The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2335 - 2324: Let Me Do It!

~6 minute read · 1,525 words
Previously on The Strongest Dandy in the City...
The Ancient City of Heavenly Origin faces a crisis as Xiao Yao Palace and its allies challenge them to duels after the presumed demise of the Bloodswallow Clan. The first duel resulted in a severe defeat for the Ancient City, with Zhao Jinpeng falling victim to a mysterious tactic that destabilized his spiritual energy. Now, facing the threat of unconditional submission if they lose two more duels, the city prepares for the next engagement, with Zhao Wenyu stepping forward to represent them, aided by a Detox Pearl to counter the insidious poison.
The second match was scheduled for today. The people of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin had made their decision: Zhao Wenyu would represent them in this bout. Outside the ancient city, a multitude of cultivators had gathered, all eager to witness the unfolding drama. A colossal arena had been erected on a cleared space just beyond the city gates. With such a large audience, the inhabitants of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin felt secure that the Xiao Yao Palace and its allies wouldn't break their agreement, as these so-called Orthodox Sects placed immense value on their reputations. The area surrounding the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin's gate buzzed with incessant chatter. "Yesterday's match concluded in an utterly bizarre fashion for the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin. I heard their fighter was the old ancestor from the Nine Nether Ice Lion lineage, renowned for their combat prowess. It's unfathomable he would lose so readily." "Have you not heard? Heavenly Sword Sect's Li Yuanmu, the reason he defeated the old ancestor of the Lion King Lineage apparently involved insidious tactics. The Lion King Lineage traditionally fights honorably. While the old ancestor may not have voiced it yesterday, keen observers noted signs of poisoning. Employing poison in a duel is surely a contravention of the Righteous Path!" "Spare me the nonsense. The Heavenly Sword Sect, Xiao Yao Palace, and the Jin family have always conducted themselves honorably. Who knows what that old ancestor of the Lion King Lineage truly represents? The Ancient City of Heavenly Origin is a blight upon the Central State, and the Xiao Yao Palace is merely purging a menace." "Indeed, I place my faith in the Heavenly Sword Sect, Xiao Yao Palace, and the Jins. The Ancient City of Heavenly Origin is destined to lose this time. I heard their so-called City Lord, Ye Chenfeng, has been missing for some time. What right does that brat have to cause such a stir in the Central State? I doubt his abilities are anything special. How could the experts of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin possibly defer to him? Their minds must be addled." ... The discussions outside the city gate persisted without pause. On the right side of the immense arena, the venerable ancestors of the Xiao Yao Palace, Heavenly Sword Sect, and the Jin family were all in attendance. Present were the Heavenly Sword Sect's old ancestor Hua Wanchuan and Li Yuanmu. From the Xiao Yao Palace, old ancestors Luo Qianjiang, Zhao Wanzhong, and Luo Qianhai attended, along with the Jin family's old ancestor, Jin Hongsheng. Factions such as the Xiao Yao Palace had, in fact, acquired a rare heavenly material and earthly treasure known as Spirit Condensation Grass, believed to be extinct within the Tian Xuan Realm. This valuable item was obtained unexpectedly. When ground into a fine powder, this grass, when dispersed into the air during combat, could obstruct an opponent's Spiritual Qi flow within their meridians upon inhalation. This powder was both colorless and tasteless, rendering it undetectable even to most experts in the Divine King Realm. Although Spirit Condensation Grass itself had vanished from the Tian Xuan Realm, antidotes derived from it remained known. Furthermore, even without an antidote, the grass's effects would naturally dissipate after several hours. During the prior bout against Zhao Jinpeng, Li Yuanmu had proactively ingested the antidote for the Spirit Condensation Grass. Hua Wanchuan spoke, stating, "Our easy victory in the last match was solely due to the use of Spirit Condensation Grass. I suspect the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin will be better prepared this time. It is unlikely we can secure another win through such means." Luo Qianhai responded with a smile, "There's no need for excessive worry. Regardless of the caliber of the Divine King Realm expert the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin fields next, do we not already possess countermeasures? Even without relying on the Spirit Condensation Grass, victory is within our grasp. Securing one more win will ensure our triumph." Jin Hongsheng added his thoughts, "I believe the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin would never dare to retract their word. They publicly consented to our terms for this duel. Should they renege, they would truly face universal condemnation." As Jin Hongsheng concluded his statement.

