Chapter 182: Chapter 181: A Chasm of Difference
"What? The Young Master of the South Mountain Tribe, [Ice], is challenging the Chosen One of the North Snow Tribe, [Hill]!"
"How is that a fair comparison? The South Mountain Tribe’s Young Master is already seventeen. I hear he’s a Hunting Team Warrior in his tribe, and his personal strength has solidly entered the Copper Skin Realm. But the North Snow Tribe’s Chosen One, [Hill], probably hasn’t even reached the Copper Skin Realm yet, right?"
"You can’t say that. You can’t judge a Chosen One’s Talent by normal standards. Who knows? Maybe [Hill] has already entered the Copper Skin Realm."
When the Elder Witch Priest announced that the South Mountain Tribe’s Young Master, [Ice], was challenging Jiang Qiu, the envoys from the various tribes grew animated, chattering amongst themselves.
They stared at Jiang Qiu in the center of the Altar plaza, clicking their tongues in amazement. "Just now, the Chosen One, [Hill], shattered ten ice shards with a single spear thrust. His strength must have already reached the Copper Skin Realm. I heard his awakened Bloodline Talent is related to his skin, so his physical body is probably just as impressive."
"I’m really curious just how strong a Chosen One is."
The envoys were mostly composed of young people from the tribes; middle-aged Warriors only made up a small portion. And it’s only natural for the young to be fascinated by legends and yearn for power.
The legend of the Chosen One had been passed down by word of mouth for tens of thousands of years. It wasn’t easy for their generation to finally see one, so how could they not be curious?
Most of them came from smaller tribes. Within the Northern Boundary Human Clan, aside from the West Ice Tribe, South Mountain Tribe, North Snow Tribe, and East Shore Tribe, none had a Chosen One, nor did they ever get a chance to see one.
Getting a glimpse of Jiang Qiu’s face today had already satisfied some of their curiosity, but it would be even better if they could also witness his strength!
"[Ice], of the South Mountain Tribe."
The stocky youth clenched his fist and stepped into the circle. The arrogance in his eyes was as sharp as a blade. After shrugging off his black cotton robe, he revealed broad shoulders and a wide back. His bare arms looked as if they could shatter ice with his bare hands.
’My father said this fight is mainly to probe his abilities. I should try my best not to damage the relationship between our two tribes, to avoid trouble on the way back.’
’If necessary, let the North Snow Tribe’s Chosen One win in the end.’
It was true that the South Mountain Tribe was in the wrong for having an older fighter challenge a younger one, but [Ice] had no intention of holding back. A surging battlelust brewed in his eyes, like that of an untamable Wolf King.
’Chosen Ones already possess extraordinary Talents that the people of the Northern Boundary lack. Every one of them is a peerless prodigy who could leave their name in history. They can even easily break through Realms that people of the Northern Boundary struggle with. Do they still need me to go easy on them?’
’He has the advantage of Talent; I have the advantage of age.’
’Sure, by the time he reaches my age, his Realm will be far higher than mine. But this is the Northern Boundary. Where are you going to find an opponent of the exact same Realm to challenge?’
’In this battle, I will fight the legendary Chosen One with everything I have!’
’Since I’m not allowed to challenge the Chosen One from my own tribe, I’ll challenge North Snow’s!’
[Ice] puffed out his chest, making his tall frame seem even more robust. Two wisps of cold air drilled into his nostrils, like trails of smoke before a beacon is lit.
’As for worrying about embarrassing North Snow and being forcibly detained here?’
’What’s there to fear.’
’I’m right here. Does the North Snow Tribe dare to make a move and sour relations with the South Mountain Tribe even further?’
"North Snow Tribe, [Hill]."
Jiang Qiu cupped his fist in salute, then slowly unclenched it, letting his hand fall to his side. The white fox tail fur sewn into his deerskin collar fluttered in the wind.
The circle was barely ten meters in diameter, and the distance between the two was less than five paces. One could say that with just two steps, they would be in close quarters, leaving little room to maneuver.
