Chapter 227: Chapter 226: Impassioned
"Our Celestial Martial Country defeated Lan Country? I can’t believe a small, weak nation like ours actually beat them!"
"It’s unbelievable! So shocking!"
"Wen Qingye! It’s all because of Wen Qingye!"
"He’s brought glory to our nation! Truly incredible!"
Within the Imperial City of the Celestial Martial Country, the crowd stared at the Water Curtain, their expressions fervent. Some were even moved to tears, pumping their fists in the air and shouting Wen Qingye’s name. Meanwhile, Wen Tongyu, the one who had always carried their high hopes, was now utterly forgotten.
.......
Wen Qingye ambled down under the watchful eyes of the crowd, but in the next moment, others had already taken his place.
"Luo Xue of Snow Country!"
"Luoo Ying of Gaotang Country!"
The two merely stated their names as a courtesy. After all, this wasn’t a formal arena match, so there weren’t many rules to follow.
Nie Shuang watched the pair and sighed. "Luo Xue is a renowned expert from Snow Country. Her cultivation seems to have reached the Peak of Refining Spirit Fifth Layer; she’s just a hair’s breadth away from breaking through to the Refining Spirit Sixth Layer. As for this Luoo Ying from Gaotang Country, I’ve never even heard of him. The victor is obvious."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
It wasn’t just the people from the Celestial Martial Country; most others present thought the same.
Wen Qingye watched Luoo Ying, a man who exuded a cold, sinister aura. He raised an eyebrow. ’Strange,’ he thought, ’this man actually gives me a sense of danger.’
Wen Qingye shook his head and said softly, "This Luoo Ying is anything but simple."
The students from Purple Sun Prefecture, who had been about to chime in, immediately clamped their mouths shut. They let out a couple of dry chuckles; although they inwardly scoffed at Wen Qingye’s words, they didn’t dare say anything more and simply stood aside in silence.
Just then, the two fighters finally made their move.
Luo Xue retreated in quick succession, drawing and loosing a volley from the purplish-red bow in her hands. A string of Continuous Pearl Arrows flew toward Luoo Ying, creating sonic booms as they tore through the air.
Luoo Ying’s expression was placid, showing none of the panic the crowd expected. When the arrows were still ten yards away, he moved.
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
Luoo Ying’s body moved impossibly fast, far out-speeding the arrows. His entire frame was wreathed in Primordial Qi that crackled like violet lightning.
"He’s gone?"
Ninety percent of the people present were stunned. The remaining ten percent were horrified, their eyes wide as they stared at the scene in utter disbelief.
Wen Qingye’s heart skipped a beat. ’Refining Spirit Eighth Layer Heaven!?’
Seeing her arrows miss, Luo Xue knew she was in trouble and hastily retreated. But how could her speed possibly match Luoo Ying’s thunderous charge?
Luo Xue seemed to sense Luoo Ying’s impending strike. Her fingers twitched, but in the end, she gave up.
HUM!
Luoo Ying closed the distance in an instant. The violent, thunderous Primordial Qi condensed around his arm as he swung a punch, stopping just short of Luo Xue’s face.
The Primordial Qi in front of Luo Xue rippled like water, and then a heaven-shaking tremor passed through her body.
Luo Xue’s body was sent flying like a kite with a snapped string. Seeing this, Guann Xuan leaped forward and caught her.
Luoo Ying looked at Guann Xuan and said flatly, "Hand over the Talisman Seals."
Guann Xuan knew Luoo Ying had shown mercy. He nodded and tossed the five Talisman Seals from Luo Xue’s waist to him.
Luoo Ying caught the Talisman Seals, shot the crowd an indifferent glance, and strode proudly back toward the Gaotang Country’s designated area.
’So strong!’
Wenren Xiao and Lin Zijun exchanged a look, a hint of surprise in their eyes.
Wenren Xiao was still smiling as he said, "Refining Spirit Eighth Layer Heaven? Interesting. Very interesting."
Lin Zijun shook his head with a wry smile. "I thought my cultivation would be enough to dominate everyone here in the Thousand Rivers Secret Land. Now it seems things aren’t so simple."
