Ji Bozai didn’t know why Zheng Tiao had come today. Logically, he should have avoided such an occasion, as this wasn’t his home city. If someone challenged him, he’d waste Yuan Power and gain nothing. Yet he not only came but specifically requested a seat.
Ji Bozai glanced at the position in front of him. Xiu Yun sat to the side, excitedly watching Zheng Tiao. Beside her, someone ducked low, hiding their head from view.
Was this the so-called scenery?
He lowered his gaze, curling his lip mockingly as he sipped his tea.
The rejected Da Si didn’t anger, merely smiling as he instructed servants to bring more dishes. Just as he was about to exchange pleasantries with Zheng Tiao, She Tianlin spoke harshly: “Since we rarely meet, I’d like to request instruction from Lord Zheng.”
His words were polite, but his actions were swift. As he finished speaking, a challenge letter floated into the arena.
The crowd erupted in excitement. This was Mu Xing City’s banquet, yet people from Chao Yang and Fei Hua cities were about to fight.
“Instructor She, is this appropriate?” Bo Yuankui frowned. “Why challenge him here? Why not face Ji Bozai instead?”
“I’ve seen those with strong Yuan Power before. I know what they look like, so I’m not curious,” She Tianlin rose and walked to the arena, his eyes fixed on Zheng Tiao, hatred deepening. “But I’ve rarely seen cowards who pretend to be obsessed with dueling while secretly plotting against others. I’d like to see for myself.”
His words were too pointed. Zheng Tiao paused, looking at him in confusion.
The crowd seemed perplexed. Luo Jiaoyang turned to ask Chu He, “Do these two have a grudge?”
Chu He shook his head. “Not that I’ve heard.”
Zheng Tiao battled Ming Xian annually but never won. He took his losses gracefully, leaving without a word each time. She Tianlin wasn’t petty either. With a disciple like Ming Xian, he was always content and jovial, never quibbling with others.
But his behavior and words now seemed to accuse Zheng Tiao of harming Ming Xian.
This was serious. Even Bo Yuankui couldn’t help standing up. “Instructor She, Fei Hua City didn’t send an envoy today. You shouldn’t bully others.”
Zuo Ping chimed in, “We all regret what happened to the Ming family’s heir, but you can’t misdirect your anger. Zheng Tiao didn’t even see Ming Xian this year.”
She Tianlin ignored the chatter around him, establishing a Domain of Silent Battle in the arena.
Known for crafting divine weapons, his Yuan Power wasn’t exceptionally deep. The domain was only green, not as profound as Zuo Ping’s purple. Yet Zheng Tiao sensed intense killing intent, chilling him to the bone.
“Instructor,” he couldn’t help saying, “When have I ever used underhanded tactics?”
She Tianlin didn’t answer, unleashing his Yuan Power along with his newly crafted Heart-Piercing Arrows, sending a fierce rain of arrows at Zheng Tiao.
The arrowheads, forged from true iron, could be deflected by Yuan Power but were hard to shatter. They came in a clattering barrage, forcing Zheng Tiao to dodge hastily.
This was why people feared divine weapon crafters. While others fought with pure Yuan Power, they could use various divine weapons alongside it. Even with just green Yuan Power, it was harder to counter than pure purple.
Zheng Tiao was already among the best in control, but completely stopping so many arrowheads was impossible. He soon took a hit to the shoulder.
“Impressive,” Si Tuling’s eyes lit up. He turned to ask Fu Yue, “Can these be used without Yuan Power?”
“Yes, but without Yuan Power, they’re just ordinary weapons,” Fu Yue replied.
“That’s still good. They look nice,” Si Tuling clapped. “Find a way to get one for me.”
Fu Yue wanted to say it wouldn’t be easy, as She Tianlin was notoriously difficult to deal with, and many were queuing for his divine weapons. But seeing his master so enthusiastic, he didn’t want to burst his bubble and simply nodded.
The battle in the arena intensified. At first, Zheng Tiao held back out of respect for She Tianlin’s seniority. But She Tianlin seemed to have an endless supply of hidden weapons, launching them from tricky angles. No matter how Zheng Tiao dodged, one always found its mark.
So Zheng Tiao stopped holding back, unleashing his pure purple Yuan Power to fight all out.
“I thought divine weapons were just shortcuts for those lacking Yuan Power,” Xiu Yun watched She Tianlin’s movements in amazement. “I didn’t realize they were so formidable.”
Ming Yi raised her head slightly, just enough to peek over the table: “They are shortcuts.”
Divine weapons differed from ordinary ones only in materials. Ordinary weapons were cumbersome, but divine weapons used light iron forged with Yuan Power, merging with Yuan Power itself. Whether a thousand swords or ten thousand blades, as long as your Yuan Power was abundant, they could all be stored in your meridians.
They were created for cultivators with lower aptitude, saving them the effort of transformation and multiplying their damage output.
She had considered using divine weapons before, but She Tianlin had chased her halfway across the Yuan Shi Academy, scolding her for lacking ambition. Yet he had taught her everything about forging divine weapons. Even the Heart-Piercing Arrows he was using now partly owed their creation to her nights spent tending the furnace.
As the two in the arena fought more fiercely, the crowd cheered, but Ming Yi felt uneasy.
Old She wasn’t young anymore, and his health wasn’t great. Why come here to fight to the death? Zheng Tiao was still young; if this dragged on, Old She would surely be at a disadvantage.
Usually so clever, lecturing her with such eloquence, why was he being so reckless now?
Ming Yi began surveying her surroundings, rapidly considering ways to interrupt them.
As Zheng Tiao’s Yuan Power depleted significantly, he couldn’t help glancing toward Ming Yi’s direction. Turning back, he said with a laugh, “You can’t possibly be blaming me because you can’t find your disciple, can you?”
She Tianlin swiftly manipulated his divine weapons, his face cold as water: “Don’t try to deceive me. The night before Ming Xian’s incident, I saw you outside his courtyard.”
The night before?
Zheng Tiao felt exasperated: “I only went to talk to him briefly.”
“You went to talk to him, and coincidentally he met with misfortune the very next day? Are there such coincidences in this world?” She Tianlin pressed on, an arrow shooting straight for his throat.
Zheng Tiao’s spine chilled. He quickly turned his head, barely dodging, but the Yuan Power on the arrow still grazed his skin, drawing a line of bright red blood down his neck.
“Old She!” Even Dan Er couldn’t help standing up. “That’s enough!”
This was someone else’s territory; he couldn’t possibly intend to take a life.
She Tianlin ignored him, continuing in a low voice: “All these years, Ming Xian never met an opponent before a match. You should know this reason doesn’t hold up.”