Moreover, [Ice]’s physique was a full size larger than his, making him look like an upright brown bear, radiating a fierce aura.
The North Snow Tribe Warrior serving as the referee stood just outside the circle, observing the two. "Are you ready?"
"Ready."
"Mm."
After they both responded, the referee took a deep breath, raised his right fist above his head, and chopped it down like an axe. "Begin!"
The moment his voice fell, a sharp CRACK echoed from within the circle. [Ice]’s figure flashed forward in an instant, like a Wolf King that had been gathering power for a long time finally launching its charge.
Before the onlookers could even react, a BANG erupted from the palm of Jiang Qiu’s right hand. [Ice]’s tidal wave-like charge came to an abrupt halt before Jiang Qiu, the arm’s length between them like an impassable chasm!
His arms were crossed in front of his chest, his body tilted forward from the momentum. At this moment, his entire body weight pressed down on Jiang Qiu’s right palm, and the stone slab beneath his feet cracked into a web of fissures!
’How is this possible?!’
[Ice]’s pupils constricted. Reflected in his eyes was Jiang Qiu’s young and unfazed face, his pair of dark eyes like black jade at the bottom of a lake, without a single ripple.
’A few years ago, during a hunt, I stumbled upon a strange pool in the mountain forest. I was lucky enough to have my body tempered by it and soon entered the Copper Skin Realm. I’m even tougher than others in the same realm, able to knock over a charging adult Snow Patterned Deer with my body alone!’
’Adult Snow Patterned Deer are large Demon Beasts over three meters tall, weighing several thousand pounds!’
’But now, my full-force charge was stopped by [Hill] with a single hand?!’
"HISS—"
At that moment, all the onlookers sucked in a sharp breath. The eyes of some young women sparkled as if they had just witnessed a scene of the ultimate collision of power.
However, [Python]’s brow furrowed deeper and deeper, and his right eyelid twitched twice. "This is trouble..."
SWISH!
The instant he was blocked by a single hand, [Ice] reacted and retreated a step. His already broad chest heaved up and down, like a breathing mountain range.
Looking closely, they saw that a sheet of ice crystal had condensed on [Hill]’s right palm. White frost gradually spread up his arm. It was that layer of ice crystal that was as hard as an iron plate!
This was the Bloodline Talent of a Chosen One—the ability to master heaven-bestowed powers, augmenting oneself to the point of being unrivaled within the same Realm.
CRUNCH!
Jiang Qiu lifted his right foot, which had sunk into the ground, and stepped onto the spiderweb of cracked flagstones. His brow furrowed slightly as he sighed inwardly, ’This [Ice]’s strength is considerable. If I hadn’t reinforced my right arm with [Ice Armor], the bone might have fractured from that impact.’
’There aren’t many prodigies in the Northern Boundary. I’ve never fought one personally before, so I don’t know what level they’re at.’
’Today, I’ll test it out. Let’s see if the Young Master of the South Mountain Tribe can withstand my charge.’
"Get ready. I’m about to use my strength."
Jiang Qiu slowly brought his arms up in front of his chest, like a tiger gradually baring its fangs.
THUMP-DUMP, THUMP-DUMP, THUMP-DUMP...
[Ice]’s heart pounded wildly. A boiling current of heat rushed like a flood toward his Celestial Spirit Acupoint. His muscles bulged all over his body, making him look like a frenzied brown bear on the brink of life and death!
’The difference in strength is obvious, but so what?’
’I am the Young Master of the South Mountain Tribe, the most talented Warrior in thousands of years!’
The thought had barely formed when a sudden gale rushed toward his face, sending a chill down his spine.
The figure in his vision leaped five paces closer!
BOOM—
The arms he brought up to block felt as if they’d been struck by tens of thousands of pounds of solid ice. A CRACK resounded from his ribs and arm bones as pain shot through his spine. It felt as if a gust of wind had swept him off his feet, lifting him into the air.
