The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2336 - 2325: Are You Still Confident Now?

Suddenly, Ye Chenfeng made his appearance on the arena. This appearance sent waves of astonishment throughout the regions beyond the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin. Particularly after Zhao Wenyu had descended from the stage, Ye Chenfeng uttered a few words, and then, under the gaze of countless onlookers, he underwent a strength test. The outcome revealed that he had unexpectedly reached the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm. This revelation utterly stunned everyone present. Considering Ye Chenfeng's youth, no one had anticipated he had already attained the Divine King Realm. Wu Lingxiang and Jiang Caixuan, who were privy to Ye Chenfeng's true age, felt their hearts quake with disbelief. A cultivator at the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm at the age of thirty – what did this signify? It was an unprecedented feat in history.

Following Ye Chenfeng’s emergence, Zhao Jinpeng, Bai Xiaorou, Wu Lingxiang, and others standing atop the city walls tore open a substantial section of the protective barrier surrounding the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin. Their figures then traversed the air, heading towards the arena. Zhao Jinpeng and his companions were completely taken aback by Ye Chenfeng's dramatic entrance; it was far beyond anything they had imagined. Not only had Ye Chenfeng returned unscathed, but he had also seemingly achieved a breakthrough to the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm?

On the other side, the esteemed ancestors from the Xiao Yao Palace and other associated sects, positioned below the arena, wore expressions of profound grimness. Their initial conviction was that Ye Chenfeng was surely deceased. However, his unexpected reappearance and his mysterious ascent to the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm were developments they found difficult to accept. Luo Qianjiang, the patriarch of the Xiao Yao Palace, positioned on the arena floor, his furrowed brow betraying his intense focus on Ye Chenfeng. He acknowledged Ye Chenfeng’s formidable combat prowess, but now that Ye Chenfeng stood defiantly on the arena, and with his own ultimate trump cards in hand, he could no longer tolerate the repeated provocations from Ye Chenfeng. A firm resolve settled within him: he would personally extinguish Ye Chenfeng’s life.

During their initial encounter, Ye Chenfeng had been utterly incapable of withstanding even a single strike from Luo Qianjiang. At that time, a casual blow from Luo Qianjiang had inflicted severe injuries upon Ye Chenfeng, causing him to spew blood and suffer grievous internal damage, ultimately forcing him to retreat into the secluded world within the Chaos Ring. Back then, Ye Chenfeng had sworn an oath to exact a hundredfold, even a thousandfold, retribution for this humiliation in the future. Today marked the day Ye Chenfeng would honor that solemn promise; he was, after all, a man who always kept his word.

Ye Chenfeng cast a brief glance towards Zhao Jinpeng and Bai Xiaorou, who were in the process of descending from the city walls. He addressed them, stating, "Xiaorou, you all should wait below the arena. We can speak after this contest concludes." The resolute individuals who had intended to ascend to the fighting platform paused in their tracks upon hearing Ye Chenfeng's directive, including the exceptionally gifted Bai Xiaorou, Wu Lingxiang, and Jiang Caixuan.

The cultivator masses gathered outside the Ancient City, intent on witnessing the impending duel, resumed their fervent discussions upon observing the emergence of the Master of Heavenly Origin. "Who could have possibly foreseen this! The Master of Heavenly Origin has returned at this precise moment? And he has already reached the Divine King Realm? What is his current age? Surely he isn't over three hundred years old, is he? This is simply beyond comprehension." "I suspect this Master of Heavenly Origin is merely putting on a front. A cultivator of the Divine King Realm who is not yet three hundred years of age, how potent do you imagine his actual combat strength to be?" ...

If these cultivators were aware that Ye Chenfeng’s true age was a mere fraction of their estimations, perhaps a tenfold reduction, they would likely be struck with absolute terror.

