strictlysupreme Chapter 331 : Champion’s Duel, Death Duel!
Chapter 331 : Champion’s Duel, Death Duel!
Chapter 331: Champion’s Duel, Death Duel!
Before the courtyard, Mo Qingmei looked at Chu Huaixu. Listening to the promise from his mouth, her pupils could not help but tremble slightly.
As a steward of the Dao Gate, she was certainly a capable and strong woman.
During this period, she had been busy running around and had never shown overly heavy emotions.
But for some reason, at this moment, her eyes suddenly felt a little sore.
In truth, she did not even know what Chu Huaixu planned to do, nor what he was capable of doing.
Her first instinct right now was even to tell him: “Having this intention is already very good. But do not act recklessly, and do not hurt yourself.”
Mo Qingmei was truly afraid he would do something dangerous.
Chu Huaixu looked at her, warmth rising in his heart.
All along, his private interactions with Steward Mo had not actually been many.
But he could feel that she was sincerely thinking for his sake.
Thus, he could only nod first.
Just like that, the Dao Gate’s delegation moved in a grand procession toward the Martial Arena.
Even though there was still some time before the competition began, the place was already packed to the brim.
Among the crowd were not only major cultivators, but also many dignitaries and nobles of Moon Country.
The battle for the Xuanhuang Champion was the main event.
Even His Majesty the Emperor would personally attend—its grandeur could well be imagined.
After all, the fundamental purpose of this grand competition had always revolved around the 【Origin Spirit Realm】—this was of utmost importance.
Moreover, even the Ancestor Emperor had personally taken the field on someone’s behalf. If you, an unfilial junior, still didn’t come out of the palace to show support, what were you waiting for?
It was already merciful enough that no one forced you to kneel and watch!
And the moment Chu Huaixu appeared, he immediately drew everyone’s attention.
As usual, the people of Moon Country harbored intense hatred toward him.
Cold snorts rose one after another. Quite a few spat in disdain, and countless others cast cold gazes his way.
Yet this young man clad in a black-gold long robe faced it all with complete ease.
He even began imitating his grandmaster’s usual unpleasant manner—his face full of arrogance, utterly haughty.
What was amusing was that Chu Huaixu’s prestige among his fellow Dao Gate disciples was extremely high.
At this moment, whenever someone glared at him, Dao Gate disciples would glare right back.
Snow still drifted down from the sky.
On the high platform, more and more cultivation powerhouses took their seats.
Scholar Cheng, Cheng Yuyan, arrived early, folding fan in hand.
Even in such snowy weather, he still fanned himself without pause.
This Number One Rogue Cultivator had always been curious about what medicine Chu Huaixu was selling in his gourd.
Undoubtedly, today he would get his answer.
“Interesting. I didn’t expect this competition to be this entertaining!”
“This trip was not in vain,” Scholar Cheng thought.
His gaze drifted toward Chu Huaixu. His intuition told him that something major would happen today.
In fact, he had already vaguely guessed what the boy intended to do.
But even so, he could not help but think: “Is this truly feasible?”
He believed Chu Huaixu could not accomplish it.
At this moment, Jiang Zhi and the others arrived through the air, descending onto the high platform.
Cheng Yuyan immediately stood up and took the initiative to sit beside him.
“Senior Jiang, the good show is about to begin. Why don’t you explain it to me first?” Cheng Yuyan said, lightly waving his folding fan.
“Oh? You want me to tell you a story?” Jiang Zhi glanced at him coldly.
Seeing that he had actually chosen to sit beside him, Jiang Zhi still asked, “You are a smart man—perhaps the smartest here.”
“Since you know the show is about to begin, are you sure you still want to sit beside me?” His words carried hidden meaning.
Cheng Yuyan immediately put on a slightly aggrieved expression and exclaimed, “Senior Jiang, what are you saying! I regard Senior Zhong as half a mentor. Moreover, I know I owe the Dao Gate a tremendous favor.”
“This seat—others may not sit here, but I must!” He blinked at Jiang Zhi.
