Peng Lianyun saw the situation and became even more anxious. He put on a facade of delight, savoring endlessly, as if saying: It's really delicious, trust me!

Li Xian said, "It seems Brother Peng is quite fond of this kind of food."

The outstanding youths couldn't hold it any longer and burst into laughter. Peng Lianyun's face turned as red as a beetroot with anger, knowing he could no longer hide it. Having been in a high position since childhood, he was never laughed at before.

At that moment, an evil thought crossed his mind: "If I've made a fool of myself, you won't have it easy either!" He gathered his inner qi, faced Li Xian, intending to spit out the foul substance from his mouth.

The two were about ten feet apart, but Li Xian was prepared. He quickly stepped forward and pinched Peng Lianyun's lips shut. The inner qi rebounded, forcing the rotten substance back into his stomach.

"You!"

Peng Lianyun was taken by surprise, unable to resist. He felt the rotten, foul matter slide down into his stomach, nauseating him immensely. In his shock and fury, he retreated several steps, opened his mouth to curse, and the stench spread everywhere.

The crowd pinched their noses and frowned.

Peng Lianyun looked around in confusion. He glanced outside the lake, knowing that prominent families, sects, martial arts academies, and ordinary people were all watching.

Such a disgrace was akin to taking his life.

In extreme shame and anger, his blood surged, and his inner qi stirred. He assumed a desperate stance. But moments later, he suddenly clutched his stomach, fell to the ground in pain, and foamed at the mouth.

As it turns out…

This rotten shrimp had already started releasing toxins, and ordinary people who ate it would certainly die. The Essence-Eating Martial Artist's body was refined by the essence of heaven and earth, possessing a strong resistance. Upon noticing the strange taste, spitting it out immediately would leave him unharmed.

But Peng Lianyun, to save face, endured the foul taste and chewed it for some time. The toxins had entered his body, though not deeply, so symptoms did not appear initially. Then, he swallowed the rotten shrimp down to his stomach.

The poison compounded, acting swiftly, causing unbearable stomach pain.

He was on the verge of fainting, losing all fighting strength.

A little later, he convulsed all over, cold sweat pouring, his luxurious clothes soaked through. He mumbled incoherently, his situation dire.

Moments before, his emotions overwhelmed him, causing chaotic circulation of qi-blood, which pushed the toxins towards his heart.

A young prodigy named "Zhang Xiao" swiftly approached. His footsteps nimble, he placed Peng Lianyun onto a table and pushed on his back. Peng Lianyun made a "pfft" sound, vomiting the rot from his stomach.

But some of the toxin had already spread throughout his body. Zhang Xiao grasped his pulse, frowning and relaxing alternately, already knowing how to handle it. Elegantly, he unfastened his jade belt, took out ten gold needles.

His hand movements were swift, applying the needles naturally.

After a short while, Peng Lianyun's condition stabilized, but his lips were dark purple, the poison not yet completely expelled. Zhang Xiao said, "Brother Peng is poisoned. Though the poison isn't fatal, he won't be able to partake in this feast."

Zhang Xiao walked to the side of the building, raised his voice to the sky, "Please send someone to row a boat here and take Brother Peng back for healing."

Li Xian praised, "Truly worthy of being the Golden Needle Divine Doctor, Young Master Zhang. A healer with a compassionate heart, superior skills, much admired, much admired."

Zhang Xiao smiled warmly, "Brother Li, it's you whom I've admired for a long time."

...

...

Peng Lianyun was taken away by boat. With the farce over, everyone returned to their seats, continuing to savor the food. An incense stick later, several dishes were successively brought out.

The bystanders, although at a great distance, could only listen and watch. However, they were never bored. Each dish inevitably held many fascinating stories, insights, and knowledge. The present prodigies each displayed their skills, making the dining experience vibrant and spectacular, showcasing their talents.

Chatted freely, the atmosphere congenial.

Each flaunting their prowess.

Therefore, around Pond Lake, more and more people gathered, both city residents and Jianghu travelers. The exuberance of the atmosphere was indescribable.

Peng Lianyun was sent to Dragon Gate Tower.

The sect leader of the Seven Mountains Sect, "Peng Mountain," pushed on his back to expel the poison. After feeding him an antitoxic elixir, it wasn't long before his complexion improved, regaining his consciousness.

Peng Lianyun angrily said, "I will fight him to the death!" Remembering all his humiliating experiences, he was furious to the point of death. Peng Mountain calmly said, "Lianyun, you've withdrawn from the field, do not further disgrace yourself."

"Father!" Peng Lianyun said, "Your son's humiliation is small, but disgrace upon the sect's name is big. If this grudge is left unavenged… how… how can I stand?"

Peng Mountain said nothing, just looked towards the lake. The lake water, like a mirror, rippled, suddenly showing a strange scene:

Two figures fighting in the water mirror, both using basic martial arts, yet extraordinary.

The crowd was astonished, exclaiming repeatedly.

Two voices echoed across Pond Lake. They spoke of nothing but basic martial arts moves: Flying Eagle Flapping Wings, Celestial Eagle Dive, Tiger Pounce Claw Strike…

As each shout was heard, the reflection in the lake changed. Shockingly, it was as if the two voices were fighting in the lake's reflection.

"Father, what is happening?" Peng Lianyun asked.

Peng Mountain said, "Someone is discussing martial arts, and the sound resonates with the lake surface. This lake is quite special, whenever a voice filled with profound martial intent is heard, it can resonate with the lake, transforming verbal duels into reflected battles on the lake."

Hearing this, Peng Lianyun became even more upset. Such a grand event was now beyond his grasp.

"Don't overthink." Peng Mountain shook his head and said, "Not every martial arts discussion can provoke the lake mirror's resonance, manifesting reflected lake battles. Those who discuss must possess martial arts mastery nearing perfection, only then can such a scene emerge. Even if you were present, as you've only barely achieved great success in basic martial arts, which is quite decent, it's not enough to induce the lake's reflection phenomenon, it is extremely difficult."

"Of course… you have suffered this big loss, if given a chance, I will help you seek retribution as your father."

...

...

At this commotion, the prodigies within Heavenly People Tower felt it the most, exclaiming repeatedly:

"Though just a simple Eagle Claw Hand in the lake reflection, the attack and defense are balanced, nearing perfection, establishing an invincible position."

"Yet the opponent is no weaker, their moves direct and powerful."

"That is the third-ranked Wang Kun on the Hero List, challenging the first-class Zhou Shijie. Both of their moves are extremely formidable, influencing the lake's mental realm."

...

Soon after, the lake reflection paused, ceasing any movement, the outcome decided. However, among the onlookers and even the prodigies within the building, none could tell what had happened or who won, as though in a dream.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.