Chapter 026: Challenging a Half-Step Martial Artist

  "Good thing nothing happened. This kid is really cunning. I like him," one of the three examiners, a man in black robes, laughed heartily, his admiration evident.

  "He's not bad. Decisive in killing, perfect control over his blood energy, and exceptional talent. He might even surpass us in the future. He's worth nurturing," the man in white nodded, smiling faintly.

  "Yang Tian, you must die!" Suppressing his rage, Wang Long's body radiated a murderous aura. His blood energy surged like a burning furnace as he glared at Yang Tian with cold, piercing eyes.

  "Wang Long, step back. Don't forget your position," Kuang Lang hurried over, glancing at Wang Xing's corpse with a slight frown. Seeing Wang Long's furious state, he barked sternly.

  "Step back? He killed my son, and you're telling me to step back?" Wang Long's fists clenched with a series of cracking sounds. Biting his lip, his anger threatened to consume him. He snorted coldly.

  "Hmm." Kuang Lang's brow furrowed slightly. At the same time, the aura of a true martial artist erupted from him, freezing the atmosphere in the surrounding area.

  "The city lord's strength is terrifying," someone in the crowd muttered, their eyes wide. Under this pressure, they couldn't muster the slightest thought of resistance, their chests tightening.

  Wang Long's heart skipped a beat. Staring at Yang Tian's disdainful expression, his rage spiraled uncontrollably. But as Wang Long's aura continued to rise, a trace of unwillingness flashed in his eyes.

  "City Lord, I have a request," Yang Tian suddenly clasped his hands and bowed, smiling.

  "Oh?" Kuang Lang gave Yang Tian a puzzled look but didn't put on airs given the young man's talent. He smiled faintly. "What is it? Speak freely. With me here, Wang Long won't dare touch you."

  "You old fool, have all the offerings I've made over the years been fed to dogs?" Wang Long's anger flared again, but he didn't dare say it out loud, only roaring inwardly.

  "Is Xiao Tian planning to challenge Wang Long?" Not far away, Lin Yuan suddenly had this thought. Just as he was unsure, Yang Tian's voice rang out.

  "I challenge Wang Long. Please, City Lord, oversee this match!"

  The entire arena fell silent.

  Stunned gazes fixed on Yang Tian. Seeing that he wasn't joking, Kuang Lang took a deep breath. The crowd below erupted in whispers.

  "Yang Tian's courage is too much. A half-step martial artist and a ninth-level Blood Refinement cultivator aren't on the same level."

  "Why is he being so reckless?" Hua Die frowned slightly, her delicate hands clenching unconsciously.

  Wang Long was a half-step martial artist, a seasoned veteran, far beyond Wang Xing's level. Moreover, Yang Tian had just killed Wang Xing. Even if Wang Long killed Yang Tian on the stage, Kuang Lang couldn't say much.

  "Haha, challenging me? Truly, a newborn calf isn't afraid of a tiger!" Wang Long's cold gaze locked onto Yang Tian as he laughed disdainfully.

  "Xiao Tian, come down. Don't mess around," Lin Yuan hurried over.

  "Father, I'm fine. Trust me," Yang Tian patted Lin Yuan's arm and turned to the city lord. "Please, City Lord, grant my request."

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  Kuang Lang gave Yang Tian a doubtful look but finally waved his hand. "Fine. Remember, this is a friendly match. No killing."

  On the stage.

  The two locked eyes, their killing intent unmistakable.

  This match had everyone's attention. A half-step martial artist and a ninth-level Blood Refinement cultivator were in completely different leagues, especially since Wang Long was a seasoned expert.

  But when they saw Yang Tian's calm smile, they felt that today, Yang Tian might just create a miracle.

  "You little beast, I admire your courage. But today is your death day," Wang Long's wrinkled face twisted into a cruel smile as he spoke coldly.

  "Haha, your son is waiting for you down there. It's you who should die," Yang Tian sneered. His blood energy surged. Today, he would vent all the anger he had bottled up—every last bit of it.

  "Good, good. You've got guts." Wang Long chuckled darkly, then his body suddenly blurred, leaving behind several afterimages as he appeared in front of Yang Tian.

