With a sudden whoosh, three figures materialized abruptly in the center of the arena. Not a sound preceded them; not a single soul had detected their arrival beforehand.
The newcomers were none other than the three Guardians of the Heavenly Saint Palace: the Sharp-Eyed Rakshasa Qiao Ying, the Heart-Sealing Celestial Cheng Yin Xiao, and the Unrestrained Mad Blade Qu Wu Hui, all present at once!
Qiao Ying's hair was somewhat disheveled, her beautiful face ashen white. Both Cheng Yin Xiao and Qu Wu Hui had their robes shredded, faint traces of blood visible at the corners of their mouths, and their complexions a pale gold—clearly, they had sustained serious internal injuries.
Jun Mo Xie’s smile froze on his face. He cursed the Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master incessantly in his mind: Damn useless lout! Three people total, and you let them all live and return? Didn't you manage to leave even one behind? . . . Even if you just stalled them, that would have been something! Now look, I’m completely on the back foot! Even injured, they are a massive threat!
“You agreed? That means you three Guardians will also participate in this decisive battle?” Jun Mo Xie asked, feigning astonishment.
“No, they won’t participate. They don't have the leisure. Their only task is to witness this battle! Just like them, this Young Master is merely an observer to this great war,” a chilling voice drifted over, seemingly both distant and near, wavering with an indescribable, eerie spectral aura. . . .
Another shadow flickered, and a dark figure gracefully landed on the ground. The person was clearly standing right there, yet their entire being seemed ethereal and elusive, as if they weren't truly anchored.
Who else could appear in such a strange manner but the Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master!
“The scale is rather large,” Jun Mo Xie muttered internally, feeling like he was attending a grand premiere. Three Guardians of the Heavenly Saint Palace and the Continent’s foremost master, the Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master, were all present to bear witness to this battle!
Regardless of who won or lost, the outcome would shake the world! If Jun Mo Xie prevailed, he would directly shatter the existing structure of this world! Outside the Three Great Sacred Lands governing the Azure World, there would emerge an additional Sovereign of Evil!
The Evil Monarch’s Residence!
The Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master was utterly spotless; his black robe was still perfectly neat, seemingly without a single unnecessary fold, while the opposing three were all clearly battered by fierce combat. The result of the battle between these four was already self-evident, the disparity in condition making the victor obvious.
Jun Mo Xie’s heart settled, and he smiled: “Since that is the case, then I am truly relieved.”
“Kid, you’re not very nervous, are you? If this Young Master hadn't come, your three hundred-plus men would have walked straight into a tiger's den and been cleanly devoured by these three Guardians. Don't let their battered appearance fool you; they are more than capable of handling the lot of yours. How do you plan to thank this Young Master?” the Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master chuckled.
“Thanks are certainly due. As for the method of appreciation . . . perhaps I could present you with a complete rendition of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer?” Jun Mo Xie smiled faintly.
“Oh? It’s you? So it’s you!” Dark light flared powerfully in the eyes of the Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master as he fixed his gaze on Jun Mo Xie, revealing an unusually sinister gleam.
“It is indeed I,” Jun Mo Xie replied with a slight smile. He thought to himself that even if the Young Master hadn't shown up, his subordinates would never have allowed the Three Sacred Lands to slaughter them. At worst, he could have used the Hong Jun Pagoda to sweep everyone inside and vanish, then followed them in himself. Even the foremost master of the Nine Nether couldn't find them then! If he lacked such a contingency plan, why would he bother coming out to be a target in the first place? Did they take him for a fool?
However, since this free 'sucker' had arrived, perhaps a popular song would suffice. He had plenty of popular tunes left, certainly enough to exploit this sucker a hundred times over. . . a hundred times. . .
Since arriving, Cheng Yin Xiao and Qu Wu Hui had their eyes locked onto the three hundred-plus figures behind Jun Mo Xie.
The more they looked, the more astonished they became; the more they looked, the deeper their inexplicable shock grew!
The cultivation levels of these two had long surpassed the peak attainable in the mortal world, and their gaze was incredibly sharp. With just one glance, they had discerned the tier of the Heaven-Swallowing Soul Devourers! While the combat power of the three hundred-plus individuals before them was formidable, they didn't quite catch the attention of these two supreme Guardians. However, the potential magical method behind them—the one capable of elevating strength—was a supreme temptation that no one could resist!
The two exchanged a look, both seeing the inexplicable excitement in the other's eyes. If such a miraculous, rapid method for improving power truly existed, it would be a monumental boon for all humanity! They could even organize armies, cross the Celestial Pillar Mountains, and exterminate those damned alien races, eliminating future trouble once and for all!
“Jun Mo Xie, just now, it seemed only your side proposed conditions, which we accepted. But since this is a clandestine engagement, there must be fairness in the darkness. We only stated what we demand if we lose, but we haven't finalized what you must concede if you lose,” Cheng Yin Xiao said with a smile. “We can’t just allow you to set the terms and forbid us from making demands, can we?”
“There is no such thing! Fairness in the darkness applies to both sides! Whatever conditions you have, you are naturally welcome to present them! This Young Master is all ears here.” Jun Mo Xie smiled faintly. Looking at the way these two Heavenly Celestial Blade masters were assessing his people, how could he not know what conditions they were about to propose? In fact, did it even require deep thought?
