Divine Intent Sect.
Courtyard of True Disciples, Sky River Institute.
"Senior Yun Tianhe, we have important news to report."
Two disciples rushed into the Wuchen Courtyard and approached Yun Tianhe.
"Speak."
Yun Tianhe was practicing his sword in the courtyard. Seeing these two arrive, he stopped.
"We haven't heard from Brother Meng Yuan for a month. We suspect he's already dead," one of the disciples said in a low voice.
"Dead?" Yun Tianhe's eyes narrowed. "How did he die?"
"We're not sure. However, we know he disappeared after tracking Ling Chen."
"You mean Ling Chen killed him?" Yun Tianhe's pupils constricted slightly. He then shook his head. "That's impossible. With Ling Chen's abilities, how could he possibly kill Meng Yuan?"
The two disciples exchanged a glance, and one of them continued, "We initially thought so too. But when Ling Chen returned to the Sect last time, he had completed the mission to kill the Evil Blood Blade."
"Not only that, many disciples have encountered Ling Chen in the Copper Man Formation recently. According to their accounts, Ling Chen's martial arts have improved significantly, and he appears to have reached at least the Fifth Level of Cultivation," the other disciple added.
This boy is really like a cockroach, returning to the Fifth Level so quickly.
Yun Tianhe's expression darkened slightly. Ling Chen's rate of progress was truly surprising, especially considering his meridians had been crippled. No matter how talented he was, he shouldn't have recovered this quickly.
It seems I must eliminate him on the martial arts platform one month from now. Otherwise, he will truly become a serious threat.
Yun Tianhe clenched his fists. He would not sit idly by and watch Ling Chen continue to grow. One month later would be Ling Chen's doom.
"Do we have to wait another month? Ling Chen has already gone to Wucheng. His intentions are very clear: he obviously wants to hone himself in Wucheng's Underground Martial Arena and seek a breakthrough."
"Yes, if he succeeds, the consequences will be unimaginable. Although Senior Yun's victory is assured, we still need to take precautions," both of them said, cupping their fists.
Yun Tianhe's brow furrowed tightly. With my pride, I naturally wouldn't want to resort to petty schemes at this time, but their words aren't entirely without reason; I must be cautious.
After a moment of silence, Yun Tianhe raised his hand, having finally made a decision.
"Relay my orders: have Feng Chong make a trip to Wucheng."
"Yes!"
A glimmer of light appeared in the eyes of both disciples. Feng Chong was Yun Tianhe's right-hand man; they never expected Yun Tianhe to dispatch him. This time, Ling Chen was almost certainly doomed.
「Wucheng.」
Within the Wind Country, Wucheng was the most famous city after the capital. The capital, being the seat of the Wind Country's Imperial Court, held an unshakeable status. However, Wucheng's background was not to be underestimated, for it was the base of the Black Market.
The Black Market, ostensibly a loose commercial entity, was in reality backed by complex forces, including Aristocratic Families, Righteous Path Sects, and even Demonic Sects.
Among the Five Kingdoms, each nation had a Black Market. If a nation represented the ruling power existing in the light, then the Black Market was another major power dwelling in darkness.
In short, it was a lawless land.
Wucheng was the Wind Country's Black Market stronghold, and its Underground Martial Arena was renowned throughout the Five Kingdoms.
The Underground Martial Arena was located right in the center of Wucheng. Contrary to its name, it was a magnificent structure, standing tens of zhang tall and covering hundreds of acres, a true landmark of Wucheng.
When Ling Chen arrived at the Underground Martial Arena, the area was already teeming with people. Many powerful warriors were present, though most martial artists had lower Cultivation levels. They came purely to join the excitement and learn by observing.
"Please arrange a battle for me. I want to challenge for a Ten Winning Streak," Ling Chen said to a Deacon of the Underground Martial Arena. He was ready to directly attempt the Ten Winning Streak. Achieving a Ten Winning Streak was a mark of honor in the Underground Martial Arena, and anyone who managed it would receive a Ten Winning Streak Token.
This Ten Winning Streak Token held no special practical significance, but in the Jianghu, it served as proof of one's strength.
Not to mention, beyond the Ten Winning Streak, there were also the Twenty Winning Streak, the Fifty Winning Streak, and even the terrifying Hundred Winning Streak.
"A Ten Winning Streak?"
