Chapter 233: Chapter 35: The Fierce Tiger’s Rod
Seeing Fang Cheng, Cen San Niang couldn’t help but be swept up in memories of their past.
In an instant, those sweet and tender memories completely took over her heart.
The Love Gu’s effects had long since faded, but "love"—that potent poison of the Mortal World—was even more powerful than the gu itself.
She said softly, "If I hadn’t come, would you have never come looking for me again?"
Fang Cheng had expected this question. He didn’t say a word, instead answering with his actions.
He took a step forward, his tall and sturdy frame radiating an oppressive aura. Cen San Niang bit her red lip and was about to retreat when he swept her up into his arms, then turned and walked toward the bedroom.
"Meng Ru, close the door."
Fang Cheng said without looking back.
Shopkeeper Tang spat delicately in feigned annoyance, then quickly shut the guest room door and activated the restrictive seals, isolating all sound and spiritual energy from the outside.
’She thought that after Third Lady arrived, she and the Fierce Tiger Taoist would be seriously discussing the duel in two days’ time. Who would have thought they’d get right to... this... the moment they saw each other...’
’Come to think of it, it had been a long time since she had seen Third Lady’s fair and graceful body.’
’And Third Lady’s melodious and charming voice.’
’Only with the Fierce Tiger Taoist could one hear that heavenly sound.’
’Even a woman like her couldn’t resist such temptation, let alone a libertine like the Fierce Tiger Taoist.’
At this thought, Shopkeeper Tang also glided gracefully toward the bedroom.
...
Two days passed in a flash.
On this day, the streets of the Yinluo Sect Marketplace were suddenly much quieter.
Many Cultivators were heading out of the marketplace, then summoning their Escape Lights and flying south.
Some people were quite confused. After asking around, they learned that the grudge between the Flame God Palace and the Divine Pillar Mountain Immortal City was to be settled with a duel.
All Cultivators in Yun Country knew that Divine Pillar Mountain was the foremost power in the Cultivation Realm, second only to the three major sects. The Immortal City was incredibly prosperous, even more so than those of the three sects.
And although the Lord of the Immortal City was at the Peak of the Life Talisman Realm, he was widely considered to be among the handful of most powerful Cultivators below the Life Soul Realm.
It was said that if they were near the Immortal City, even a Life Soul Cultivator might not be able to gain an advantage against him.
This wasn’t just a rumor; it had been said by one of Taihao Mountain’s Life Soul Realm Elders, and the words had since spread throughout Yun Country.
The Immortal City’s Third Young Master was going to duel a Flame God Palace Elder, but the conflict had originated from a feud between the Qiao and Jing families.
After hearing the full story, everyone expressed their admiration for the Third Young Master and was disgusted by the Flame God Palace’s methods.
However, the Flame God Palace had always been domineering, so while people despised them in their hearts, they didn’t dare say much out loud.
Naturally, they all wanted to see the outcome of this duel between the Immortal City and the Flame God Palace.
Thus, more and more people flew south of the marketplace.
In the vast, jade-green Abyssal Marsh, a magnificent painted barge rested steadily on the lake’s surface.
Above the barge, a single cloud hung motionlessly. Atop this cloud stood an octagonal pavilion with golden tiles and red pillars, simple and rustic in its design.
Seated in the pavilion were three Cultivators in fiery red robes—two men and one woman—all of whom possessed an extraordinary air.
The woman was a beautiful, middle-aged lady with a dignified and graceful temperament. As her phoenix eyes glanced about, they held a subtle hint of authority.
To her left sat a red-haired youth with a cold, stern expression. His gaze was as sharp as lightning, and he sat as still as a cast-iron statue.
To her right was a portly, middle-aged man with large ears. He looked like a wealthy patriarch and wore a faint smile that easily put others at ease.
These three were all Elders of the Flame God Palace. The beautiful woman and the portly man had a Mid-stage Life Talisman Cultivation and had been granted the "Profound" designation within the Flame God Palace, while the red-haired youth had been granted the "Yellow" designation.
The Elders in the Flame God Palace were granted one of four designations based on their cultivation level: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. These corresponded to the Life Soul Realm and the Three Realms of the Life Talisman, respectively.
The beautiful woman’s name was Mu Xuanyu, and the portly man was Qi Xuanyi. Both hailed from top-tier families affiliated with the Flame God Palace.
The red-haired youth was named Luo Huangqiao. He was a son-in-law who had married into the Qiao Family. Originally a Loose Cultivator, his talent for cultivation was astonishing. The Qiao Family later recruited and nurtured him until he successfully condensed his Life Talisman.
Thus, after he was granted the "Yellow" title, he also incorporated "Qiao" into his name.
The current duel between the Flame God Palace and the Divine Pillar Immortal City had started because of him.
That day, Cen San Niang had furiously killed two of the Qiao Family’s Life Talisman Cultivators. The remaining Qiao Family Cultivator, filled with shock and rage, ordered Luo Huangqiao to engage the enemy.
Luo Huangqiao and Cen San Niang, each possessing unique skills, fought for over a hundred moves without a clear winner. In the end, their battle drew the attention of a Yinluo Sect Inner Sect Elder, who intervened to mediate.
Unwilling to let the matter rest, the Qiao Family cultivator had Luo Huangqiao and Cen San Niang agree to a formal duel at a later date.
The Qiao Family had deep roots and extensive connections within the Flame God Palace. After the duel was set, they invited two Profound Elders, Mu Xuanyu and Qi Xuanyi, to support them. In the interim, the three of them even joined forces to ambush the Second Young Master of the Divine Pillar Mountain Immortal City, who was on his way...
The Qiao Family’s actions were, in truth, carried out with the instruction and tacit approval of the Flame God Palace’s "Earth" rank Elders.
Their motives were twofold: first, to avenge the Qiao Family’s elders, and second, to establish their dominance and humiliate the Immortal City.
For the past hundred years, the Divine Pillar Immortal City had grown increasingly prosperous, subtly becoming the largest center for trade and commerce in the Yun Country Cultivation Realm.
The marketplaces of Taihao Mountain, the Yinluo Sect, and the Flame God Palace were naturally affected, suffering a loss of profit.
On the surface, the Flame God Palace’s move was a matter of pride, but in reality, it had a deeper meaning: to strike a blow against the Divine Pillar Mountain Immortal City’s faction.
At this moment, the three Flame God Palace Elders sat leisurely in the cloud pavilion, waiting quietly.
Meanwhile, Escape Lights streaked across the sky from time to time. The arrivals each claimed a spot in the heavens, setting down treasures like Flying Boats, Jade Platforms, and Immortal Residences as they patiently waited for the show to begin.
The Yinluo Sect’s grand auction, held once a decade, had gathered a large number of Life Talisman Realm Cultivators. Today’s duel had attracted more than half of them.
