Chapter 293: Chapter 142: Unity of Inner and Outer, Peak of Gang Force

Zhang Su had stayed on the First Layer for eight days. He probably felt his progress wasn’t fast enough and wanted to go to the Second Layer.

However, he was very likely to encounter Postnatal Realm Martial Artists on the Second Layer.

Luo Feng had witnessed Zhang Su’s strength and knew he could defeat even Song Yan, a Second-Grade Gang Force user, with a single strike. Still, Gang Force and the Postnatal Realm were two different things entirely.

No matter how strong Gang Force was, it was still just Inner Strength.

The Postnatal Realm cultivated Internal Energy, and the gap between Internal Energy and Inner Strength was a qualitative one.

If he really ran into a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist, he’d be finished.

In Luo Feng’s opinion, a Gang Force Martial Artist was guaranteed to lose against a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist.

’I hope Senior Brother Zhang’s luck isn’t terrible. I hope he picks a Gang Force Martial Artist...’

Luo Feng prayed silently.

There were Gang Force Martial Artists on the Second Layer of Five Elements Valley, but they were few in number.

If Zhang Su was lucky enough to pick a Gang Force Martial Artist, winning shouldn’t be a problem given his strength.

But if his luck was bad...

Luo Feng didn’t dare to imagine what would happen.

Meanwhile, Zhang Su’s gaze was already fixed on the Second Layer of Five Elements Valley.

The Second Layer was located on the middle section of the cliff face, about ten-odd zhang above the ground.

Rows of Cultivation Rooms lined the cliff face. Above their stone doors hung Jade Tokens, shimmering with lights of different colors.

Zhang Su’s eyes swept over the Jade Tokens of one Cultivation Room after another.

Many were lit with a red glow, which meant they were available to be challenged.

He had no way of knowing who was inside them.

Zhang Su’s gaze swept across the cliff face one last time before finally settling on a single Cultivation Room.

Second Layer, Number Twenty-Six.

Without further hesitation, he shouted, "Cultivation Room Twenty-Six on the Second Layer, come out and fight!"

Zhang Su’s voice echoed throughout the valley.

Instantly, all eyes turned to him.

Challenging the Second Layer wasn’t unusual in Five Elements Valley.

Many people challenged the Second Layer every day.

But for a Gang Force Martial Artist fresh from the First Layer to immediately challenge the Second Layer? That was a rare sight.

Most Gang Force Martial Artists would dutifully remain on the First Layer, only daring to challenge the Second Layer after breaking through to the Postnatal Realm.

SWOOSH.

The moment Zhang Su’s voice faded, the stone door to Cultivation Room Twenty-Six slid open.

A figure shot out from within.

The person leaped directly from the Second Layer.

He descended like a falling leaf, landing without a sound and demonstrating exceptional mastery of his Body Technique.

Zhang Su sized up the man.

The opponent wore a gray robe, the attire of a Named Disciple.

A snowflake was embroidered on the chest of the robe—the symbol of Profound Nether Peak.

But as he carefully sensed the man’s aura, his expression grew grim.

The man’s aura wasn’t Gang Force.

It was Internal Energy.

Clearly, this was a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist who had already produced Internal Energy.

Quite a few Martial Artists had been watching Zhang Su.

Now, as they saw the Martial Artist emerge from Cultivation Room Twenty-Six, they all shook their heads in dismay.

"Just as I thought. How could he be that lucky? He challenged the Second Layer and, of course, ran into a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist."

"He may not be an Official Disciple, but he’s still in the Postnatal Realm. The gap between Gang Force and the Postnatal Realm is just too vast. This Gang Force disciple is in for a world of hurt."

A disciple from Mixed Element Peak sighed.

As a fellow Named Disciple from Mixed Element Peak, he seemed to feel a bit of sympathy for Zhang Su.

"This Zhang Su from Mixed Element Peak wanted to get to the Second Layer, but his luck ran out and he got a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist. He should just concede now to avoid injury."

"Concede? He must have some confidence if he dared to challenge the Second Layer. But confidence is one thing; it can’t bridge the gap between the Postnatal Realm and Gang Force."

The crowd murmured amongst themselves, with almost no one thinking Zhang Su stood a chance.

Luo Feng’s heart sank as well.

’Just as I feared. The Second Layer is mostly Postnatal Realm Martial Artists. Senior Brother Zhang is in trouble now...’

Luo Feng’s heart sank.

He knew all too well that with Zhang Su’s personality, having dared to challenge a Martial Artist from the Second Layer, he wouldn’t concede easily.

He’d almost certainly want to test his skills.

But the gap between Gang Force and the Postnatal Realm was enormous.

If Zhang Su got injured, the loss would far outweigh any potential gain.

As for Zhang Su actually defeating his opponent?

That was practically impossible.

It wasn’t unheard of for someone with Gang Force to defeat a Postnatal Realm expert.

But even in the Upper Sect, such cases were exceedingly rare.

At this point, Luo Feng no longer held any hope of Zhang Su winning.

He just hoped Zhang Su would escape injury.

Losing was fine; the worst that could happen was that he’d have to go back to the First Layer.

As long as he was unharmed, there would be other chances.

Meanwhile, Zhang Su and his opponent stood facing each other.

Zhang Su’s gaze fell upon his opponent, studying him carefully.

His opponent appeared to be in his early thirties, and his eyes were calm.

Although his opponent was a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist, Zhang Su didn’t feel pessimistic. On the contrary, a fierce will to fight surged within him.

"Mixed Element Peak, Zhang Su."

"Profound Nether Peak, Du Hong."

Having exchanged names, the two said no more.

The atmosphere in the valley instantly grew tense.

The spectating disciples fell silent, their eyes glued to the two men in the center of the clearing.

Zhang Su’s hand rested on the hilt of his Shadow-Stealing Sword.

Du Hong also tightened his grip on the saber in his hand.

WHOOSH.

Du Hong made the first move.

Even though Zhang Su was only a Gang Force Martial Artist, Du Hong would not underestimate him.

Anyone who made it to Five Elements Valley was not to be trifled with.

And someone who dared to challenge the Second Layer with only a Gang Force Cultivation was even less likely to be ordinary.

Du Hong had been in Five Elements Valley long enough to see plenty of favorites fall due to carelessness.

Therefore, he attacked with his full strength from the very beginning.

"Eight Desolates Saber!"

Du Hong let out a low cry as his long saber flew from its sheath.

The blade flashed like a bolt of silver lightning, carrying an imperious, domineering aura as it ruthlessly slashed toward Zhang Su.

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