Chapter 331
Chapter 331: Facing Death
A day passed swiftly.
Wang Jie spoke with no one, merely sitting on his cushion in quiet rest until the second day arrived.
As his vision cleared, he stepped onto the battle platform and immediately looked forward. Across from him stood a woman—Gui Xiao Die.
At the same instant, Gui Xiao Die also noticed Wang Jie. Both felt surprised but quickly calmed themselves. With only ten contenders left, any opponent was possible.
Gui Xiao Die studied Wang Jie carefully, recalling their conversation yesterday.
[What qualities does this man possess, to have a Lord-level figure relay a message to Cold Smoke Crossing? Even the Ancestor was alarmed.]
Wang Jie glanced at the other five platforms.
[This round will be interesting.]
Aside from himself and Gui Xiao Die, Qing Kong faced Zhou Ye, and Wu Ming stood opposite Hou Qing Ge. Jing Hong and Ting Chen each faced relatively weaker opponents, clearly evident from their appearances.
The cultivator standing opposite Jing Hong wore a look of despair, realizing his luck had run dry. Deep in his heart, he knew his strength wouldn’t even grant him a top hundred spot, let alone the top ten. But luck had carried him this far, and he had hoped for one final miracle to reach the top five—or even the top three.
Yet now, facing Jing Hong—the tournament’s most unfathomable competitor—his luck had finally ended.
He turned toward the adjacent platform and saw a smiling face. It belonged to the man standing opposite Ting Chen. This fellow had also relied on luck to get here, but he was still feeling pleased. Fortune favored him yet again, placing him against an unknown girl. One more easy victory, and he’d reach the top five.
Just imagining it felt wonderful.
Wang Jie noticed the man’s happy expression and felt a bit of pity. [Poor guy doesn’t realize what kind of opponent he’s facing.] Although Wang Jie himself didn’t fully know Ting Chen’s strength, he was certain that anyone accepted into his bargain master’s circle couldn’t possibly be ordinary.
“Hey,” came a voice.
Wang Jie turned. Gui Xiao Die was calling him.
Gui Xiao Die carefully looked Wang Jie up and down and asked, “What is your background?”
Wang Jie felt puzzled: “Why ask?”
“I’m curious.”
“I’m from Black White Heaven.”
Gui Xiao Die instinctively sneered but restrained herself: “And?”
“And what?”
“You must have another identity beyond just Black White Heaven. Tell me, what else?”
“I refuse.”
“Are you scared to say it?”
“I know you’re a spy.”
Gui Xiao Die was stunned for a moment. [Spy? What nonsense is he talking about? Whose spy?]
Wang Jie sighed comfortably. [Perfect. I must have completed two missions at once.] The first was to refuse a stunningly beautiful woman, and this Gui Xiao Die, chased by countless admirers across the universe, definitely counted. The second mission was telling a proud girl, “I know you’re a spy.” No doubt about it—this woman was definitely proud.
“Did someone say something to you?” Without giving her time to think, Wang Jie turned serious and asked directly.
Gui Xiao Die didn’t deny it.
Wang Jie immediately guessed the truth. It seemed his bargain master’s enemy had begun making moves. Ancestor Zhi Yu once warned that if Wang Jie failed to stand at the pinnacle of the universe, no one—not even Black White Heaven itself—could guarantee their safety. He still didn’t know exactly how powerful this enemy was, but if they could influence Cold Smoke Crossing, then their strength must be extraordinary.
Suddenly, several gazes fixed upon Wang Jie. He frowned and turned, seeing Hou Qing Ge, Wu Ming, and even Ting Chen staring simultaneously. His heart sank. [Could it be? Did that enemy also say something to these three?] The realization left his expression grave.
Gui Xiao Die continued observing Wang Jie, muttering quietly, “You don’t look particularly special. Still, for a Lock Force cultivator to reach this stage is historic—but this is as far as you’ll go.”
Wang Jie looked directly at Gui Xiao Die and asked, “What did that person tell you?”
