Chapter 1189: The Strongest Battle
Tomorrow's match list fiercely spurred every person's heart.
The first match of the Feng Shen Group was yet another battle between Divine Sons, but unlike yesterday, this was a clash between the two strongest Divine Sons among the Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain: Luo Changsheng and Jun Xilei.
Although no one believed Jun Xilei could defeat Luo Changsheng, this battle was bound to be extraordinarily spectacular. At the very least, Jun Xilei would fully reveal to the world the true bearing of this generation's Sword Lord successor.
The second match of the Feng Shen Group was more tangled—Shui Meiyin against Shui Yingyue, a clear battle between sisters.
Such a situation seemed to be the first in the history of the Feng Shen Battle.
The first match of the Loser Group pitted Meng Duanxi against Chao Feng. The two were evenly matched, so a bitter struggle was inevitable. Whoever won or lost would come as no surprise.
But the final match caused the entire Yin Xue Realm to be startled.
"…" Mu Bingyun withdrew her gaze and let out a quiet sigh. The worst possible scenario had indeed occurred.
Yun Che's opponent tomorrow was actually Lu Lengchuan.
One of the Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain!
And the Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain were absolutely invincible, transcendent existences in the Eastern Divine Region. Although they were of the same younger generation as others, they seemed to belong to a completely different realm. And this Feng Shen Battle was constantly demonstrating and proving that point.
Mu Bingyun glanced at Yun Che. Seeing his expression extremely somber, her gaze softened slightly... She noticed Yun Che's hands tightly clenched, trembling faintly.
Clearly, facing Lu Lengchuan, Yun Che had no confidence at all.
Mu Bingyun's lips moved slightly; she wanted to speak several times but ultimately said nothing. Yun Che's true purpose, and the true limit of his strength, only he himself knew. In tomorrow's battle, he could rely only on himself.
"It seems this kid has reached his limit," said Xing Shendi.
"No, it's already enough," Fantian Shen Di said slowly. "Although he is destined to lose tomorrow, at least in my view, he is our greatest gain from this Xuan Shen Assembly. A Divine Tribulation Realm defeating a Divine Spirit Realm, and not by relying on soul suppression like the Glazed Light's daughter... With just this talent, if he can maintain his aptitude, after three thousand years in the Zhou Tian Divine Realm, among these Feng Shen Divine Sons, who could still be his match?"
Fantian Shen Di's words moved all the Divine Emperors present.
"That's true," Shitian Shendi said with a crooked grin. "At least this kid made me feel it wasn't a wasted trip. Too bad he's still green. If they were the same age, Lu Lengchuan probably wouldn't even be worthy of carrying this kid's shoes."
The matches ended, and the crowd dispersed.
Yun Che flew slowly, silent. Mu Bingyun stayed close by his side, also not speaking. When they neared the courtyard, Yun Che suddenly stopped: "Ice Cloud Palace Master, I want to go for a walk to clear my mind."
"...Go ahead." Mu Bingyun gently nodded.
Watching Yun Che's departing back, Mu Bingyun sighed softly.
From being unknown, with the weakest profound strength, to breaking into the top eight and shaking the entire Eastern Divine Region—in just a few short days, Yun Che had risen to a very high peak in the Eastern Divine Region like a dream. For anyone else, even the son of an Upper Realm King, to stand among the top eight in the Feng Shen Battle would be a lifetime of glory.
Fighting a "Divine Son" brings anyone the certainty of defeat, and losing to a "Divine Son" is not at all shameful—rather, it is a kind of honor.
But Yun Che... He had set himself a goal that no one else would dare to imagine, and had placed upon himself a weight that no one else could bear. Facing Lu Lengchuan, he sought not to fight, but to win!
The sky gradually darkened; it was almost dusk. In the vast Zhou Tian Realm, every breath of aura carried a majesty that pierced the soul. Thus, even though all realms of the Eastern Divine Region had gathered, it remained exceptionally quiet—no one dared to make noise.
Yun Che wandered with a heavy heart, not caring about direction. Then, two figures appeared in his sight. One of them made Yun Che stop.
Tall, with a dignified gaze and a profound aura as heavy as a mountain.
It was his opponent for tomorrow, and also the most powerful opponent he had faced since entering the God Realm...
Lu Lengchuan!
Lu Lengchuan also saw him and stopped.
