Chapter 546: Showdown!
Huai Wang, who had remained as calm as still water, with an expression that seemed to hold everything under control, turned ashen for the first time.
"Hahahaha! Good lad!" Looking at Huai Wang's suddenly sour expression, Old Master Mu laughed heartily and without restraint. Originally, their side had been constantly suppressed by Huai Wang, suppressed to the point they could hardly breathe. Now, with Yun Che stepping forward, he had forced the seven families on the opposite side into collective fury, and even made Huai Wang show a look of defeat... It was simply exhilarating.
Everyone realized that they had thoroughly underestimated this young man. When he faced Huai Wang, his expression remained calm and composed throughout, his momentum undiminished, and his words were exceedingly sharp, leaving Huai Wang speechless and the seven family heads trembling all over.
What was even more admirable was his sheer audacity! Standing opposite him was Huai Commandery Prince, the master of a Guardian Clan, a figure that even the Little Demon Empress deeply feared. Not only did Yun Che confront him with vigorous momentum, but he also cursed him freely and without restraint. The dignified Huai Commandery Prince was called a worthless fool, a coward unworthy of being compared to his father. The contemptuous look in his eyes and the disdainful tone of his voice were clear to anyone who saw or heard.
With just a few words from Yun Che, Huai Wang had already developed a desire to kill him. His mind raced, quickly assessing the combat strength on his side and the twelve strongest people the other side could field. Then he considered various possible uncertain factors and concluded that his side absolutely could not lose.
Thus, the only explanation he could think of was... the Yun Che before him was deliberately putting on a show of confidence and strength to make him wary, thereby avoiding this duel that could suppress the other side to the point of complete loss of dignity!
That was the only possibility!
Thinking this, Huai Wang calmed down and said to Yun Che's back: "Yun Che, you're putting on a rather poor one-man show. When did I ever say I dared not agree?"
"Oh?" Yun Che turned around, a flash of different color passing through his eyes... Though it lasted only a brief moment, Huai Wang's eyesight was sharp enough to catch it clearly, and he sneered inwardly: Just as I thought.
"So, Huai Wang, you agree?" Yun Che said with a serious expression. Raising an eyebrow, he added with a faint smile: "But it seems that your agreement alone is useless. Can you represent the seven Guardian Clans behind you?"
"Hehehehe," Huai Wang had fully regained his former ease, and said with a beaming smile: "I have never truly feared anyone in my life, much less the so-called stake you propose. Whatever the stake may be, it is of no importance to me, because I... can never lose, hahahaha."
Huai Wang laughed heartily. Though not too loud, his laughter was filled with deep arrogance. He turned to the seven Guardian Clans and said: "Clan Heads, do you have any objections?"
"If Prince Huai has no objections, we naturally have none." The clan heads nodded one after another, looking at Huai Wang's confident expression. They also calmed down, simultaneously thinking: That's right! If they were to duel under the rules proposed by Huai Wang, how could they possibly lose! The gap in overall strength between the younger generations of both sides was extremely vast. Not only was there no possibility of defeat on their side, even if they could only field six people, they would have absolute confidence in crushing the other twelve!
Let alone twelve against twelve!!
Thus, the so-called stake Yun Che proposed, though shocking to hear, was fundamentally a decoration that would never come true!
"Did you hear that?" Huai Wang squinted at Yun Che: "The so-called stake you wanted is already in place. Can this match that decides the fate of your Yun family begin now? Or do you need to find some other excuse to delay further?"
"Delay?" Yun Che looked surprised: "Why would I delay? I have been in favor of this match from the very beginning and can't wait for it to start. However, since Huai Wang knows that this match concerns the fate of my Yun family, its fairness and the execution of the result are crucial! This match must have the most authoritative witness."
Having spoken with righteous indignation, Yun Che faced the Little Demon Empress and bowed: "Little Demon Empress! Please witness the entire process and the final result of this match, and after the match, announce the final result to the entire assembly... and even to the whole world!"
