The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2334 - 2323: On the Brink of Peril

Central State.

An ancient metropolis protected by a formidable emerald barrier.

This once enigmatic ancient city has recently become a focal point of attention.

Swarms of cultivators are observed daily on the fringes of the ancient city, all eager to witness its present grandeur.

Agile experts of the Heavenly God Realm continuously survey the city ramparts, vigilant for any external stirrings.

This venerable city is known as the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin.

Yet, a cloud of uncertainty now hangs over the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin.

Ever since their return to the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin, concerns for Ye Chenfeng’s well-being have plagued Zhao Jinpeng, Tan Yuanwu, Bai Xiaorou, Jiang Caixuan, and Wu Lingxiang.

It can be asserted that Ye Chenfeng is the very anchor binding the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin together.

At this precise moment.

Within a sprawling courtyard inside the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin.

All individuals closely associated with Ye Chenfeng are gathered. In addition to Zhao Jinpeng, Yun Rong, the matriarch of the Yun family, and Zhao Xingtu, the esteemed Pavilion Master of the Array Magic Pavilion, are present, their countenances etched with deep anxiety.

Zhao Jinpeng, the progenitor of the Nine Nether Ice Lion King lineage, appeared wan, his Qi flow exceedingly erratic, betraying a severe internal affliction.

The Xiao Yao Palace, the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the Jin clan have egressed from the Bloodswallow Clan’s ancestral stronghold.

Lacking definitive confirmation of the Bloodswallow Clan's survival, they deferred immediate action against the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin, their attention primarily captured by the formidable reputation of the Bloodswallow Clan.

However, with no trace of the Bloodswallow Clan emerging, the Xiao Yao Palace and its allies grew increasingly convinced of the clan's annihilation.

They displayed no gratitude towards Ye Chenfeng; indeed, his actions were instrumental in their escape from the Bloodswallow Clan’s ancestral domain.

Upon verifying the Bloodswallow Clan’s demise several days prior, the Xiao Yao Palace, the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the Jin clan recommenced their objective to subjugate the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin.

Nevertheless, the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin found refuge under the protection of the Immortal Artifact, the Azure Sky Shield, and the formidable ancient Demon Vines. Furthermore, elite Divine King Realm cultivators were garrisoned within the city, presenting a formidable obstacle to the Xiao Yao Palace’s assault.

Moreover, a full-scale conflict would inevitably result in significant losses for the Xiao Yao Palace.

Consequently, the Xiao Yao Palace and its confederates proposed a series of three duels between Divine King Realm combatants, stipulating that the vanquished party would yield unconditionally to the victor.

A critical stipulation was that the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin must nominate their champion first, whose cultivation level would be commensurate with that of the challengers, acknowledging the Xiao Yao Palace’s possession of experts at the Peak of the Divine King Realm.

Within the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin, even the formidable Zhao Jinpeng, patriarch of the Lion King lineage, only held a cultivation at the late stage of the Divine King Realm.

This condition considerably benefited the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin, and judging by the pronouncements of the Xiao Yao Palace and their allies, a refusal to engage would render the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin a subject of ridicule throughout Central State.

In the end, the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin acquiesced.

The inaugural duel transpired yesterday.

Zhao Jinpeng stood as the champion for the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin, while Li Yuanmu, also a cultivator at the late stage of the Divine King Realm from the Heavenly Sword Sect, represented the Xiao Yao Palace and their associates.

Theoretically.

Zhao Jinpeng of the Lion King lineage was expected to exhibit superior combat prowess.

However, subsequent to the duel's commencement, Zhao Jinpeng sustained grievous injuries and narrowly escaped death at the hands of Li Yuanmu.

It appears the Xiao Yao Palace and their allies had acquired a highly specialized technique, causing an inexplicable disruption in the Spiritual Qi flow within Zhao Jinpeng’s meridians during the combat, which ultimately sealed his defeat against Li Yuanmu.

In this initial confrontation.

The Ancient City of Heavenly Origin suffered a crushing defeat, a devastating blow to their collective spirit.

An oppressive silence permeated the courtyard.

Yun Rong was the first to shatter the quietude: "We absolutely cannot afford to lose the remaining two duels, for if Brother Ye returns, what standing will we have to face him?"

Zhao Xingtu concurred, adding: "Indeed, victory in the forthcoming duels is paramount! It is no wonder the Xiao Yao Palace and their kin were so obliging; they had clearly mastered such a dishonorable strategy."

Wu Lingxiang stated coolly, "I suspect the Xiao Yao Palace has a covert colorless and odorless toxin that even Divine King Realm experts can't resist. We must be extremely careful in the upcoming duels. Take this Detox Pearl from my family; wearing it grants near-complete immunity to all poisons."

No one had anticipated the Xiao Yao Palace and their allies would resort to such shameless tactics, which is why Wu Lingxiang hadn't revealed the Detox Pearl earlier.

Upon seeing Wu Lingxiang produce the Detox Pearl, which guaranteed immunity to toxins, everyone visibly relaxed, no longer fearing the Xiao Yao Palace's insidious colorless and odorless poison.

With a ashen face, Zhao Jinpeng declared, "The next duel is absolutely critical; we must secure victory without any unforeseen issues."

"Ancestor, permit me to represent our side in the next duel!" Zhao Wenyu, the Clan Leader of the Nine Nether Ice Lion Lion King Lineage, stepped forward and requested.

As the Clan Leader of the Lion King Lineage, Zhao Wenyu's strength reaches the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm, wielding formidable battle power that outmatches most average Initial Stage Divine King Realm experts. Within this realm, he rarely encounters a worthy opponent, unless it's someone of Ye Chenfeng's caliber.

Hearing Zhao Wenyu's bold declaration.

Zhao Jinpeng nodded, acknowledging Zhao Wenyu's might. He believed that if Wenyu could evade the toxin that had previously ensnared him, his chances of winning the next duel would be exceedingly high.

Zhao Jinpeng proclaimed, "I am fully aware of Wenyu's combat prowess, and I endorse his participation in the next duel for the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin. Our city currently faces grave peril; we must rally behind Chenfeng and prevent our ancient city from falling into ruin alongside us."

Regarding the formidable strength of the Lion King Lineage's Clan Leader.

No one present harbored any doubts, and all unanimously agreed to let Zhao Wenyu contend in the next duel.

From a shadowed corner of the courtyard, Bai Xiaorou remained silent, her expression chilly, her thoughts fixated on her brother Ye. Meanwhile, Wu Lingxiang and Jiang Caixuan occasionally knitted their brows, both harboring deep concern for Ye Chenfeng.

Within the Bloodswallow Clan's ancestral grounds.

Without Ye Chenfeng, the two women would have faced death on multiple occasions. This life-saving debt had slowly intertwined with and fermented into a unique emotion within their hearts. They both felt a sense of suffocation; despite being heavenly daughters within their respective families, they felt a gulf separating them from him. If that distance were bridged, they wouldn't have to give a second thought to the Xiao Yao Palace and their ilk.

As the old adage states, even a lean camel remains larger than a horse.

Though the Wu and Jiang families have experienced a downturn, they still represent formidable powers compared to the Xiao Yao Palace and their associates.

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com for reading.)