Fellow Sect Brothers on the Battle Platform

Fellow Sect Brothers on the Battle Platform . . .

Feather King's wings shimmered with violet-gold brilliance as he gracefully returned to his seat at the banquet. His swift departure from the battle platform left a lasting impression on the spectators, their eyes still fixed on the unfolding drama.

Gu Zhantian, on the other hand, bore the weight of disappointment as he retreated to the Cloud Prefecture's gathering spot. His once radiant aura, as the Cloud Prefecture's top-ranked contender, now seemed dimmed after his loss to Feather King.

A voice from the Cloud Prefecture tried to console him, saying, "Feather King hails from the formidable Winged Devil Race in the Western Prefecture. You fought valiantly, Gu Zhantian, and even in defeat, your prowess shines."

Gu Zhantian, though partially uplifted by these words, couldn't shake off the sting of defeat. He knew that a loss was just that—a loss. His attempts at solace were more about preserving his own pride.

But just when the atmosphere seemed to settle, an abrupt, disdainful snort pierced the air.

Gu Zhantian's brow furrowed as he turned to face the source of the sound. Jun Mengchen's voice, dripping with sarcasm, cut through the murmurs, "What's so special about being the Cloud Prefecture's top ranker? In the preliminary rounds, my senior brother, senior sister, and I held back to conserve our battle qi. If we had fought at full strength, Gu Zhantian wouldn't have even been a challenge. Remember when my senior brother, Qin, challenged someone three levels above him? That's the true strength of a top ranker."

"Absurd! Your group was defeated in the preliminaries. Gu Zhantian rightfully earned his position as the top ranker. Your excuses won't change that fact," retorted an expert from the Battle Heavens Immortal Manor, a sect known for its rivalry with Qin Wentian and his companions.

Jun Mengchen, undeterred, continued, "And your excuses for Gu Zhantian's loss are even more laughable. He was defeated by someone of the same cultivation level. Have some dignity!"

Gu Zhantian's voice, ice-cold, cut through the tension. His gaze swept over Qin Wentian, Jun Mengchen, and Zi Qingxuan, his words like a blade, "If this weren't the immortal banquet, I would have already silenced the three of you."

Jun Mengchen burst into mocking laughter, his tone dripping with audacity, "Oh, Gu Zhantian, killing us isn't as simple as you think. Even in this setting, you hold the authority to challenge me due to your loss. Are you brave enough to do so? I wouldn't shy away from a fight to the death. But the question is...do you dare?"

With an unyielding stare, Jun Mengchen pointed his finger directly at Gu Zhantian, adopting an openly confrontational posture. His words reverberated through the gathering, drawing the attention of many. Here was Jun Mengchen, openly challenging Gu Zhantian, and even though Gu Zhantian had been defeated, no one else could challenge him directly.

"A showdown within the Cloud Prefecture? Fascinating. It seems this young man intends to provoke Gu Zhantian and settle their grudges with a battle to the death," murmured the spectators, catching on to Jun Mengchen's intentions. Gu Zhantian, freshly defeated and now openly taunted, couldn't possibly swallow this affront without retaliation.

With an air of determination, Gu Zhantian returned to his seat, his eyes closed in meditation. The intense battle he'd just endured had drained his energy, and now he needed to focus on regaining his strength for the upcoming challenge.

In truth, Jun Mengchen's previous battle with the personal disciple of the Absolute Poison Immortal King had left a profound impact on Gu Zhantian. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease about facing Jun Mengchen.

Even while suffering from the debilitating effects of the blood poison, Jun Mengchen had managed to deliver a deadly blow to his opponent. The memory of that final, awe-inspiring strike still resonated with the spectators. It was this extraordinary display of power that had earned Jun Mengchen an early nomination from Princess Glaze.

Now, it was Jun Mengchen's turn for the next battle. As he stepped onto the platform, tension gripped the onlookers. Each participant who had taken this stage possessed overwhelming strength, and four combatants had already tested their mettle here. Only thirteen candidates remained in Jun Mengchen's pool, after excluding Qin Wentian and Zi Qingxuan.

Whispers spread among the spectators as they speculated about Jun Mengchen's choice of opponent. Xia Jiufeng, the second-ranked contender from the Eastern Prefecture, shared the same cultivation level as Jun Mengchen. He was known for his ferocity in battle and had garnered high expectations before the banquet.

However, as the event unfolded, more exceptional individuals emerged, making the competition fierce. Xia Jiufeng's chances of reaching the top three seemed uncertain now.

Jun Mengchen's gaze locked onto Xia Jiufeng, and he boldly issued the challenge, "You, come up for a battle."

Xia Jiufeng, a formidable figure, swiftly ascended the platform. The two adversaries faced each other, emanating savage auras. Simultaneously, their constellations materialized in the sky, marking the beginning of their clash.

Jun Mengchen's constellation took on the form of a towering king figure, a unique and powerful representation fused with his true intentions. It formed a formidable king phantom, exuding an overwhelming presence.

In contrast, Xia Jiufeng's constellation resembled a beast, specifically an ox-like minotaur. This colossal creature stood upright like a human, crowned with menacing horns. Its brown form towered over twenty meters tall, radiating an ominous energy.

