A Useless Person's Rise to Power

Chapter 10: The Outer Sect Tournament - One Punch Decides the Victory, Breaks the Scheme and Wins He

By eliminating threats in forbidden areas and consolidating power, Qin Zhan's name has become an unshakable symbol in the hearts of outer disciples.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the annual Grand Competition, which truly determines the future of outer disciples, arrived as scheduled.

The martial arts arena was packed with people today, banners fluttering in the wind. Many elders and core disciples from the inner sect had even come specifically to watch the competition, their eyes filled with anticipation. On the high platform, several powerful elders of the sect sat solemnly, the atmosphere far more somber than during the minor competition.

At the forefront of the crowd, Su Qingyuan, dressed in white, stood quietly, her black hair swaying slightly in the wind. Her peerless beauty was aloof and otherworldly, attracting the attention of countless disciples who secretly glanced at her. However, her gaze remained fixed on the tall and upright figure below the stage from beginning to end.

Qin Zhan stood in the waiting area, his gray outer sect uniform faded from washing, yet it did not conceal his imposing aura. His face was cold and stern, without a trace of impatience in his eyes. He appeared calm, but in reality, his mind had already encompassed the entire area, taking in every hidden gaze and every hint of malice.

Behind him, Lin Feng, Shi Hu, Wen Hao, and others stood on either side, their expressions a mixture of excitement and tension.

Lin Feng's heart pounded: As long as the boss wins first place, he can rightfully be promoted to the inner sect, and we can also rise to the top in one step!

Shi Hu clenched his fists, his face full of excitement: Anyone who dares to block the boss's way, I'll be the first to rush up and tear them to pieces!

Wen Hao frowned slightly, his mind as meticulous as a hair: Today's competition is of great importance, and many people do not want Senior Brother Qin to reach the top. I'm afraid... someone will secretly sabotage him.

Qin Zhan took all of this into his heart, a cold smile playing on his lips.

He knows better than anyone else.

Winning first place in the outer sect competition not only means a massive amount of spirit stones and pills, and a promotion to the inner sect, but also the opportunity to receive special training from the sect and even have access to the Scripture Pavilion to choose any cultivation technique. Such immense benefits have attracted countless envious people.

If he fights openly, no one can beat him.

Therefore, a sneak attack is inevitable.

In this round, he not only had to win, but also publicly break the deadlock, slap the face of the villains hiding in the shadows, make all the outer disciples completely devoted to him, and make the inner sect elders truly remember the name Qin Zhan.

"The final round of this year's Outer Sect Competition has officially begun!"

The entire hall erupted in cheers at the elder's shout.

Eight people advanced to the final.

But when the draw results were announced, the entire audience erupted in uproar.

Qin Zhan's first opponent was none other than Lü Cang, a veteran powerhouse from the outer sect!

Lu Cang, at the peak of the ninth level of Body Tempering and half a step into the Qi Gathering Realm, is no less powerful than Wang Teng in the past. Moreover, he is a distant relative of an elder of the inner sect, and has someone backing him up.

This man had a fierce face and a burly build. As soon as he stepped onto the stage, he looked down at Qin Zhan with undisguised killing intent in his eyes.

"Qin Zhan, you're nothing but a lucky loser who rose to power by chance. Do you even deserve to stand on the final stage? Today, I'll shatter your myth and send you crashing back into the dust!"

Lü Cang had already made his plans:

I have the elders backing me up. If I "mistake" and cripple you on stage, I'll only get a few words of reprimand. The first place will be mine!

The disciples below the stage erupted in uproar.

"Lu Cang actually went head-to-head with Senior Brother Qin Zhan!"

"This Lü Cang is ruthless and never holds back. Senior Brother Qin Zhan, be careful!"

Many disciples were worried, but many more had gleaming eyes, secretly hoping.

Most of them were former opportunists who had mocked Qin Zhan or been intimidated by him. Now they were just hoping that Qin Zhan would be crippled by Lü Cang so that they could vent their pent-up anger.

Qin Zhan looked at Lü Cang with indifferent eyes, his heart unmoved.

He's just a clown jumping around.

The real trouble is never the opponent on stage, but the unseen forces behind the scenes.

"You talk too much nonsense."

Qin Zhan's casual remark completely enraged Lü Cang.

"court death!"

Lu Cang roared, his peak ninth level of Body Tempering Qi and blood erupted, and his figure pounced like a tiger, unleashing a mid-level Yellow Rank martial skill. His fist whistled as it smashed straight at Qin Zhan's face!

Ruthless and deadly!

Just when everyone thought Qin Zhan was going to confront him head-on, a sudden change occurred!

As soon as Qin Zhan moved his feet, a slight tingling sensation suddenly rushed up his feet and into his meridians!

Beneath the stone slabs of the arena, someone had secretly buried a Meridian Tempering Powder!

This poison is colorless and odorless, and it specifically paralyzes the meridians and stagnates spiritual energy, causing people to react instantly and lose a great deal of strength!

"Hahaha! Qin Zhan, you've fallen for my trap!" Lu Cang laughed wildly, overjoyed. "This Meridian Tempering Powder was specially prepared for you! Today, you are destined to lose!"

In the shadows below the stage, several figures exchanged cold smiles.

It was the people behind Lü Cang, along with a few inner sect scoundrels who were jealous of Qin Zhan.

They were smug: No matter how strong you are, once you're hit by the Meridian Tempering Powder, you're at their mercy!

