Chapter 3776 — Retreating to Advance?
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Originally, had the scene just now not unfolded—had Meng Zhou not publicly reserved the next round for a challenge against him—Qiao Hongcai would undoubtedly have struck first. But as things stood, he truly had no intention of making a move this round.
After all, however upright his nature, he was not so foolish as to know he would face a stronger opponent next round and still squander his true qi in this one. That would not be bravery but sheer stupidity.
Yet the master of Cave Dwelling No. 12 taking the stage first was somewhat beyond everyone's expectations. This fellow was named Zha Wu; though his strength barely reached the Heaven Grade Grand Perfection, he was in truth a thoroughly feeble newcomer.
His performance in the previous two rounds: in the first, he was the first to exit, earning one point; in the second, he challenged a peak late-stage Heaven Grade cultivator and earned ten points. Together, that made eleven points—dead last in the entire Azure Cloud Pavilion rankings.
This Zha Wu, called "the Weakling," was a title well deserved. That he dared step forward and challenge right after Meng Zhou, with such baffling confidence, was truly astonishing.
However, when he announced whom he intended to challenge, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.
"Zha Wu of Mountain-Low Cave Dwelling No. 12 challenges Wei Zhao of Mountain-Low Cave Dwelling No. 1!" Zha Wu looked down at Wei Zhao and called out his challenge with full-throated vigor.
Ha, strange things happen every year, but this year they come in droves!
Being publicly named and challenged, Wei Zhao raised an eyebrow in surprise. A mere creature who could only be considered weak even among Heaven Grade Grand Perfection cultivators dared to call him out by name—where did this thing find the courage, the nerve?
By his own judgment, in this one-on-one challenge format, the only one with the confidence to challenge him should have been Meng Zhou alone. Anyone with a shred of sense would not foolishly throw himself onto the spearhead. Yet who would have thought such an unexpected turn would arise in the very first round!
With all eyes upon him, Wei Zhao lifted his foot to step onto the platform. Just before he did, however, the long-suffering senior brother caught his arm and said a few words.
"Junior Brother Lin, this is a rare chance to retreat in order to advance! If you forfeit this round, you will immediately gain Mountain-Low Cave Dwelling No. 12. That position will not only make it easier to harvest points later, but will also conveniently suppress Meng Zhou. Two birds with one stone!" the long-suffering senior brother said excitedly.
The rules were plain. If Wei Zhao willingly conceded to this weakling, it might sound absurd at first, but anyone with clear eyes could see the logic in it.
A temporary concession would cost him fifteen challenge points, but it would win him room to maneuver. Given Wei Zhao's formidable strength, if he chose to, he could fight his way up cave dwelling by cave dwelling. By then, forget a mere fifteen points—even a hundred would be no challenge at all!
For Wei Zhao, trapped helplessly in Mountain-Low Cave Dwelling No. 1, this weakest of the Azure Cloud Pavilion's newcomers was nothing short of a benevolent savior. Such an opportunity was rare at any other time—one could not ask for it, could not beg for it.
Wei Zhao answered the long-suffering senior brother's suggestion with a smile, said nothing more, and walked straight onto the platform.
Seeing Wei Zhao take the stage, his expression seemingly free of anger, showing neither fighting spirit nor killing intent, Zha Wu laughed inwardly. Just as I expected!
As the undisputed top newcomer of the Azure Cloud Pavilion, Wei Zhao's current predicament was plain to all the newcomers like Zha Wu.