One fighter embodied the spirit of a human war king, while the other exuded the savage essence of a demon king. With a simultaneous roar, they charged at each other. Jun Mengchen unleashed his power with a mighty cry, and the king phantom mirrored his actions. Together, they launched a devastating assault. Their attacks materialized as divine weapons and ferocious beasts, unleashing chaos on the battlefield. Violent qi surged, obliterating everything in its path.

In the midst of their fierce battle, Xia Jiufeng unleashed a furious roar, echoing the ferocity of the minotaur king. He thrust both fists forward, and the sheer power he emitted sent shockwaves through the air, creating chaotic disturbances. A stampede of menacing oxen demons charged relentlessly at Jun Mengchen, causing the very space around them to quake as they clashed powerfully, might against might.

"Stellar martial cultivators are defined by the potency of their attacks. All superlative experts must possess overwhelmingly dominant offensive abilities. Among this group of participants, there are a remarkable number of fearsome attackers," whispered the spectators, their hearts quaking with each exchange. Previously, Gusu Tianqi, Mo Wen, Feather King, and Gu Zhantian had all displayed attacks of unfathomable might.

Jun Mengchen's assaults were nothing short of tyrannical, reminiscent of a war king. In contrast, Xia Jiufeng's attacks were wild and unrelenting. Their clashes were earth-shattering, generating shockwaves that reverberated for an extended period, even tearing open spatial rifts.

"DESTRUCTION!" Jun Mengchen bellowed, his aura radiating a kingly brilliance. His very presence exuded the dominance of a king, each of his attacks carried a crushing force that seemed capable of bending reality itself. Even a casual blow from him could annihilate everything in its path.

The pressure on Xia Jiufeng mounted, and he responded with a resounding howl, his constellation materializing an immense ox silhouette that blotted out the sky.

Soaring into the air, Xia Jiufeng fixed his gaze on Jun Mengchen and declared, "You will surely lose."

His voice had barely faded when he unleashed another barrage of punches. Instantly, the horde of demonic oxen multiplied exponentially. The thunderous impact of their collision deafened the spectators. A single ox's attack was already formidable, but when tens of thousands surged forward in a stampede, the destructive force was beyond comprehension. Everything in their path faced obliteration.

Yet Jun Mengchen soared higher, a radiant king's armor enveloping him, and his king phantom radiated a brilliant glow, encircled by a divine holy halo.

"Is that all you've got?" Jun Mengchen taunted arrogantly as he stood defiantly in the air. The first demonic ox that struck him disintegrated upon impact, unable to breach his king's armor.

The stampede continued to assail Jun Mengchen, but their efforts were futile. The spectators, including Xia Jiufeng himself, watched in disbelief as the oxen's attacks failed to affect Jun Mengchen.

The onlookers were left stunned. Just how powerful was Jun Mengchen? Had he not been careless and poisoned earlier, there would have been no need for him to exert himself so thoroughly against the disciple of the Absolute Poison Immortal King.

Xia Jiufeng's expression shifted dramatically. Although he hadn't unleashed his full power, he was utterly astounded by what he witnessed. The color drained from his face, and his confidence waned.

Finally, Xia Jiufeng sighed inwardly and conceded defeat. He acknowledged Jun Mengchen's overwhelming strength.

"Thank you for the challenge," Jun Mengchen graciously responded as he withdrew his kingly aura. The two combatants left the platform together.

Upon returning to the Cloud Prefecture's area, Jun Mengchen beamed at Qin Wentian and Zi Qingxuan, radiating the warmth of a sunny young man once more. It was difficult to reconcile this cheerful demeanor with the wild warrior he had become during his battles. His performance had left such an impact that even Gu Zhantian couldn't help but feel anxious about their impending match.

Could Gu Zhantian defeat Jun Mengchen if their cultivation bases were equalized? How formidable was Jun Mengchen, and had he already pushed himself to his limits?

The crowd remained unaware, for except during the moment when the blood poison coursed through his veins, no one had ever witnessed Jun Mengchen pushed to his limits. Even in that dire situation, when the poison threatened to overwhelm him, he dispatched his opponent with a single punch, radiating a divine glow that dazzled the onlookers.

"Senior brother, it's your time now," Jun Mengchen casually remarked, paying no heed to the astonishment rippling through the audience. He addressed Qin Wentian with a determined glint in his eyes. Their shared goal was crystal clear—each of them aimed to secure a spot in the coveted top three positions.

They harbored a singular desire—to put a resounding dent in the reputation of the Deepflame Immortal King. There was nothing more satisfying than proving their mettle by outshining the disciples of this formidable immortal king.

Qin Wentian nodded, a subtle smile gracing his lips as he ascended the battle platform. His piercing gaze roved over the participants, leaving spectators speculating about his choice of challenger.

However, Qin Wentian's eyes settled on none other than the Deepflame Immortal King's personal disciple, Blackpeak. A sardonic smile played on his lips, and he didn't shy away from emphasizing the Deepflame Immortal King's name in his declaration. There was a deliberate intent behind his words, an unspoken challenge that reverberated through the arena.

By challenging Blackpeak, Qin Wentian sought to deliver a message, loud and clear. He aimed to once again humiliate the Deepflame Immortal King by besting his disciple in front of the watching multitude. This bold move was intended to show everyone how he would triumph over Blackpeak, proving his indomitable spirit and skill.