CSMCDB - Chapter 83

Chapter 83

The Star Hand Cannon's attack power still wasn't high. Of course, if a hundred or so Star Hand Cannons attacked at once, the effect would be completely different. Number One fired a full set of freeze rounds directly at Chu Nianmu. The current Wen Yuncheng no longer cared about a mere two points. Using the freeze rounds was only to restrict Chu Nianmu's movements.

That golden bell appeared again. Wen Yuncheng raised her hand and threw out the Mountain River Seal, pressing down in the void and once again using it to cover the golden bell. She lifted the Mountain River Seal and slammed it down hard again. Although it couldn't attack Chu Nianmu, the sound of the bell from the impact… at such a close distance, it had a significant effect on him.

Number One charged forward, crashing into the golden bell with unstoppable force. A huge bell toll rang out, making even Wen Yuncheng's head buzz for a moment. Chu Nianmu clearly couldn't withstand it either. He put away the golden bell, and as the Mountain River Seal slammed down again, he raised his hand and threw out his iron-boned fan. The Star Power in his body erupted in an instant. Wen Yuncheng found it difficult to control for a moment, and the Mountain River Seal was knocked back by the impact, shrinking back to its original size.

No need to rush… with the equipment template, the Mountain River Seal could be directly retrieved and taken out again. Just as the Mountain River Seal was about to land on the arena stage, it vanished. Number One closed in on Chu Nianmu, and with a swing of its large hand, it actually started to engage in close combat with him on its own. However, Chu Nianmu's iron fan twirled in his hand, and his movements were agile. Not only could Number One not hit him, but its body was cut with deep gashes by Star Power, leaving it in a sorry state.

Wen Yuncheng's Flame Exploder skill lit up; its cooldown was over. But she didn't rush to use the skill, instead running toward Chu Nianmu.

"Number One, Flame Rounds!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Flame Rounds were different from Freeze Rounds. The main characteristic of Freeze Rounds was to freeze and restrict the enemy. Flame Rounds, on the other hand, were for incineration, explosions, and fire! Sixty Flame Rounds were fired in a single volley. At such a close distance, Chu Nianmu instinctively infused his entire body with Star Power. His skin took on a cyan jade-like color, and the iron fan in his hand spun and danced continuously, trying to block the bullets—

He blocked the bullets, but he couldn't block the explosions!

Wen Yuncheng had anticipated this. She rarely used Flame Rounds. Chu Nianmu, having never experienced them, must have thought the Flame Rounds were similar to the Freeze Rounds. However…

Countless flames erupted. Chu Nianmu hurriedly channeled Star Power into the spirit pearl around his neck. He barely managed to raise a Star Power shield to block the initial explosion. Taking advantage of this gap, he was able to summon the golden bell for defense again.

The moment all the Flame Rounds were fired, Number One charged from close range and slammed viciously into the golden bell. Chu Nianmu was forced back continuously by the impact. The buzzing of the golden bell vibrated through him, causing blood to seep from his mouth and nose! His white robes were now stained gray by the smoke from the explosions, and the sash at his waist was also blasted to tatters. He looked utterly wretched. Chu Nianmu bit his tongue sharply and stomped his foot, forcibly steadying himself. Star Power erupted outwards from the tip of his foot, momentarily halting Number One's charge!

Wen Yuncheng took the opportunity to rise into the air to dodge the attack. She threw a Flame Exploder at the golden bell, then descended rapidly, closing in on Chu Nianmu.

If only… the skill to swap positions with Number One could be used repeatedly. That way, she could constantly change her position… Of course, that would be too overpowered, so it was fine that there were limits. This thought just flashed through her mind. Wen Yuncheng quickly landed and raised her hand to smash the Mountain River Seal directly onto the golden bell.

Chu Nianmu also realized he was in a passive state. If this continued, he would undoubtedly lose! The golden bell instantly grew larger. Chu Nianmu's Star Power erupted once more. He forcibly used the golden bell to send the Mountain River Seal flying. He held the iron-boned fan in his hand and pushed his movement technique to its limit. The moment the golden bell knocked away the Mountain River Seal, only an afterimage of Star Power was left in his original spot!

Danger! Whether it was the spectators in the stands or the nobles in the viewing rooms, anyone watching the match on Arena 4 couldn't help but sit up straight and tense up. They even unconsciously held their breath. At such a close distance, if Chu Nianmu's attack landed, even if he held back, Wen Yuncheng would likely be severely injured!

The referee below the stage had their Star Power ready, prepared to intervene and save someone at any moment.

However, just then, a black shadow shot out from Wen Yuncheng's wrist and wrapped directly around Chu Nianmu! The next instant, an inconspicuous little shuttle shot out from behind Wen Yuncheng, striking fiercely at the spot between Chu Nianmu's eyebrows!

"Ah—"

In a flash, the tables were turned!

Blood instantly poured from Chu Nianmu's mouth, nose, and ears. He let out a miserable cry, and his charging body fell directly to the ground, unconscious.

The mind-damaging Flying Sky Shuttle, combined with the bracelet, in a surprise attack… secured a direct victory.

Wen Yuncheng stood rigidly in place. After a long moment, she raised a hand to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead. That attack from Chu Nianmu just now… if it had really hit her, she would have been half-dead if not completely dead. Although she had anticipated it, when she truly faced it—her clothes were soaked with cold sweat.

"Arena Four, Wen Yuncheng wins." The referee cleared his throat and announced loudly, his voice infused with Star Power.

