Free Web NovelChapter 958: Chapter 204: No Regrets in Life or Death with You
The vast water vapor collided with the sky, creating a cloud-scape in front of the Diao Hai Building’s residence. It took the form of dragons, tigers, humans, and ghosts.
It was an impressive force that broke the hearts of onlookers.
It was undeniable proof that the water of Tian Yi Zhen had been completely burned away.
In a confrontation of Divine Skills, that young challenger overpowered Bao Song with sheer force!
Such a direct clash of Divine Skills made the difference in strength glaringly clear.
The gap was too obvious.
No wonder when faced with Bao Song’s questioning and mockery, the youth simply said, "I seek instruction from you!"
Why waste words when he could defeat with a backhanded strike?
Jiang Wang didn’t kick a man when he was down; with a clench of his hand, the sea of fire that had filled the horizon only moments ago shrunk into a single thread of flame, which he retracted into the palm of his hand.
The arena was empty, as if nothing had happened.
Only the water vapor, still lingering in the sky, told of the recent battle.
Familiar fellow sect members rushed forward to help the blood-spitting Bao Song to his feet.
Jiang Wang shifted his gaze without any ripple of emotion — Bao Song wasn’t worth a second look.
His eyes swept slowly over the Diao Hai Building cultivators present, and each person felt the weight of his gaze.
He asked them, "May I inquire if I now have the qualifications to challenge Ji Shaoqing?"
Only then did people realize that this fight, which had amazed them, and the direct and forceful clash of Divine Skills, was just a routine affair for this youth named Jiang Wang!
Defeating Bao Song was not worth mentioning.
It was worth surprise only if you could not defeat Bao Song!
Hidden among the crowd, with a conical hat and straw coat shielding him, Tian Chang remained silent.
A Genius Cultivator who had opened the Three Mansions and possessed powerful Divine Skills was no longer a threat to the current Jiang Wang?
What kind of growth had he achieved during his journey in the Lost World?
This terrifying rate of growth forced Tian Chang to retract his thoughts of shaking off his shackles, again and again.
Dressed in the same fashion and standing beside him, Tian He also remained speechless. This middle-aged man, deeply wronged, was known for his dull and steady demeanor. Perhaps only Jiang Wang understood that his heart was as deep as the sea.
Jiang Wang’s question echoed in everyone’s ears, coupling his reputation, influence, and recent display in combat, who would dare claim he didn’t have the qualifications to challenge Ji Shaoqing?
"Of course!"
A voice replied.
Ji Shaoqing strode out from within the Diao Hai Building sect’s residence.
He could not keep hiding any longer.
He couldn’t let the Diao Hai Building cultivators remain silent any longer.
If he waited for Jiang Wang to defeat each Neifu Cultivator before coming out as a last resort, that would truly be laughable and shameful to the Diao Hai Building.
"Ji is no noble of the heavens; I’m just someone who has studied hard and managed to gain a meager reputation. What qualifications are needed to challenge me?"
He finished with a smile, then frowned slightly, "But, brother Jiang, is there perhaps some misunderstanding between us?"
Clearly, he had been waiting on the sidelines, letting Bao Song test Jiang Wang first before stepping forward.
But the way he spoke was very appealing and seemed magnanimous. The question that followed, however, revealed a more malicious intent.
"Misunderstandings are too strong a word," Jiang Wang replied expressionlessly, his hand on his Longsword. "The path of cultivation is arduous, and cultivators are familiar with the bitterness. With your renowned name, I was merely elated to see the hunt. My request for a sword trial is also a part of my quest for the Dao."
"Alas, trouble comes from the Heavens, no matter where one sits at home."
Ji Shaoqing shook his head helplessly. "The death of Bamboo Biqiong is also a great sorrow to me. You should know that before she betrayed our sect, she was close to me, a lovable junior sister. But a country has its laws, as a family has its rules. Since I’m guarding the End of the World Platform, I can’t fail to uphold the standards. Without rules, how can a square be formed?"
Jiang Wang did not bring up this matter, but he insisted on mentioning it.
Jiang Wang aimed to frame the situation as a challenge between young talents, emphasizing only the quest for the Dao and the trial by sword, setting aside their identities for a face-to-face confrontation on equal footing.
But he insisted on clarifying everything, bringing the grudges into the light.
It wasn’t that he was afraid of Jiang Wang. Having watched Bamboo Biqiong die without blinking, he had no fear of Jiang Wang.
As someone with Perfect Five Mansions and in possession of two powerful Divine Skills, he, too, was a Genius Cultivator, far surpassing the likes of Bao Song. How many among the younger generation could he possibly fear?
His intention was simply to thwart whatever Jiang Wang wished to accomplish — whatever Jiang Wang wanted to do, he would obstruct.
He was deliberately pricking Jiang Wang’s wounds, to cause him pain, to stir his anger.
Since this youngster was so arrogant as to challenge them alone and seek a sword trial, he could either choose not to fight or he must win handsomely in the upcoming battle. Jiang Wang, who had just become second-in-command on the Sea Hero Chart, would serve perfectly as a stepping stone to enhance his own fame.
Sending Bao Song to test the waters first and then using words to provoke Jiang Wang all served this same purpose.
Even as he spoke, he subtly hinted at some kind of relationship between Zhu Bijing and himself. He was deliberately rubbing salt into the wound by suggesting that Jiang Wang and Zhu Bijing were in love.
But Jiang Wang’s gaze was very calm.
He was not unangry, but he suppressed his rage deep in his heart and hid his killing intent within the sheath of his sword.