The Little Demon Empress stared fixedly at Yun Che. After a long while, her voice, cold as ice, rang out: "Whether your Yun family can continue as a Guardian Clan is a decision that only I, the Empress, can make! Even if there are ten times more people opposing your Yun family, if I do not agree, no one has the authority to interfere with your family's fate. But if the match begins and you ultimately lose, then you must abide by the pre-match 'stake' and can no longer remain as a Guardian Clan. At that time, I will not be able to keep you either... Even so, are you sure you still want to fight?"
"We must fight!" Yun Che said without any hesitation: "I am deeply grateful for the Little Demon Empress's regard for our Yun family. But this battle is not only about the family's fate, but also about the family's dignity! If we do not fight, even if the Little Demon Empress shows great favor and allows our Yun family to remain in the Guardian position, there will be more voices calling for our removal, and the world will look down on us. Our Yun family must use this battle to make those with ulterior motives shut their mouths forever!"
Yun Che's words deeply touched the hearts of the Yun family members, making them clench their fists and nod repeatedly, no longer feeling that he was impulsive or reckless. The Little Demon Empress frowned and looked at Yun Qinghong... Yun Qinghong slowly nodded at her.
"Good!" The Little Demon Empress stood up, and a sea-like aura instantly filled every corner. She said, each word striking the heart: "Then I will personally witness this battle! If Huai Wang's side wins in this match, the Yun family must lose its qualification as a Guardian Clan from now on. If Yun Che's side wins, then the Helian, Chi Yang, Bai, Nangong, Lin, Jiufang, and Xiao families—each of the seven—must, within one month, gather five catties of Purple Vein Divine Crystal and deliver them to the Yun family's door! And you, Huai Wang, must, within the same time, gather twenty catties of Purple Vein Divine Crystal alone and deliver them to the Yun family!"
"These are the stakes you both agreed upon. No matter who loses, they absolutely must not go back on their word! Otherwise, I will be the first to show no mercy!"
"Thank you, Little Demon Empress!" Yun Che followed the Little Demon Empress's voice loudly, then turned to face everyone in the great hall: "And to all the brothers, sisters, and elders from all corners of the Phantom Demon Realm, I also ask you to bear witness together! With all the heroes of the world witnessing, if the losing side dares to renege, they truly have no face left. At least our Yun family can never do such a thing."
The witness of the heroes of the world was undoubtedly the most powerful witness! The result of this match would also be spread to every corner of the Phantom Demon Realm by the heroes present. If, under such witness and observation, the losing side reneged and played tricks, then, as Yun Che said, the entire clan would completely lose face.
"Well said, very well said indeed. To have the Little Demon Empress and the heroes of the world as witnesses is truly the best possible." Huai Wang's eyes narrowed into slits. The more confident and impassioned Yun Che's side acted, the calmer and more composed Huai Wang became, because in his view, this was clearly the other side, knowing they were doomed to lose, using this method to desperately salvage some last dignity for the Yun family. With all the wisdom of his life, he could not think of any means or possibility for the other side to turn the tables.
"Enough said!" The Little Demon Empress waved her hand, her eyes like cold stars: "I will give each side three hundred breaths of time to prepare and decide on the participants. Twelve people per side, none over thirty-five years of age. I will personally choose the venue for you!"
"As you command, Little Demon Empress." Huai Wang made a casual bow but made no other move, watching the Yun family's side with leisurely interest. He already knew clearly who would participate on their side; there was no need to waste time choosing.
Yun Che returned to his seat, his expression serious. Xiao Yun was already so excited that his face alternated between red and white, after all, this match concerned the fate of the entire Yun family! He asked nervously: "Big Brother, are you... really sure about this?"
Yun Che's brow twitched, and he said to Yun Qinghong: "Father, do you believe me?"
Yun Qinghong looked at him and said with a smile: "You are my son. If I don't believe you, who else in this world can I believe?"
Yun Che felt warmth in his heart and smiled back: "Father, rest assured. I will not disappoint your trust."
