Translator: Anubis Translations
The Wind and Cloud Platform was bustling with activity, a sea of people gathered around. On one side, Qiu Tian led a group of several dozen who had been waiting for some time.
Somehow, Qiu Ze's injuries had completely healed in just three days.
Today, he stood tall and proud, his robes fluttering in the wind, once again exuding his former confidence and vigor.
Behind him stood thirty disciples in perfect formation, each radiating an extraordinary aura with spiritual light swirling around them.
"What a formidable lineup! I thought Qiu Tian would only arrange for no more than ten people. I never expected him to bring thirty Third Level Qi Refining cultivators to support Qiu Ze."
"It seems Qiu Ze has also broken through to the Qi Refining Realm? The pressure he exudes is no less than that of a Second Level Qi Refining cultivator!"
"He must have taken some high-grade natural treasures to achieve this."
"This is a bit unfair. Thirty Third Level Qi Refining cultivators plus one First Level Qi Refining cultivator against one Ninth Level Body Refinement cultivator? Isn't this overkill? A life-and-death battle with such an imbalance in strength is unprecedented in the entire history of Cloud Prefecture!"
"Not just Cloud Prefecture, but in the entire history of Great Chu, this is an explosive event."
"Gu Feng's defeat is certain. The only question is how long he can last."
"How long he lasts, I don't know. But I know if it were me, I'd be turned to dust in a single breath!"
"..."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, stunned by the lineup Qiu Tian had assembled.
"Look, isn't that Huang Qi, ranked fifty-sixth on the Inner Sect Prodigy List? Even he's been drawn to this epic battle?"
Huang Qi, a prodigy who had risen from the outer sect to the inner sect years ago, now ranked fifty-sixth on the Inner Sect Prodigy List.
Although fifty-six might not seem impressive, to rank within the top fifty among over ten thousand inner sect disciples was a testament to his strength.
"Senior Brother Huang!" Huang Qi's appearance bolstered Qiu Ze's courage.
His chest puffed out even more, and his expression grew even prouder.
"Junior Brother Qiu, this is your first time on the Wind and Cloud Platform, right? I look forward to your performance!" Huang Qi said indifferently. He had come out of respect for Qiu Tian; Qiu Ze, a mere First Level Qi Refining cultivator, wasn't worth his attention.
"Shi Hao, ranked fifty-second in the inner sect, has also appeared."
"My heavens, and Yu Rulong, ranked sixty-third, is here too."
"..."
The appearance of these inner sect disciples undoubtedly pushed the atmosphere to another peak.
These prodigies were renowned throughout the Sunset Glow Sect, and it was rare for them to gather together outside the annual inner sect competition.
"Chu Youhuan! Look, Senior Sister Chu, ranked fifth on the Inner Sect Prodigy List, is here!"
"Isn't that her former brother behind her? Is he under her protection?"
"That's right. Even the Jade Maiden Sect, ranked first in the outer sect, has sent many people!"
"..."
The crowd erupted in cheers for Senior Sister Chu, and the entire Wind and Cloud Platform descended into frenzy.
Chu Youhuan was a legend in the inner sect. With stunning beauty and formidable strength, she led the Jade Maiden Sect, which was ranked first in the outer sect and within the top three in the inner sect.
She was also shrouded in mystery. She wasn't a native of Cloud Prefecture, and rumors claimed she was from the Chu royal family, her father being a prince of the Great Chu Dynasty.
"Senior Sister Chu, I didn't realize your fame was so great!" Gu Feng was also taken aback by the frenzied atmosphere.
"Of course. Did you think I earned my fifth-place ranking in the inner sect with just my looks?" Chu Youhuan said with a proud smirk.
"Wasn't it?"
"Beauty and strength combined—that's what I, Chu Youhuan, am all about!"
Chu Youhuan's appearance made Qiu Tian and the inner sect disciples around him tense up, their brows furrowed.
"Second Brother, why is Chu Youhuan with Gu Feng? Could she..."
"Hmph, inner sect disciples are not allowed to interfere in outer sect affairs. At most, she's here to watch. She can't change anything." Qiu Tian glared at Qiu Ze, deeply disappointed in his younger brother's cowardice, which tarnished the reputation of the Qiu family's three heroes and the entire Qiu family.
"Hehe, I never expected Senior Sister Chu to come and watch this outer sect life-and-death battle!" Qiu Tian said with a smile as he approached Chu Youhuan.
"Who are you?" Chu Youhuan's words made Qiu Ze's face turn ugly, almost breaking his composure.
"The Qiu family is truly impressive. To deal with a Body Refinement cultivator, you've mobilized dozens of Third Level Qi Refining cultivators?" Chu Youhuan glanced at the lineup and couldn't help but mock.
"He's no ordinary Body Refinement cultivator. Better safe than sorry!" Qiu Tian replied with a chuckle.
Suddenly, the crowd erupted in even louder exclamations.
"Qu Yanran!"
Someone shouted, and the entire crowd turned in unison, their eyes fixed on one spot.
There, a tall, cold-faced female cultivator walked gracefully, her every step exuding an aura of profound Dao essence.
She was Gu Feng's former fiancée—Qu Yanran!
