"Rumble!"
On the Martial Ranking arena, waves of energy roared, and explosions echoed incessantly.
Chen Jiuyang unleashed a formidable saber strike, and Zhou Wushuang's nascent Divine Might technique also moved.
On the battlefield, the general swung his saber, and the soldiers charged!
Zhou Wushuang's ability to comprehend the Divine Might techniques of the Town South King was not as utterly useless as Chen Jiuyang had imagined.
The clash of armor and horses roared, resisting Chen Jiuyang's saber energy.
"Pfft—"
Zhou Wushuang spat out a mouthful of blood. His expression was wild and ferocious as he roared, intending to use his life to resist Chen Jiuyang's move. Immediately, blood tears flowed from his eyes, and blood gushed from his nose and ears.
His soul and true qi were pouring out like there was no tomorrow.
The Town South King's martial path was truly extraordinary; if he himself were to wield it, one move could hold back an army of thousands!
Zhou Wushuang's nascent Divine Might move was also not ordinary.
However, it was still no match for Chen Jiuyang's saber strike!
"Rumble!"
The clash of armor and horses dispersed with unwillingness, torn apart, and then the momentum of the saber strike continued, slashing towards Zhou Wushuang's eyes.
After a gust of cold wind, blood seeped from Zhou Wushuang's entire body, and he collapsed onto the arena.
"Wushuang!"
The Town South King's Consort, with a heart-wrenching cry, rushed into the Martial Ranking arena, surrounded by dozens of the Town South Army's personal guards. The Town South King's Consort stumbled onto the stage, her expensive jewelry scattering and falling to the ground. She reached Zhou Wushuang and held his body in her arms, weeping uncontrollably.
"...Chen Jiuyang wins," the referee stated calmly.
Chen Jiuyang's combat power was unquestionable.
No one dared to stop the Town South King's Consort.
"Alas..."
"What a pity for Zhou Wushuang, to die like this."
"This Chen Jiuyang is truly ruthless, killing without hesitation. Although Zhou Wushuang was quite capable, he couldn't withstand the even stronger Chen Jiuyang, not even enduring one move. Within the Earth Realm, Chen Jiuyang might be invincible."
"Hmm? Something's not right!"
"Zhou Wushuang doesn't seem to be dead!"
"Eh, Zhou Wushuang really isn't dead, just severely injured, still clinging to life."
"How is this possible? With Chen Jiuyang's combat power, he shouldn't have left Zhou Wushuang with a single breath."
"Chen Jiuyang held back his strength in that last move..."
Upon learning the truth, the Town South King's Consort's eyes immediately turned red. Her crying stopped, but her body trembled even more violently. She looked at the young man standing on the other side of the arena, her tears flowing even more profusely, and she said with a hoarse voice:
"...You"
The young man slowly sheathed his saber, turned, and walked off the stage, his voice calm:
"It's not because he is Zhou Fangzun's son that I spared his life. It's simply because he could comprehend Divine Might and withstand one of my blows. It's better for him to live and contribute to the country, defending our Dragon Kingdom's borders, than to die by my hand."
"This is the only time; it won't happen again."
"Thank... thank you... thank..."
The Town South King's Consort truly couldn't see the young man's figure clearly anymore, only repeating her thanks.
"Clap clap clap!"
Someone applauded with relief.
One, two, three, and then the applause of countless people erupted.
"Well said!"
"Fair and just, magnanimous and broad-minded. Our Dragon Kingdom is weak; another genius who can serve the country is a good thing!"
Despite not killing Zhou Wushuang, Chen Jiuyang's actions earned him a standing ovation and widespread acclaim.
Countless people looked at Chen Jiuyang with even more complex expressions; they truly couldn't understand this young man.
Far away on a warship in the South Sea.
Zhou Fangzun remained silent for a long time and said, "Prepare the aircraft. I need to go to Longjing, and prepare an invitation... This King wishes to pay a visit to Marquis Xuan Yang, Chen Jiuyang."
...
On the high platform.
