Chapter 1192: Backwater Battle
"Ah..." At the Futian Realm seating area, Lu Lengchuan let out a long, deep sigh.
He knew well that his strength was inferior to Luo Changsheng, as well as Jun Xilei and Shui Yingyue—he was the tail end of the "Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain." He understood that in the eyes of many, there were only "Three Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain," and he never took offense at that.
Among the Four Divine Sons of the Eastern Domain, not only was he the weakest in strength, but he was also the oldest. He had long believed that although he was currently on par with them, in at most a hundred years, he would no longer be worthy of being mentioned alongside the other three Divine Sons.
However, the battle between Luo Changsheng and Jun Xilei suddenly made him realize... there was no need to wait a hundred years. Even now, he was actually no longer qualified to be ranked with them.
"It seems I was born in the best of times," Lu Lengchuan said with a self-deprecating smile, yet it was heartfelt.
At the Liuguang Realm seating area, Shui Yingyue's face showed a prolonged trance.
"Sister?" Shui Meiyin's lively eyes had been watching her.
"I always thought that I was the only one hiding my strength, but I never expected..." Shui Yingyue lifted her gaze, her eyes deep and serious: "It seems that between Jun Xilei and myself, there will be a hard battle."
Shui Meiyin blinked her eyes: "Sister, you seem to have forgotten something very important?"
"?" Shui Yingyue turned her gaze.
"Next, your opponent is me!" Shui Meiyin’s face stiffened, becoming very serious.
"Ah?" Shui Yingyue smiled gently: "I almost really forgot."
She reached out her hand, stroking Shui Meiyin's night-like soft hair, her watery eyes full of affection: "Meiyin, it's been a long time since we truly fought each other."
"Then, sister, who do you think will win?" Shui Meiyin asked with a smile.
Shui Yingyue shook her head: "I don't know. At least, I have no confidence at all."
When she talked to herself about the inevitable bitter battle with Jun Xilei, her brows were tightly furrowed. But when she said this, she smiled gracefully, with a hint of pride.
Beside the two sisters, the Glazed Light Realm King smiled as he watched his two daughters, listening to their conversation, but remained silent with a smile. No matter which one won, it would be the best outcome.
Strange to say, he had lived to this day and had a total of one hundred and one children. The first ninety-nine were all sons, and it was only in the last thirty years that he had two daughters.
And those ninety-nine sons combined were not as promising as these two daughters.
Especially Shui Meiyin, who was only fifteen this year and had already become the greatest pride of his life. Her excellence was such that even the Glazed Light Realm King, who held a very high position in the God Realm, sometimes couldn't help but doubt himself... Was such an excellent daughter really born to him?
Undoubtedly, Shui Meiyin grew up surrounded by countless favors. Not only was she doted on by her parents, but her ninety-nine older brothers spoiled her to the skies. If she said a single word, they would personally jump into a mountain of knives or a sea of fire for her. Yet, growing up in such an environment, Shui Meiyin had not the slightest hint of arrogance. Instead, she carried an innate, enchanting charm that made people involuntarily like her and want to protect her.
"Second match of the third round of the Feng Shen Group: Liuguang Realm's Shui Yingyue versus Liuguang Realm's Shui Meiyin."
The sisterly battle between the two jewels of Liuguang was undoubtedly highly anticipated. Even Quhui Zunzhe, when announcing it, looked at the two sisters with a peculiar expression.
"Let's go."
Shui Yingyue took her sister's hand, floated up, and arrived above the Feng Shen Platform. She gently pushed, and the two sisters separated far apart, one like a blue butterfly, the other like a black butterfly, fluttering down.
"Begin."
Unlike his usual sternness, Quhui Zunzhe's voice this time was gentle yet firm. Most of his gaze fell on Shui Meiyin, his eyes flashing with admiration, praise, and affection. He also knew that Shui Meiyin was the only person whom Zhou Tian Shen Di had eagerly visited the Liuguang Realm in person, hoping to take as a direct disciple.
And she had been refused.
Beyond her terrifying talent, Shui Meiyin indeed possessed an innate charm. She stood there quietly; just looking at her made people's restlessness vanish and hearts filled with fondness. Many unconsciously smiled, unable to bear looking away for a long time.
With a soft hum, Shui Yingyue drew her sword, its blade rippling with watery reflections.
Shui Meiyin, however, did not move. Her delicate brows twitched slightly, as if hesitating about something, then she looked up at Quhui Zunzhe and said, "Grandpa Quhui, I want to forfeit. Is that okay?"
Shui Yingyue: "..."
"Eh?" Quhui Zunzhe was startled: "Of course it's okay, but... why would you choose to forfeit?"
"Because," Shui Meiyin said with a serious, earnest face: "I just thought about it very seriously. Sister is so powerful; there's no way I can beat her. If sister accidentally hurts me... it's better not to."
Quhui Zunzhe, who hadn't smiled in countless years, looked at Shui Meiyin's innocent face and couldn't help but feel a warm smile coming on. He glanced at the Glazed Light Realm King, only to find that he showed no sign of surprise; instead, he was grinning from ear to ear.
"..." Shui Yingyue said nothing. Clearly, she didn't want to fight Shui Meiyin either.
"Shui Meiyin, I will ask you one last time: do you truly wish to forfeit?" Quhui Zunzhe asked.
"Yes, I forfeit." Shui Meiyin nodded.
"Very well." Quhui Zunzhe's voice softened, as if deeply regretful that he couldn't see these two sisters fight. He then announced: "Shui Meiyin voluntarily forfeits, losing into the Loser's Group, entering tomorrow's sixth round of the Loser's Group."
"Shui Yingyue wins, advancing to the day after tomorrow's final battle of the Feng Shen Group!"
