Venting Anger

Venting Anger...

The formation world was a swirling cauldron of events, each one vying for its own slice of attention. But none could rival the intensity of the showdown between Qin Wentian and Chen Wang.

Chen Wang's hasty exit, driven by a volatile mix of injury and anger, left no doubt about his intentions: he aimed to use Qin Wentian's friends as pawns, a twisted game of life and death to lure him out of hiding.

As for Qin Wentian's loyal companions...

Fan Le's motives were crystal clear. He had one goal in mind, and he didn't care about the opinions of others. Shamelessness be damned. What did it matter if the world labeled him as such? At his current seventh-level Yuanfu cultivation, even with all his Mandates perfected at the first level, he couldn't hope to compete with these prodigies. To even stand a chance, he needed to ascend to the eighth level, and that was his unswerving focus.

Fan Le continued his secluded training beneath the coral reef. Flames of the empyrean variety danced around him, turning the surrounding ocean into a cauldron of scorching heat. The relentless waves crashed against him, as if trying to douse the fiery vigor. But the empyrean flames burned with a fervor, unabated by the onslaught. They incinerated each wave upon contact, transforming them into a hissing cloud of steam, only for the process to repeat itself in an unending cycle.

Ouyang Kuangsheng, on the other hand, held a higher baseline of strength compared to Fan Le and Qin Wentian. After reaching the eighth level, he consumed limit-break pellets that propelled him into the ninth level of Yuanfu. He actively sought out formidable opponents, their strength serving as an iron forge for his own. These adversaries weren't to be underestimated, as only elite contenders remained within the formation world. Yet Ouyang Kuangsheng reveled in the challenge, not fearing those stronger than him. His greatest dread was a lack of worthy competition.

His position on the Heavenly Fate Rankings mattered little; his sole desire was to continuously uncover his limitations and shatter them. With each breakthrough, he pushed the boundaries of his strength further.

Lastly, there was Chu Mang, whose determination surpassed even that of Ouyang Kuangsheng and Fan Le.

On a mountain peak previously explored by Qin Wentian, where a colossal axe remained embedded in the rock, Chu Mang had chosen his battlefield. He stood before the mountain wall, wielding the massive Astral axe with unyielding determination. His movements were relentless, switching forms or repeating the same action dozens, even hundreds, of times. Fatigue was an alien concept to him, as he was wholly engrossed in his relentless training.

Chu Mang harbored an unyielding passion for two particular weapons: the axe and the bow. The Astral bow provided him with the means to eliminate foes from afar, while mastering the axe bestowed the power to sunder mountains and cleave oceans. In his pursuit of perfection, he had willingly forsaken delving into a third Mandate, dedicating his entire focus to honing his skills with the axe and the bow.

During his time as a disciple of the Barbarian King in the Unmatched Realm, Chu Mang had once sought the Barbarian King's counsel on this matter. Surprisingly, the Barbarian King, while initially taken aback, offered unwavering support, advising him to follow the path his heart truly desired. Though the Barbarian King possessed numerous innate techniques, he chose not to pass them on to Chu Mang, affirming that his initial instincts were correct. Only by following the path dictated by his heart could he continue along it indefinitely.

Chu Mang wholeheartedly embraced this philosophy. He understood that even if he concentrated on a single technique, he could perpetually push the boundaries of his capabilities. Mastery of a single movement could open doors to an extraordinary realm within his chosen weapon's path.

This lesson had been instilled in him by his elder brother, Chu Wuwei, whom he regarded as a paragon of wisdom. He had always heeded his brother's advice as gospel, and this path he walked was a testament to his unwavering resolve.

Chu Mang's axe cleaved through the air once more, a brilliant column of light descending upon a distant mountain peak. Oblivious to the spectacle, he continued to execute his axe techniques. With each swing, another column of light etched its mark on the landscape.

When Chu Mang finally ceased, the ancient mountain peak in the distance had vanished, obliterated by the relentless blows of his axe.

"Awesome!" Chu Mang couldn't help but grin, his spirit soaring. But then, the sound of a fierce confrontation reached his ears. He shifted his gaze toward the commotion and saw two figures engaged in a heated battle.

The combatants were none other than Xuan Yan from the Mystic Maiden Palace, ranked #17 on the Heavenly Fate Rankings, and Yao Jun from the Skydemon Sect, holding the #13 spot. Yao Jun's remarkable progress in comprehending Mandates was evident, and he had even unlocked a second-level Mandate, which he was now employing to dominate the fight against Xuan Yan.