Only then did Wen Yuncheng recall Number One. She returned the Flying Sky Shuttle and the Mountain River Seal to her equipment slots. She turned and walked off the stage, feeling that her legs were still a bit weak.

No, that was too reckless, too rash. She couldn't make a habit of using herself as bait, absolutely not. Even with a backup plan, it was too scary. Wen Yuncheng didn't relax until she had returned to the rest area and drunk several mouthfuls of water. She sighed, rubbed her face, and reflected on her actions.

Even after eating the Mountain River Fruit, she was still a glass cannon at heart! As for the Mechanical Battle Armor? Although Wen Yuncheng had changed its material to Abyssal Crystal, did you see that iron fan hesitate at all when cutting Number One? Number One was so sturdy, yet it was left with such deep gashes. Wouldn't her small frame be pierced through in one go? Her Mechanical Battle Armor was barely noticeable under her clothes; its thickness was clearly not as great as Number One's!

[Mechanical Masters aren't meant for close combat anyway,] 1947 said comfortingly. [Today's match was very good. You've already performed very well.]

Perhaps. Wen Yuncheng thought that what was more important during a match was adaptability. After all, things often didn't develop the way you expected. Chu Nianmu… was very strong, and also very confident. He wasn't serious at the beginning. Later… he probably got serious, but he still didn't display his full strength.

Wen Yuncheng walked out of the arena grounds. There were still a few days until this round ended. She only needed to come back after this round to draw lots and see who she would face next. As she reached the gate, a guard in silver-white armor walked over. He bowed to her and said, "Her Highness ordered me to relay a message to you: You did very well."

Wen Yuncheng nodded. "Thank you."

The person was only a messenger and left after delivering the message. Wen Yuncheng didn't linger either. Yan Ling called her on her communication stone to encourage her. Then she said, "You defeated Chu Nianmu. Although a small number of people will still have other opinions, you've shown your own strength. Many people will probably want to recruit you. I hope you choose wisely."

"Teacher, of course I'm on your side," Wen Yuncheng smiled sheepishly. "And… the First Princess has reached out to me. Once Lin Jinyu becomes the Sect Master, I'll probably be close with the Flowing Cloud Sect as well. I really haven't thought about anyone else, so please don't tease me."

"Just choose for yourself." Yan Ling didn't say much more and ended the call.

Wen Yuncheng hadn't wanted to get involved with too many factions in the first place. The current situation? It was enough. Whether it was Yan Ling, the First Princess, or the Little Ice Mountain's side, her relationship with them would only be one of equal cooperation and recruitment. Even the First Princess hadn't made any demands of her so far. If she were to join another faction, that might not be the case.

A day after the final match, the news of Wen Yuncheng defeating Chu Nianmu exploded. Who was Chu Nianmu? The son of Chu Han! His talent was outstanding, and he was very likely to become the second Chu Han! And yet he actually lost? If he had lost to Di Yuanhao, Mo Wensheng, or some other sect genius, it wouldn't have been surprising. But Chu Nianmu had lost to a plain, background-less—Wen Yuncheng.

Wen Yuncheng's fame was actually not small. She had already shone brightly in the Academy Exchange Tournament, entering the public eye. It was just that her "Star Power Mutation" abilities seemed too illusory in the eyes of the big shots. Many people asserted that Wen Yuncheng's current cultivation breakthroughs were overdrafting her future potential. Sooner or later, she would stagnate. Never mind that she was only a Star Master 3rd Layer now; she might stop there for good. Some even said she might self-destruct and die in the future due to her Star Power Mutation. Others said her methods were just unorthodox tricks, nothing more. However, defeating Chu Nianmu this time was a vicious slap in the face to those who looked down on Wen Yuncheng.

Of course, some people still stubbornly clung to the above ideas. They even felt that Wen Yuncheng's final victory was due to a sneak attack and a Profound-rank Spirit Treasure. But these reasons were a bit ridiculous. If one really wanted to argue that, they could only praise Wen Yuncheng for her exquisite control over the Spirit Treasure, using it at just the right moment.

In short, Wen Yuncheng's victory once again stirred up a frenzy in the Imperial Capital. Many people began to pay attention to her. Zhou Xuan, Yao Mu, and the others all sent their congratulations. On her way to the Dueling Arena, Wen Yuncheng even encountered many pretty girls winking at her.

Even though she had only fought one match in the finals, people were already trying to recruit her. However, they were all from obscure, small sects. The major powers were still observing. Wen Yuncheng politely declined the recruitment offers from the small sects. But dealing with them was too time-consuming, so she asked Yan Ling for help, letting Yan Ling block these offers for her.

With this turn of events, some people remarked on Yan Ling's keen eye for talent. After all, Wen Yuncheng's background was quite transparent: a genius from a remote town who later became a waste, then rose again due to a Star Power Mutation. When she first arrived in the Imperial Capital, she couldn't even get into Star Academy; it was Yan Ling who single-handedly vouched for her.

Yan Ling had listened to many compliments these past few days and accepted them all without a change in expression. This made Qiu Fei grind her teeth in frustration. What keen eye for talent? She had clearly used a favor to get Yan Ling to accept that kid, Wen Yuncheng!

But no matter how angry Qiu Fei was, there was nothing she could do. She could only roll her eyes at Yan Ling and make a few sarcastic remarks. "By the way, the Wen Family… after all this time, why haven't they come to the Imperial Capital to find Wen Yuncheng?" Qiu Fei suddenly remembered something and looked at Yan Ling. "Did you do something?"

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