Chapter 139: You Have Nine Seconds Left

Everyone turned around to see that the one who had called out to them was a young man dressed in blue robes. His face was as fair as jade, his eyes brilliantly clear, and a jade crown bound his hair atop his head. His bearing was extraordinary.

“Zheng Yusheng, what do you want?”

Zhou Xunchuan furrowed his brows slightly as he glared at the man before him, his tone displeased.

“I wish to challenge a friend from Heavenly Qin.”

Zheng Yusheng did not take offense at Zhou Xunchuan’s tone. He merely spoke in a mild voice.

Zhou Tian looked at Zheng Yusheng. This was one of the people who had occupied an area by himself earlier. He was undoubtedly a prodigy on the same level as Zhou Xunchuan and She Yin. Zhou Tian simply had no idea whom he intended to challenge. Surely it could not be him?

“Who do you wish to challenge?”

Zhou Xunchuan’s brows drew together even more. Zhou Tian might not know, but he did: this man was a prodigy of the Great Luo Academy, and his target was very likely Zhou Tian.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou Tian.”

Zheng Yusheng smiled faintly and spoke those words unhurriedly.

Zhou Tian was slightly taken aback. Me? He wants to challenge me? Interesting.

“Zheng Yusheng!” Zhou Xunchuan shouted. “If you want a fight, I’ll gladly oblige!”

“Every grievance has its source, and every debt its debtor. Several of my junior fellow students suffered humiliation in Heavenly Qin. Naturally, I have to restore our academy’s honor.”

Zheng Yusheng paid no attention to Zhou Xunchuan’s furious outburst. He continued smiling as he spoke.

Zhou Tian suddenly understood. So he was from the Great Luo Academy. No wonder he had set his sights on him.

“Of course, Fellow Daoist Zhou Tian may refuse. After all, a challenge is not an order. But if you refuse, then I must trouble you to keep well away from any place where disciples of the Great Luo Academy are present in the future.”

Zheng Yusheng’s tone remained calm and even, but his words were viciously cutting.

Those nearby who had been preparing to leave all stopped and turned their gazes toward them. It seemed there was a good show to watch—and the tension was thick enough to ignite.

“You’re courting death!” Zhou Xunchuan roared, divine light flashing in his eyes as runes swirled around his hands.

The others also glared at Zheng Yusheng unhappily.

“I accept.”

Zhou Tian stepped forward and came to stand before Zheng Yusheng. His voice was low and firm.

“Excellent! Brother Zhou Tian is indeed a hero of his generation. That is much more in keeping with the rumors.”

Zheng Yusheng clapped his hands and laughed heartily, praising him.

“Brother Zhou Tian, name the day. I shall await you at any time.”

Zhou Tian considered the matter. Dealing with this fellow would not take much effort, so he said, “Since you are willing to wait at any time, why not today? Let’s not waste everyone’s time.”

Zheng Yusheng was also briefly stunned, but he quickly recovered.

“Brother, you are truly forthright. Today it is, then. Please take the arena!”

“Zhou Tian…”

Tian Ling called out worriedly. Zhou Xunchuan and the others also knitted their brows tightly. With that Great Emperor watching over them, there was no danger to their lives. What concerned them was the possibility that Zheng Yusheng might humiliate Zhou Tian. Yet Zhou Tian had already accepted the challenge, and they could do nothing to stop him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”

Zhou Tian offered them a reassuring smile.

Zheng Yusheng’s expression remained unchanged. He was not angered by Zhou Tian’s contempt. In his eyes, Zhou Tian was merely a useless freeloader who relied on his family. There was no need to lose his temper over him.

“Zheng Yusheng, a simple fight is rather meaningless. Why don’t we add something to the wager?”

Zhou Tian spoke, already calculating how to take this fellow for all he was worth.

“Oh? Please, Brother, go on.”

Zheng Yusheng seemed interested as well.