Yao Jun had undoubtedly earned the respect and admiration of the spectators observing from outside the formation world. His performance had been nothing short of impressive.

Chu Mang, after a brief moment of contemplation, decided to intervene in their battle. Xuan Yan, who was Xuan Xin's senior sister and had a connection with Fan Le, didn't leave a bad impression on him. Offering his assistance wouldn't cost him much and might even improve relations between the Mystic Maiden Palace and Fan Le. Besides, it was a chance for Chu Mang to test his strength against a formidable opponent.

Xuan Yan was struggling on the brink of defeat. Her illusory Vermilion Bird continued to glow with intensity, while two menacing, demonic, scaly wings erupted from her back, delivering a powerful blow to Xuan Yan.

Just as Yao Jun was about to land the decisive strike, he sensed a faint presence nearby and turned his attention to it. After a brief moment, he spotted Chu Mang approaching, his eyes gleaming with a demonic light.

"Someone offering themselves on a silver platter for me to devour their ancient luck," Yao Jun coldly remarked. In response, a massive Astral axe descended where he had stood just moments ago.

"I don't need your help. You're not his match," Xuan Yan called out, declining Chu Mang's intervention. She didn't want to drag Chu Mang down with her, recognizing her own inadequacies.

Yao Jun retaliated with a ferocious palm strike, conjuring a demonic beast that lunged towards Chu Mang.

"Schi, schi..."

Chu Mang's axe strike seemed deceptively ordinary, lacking any grandiose display. Yet, it emitted a terrifying brilliance, cleaving the demonic beast in two as Chu Mang advanced toward Yao Jun.

Yao Jun's expression contorted in surprise, and he swiftly retreated, his demonic wings beating frantically. A crimson streak carved a deep fissure in the ground where he had been, extending for hundreds of meters.

"Second-level Mandate?" Yao Jun's eyes narrowed with intensity. He recognized that Chu Mang's Mandate of Axe had also reached the second level. As he gazed at Chu Mang, his eyes flickered with a fiery determination. The contenders in this year's ranking battle were significantly more formidable than those from three years ago.

Xuan Yan wore a stunned expression as she observed Chu Mang. A twinge of self-disappointment crept into her heart, realizing that she had underestimated herself.

"Courting death!" A surge of terrifying demonic qi erupted from Yao Jun as he hurtled toward Chu Mang. The two clashed in close combat.

Yao Jun's cultivation art was deeply rooted in demonic techniques, granting him the power to unleash devastating innate abilities inspired by various demonic beasts. His strength multiplied significantly after undergoing demonic transformation, turning him into a relentless berserker, continuously growing in power throughout the battle. Yet, Xuan Yan couldn't help but notice that, no matter how powerful Yao Jun became, Chu Mang remained unruffled. He nonchalantly swung his axe, as if he were chopping firewood.

Chu Mang approached combat as though he were chopping firewood, each axe strike precise and flowing naturally from his heart. His movements lacked fixed stances, giving him an enigmatic aura. His speed varied, shifting between rapid and measured, often catching Yao Jun off guard, nearly delivering a fatal blow.

Eventually, Yao Jun decided it was unwise to keep tangling with this madman. He altered his strategy, aiming to dash past Chu Mang and seize Xuan Yan's ancient luck.

However, Chu Mang stood resolutely in front of Xuan Yan, protecting her like a mother hen shielding its chick. Yao Jun had no opportunity to reach his goal.

Gazing at Chu Mang's broad shoulders, Xuan Yan felt a strange mix of emotions. She, the Mystic Maiden Palace disciple, needed protection from someone else.

Finally, with a furious roar, Yao Jun ascended into the sky and flew away, abandoning his plan to take Xuan Yan's ancient luck.

As Yao Jun departed, Chu Mang's Astral axe vanished, and he turned to face Xuan Yan.

"Thank you," Xuan Yan softly murmured, casting a shy glance at Chu Mang.

"No need for thanks. I'm doing this to help Fan Le. Can your Mystic Maiden Palace stop pressuring him in the future? Our brother Fan Le will never give your Mystic Maiden Palace a reason to be embarrassed. He'll prove that Xuan Xin's choice was right," Chu Mang straightforwardly declared. Xuan Yan had once looked down on Qin Wentian, Chu Mang, and Fan Le, but her perspective had shifted after the trial of the Heavenly Stele Steps.

At this moment, Xuan Yan was filled with an indescribable emotion.

"Hmm?" Just as Chu Mang and Xuan Yan exchanged these words, they noticed two figures approaching. One was Yao Jun, who had flown away earlier, and the other was none other than Chen Wang!

