Chapter 37: Grey v/s Shu Shu

Grey continued his search for Shu Shu, his eyes scanning every corner of the sect's grounds. "Come out, Shu Shu," he muttered under his breath, determined not to let his slippery friend evade him this time. "You're not getting away that easily."Just as Grey was about to venture further, the sound of the announcer's voice boomed across the arena, cutting through his thoughts. "Disciple Grey, of Big Bamboo Peak, report to the arena."He let out a frustrated sigh, knowing that this meant his match was about to start. "You escaped this time, Shu Shu," he muttered under his breath, giving up his search for now. Without wasting any more time, he turned and made his way to the arena.As he arrived, he saw his opponent already waiting for him. The tension in the air was palpable as the announcer officially began the match with a loud, "Start!"However, before Grey could even prepare himself, his opponent quickly raised his hand and declared, "I surrender!"The crowd murmured in surprise, exchanging puzzled glances as Grey's opponent hastily surrendered.Most were unsure of what had just happened, but Grey's opponent looked visibly shaken, his face pale with fear. The determined, fiery look on Grey's face as he entered the arena had been completely misunderstood.The opponent had assumed that Grey's expression was one of focused anger, when in reality, it was residual frustration from his earlier chase that lingered. Clearly, the opponent had decided that facing what he believed to be Grey's wrath simply wasn't worth the risk.Grey, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden surrender, blinked in surprise. It took him a moment to process what had just happened before a small chuckle escaped his lips. "Well, that was easy," he muttered to himself, a mix of amusement and lingering irritation in his tone.The announcer's voice rang out, confirming Grey's victory. "Disciple Grey wins and advances to the next round!" The words echoed through the arena, but Grey barely acknowledged them.He turned and walked away from the ring, his victory sealed without even lifting a finger."Disciple Grey wins and enters the top 8!" the announcer declared, his voice echoing throughout the arena.The spectators nodded in agreement, understanding why Grey's opponent had surrendered so quickly. After witnessing Grey's formidable strength in the previous day's match, it was no surprise that some disciples were hesitant to face him.Grey's reputation had clearly preceded him, and the fear of being overpowered by someone of his caliber was enough to deter even the bravest challengers.Grey, still fuming from his earlier encounter with Shu Shu, felt a piercing gaze on him. He turned slowly, and there, standing a distance away, was Lu Xueqi. Her icy eyes bore into him like twin arrows of judgment.As if his day couldn't get any worse. Just as he opened his mouth to explain, "That—" she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving him frozen in place, speechless.Inwardly, Grey felt his soul deflate. He could face powerful cultivators, demonic beasts, and even laugh in the face of danger, but when it came to women? Especially the ones who already thought he was a pervert? He was utterly helpless."Two lives, two entire lives, and I still don't know how to talk to women," Grey muttered, dragging a hand down his face as if to wipe away the utter failure.Lu Xueqi, of all people, already had a poor opinion of him, and now… well, now things were looking even worse. It wasn't that he didn't want to explain. It was just that how do you explain being caught in such compromising situation?He couldn't shake the feeling that it was only going to get more complicated from here.Grey squared his shoulders, shaking off the embarrassment. He was Grey, after all. A cultivator with ambition—and if he wanted a big harem, he was going to start with Lu Xueqi! He grinned to himself, full of new determination."I'm a man who fights for what he wants. If I can overcome heavenly tribulations, I can handle a few misunderstandings. Right?"Just as Grey's mood was starting to lighten, the announcement for the next match came. He strolled confidently into the arena, ready to flex his skills, only to watch his opponent—without so much as a second thought—raise his hand in surrender.Grey blinked. Wait, what?"I surrender!" the opponent declared, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.The referee didn't even blink, raising his arm to signal the decision. "Disciple Grey advances to the semi-finals!"Grey