pressure, but is winning at all costs the example you should be setting for the disciples?"

"The position I speak of is not what you think..."

"If our paths are different, there is no need to converse! I do not wish to hear more. Draw your sword!"

Lin Hongye severed the telepathic link and drew her Chiyang Immortal Sword. A look of desolation flashed in Zhao Feng's eyes; even a person to listen to his grievances was gone now.

The referee elder saw this and immediately announced in a loud voice, "The match... shall begin!"