I Can See Your Combat Power

Chapter 834: Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Eight

People had thought that the martial arts tournament had come to an end, yet at the very last moment, a new twist arose. In the past, such a challenge would have sparked an eager response, but this time, there were very few who were tempted.

If everyone were at the same level, even without much chance of winning, many would be willing to fight and try their luck. But now, there’s a gap of an entire major realm. Not to mention other aspects, just the base spiritual power alone is three times weaker. Such a vast gap in strength, when placed among warriors of the same tier, leaves no possibility of crossing. Calling it a challenge is like drawing a pie in the sky that is desirable but unattainable.

Even if they desired to, they could not win against the top three ranked individuals—unless…

Many couldn’t help but cast their gazes towards the back of Cao Changqing, who stood at the front of the square formation, including the trio led by Tang Luo, who also turned their heads towards the youth who led the Beast Taming Sect.

If there was anyone on this platform who could threaten the position of the top three, it would be Cao Changqing, the Inner Sect Disciple of the Beast Taming Sect.

And after hearing Bu Chun’s final announcement, Cao Changqing felt as if a dark cloud had lifted to reveal a hidden village—fate had been generous to him.

What he needed to do was to choose one out of the three to challenge and snatch the qualification to question the path!

However, as he scrutinized the faces of the three, Cao Changqing hesitated.

Whether it was Lu Liangliang from Yulin Pavilion or Tong Senyu from Wuji Mansion, he felt he had at least seventy percent certainty of victory against either. If one were to choose from a perspective of safety, of course, it would be more appropriate to challenge one of these two.

Unfortunately, both of them were sect disciples. If he didn’t choose Tang Luo and instead picked one of these two, wouldn’t he be telling others that he feared Tang Luo?

Sect disciples value their reputation more than the sons of noble families do, for a single mistake on their part could become the talk of other sects in just a few days, neglecting a noble scion to challenge a fellow sect brother instead. If he really did that, he could never face anyone again.

It seemed like, for Cao Changqing, he only had one option among the three challenge spots: either defeat Tang Luo or forfeit the challenge!

Realizing this, Cao Changqing suddenly had an epiphany and glared fiercely at the cloud platform, where not only Grandmaster Bu Chun stood, but also a young man with shoulder-length purple hair, as handsome as a celestial being.

Suppressing the anger and frustration of being manipulated in his heart, Cao Changqing drew a glinting spiritual sword from the wide sleeves of his robe and declared loudly, “Beast Taming Sect’s Cao Changqing challenges Tang Luo!”

A ripple of surprise passed through the sect’s faction, while many sons of noble families could hardly conceal their amusement. If a fourth-ranked individual could defeat the first-ranked one with such an opportunity, then that top position was rather precarious indeed. Although the noble family’s disciples were almost entirely wiped out this time, they had unwavering confidence in Tang Luo.

Facing this somewhat absurd challenge, Tang Luo still maintained his calm composure, as if he had expected it all along, “Since Young Master Cao wishes to challenge me, let’s take to the skies. To avoid delaying everyone’s time, whichever of us lands first will be deemed the loser. How about it?”

“Hmph!” Cao Changqing, holding his long sword, sneered at Tang Luo and then asked the cloud platform, “Grandmaster, what are the rules of this challenge?”

Although he had turned towards the cloud platform, he was not looking at Bu Chun, but in the direction of Bu Xiao.

The Dao Child from Martial Saint Mountain, as beautiful as a celestial being, stepped forward and said indifferently to the crowd, “One may battle on the platform to claim victory, or set their own rules. Negotiations and exchanges are also feasible. There are no taboos!”

After listening to Bu Xiao’s words, Cao Changqing’s face showed delight as he cupped one hand in the other before his chest and said to the cloud platform, “In that case, I have Dao Child to thank!”

Having been nervous just moments ago, Cao Changqing suddenly became composed, and even the group of disciples from the Beast Taming Sect were smiling enigmatically as if they were certain of victory.

Having asked about the rules, Cao Changqing placed the Spiritual Sword on his shoulder, and with a smile said to Tang Luo, “How do you want to fight? Whether it’s a platform battle or a battle of the skies, this young master will keep you company!”

Although he didn’t know why the four words ‘without any taboos’ gave Cao Changqing such confidence, Tang Luo realized that at this point, his only option was to face whatever came at him. After pondering for a moment, he replied, “A battle of the skies, then. Admit defeat, touch the ground, or fall unconscious and it’s a loss, what does Young Master Cao think?”

“Good, straightforward!” Cao Changqing, brimming with excitement, lifted his Spiritual Sword and soared into the air with urgency, as if victory was within his grasp.

Tang Luo didn’t believe that someone who could rise to the rank of an inner sect disciple within a sect could be a fool; having seen his soul at the Hall of Divine Fire yet still being this confident, Cao Changqing’s assurance must be based on something solid.

But no matter what trump card Cao Changqing had prepared, Tang Luo didn’t think he would lose. If the difference in strength of spiritual power between a normal Fierce Realm warrior and one who had shed their mortality was like a chasm three times their size, then the gap between him and this Cao Changqing, a newcomer to the Fierce Realm, was also like a chasm.

He couldn’t believe there was anything that could increase a warrior’s innate strength several times over—if there were such a thing, the Beast Taming Sect would have dominated the world long ago!

Pouring a torrent of Spiritual Power into the divine array within his body, the silver giant slowly ascended as if a deity statue; its bulging muscles exploded like mountains and the surge of its blood energy, like a raging river, sent a chill down one’s spine.

The power of the clouds and rain in the sky converged into the Xuanwu Dharma Aspect, with the shell back inscribed with the Book of Prophecy turning into solid ground beneath the silver giant’s feet. The fierce Mysterious Snake extended its long neck from the shell, and its fangs, thick as arms, glistened with a frosty light.

And on the other side of the giant, Cao Changqing still held that casual posture with the Spiritual Sword on his shoulder, seemingly not in a hurry at all.

Only after the Xuanwu Dharma Aspect had transformed and the giant donned its silver armor did he take out a golden disk filled with countless scales from his chest. It bore images of various fearsome beasts and ancient inscriptions, unlike anything seen before.

Brandishing the golden disk, Cao Changqing proudly said to Tang Luo, “If you were smart, you’d give up the right to ask about the Dao after hearing the rules. But the scions of great houses always lack experience. Do you think, I, a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, got to sit in the seat of a holy land for the Human Race based on what?”

“Since ancient times, the Beast Taming Sect has been exploring the art of taming beasts, seeking to drive them away by using their own kind against them. Today, you shall see for yourself what the Ghost King, with a legacy of a thousand years, truly looks like!”

The golden disk spun, and a gloomy gate to the underworld opened in the heavens above Martial Saint Mountain. What had been a clear sky suddenly gathered countless dark clouds, and the sun was obscured. Shadows spilled across the earth, and Bifang Mountain seemed to plunge into sudden nightfall.

The only two sources of light were the shining silver giant and the faint glow emanating from the gate of the underworld.

Cluster after cluster of bright green flames drifted out, covering the entire sky. The Xuanwu Dharma Aspect, feeling the chilly presence of ghosts, roared ceaselessly towards the eastern sky!

“Cack cack cack cack cack!”

An ear-piercing laugh like the grating of metal suddenly emerged from the gate, and a particularly bright greenish light abruptly illuminated the entire heavens.