  **Whoosh! Whoosh!**

  Two palm strikes shot out, but Yang Tian was no longer there. Suddenly, a roar echoed through the air.

  "Old man, I've already seen this move from Wang Feng. Too bad for him, he tried to kill me and ended up dead!"

  "What?!" Hua Qi spat out the water he had just drunk, his eyes bulging. He stared at Yang Tian's mocking face, shock written all over his features.

  "Is this kid telling the truth?" Kuang Lang's eyes flickered. "No wonder Wang Long hates him so much."

  "What a monster," Hua Die murmured, looking at Wang Long's instantly darkened face. "No, he's a freak."

  "Yang Tian killed Wang Feng? Is that true?"

  "Probably. Look at the old man's face—green and purple." Two men whispered cautiously.

  Not far away, a group of Starry Sky Martial Hall disciples looked terrified. Most were already considering leaving the martial hall.

  "Good, you've got nerve." Wang Long's icy gaze bore into Yang Tian. At the same time, endless regret filled his heart. For the sake of some unknown treasure, the Starry Sky Martial Hall had been ruined.

  Now, the only way to salvage some reputation was to kill Yang Tian. Otherwise, the loss would be total.

  "Die!" Wang Long roared, his body flickering rapidly. His speed had increased dramatically, and in an instant, he was in front of Yang Tian, his jade-like palm striking out.

  "Ha!" Yang Tian stomped his foot, his blood energy surging. Facing a half-step martial artist, he couldn't afford to be careless.

  **Boom! Boom! Boom!**

  Three punches, each one fierce and unyielding, blocked the incoming palm strikes.

  **Whoosh!** Wang Long's body suddenly twisted, appearing behind Yang Tian. A sharp gust of wind accompanied his palm strike.

  "Wind-Splitting Palm!" Yang Tian retreated rapidly, energy blades forming on his palms. They sliced through the air, clashing with Wang Long's palm wind.

  **Boom! Boom!**

  A blinding light erupted, and the crowd's hearts tightened. They watched as Yang Tian narrowly avoided several deadly blows, a sense of admiration rising in their hearts.

  "Yang Tian is incredible. His combat experience isn't inferior to Wang Long's, and his blood energy is far more abundant than an ordinary martial artist's. His foundation is rock solid. I wonder who taught him."

  Hua Qi glanced at Lin Yuan, who also wore a look of astonishment.

  Lin Yuan hadn't expected Yang Tian's progress to be so rapid. But remembering the fruits Yang Tian had brought back, he understood. During this time, Yang Tian had not only experienced life-and-death battles but also endured the Starry Sky Martial Hall's retaliation.

  **Boom! Boom!**

  On the stage, sparks flew as crimson and azure blood energy clashed violently. The figures inside were a blur to those with weaker cultivation, but the cracks spreading across the stage floor made it clear how dangerous this fight was.

  **Boom! Boom!**

  The ground continued to crack as Yang Tian's figure flickered. The river of blood energy above his head shook the heavens and earth, its momentum like crashing waves, relentless and overwhelming.

  "Third Brother, who do you think will win this fight?" The man in white, several miles away, gazed at the battlefield and suddenly smiled.

  "Probably the old man. Although Yang Tian's vitality is immense, he's been on the defensive the whole time," the man called Third Brother pondered before answering.

  "How about a bet? I'll wager Yang Tian wins. What do you say?" The man in white shook his head slightly, smiling faintly.

  "A bet?" Third Brother's heart tightened, his wary eyes fixed on the man in white. "Second Brother, I don't have anything good left on me."

  "I'll bet my Jade Dragon Pendant against your Lone Scale Jade Beast. How about that?" The man in white narrowed his eyes.

  "Jade Dragon Pendant? That's a top-tier Profound artifact!" Third Brother's heart skipped a beat. Seeing the man in white's serious expression, he nodded. "Fine, but don't go back on your word if you lose. Big Brother will be our witness."

  **Boom! Boom!**

  On the stage, a fierce wind raged as the two suddenly clashed mid-air. The shockwave spread, and Yang Tian's figure was sent flying backward.