CHAPTER 40: SOMEONE IS AFTER ZHIRAN?

[Third Arena, Mo Zhiran vs Wu Zhen!]

’What? Why is it my turn already?’

Mo Zhiran was shocked to hear his name. Not to mention, his opponent was none other than Wu Zhen.

If there wasn’t anything fishy going on, he wouldn’t believe it. Not only him, but even the crowd around him was completely confused.

"Hey, is the first round already over?"

"No, there are still a few people yet to fight."

"Then... why is it already Wu Zhen’s turn?"

The outer disciples discussed among themselves, feeling something was wrong. And when they saw who Wu Zhen’s opponent was, they felt even more wrong.

After all, everyone knew about the fiasco between Mo Zhiran and Wu Kang. And Wu Zhen was his brother.

Wasn’t this someone directly trying to pit Mo Zhiran? And so blatantly.

For a moment, everyone’s attention, including Mo Zhiran’s, turned to Elder Qui Ronghai. After all, if anyone could fix matches here, it was him.

’Is it Elder Qui Ronghai? What is he trying to do?’

Zhiran couldn’t help but look at Qui Ronghai on the stage, but saw him actively avoiding his gaze awkwardly.

’No, even if it was brief, his relationship with me is quite good. Not to mention, why would he take such a risk out of nowhere?’

He quickly shook his head; the behaviour didn’t make sense.

Even if he did take a bribe to match him, he wouldn’t be so blatant as to show off like this. Nobody would dare to do such a thing unless...

’It is Elder Hua himself.’

Zhiran quickly locked on the figure who could do something like this without fear of persecution: Elder Hua, who was at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm and the helm of this outer sect.

’But... why?’

"Zhiran... it seems you are being targeted... Be careful..."

Just as he was analyzing, he suddenly heard a soft, worried voice from behind.

It was Su Ruyue who had finally stood up after hearing the announcement. Her blue eyes were already filled with worry.

Although she believed in him and didn’t try to persuade him to forfeit the match like before, she was still afraid that something would happen.

"Haha... don’t worry. In fact, it’s good that my turn has arrived early. At least now I can show my strength properly and make you finally believe in me."

Mo Zhiran laughed lightly, patting Ruyue’s head with a warm smile and ruffling her hair.

"Just watch and don’t forget to cheer me on."

He said in a soft voice, then immediately turned and walked towards the arena with long strides.

As he said, it didn’t matter when he fought.

After the top ten were decided, there would be a ranking match where anyone who thought they could climb higher could challenge another fighter.

That was how the top three were finally determined.

Zhiran was already planning to challenge them, even if he didn’t face them in this round. For now, it was enough that he could quickly deal with that bastard, Wu Zhen.

"Heh... I thought you would directly forfeit this match. It’s good that you have some bravery left in you, however stupid that may be."

As soon as Zhiran stepped into the arena, Wu Zhen spoke lightly with faint surprise.

In fact, even he didn’t know why he was matched against Mo Zhiran out of the blue.

After all, he didn’t have the power to influence Elder Hua’s decisions. Of course, he wasn’t complaining, though.

"Brother, make sure to break his leg. This bastard needs to know who he provoked."

Well, if his stupid brother hadn’t been shouting from below, it would’ve been a lot better.

"Haha... you two brothers are quite the clowns. Keep entertaining me like this. I might be a little lenient with you while fighting, who knows?"

Zhiran felt the piercing gazes of both brothers from the front and back and mocked them with a laugh.

Then, he suddenly smirked at Wu Kang below the arena with a teasing look and took out a shimmering sword from his storage.

After all, this time his opponent was Wu Zhen. Although he wouldn’t use his full force, he could no longer hide his real realm either.

"Damn... bastard! Give me my sword back!"

Sure enough, as soon as Wu Kang saw Zhiran take out the shimmering sword, he was completely enraged and shouted loudly.

That was the one and only middle-grade Yellow Rank sword he had received as a gift from his brother. But now, this Zhiran was actually going to use it to fight against his brother?

How could he not be mad?

"Okay, Wu Kang. No need to lose your cool over something like that. I’ll give you another one after this match. Just shut up and watch."

Wu Zhen was annoyed by his brother’s constant embarrassing shouts and stopped him with a cold tone.

After that, he suddenly looked at Elder Qui.

"Elder Qui, since this guy didn’t forfeit the match, if he’s severely injured because of my attack, there shouldn’t be any issue, right?"

He spoke in a cold voice, his eyes fixed on Zhiran standing in the corner.

Since Zhiran had dared to step into the ring knowing his strength, if something happened to him during the fight, Wu Zhen wanted to make sure he wouldn’t be held responsible.

Of course, while he pretended to merely confirm the rules, his intention was obvious. He wanted to do exactly what his brother had told him, or maybe even more.

"Hmm?"

Elder Qui looked awkward at Wu Zhen’s sudden question, not knowing how to respond. He already felt guilty toward Zhiran because of such an obvious case of match-fixing.

But what could he do when the order came directly from Elder Hua?

He just didn’t know when Zhiran managed to offend such an elder. Poor guy might really get severely injured today.

’Sigh...why don’t you just give up already? Don’t you know your situation?’

Elder Qui sighed inwardly, looking at Zhiran, and finally wanted to tell Wu Zhen the rules of the arena when-

’Tell him, the rules say killing is not allowed.’