As expected, Qu Wu Hui spoke: “Our condition is singular. If either side wins, you and all your subordinates must join the Heavenly Saint Palace and become its direct force. How about that?”
Cheng Yin Xiao smiled faintly: “Don't worry about security. Once you become affiliated with the Heavenly Saint Palace, no one from the Three Sacred Lands will target you again. Attacking you would mean attacking the Heavenly Saint Palace, which even Mo Wu Dao would not dare! In doing so, your greatest worries are eliminated! No lingering concerns!”
“Fine! I agree!” Jun Mo Xie accepted without the slightest hesitation. Since he was absolutely certain he wouldn't lose, agreeing to such a verbal pledge was meaningless.
Young Master Jun’s quick acceptance even surprised Cheng Yin Xiao and Qu Wu Hui; they almost couldn't believe their ears. This... was agreed just like that? Did he possess such absolute confidence?
Even the Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master looked at Jun Mo Xie with a gaze of surprise. With his perception, he could clearly see that in terms of individual power, when comparing experts of the same tier between the two camps, the members of the Three Sacred Lands held a stable advantage—their power was solid, their state of mind stable, and each was forged through intense refinement, battle-hardened veterans. In contrast, although Jun Mo Xie’s side possessed fierce fighting spirit and an air of fearless resolve, and their discipline and killing intent were certainly superior to the Sacred Land members, their power seemed somewhat impure, carrying a faint awkwardness suggestive of forced advancement that hadn't been fully integrated.
Facing such a confrontation, they should likely lose. Why did Jun Mo Xie agree so readily?
“Excellent! Young Master Jun is truly bold and generous,” Cheng Yin Xiao praised. “Regardless of victory or defeat in this match, I, Cheng, admire Young Master Jun’s forthrightness! Today’s engagement—life and death, victory and defeat—is left to fate! With the personal witness of the Three Guardians of the Heavenly Saint Palace and the recognized Continent’s Number One Master, the Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master, neither side shall go back on their word. Otherwise, the four of us will join forces to pursue and kill you!”
The Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master’s eyes flickered with displeasure. He had already admitted he wasn't the continent's number one master. Cheng Yin Xiao mentioning him as the first master now was clearly provoking him. Furthermore, stating they would ‘join forces to pursue and kill’ without consulting him first—that was presumptuous! Hmph. Since you refuse to learn your lesson, this Young Master will just have to employ a few more subtle tactics against you later. . . . Thinking this, the Ninth Nether Fourteenth Young Master shifted, moved to the edge of the field, and casually grabbed a large stone from the ground, which popped out with a puff. He sat down upon it with casual elegance, clearly waiting for the show to begin. . . .
“A contest of life and death; we seek only victory or defeat! If we lose, we bear no grievances!” Cheng Yin Xiao’s expression suddenly turned cold. “First Match! The challengers from the Three Sacred Lands are three Level Four Venerables!”
After speaking these words, Cheng Yin Xiao and the other two rapidly floated back twenty feet, clearing the central dueling ground.
“Three Level Four Venerables, you say. . . .” Jun Mo Xie smiled faintly and said to Ying Bo Kong: “Old Ying, please arrange our combatants for this fight!”
Ying Bo Kong let out a booming laugh, his expression turning severe. He roared: “The Sacred Lands have sent out their Venerables; which of our Venerables will meet the challenge?”
Footsteps sounded. All members with Level Four Venerable cultivation among the three hundred-plus individuals stepped forward simultaneously! Their imposing aura suddenly became profoundly concentrated, and the ground beneath their feet trembled violently!
Ying Bo Kong focused on the first three men and commanded: “It’s you three, right? Go forth!”
The three roared their assent.
Ying Bo Kong announced loudly: “Whoever steps out, this old man has only one demand: Victory is mandatory, defeat is forbidden! Victory means life, defeat means death! If you lose, there is no need to return; simply commit suicide in the arena to atone for your failure!”
The three roared back: “If we lose, we will have no face to return and see the Young Master! Only death awaits!” Their expressions were resolute, and they simultaneously stepped forward.
As the three advanced, a sharp killing intent shot out like a javelin, rushing directly toward the opposition! Though only three individuals were fighting, their presence was like that of a thousand cavalry soldiers! The murderous aura of a blood-soaked battle formation erupted with force!
“These three hundred men are truly extraordinary,” Cheng Yin Xiao murmured in awe, his sharp gaze still locked onto one of the Heaven-Swallowing team members. He suddenly sighed.
“Indeed! In this world... where do so many geniuses appear together?” Qu Wu Hui’s expression was grave. “Excluding the first two leaders, not a single one of the others appears to be over forty years old. Brother Cheng, this scene... if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it!”
Cheng Yin Xiao half-closed his eyes and said: “Why wouldn’t you believe it? Jun Mo Xie himself is not yet twenty, yet he has already reached the Saint Emperor realm—isn't that even more terrifying and unbelievable? I believe that in his hands, or perhaps in the hands of his mysterious master, there must be some secret method for rapid power enhancement! And one without residual harm. . . . This discovery is far from trivial.”