Chapter 009: Zhao Feiyun's Fury, The Stakes of the Duel

Zhuge Xiang! I will kill you!" With a face ashen and dark enough to almost drip with water, Zhao Feiyun shouted loudly, looking at Li Bin who had been poisoned to death. The intense hatred and murderous intent made the disciples nearby, who were carrying the stretcher, tremble in fear.

"Rest assured, I will definitely not lose." Seeing the worried expression on Niu Geng's face, and without waiting for him to speak, Zhuge Xiang preemptively interrupted him

Watching the hurried figures of several disciples leaving, Zhao Feilong had Li Bin's body buried before returning to his room alone. "There are still twelve days left. I must break through again before the grand competition and elevate my strength to the second layer of the Qi Nourishing Realm in order to secure a better ranking"

Over the past year, the sacrifices made by Niu Geng have not gone unnoticed by Zhuge Xiang. If he were truly a blindly loyal person, it would be one thing, but today the truth has been revealed. Zhuge Xiang understands that this seemingly simple and loyal Niu Geng has a mind as clear as a mirror. Naturally, Zhuge Xiang is also aware of the extent to which Niu Geng has tolerated for the sake of Li Bin, this so-called friend. Yet in the end, Li Bin even wanted to kill him, which explains why this incident has had such a profound impact on Niu Geng.

Similarly, Zhuge Xiang sat down beside Niu Geng, his tone somewhat subdued as he spoke: "Weren't you asking me why I came to the Shura Sect? In fact, I was just a small beggar, following an old beggar to beg for a living..."

Miss Jiu encouraged me to make more friends, and I also wish to gain powerful strength to return, so I joined the Asura Sect. Regardless of whether it is you or Li Bin, I regard both of you as friends. No matter how much I suffer, I do not get angry. However, in the end, Li Bin wants to kill me... The voice was low, and as he spoke of the final matter regarding Niu Geng, there was a profound sense of helplessness in his tone. On one hand, the memories of the Tang Sect were heavy, and on the other hand, there was the betrayal by Li Bin.

Without waiting for Zhuge Xiang to respond, Niu Geng spoke for himself, his eyes reflecting a hint of nostalgia, saying: "I was originally a servant at the Tang Sect in Sichuan. The Tang Sect has been renowned for its mechanisms and poison techniques since ancient times. Although I was merely a servant, I was somewhat exposed to these arts through observation and experience. However, because I was just a lowly servant, no one regarded me with any respect, and thus I had no friends. Fortunately, the young lady did not disdain me for being a servant..."

"You can rest assured about this. Have you forgotten the Blood Spirit Fruit? I will help you obtain it. Previously, it was you who assisted me with Li Bin's Heartbreak Powder, and now it's my turn to help you. We are friends, and we should support each other." Upon hearing Niu Geng's exclamation, Zhuge Xiang stood up, revealing a radiant smile as he looked at Niu Geng with sincerity

I just want a few friends, and I have no reason to feel sorry for him at all, not even a hint of complaint when serving tea and water. Why does he still want to kill me..." With his head lowered, Niu Geng's voice trembled slightly

He Niu Geng is merely a servant, yet he dares to recklessly jump out, naturally attracting criticism. To silence the gossip, the Tang family directly sentenced Niu Geng to death. However, at the last moment, the Ninth Miss secretly let Niu Geng go. Before he left, the Ninth Miss advised Niu Geng to be more cheerful and to make more friends

Bloodthirsty Technique, the Blood Thunder Slash he is currently cultivating, and the Iron Secret Medicine that he has never used—Zhao Feiyun is preparing to compete for a high rank in the grand tournament. Is Zhuge Xiang not doing the same?

However, just over a year ago, the Tang Sect of Shu established a marriage arrangement for Miss Jiu, to which she strongly opposed, and Niu Geng naturally intervened.

Therefore, my purpose in coming to the Shura Sect is very simple: to obtain powerful strength, to become a person above others, and also to have meat to eat here, living without worries about food and clothing

You are doing quite well, having already grasped the energy technique, but I have yet to comprehend it. After such an open-hearted conversation between both parties, the distance has undoubtedly narrowed significantly. Niu Geng expressed his feelings, clearly aware that the testing conference is just a few days away, and he too felt the heavy pressure.

Regardless of the circumstances, over the past year, Li Bin has consistently boasted about Zhao Feiyun on mhetushucom.com. Subtly, Zhao Feiyun's strength has taken root in Niu Geng's heart. However, Zhuge Xiang remains confident in himself.

