Read Novel Full Chapter 231: Cloud Empire (51)
Chapter 231: Cloud Empire (51)
After the fight between Luo Feng vs. Shi Kang, Luo Feng’s name disappeared from rank 97. Shi Kang took the position.
Luo Feng slowly got up, limping out of the arena with his shoulder bleeding and an expression of deep frustration.
He would have to challenge someone at rank 90 or below to rise again, and would probably be last in the collective bet among the leaders of the external forces, at least at the beginning.
Kyrian observed everything in silence. Shi Kang’s brute strength was impressive, similar to Bai Zhu’s in pure power, but more predictable.
Luo Feng lost because he was tired.
Bai Zhu murmured beside him, voice low and excited.
"That Shi Kang is a brute. But if I fight him... it’s going to be fun."
Kyrian did not reply but internally agreed. It would be a good fight. Strength against strength, without complicated tricks.
At that moment, Elder Tian raised his hand, drawing the attention of the audience. His deep voice echoed once again.
"Next challenge. Lin Qiao, from the Deep Roots Sect, against Rank 96, Zhao Ping!"
A murmur rose from the crowd.
Lin Qiao, the tall and slender young woman with long black hair and a serene expression, stood up in the reserved stands. She said nothing, only nodded to the other leaders, and jumped into the arena. Her Qi spread around her like invisible roots, making the ground tremble slightly.
Zhao Ping exited from the opposite gate. A thin man, dark-blue robe, curved daggers in his hands. Peak of Qi Liberation.
Elder Tian gave the signal.
"Begin."
Zhao Ping attacked first, movement a blur, poisoned daggers tracing green lines through the air.
Lin Qiao did not retreat. She stepped onto the ground. Wood-element Qi roots emerged around her, forming a living barrier that blocked the daggers. The blades became stuck in the roots, the poison dripping uselessly.
Lin Qiao counterattacked.
Thick roots burst from the ground, trying to bind Zhao Ping.
He dodged with agility, but one root struck his leg, cutting flesh. Blood flowed. Zhao Ping growled and threw more daggers, now infused with wind Qi to increase speed.
The fight was intense for ten minutes. Zhao Ping was fast, but Lin Qiao controlled the terrain.
Roots rose like walls, bound, and attacked.
In the end, she created a trap. Roots closed like a cage around Zhao Ping. He tried to cut through with his daggers, but the roots regenerated with wood Qi. A thin root pierced his shoulder, injecting paralyzing Qi.
Zhao Ping fell to his knees.
"I surrender."
Elder Tian raised his hand.
"Victory to Lin Qiao, of the Deep Roots Sect!"
Lin Qiao’s name appeared at rank 96. Zhao Ping disappeared from the list.
The crowd applauded, now with more respect than mockery.
The next fights came in sequence.
Han Mu, from the Earthly Forge, a robust man with a spiritual hammer, faced rank 94. He won with heavy blows that cracked the ground and shattered the opponent’s defense. Han Mu took rank 94.
Gu Tian, from the Radiant Sky Sect, a young man in white robes with a radiant sword, fought rank 93. His victory came with light-infused slashes that burned the opponent into surrender. Gu Tian rose to rank 93.
Mo Qian, from the Blue Mountain Alliance, muscular, fists reinforced with mountain-like Qi, faced rank 91. He won with punches that created seismic shockwaves. Mo Qian took rank 91.
So far, all the leaders of the external forces had defeated their opponents.
No ranked fighter had won. The crowd was divided. Many were saddened by losing stones, but none stopped betting. There were still many fights throughout the rest of the day and during the week before the auction, many hoped to recover lost money and gain even more.
After the victories of the main leaders of the external forces, the pace of the fights changed.
Other disciples of certain forces, not the leaders, but talented young ones sent as support, like Mei Li and the others, had the opportunity to challenge.
They did not face the old ranked fighters but the new occupants of the lower rankings. The very leaders who had just risen.
Nan Feng Yu was called again. This time, his opponent was a disciple from the Gray Blade Sect, a young man in gray robes, long sword on his back.
Nan Feng Yu smiled when he saw the name in the sky.
"Another one."
He jumped into the arena with the same wind-like grace.
The Gray Blade disciple attacked with rapid slashes, sword intent creating silver lines in the air.
Nan Feng Yu dodged with gusts of wind and counterattacked with air blades that sliced the opponent’s robe. The fight lasted eight intense minutes, but Nan Feng Yu finished with a concentrated gust that broke the opponent’s defense and forced him to surrender.
The crowd applauded, but now with less surprise. The new names were dominating.
Kyrian watched in silence.
He noticed that the reserved stands for challengers still had unfamiliar faces, young members of smaller forces, and some older challengers, independent cultivators or from small sects who had gathered stones to try their luck. He imagined that he might be challenged by one of them later.
The fights continued.
A disciple from the Blue Mountain Alliance faced Han Mu. Most bet on Han Mu, after all, he was ranked now. Han Mu won with some effort, using his spiritual hammer.
Another. A young man from the Radiant Sky Sect unexpectedly challenged Gu Tian. Heavy bets on Gu Tian, he was known for his light slashes. Gu Tian defeated his fellow disciple with a sword of light, cutting through the young man’s defense and forcing him to yield.
Then, an independent cultivator faced Mo Qian. The crowd bet on Mo Qian, his brute strength known. And, as expected, he won without much struggle.
The crowd shouted in frustration but was excited.
As expected, the new ranked fighters were winning, and bets against them were yielding more and more.
Many spectators were losing money but kept betting.
"There are still many fights! The day has just begun!"
After seven fights, Elder Tian raised his hand once more.
"Next challenge. Kyrian of the Blood Court, against Rank 85, Li Shen!"