"Hey, new kid, clean up the training area for us."
As Zhu Zhi left, a burly member of the Ming Long Army stepped forward and ordered Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang glanced at the training area, where shattered bluestone slabs littered the ground from the intense combat, and sneered.
"You guys can do it yourselves. I don't have a habit of cleaning up after others."
"What? You're already planning to defy my orders just after joining the Ming Long Army? Don't you want to stay here? Believe me, I can cripple you right now!" the other man said with a dark expression.
The rest of the group watched with amusement, making no move to intervene.
They all knew why Lu Gong was making things difficult for Zhang Yang.
News had already spread throughout the central island that the Zhao family had failed to make it into the top ten in the martial arts competition.
The instigator was Zhang Tang, the newcomer to the Ming Long Army.
Lu Gong had received favors from the Zhao family before he entered the central island.
The Zhao family had shown him great kindness, and Lu Gong was now seeking to avenge them.
"Whether I stay in the Ming Long Army or not is not for you to decide. If you don't want to suffer, get out of my way," Zhang Yang said, frowning, and walked towards the resting quarters.
However.
Lu Gong directly blocked Zhang Yang's path, a cold smile on his face.
"You dare to be arrogant in front of me with only the mid-stage of the Hunyuan Realm? You truly refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Today, I will make sure you understand the rules!"
As he spoke.
Lu Gong clenched his right fist and punched directly at Zhang Yang's face. His speed was extreme, and the sonic boom was particularly piercing.
Lu Gong's punch was unexpected.
Seeing this, the other Ming Long Army members shook their heads.
Zhang Tang's mid-stage Hunyuan Realm cultivation was still a bit lacking; he couldn't even react in time.
But.
The next moment, they were all stunned!
At such close range, Zhang Yang not only avoided Lu Gong's blow but also kicked Lu Gong flying!
True Dragon Qi erupted, and Zhang Yang pressed his advantage, retaliating with a punch!
"You scoundrel, I tried to talk to you reasonably, and you really think your cultivation level can measure everything?"
*Bang!*
Zhang Yang's fist struck Lu Gong again, causing his nose to bleed profusely and forcing him to stagger back several steps.
This!
In the first exchange, Lu Gong was defeated, astonishing all the Ming Long Army members present.
"This kid is not simple. No wonder the Grand Elder let him join the Ming Long Army. Lu Gong is probably going to be in trouble this time."
"Being able to fight against a later stage opponent at the mid-stage of the Hunyuan Realm is indeed enough qualification to join our ranks. However, if Lu Gong hadn't expended a lot of his primal energy during training and was caught off guard, Zhang Tang wouldn't have succeeded."
"That's right. Just as Zhang Tang can challenge opponents of a higher realm, so can Lu Gong. It's still undecided who will win."
Clearly.
After their initial shock, the Ming Long Army members leaned towards Lu Gong.
After all, they had spent a considerable amount of time with Lu Gong and were well aware of his strength.
"Good kid, you have some ability. No wonder you made the Zhao family stumble in the competition! But! Unfortunately for you, you have angered me. Even if I have to bear the Grand Elder's reprimand, I will cripple you myself!"
Lu Gong said with a grim expression.
He wiped the blood from his nose, unleashing all the primal energy within him.
With a grab in the air, a long saber appeared in his hand.
"Kill!"
Holding the saber, Lu Gong's face contorted with malice and ferocity as he slashed down at Zhang Yang.
Vast and potent primal energy swept through the area, and the saber energy carved a deep gash in the ground.
"Heh," Zhang Yang sneered.
He didn't even bother to use a weapon, simply stepping forward and pushing his palms towards the saber.
Instantly.
The palm imprint, formed by True Dragon Qi, exuded overbearing might.
Even though Zhang Yang was restraining himself, he instantly shattered Lu Gong's saber energy.
Subsequently.
The primal energy palm imprint struck Lu Gong directly in the chest.
*Pfft!*
Lu Gong's chest caved in, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
He fell to the ground, barely breathing.
This!
The other eight Ming Long Army members were instantly startled.
Their hearts were filled with shock; they hadn't expected Zhang Yang to be so powerful.
Even though Lu Gong had expended a lot of primal energy during his earlier training, his cultivation realm was still superior to Zhang Yang's. Logically, even if he were to lose, he shouldn't have been defeated so miserably!
Immediately.
The eight Ming Long Army members rushed towards Lu Gong and helped him up.
"Lu Gong, are you alright?"
"Cough, cough, I won't die. It's not a big problem, it's just... *Pfft*!"
Before he could finish speaking.
Lu Gong coughed up another mouthful of blood and then fainted.
Seeing this.
The eight Ming Long Army members were startled and quickly checked on him.
Only when they realized Lu Gong was merely severely injured and unconscious did they breathe a sigh of relief.
They carried Lu Gong to the side and glared at Zhang Yang, reprimanding him.
"Zhang Tang, why did you hit him so hard? Lu Gong is one of the Ming Long Army. How could you severely injure him when he was in a weakened state?"
"Exactly! You've gone too far. If Lu Gong were at his peak, he could have killed you with a single move!"
"Someone like you, who takes advantage of others' weakness, is not fit to join our Ming Long Army! Get out!"
At once.
All eight members of the Ming Long Army stepped forward to defend the severely injured and unconscious Lu Gong.
Although they often had verbal disputes during training, they always resolved their differences afterward.
It could be said.
These nine Ming Long Army warriors had forged a brotherhood through their sparring.
Therefore, seeing Lu Gong severely injured, they immediately wanted to stand up for him!
This kind of biased behavior was quite disgusting.
Zhang Yang sneered, staring at the eight Ming Long Army members, and retorted.
"Heh, when he tried to hurt me, why didn't any of you stand up for me? Now that he's severely injured, you're all coming out to question me?"
"Then let me ask you, if someone were trying to kill you, would you extend your neck to be beheaded or fight back? This is simply unreasonable!"
Zhang Yang's rhetorical questions left the Ming Long Army members momentarily speechless, unable to find a counter-argument.
However, they didn't bother to find an excuse and said fiercely.
"This is the territory of the Ming Long Army, and what we say goes. As a newcomer, don't try to lecture us!"
"So, because you know you're in the wrong, you don't want me to reason with you? Very well! Since you think this is your territory, then today I will seize this territory!" Zhang Yang sneered.
As his voice fell.
Zhang Yang chose to attack proactively!
Today, he intended to overthrow the Ming Long Army and let these nine people know that he had arrived.
From now on, the Ming Long Army would be his to command!
"Injuring just one Lu Gong has given you so much courage? You're truly overestimating yourself!" Seeing Zhang Yang initiate the attack, the eight Ming Long Army members revealed cruel smiles.
Instantly.
All eight of them charged at Zhang Yang!
Although Lu Gong was severely injured and unable to fight, and they had also expended a considerable amount of primal energy during the earlier training.
But!
They were absolutely confident that the eight of them combined could easily crush Zhang Yang!