Yun Qinghong shook his head: "Che'er, you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself, nor do you need to shoulder the burden alone. Forced into this situation, this match must be fought regardless of win or loss. So what if we lose? So what if we are expelled from the Guardian position? As long as our family is together, the Yun family will have a day to rise again no matter where we are! If we win, naturally all are happy; if we lose, we can afford to lose!"
Yun Qinghong's words swept away the tension in Xiao Yun's heart like a gentle wind. His expression relaxed, and he clenched his fists and said: "Father, you said it perfectly! Indeed, even if the Yun family loses, Father, Mother, and Big Brother are still here! So what is there to fear!"
"Hehe." Yun Che laughed lightly. He said with extreme seriousness: "Father, Mother, Xiao Yun, rest assured a thousand times! Although I do not have great confidence in whether we can win this match, I promise you that even if we lose, we will not be expelled! Our Yun family's dignity will not be sullied in the slightest... and in the end, even if we ourselves want to leave, the whole world will not agree!"
"Ah?" Xiao Yun blinked hard, looking surprised and bewildered.
In comparison, the Su, Yan, Mu, and Tianxia families were even more nervous than the Yun family.
"Zhizhan, the core battle strength on our side will be you. Remember, this is not just about the Yun family alone—you must give it your all!" Su Xiangnan said solemnly to his son.
"Father, rest assured. I will do my utmost." Su Zhizhan replied with a resolute expression.
"Chengkong, you will represent our Yan family. Remember, do not slack off because you think we are doomed to lose. This battle concerns not only the Yun family's fate but also our Yan family's future and dignity! Even if we must lose, we will lose fiercely and show the heroic bearing of our Yan family!" Yan Zijing grabbed Yan Chengkong's shoulder and said.
"Yes! I will never bring shame to the Yan family." Yan Chengkong nodded heavily.
"Sixth, you'll go up." Tianxia Xiongtu only said a single sentence, but his eyes said it all.
"Sixth, no matter who the opponent is, never hold back!" Tianxia Diyi said.
"Sixth Brother, go for it." Tianxia Diqi said nervously.
"Father, and everyone, rest assured. I know what this battle means... How dare I slack off!" Tianxia Diliu said with a serious expression.
"Heng Yi, you are the most outstanding young person in our Mu family. This time, you will represent the family. The opponents are far stronger than us—are you afraid?" Mu Feiyan asked personally. Mu Yubai, Mu Yukong, and Mu Yuqing had never married and had no children. This Mu Heng Yi was the eldest grandson of the Third Supreme Elder.
"Clan Head, rest assured. Although my cultivation is shallow, it won't be so easy for them to beat me!" Mu Heng Yi said with full momentum.
From the Su, Yan, Tianxia, Mu, and Yun families, one person each was selected. The remaining seven would come from the various prince mansions. Among these seven, two were at the bottom of the "Seven Prodigies of the Phantom Demon Realm" and were naturally chosen. The other five were the subject of much deliberation among the princes.
Amidst a tense and solemn atmosphere, three hundred breaths quickly passed.
"The time is up."
The Little Demon Empress, who had been silent with closed eyes, opened her eyes. She leaped up, instantly moving to the center of the great hall. Under her gray robe, her snow-white jade-like arm released a blazing, scorching red fiery light.
In an instant, a hundred-zhang-diameter crimson ring was deeply imprinted on the jade floor at the center of the hall. This blazing red ring was composed of countless clusters of tiny, enduring flames.
As the core hall of the entire Phantom Demon Realm, every brick and tile here was extremely difficult to destroy. Being able to instantly imprint such a large mark here was not something many in the entire Phantom Demon Realm could do. This was also why, in every past Demon Emperor Ceremony, the battles between the twelve families and prince mansions were held within the hall, without needing to find another venue.
"This ring marks the boundary of the arena! For the match, if a side admits defeat, lies on the ground for more than ten breaths, or is knocked out of this ring, they will be considered to have lost!"