The Dao Gate’s Little Martial Uncle looked at him, unable to tell whether he was speaking human words or nonsense. He merely snorted coldly and ignored him.
This peerless killing prodigy was the worst at dealing with people like Cheng Yuyan.
Only Chu Yinyin, who was straightforward, spoke bluntly: “Hey! Then you better not speak and treat your words like fart!”
“Elder Chu jokes. How could I be someone who goes back on his word?” Cheng Yuyan still smiled.
But as soon as he finished speaking, the Old State Preceptor Ming Xuanji arrived through the air. Scholar Cheng immediately turned his head away and resumed fanning himself while admiring the snow, not saying a single word.
This made Chu Yinyin roll her eyes slightly.
Soon after, the Mountain Master of the Academy, Zhuge Boyue, also arrived.
Along with him came the Blade Bearer of Moon Country’s number one sect, Mountains Beyond Mountains—Li Fu, a Ninth Realm expert.
This man was at the Ninth Realm, Second Heaven. Slightly older than Cheng Yuyan, he appeared taciturn and not very tall.
From appearance and temperament alone, one could not tell he was a Ninth Realm powerhouse.
With this, once the Guardian of the Nation accompanied the Moon Emperor later, Moon Country would have four Ninth Realm experts present to watch this competition!
Such a lineup was unprecedented!
Not long after, the Sword Sovereign and Tian Luo also arrived one after another.
In contrast, on the side of Mirror Country of the Eastern Continent, although those present were all influential major cultivators, only Tian Luo was openly at the Ninth Realm.
Even if Jiang Zhi—who had fallen in realm—and the Sword Sovereign—who had yet to enter the Ninth Realm—possessed combat power comparable to ordinary Ninth Realm experts, they still lacked numerical advantage.
At this moment, a streak of light cut across the sky.
The barefoot Female State Preceptor descended onto the high platform and took her seat beside Ming Xuanji.
Lowering her gaze, she immediately saw Chu Huaixu standing side by side with Han Shuangjiang.
For some reason, she could not help but size up this cold-tempered young woman.
“Truly a peerless beauty rarely seen in the mortal world,” she sighed inwardly.
Even someone as experienced and well-traveled as her found such beauty rare in a lifetime.
“For Chu Huaixu to have such a Dao Companion, he truly is fortunate,” she inexplicably thought.
After a while, the Heir of Prince Rui, Qin Xuanxiao, finally “arrived late.”
The moment he appeared, he was like stars surrounding the moon.
The Moon Country cultivators and nobles below were filled with enthusiasm.
“Your Highness, you must win the match!”
“Your Highness, teach that Chu Huaixu a lesson!”
“The position of Xuanhuang Champion will surely be yours!”
As Qin Xuanxiao walked forward, he nodded slightly to the crowd.
The petite Lin Zixuan followed behind him, not walking side by side with him, as that would violate etiquette.
Looking at the massive crowd, she felt that if she were in Prince Heir’s position, the pressure would be immense.
Sometimes, what was called public expectation could also become a heavy burden.
Because too many people had gathered at the Martial Arena, the scene was extremely noisy.
The Old State Preceptor Ming Xuanji, seated on the high platform, suddenly stood up and activated the spiritual energy within his body. His voice spread across the entire arena:
“Silence! Welcome His Majesty!”
The Guardian of the Nation, Xiahou Yue, brought the Moon Emperor to the Martial Arena.
All the people of Moon Country began to bow.
Even the Sword Sovereign and others stood up politely and paid their respects.
This elderly man, already advanced in years and appearing frail, stood at the very peak of power in the entire Xuanhuang Realm.
After all, in Mirror Country, the court was weak, and the Four Great Sects held more authority than the court—but there were four sects.
But Moon Country was the royal family’s Moon Country—his Moon Country!
However, now that Jiang Zhi and the others knew the Ancestor Emperor was still alive…
Some of their views had begun to change.
After the Moon Emperor took his seat at the main position, he said nothing.
The Guardian of the Nation Xiahou Yue sat beside him.
There was still about half an incense stick’s time before the Champion’s Duel officially began.