His anger towards Ji Shaoqing had already reached its peak. Yet his gaze remained calm.
"I think I need to correct Brother Ji on one thing, Zhu Bijing has not betrayed our Sect. Moreover, I have completed the cleansing of sins in the Lost World, and she is now even more innocent. You may not respect your former junior sister, but how could you trample on the words spoken by the esteemed True Monarch Chongxuan of your Sect?"
"I misspoke," Ji Shaoqing quickly admitted his mistake, but then he turned his words with an intentional, bitter smile and said, "In that case, it seems Sister Zhu is truly innocent. No wonder Brother Jiang hates me so much, provoking a challenge right at my doorstep. Well then, if Brother Jiang wishes to teach me a lesson and vent his anger, it’s only natural. I, Ji Shaoqing, accept this challenge."
His bitter smile was incredibly mocking and brazen to the extreme.
Zhongxuan Sheng, listening from the side, squinted his eyes until they were nearly invisible.
The figure in full heavy armor known as Shisi, with a heavy sword in hand, even sank half an inch into the ground at that moment.
If it weren’t for the occasion and respect for Jiang Wang’s wishes, Xu Xiangqian would have already hurled insults...
Only Jiang Wang himself remained calm.
He simply said, "Brother Ji is a prodigy with extraordinary strength. I truly have no confidence in holding back. We should establish a life-and-death agreement for this duel, seeking only the Way. The ancients said, ’To hear the Way in the morning and die in the evening is enough.’ I shall follow the sages and have no regrets about life or death with you!"
The crowd outside instantly buzzed with shock.
Many who were aware of the internal situation thought that Jiang Wang could not restrain his anger and wanted to fight Ji Shaoqing to seek justice for the deceased Zhu Bijing.
But it was only expected to be a single fight. In the end, most bets were still on Ji Shaoqing, speculating who would be left with a disgraced face.
Yet now Jiang Wang was proposing to sign a death pact!
He was not betting on a moment of fury but deciding a date for life or death.
This was too explosive and too thrilling!
The two people confronting each other, one was a Fourth Grade Green Badge of Qi Country and a man from Qingyang Town, while the other was the fourth elder of the Sea Tower, Gu Huaixin’s personal disciple, a genius Cultivator renowned in the Near Sea Archipelago.
Whoever died here today would make for a shockwave-like piece of news.
"Oh?" Ji Shaoqing was also shaken inside, but he remained composed on the surface, "Are you sure about this?"
He, of course, knew that Jiang Wang hated him to the bone, but he largely believed that Jiang Wang was simply blinded by hatred, which was why he stormed to the Sea Tower’s Sect residence to challenge him.
He was confident in defeating Jiang Wang, but for a sure win, he had let Bao Song test the waters first. Only after personally witnessing the Samadhi True Fire did he leisurely step forward.
But Jiang Wang was not just seeking a fight; he was aiming to take his life with it!
He couldn’t help but wonder... Where did this man get his confidence?
Jiang Wang didn’t need to answer his question about whether he had thought it through. His attitude was clear: "You have perfected the Five Mansions and possess two Divine Skills, with a resounding reputation. I only advanced to the Third Mansion yesterday, far below you in cultivation. If you are afraid, you can refuse. In front of so many peers, just admit defeat, and I won’t make it difficult for you."
His gaze was steady on Ji Shaoqing, "I can wait until you cannot refuse anymore, then come for you."
Those in the audience who were unaware of the grievances between the two were realizing at this moment, the animosity was deep!
At least Jiang Wang had made it clear, he was determined to have a life or death duel with Ji Shaoqing, if not today, then some other day.
So far, Jiang Wang has only shown one Divine Skill, the Samadhi True Fire. Taking into account his performance in the Lost World, one can assume he must be hiding another Divine Skill. Back in the Lost World, he had two Mansions and two Divine Skills.
He just said he had advanced to the Third Mansion yesterday, could he have gained a third Divine Skill?
Maybe, but even without it, this level of talent is already astonishing.
No wonder he was so confident, certain that one day he could make Ji Shaoqing lose even the right to refuse.
For Ji Shaoqing, if they must fight to the death, possibly now is the best time.
Because Jiang Wang is younger and has a future in the Tianfu. But he has already explored the Fifth Mansion and at most could attain a third Divine Skill. If one sets aside the relative strength of the Divine Skills, the potential gap is clear.
And more importantly...
How could Ji Shaoqing possibly admit defeat in front of so many people?
The one challenging him and wanted to fight him to the death was not a powerful cultivator with higher cultivation like Fu Yanqing or Chen Zhitao, but Jiang Wang, who is far below him and two small realms lower in cultivation.
He has perfected the Fifth Mansion for how long now? Yet the opponent just opened his Third Mansion yesterday.
If he were to admit defeat, he would likely never be able to raise his head again. Not to mention any prospects in the Near Sea Archipelago. freёwebnovel.com
Any person with ambition for the future could not accept this choice.
In front of the Sea Tower’s residence, Jiang Wang could not have any hidden traps or schemes.
This means, if this battle were to happen, it would be a pure contest of martial prowess.
Is he afraid?
If he were afraid even of this, how could he possibly have come so far and become renowned across the islands? fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
"Good," Ji Shaoqing still wore his tolerant expression and slowly stated, "Brother Jiang’s passion for the Way has moved me. I do not desire conflict, but cannot escape it. Very well! I shall do as you say. This battle shall not only decide the victor, but also life or death!"