"As long as you keep giving selflessly, those who ultimately betray you without hesitation cannot be considered friends." Niu Geng carefully chewed on this statement, a thoughtful expression appearing on his honest and straightforward face, clearly indicating that this statement had a significant impact on him

As the golden crow sets in the west and the moon rabbit rises in the east, in the depths of the night, at the central location of the Shura Sect's architectural complex, in Zhao Feiyun's courtyard, Zhao Feiyun's face was ashen. In the center of the courtyard, on a stretcher lay Li Bin, whose complexion was dark, clearly having succumbed to poisoning. Nearby, several disciples who had not yet comprehended the energy technique bowed their heads in silence, not daring to speak.

Zhuge Xiang did not doubt his words, after all, with Niu Geng's methods of poisoning, as long as he was willing, neither Zhuge Xiang nor Li Bin would dare to provoke him. However, for more than a year, he had willingly allowed others to summon and command him, which is sufficient to prove the truth of Niu Geng's words

Regarding the praise for Zhuge Xiang, Niu Geng showed no signs of happiness at all. Instead, he sat down on the grass nearby, his face marked by deep fatigue, and asked a seemingly trivial question: "Zhuge Xiang, what brought you to the Shura Sect?"

"Life and death duel? Sure, but it needs some embellishment. You go back and tell him that the Blood Spirit Fruit is ready." On Zhuge Xiang's side, he paused his training of the Blood Thunder Slash. Upon hearing Zhao Feiyun's proposal for a duel, he showed no surprise; instead, he instructed Zhao Feiyun's side to prepare the Blood Spirit Fruit and to make sure it is not used up.

The story of Niu Geng is quite simple, yet deeply moving. It turns out that he had no friends in the Tang Sect of Sichuan, which made him inherently reclusive. However, the Ninth Miss of the Tang Sect was naturally cheerful and treated Niu Geng, a mere servant, with great courtesy. Thus, the young Niu Geng, despite being only thirteen or fourteen years old, began to experience the stirrings of affection, unable to distinguish whether it was romantic love or simply the bond of having a single friend. His heart, full of fervor, was entirely devoted to her.

"Friends should help each other. Someone like Li Bin, who only takes without giving back and even betrays you without hesitation in the end, cannot be considered a true friend. Aren't you still with me? Haven't we always been friends?" With a gentle pat on Niu Geng's shoulder, Zhuge Xiang spoke.

Zhuge Xiang was filled with hatred by Zhao Feiyun, yet he felt no threat from him. After all, someone who had just begun to comprehend Qi energy stood no chance against himself, who was on the verge of breaking through to the second layer of the Nourishing Qi realm. Moreover, twelve days was insufficient for him to master any martial arts, while his Ghostly Step had already shown the first signs of progress.

Hmph, has that fellow comprehended the Qi energy today? Even better, I will make him unable to live or die under the gaze of all. After roaring, Zhao Feiyun's eyes gleamed with fierce malice as he said, then he looked at several disciples nearby who had not comprehended the Qi energy and said: "You go and inform Zhuge Xiang, in twelve days, at the grand competition, in front of everyone, I want to have a life-and-death duel with him"

This is the reason why Zhuge Xiang came to the Shura Sect; it is very simple, yet also very heavy. The initial motivation was merely because there was no worry about food and clothing here, because one could eat meat here. With such a reason and such a background, it is no wonder that Zhuge Xiang's desire for cultivation is unmatched by anyone.

With Li Bin, it was always him who gave, and in the end, he received betrayal as a result. On the other hand, Zhuge Xiang's contributions were a first for him. He touched his chest, feeling a warm current flow through him. At this moment, Niu Geng began to vaguely understand the true meaning of friendship

Mutual assistance? Friends? Looking into Zhuge Xiang's sincere eyes and radiant smile, Niu Geng found himself momentarily at a loss for words

In a low, somber tone, it is evident that he is a person with a rich story. Sitting beside Niu Geng, Zhuge Xiang plays the role of a very good listener

The story of Zhuge Xiang also caught the attention of Niu Geng. When he heard that the old beggar was killed by dogs set upon him, Niu Geng felt sympathy for Zhuge Xiang's plight. Upon learning that Zhuge Xiang secretly killed thirteen members of that wealthy family at night, Niu Geng was both astonished by Zhuge Xiang's ruthlessness and felt a sense of relief and admiration.

Niu Geng's ferocity startled Zhuge Xiang, but at this moment, Zhuge Xiang realized that Niu Geng was also a pitiable person