As soon as the Human Emperor Banner came out, I became the Lord of the Old Ones

Chapter 130 I Belong Only to Myself
"That only proves that I am stronger than them, but it does not prove that the no-card strategy is stronger than the multi-card strategy, nor does it prove that 'me with a no-card strategy' is necessarily stronger than 'me with a multi-card strategy'."

Chu Zhifeng seemed to have shot a deadly arrow, shedding the burden he had carried for many years, and felt completely relaxed. "You should know how much effort and price I have paid to get to where I am today. The sweat I have shed alone is more than ten cardless cultivators combined, not to mention all the pain, injuries, and inhuman torment I have endured."

I am not afraid of pain.

"But if I were to invest the sweat and pain I've endured into the training of 'Doka Flow,' and let a powerful guardian spirit amplify the effects of my training tenfold or even a hundredfold, is it possible that my strength would be far greater than it is today, and that I would have already become the strongest among the younger generation in Dawn City?"

Xiong Tieshan was so angry that he laughed instead.

"That's utter bullshit."

He stared intently at Chu Zhifeng. "This is the promise the Shattered Star Club made to you: to use the 'Duoka Flow' to help you become the strongest of the new generation in Dawn City? You believe their nonsense?"

"I don't believe anyone's promises, I only believe my own eyes and everything I see."

Facing Xiong Tieshan, whose face was about to erupt in a storm, Chu Zhifeng appeared even calmer. He coldly said, "If the no-card strategy is really as strong as you say, why is the multi-card strategy the most mainstream and strongest strategy in the Heroic Spirit Alliance today?"
"Look at the top ten super clubs in the league, seven of them use multiple cards, three use single cards, and there are no cardless teams at all."

"The legendary Spirit Masters who lead the alliance also possess legendary Peerless Cards and Mythical Cards, and often more than one."

"The no-card strategy that clings to the path of absolute godhood can only huddle in the remote and impoverished areas on the border of the alliance. As times change, it gradually declines and is eventually eliminated."

"Occasionally a few so-called 'new talents, stars, and geniuses' emerge, but they are only a flash in the pan, becoming minnows, punching bags, and background figures in top-level competitions."

"Isn't this the truth?"

"of course not!"

Xiong Tieshan spread his arms wide, as if to use an invisible force to shatter the cruel reality. "Kuang Tie Club is the best counter-example. Our development over the past two years has been smooth sailing. More and more people are becoming our members. We have just completed a comprehensive upgrade. Before long, Kuang Tie will definitely become one of the four major clubs in Dawn City, or even a super club among the top ten in the league!"

Chu Zhifeng laughed.

Looking into Xiong Tieshan's eyes was like looking at a drunkard who was escaping reality and deceiving himself.

"Teacher Xiong, you should be well aware that the situation at Kuangtie Club only improved after Senior Sister Xiong... General Manager Xiong took over, changed the business strategy, and introduced a large number of training cards and support cards. Moreover—"

At this point, he suddenly seemed somewhat disheartened.

Like knowing you can't convince a drunkard who's hopelessly trapped in his own logic, you're unwilling to continue arguing.

"Times have changed, Master."

Chu Zhifeng's eyes revealed guilt, inner turmoil, and even a trace of pity.

But he ultimately ignored all his weak emotions and said in a low but firm voice, "This is the last time I will call you Master. I will never forget your great kindness and virtue, but I have my own path to walk. When I stepped into the Kuangtie Martial Arts School, I swore to the spirits of my parents in heaven that I would spare no effort and use any means necessary to become the strongest."

"No matter if it's an impregnable fortress or anyone else, as long as they stand in my way to becoming the strongest, I will crush them without mercy!"

After saying this, he suddenly knelt down and kowtowed three times to Xiong Tieshan and the old signboard of "Kuang Tie Martial Arts School" behind him, leaving a shocking pool of blood on the ground.

Without even wiping his wounds, and letting the winding trail of blood divide his slightly gloomy features, Chu Zhifeng walked out without looking back.

"Get out! You ungrateful traitor, you turn your back on us!"

Watching his disciple's retreating figure, Xiong Tieshan felt as if all the bones in his body had been removed. His bronze-cast-iron body couldn't support his crumbling soul, and he could only hold on to his last breath with a furious rage. "Don't think that Kuangtie Club only has one genius like you. Even without you, we still have so many gold-medal coaches and star students. Kuangtie Team will still advance triumphantly in the Dawn Cup, crushing you and Shattered Star Team. You wait, you'll regret it. Did you hear me? You belong to the no-card style, you will definitely regret it!"

"I belong only to myself."

Only after stepping out the door did Chu Zhifeng turn his head one last time, saying, "It's either win or die. The dead never regret anything."

He disappeared into the burning horizon of Xiong Tieshan.

"Click-clack, click-clack-clack!"

Xiong Tieshan found his bones.

All 206 bones in his body, including every single tooth, were making a "clicking" sound.

"What are you still doing?"

