The Endless Promise

78. Enemies Within

.

Around the Arena, the crowd quieted as Zhang Luoyin and his opponent climbed the platform steps, and several sat up at the edge of their seats.

"Could he be as powerful as the rumours say?!"

"Heh! I'll admit he has some talent, with the Divine Tiger, his knowledge of talismans, and now with the pills, but all that is nothing to do with one's own cultivation!"

"Hmph! If he's powerful, I'll walk out of here upside down!"

A few of the captured disciples from the 2nd Stage sat nearby, and they shook their heads.

The ones they pitied were Zhang Luoyin's current opponent, and this unfortunate fellow who might walk out with a handstand!

Meanwhile, Luoyin's eyes sought out the father-son pair, who sat in one of the raised seats.

Since the duels began, he had sensed strange auras around this father and son pair, likely because of the dream about Luoyin's death, and he could now identify what, or rather 'who' the auras were...

But the two seemed unaware of the auras surrounding them, and they eyed him with their usual bloodlust, the father's gaze cold and cutting, while the son wore a smug smirk.

Luoyin had kept an eye on them throughout the previous duels, somehow feeling unsettled, like a horrible storm was rising.

He knew they would eventually attack him, but would they dare act here? With a full crowd and several Sect Leaders present?

'Perhaps I'm simply paranoid because of the Swallows.' He concluded, but he froze as one foot landed on the platform.

'Something is off!' He thought.

But then Li San boldly leapt onto the Arena, landing a small distance ahead, and disrupting Luoyin's concentration.

Luoyin sighed and went to face Li San, who didn't hesitate to release his aura.

"Zhang Luoyin!" Li San yelled. "As you can see, I'm at Profound Tier Five, stage six! There's no way you can win today!"

"Ha! What are you boasting about?" Luoyin rolled his eyes. "It's common knowledge that I have a low cultivation level... Can you even be happy with such a victory?"

"You-!"

"Forget it, forget it!" Luoyin waved him away. He had intended to put up an act, letting Wei San get in at two or three hits, but he felt too uneasy... He simply couldn't be bothered with this duel. "Why don't you quickly attack me? We can't keep everyone waiting!"

Li San swung out an arm, and his sword appeared, surrounded by orange flame-like aura. "Since you're in a hurry, don't blame me for bullying you!"

He lunged at Luoyin, and Luoyin struck a basic stance.

'Hao! He's fast!' Luoyin thought as the brilliant approaching flames were reflected in his eyes, and after a second, he suddenly threw himself to the floor.

"Ow! How powerful!" He cried out, clutching his middle, and he even managed to spit blood. "You win! You're so great! I surrender!"

It would have been a decent performance, but...

...there was still a glaring distance between them...

Li San hadn't reached him!

Li San was currently frozen in shock!

"Zh- Zhang Luoyin! What do you mean by this?" He demanded. "I didn't even touch you!!"

There was light laughter around as Sect Leader Xu and the veiled guest beside him shook their heads.