This sisterly battle, which everyone had anticipated, ended so abruptly. Although it was somewhat unexpected, thinking about it, it wasn't really surprising—after all, they were biological sisters.
With the battles of the Feng Shen Group concluded, Jun Xilei and Shui Meiyin fell into the Loser's Group, leaving only two people in the Feng Shen Group—Luo Changsheng and Shui Yingyue.
The final battle of the Feng Shen Group would be their duel.
"Sister, do your best in the upcoming matches!" Back in their seats, Shui Meiyin encouraged her sister.
Shui Yingyue nodded slightly. She knew she couldn't possibly be a match for Luo Changsheng and would surely lose the day after tomorrow. After that, her only opponent... would be Jun Xilei.
After a brief rest, the Loser's Group battles began.
First match: Meng Duanxi versus Chao Feng. The two were close in strength. After nearly an hour of fierce combat, Meng Duanxi narrowly won, advancing to the top six. Chao Feng was eliminated from the Feng Shen battle.
The moment the battle between Meng Duanxi and Chao Feng ended, Yun Che's gaze sharpened, and his blood boiled.
At the same time, Lu Lengchuan's gaze shot over. Their eyes met across the distance, sparks flying, battle intent surging.
"Second match of the fifth round of the Loser's Group: Futian Realm's Lu Lengchuan versus Yin Xue Realm's Yun Che!"
Countless gazes fell upon Yun Che. The moment Quhui Zunzhe's voice fell, Yun Che and Lu Lengchuan soared into the air simultaneously and landed on the Feng Shen Platform at the same time.
Everyone from Yin Xue Realm and Yan Shen Realm fell silent, for they knew this would be Yun Che's final battle. However, he had already achieved remarkable results, reaching this point—enough to shine for a lifetime and bring glory to Yin Xue. So, although they were nervous, there was no heaviness.
Only Mu Bingyun furrowed her brows deeply. Everyone thought Yun Che would surely lose, and even in defeat he would be honored. But she alone knew that Yun Che absolutely did not want to lose.
"Begin!"
Boom!!
In the same instant, the Sky-Rending Spear and the Heaven-Defying Sword appeared in their hands. Lu Lengchuan and Yun Che burst forth with profound energy... and a golden flame blazed up from Yun Che's body. In an instant, the Feng Shen Platform was rolled with waves of heat, as if dropped into a fiery hell.
The elders and disciples of the Golden Crow Sect, Phoenix Sect, and Vermilion Bird Sect all widened their eyes, nearly falling off their seats in shock.
"G-G-G-G-Golden Crow Flame!!?"
"Th-Th-Th-This..."
But only Huo Rulie remained calm, turning his head with extraordinary composure and saying, "Everyone, silence. Don't make a fuss."
Huo Rulie's unusual calm only stunned the crowd further. Yan Juehai quickly asked, "Patriarch Huo, what is this? How did Yun Che..."
Huo Rulie waved his hand: "No need to ask now. We'll discuss this when we return to the Yan Shen Realm."
"..." Yan Juehai frowned but didn't press further, turning his gaze directly to Yun Che.
In truth, despite Huo Rulie's calm facade, his heart was also in turmoil. If not for the fact that Yun Che had specially found him yesterday and shown him the Golden Crow Flame, he would have been the first to drop his jaw.
"Golden Crow Flame... It's actually Golden Crow Flame!"
"Isn't Yun Che a disciple of the Yin Xue Realm? He was using the Ice Phoenix God-Sealing Canon before. Why is he using flames now?"
"This... Ice and fire dual cultivation!? Someone actually practices both ice and fire?"
The spectator seats were naturally startled, buzzing with discussion. On the eastern dais, the various God Emperors also changed expressions.
"Ice and fire dual cultivation is indeed rare," Zhou Tian Shen Di remarked.
Elemental profound forces have mutual restraints. But with enough talent and comprehension, one can cultivate and control multiple elements simultaneously. However, ice and fire are extremely antagonistic, making it nearly impossible to master both. Even if one forcibly achieves it, the two powers only repel and conflict, reducing their effectiveness—far worse than using just one.
Therefore, even if someone possessed a unique constitution that allowed dual cultivation of ice and fire, they generally wouldn't actually pursue it. Doing so was often considered foolish.
"It's not just ice and fire dual cultivation," Fan Tian Shen Di said. "The Ice Phoenix God-Sealing Canon requires the Ice Phoenix bloodline to cultivate, and the Golden Crow Flame also requires the Golden Crow bloodline. Yun Che clearly possesses two types of divine blood inheritance!"
"Yun Che is the personal disciple of the Yin Xue Realm King, so obtaining the Ice Phoenix bloodline is expected. But his Golden Crow bloodline... Divine blood flowing out is a great taboo. How could the Yan Shen Realm allow this?"
Many gazes turned to Huo Rulie, only to find him sitting leisurely, showing no surprise. It was immediately obvious that Yun Che's Golden Crow bloodline must have been granted by him... and only the Golden Crow Sect Master could grant it.
"Hmph," Cang Shitian laughed. "What's so strange about that? For a prodigy like that, even this king would be willing to make an exception, let alone his Yan Shen Realm!"
Though Cang Shitian was full of sarcastic remarks, this statement was extremely reasonable.
On the Feng Shen Platform, Yun Che's profound energy surged like madness: Evil Soul—Heart Incineration—Purgatory—Heaven-Shattering. In an instant, he reached his peak state, and without a moment's hesitation, he shot like an arrow from a bow, straight at Lu Lengchuan.
His limit state could barely last a hundred breaths. If he couldn't defeat Lu Lengchuan within that time, he would be doomed. Besides a quick victory, there was something even more crucial.
He absolutely could not let Lu Lengchuan activate his "Huanglong Sacred Realm"!
Not even a single chance!