"Elder Ming Chang, may I challenge this person?"
Just as Elder Ming Chang was about to announce Li Xuan's successful challenge, a faint voice suddenly rang out.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan immediately looked up at the man who spoke. The man had long, flowing hair casually draped over his shoulders. His exquisite features were so striking that one glance was enough to leave an indelible impression.
However, at this moment, the man's gaze was fixed on Li Xuan, and the killing intent in his eyes was exceptionally strong.
Elder Ming Chang's expression also tensed upon hearing this. He then looked at the man and said, "Ming Heyue, your ranking is seventy-sixth. According to the rules, you cannot challenge a participant ranked lower than you. Therefore, this challenge is invalid."
Li Xuan secretly thought to himself, Ming Hetai and Ming Heyue share very similar names. Could they be brothers? With a thought, Li Xuan's gaze fell upon Ming Heyue's sleeves. The character "Da" undeniably confirmed Ming Heyue's identity.
Ming Heyue's expression turned slightly cold. His gaze shifted away from Li Xuan. He then pointed at another participant, whose sleeve also bore the character "Da," and said, "You, come out and challenge me."
"This... Young Master Yue, how can I possibly be your match?" the participant pointed at by Ming Heyue said, bowing and cupping his fists towards Ming Heyue with a bitter expression.
"You dare to defy my words!" Ming Heyue's face darkened immediately.
Seeing this, Li Xuan glanced at the man Ming Heyue had singled out. He discovered that this man only possessed the strength of the initial stage of the Realm of Creation, and his ranking was naturally outside the top hundred. Li Xuan immediately understood Ming Heyue's intentions.
"Elder Ming Chang, if I accept his challenge, is that permissible?" Having understood Ming Heyue's plan, Li Xuan saw no need to wait for Ming Heyue to deliberately lose to someone to lower his rank. He cupped his fists and asked Elder Ming Chang.
Elder Ming Chang's eyes gleamed. Ming Heyue's intentions were naturally seen through by Elder Ming Chang. Furthermore, with Li Xuan agreeing to it voluntarily, a battle between Ming Heyue and Li Xuan seemed inevitable.
"Since you agree, I can indeed preside over this challenge for you both. However, young man of the Li family, your opponent is the eldest son of the Great Elder's family. Although not the heir, he is still a direct descendant of the Great Elder's family. If you cannot defeat him, simply surrender."
Elder Ming Chang spoke, subtly hinting at the relationship between Ming Heyue and Ming Hetai to Li Xuan.
Li Xuan understood immediately. He clasped his fists in gratitude for Elder Ming Chang's reminder and then smiled slightly, "Although I come from a small family, I have never feared any powerful authority. Since he has challenged me, why should I refuse?"
Having spoken, Li Xuan's figure landed on the challenge stage, which had been restored to its original state by Elder Ming Chang.
"Heh heh, you think you can be arrogant and fearless just because you defeated my brother? The dignity of my Great Elder's family, how can mere ants like you profane it!"
Ming Heyue snorted coldly, then stomped his foot and landed on the challenge stage.
The next moment, Ming Heyue's gaze shifted. He then looked at Elder Ming Chang, who was seated on the high chair, and said, "Elder Ming Chang, I trouble you once more. I wish to enter the Netherworld Barrier with this person."
Elder Ming Chang's expression also showed a hint of helplessness. He had originally intended to recommend Li Xuan to the Clan Leader, Ming Jiuyou, but now Ming Heyue had stepped forward.
As a direct descendant of the Great Elder's family and the elder brother of Ming Hetai, it was natural for him to step forward and challenge. However, he had not expected Li Xuan to accept the challenge.
In front of so many participating contestants, Elder Ming Chang had no choice but to allow it. And now Ming Heyue was requesting the activation of the Netherworld Barrier, a place where only one could emerge alive!
"Li Xuan, if the Netherworld Barrier is activated, are you still willing to accept the challenge? This concerns your life and death, so you should think carefully." Elder Ming Chang pondered for a moment and then asked Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded without hesitation. "Since he wishes it so, then let it be. Otherwise, someone might end up begging for mercy on their knees."
Li Xuan's gaze then fell directly on Ming Heyue. How could he not understand Elder Ming Chang's words?
Moreover, when Ming Heyue appeared, Li Xuan had carefully sensed him. Although his strength was at the initial stage of the Realm of Harmony, his aura was already subtly approaching the middle stage. Clearly, his strength surpassed that of Ming Hetai.
And Elder Ming Chang's intent was naturally to hope Li Xuan would refuse. But Li Xuan was not one to leave trouble for later, so he naturally would not refuse Ming Heyue's challenge.
Besides, in Li Xuan's eyes, the people of the Nine Nether Clan had never experienced the tempering of heavenly tribulations. Even if they truly reached the middle stage of the Realm of Harmony, they posed no great threat to Li Xuan. He had already made an enemy of the Great Elder's family when he killed Ming Hetai; what was one more Ming Heyue?
"Alright, since both of you have agreed to enter the Netherworld Barrier, then I shall comply. Life and death are fated, fortune and honor depend on heaven. Go."
Elder Ming Chang shook his head with a bitter smile. Seeing Ming Heyue's face darken to the point where it seemed he could drip water, he clasped his hands in a seal, waved his large hands, and a ray of spiritual light spread out.
A barrier, shimmering with a dark glow, instantly enveloped the area around the challenge stage.
Upon seeing this, Ming Heyue stomped his foot fiercely. His figure shot out like an arrow released from a bowstring. A punch, like a torrential downpour, struck directly at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan's pupils contracted slightly. Without any hesitation, he rapidly circulated the power of his transcendent-level physique and punched out at the void in front of him.
Boom!
The two figures collided fiercely. The constantly shifting fist shadows refracted terrifying aftershocks. Fortunately, with the Netherworld Barrier present, these shockwaves were all neutralized and dispersed by it.
After Li Xuan and Ming Heyue had exchanged less than ten blows, Ming Heyue's figure rapidly retreated backward.
Then, Ming Heyue suddenly produced a long ruler from his hand. The ruler was about half a zhang long, shimmering with a dazzling dark light. With each casual swing, it emanated waves of soul-stirring, invisible power, causing the space itself to seem unable to bear it, showing signs of rupture.
"Xuanming Ruler! I didn't expect the Great Elder's family to bestow the Xuanming Ruler upon Ming Heyue. Could it be that the Great Elder's family had intended to support Ming Heyue from the beginning?"
Seeing the long ruler Ming Heyue held, a trace of shock appeared in Elder Ming Chang's eyes. From its appearance, it was evident that the Xuanming Ruler had an extraordinary origin.
"Your physical body is indeed formidable, but I won't foolishly engage in close combat with you. Although Ming Hetai was somewhat incompetent, he was still an heir of my Great Elder's family. The dignity of the Great Elder's family cannot be challenged! You should feel fortunate to die by the Xuanming Ruler!"
Ming Heyue lightly swung the Xuanming Ruler. A wave of energy, thousands of feet high, was split into two and shot directly towards Li Xuan.
Li Xuan's heart also startled slightly. This Xuanming Ruler was actually a congenital spiritual treasure. Currently, under Ming Heyue's manipulation, it had already revealed its terrifying might.
Furthermore, it was clear that Ming Heyue had decided not to engage in close combat with Li Xuan, which was evident from his use of the congenital spiritual treasure.
"Congenital spiritual treasure, I'd like to see how powerful you truly are!" Li Xuan's thoughts stirred, and a divine sword slowly appeared in his hand.
The next moment, a sword cry resounded.