The Sword Keeper of Longjing looked at the young figure and nodded slightly, remarking, "Lin Xianxing's son-in-law is truly remarkable. It was worth him personally intervening to protect him."
Seated, Gong Luoque asked Gong Liexian, "Liexian, what are your thoughts on this person now?"
Gong Liexian was silent for a long time, finally saying with reluctance, "Before... I misjudged him..."
There was another seating area.
An elder in a red brocade robe sat with Enoki Fumoto. The elder in the red brocade robe exclaimed, "This junior is truly extraordinary, like a roc spreading its wings, its flight unhindered for eight thousand li."
Enoki Fumoto's expression remained as usual, "Grandfather, you're stating the obvious. Can the martial path I've chosen be comprehended by ordinary people?"
"I told you back then to let Grandfather make a move to protect him into Longjing. With that favor, it should be fine for me to learn his martial path, but you were afraid of offending people. Now, the roc has spread its wings, and there's no opportunity left."
"If I could have learned his martial path during his tribulation, within five years, I would have been able to advance to the Heavenly Realm, making the Enoki family possess a Queen!"
"Grandfather, you ruined this good thing."
The elder in the red brocade robe opened his mouth, but what he was about to say turned into a sigh.
Perhaps Enoki Fumoto was right.
But there are no 'what ifs'.
...
Chen Jiuyang returned to his seat.
On the arena, the Town South King's Consort ordered the royal guards to carry Zhou Wushuang away for immediate treatment.
The Chen family patriarch looked at Chen Jiuyang with a complex expression and couldn't help but ask, "Jiuyang, why didn't you kill Zhou Wushuang?"
The Chen family patriarch knew Chen Jiuyang's vengeful nature well, but this time he had spared Zhou Wushuang's life, which greatly surprised and confused him.
Chen Jiuyang said indifferently, "Nothing else. Since he could break through his inner fear of life and death, comprehend the nascent Divine Might, and undergo a transformation, wouldn't it be better to spare his life and let him serve the country?"
"It's better to die at the hands of an enemy than at mine."
"If, after this, he is unwilling to serve the country, I will send him on his way then."
"By then, even the Town South King won't be able to protect him."
For Chen Jiuyang, if Zhou Wushuang had given up the Martial Ranking competition and dared not face him this time, Chen Jiuyang would have killed him. However, since Zhou Wushuang dared to face a situation of certain death and come before him, Chen Jiuyang gave him a sliver of life.
Heh, Zhou Wushuang was severely injured by him, barely clinging to life, almost a vegetative state. Whether he could be saved depended entirely on fate.
Moreover, by not killing Zhou Wushuang this time, he would not only avoid the resentment of the Third King but would also be thanked. Coincidentally, Chen Jiuyang needed to inquire about a piece of information from Zhou Fangzun, and this served as a bargaining chip.
At this moment, a piece of paper suddenly drifted before Chen Jiuyang.
As the paper unfolded, a line of text appeared:
"The one who framed Brother Chen into the Six Doors is Hong Jiangjin."
A moment later, the paper spontaneously combusted, instantly turning into ashes.
After the Chen family patriarch understood the situation, his expression suddenly darkened, "It's actually Hong Jiangjin!"
"I didn't expect the Capital Prefecture Lord to have colluded with these aristocratic families and sects to set up this scheme."
Chen Jiuyang said calmly, "No need to be so anxious. Since Gong Luoque sent me a message to find out the truth, then this person's life will be dealt with by him. Otherwise, I will not treat King Gong."
"Gong Luoque is not as simple as he appears on the surface. We should be able to see a good show later."
The Chen family patriarch slowly nodded.
The next few matches of the Martial Ranking quickly passed.
The third round of the competition was about to begin.
When the information was released, some people turned pale.
"The first match, Chen Jiuyang versus Jiang Xingjin."
Jiang Xingjin was one of the descendants pushed forward by the aristocratic families and was the great-grandson of Jiang Haoran, who had previously severely injured Chen Jiuyang.
"Buzz!"
Chen Jiuyang's Yan Sheng Saber emitted a hum.