Chapter 44: Shocking Battle I

By the main arena of the Fist Emperor Sect, a crowd as dense as mountains gathered, buzzing with excitement, for an extraordinary battle was about to unfold.

“Be careful!”

“Go, you’ve got this!”

A few members of the Great Sealing Sect watched Tian Fan as he walked onto the stage, cheering him on from below.

Everyone had arrived, including several sect leaders, for this was a decisive battle, and the two on stage were both rare talents. 

Duan Tianya was a well-known figure; as the foremost expert of the Flying Sword Sect, his fame had long spread far and wide. 

Tian Fan, on the other hand, was a newly emerging star who had recently captured everyone’s attention, rising like a comet. He had broken through Cloud Heaven realm, survived a heavenly tribulation, k!lled Jian Hongming—the strongest of the Yin-Yang Sect’s younger generation—under the sect leader’s watch, and had even injured the sect leader’s hand with a single punch. Each of these feats was so astounding that they commanded awe and respect.

Tian Fan slowly walked to the center of the stage, empty-handed. Smiling faintly, he looked at Duan Tianya and said, “Hello, I’m Tian Fan. Please go easy on me.”

Duan Tianya, around twenty years old, had a refined and scholarly appearance, looking almost like a scholar himself. Clad in white robes, his long hair flowing over his shoulders lent him a carefree, ethereal aura. He returned Tian Fan’s smile and replied, “I am Duan Tianya of the Flying Sword Sect. I’ve watched your fights these past few days, and you’re formidable. I hope you’ll go easy on me as well, Brother Tian Fan.”

Duan Tianya’s tone was calm and humble, exuding a sense of Confucian elegance.

Tian Fan smiled, “Haha, Brother Duan, you’re overestimating me. I’ve only been cultivating for a short time. Make sure not to go too hard on me, alright?”

Their exchange was casual, like friends conversing, showing no hint of the intense battle to come.

“Haha, no matter the outcome, I’m grateful to you for your help last time, Brother Tian Fan. Win or lose, I hope we can become friends.”

Duan Tianya looked at Tian Fan sincerely, smiling warmly.

“Not at all, Brother Duan. You were kind to Sister Sun, and I’m grateful for that. I’d be happy to have a friend like you,” Tian Fan replied, referring to the time he had helped Nie Dao. 

“Haha, it’s getting late. Shall we start? Otherwise, we might get pelted with rotten eggs,” Duan Tianya said with a bit of humor. As he finished speaking, a powerful aura emanated from him, and a radiant white light circulated around him.

“You’re strong!”

Tian Fan’s silver aura shimmered as he observed Duan Tianya from across the stage. The two of them rushed toward each other.

“Bang…”

Their fists collided repeatedly, echoing thunderously. Tian Fan was astonished; Duan Tianya truly lived up to his reputation as the Flying Sword Sect’s foremost expert, and a mid-stage Cloud Heaven cultivator. Not only was his cultivation level high, but his physical strength was remarkable as well, able to go toe-to-toe with Tian Fan. Even though neither was using their full strength, it was already impressive, considering that Tian Fan had previously struck the Yin-Yang Sect leader’s hand hard enough to make it bleed.

Compared to Tian Fan, Duan Tianya was even more amazed. He was a mid-stage Cloud Heaven cultivator who, by chance, had consumed a rare heavenly elixir that greatly strengthened his body, making him unmatched below the Mixed Origin realm. Yet after only three exchanges with Tian Fan, his hand was already feeling slightly numb.

“Brother Tian Fan, you’re truly powerful. My hand is tingling,” Duan Tianya said, smiling without any sign of hostility, appearing calm and collected. Tian Fan admired this composure and strength of character, traits rarely seen.

“Brother Duan, you’re too modest. Let’s continue.”

The two exchanged blows and conversation, the atmosphere remarkably harmonious.

Sun Shennan, who was standing nearby, turned his head, yawning slightly, and looked at the Flying Sword Sect leader. “Old friend, what do you think of those two?”

“Not bad. Both are exceptionally talented,” the Flying Sword Sect leader replied with a slight smile. 

The Fist Emperor Sect leader also nodded in agreement.

“Heh, shall we make a wager?”

Sun Shennan grinned mischievously at the Flying Sword Sect leader, who, despite always losing bets, remained keen on gambling.

“No way, I’ve quit gambling!” The Flying Sword Sect leader, dressed in a flowing green robe and appearing otherworldly, resolutely refused with a determined expression.

“I’ll wager a hundred refined iron blocks on Tian Fan winning. How about you?” Sun Shennan tossed out his offer, chuckling.

“Hmm, only a hundred? I’ll put up a thousand, betting that Tianya wins!” the Flying Sword Sect leader replied disdainfully, turning around and raising the stakes, revealing his gambling prowess.

The crowd around them was speechless. While they had grown used to Sun Shennan’s roguish attitude, seeing the Flying Sword Sect leader—a man of refined bearing—embracing his inner gambler was unexpected. 

Just a moment ago, he had solemnly declared he had quit, only to raise the bet in an instant! 

Even the Fist Emperor Sect leader couldn’t help but smirk slightly and stepped aside, signaling he had no association with them.

In the ring, the two fighters clashed fiercely, filling the arena with roars like a passing tornado, deafening the onlookers.

“That’s enough, my hands are killing me! I’ve got to admit, your physical strength is monstrous!” Duan Tianya exclaimed, waving his hand in exaggerated pain, grimacing as he spoke to Tian Fan. The spectators below were speechless; what kind of master taught his disciple to call out in pain in the middle of a fight?

“Come on, Brother Duan, you’re a mid-stage Cloud Heaven expert. Could you not tease me like this?” Tian Fan rolled his eyes in exasperation.

“Alright, let’s continue!”

Duan Tianya set aside his playful demeanor as purple light flashed around him. He began to unleash his divine power, summoning a crimson-green treasured sword into his hand. The blade gleamed with vibrant green light as alternating purple and green hues radiated from it, casting him in the image of a war god, formidable and majestic.

Without hesitation, Tian Fan activated the Five Elements technique, silver light shining as he formed a seal with one hand, conjuring a silver sword that emitted divine radiance. When the sword light neared the stage floor, it stirred up dust, hinting at its immense power.

“Brother Tian Fan, I’m coming at you—be careful!” Duan Tianya shouted, leaping forward, his body enveloped in purple light, with green light flashing along the blade.

“Alright, bring it on!” Tian Fan responded, charging forward as well. The crimson-green treasured sword and the silver sword clashed repeatedly, their movements flickering across the stage. Tian Fan, dressed in white, swung his silver sword with graceful, flowing movements, while Duan Tianya, his long hair billowing, wielded his sword like a spirit serpent, moving with mysterious, elegant steps.

Everyone was in awe; the two were incredibly powerful, each attack seemingly effortless yet packed with astounding force.

Bang!

After their final clash, they separated, neither gaining the upper hand, ending in a draw.

“Haha, Brother Tian Fan, don’t hold back your skills—let me see them!” Duan Tianya said warmly, smiling in a friendly manner.

“Likewise, Brother Duan. You’re holding back too, aren’t you?”

“Then let’s consider that a warm-up. Let’s show our true strength!” Duan Tianya’s calm words left the crowd stunned; so far, they had only been warming up.

“Alright, let’s begin—for real this time!”

An overwhelming aura erupted from both of them, shaking everyone around as a world-shaking battle began!

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