Chapter 83: Death Contract Blood Battle

"The conditions are few and simple, only two," Wang Juechu said expressionlessly.

"First, your people must withdraw from our sect's territory. This withdrawal will be conducted in phases and supervised by our disciples." His tone was rigid.

"Understood, no problem," Jia Tianlong agreed without hesitation.

Seeing his swift agreement, Wang Juechu sneered, then stated the next condition, which greatly surprised Jia Tianlong.

"Secondly, both sides must engage in a death-contract duel here before you can leave."

"A death-contract duel!"

"Is that real?"

"Is he insane?"

Wang Juechu's declaration immediately caused an uproar among the opposing group. The expressions on everyone's faces varied: some were horrified, as if they had just heard of a venomous scorpion, while others were thrilled and seemed eager to participate.

Jia Tianlong's expression also changed upon hearing this, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Did I hear that correctly? A blood duel where both sides sign a death contract, and only one person can leave the arena alive?" He chuckled, posing the question casually.

"Absolutely right! This is a death match, a necessity to repay the blood debt for Sect Master Wu and others. Both you and I must participate," Wang Juechu said coldly, his hand on his sword hilt, his gaze fixed on Jia Tianlong.

Jia Tianlong chuckled, not giving an immediate answer. His eyes flickered as he pondered, clearly unwilling to take the death-contract duel lightly. He would only respond after careful consideration.

Observing the surrounding commotion and discussions about the death-contract duel, Han Li, who was completely unfamiliar with it, could no longer contain his curiosity and asked Li Feiyu, who was beside him.

"What is a death-contract duel? It sounds like a very significant event!"

"No way! You don't even know what a death-contract duel is? That's incredible! It's the most infamous and brutal method for martial artists to settle disputes!" Li Feiyu exclaimed, his face contorted in an expression of utter astonishment, as if he had seen a ghost.

"Nonsense! You know perfectly well that I'm not well-versed in the affairs of the martial arts world. Why is it so strange that I don't know this?" Han Li retorted in a low, exasperated tone.

"Oh, that's right. I almost forgot," Li Feiyu said, scratching his head awkwardly.

"A death-contract duel, as it's called, involves two parties with deep-seated grievances. Before the duel, they must sign a life-and-death pact, declaring that once they enter the arena, only one will emerge alive. If anyone abandons the duel prematurely, they will not only be disgraced and scorned but also hunted by the entire martial arts world. This is because martial artists universally regard death-contract duels as sacred, and anyone who desecrates such a duel is deemed worthy of execution as a warning to others."

"Furthermore, these duels are typically reserved for multi-person death matches, making them exceptionally bloody and brutal. In recent years, it has become rare to hear of anyone using this form of combat."

Li Feiyu spoke slowly, providing a detailed explanation.

After hearing the explanation, Han Li frowned. Understanding the nature of a death-contract duel, he viewed Sect Master Wang's sudden proposal for such a fight with disapproval. In his opinion, this type of duel would clearly result in mutual destruction, making it pointless. It would be far better to let the enemy leave swiftly, avoiding any potential complications.

"All right, I agree. We can proceed with the death-contract duel." After much deliberation, and after his gaze lingered on Reverend Jinguang for a few moments, Jia Tianlong finally made up his mind.

He knew that while the other side intended to use this opportunity to kill him, he too wished to seize this opportune moment to eliminate the remaining elite forces of the Seven Mysteries Sect in one swift blow.

Jia Tianlong was well aware of Wang Juechu's intentions. He knew Wang Juechu was relying on the support of his three unknown martial uncles. Unfortunately for Wang Juechu, Jia Tianlong had already learned the details through his covert spies and had taken precautions.

Now, with an immortal cultivator capable of wielding flying swords as his trump card, and the advantage of foresight against an unsuspecting opponent, he was over ninety percent certain of victory in the death-contract duel.

If Wang Juechu and the remaining experts of the Seven Mysteries Sect were eliminated in this death match, then even if his current plot didn't fully succeed, it wouldn't matter. The next time they attacked, the enemy would be powerless to resist, as cultivating skilled experts takes much longer than a year or two.

This is why Jia Tianlong, who always valued careful consideration before action, was willing to take this risk and resolutely agreed to sign the life-and-death pact.

"Sect Master Wang!" Jia Tianlong said with a forced smile. "According to the rules of a death-contract duel, since you proposed the time and location and I have no objections, then the number of participants and the format of the death match should be decided by me, correct?"

"Hmph! Correct," Wang Juechu reluctantly conceded.

"Very well then. I propose a duel involving one hundred participants, fifty from each side, engaging in a chaotic battle," Jia Tianlong stated, making his demand without reserve.

"Fifty people? A chaotic battle?" A flicker of surprise crossed Sect Master Wang's otherwise stern face.

Typically, in death matches, to avoid crippling losses, both sides usually fielded no more than twenty or thirty participants. Chaotic battles were rarely employed; one-on-one duels remained the most common format.

However, since he had been the one to propose the death match, he couldn't back out now. Furthermore, he had complete faith in his three martial uncles, confident that even in a chaotic melee, his side would undoubtedly emerge victorious.

Besides, if Jia Tianlong could be killed, any price would be worth it. Once the cunning leader of the Wild Wolf Gang was dead, his unruly subordinates would likely splinter and descend into internal conflict over the leadership. They would then be too preoccupied to deal with the severely weakened Seven Mysteries Sect, thus granting the sect a crucial reprieve.

With these thoughts in mind, Sect Master Wang nodded, agreeing to the opponent's demand.

"Someone! Mark out the death arena! Prepare the life-and-death pacts!" Wang Juechu commanded sternly to those behind him.