“He told me I must defeat you,” Gui Xiao Die replied truthfully. There was no need to lie. Men didn’t require deceit—just obedience.
“And if you lose?”
“Hmph! Impossible.”
“I said ‘if’,” Wang Jie insisted, wanting to gauge the influence that enemy held over Cold Smoke Crossing.
Gui Xiao Die ignored him and turned away.
Wang Jie nodded solemnly and said, “Looks like I should lose on purpose, or your Cold Smoke Crossing is finished. I wouldn’t want innocents to suffer.”
Gui Xiao Die snapped her head toward him, glaring angrily. “What did you say?”
“I said I should lose. Aren’t you afraid?”
“Who’s afraid? What nonsense are you spouting?”
Several gazes focused sharply on them again.
Gui Xiao Die glared fiercely at Wang Jie. “Stop your nonsense! Cold Smoke Crossing fears no one, least of all those madmen from Star Palace!” But as soon as she uttered those words, she froze, her face paling in sudden alarm.
Wang Jie’s heart stirred at her words. [Star Palace? Madmen?]
He instantly thought of the crazed man at Starport.
Outside, most spectators couldn’t comprehend Gui Xiao Die’s words, but those who understood wore expressions of deep apprehension, as though the mere mention of those two words carried extraordinary power.
Meanwhile, in the direction of Black White Heaven, Shu Rang stood quietly beside Zhi Yu.
Zhi Yu shook his head, saying, “You should have told the child earlier. Then he wouldn’t have forced the girl to speak out in such a place. Now there’s no turning back. Either he stands as the champion of the Full Star Realm and opens the upcoming Wandering Star Realm martial gathering under the protection of the Starry Martial Meet, or else…” He left the rest unsaid, but the meaning was clear.
Shu Rang gazed thoughtfully at the light screen, lost in thought, “My disciple has chosen the hardest path from the start. It might be best to push himself forward. After all, everyone must stake their life once.”
Zhi Yu muttered quietly, “Just don’t drag my Black White Heaven along into your gamble. We can’t afford it.”
Shu Rang laughed softly, replying lightly, “If worst comes to worst, we’ll just start again from scratch.”
Zhi Yu rolled his eyes, retorting dryly, “Easy for you to say when you’ve nothing to lose. My household has much to protect—don’t drag me down with you.”
Shu Rang chuckled, then exhaled slowly, saying gently, “Rest assured, old friend, I promise no harm will come to your home.”
Zhi Yu’s gaze grew complicated.
The matches on the arena had begun.
The first battle was Jing Hong’s.
His opponent stared bitterly at the offered red packet, his expression like he’d just swallowed a dead fly, muttering, “I refuse.” Dissatisfied, Jing Hong slapped him down immediately.
In the second battle, Zhou Ye faced Qing Kong.
Everyone was deeply curious about Zhou Ye’s true strength. Yesterday, Sincere One Dao had received numerous inquiries from outsiders trying to learn more through Shao Gu Chen. However, Shao Gu Chen had sealed himself off in secluded meditation, giving no replies.
As for Qing Kong, she had received enlightenment tea, marking her as a formidable expert.
Now, the crowd waited to see if Qing Kong could force Zhou Ye to reveal his power.
“Please instruct me,” Zhou Ye politely spoke first.
Qing Kong calmly watched him, “Shao Gu Chen has already seen through your strength?”
Zhou Ye nodded, “Yes, he has.”
“I wish to see clearly as well,” Qing Kong said, her beautiful violet eyes locked onto him, “You may begin.”
Beneath the glowing screen, an eerie silence filled the arena.
One competitor cross-eyed, the other with violet pupils; both extraordinary.
Yet stranger still, Qing Kong showed no intention of defending or counterattacking.
She stood perfectly still as Zhou Ye’s arrow pierced her body, crimson droplets scattering.
Zhou Ye frowned, “You neither dodge nor defend.”
“I wish to experience your arrow technique.”
