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Chapter 203: Chapter 203 Almost Certain, Speak on Your Knees
Yan Qi was the focus of attention today; the majority of eyes in the Martial Arts Square were fixed on him, and some people, sensing his aura, were deep in thought.
"Yan Qi, during the duel, make sure to strike hard! Don’t let that brat die too easily!"
What happened yesterday at the Dan Medicine Pavilion still left Ren Xiaoguang fuming. His voice was cold and stern as he instructed Yan Qi.
Yan Qi let out a sinister laugh: "Relax. I know what to do. He dared offend Senior Brother Jin Min and repeatedly provoked our Crown Prince Hall. If he dies too easily, it’d be far too dull. I’ll crush every bone in his body, making even death an impossible wish!"
Ren Xiaoguang nodded slightly, a cruel gleam flickering in his eyes, eager to witness Luo Cheng in the torment of wanting to live yet unable to, desiring death but denied.
A nearby female disciple, her face like a peach blossom, reminded:
"Yan Qi, don’t be too careless. Luo Cheng has cultivated into the Golden Body Realm and can surpass his Transcendence Realm cultivation to defeat a Tongxuan Realm martial artist. He’s definitely got some skill."
"This battle isn’t just your personal affair; it concerns the honor and disgrace of our Crown Prince Hall. Don’t let yourself fail miserably."
Yan Qi sneered arrogantly, dismissive: "Senior Sister Qin Yan, you’re overestimating him. Though it’s unclear how he stumbled onto such luck to achieve the Golden Body Realm, he’s ultimately just a waste who awakened a Wasted Martial Soul."
"I’ve already ascended to Tongxuan Realm Second Layer. Crushing him is like squashing a bug. You know the immense gap between each layer within the Tongxuan Realm! This battle is as good as won for me!"
Three days ago, Yan Qi still held a hint of caution toward Luo Cheng.
With his breakthrough in cultivation, that trace of apprehension vanished instantly. He only wanted the duel to begin sooner so he could test his new Tongxuan Realm Second Layer strength.
With a cold aura, Qi Guyun asked: "Did you bring what Senior Brother Jin Min gave you?"
Yan Qi nodded and touched his collar, unable to resist saying: "Senior Brother Jin Min is being overly cautious. To deal with this brat, such measures are completely unnecessary."
Qi Guyun rested his hand on his sword, speaking calmly:
"Luo Cheng is a Sword Dao master who has comprehended the Sword Heart Realm. It’s better to be safe than sorry."
"Understood."
Yan Qi acknowledged verbally but remained indifferent in his heart.
What use is a high Sword Dao Realm? When facing a vast cultivation gap, whether you’ve achieved the Golden Body Realm or the Sword Heart Realm, it’s all just an easily shattered illusion.
Time ticked by, slowly.
As the morning sun rose higher, the crowded Martial Arts Square grew increasingly noisy.
"Why isn’t he here yet?"
Impatience began to stir among the waiting crowd, with people grumbling.
Yan Qi frowned slightly as he glanced toward the square’s entrance: "Could it be that brat doesn’t dare show up?"
Ren Xiaoguang let out a heavy snort: "He has no choice in the matter now! I’ll go fetch him!"
With that, Ren Xiaoguang led several Crown Prince Hall Outer Disciples, storming off toward the square’s exit.
"Look, Luo Cheng is here!"
Suddenly, an uproar erupted across the square.
All eyes converged in a single direction.
Four figures appeared at the entrance of the Martial Arts Square.
Leading the group was a young man with a sword strapped to his waist. His moon-white robe fluttered in the wind, his calm gaze exuding composure. His delicate features and pure aura stood out strikingly.
It was none other than Luo Cheng!
"He really showed up."
"Does he truly believe he can fight Yan Qi?"
"Impossible! He’s just being stubborn! If I were him, I’d rather leave the Great Yue Dynasty and go abroad. Nothing is more important than staying alive."
With Luo Cheng’s appearance, the square became instantly lively, with people debating heatedly.
Having just reached the square’s entrance, Ren Xiaoguang spotted Luo Cheng and immediately sneered:
"Luo Cheng, I thought you wouldn’t dare show up and would hide like a turtle!"