"Hehe, Qu Yanran, weren't you in seclusion?
Did you come out specifically to watch your former fiancé's life-and-death battle?"
At these words, Gu Feng felt speechless. They had no relationship anymore, yet Chu Youhuan insisted on linking them.
Qu Yanran merely glanced over without saying a word.
But the young cultivator beside her couldn't hold back.
"Chu Youhuan, Yanran and Gu Feng have no relationship whatsoever—not before, and not in the future. If you continue to spout nonsense and tarnish her reputation, I, Dou Xiaojian, will not let you off lightly."
"Dou Xiaojian, when I'm speaking to Qu Yanran, who gave you, a mere lapdog, the right to interrupt?"
Pfft, hahaha!
Chu Youhuan's words made everyone, including Gu Feng, burst into laughter. Dou Xiaojian's face turned red and then pale.
He then turned his anger toward Gu Feng:
"Kid, I spared your life in Cloud Dwelling City. How dare you come to the Sunset Glow Sect with no regard for your own life?"
Only then did Gu Feng recognize Dou Xiaojian as the young cultivator who had accompanied Qu Yanran to Cloud Dwelling City to break off their engagement.
"None of your business, you lapdog. After all this time, you still haven't succeeded, have you?"
Gu Feng had no fear of Dou Xiaojian in Cloud Dwelling City, and now he was even less intimidated, directly mocking him.
"You... you—" Dou Xiaojian was so angry his lips trembled. He wished he could strike Gu Feng dead on the spot.
"Your constitution is destined to have no connection with the Great Dao. It's better to live a peaceful life. Why persist?" Qu Yanran's eyes flashed with two streaks of purple light as she discerned Gu Feng's constitution.
"Mind your own business! Have you earned the 3.6 million spirit stones you owe me yet?
Don't make me bring Elder Liu to your doorstep tomorrow to collect the debt!" Gu Feng retorted with a sneer.
This woman was truly infuriating, always acting so superior.
"Hahaha, that's right, Former Junior Brother is quite popular. Qu Yanran, don't worry about him!
Why don't you focus on earning money to pay off your debt?" Chu Youhuan laughed, her body shaking with mirth.
"Yanran, don't waste your breath on these uncultured people. Let's go over there and watch Gu Feng meet his end!" Dou Xiaojian understood that continuing this argument would only embarrass Qu Yanran. As her protector, he couldn't let that happen.
"Call me by my full name. We're not that close!" Qu Yanran said coldly.
The crowd erupted in laughter once again.
At that moment, over a dozen beams of light flew in from the distance and landed on the platform in front of the Wind and Cloud Platform. Elder Liu and the others had arrived.
"Are both parties present?
Then let's sign the life-and-death contract!"
As Elder Liu spoke, Elder Wu beside him took out a scroll and gestured for both sides to come forward.
"I'm going up!" Gu Feng muttered. With a leap, he gracefully landed in front of the platform, grabbed the spirit brush from Elder Wu, and swiftly signed his name.
"Hmph, you're quick to seek death!" Qiu Ze mocked with a wave of his hand, and over thirty people followed him onto the platform.
Elder Liu frowned at the sight of the disciples but said nothing.
Soon, both sides had signed the life-and-death contract.
After Elder Liu laid out the prohibited actions, he waved his sleeve and announced, "Both parties of the life-and-death battle, enter the arena!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the cultivators on Qiu Ze's side immediately jumped onto the Wind and Cloud Platform.
Qiu Ze stood at the forefront, his gaze fixed on Gu Feng below the platform, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Gu Feng, you should be grateful that your short-lived parents' remains were lost when they died. Otherwise, I would have dug up their graves that day..."
"Too bad. I originally wanted to stuff your parents' memorial tablets into a latrine, but you took them back before I could..."
"Today, I'll make you understand the price of offending me, Qiu Ze!"
"..."
Qiu Ze continued to taunt from the Wind and Cloud Platform, his heart filled with confidence and excitement.
To prepare for this life-and-death battle, his second brother, Qiu Tian, had gone to great lengths to select a group of powerful cultivators from Carp Mountain. These cultivators were among the strongest in the Third Level Qi Refining Realm. Together, even a Fifth Level Qi Refining prodigy would flee in fear.
No matter how strong Gu Feng was, could he possibly surpass a Fifth Level Qi Refining cultivator? Could he defy the heavens?
This time, he was doomed.
"Once we've beaten him to a pulp, I'll take my time tormenting him!" Qiu Ze whispered to the group behind him.
The cultivators behind him remained silent, but a hint of disdain flickered in their eyes.
What a scumbag. Was it just because he had a good background?
If the Qiu family hadn't paid so handsomely, they would never have stepped onto this platform for him.
Facing Qiu Ze's provocation, Gu Feng remained calm, his heart undisturbed.
Why waste words on a dead man?
Without fear, he stepped onto the Wind and Cloud Platform with steady strides, under the watchful eyes of the entire crowd.
"Activate the formation!"
Seeing Gu Feng on the platform, Elder Liu shouted, and a light barrier rose from the ground, completely enveloping the Wind and Cloud Platform.
The Wind and Cloud Platform, battle—to the death!
It had officially begun!
(End of the Chapter)
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