Lin Feng, Shi Hu, and the others' expressions changed drastically, and they roared in anger, "Despicable! You dared to poison us!"

The elder on the high platform also frowned, but the Meridian Tempering Powder was so well concealed that it was difficult to detect for a moment.

The entire audience erupted in uproar, with many fence-sitters secretly rejoicing: Qin Zhan is doomed!

Lu Cang's eyes flashed with ferocity, and his punches became even more ferocious, as if he wanted to smash Qin Zhan's head apart with a single blow.

But at that moment, a cold glint flashed in Qin Zhan's eyes.

You dare to show off your meager skills in front of him?

The moment he stepped onto the arena, Chaos War Soul had already sensed the faint fluctuations of toxins beneath the stone slab.

The so-called poisoning and paralysis were just a show he deliberately put on!

This is his scheme within a scheme—

By deliberately feigning weakness, the opponent is lured into unleashing their full power and revealing their trump card, while the mastermind behind the scenes is brought to the fore. Finally, the game is broken in front of everyone, and the player achieves legendary status in one battle!

"You think this little bit of poison can hold me back?"

Qin Zhan's voice suddenly turned cold, and the "Burning Heaven Battle Emperor Technique" within his body roared into action!

The Chaos Battle Soul unleashed its full power, a blazing inferno of blood energy sweeping across its entire body, instantly burning away the poison of the Meridian Tempering Powder. Not only were its meridians no longer congested, but they became even more unobstructed!

boom--!

An even more violent aura than before surged into the sky!

Qin Zhan's figure suddenly disappeared from the spot, so fast that only a blur remained!

"Impossible! How could you be alright?!" Lu Cang's expression changed drastically, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

He roared inwardly: There's no antidote for the Meridian Tempering Powder, how could it be neutralized instantly? What kind of monster is this?!

Qin Zhan gave him no chance to react.

He didn't use any complicated martial arts techniques, just one punch.

A simple, straightforward, and unpretentious punch.

This punch, however, condensed all the power of his peak ninth level of Body Tempering, carrying the invincible battle intent of the Chaos Battle Soul, and also the chilling killing intent of being ambushed!

"Get out of here!"

boom--!

A deafening roar!

Before Lü Cang could even defend himself, he was punched hard in the chest, and the sound of bones breaking could be clearly heard.

His massive body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing directly off the stage. He coughed up blood, fainted on the spot, and his dantian trembled, almost crippling him!

One punch!

Just one punch!

Despite being poisoned and ambushed, he retaliated by delivering a devastating punch to his final opponent!

The entire room fell silent!

Everyone stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, their minds blank.

Those who were just moments ago mocking and anticipating Qin Zhan's defeat are now deathly pale, drenched in cold sweat, and filled with nothing but endless fear.

We were actually... hoping that such a killing god would lose? We were practically courting death!

On the high platform, several elders suddenly stood up, their eyes filled with shock and admiration:

"This child not only possesses an incredibly strong physical body, but can also neutralize the Meridian Tempering Powder on his own; his temperament is also frighteningly calm!"

"He deliberately feigned weakness to lure the enemy, then publicly broke the deadlock and humiliated them—a display of both courage and strategy, truly a peerless genius!"

Su Qingyuan stood at the front of the crowd, her cool eyes sparkling with a strange light, and a faint yet captivating smile appeared on her beautiful face.

She sighed inwardly:

Qin Zhan, you never disappoint. Any schemes or tricks are nothing but self-humiliation in the face of you.

Qin Zhan stood atop the arena, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping across the entire arena.

"To secretly use deadly poison on the arena is despicable and shameless; their intentions deserve to be condemned!"

"I'll remember the person behind Lü Cang for now, but if there's a next time, I won't let them off so easily!"

His voice was icy, echoing throughout the entire venue.

The men who had plotted against Qin Zhan in the shadows trembled with fear, quickly shrinking their heads and not daring to even breathe.

Below the stage, countless outer disciples erupted in cheers!

"Senior Brother Qin Zhan is awesome!"

"One punch seals the victory! Unstoppable!"

"Those despicable people are truly vile. Senior Brother Qin Zhan repays evil with kindness; he is a model for us all!"

Lin Feng, Shi Hu, and the others trembled with excitement, their admiration reaching its peak:

Our boss is amazing! Even when he's ambushed, he can still blast his opponent to pieces with a single punch. Following a boss like that, my life is worth it!

Those disciples who had previously wavered and harbored disloyal intentions were now completely convinced, kneeling down and shouting:

"We swear to follow Senior Brother Qin Zhan to the death! We will never betray him!"

If one person kneels, a hundred will kneel.

Throughout the entire training ground, countless outer disciples knelt down, their shouts echoing through the heavens, their hearts completely at peace!

Qin Zhan stood atop the arena, accepting the kneeling worship of thousands, yet his expression remained calm, without the slightest hint of arrogance.

The hearts of the people—that was his greatest gain today.

On the high platform, the chief elder could no longer contain his excitement and announced loudly, his voice resounding through the heavens:

"The ultimate winner of this year's outer sect competition is Qin Zhan!"

"A thousand spirit stones, a hundred bottles of body-tempering pills, an exceptional promotion to the inner sect, and the freedom to choose any cultivation technique from the Scripture Pavilion!"

As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted from the entire audience.

Qin Zhan stood tall and straight like a spear, at the pinnacle, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

With the outer gates now in full control, the victory is complete.

The inner sect's turmoil is about to begin...