He looked around and roared at the coaches and players of the Kuangtie team, "Why aren't you starting today's training!"

"Uh……"

The coaches exchanged meaningful glances.

Several elite trainees, who were also the main force of the Kuangtie team, stood behind the coaches.

"Boss Xiong, we..."

The oldest coach already has graying temples.

"We're also leaving the Kuangtie Club, all of us."

He pulled a thick stack of resignation applications and withdrawal documents from his pocket, but dared not meet Xiong Tieshan's gaze. He simply lowered his head and whispered, "I'm sorry, old friend, Suixing offered far too much." "..."

Xiong Tieshan stood silently, like a mountain in the night.

"father!"

Xiong Ruyue exclaimed in surprise.

A bolt from the blue struck; the mountains collapsed, and Xiong Tieshan clutched his chest as he fell straight down with a deafening roar.

……

late at night.

After a day of commotion, the Kuangtie Club has finally quieted down for the time being.

The large door locked with iron chains on the inside, the floor-to-ceiling windows riddled with holes, the training equipment lying in disarray, the barbell plates scattered all over the floor, and the horrifying scribbles on the walls all testify to just how exciting the chaos of the daytime had been.

The simultaneous departure of Chu Zhifeng, the main players of the Kuangtie team, and the senior coach was merely the appetizer.

Just as Xiong Ruyue took Xiong Tieshan, who had suffered a heart attack, to the hospital, twenty or thirty burly, fierce-looking members covered in dragon and phoenix tattoos came to the door, banging on the door and demanding a refund.

Kuangtie Club has always followed a strategy of low profit margins and high sales volume.

Due to the unique nature of the cardless data plan, members who have trained for a few days may find it too strenuous and unable to continue, and may wish to request a refund of most of their fees. This is negotiable.

The problem is that these members all got their cards in the last few months, and according to the standards of top-tier VIPs, they prepaid for several years' worth of fees in one go, and of course, they also agreed on the relevant terms for refunds.

At the time, Xiong Ruyue was all smiles, believing that her business strategy was very effective, attracting so many high-quality customers at once, and providing them with all kinds of services, except that she had to hire an extra bath attendant in the bathroom to serve them.

Unexpectedly, these "high-quality customers," who had never attended a single training session, all suddenly appeared at this critical juncture, demanding a full refund.

Xiong Ruyue wasn't unwilling to get a refund.

But she was at the hospital taking care of Xiong Tieshan at the time.

It was clearly impossible for the club's safe to hold that much cash.

Most of the club's management, including the deputy general manager and financial director, submitted their resignations along with the senior coaches. They then all complained of stomach aches and disappeared without a trace.

After waiting for three minutes without resolving the issue, the "premium customer" immediately pulled out rotten eggs, rotten tomatoes, fermented food, and a semi-permanent ink spray can from his backpack, turning the newly upgraded Crazy Iron Club into a complete mess.

Reporters from seven or eight other media outlets, including "Dawn Media," swarmed in like flies that had smelled rotten eggs, snapping numerous photos and conducting on-site interviews with the indignant "premium client." They even shoved dozens of microphones into Xu Yan's face, prepared to roll on the ground or even tear his teeth out if he sneezed.

Fortunately, the Kuangtie Club has been operating for many years and has a group of old members who have been training with Xiong Tieshan since the "Kuangtie Martial Arts School" era.

They may not know the intricacies behind the whole thing.

However, he absolutely trusted Xiong Tieshan's character and possessed a simple sense of justice.

When the "premium customer" attempted to dismantle all the training equipment and completely smash the Kuangtie Club to pieces.

The veteran members, led by "Wang Dali," glared angrily at these guys covered in tattoos.

He then patted his chest and vouched for Xiong Tieshan's character and the reputation of the Kuangtie Club, facing the reporters' microphones and cameras.

The story vividly describes how Xiong Tieshan rescued Chu Zhifeng from a desperate situation in the slums and taught him like a close relative.

The veteran member's righteous words were clearly not the kind of voice the reporter wanted to hear.

Furthermore, with the matter dragging on for too long and attracting too many onlookers, the "premium client" found it inconvenient to demolish the entire club in front of everyone.

They and the reporters dispersed like a tidal wave sweeping everything away.

All that remained were the "ruins" left after the flood peak passed.

This scene caused many long-time members to sigh.

The Mad Iron Club, which has stood in Dawn City for many years, is one of the few remaining cardless clubs in the entire Heroic Spirit Alliance. This time, it has encountered tremendous trouble and is probably doomed.

At this moment, the hustle and bustle of the daytime has turned into the deathly silence of the night.

The dim moonlight illuminated the messy scene, making the club's disarray and desolation even more apparent.

In the graveyard-like silence, a sharp, piercing sound could be faintly heard.

It's like a ravenous tiger searching for food among the steel wreckage.

More like a ghost, emerging from the pitch-black depths of the underworld with an almost transparent outline.

(End of this chapter)