"Oh? Isn't this the famous Yun Che of Yin Xue Realm?"
An extremely unfriendly voice came from beside Lu Lengchuan. Yun Che glanced at him and quickly recognized him—this was Huo Poyun's first opponent in the Feng Shen Battle, Lu Chenyuan, who was from the same clan as Lu Lengchuan.
Though he had never crossed paths with Yun Che, his words carried thorns, and his gaze gradually turned sinister. This was not without reason.
As a proud son born in Futian Realm, Lu Chenyuan had a strong sense of superiority even before the many Upper Star Realms. As for Middle Star Realms and Lower Star Realms, like many proud sons from Upper Star Realms, he saw them as utterly lowly places.
But in his first match, he was thoroughly beaten by Huo Poyun—who came from a Middle Star Realm and had been greatly scorned by Lu Chenyuan—falling into the Loser Group, then eliminated in the first round. Meanwhile, Huo Poyun advanced straight up, shining brightly, and made it to the top twelve... while Lu Chenyuan became a stepping stone soon forgotten.
And Yun Che, also from a Middle Star Realm and clearly having a deep friendship with Huo Poyun, had broken into the top eight! Tomorrow, he would even have the qualification to fight Lu Lengchuan, whom Lu Chenyuan deeply admired. So upon seeing Yun Che, Lu Chenyuan's resentment and jealousy flared together, and he said darkly, "You lowborn from a Middle Star Realm, when you meet Brother Lengchuan tomorrow, you're dead meat!"
Yun Che: "..."
Before Yun Che could react, Lu Lengchuan frowned. His right arm suddenly moved and delivered a heavy slap to Lu Chenyuan's face.
Lu Chenyuan screamed, his body tumbling sideways and crashing into a pale, strange tree.
That slap was extremely heavy. Lu Chenyuan's right cheek was blood red, his cheekbone deformed. He covered his face, trembling as he stood up, looking at the icy Lu Lengchuan in panic: "Brother Lengchuan... brother..."
"Chenyuan," Lu Lengchuan said without looking at him, his expression dark. "Yun Che is absolutely qualified to be my opponent. You can be as arrogant as you like before the weak, but Yun Che is not someone you are worthy of insulting. Go back and reflect!"
Lu Chenyuan staggered, stammering, "Brother Lengchuan, I... I was wrong... I..."
"Get lost!" Lu Lengchuan's voice suddenly intensified.
"Yes... yes." Lu Chenyuan's face went pale. He dared not say anything more, nor look at Yun Che, and slipped away in disgrace.
Yun Che: "..."
Lu Lengchuan took a few steps forward, sighed, and said apologetically, "Brother Yun, this clansman of mine is usually poorly disciplined and used to throwing his weight around. Sorry you had to see that. But I believe you wouldn't stoop to his level."
Yun Che took a close look at Lu Lengchuan. His eyes, though carrying authority, were sincere.
"Brother Lu is truly an extraordinary man," Yun Che said with a smile.
"Haha," Lu Lengchuan laughed. "In front of you, I can hardly claim that."
"Frankly, at first, I held you in considerable contempt. I never imagined that one day you would be my opponent on the Feng Shen Stage."
"Same here," Yun Che said.
"Although I don't think you can defeat me, I will never underestimate you," Lu Lengchuan said, his gaze sharp as a sword, blazing with authority. "Perhaps no one in this world has the right to underestimate you."
"So tomorrow, I will go all out, without holding back. You should be careful."
"I will do the same," Yun Che replied with extreme solemnity.
Lu Lengchuan gave a faint smile and walked away slowly. Even standing in the vast Zhou Tian Realm, his posture exuded an unshakable majesty.
Yun Che stood still. After a long time, his gaze finally hardened.
"It seems I must use the Golden Crow Flame," Yun Che said, raising his palm, where a flickering flame ignited. "Currently, the 'Heaven-Shattering' state can last at most a hundred breaths. Once I lose the ultimate state, I'll be defeated immediately, with no hope left."
"So I must defeat Lu Lengchuan within a hundred breaths, otherwise..."
Given Lu Lengchuan's strength, how difficult—or how likely—was it to defeat such a "Divine Son" within a mere hundred breaths? And even more terrifying was that Lu Lengchuan's greatest strength was defense.