Only then did the crowd realize that the cold, sinister youth was actually a cultivator at the Refining Spirit Eighth Layer Heaven.
A fierce wind howled as the crowd watched Luoo Ying slowly descend.
Luoo Ying had appeared before them like a dark horse. No, there was also Wen Qingye from the Celestial Martial Country.
「Outside the Thousand Rivers Secret Land.」
"Old Duke, your Gaotang Country certainly knows how to hide its talents."
"To think that Luoo Ying is an expert at the Refining Spirit Eighth Layer Heaven! He’s not far off from the masters of the older generation."
"Congratulations, Old Duke of Gaotang Country! Congratulations!"
The Old Duke of Gaotang Country stroked his beard, his face blooming into a wide smile as he nodded repeatedly. A wave of pride swelled in his heart. ’My Gaotang Country has endured for decades, and we’ve finally produced a peerless prodigy! Hahaha!’
At some point, Wang Hao of the Celestial Profound Sect had walked over. He said with a wide grin, "Not bad, not bad at all. Reaching the Refining Spirit Eighth Layer Heaven... truly a genius."
Hearing Wang Hao’s praise, the Old Duke’s body trembled slightly. He said excitedly, "Does that mean... Luoo Ying has a chance...?"
"There’s a chance. Everyone has a chance," Wang Hao said, giving a noncommittal nod.
With that, Wang Hao turned and walked away.
Yanl Yu shook his head and said with resignation, "Didn’t you reach the Refining Spirit Eighth Layer Heaven when you were fifteen?"
"No, no, no. It’s always good to give them a little encouragement and hope. I’m just thinking of the Sect."
.......
After that, the arranged duels between the nations began in earnest. There was no shortage of powerful individuals, but dark horses like Wen Qingye and Luoo Ying were few and far between.
The Seventh Young Master watched Guann Xuan and sighed, "The geniuses from these nations truly live up to their reputations."
"This is what makes it interesting! Hahaha!" Guann Xuan laughed, then looked down at the still unconscious Luo Xue and said softly, "You watch over Xiaoxue. I still have a battle to fight with Wenren Xiao!"
After speaking, Guann Xuan walked slowly toward the open, barren ground ahead.
"My turn," Wenren Xiao said, rising to his feet as he saw Guann Xuan step forward.
Everyone’s expression grew solemn. Before Luoo Ying’s appearance, these two were a cut above the rest, the undisputed prodigies among prodigies. The prospect of their battle made everyone’s blood boil with excitement.
Guann Xuan looked at Wenren Xiao and laughed heartily. "Hahahaha! I’ve been wanting to fight you for a long time! It’s a shame I never got the chance."
"Today, your wish is granted," Wenren Xiao said with a smile, clasping his hands behind his back.
The two stood before the crowd, their presence and demeanor unmatched. Everyone present stared, not daring to blink.
"Alright, then I won’t hold back!"
Guann Xuan bellowed, his body flickering as he transformed into a black shadow and charged directly at Wenren Xiao.
Wenren Xiao’s hands flew up without the slightest hesitation, and he threw a punch at the incoming black shadow.
BOOM!
There were no flashy moves, just a direct collision of fists.
Wild Primordial Qi erupted from the point of impact, spreading outwards before gradually dissipating.
"Exhilarating! Again!"
Guann Xuan laughed heartily, feeling the blood course faster through his veins as he lunged forward once more.
At that moment, a black wind surged wildly from behind Guann Xuan. Carrying an aura of death, it began to condense, as if forming into something tangible.
"Ghost Fist! It’s the King-Grade Martial Arts, Ghost Fist!"
"My God, a King-Grade Martial Arts technique!"
"Is that Lanyu Country’s legendary National Guardian Martial Arts? It’s so powerful!"
Amid the crowd’s gasps, a colossal phantom materialized behind Guann Xuan. It had a burly frame and eyes that held the cold glint of the Nine Netherworld. Its black Glazed Armor shimmered with a dark light, exuding a domineering, martial aura. A palpable Evil Qi spread out from it, causing everyone present to shudder involuntarily.
