Chapter 1045: Chapter 1045: Finals
"Compared to the time we initially anticipated, we have greatly reduced it. During this tournament, we’ve completed the setup at key positions; what’s left is just the finishing touches. One year is my worst-case scenario prediction; if everything goes smoothly, this period could be shortened, and the plan can be implemented ahead of schedule."
Upon hearing this, Candle Dragon’s expression softened slightly, nodding sarcastically: "Compared to our plan, winning this tournament seems rather trivial. Who would have thought that a desperate battle among a group of people was merely a smoke bomb we released. But..." Candle Dragon then changed his tone, teasingly saying: "Even so, we still need to win this tournament to not make a mockery of our relentless performance these days, right? Fan Chen, go and tell my disciple that this tournament should proceed as planned; be sure to win the championship!"
Mu Fanchen walked out of the room and approached the arena, truthfully conveying Candle Dragon’s instructions to Nero, who nodded in understanding. As Mu Fanchen turned to leave, he paused, turned back, and added: "I think you could challenge Pei Yan in the first match; this way, whether you win or lose, he loses the opportunity to appear, leaving the remaining two matches to secure victory. That’s the safest method."
Mu Fanchen’s words deeply pricked Nero’s pride. In his heart, he was furious, and were it anyone else, he might have already unleashed his wrath because of this remark. But he understood that the person before him was different; although not a disciple of the teacher, he was one of the teacher’s confidants and couldn’t be treated lightly. Consequently, he suppressed his dissatisfaction, forced a smile, and mocked: "Mr. Mu, you overestimate the opponent and underestimate us. Yes, maybe individually we can’t defeat Pei Yan! But don’t you think Pei Yan can withstand our trio’s relay match?"
"This is your battle; since Master Candle Dragon has arranged the plan for you, just follow it step by step! I overstepped! My apologies!" Mu Fanchen sensed Nero’s subtle anger, hurriedly opened his hands to apologize, and then, amid Nero’s cold snort, turned back to his seat to watch the arena as the match was about to begin, showing a smile of amusement.
Amidst the sound of waves of cheers and applause, the Immortal Palace elder hosting the event excitedly finalized the announcement speech, officially declaring that this unprecedented Sword Discussion Conference has entered its final match!
The contestants standing on both sides of the arena were undoubtedly the focus of attention inside the venue, while the investigation hall side attracted more audience support outside the venue. Sect Elders would bring their disciples from younger generations to cheer for Pei Yan and others, while the opposing faction, which repeatedly resorted to cheating tactics, garnered more boos and disdainful glances.
Nero was indifferent to this, steadily walking to the center of the arena and smiling slightly towards the investigation hall: "The final match has arrived. Unexpectedly, the path of rivals is narrow; we, as a united front of emerging forces, have met in the finals! Oh, I wonder if this result slaps the faces of those so-called established powers?"
As Nero spoke, the sound outside the venue fell silent at once. The faces of the people from the four major realms were difficult to behold, and not long after, curses disregarding decorum erupted from various arenas, yet the one who sparked this outburst stood boldly, head held high, undisturbed.
"Ah, how you made it to the finals, others might not know, but don’t you? First, you were beaten like a dog, lying on the ground wailing. Then, after cheating to turn the tables, you were beaten by someone like a dog again, not daring to move. How dare you boast here belittling others?" Pei Yan rolled his eyes and mocked.
As the saying goes, hitting someone is not about the face, cursing someone is not about revealing one’s shortcomings. A thousand curses outside the ring can’t compare to Pei Yan’s words unearthing scars. His speech immediately resonated with the Daoist Realm’s faction, followed by a series of sarcastic remarks.
Nero found that his supposed composure would always collapse in the face of Pei Yan’s sharp tongue. He couldn’t help but retort, staring at Pei Yan: "The same goes for you, wasn’t Brother Pei also pressed to the ground and forced to bow by the supreme of the Magic Realm before?"
"I told you before! Don’t act all buddy-buddy with me, we’re not familiar! I’ll be me, and you’ll be you! All these people gathered here to watch us fight, not to see us argue! Be straightforward, how do we compete?" Pei Yan, evidently hit by personal matters, snorted disdainfully.
"Fine, straightforward is best! We don’t mind if you send people forward to pick opponents casually; if you want a deathmatch, we’ll go to the end." Nero responded coldly, not with a friendly tone.
Upon hearing this, the investigation hall’s three members exchanged glances, and without hesitation, Ye Ruozai stepped into the battle circle, looking at Nero: "Then I’ll meet you!"
Seeing this, Nero turned to look at his companions, who all showed mocking smiles. The remaining two sensibly retreated from the arena while Nero faced the challenge, stepping into the battle circle.
Two beams of light ascended as the arena’s Protective Array activated, announcing the official start of the match!
"Ah, I know there’s a saying in your homeland about Tian Ji’s Horse Racing, which states how using inferior horses to face the best horses and losing one match, then using the best horses against second-rate horses, using second-rate horses against inferior ones, thereby winning two matches. Are you then the inferior horse chosen to face me?" Nero walked out of the circle and looked at Ye Ruozai standing opposite, speaking with a taunt.
"You can think that way!" Ye Ruozai wasn’t bothered by Nero’s provocation as, from some perspective, it was indeed true, but that didn’t mean he would resign to fate. Ye Ruozai drew his Longsword, pointing at the opponent in return: "You aren’t the first to think this on the arena; the previous one already left tears and dignity here. Wonder if you’ll be the second."
"Don’t compare me to those who don’t even know who their bedmate is. Just winning over someone whose confidence was shattered and psyche crumbled, what is there to boast about in front of me?" Nero dismissed Ye Ruozai’s retort.
A crisp cracking sound came from outside the ring; Flamel, seated within the Magic Realm faction, had crushed the armrest into wood shavings upon hearing these words.
"Ye Ruozai, Nero, Pei Yan! You have humiliated me several times; I will not let this go lightly! Don’t let me find a chance for revenge, or I will make you pay for your actions!" Flamel released the crushed wood shavings onto the ground, looked at the two on the stage, silently repeating this sentence in his heart, then rose and swept away.