Thus, Yun Che had to completely abandon defense and go all-out in offense to have a slim chance... And under these circumstances, the powerful defensive and controlling Ice Phoenix God-Sealing Canon would be greatly restricted. He had to use the Golden Crow Flame, which had the strongest annihilating power!
Yun Che did not immediately return to his courtyard. Instead, he went to where the Yan Shen Realm was staying and found Huo Rulie.
"Sect Master Huo, this junior has a request for your help..."
---
Today's viewing stands were already packed early. Across the Eastern Divine Region, the Star Monuments were also crowded with countless profound practitioners.
Because the first match today was a Divine Son battle that made one's blood boil just thinking about it.
Among the Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain, Luo Changsheng was the strongest, Lu Lengchuan the weakest, and Jun Xilei and Shui Yingyue had never fought, so their relative strengths were unclear. Thus, this battle between Luo Changsheng and Jun Xilei could indeed be considered the strongest battle between the two youngest generations of the Eastern Divine Region, essentially an early final.
Yun Che also arrived early, his gaze fixed firmly on the Feng Shen Stage.
"Feng Shen Group, Third Round, First Match: Luo Changsheng of Saint Universe Realm versus Sword Lord Successor Jun Xilei!"
Jun Wuming stood at the edge of the viewing area, white beard flowing, with an immortal air.
"Xilei, go," Jun Wuming said slowly. "He is of the same generation as you; he may be your greatest opponent for life. Today is your first battle with him. Give it your all with everything you've learned. As for victory or defeat, don't worry about it!"
"Yes, Master. Disciple will not disappoint you." Facing Luo Changsheng, Jun Xilei showed no fear. Her crescent eyebrows were like swords, and her eyes were as sharp as blades.
On the other side, Luo Shangchen, the Realm King of Saint Universe Realm, patted Luo Changsheng's shoulder: "Changsheng, your stage is far greater than just a Feng Shen Battle. Defeat Jun Xilei, and you will have already ascended to the top of the Feng Shen Battle ahead of time."
"Changsheng, remember your teacher's words: even if you have full confidence, never underestimate any opponent." Beside Luo Shangchen stood a young woman in green robes, with long hair draping down, radiant and beautiful. Her voice was soft, her gaze full of affection. "Jun Wuming is the Sword Lord of the Way. It is not easy for even me to defeat him. The successor he has chosen must be a heaven-picked genius."
The woman looked to be in her twenties or thirties, with an aura like water and wind, elegant with a touch of fragility. But her name was enough to shake any corner of the God Realm.
Luo Guxie!
She was the sister of Saint Universe Realm King Luo Shangchen, the aunt of Luo Changsheng, and also his master.
At the same time...
She was also the number one person below the King Realms in the Eastern Divine Region!
Her existence made the title of "Strongest Star Realm" for Saint Universe Realm unshakable.
Luo Changsheng rose and bowed deeply: "Father, Master, your son heeds your instructions."
"Go."
Luo Guxie smiled faintly, her green sleeve gently waving. A soft breeze lifted Luo Changsheng and carried him lightly onto the Feng Shen Stage, where he stood opposite Jun Xilei.
No matter when, Luo Changsheng's gaze was always calm, without a ripple. Although he was only half a jiazi old, he seemed to have seen through a hundred generations of vicissitudes.
Jun Xilei, on the other hand, had a face like frost, especially her bright eyes—so sharp that they were hard to meet directly.
"Begin the battle!"
With Quhui Zunzhe's command, the entire venue fell silent.
"Miss Jun, your master's sword seems quite heavy, likely a burden. It might be better to take it off," Luo Changsheng said kindly, not entering battle mode immediately.
Whenever Jun Xilei was seen, her back was always burdened with the unsheathed "Nameless Sword." Even now, facing Luo Changsheng, she still hadn't removed it.
"None of your business!" Jun Xilei replied coldly. Then, with a soft ring, "Fog Light" left its scabbard. The fleeting flash of sword light darkened heaven and earth.
"Good!" Luo Changsheng nodded with a smile. "Please enlighten me!"
Luo Changsheng spread his hands, and the Divine Thunder Sword and Divine Wind Axe appeared in them at the same time. Although no wind or thunder was visible, in the hearts and souls of everyone, a soul-shaking sound of wind howling and thunder roaring passed in an instant.
---
[Chao — Read it with me, this character is pronounced chao! Second tone! What nonsense is "Huang Feng"?!]