20 The Challenge of Yan Tu and the Grassland Battle

"Did you hear? Lord Yan Tu has challenged Qi Tian."

"Yeah! Who do you think will win?"

"Qi Tian has been on a winning streak for the past year, but he is only at the third transformation. If he breaks through to the fourth, he might have a chance, but it seems like Yan Tu wants to eliminate him before he fully matures."

Not long ago, Yan Tu issued a forced challenge to Qi Tian.

As soon as the news spread, it caused a stir in the martial arena, attracting the attention of countless people, some curious, others skeptical.

Yan Tu, a fourth-transformation Gu Master, was known as "Half of the Martial Arena," alongside the mighty Ji Kai Bei, together they stood as the twin giants of the arena, dominating the peak.

Over the years, many demon path Gu Masters who tried to rise to prominence and become influential members of the Merchant City were blocked by them, their hopes of promotion shattered.

On the other hand, Qi Tian had recently become the brightest new star in the martial arena, winning every match without a single defeat. Such dominance had been rare in the arena's history.

Some believed that Qi Tian's meteoric rise had made Yan Tu uncomfortable, prompting him to try and crush him before he could grow stronger. Others speculated that Qi Tian and Yan Tu had some unresolved grievances.

Almost no one thought that Qi Tian could defeat Yan Tu.

After all, Yan Tu's strength was well-known. More crucially, one was a fourth-transformation Gu Master, while the other was only at the third, a huge gap in their realms.

The higher the transformation of a Gu Master, the greater the difference in power, making it nearly impossible for someone to defeat an opponent of a higher transformation.

"Heh, Yan Tu forced me into a challenge? This must be at the behest of Shang Yan Fei!" Qi Tian understood that Shang Yan Fei was behind this attempt to suppress him.

This all stemmed from the batch of Gu insects Qi Tian had sold when he first arrived in Merchant City.

At the time, the Merchant shop was managed by one of the young masters, Shang Qi Zhi. When Shang Qi Zhi reviewed the finances, he realized Qi Tian, a newcomer with a large sum of money, was a potential target.

So, before Qi Tian could establish himself, he had been secretly suppressed. Later, when Qi Tian made his purchases in the shop, the prices were intentionally inflated.

Qi Tian didn't make a fuss at the time, but after he gained fame in the martial arena, Shang Qi Zhi eventually pulled back. However, not long ago, during the Merchant City's young master evaluation, Qi Tian had outsmarted Shang Qi Zhi, causing him to be demoted.

By scheming against one young master, Qi Tian had made the others wary of him, and this inevitably led to further suppression by Shang Yan Fei.

Of course, this was both an attempt to suppress and a test. Shang Yan Fei wasn't willing to let a talented person slip away just because of a stubborn son.

With Qi Tian's performance, it was only a matter of time before he dominated the martial arena. He was young and already achieving such feats.

Shang Yan Fei had investigated Qi Tian's background: an adopted child from the hunters, inheriting the Gu Master legacy, and rising through his own efforts. This had stirred Shang Yan Fei's admiration for him.

Sending Yan Tu to challenge him was a test of Qi Tian's true potential.

As for Qi Tian, he was confident in his ability to handle the situation. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to outwit a Merchant young master.

That same Shang Qi Zhi, in Qi Tian's past life, also lost his position as young master during this year, though Qi Tian wasn't entirely sure why.

He speculated that it had something to do with the newly appointed young master, Shang Ya Zi. Both of them were narrow-minded, and rumors had it that they didn't get along. This time, Qi Tian had outmaneuvered Shang Qi Zhi on behalf of Shang Ya Zi.

It was somewhat tragic for Shang Ya Zi. In the original story, he only lasted one year in his position before encountering Fang Yuan, who tricked him out of a large amount of Yuan Stones. Later, when Fang Yuan helped Shang Xin Ci rise to power, Shang Ya Zi was once again outsmarted and lost his position as young master.

As for why Yan Tu was chosen over Ji Kai Bei, it was because Qi Tian excelled in long-range combat and had the advantage of flight, which completely countered Ji Kai Bei, a close-range Gu Master.

As time passed, the moment for the battle between Qi Tian and Yan Tu finally arrived.

The large martial arena was set up with a grassy field.

This type of terrain, known as the Grassland Terrain, was commonly found in the Northern Region.

Around the field, a sea of Gu Masters had gathered, all eyes focused on the two contestants in the center.

On the field, Qi Tian and Yan Tu stood facing each other.

Yan Tu, an old man with disheveled hair and a gaunt, almost skeletal frame, was barefoot. His nails were long and crooked, and his clothes were ragged. He hunched over, resembling a beggar by the side of the road.

"Hehehe, the boy looks quite handsome," Yan Tu said, eyeing Qi Tian with a raspy voice.

Qi Tian shot back, "Old man, stop pretending."

"Ha, the little brat doesn't know respect," Yan Tu chuckled dryly, rubbing his fingers together. "Looks like I'll have to teach you the importance of respecting your elders."

"Enough talking," Qi Tian said, his expression serious as his eyes remained fixed on Yan Tu, ready for battle.

Clang!

A light sound marked the beginning of the fight.

Knife Qi Gu!

Dan Fire Gu!

Almost simultaneously, Qi Tian and Yan Tu launched their attacks.

Three blades of Qi and three orange-red fireballs flew toward each other.

Boom.

One blade of Qi and one fireball collided in mid-air, dissipating without a clear victor.

Both Qi Tian's Knife Qi Gu and Yan Tu's Dan Fire Gu were of the third transformation, making them evenly matched.

"Unless I use other Gu insects for support, but that would drain my true essence. This battle is only just beginning..."

To conserve his true essence, Qi Tian decided to engage in close combat, making his move and quickly closing the distance.

He skillfully dodged the incoming Dan Fire, using his knife to deflect the ones he couldn't avoid.

"You want to fight up close?" Yan Tu immediately understood Qi Tian's plan. He wasn't good at close combat, and if Qi Tian got too close, it would be troublesome for him. He sneered, stepped back, and began running.

Although he was at the fourth transformation and a flamboyant Fire Path Gu Master, Yan Tu's fighting style was tricky and seasoned. He activated his Moving Gu and began retreating.

His index finger twitched as he conjured more Dan Fireballs, launching them in a concentrated barrage toward Qi Tian.

Qi Tian wasn't to be outdone, stepping forward and wielding his jade knife.

The two dashed across the vast grass field, dodging and attacking without pause.

The spectators around the arena were gradually becoming more and more impressed.

"Who would've thought Qi Tian would be so aggressive, holding his own against Lord Yan Tu like this."

"Whether in close combat, long-range combat, movement, or defense, Qi Tian's solid foundation is on full display, and his coordination is perfect."

Among the crowd, Wei Yang observed intently, analyzing the battle.

He murmured to himself, "The gap between third and fourth transformations is still significant. Yan Tu, though a fourth-transformation, is only of B-tier talent. Qi Tian, with A-tier talent, has an advantage in true essence regeneration. Plus, by fighting up close, Qi Tian reduces his true essence consumption, allowing him to counter Yan Tu's higher level. It seems he's conserving his true essence for a killing blow.