Yet Chu Huaixu calmly rose to his feet, lightly tapping his toes and leaping onto the platform.
Standing at the other end below the platform, Qin Xuanxiao suddenly frowned.
This sudden scene was extremely similar to before the preliminary round, when Chu Huaixu had abruptly stood up to expose Niu Yuanshan’s identity—hinting in front of everyone that he was a spy of Moon Country.
“What is he trying to do!” the Heir of Prince Rui’s gaze sharpened.
Even more absurd was that Chu Huaixu’s reputation among the people of Moon Country was so poor that the moment he stepped onto the platform—before doing anything at all—the crowd was already filled with boos.
Amid the boos were curses and countless pointing fingers.
The young man holding a sword scabbard circulated the spiritual energy within his body, causing his voice to explode across the arena like thunder:
“Shut your mouths!”
This sudden shout stunned most of the crowd into brief silence.
However, what followed would only be an even fiercer backlash!
Among the audience were many major cultivators of the Fifth and even Sixth Realm, as well as countless Moon Country nobles.
And now, four Ninth Realm experts of Moon Country were seated on the high platform!
Even the Moon Emperor himself had personally arrived!
Yet you still dared to be this arrogant?!
Curses erupted from all directions, resounding through the sky.
Even the Moon Emperor on the high platform could not help but frown slightly.
Little did they know—this was exactly what Chu Huaixu wanted!
Fortunately, the competition had its rules, and with so many powerhouses and the Emperor present, no one dared to rush onto the platform in anger.
Amid the curses of tens of thousands, Chu Huaixu once again circulated his spiritual energy, his voice booming like thunder:
He raised the black sword scabbard in his hand and pointed it toward the Heir of Prince Rui on the opposite side of the platform, shouting furiously:
“Qin Xuanxiao!!!”
This shout caused the surrounding curses to suddenly lessen. Many people subconsciously shut their mouths and pricked up their ears.
What the hell was Chu Huaixu trying to do?!
“Two months ago, I did not know what leverage you held, yet you publicly slandered Dao Gate Steward Niu Yuanshan as a spy of your Moon Country! You forced him to admit it! You made veiled accusations against me, and in the end, you drove him to self-inflicted death before everyone!”
“I, Chu Huaixu, was discovered by Elder Li Chunsong and brought into the Dao Gate! Entrusted to Steward Niu for care in the outer sect!”
“Steward Niu was highly respected in the outer sect, beloved by Dao Gate disciples. He treated me like his own nephew, and I regarded him as an uncle!”
“As for your ulterior motives, your unspeakable schemes, and what happened after I entered the Imperial Pool—I will spare your Moon Country some face and not mention them for now!”
“But—!”
This single word “But” rang like clashing metal, shaking everyone’s eardrums painfully!
“The hatred of you forcing Steward Niu to death—I must avenge it! It must be repaid in blood!”
Chu Huaixu raised his left hand and used sword qi to cut a wound across his palm.
In an instant, the entire arena erupted in shock. Everyone understood what he intended to do!
Even Qin Xuanxiao’s eyelids began twitching uncontrollably.
Lin Zixuan behind him slightly parted her lips, her heart surging with shock—she had never imagined things would develop to this point!
—This was a Death Duel Pact!
In the centuries-long history of the Eastern and Western Continents’ Grand Competition, this was the first time such a terrifying situation had appeared in the Champion’s Duel!
Chu Huaixu continued pointing the sword scabbard at him from afar:
“Qin Xuanxiao!!!”
“You are the Heir of Moon Country, of imperial nobility!”
“Today, before your countless citizens of Moon Country—”
The sword scabbard swept across the vast sea of spectators:
“Before your Moon Country Emperor seated on that high platform—”
The scabbard rose like a halberd, pointing to the sky before turning back toward him:
“Right here, on the platform of the Champion’s Duel!”
His voice suddenly surged to its peak, booming like a great bell:
“Today, you and I shall not only determine superiority—”
“But also decide life and death!”
“You—”
“Do you dare accept!!!”