“But your behavior insults me.”
Qing Kong suddenly replied, “Whatever Sincere One Dao can achieve, our Alliance can match.”
Outsiders didn’t know that Nan Dou Bridge Pillar was divided between two great powers: one side, Sincere One Dao, controlled most territories and abundant resources, able alone to rival colossal sects like Armor One and Three Chan Heaven. On the other side stood the Alliance—made of the remaining forces joining together to challenge Sincere One Dao.
Qing Kong belonged to the Alliance.
Thus, whatever Shao Gu Chen achieved, she must achieve as well. Whatever Sincere One Dao understood, the Alliance must understand equally.
Zhou Ye spoke unhappily, “I too come from Nan Dou Bridge Pillar. The struggle between Sincere One Dao and your Alliance has only made life harder for scattered cultivators like me. Standing here today, I represent, to some extent, those independent cultivators.”
Qing Kong looked steadily at him, “Who you represent does not concern me. I simply refuse to stand beneath Sincere One Dao.”
She was dismissing him entirely.
Both Sincere One Dao and the Alliance ignored independent cultivators.
Not only at Nan Dou Bridge Pillar; it was the same everywhere.
No more words were needed.
Zhou Ye shot another arrow. If you wish to feel it, then so be it.
Qing Kong allowed each arrow to pierce through her flesh, experiencing Zhou Ye’s strength with her very life. If she could see through it clearly, victory was possible. If not, better to preserve her strength for the Wandering Star Realm martial gathering than lose here and reveal her true power.
At Sincere One Dao, Shao Gu Chen stared at the screen, Shao Ling’er standing beside him.
“This lass is your true rival,” Shao Ling’er spoke softly, “Her goal has always been you.”
Shao Gu Chen replied calmly, “But I’ve already lost.”
Shao Ling’er smiled carelessly, “Small tricks won’t get him far. Zhou Ye has some skill, but once clearly understood, there are plenty of ways to deal with him. The sect refrained from telling you this, hoping you’d realize it yourself.”
“At the Wandering Star Realm gathering, I won’t lose to him again,” Shao Gu Chen vowed.
Shao Ling’er laughed lightly, “I doubt he’ll even qualify to face you again.”
Everyone watched Qing Kong being pierced arrow after arrow. The stunning woman’s violet eyes never lost their determined gaze, even as her form vanished entirely from the arena.
In the end, no one knew whether she’d truly glimpsed Zhou Ye’s strength.
Yet, everyone now carried a deep impression of her. Few had the courage to willingly embrace death, especially someone granted enlightenment tea, even if this death wasn’t truly final.
Zhou Ye bowed respectfully toward the direction Qing Kong vanished.
Next battle: Wang Jie versus Gui Xiao Die.
Another recipient of enlightenment tea would inevitably fall. Previously, Wen Qing, Shao Gu Chen, and Qing Kong had lost, and now either Wang Jie or Gui Xiao Die would join them.
As the barrier vanished, Gui Xiao Die curled her finger invitingly toward Wang Jie, “Come.”
Wang Jie didn’t hold back, immediately unleashing a palm strike. The domineering, fierce power swept toward Gui Xiao Die.
Above Gui Xiao Die’s head, starforce shaped itself into a fish, leaping gracefully, treating the void as its lake—Observing Fish Art.
The fish swam toward the incoming palm energy, dispersing the fierce strike instantly.
Wang Jie raised an eyebrow, stepping forward and striking again. This time, he combined spirit and force—another palm strike.
Gui Xiao Die’s Observing Fish Art swam forth again. Compared to before, it took slightly longer to neutralize this strike.
Wang Jie delivered a third palm.
If she wanted to rely solely on the Observing Fish Art to dissipate his power, then let her try.
Within the Full Star Realm, aside from cosmic giant beasts, no human had yet been found who could directly resist his strength.
The third palm merged spirit with spirit.
Visible waves of energy surged and churned, pressing down toward Gui Xiao Die.