Facing Ye Chenfeng, Luo Qianjiang gradually regained his composure. He spoke in a deep, resonant voice, "Youngster, do you truly believe that by merely entering the Divine King Realm, you can definitively defeat me? You are actively inviting your own demise, and your life, old man, I shall certainly claim."

Ye Chenfeng stood with an air of profound calm, the Qingyun Sword resting immovably behind him. A gentle breeze stirred, causing his robes to flutter elegantly. He surveyed Luo Qianjiang, his gaze sweeping over the assembled figures below, including Luo Qianhai and Hua Wanchuan. He then declared, "For this particular bout, I propose a duel to the death. I inquire whether you possess the courage to accept? It is imperative that no one intervenes during the engagement."

In response to Ye Chenfeng’s unwavering confidence, Luo Qianjiang responded with a frigid tone, "Boy, why would I, an old man, refuse such a challenge? Even if you had not proposed a duel to the death, my intention was already to end your life within this arena." Below the platform, Hua Wanchuan and Luo Qianhai exchanged significant glances. Ultimately, it was Luo Qianhai who voiced their agreement: "We consent. This engagement shall be a fight to the death, with absolutely no outside interference permitted."

Following Luo Qianhai’s explicit agreement.

The assembly was once again stirred into a frenzy. Considering the multitude of cultivators observing, any party attempting to renege on their word in such a public setting would surely become a laughingstock throughout the entire Tian Xuan Realm. While the Xiao Yao Palace and their allies wielded significant power, it was insufficient to defy the collective opinion of the Tian Xuan Realm. Their agreement undeniably stemmed from a well-orchestrated plan.

Upon hearing Ye Chenfeng's proposal for a duel to the death, the representatives from the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin displayed evident concern. Yun Rong offered reassurance, stating, "Have no fear! I know Brother Ye to be a man who acts with deliberation; he must possess absolute certainty to make such a choice. Let us simply watch from below with peace of mind!"

Following the mutual consent to a duel unto death.

Luo Qianjiang's imposing aura suddenly intensified. He declared, "Boy, the duel is now set to commence, and you forfeit any right to regret your decision."

From below, Hua Wanchuan proclaimed, "The duel begins! No one is to interfere. With so many witnesses present, any individual who dares to violate this rule will be deemed an enemy of the entire Tian Xuan Realm."

As the duel was officially declared underway.

Luo Qianjiang's formidable presence surged with ferocity, growing increasingly potent. Abruptly, the surrounding space distorted, and with a resounding 'boom!', he broke through to the Middle Stage of the Divine King Realm.

This sudden advancement by Luo Qianjiang to the Middle Stage of the Divine King Realm sent shockwaves through the assembled crowd.

A smile gracing his features, Luo Qianjiang addressed the onlookers, "Esteemed guests, the rules of engagement do not preclude breakthroughs during the duel. I entered this arena at the Initial Stage of the Divine King Realm, and only after the duel commenced did I advance. Therefore, I have not contravened any rules."

Indeed, when the three-match agreement was finalized, no such stipulation was included in the established rules. Xiao Yao Palace and its confederates had shrewdly exploited a loophole, employing a tactic that, while deemed unscrupulous by many, was technically permissible. This revelation caused a significant number of the observing cultivators to feel a profound sense of shame. Nevertheless, a segment of the cultivators voiced their support for factions like Xiao Yao Palace, contending that dealing with 'tumors' such as the Ancient City of Heavenly Origin necessitated such unconventional methods.

Having achieved his breakthrough to the Middle Stage of the Divine King Realm, Luo Qianjiang flashed a sinister grin. "Boy, do you still possess confidence? This is merely the prelude. I shall allow you to succumb to despair, to understand that an ant, no matter its aspirations, will forever remain an ant."

Luo Qianjiang had clearly been harboring this breakthrough, deliberately suppressing his cultivation beforehand to surprise his opponent moments after the duel officially commenced.

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit qidian.com to cast your votes for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support fuels my greatest motivation. Mobile users, kindly access the content at m.qidian.com.)