Before him, even the formidable Yao Jun had to yield, trailing obediently behind.

Chen Wang's eyes immediately locked onto Chu Mang, a fiery, sun-like glare emanating from them. As he advanced, his entire body burst into flames, transforming into a molten magma form.

"How powerful," Xuan Yan's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment.

"Quick, run!" Xuan Yan urgently whispered, but Chu Mang's gaze remained fixed on the approaching Chen Wang, a burning desire for battle radiating from him. He stepped forward and swung his enormous axe.

Chen Wang seethed with anger, his fury practically tangible. Qin Wentian had not only stepped on his toes regarding entrance priority but had also defeated him in a clash of mandates despite Chen Wang's advanced second-level mastery. If it weren't for Qin Wentian's ambush, he wouldn't be in this wretched state.

He thrust forward with his flaming palms, unleashing the Great Solar Universe Art to its limits. His hands resembled flowing magma, reaching out for the massive axe.

"Peng..." The axe's radiance collided with Chen Wang's magma palm, sending scorching embers flying in all directions. Chen Wang's expression darkened as he felt a piercing pain vibrating through his arms, intensifying his anger.

With a fierce grip, the enormous axe ignited. Chu Mang's arms gradually took on the form of magma.

Chu Mang swiftly released his weapon, retreating rapidly. But Chen Wang wouldn't give him the chance. A slash of his palm unleashed a cutting brilliance that tore into Chu Mang's chest. Fresh blood sprayed into the air as Chu Mang cried out in agony, his condition growing increasingly dire.

"Die!" Chen Wang coldly roared, driving a fiery palm straight into Chu Mang's chest. The impact sent Chu Mang crashing to the ground, leaving a fiery-red imprint on his chest that slowly devoured his flesh.

"Chu Mang!" Xuan Yan's face contorted with distress. She rushed to his side, her eyes filled with horror. Meanwhile, Chen Wang remained aloft, his demeanor imperious.

"Your friend Qin Wentian has successfully provoked me," Chen Wang declared. "Now he's hiding like a coward, too afraid to face me directly. Does he truly believe he can evade my wrath this way? He'll pay dearly for his actions. Even though I desire your ancient luck, I'll ensure you die before I claim it."

Chu Mang's expression turned resolute. He rose to his feet, a colossal Astral axe materializing in his hands, all of his Astral Souls now unleashed.

He would rather die on his own terms than suffer humiliation.

A tempestuous wind erupted as Chu Mang charged toward Chen Wang, who remained in midair. His axe struck fiercely, each blow unleashing a destructive brilliance that could annihilate anything it touched.

"Do you think you can win against me?" Chen Wang's furious roar shook the air as he thrust his palm into the atmosphere. A palm imprint composed entirely of Great Solar Energy materialized, intercepting the oncoming rays of light from Chu Mang's axe. He advanced toward Chu Mang, delivering yet another bone-shattering palm strike that sent Chu Mang crashing ruthlessly into the ground once more.

Chen Wang's overwhelming power left the spectators in the crowd awestruck. After all, he was Chen Wang, and aside from Shi Potian, there were few in the Yuanfu realm who could hope to match him.

How in the world had Qin Wentian managed to injure him?

It was widely assumed that Qin Wentian must have paid a tremendous price to wound Chen Wang. Of course, this likely occurred due to some lapse in Chen Wang's vigilance.

In this moment, Chu Mang's qi was in chaos, and fresh blood flowed incessantly from his wounds. Xuan Yan paled as she watched this horrifying spectacle. She turned her gaze to Chen Wang, who was flying toward Chu Mang with a murderous intent so palpable it seemed to burn in the air.

Chen Wang's ultimate target was Qin Wentian, but if Chu Mang fell into his clutches, Chu Mang's fate was sealed.

With determination welling up inside her, Xuan Yan took a deep breath. The illusory Vermilion Bird behind her burst forward, flying aggressively toward Chu Mang's Vermilion Bird.

"What are you doing?" Chu Mang stared at Xuan Yan in bewilderment. But his weakened state had indirectly affected his Vermilion Bird, making it vulnerable. Xuan Yan's bird instantly devoured Chu Mang's ancient luck.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Chen Wang's furious howl reverberated. Chu Mang's figure vanished from the formation world, expelled from its boundaries, leaving Xuan Yan alone to face Chen Wang's impending wrath.

Xuan Yan met Chen Wang's fiery gaze with steely determination. She had no regrets about the decision she had just made.