The second bout.

Was to be held today.

After the people of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin decided that Zhao Wenyu would take the field for the second bout.

Outside the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin.

More and more cultivators gathered; they were all here to watch the spectacle.

On a patch of open ground outside the city gate, an incomparably huge arena had been erected. With so many cultivators coming together to spectate, the people of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin were not afraid that Xiao Yao Palace and the other forces would go back on their word. Those so‑called Orthodox Sects like Xiao Yao Palace valued their so‑called reputation above all.

The area outside the city gate of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin was filled with all kinds of noisy discussions.

"Yesterday’s bout, the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin lost in a way that was far too bizarre. I heard the one who fought for the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin yesterday was the old ancestor of the Nine Nether Ice Lion, from the Lion King Lineage. It’s said the Lion King Lineage is the most skilled at battle; there’s absolutely no way he’d lose that easily."

"You still haven’t heard? Heavenly Sword Sect’s Li Yuanmu, the reason he could defeat the old ancestor of the Lion King Lineage seems to be because he used despicable methods. People of the Lion King Lineage have always been straightforward. Yesterday that old ancestor of the Lion King Lineage might not have said anything, but some observant folks could see he seemed to have been poisoned. To use poison in a duel—this is absolutely not something of the Righteous Path!"

"Stop farting here. Heavenly Sword Sect, Xiao Yao Palace, and the Jins have always acted in an aboveboard manner. What the hell counts as that old ancestor of the Lion King Lineage? The Ancient City of Heavenly Origin is originally a cancer in Central State. Xiao Yao Palace is cleansing Central State of a scourge."

"That’s right, I also trust Heavenly Sword Sect, Xiao Yao Palace, and the Jins. This time the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin is doomed to lose. I heard that so‑called city lord of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin, that Ye Chenfeng, has disappeared for quite a while now. I really don’t know what gives that brat the right to stir up the winds and clouds in Central State. I don’t think that brat’s strength can be anything special. How could the experts of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin be willing to listen to that kid? Their brains must’ve all been squeezed by a door."

...

The discussions outside the city gate rang out without stopping.

On the right side of that gigantic arena.

The old ancestors of Xiao Yao Palace, Heavenly Sword Sect, and the Jins were all present.

Heavenly Sword Sect’s old ancestor Hua Wanchuan and Li Yuanmu.

Xiao Yao Palace’s old ancestors Luo Qianjiang, Zhao Wanzhong, and Luo Qianhai.

And the Jins’ old ancestor Jin Hongsheng.

Forces like Xiao Yao Palace had indeed obtained a heavenly material and earthly treasure known as Spirit Condensation Grass. This Spirit Condensation Grass had long since gone extinct in the Tian Xuan Realm.

This was something Xiao Yao Palace and the others had obtained by accident. As long as the Spirit Condensation Grass was ground into powder, and that powder was scattered into the air during battle, once the opponent inhaled it, the Spiritual Qi River in the opponent’s meridians would immediately become obstructed.

The powder of Spirit Condensation Grass was colorless and tasteless; even most Divine King Realm experts wouldn’t notice it at all.

Although Spirit Condensation Grass had gone extinct in the Tian Xuan Realm, the antidote concocted from Spirit Condensation Grass had not disappeared from the Tian Xuan Realm.

Moreover, even if one did not take the antidote, the effects of the Spirit Condensation Grass would slowly fade away after several hours.

During the bout with Zhao Jinpeng, Li Yuanmu had taken the antidote to Spirit Condensation Grass in advance.

Hua Wanchuan opened his mouth and said, "In the last bout we only won so easily because we used Spirit Condensation Grass. I’m afraid the people of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin will be prepared this time. It’s impossible to rely on Spirit Condensation Grass to win again."

Luo Qianhai said with a smile, "No need to worry too much. No matter what level of Divine King Realm expert the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin sends next, don’t we already have countermeasures? Even without relying on Spirit Condensation Grass, we can still win. As long as we take one more win, the victory is ours."

Jin Hongsheng also said, "I think the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin absolutely wouldn’t dare to go back on their word. They publicly agreed to our terms for the duel. If they dare to renege, they really will become the target of public criticism."

As Jin Hongsheng’s words fell.

Zhao Jinpeng, Wu Lingxiang, and the others all appeared atop the city tower.

On the azure Barrier that shrouded the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin, a large opening appeared. Zhao Wenyu shot out through that opening and finally landed steadily upon the vast arena. Expressionless, he said, "For this second bout, I, Zhao Wenyu, will be the one to fight."

Seeing Zhao Wenyu, a Divine King Realm Initial Stage expert, step onto the arena in midair.

Hua Wanchuan, Luo Qianhai, and the others exchanged smiles. It seemed they were convinced that they were certain to win this second bout as well.

Luo Qianjiang, who was also at the Divine King Realm Initial Stage, had his figure vanish from his original spot, then appeared on the arena. He said, "Then let me experience for myself the strength of the Clan Leader of the Lion King Lineage!"

On both sides of the arena stood a Stele for testing strength. Before the duel, they had to confirm each other’s level to prevent anyone from using special methods to conceal their cultivation.

Zhao Wenyu and Luo Qianjiang each tested their cultivation. The Stele displayed that both were at the Divine King Realm Initial Stage.

After the test was completed.

Zhao Wenyu and Luo Qianjiang faced each other from a distance.

Luo Qianjiang shook his head and said, "What a pity. That brat Ye Chenfeng isn’t here, so he won’t be able to see the scene of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin’s fall."

Zhao Wenyu snorted coldly through his nose. Although he had not gone to the Bloodswallow Clan ancestral grounds, he had learned of what happened there from Zhao Jinpeng and the others. In his view, forces like Xiao Yao Palace were simply ungrateful. No matter what, if not for Ye Chenfeng, none of these old fellows would have been able to walk out of the Bloodswallow Clan ancestral grounds alive.

Standing on the city tower, Zhao Jinpeng and the others took in Hua Wanchuan and the others’ confidence. A bad premonition gnawed at their hearts. Zhao Jinpeng sighed and said, "Sigh, I don’t know if Xiao Yao Palace will use some other trick this time. We can’t afford to lose anymore!"

Just as Zhao Jinpeng let out his sigh.

Just as Zhao Wenyu and Luo Qianjiang on the arena were about to make their move.

"Hold it!"

A furious shout suddenly echoed between heaven and earth, and immediately after, a streak of a figure appeared on the arena.

Ye Chenfeng, travel‑worn and dusty, finally arrived late to the scene.

Wearing a long black robe, Ye Chenfeng landed beside Zhao Wenyu. After relying on a large Teleportation Array to arrive near the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin, he had immediately learned of the current situation of the Ancient City from the mouths of some cultivators.

Ye Chenfeng’s sudden arrival made Zhao Wenyu, standing beside him, freeze for a moment. Just as he was about to speak.

Ye Chenfeng patted Zhao Wenyu’s shoulder.

Suddenly, a gentle force erupted from Ye Chenfeng’s palm on Zhao Wenyu’s shoulder.

Zhao Wenyu was pushed off the arena by that force. In the eyes of others, it looked as if Zhao Wenyu had voluntarily stepped down from the arena.

He had not noticed it just a moment ago.

But at this very moment, Zhao Wenyu finally realized that Ye Chenfeng was now also at the Divine King Realm Initial Stage. And just now, before Ye Chenfeng’s gentle strength, he had had no room to resist whatsoever. This caused tumultuous waves to surge in his heart.

Ye Chenfeng turned his gaze toward Luo Qianjiang and said, "It’s time to settle the score between us. Let me be the one to fight this bout."

...(To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)