Chapter 107: Lin Feng’s Choice

“Do you know him?” Nangong Lin shook the fat on his face and asked with a hint of confusion.

“Hm? No!” Ye Cheng quickly shook his head. “I just heard that that place, Poison Dragon City, isn’t very peaceful.”

Nangong Lin responded with an “Oh,” then suddenly said, “Right, where was I just now?”

Ye Cheng gave a faint, ironic smile and replied helplessly, “You were talking about that genius from Poison Dragon City’s Hai family.”

Nangong Lin scratched his head and chuckled slightly, then his tone grew serious. “What I want to tell you is that the cold-looking man in the black robe in the middle is that damned old man Tiemu Qiu’s grandson, Tiemu Qing. Among the three, his strength is probably the most formidable. I’m afraid even my cousin might not be his match.”

Nearby, Nangong Xue heard her name mentioned and couldn’t help but glare at Nangong Lin. Her gaze then hardened as she looked toward the cold-faced young man in the black robe. She didn’t refute what he said—Tiemu Qing was indeed formidable, his strength having reached the peak of the Blood Energy Realm earlier than she had.

Although Nangong Xue had gained a significant boost in power from the Nine Heavens Mystic Sword Technique she had acquired in the ancient cave, much time had passed since then. She reckoned that Tiemu Qing’s strength must have advanced even further. Facing him, she still lacked confidence.

“Oh,” Ye Cheng scrutinized the black-robed youth standing with his arms at his sides. He sensed an unusually vigorous blood energy radiating from the young man, as if it had entered a new phase, yet it felt restrained and inward.

“Could he have already condensed the Star Blood Crystal?” Ye Cheng speculated silently. The Star Blood Crystal was a process for warriors who reached the peak of the Blood Energy Realm to advance toward its fulfillment. Those with special constitutions could easily condense nine crystals, achieving the ultimate ninety-nine, stepping into the realm of complete mastery.

Those without special constitutions but possessing exceptional martial talent could also condense blood crystals, though rarely reaching nine due to inherent physical limitations. For example, Nangong Xiong had only managed to condense four crystals.

“Has this guy been through a long period of slaughter?” Upon closer observation, Ye Cheng suddenly noticed that besides the blood energy, Tiemu Qing exuded a faint, elusive aura of killing intent, as if he had crawled out from a land of Asuras.

“You’re really something if you can see that,” Nangong Lin said with surprise, puffing up his chubby face as he looked at Ye Cheng before nodding. “Tiemu Qing was placed in the army by that old man Tiemu Qiu for three years. In those three years, he leaped from a small accomplishment in the Blood Energy Realm straight to the peak. Among peers at the peak Blood Energy Realm, no one has beaten him yet.”

“No wonder the Blood Fiend Gang proposed such a challenge for the young generation under seventeen,” Ye Cheng couldn’t help but admire Tiemu Qiu’s cunning. But Tiemu Qiu was ruthless too. Three years ago, Tiemu Qiu was only fourteen, yet he had already thrown his fourteen-year-old grandson, Tiemu Qing, into the army.

It was known that among the young generation under seventeen, most were only at the minor accomplishment of the Blood Energy Realm, a few had reached the great accomplishment, and only a handful had reached the peak. In all of Eternal City, only Tiemu Qing and Nangong Xue had achieved the peak, with Tiemu Qing clearly stronger. Besides, Hai Chao was their genius youth recruited from Poison Dragon City. By this calculation, their odds of victory were very high.

...

While Ye Cheng and Nangong Lin were conversing, Tiemu Qiu’s gaze swept over them, lingering longer on Ye Cheng before settling on Nangong Hao. He smiled insincerely and said, “Nangong Hao, steward. That young brother behind you looks unfamiliar to me. I wonder which faction’s genius he is from.”

From Tiemu Qiu’s perspective, anyone invited as an external reinforcement was usually a genius at either the great accomplishment or peak Blood Energy Realm, and such talents usually came from major powers. Of course, it wasn’t impossible they came from ordinary families, but the chance was slim.

Before this, he wanted to find out the youth’s background. If his backing was a force that even the Blood Fiend Gang dared not provoke, he would have to instruct his men to hold back. Otherwise, provoking that power would be a headache. But if the force was weak, killing the youth outright wouldn’t matter.

“Poison Snake, I don’t think I’m obliged to tell you where this young brother comes from!” Nangong Hao showed clear disdain and addressed Tiemu Qiu by his nickname, refusing to answer.

“Since both sides are here, let’s begin the competition. Doesn’t your Blood Fiend Gang very much want this ‘Chosen One’ spot? The sooner we start, the sooner we end, and we won’t waste time here,” Xie Cang spoke bluntly, showing no courtesy to their adversaries.

“Well then, thank you for your understanding,” Tiemu Qiu said with a dark smile. “Since everyone is eager, let’s begin. But first, we need to set the rules. I have a good proposal. For the first two rounds, each side can choose their opponent; the remaining two will continue to the third round. This will ensure fairness. What do you think?”

Nangong Hao and the other stewards exchanged glances and then all nodded. “We have no objections.”

After everyone agreed, Lin Feng, clad in warrior attire, stomped his foot and soared like a vulture into the sky. Under the crowd’s watchful eyes, he landed steadily on the central stone platform of the arena, locking his gaze on the cold-faced Nangong Xue below.

He spoke, “I have long admired Miss Nangong Xue. I wonder if I may have the honor of sparring with you.”

All eyes followed his voice, finally settling on the slender figure. Whispers stirred once more. Nangong Xue’s reputation in Eternal City was quite well-known.

Seeing Lin Feng’s gaze fixed on her, Nangong Xue paused in surprise before quickly understanding his intention. Her delicate face grew colder. Still, she lightly touched the ground with her toes and floated onto the stone arena.

Nangong Hao and the others were puzzled by Lin Feng’s choice. They had expected him to challenge Nangong Lin, the chubby boy, but they never anticipated this.

There was simply no comparison. Lin Feng’s strength was only at the great accomplishment of the Blood Energy Realm. Though he had stepped into it some time ago, he was far from Nangong Xue’s match—a fact everyone understood.

After a moment’s hesitation, Nangong Hao was the first to snap back to reality. His expression darkened as he shot a shadowed glare at Tiemu Qiu and barked, “Using Lin Feng to challenge my lady is a clever ploy.”

As soon as Nangong Hao spoke, the other three stewards understood the meaning, and Xie Cang spat on the ground, muttering, “That old thief Tiemu Qiu!”