There is no such thing as love or hate without reason in this world. What is the real purpose behind this duel between the Yanhuang Republic and the Immortal-Dao cultivators?
A struggle for interests?
And what kind of relationship is there between the Yanhuang Republic and the Immortal-Dao cultivators?
Ian Song thought the relationship between the Yanhuang Republic and the Immortal-Dao cultivators couldn’t possibly be good. Judging by the tone, attitude, and actions of those two cultivators, it was clear that this group not only saw themselves as above everyone else, but also harbored deep hostility toward Ian and his side. In both matches so far, they hadn’t bothered to hide their killing intent toward their opponents at all.
"Second bout, Immortal-Dao Alliance wins."
Harold Han announced the result with a heavy heart. Two matches in, and the Yanhuang side had already suffered one death and one severe injury. This made him pessimistic about the rest of the duels and revealed just how powerful the Immortal-Dao cultivators’ methods truly were.
The third bout began.
This time, the Yanhuang side sent out a War God Squad member at Innate Sixth Layer, while the Immortal-Dao Alliance sent a female disciple at Innate Fifth Layer.
As soon as they exchanged blows, the female disciple from the Immortal-Dao side immediately summoned her magic treasure.
It was a flying rope, which flashed forward and wrapped the War God Squad member up tightly. Not only that, this flying rope magic treasure also had the power to seal true qi, so once bound by it, the War God’s true qi was locked away, turning him into a helpless victim.
Seeing this, Ian’s expression darkened. That flying rope was a third-grade treasure—even though it was one of the weakest of its rank, it still possessed undeniable power.
Now Ian could see through the Immortal-Dao side’s tactics: those with higher cultivation used second-grade treasures or talismans, while those with lower cultivation relied on third-grade treasures to make up for their deficiencies.
"Splurt!"
Blood sprayed everywhere as a head flew high into the air, its eyes wide open with unwillingness. He hadn’t lost because of his cultivation, but because of the opponent’s magic treasure.
This wasn’t a competition—it was a death sentence.
Seeing their teammate killed, the War God Squad members grew even more furious and despondent.
In the blink of an eye, five more bouts passed.
In all five, the Immortal-Dao Alliance remained undefeated; Yanhuang lost another four people dead and one gravely injured.
The atmosphere on the field grew unbearably grim.
Ian could no longer sit still. No matter what, the War God Squad members were his comrades-in-arms—he couldn’t just watch them march to their deaths. Besides, after eight rounds, he had already figured out the Immortal-Dao side’s tricks.
"Who’s taking this round?" Logan Long asked.
"I’ll go!"
Elaine Zhao was about to leap into the arena, but a hand landed on her shoulder. "Leave this one to me," Ian said.
Before Elaine could protest, Ian firmly pressed her back into her seat and, with a blur of movement, appeared at the center of the arena.
He made no effort to hide the killing intent in his eyes as he slowly swept his gaze across the Immortal-Dao cultivators. "Who’s coming up to die?" he called out.
"Such arrogance! Allow this humble monk to send you on your way."
A young monk strode forward. He wore a pale moon-white robe, but his appearance was extremely ugly. His cultivation was at Innate Seventh Layer.
"Kid, prepare to die!" The ugly monk grinned viciously and tossed out a purple-gold alms bowl. But just then, Ian’s figure blurred—almost like teleportation—and he appeared above the monk’s head, slamming down with his palm.
"Pff!"
With tremendous force, Ian’s palm drove the ugly monk’s head straight into his own belly.
"You’re so ugly, I’ll help you hide your face!"
Ian withdrew and returned to his spot. As for the purple-gold alms bowl, with its master dead, it naturally lost its spirit and fell to the ground.
"We won!" The Yanhuang side could hardly believe their eyes. After losing eight straight rounds, they had finally claimed a victory.
The Head of State and the nine Grand Elders finally showed a hint of a smile.
As for the Immortal-Dao side, the nine Foundation Establishment Realm experts sitting in front all looked grim, their gazes toward Ian turning increasingly hostile.
"Anyone else want to die?"
Ian, who should have stepped down, instead looked challengingly at the Immortal-Dao side and shouted with arrogant bravado.
The Immortal-Dao cultivators were all proud and arrogant, never taking mortal martial artists seriously. Now, with their comrade slain and that mere mortal openly provoking them, a man in a blue robe instantly flashed onto the field. He glared coldly at Ian. "If you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he drew a small fiery-red sword. With a flick of his finger, the sword transformed into a streak of light, shooting toward Ian like lightning.
"Heh!"
Ian’s figure flickered, and suddenly five more identical figures appeared beside him. Including his original body, there were now six Ians—each one exactly alike, impossible to tell which was real. The man in the blue robe was left unsure which one to target with his flying sword.
While he hesitated, all six figures lunged at him, palms striking out.
Even as his enemies closed in, the man in the blue robe showed no sign of panic; a faint golden glow shimmered around him, clearly the protection of a magic treasure.
"Crack! Crack!"
With a sound like shattering glass, the golden light was no match for Ian’s attack and broke apart. Ian’s palm landed squarely on the blue-robed man’s head.
"Splurt!"
Like a watermelon bursting, the man’s head exploded, scattering red and white everywhere—a gruesome sight.
But to the Yanhuang side, it was immensely satisfying.
"Well done, Ian!" Elaine Zhao shouted.
"Ha! Brother Ian, you’re unstoppable!" Ethan Ye laughed.
"Long live the Captain! Crush those bastards!" Tyler Ao couldn’t help but shout.
For a moment, the War God Squad erupted in cheers.
In the stands, the Head of State and others were grinning from ear to ear. Even the heads of the ten great families and the leaders of the six major sects felt a rush of satisfaction. Even Li Mu, who wanted nothing more than to see Ian dead, couldn’t help but smile.
After killing two Immortal-Dao cultivators in a row, Ian still showed no intention of stepping down. His gaze swept over the remaining cultivators, full of murderous intent. "Who else isn’t afraid to die? Step up!"
On the Immortal-Dao side, the nine Foundation Establishment experts secretly exchanged messages. After a brief discussion, they decided to send a disciple at the peak of Innate Ninth Layer to kill Ian.
"Evan Xuan, go kill him!" Master Wu ordered his favored disciple.
"Yes, Master!"
Evan Xuan strode forward, his eyes cold as he looked at Ian. "You may be a mere mortal martial artist, but you managed to kill two of my fellow Daoists—that’s something. Still, if you think you can look down on the rest of us, you’re mistaken. I’m here to kill you on my master’s orders. But I’ll give you the first move!"
"You really want me to strike first?" Ian’s lips curled into a strange smile.
"Go ahead!"
Evan spoke with absolute confidence. His cultivation had reached the peak of Innate Ninth Layer, and he was protected by a third-grade treasure. Even if he stood motionless, he believed a mere Innate Eighth Layer like Ian couldn’t possibly harm him.
Indeed, Ian was deliberately concealing his true aura, making himself appear to be at Innate Eighth Layer.
"Whoosh!"
Evan saw a blur before his eyes. Before he could activate his treasure, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down, he saw a dagger driven deep into his heart, his life force rapidly fading.
Evan’s face twisted in terror and unwillingness. "This... this can’t be! I don’t want to die!"