The Deacon sized Ling Chen up, his expression turning slightly serious. He asked, "Your Excellency, are you a warrior of the Sixth Layer Realm?"
"Yes."
Ling Chen nodded. He wore a mask and didn't believe anyone would recognize him.
"Alright, I will arrange a fight for you as soon as possible." The Deacon nodded, then his tone became grave. "But before that, I must remind you: once you step into our Underground Martial Arena, your life hangs by a thread. Danger of death is ever-present."
"I know." Ling Chen's expression remained calm as he nodded again. "Doesn't your Underground Martial Arena also offer substantial rewards? Opportunity and risk coexist; that's perfectly understandable."
Hundreds, if not thousands, of martial artists watched the fights here. Almost every battle involved betting, from which the Underground Martial Arena profited greatly. Consequently, they provided substantial rewards to the competing warriors, especially those who achieved consecutive victories.
A warrior who achieved a Ten Winning Streak could earn a jar of Cultivating Origin Spirit Liquid from the Underground Martial Arena—a Treasure even rarer than Qi Gathering Powder.
"Very well. You may wait here for a moment. Someone will notify you soon."
With that, the Deacon turned to make the arrangements.
Ling Chen found a more secluded seat, closed his eyes to rest his mind, and waited quietly.
A middle-aged man dressed in a loose Gold Robe walked into the Underground Martial Arena.
"Boss!"
Upon seeing him, everyone in the Underground Martial Arena bowed, their attitudes deeply respectful.
"Have any exceptional warriors appeared on the platforms today?" the Gold-Robed man asked a Deacon.
"None so far. However, a masked young man just arrived, claiming he wants to challenge for a Ten Winning Streak. I've already made the arrangements for him," the Deacon replied.
"Oh? Challenging for a Ten Winning Streak?" The Gold-Robed man's eyebrows lifted. He nodded, seemingly intrigued. "Let's go take a look."
In the center of the massive Martial Arts Arena stood a square platform. Surrounded by a dense crowd, the Gold-Robed man surveyed the arena before his gaze settled on the central platform.
On it, two figures already stood, about twenty meters apart. One, clad in flowing white robes with a Long Sword at his waist, possessed an ethereal temperament despite the mask concealing his face. It was Ling Chen.
His opponent was a young man in black, around twenty years old, with a Cultivation at the Fifth Level.
For someone his age to reach the Fifth Level, his aptitude is quite impressive.
The Underground Martial Arena's intention for this first fight was clear: they wanted to gauge Ling Chen's capabilities.
The higher the Cultivation of the warriors they dispatched, the greater the cost to them.
After all, the Underground Martial Arena was a business. Their primary consideration was how to maximize profits while minimizing expenses to achieve their objectives.
In the eyes of the Underground Martial Arena's Deacon, a Fifth Level warrior was sufficient to test Ling Chen.
"Yang Jing of the Yang family. I await your instruction!" the young man in black declared, raising his War Knife and offering Ling Chen a fist salute.
"Begin when you're ready."
Ling Chen crossed his arms, showing no intention of drawing his sword.
How dare he look down on me? Yang Jing fumed internally.
He infused his War Knife with True Qi. With an angry shout, he leaped forward, slashing the knife towards Ling Chen's face.
Ling Chen's expression remained unchanged. Only at the instant Yang Jing's blade was about to strike did he open his eyes, his figure suddenly drifting backward.
Yang Jing's blade remained mere inches from Ling Chen's face, yet it consistently stayed at that minuscule distance, unable to harm Ling Chen in the slightest.
"Damn it!"
His expression grim, Yang Jing furiously channeled more True Qi to assail Ling Chen. I refuse to believe I can't even touch a hair on his head!
Finally, he forced Ling Chen to the edge of the platform. My chance to defeat him is here!
"Be defeated!" Yang Jing cried, his face alight with joy. In that instant, he thought he saw an opening in Ling Chen's defense and thrust his War Knife with all his might, hoping to seize victory.
WHIZZ! The blade's light streaked past Ling Chen's side.
THUD! The next moment, Yang Jing, War Knife and all, tumbled off the platform.
"Thank you for showing mercy!"
Yang Jing scrambled up from the ground, hastily giving Ling Chen a grateful look. From start to finish, I didn't even touch his clothes. If he had wanted to kill me, it would have been effortless.