“Here’s the deal. If you lose, you may not appear anywhere I am present from now on—and vice versa. What do you think?”

Zhou Tian slightly altered the words Zheng Yusheng had used moments earlier. Zheng Yusheng’s original demand had been too unrealistic; it could not possibly bind every member of an entire faction. He had merely used it to provoke Zhou Tian.

“Agreed.”

Zheng Yusheng nodded and accepted Zhou Tian’s proposal.

“Since we’re aiming for fairness, I’ll give you ten seconds. If you can touch even the corner of my robe, I’ll count it as my loss. Once those ten seconds are up, you can only pray for yourself.”

Zhou Tian thought it over again and felt that he might be bullying his opponent a little, so he made that concession.

“Hahaha! Brother Zhou Tian, you are quite the humorist.”

Zheng Yusheng threw back his head and laughed as though he had heard the funniest thing in the world.

He had no idea what confidence a mortal like Zhou Tian possessed, but he certainly did not believe he could lose.

As for the rumors that Zhou Tian had once shouted a Saint King to his knees—he did not believe a single word of them. This was Heavenly Qin territory, and he could deal with Zhou Tian however he pleased.

The spectators erupted into a commotion, whispering among themselves. They thought Zhou Tian had lost his mind. Zheng Yusheng was a renowned prodigy who had even killed a Sage before.

The corners of Zhou Xunchuan and the others’ eyes twitched.

Big brother, you really are something else.

“Do as you please. I’m going to do it anyway.”

Zhou Tian shrugged and walked toward the arena. He did not swear any oath. With the prodigies of so many factions watching, no one could go back on their word.

As he walked, Zhou Tian called out, “Senior Fool!”

The old man’s figure suddenly appeared in the void. His expression was calm as he asked, “Why have you summoned me?”

Zhou Tian’s status was not low, and he was qualified to speak with the old man directly. Besides, the Fool had been openly flirting and cozying up to Heavenly Qin, so he had no standing to put on airs.

“I’m afraid I may lose control and kill him later. You’ll have to intervene in time.”

Zhou Tian continued walking as he spoke, calculating the distance. The moment he stepped onto the arena, the battle would begin. He needed a target for his Copy Cultivation skill. The prodigies nearby would not do; he needed overwhelming power, and this old man—the Fool—was just right.

“Hahaha! Go ahead and fight to your heart’s content!”

The old man was amused by Zhou Tian as well. From what he sensed, Zhou Tian possessed not the slightest trace of energy. He had no idea where the young man found the confidence to say such things.

Zheng Yusheng had already flashed into the arena. Hearing those words, he could not help but knit his brows. Zhou Tian had been verbally belittling him from beginning to end, and even he was beginning to lose his temper. He had originally entered the fray on behalf of his academy, but now he was genuinely enraged.

Zhou Tian smiled faintly. Just before stepping into the arena, he activated his skill.

A vast surge of energy instantly filled his entire body. Once again, he looked as though he had swallowed a little blue pill, though the sensation was nowhere near as powerful as when he had copied the cultivation of the Saint Demon.

The old man was slightly startled. Why did he suddenly feel unable to see through Zhou Tian?

But he said nothing more and simply vanished.

The instant Zhou Tian entered the arena, Zheng Yusheng’s blue robes billowed in the wind. His eyes turned icy, and blazing blue light poured down like rain. In that single moment, he unleashed at least five or six divine abilities, each one a supreme technique with unparalleled offensive power.

Zhou Tian casually waved a hand.

A gentle breeze swept past, and all the blue light vanished without a trace.

He then tapped himself a few times, pretending to break some seal, and shouted, “Ninefold Dark Dragon Seal! Release!”

He let his aura loose.

The might of a Great Emperor burst forth, causing the void to tremble as chaotic storms raged. Zhou Tian’s body shone like the sun itself. Smiling at Zheng Yusheng, he said,

“Little friend, you have ten seconds left. No, make that nine. Treasure them.”