Luo Cheng glanced at him indifferently. "Why wouldn’t I dare? Yan Qi himself seeks death; how could I refuse?"
"Arrogant!"
The Crown Prince Hall disciples roared in anger.
"Haha, well said!"
Ren Xiaoguang, however, didn’t react with rage, instead showing an insidious smile.
No matter what, Luo Cheng’s arrival was enough.
He was curious to see how much longer Luo Cheng could maintain his arrogance.
At that moment, Yan Qi and his group also approached.
Four pairs of eyes clashed, and fierce sparks flew in the air.
Yan Qi carried an air of arrogance, looking down on Luo Cheng from above. He shook his head with a smile:
"Luo Cheng, you could’ve lived another half month, but alas, you chose to seek death by insisting on this duel. Don’t blame me for what happens!"
Luo Cheng replied coolly: "Determining who’s seeking death might be premature."
"Oh?"
Yan Qi raised a brow, sizing Luo Cheng up. Feeling the Essence Energy fluctuations, he sneered: "So you’ve broken through to the Tongxuan Realm."
"Luo Cheng has broken through to the Tongxuan Realm!"
"That’s unbelievably fast!"
Hearing Yan Qi’s remark, the Outer Disciples present were stunned. They focused their gazes on Luo Cheng, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief, mixed with envy and jealousy!
Ascending from the Transcendence Realm to the Tongxuan Realm is considered the first major barrier in cultivation—a chasm between clouds and mud. Many people spend their entire lives unable to take this step.
"It’s certainly surprising that you advanced so quickly to the Tongxuan Realm." 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
Yan Qi stared coldly at Luo Cheng, flashing a grim smile: "But unfortunately, your breakthrough came too late! Before, killing you was as simple as slaughtering a chicken or a dog. Now, it’s no different!"
Boom!
As he spoke, Yan Qi’s body trembled, releasing a surge of Essence Energy in a blast from his body. It spread outward, immensely concentrated.
"This is... Tongxuan Realm Second Layer!"
"Yan Qi has advanced to Tongxuan Realm Second Layer!"
"Haha, it’s over! Luo Cheng is done for! The difference between each layer in the Tongxuan Realm is astronomical. Tongxuan Realm Second Layer opens the Heart Life Gate, allowing Essence Energy to be projected outward. Attacks can reach ten steps away! Even if Luo Cheng has just achieved Tongxuan Realm, he stands no chance! Not even ten Luo Chengs could match Yan Qi!"
Sensing Yan Qi’s overwhelming Essence Energy, the crowd’s expressions changed.
At that moment, no one believed Luo Cheng had any hope of victory—perhaps not even survival.
Many even showed expressions of schadenfreude.
Yan Qi, as a member of the Crown Prince Hall, boasted talent and status. It was no surprise he was strong.
But how could a person with a Wasted Martial Soul dare surpass them? On what grounds?
Whoosh!
The crowd was still reeling in shock when Yan Qi made a swift leap to land on the nearest arena. Addressing the elders in the VIP seating, he declared:
"Respected Elders, Luo Cheng and I have agreed upon a life-and-death duel. In this battle, life and death are up to fate—please bear witness!"
In the VIP seats, there were over a dozen Outer Elders, including the Fifth Elder and the Seventh Elder that Luo Cheng had previously encountered, as well as Qin Douyuan.
Among these Outer Elders, the Fifth Elder held the highest status. His expression was somber as he gazed at Luo Cheng.
The disparity between the two was glaringly obvious. The conditions for Luo Cheng looked exceedingly grim.
Before the Fifth Elder could speak, Qin Douyuan declared loudly:
"In a life-and-death duel, each must accept their fate. Let the battle begin!"
On the arena, Yan Qi locked his gaze on Luo Cheng, grinning viciously: "Come up here and face your death!"
Whoosh!
With a light leap, Luo Cheng landed on the arena. He looked at Yan Qi and shook his head, saying:
"If this were three days ago, defeating you wouldn’t have been so easy. Unfortunately, you missed your chance."
"Arrogant words! Kneel and speak!"
Yan Qi sneered coldly. Standing dozens of steps away, he raised his hand and unleashed a palm strike.
Boom!
A dazzling cyan handprint soared forth, accompanied by an intense sound of wind breaking, pressing down heavily toward Luo Cheng!