stood there, dumbfounded. It was almost too easy.He hadn't even needed to lift a finger, let alone break a sweat. The crowd murmured in surprise, and Grey couldn't help but chuckle. Was his reputation really that terrifying?As the announcement for the semi-finals came, Grey found himself grinning wickedly as the name of his next opponent echoed through the crowd: Zheng Shu Shu. The very man responsible for his earlier bout of frustration.The universe was clearly on his side today. This was his golden opportunity for payback, served on a silver platter. Shu Shu, his former friend turned nemesis, was about to become the key to making his day right.Across the arena, Shu Shu stood trembling. His legs felt like jelly, and sweat drenched his face once again. It seemed the universe wasn't as kind to him as it was to Grey. Why him? Why now?Grey, on the other hand, practically radiated with glee. His eyes locked onto Shu Shu like a predator eyeing its prey. "The gods are too kind," Grey thought to himself, his grin turning downright malicious. Shu Shu was about to pay."Disciple Grey from Big Bamboo Peak vs. Zheng Shu Shu from Wind Blowing Peak!" the announcer boomed.Shu Shu swallowed hard, his nerves visibly getting the better of him. He glanced at Grey, whose sadistic smile made his stomach flip. This was a nightmare."Should I just surrender?" Shu Shu muttered to himself, barely loud enough to hear. He looked at Grey, whose grin had only grown more menacing. It was clear that this wasn't going to be a simple match. This was personal.Grey took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Shu Shu, I highly recommend you give up any idea of surrendering." His grin stretched unnervingly wide. "Because if you do... well, let's just say, I'll still find a way to make you regret it."Shu Shu's eyes widened like saucers. "W-What do you mean, Brother?" His voice cracked with desperation, his feet shuffling back instinctively.Grey's eyes narrowed playfully. "Let's just say, I've got a long memory when it comes to grievances. And I'm a creative guy."Before Shu Shu could beg for mercy, the announcer, completely oblivious to the growing tension in the air, called out: "Start!"The second the word left the announcer's mouth, Grey leapt into action like a predator chasing down prey.He launched himself across the arena with startling speed, his eyes locked on his target. Shu Shu, completely panic-stricken, screamed, "I SURRENDER!" and bolted for the exit like his life depended on it.Chaos immediately ensued."STOP, SHU SHU!" Grey roared as he gave chase, his anger fueling his legs to move even faster. His earlier frustration, his desire for revenge—all of it was pouring out in this mad dash across the arena.Shu Shu, now full-on sprinting for his life, was zigzagging across the battlefield like a frantic rabbit, desperately trying to escape his vengeful friend.The crowd was frozen in utter bewilderment. Was this... part of the match?Shu Shu's frantic running, coupled with Grey's relentless pursuit, turned what was supposed to be an intense semifinal duel into a bizarre, comical spectacle.The crowd's initial silence was soon broken by snickers, and then full-on laughter as the absurdity of the situation became clear.Even the announcer looked flustered, his mouth half-opened in confusion as he tried to process what was happening. Was this still a match, or had it turned into some kind of circus performance?"Disciple Grey wins and is selected for the finals," the announcer stammered, clearly unsure how to handle the situation. The official declaration was drowned out by laughter now spreading through the arena.Meanwhile, on the elders' side, Tian Bu Yi, Grey's master, facepalmed with a deep sigh of exasperation.Why, oh why, did his disciple have to turn everything into a spectacle? He had trained Grey in martial arts, not whatever this farce was turning into. He could feel his dignity slipping away with each second.At the opposite end of the elder seats, Zheng Shucang, Shu Shu's father, stared with a mixture of bewilderment and concern.Was his son really being chased out of the arena in front of everyone? He considered standing up to defend his family's honor but couldn't muster the will to interrupt whatever madness was unfolding.At the very center of it all, Sect Master Dao Xuan sat, watching with a bemused smile. "The younger generation certainly is... lively," he mused out loud, his tone amused.Perhaps this wasn't the most dignified semifinal he'd ever seen, but it was certainly the most entertaining.