Zhao Jinpeng, Wu Lingxiang, and the others materialized atop the city tower.

A vast opening manifested on the azure Barrier that enveloped the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin. Through this breach, Zhao Wenyu exited, landing with practiced stability upon the expansive arena. With an impassive countenance, he declared, "For this second match, it is I, Zhao Wenyu, who shall contend."

Witnessing the emergence of Zhao Wenyu, an expert at the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm, onto the aerial battleground.

Hua Wanchuan, Luo Qianhai, and their companions shared knowing glances. It seemed their certainty of claiming victory in this subsequent bout was unwavering.

Luo Qianjiang, also a cultivator at the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm, dematerialized from his previous position, instantly reappearing within the arena's confines. He proclaimed, "Then allow me the honor of personally gauging the prowess of the Clan Leader of the Lion King Lineage!"

Flanking the arena's edges were twin Stele devices designated for strength assessment. Prior to engaging in combat, it was imperative to verify each participant's cultivation level, thereby precluding any clandestine application of illicit techniques to mask their true power.

Zhao Wenyu and Luo Qianjiang each subjected themselves to the steles' scrutiny. The devices duly registered that both individuals were indeed positioned at the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm.

Upon the conclusion of the verification process.

Zhao Wenyu and Luo Qianjiang adopted opposing stances, separated by a considerable distance.

Luo Qianjiang let out a sorrowful shake of his head. "What a profound regret. The absence of that young scoundrel Ye Chenfeng means he is deprived of witnessing the imminent downfall of the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin."

A cold, dismissive snort escaped Zhao Wenyu's nostrils. Though he had not personally been present at the Bloodswallow Clan's ancestral domain, he was fully apprised of the events that transpired there, having received a detailed account from Zhao Jinpeng and the others. In his considered opinion, factions such as Xiao Yao Palace were utterly devoid of gratitude. Regardless of any other considerations, had it not been for Ye Chenfeng's intervention, none of those venerable figures would have managed to escape the Bloodswallow Clan's ancestral grounds with their lives intact.

Observing from their vantage point on the city tower, Zhao Jinpeng and his retinue took in the palpable confidence exuding from Hua Wanchuan and his associates. A disquieting premonition began to take root in their hearts. Zhao Jinpeng emitted a heavy sigh, lamenting, "Alas, one cannot help but wonder if Xiao Yao Palace harbors some unexpected scheme for this encounter. We cannot afford another defeat!"

Coinciding precisely with Zhao Jinpeng's mournful exhalation.

At the very moment Zhao Wenyu and Luo Qianjiang on the arena prepared to initiate their exchange of blows.

"Desist!"

A thunderous shout, imbued with palpable fury, reverberated through the expanse of heaven and earth. In its immediate aftermath, a solitary figure streaked across the sky, materializing within the arena's bounds.

Ye Chenfeng, bearing the marks of arduous travel and coated in the dust of his journey, had finally made his belated appearance.

Clad in a flowing, sable robe, Ye Chenfeng alighted beside Zhao Wenyu. Having utilized a colossal Teleportation Array to reach a point proximal to the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin, he had swiftly gleaned intelligence regarding the city's current predicament from the accounts of various cultivators encountered en route.

Ye Chenfeng's abrupt arrival caused a momentary suspension of action for Zhao Wenyu, positioned at his side. Just as the latter opened his mouth to speak.

Ye Chenfeng casually placed a hand on Zhao Wenyu's shoulder.

Instantly, a tranquil yet potent force emanated from Ye Chenfeng's palm, impacting Zhao Wenyu's shoulder.

The resultant surge of energy propelled Zhao Wenyu entirely off the arena's platform. To the observers, the maneuver appeared as though Zhao Wenyu had elected to withdraw from the contest of his own accord.

Moments prior, this subtle shift had gone unnoticed.

But in this precise instant, Zhao Wenyu became acutely aware that Ye Chenfeng had, prior to this very moment, also attained the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm. Furthermore, he recognized his own absolute inability to counter the seemingly gentle yet overwhelmingly powerful force Ye Chenfeng had just exerted. This realization sent profound and turbulent emotions crashing through his psyche.

Ye Chenfeng redirected his focus towards Luo Qianjiang, his voice resonating with purpose as he declared, "It is time we settled our outstanding accounts. Allow me the privilege of undertaking this bout."

...(To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)