Cannon Fodder Cultivation Guide

Chapter 58 - Battle of Life and Death

In just a few words, Mo Yan's face was completely smashed to pieces. The eldest senior sister's style had always been swift and decisive, yet Mo Yan still overestimated himself, thinking his so-called unbeatable charm could blind her.

"Yuan Ying, stop spouting nonsense! Don't think you can divert the focus like this!"

Mo Yan was furious, nearly exploding, but he had to forcibly suppress it. The more he lost his composure, the less likely he could maintain control over the group.

But clearly, Yuan Ying wasn't going to give Mo Yan any chance to recover.

"I, the eldest senior sister of Lishan Sect, never speak nonsense. Do you really think pulling such disgusting tricks can divide us and then defeat us one by one?"

She glanced at Mo Yan with disdain, full of confidence. "Who gave you the audacity to steal something and act like you're doing us a favor? If you were straightforward about it, saying the strong take what they want, I'd at least respect you as a man! But why do you think you can just take someone else's possession with a few words, without even shedding blood? Who do you think you are? Do you really think you're that important?"

"Exactly! You're nothing but an ant, stop pretending to be an elephant!"

Yuan Xiaoqi chimed in, not missing the chance to stir the pot further. "If you want to take something, fight for it! Don't just talk. Show us your real strength! Don't act like numbers are everything—seventeen against six, whether it's a one-on-one or a group fight, we're ready for you!"

These weren't just empty words. Among the six of them, the weakest was Yuan Xiaoqi herself, but even she was stronger than a third of the opposing group.

And not to mention, the others were all stronger than her. When it came to fighting, they worked together with seamless coordination. They could take out a bunch of the weaker members of the opposing group in no time. The so-called numerical advantage wasn't even a factor to them.

"Go ahead and make a move. What are you waiting for?"

Chen Fan stepped forward, demonstrating with his actions that their team stood united and would never be bullied.

"Come!"

Luo Qiheng only said one word, but his gaze was fixed directly on Mo Yan, clearly having already chosen his target.

"I will stand with my friends through thick and thin!" Zhang Tongtong, seeing this, naturally stepped forward as well. Her delicate face was resolute and confident.

In the end, only Zhang Yiyi had yet to take a stance, but the imposing aura from the six of them was already enough to intimidate the group of robbers with their divided thoughts.

Mo Yan's plans were instantly thrown aside. The brief moment of unity he had just managed to create disintegrated into nothing.

Everyone was well aware that although the opposing group had only six people, they were clearly united and standing as one, while no one in Mo Yan's group trusted anyone else.

If they really fought, no one wanted to be the cannon fodder, so what chance did they have of gaining anything?

Even Yuan Yong from Wandan Valley, who had been siding with Mo Yan for personal gain, changed his mind. After some thought, he decided to seize the initiative for himself.

His gaze fell on Zhang Yiyi, who had yet to speak. This female cultivator from the Yunxian Sect was only in the Qi Refining stage, making her the perfect target for a solo attack.

"You're right. The strong take what they want, so if we want that bronze piece, we'll have to rely on our own strength!"

He stepped forward quickly and challenged Zhang Yiyi directly. "I'll fight you. If you lose, you hand over your bronze piece. Do you dare?"

Such a crude attempt at goading made many people sneer in disdain. Targeting the weakest like this was pathetic, and to be so self-righteous about it—his shamelessness knew no bounds.

If he were so bold, why didn't he challenge the eldest senior sister? Or someone from the Qingcheng Sword Sect? Why...

But as shameless as it was, it did make many of them envious. The other group had blatantly said they were fine with solo or group fights, so there was no reason not to take advantage of a guaranteed win.

Regret quickly filled the minds of many who hadn't reacted quickly enough. Yuan Yong had gotten the easiest target.

"Are you sure you want to fight me?"

Just as many were lamenting their slow reactions, Zhang Yiyi's crisp voice sounded, unhurried.

"Of course!"

Seeing that Zhang Yiyi had responded, Yuan Yong's expression didn't change, but inside, he was overjoyed, as if the bronze piece was already his.

His junior brother Liu Ming quickly chimed in to fan the flames. "Solo or group fights, it's all the same. This is what you agreed to yourselves. Are you going to go back on your word now?"

Hearing this, several people began calculating which of the opposing group they could take down in a solo fight. Confidence surged within them, and they loudly expressed their support.

Compared to Mo Yan's ridiculous plan, a straightforward one-on-one challenge seemed far more practical. Once they got their hands on the bronze piece, they could use a few high-level teleportation talismans to flee. In such a large secret realm, it wouldn't be difficult to hide.

Besides, there were only a few hours left before the secret realm closed. Once they were out, with the protection of their sect elders, who would dare to try and steal it back?

Seeing that several people were afraid the one-on-one fights wouldn't happen, their gazes on Zhang Yiyi were as if they could crush her with a single slap. Yuan Ying and the others couldn't help but laugh to themselves.

One-on-one fights were great. Let them keep shouting for now, but once they were being beaten down, they'd see who was still standing.

Zhang Tongtong looked at her cousin's deliberately hesitant expression and couldn't help but feel sorry for the two clueless disciples from Wandan Valley.

Sure enough, a moment later, Zhang Yiyi spoke again, her voice filled with mock concern. "We're not going back on our word. But are you really sure you want to fight me? Are you sure you won't change your mind?"

"Of course I won't! A gentleman never goes back on his word!"

Yuan Yong quickly confirmed. There was no way he would back down now. In fact, he was more worried that Zhang Yiyi would back out.

Seeing through his thoughts, Zhang Yiyi smiled and calmly explained, "Good. But, you should know, fighting me isn't just about winning or losing. After I absorbed the bronze piece, it merged with me. Unless I die, no one can take it from me. So..."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone, not just Yuan Yong. With a smile, she continued, "So, a fight with me must be to the death. Either you kill me and take the bronze piece, or I kill you in self-defense."

As her words fell, everyone except Yuan Ying's group of five thought Zhang Yiyi had lost her mind!

A mere Qi Refining stage female cultivator was demanding a life-or-death battle with someone? Was she looking for death, or just trying to bluff her way out?

Most didn't believe her. How could a bronze piece merge so easily with someone right after being absorbed?

Other than Zhang Yiyi's group, everyone, including Mo Yan, assumed this was just a bluff to keep from losing the bronze piece.