An Ruzhen had probably seized upon this exact point when issuing his challenge.

Everyone would think that he was quite advanced in age, while Yun Ya had the impressive achievement of killing two State Preceptors, demonstrating his overwhelming strength. If the Wei State Preceptor didn’t even dare to accept this challenge…

After waiting for quite some time, An Ruzhen spoke again, repeating his question.

Yun Ya did not reply. Instead, it was Miao Fengxian who laughed uproariously: “Destined to be a defeated general, indeed there’s no need to show false bravery? Yun Ya, come out and admit defeat, and I’ll spare your life, how about that?”

If Wei could not escape the character of “defeat” either way, why should the State Preceptor accept this challenge?

Every corner of the battlefield seemed filled with his mocking laughter: “The mighty State Preceptor of Wei, do you need to hide behind mortals just to barely cling to life?”

The Wei people, with their proud temperament, could not bear such humiliation from the enemy and showed indignant expressions.

Miao Fengxian did not believe that Yun Ya, having been placed in a position concerning morality and righteousness, could still find an excuse to avoid battle.

Sure enough, a clear and cold voice rang out from the Wei army, like a crystal stream babbling over stones:

“An Ruzhen, you are seeking your death!”

Yun Ya had finally spoken. The people beside him parted with a swoosh, and everyone discovered that he was not far from the Golden City.

The Wei army cheered in unison. They did not understand the bitterness in the Wei King and his generals’ hearts, but they needed a strong stimulant to boost their morale, needed an exciting duel.

The opponent had accepted the challenge, but Miao Fengxian’s expression slightly darkened, and he said softly: “Master!”

Others might not know, but he was aware that An Ruzhen had entered the Five Phases of Decline stage, with his cultivation rapidly deteriorating. It was precisely because An Ruzhen’s elemental lifespan was nearing its end that he was anxious to pass down the position of State Preceptor after Miao Fengxian’s grand wedding.

After all, if this position remained empty with no one firmly seated, it would be a matter of national importance affecting the livelihood of the people.

In contrast, although everyone knew Yun Ya suffered from a hidden ailment, this hadn’t prevented him from being in the spotlight in recent years. Against such a formidable enemy, could An Ruzhen be a match?

He couldn’t help but worry.

An Ruzhen waved his hand, his expression serene: “This battle is excellent, fulfilling my lifelong wish. I will do my utmost, and you must seize the time.” He patted Miao Fengxian’s shoulder, suddenly smiling, his smile full of unburdened relief, “If I fall in defeat, henceforth, the heavy responsibility of wielding a nation’s power will rest with you.”

This was passing the position of State Preceptor to him.

In the Kingdom of Yao, the position of State Preceptor could be gained through competition or peacefully bestowed.

Miao Fengxian nearly ground his steel teeth to powder, but could only respond with a deep “Yes.” Though it appeared the Wei army was destined for defeat, using the Golden City was already an enormous risk. Although the artifact was effective, its energy consumption was astronomical. The current environment couldn’t sustain such a large-scale deployment of the Golden City, meaning that every minute, every second it remained here was worth a tremendous amount.

This was a race against time.

An Ruzhen, under the pretext of a challenge, was drawing Yun Ya away precisely to create an opportunity for Miao Fengxian and the Yao army. As long as they could quickly subdue Wei, whatever price he paid would be worthwhile.

He was willing to exchange his frail body for the Wei army’s defeat!

Success or failure hinged upon this move.

But Miao Fengxian felt somewhat uneasy: had the Wei State Preceptor Yun Ya already seen through An Ruzhen’s true condition?

“State Preceptor Yun, there’s not enough room to maneuver here. Do you dare to battle inside the city? There’s a circular arena inside,” An Ruzhen called out clearly, pointing back at the Yao King’s palace. “The Golden City will not close before the victor walks out of its gates.”

The Golden City was the Kingdom of Yao’s national treasure. An outsider entering it was like a turtle falling into a pot—impossible to escape without the owner’s permission.

“Oh?” Yun Ya laughed. “Truly?”

Miao Fengxian interjected: “I will abide by my master’s words. I swear as the Crown Prince of Yao, if this promise is broken, may heaven strike me with thunder.”

As An Ruzhen’s direct disciple, he naturally obeyed his master’s instructions and swearing on his own identity, his demeanor was exceptionally resolute.

“I wonder if State Preceptor Yun has the courage?”

“Interesting.” Yun Ya’s voice lazily drifted over, and then the crowd automatically parted to form a small path, allowing him to walk toward the Yao King’s palace. “I have always respected the elderly and yielded to the virtuous. This time, I’ll let you have the first move.”

He walked through the battlefield thick with killing intent, toward the enemy’s majestic palace city, preparing to face a challenge with an uncertain outcome of life or death. Yet his demeanor resembled one strolling through a spring garden, completely at ease.

Though the two sides were as incompatible as water and fire, Miao Fengxian secretly admired him for his bearing and intelligence.

Life and death in casual conversation, a gentleman unmatched in the world.

An Ruzhen’s challenge in the Golden City indeed gave him the advantage of favorable terrain. After all, even if Yun Ya possessed vast supernatural powers, he could never be as familiar with this national treasure as An Ruzhen.

For masters of this caliber crossing formations, how could even the slightest error be tolerated?

That’s why he said he would let An Ruzhen have the first move.

What extraordinary confidence!

Their conversation was transmitted through mystical means, audible throughout the battlefield. When the Wei King heard this, he nearly ripped off his beard in anger: “Absolutely reckless, how dare he be so arrogant!” If the duel took place on enemy territory, what if Miao Fengxian went back on his word and withdrew from the Golden City? Wouldn’t the dignified State Preceptor be caught by the tail and suspended, utterly humiliated?

Though Miao Fengxian’s oath was severe, even if it cost him his life, he could still trap Yun Ya within the magical artifact.

A strategist named Xu An quickly approached, pacifying the Wei King: “Your Majesty, don’t worry, the State Preceptor knows his limits.”

“What limits are there?” The Wei King still glared with bulging eyes, “It’s one thing to act recklessly normally, but now he’s treating the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers as a mere game!”

Others thought to themselves: Indeed, so you also know the State Preceptor is habitually reckless, yet you still allow and endure it?

Xu An smiled: “There is a secret: the Golden City was not originally held by one party alone, and the circular arena inside was designed for immortals to compete. So there’s a rule that as long as people are dueling in the arena, the magical artifact cannot be closed until both the victor and the defeated have left the Golden City. This rule was established on the day the artifact was created, and subsequent owners cannot violate it.”

So even if Miao Fengxian wanted to trap Yun Ya inside the Golden City, it couldn’t be done? The Wei King suddenly understood and felt somewhat relieved. It seemed Yun Ya had long known this secret, which was why he readily agreed to enter the city for the duel.

As these few people whispered among themselves, Feng Miaojun, perched on the rocky cliff, naturally couldn’t hear them. Watching anxiously, the branch she was gripping snapped with a “crack.”

Yun Ya, who had almost reached the Golden City, suddenly looked up in this direction as if sensing something.

She immediately closed her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze, fearing detection.

This scene felt familiar.

Five years ago at Shenglong Pool, she had also sat among the tree shadows, gazing at him from afar, afraid of being discovered.

What was different between then and now? Between them, there had always been an entire world apart.

After quite some time, Feng Miaojun finally opened her eyes.

On the battlefield, there was no longer any sign of Yun Ya or An Ruzhen.