Chapter 1171: I Abandon the Battle

Wei Hen's abnormal state was short-lived, lasting only a few breaths before he forcibly returned to normal.

Yun Che's gaze shifted from Wei Hen, his brow furrowed. He could already foresee that something significant and unexpected was about to unfold on the Conferred God Stage today.

Elder Quhui ascended into the air. Simultaneously, a colossal invisible barrier materialized, encompassing the Conferred God Stage. This barrier was designed to contain energy and prevent the intense battles from affecting the spectator stands, yet it allowed free passage for individuals.

“First match! Huo Poyun of the Flame God Realm and Lu Chenyuan of the Sky Covered Realm, quickly enter the Conferred God Stage!”

As Elder Quhui's voice concluded, both individuals descended from the sky simultaneously, landing on the Conferred God Stage.

On the left stood Huo Poyun, from a mid-rank star realm, possessing a cultivation of Divine Tribulation Realm Level 7.

On the right was Lu Chenyuan, from a high-rank star realm—specifically, the Sky Covered Realm, one of the strongest—with a cultivation of Divine Tribulation Realm Level 8.

Their respective strengths were immediately apparent. On the Sky Covered Realm's side, everyone wore relaxed expressions.

“The Conferred God Battle, Round One, Match One… begin!”

With Elder Quhui’s powerful declaration, a fiery glow emanated from Huo Poyun, and a short sword materialized in his hand. Roughly three feet long with a slightly broad blade, its entire form was crimson like a branding iron, exuding astonishing heat even without profound energy infused.

This was the first time Yun Che had seen Huo Poyun’s weapon.

"The Flame God Demon Slaying Sword, originally shared by the Vermilion Bird, Phoenix, and Golden Crow sects, was predictably bestowed upon Huo Poyun,” Mu Bingyun whispered.

Lu Chenyuan, however, did not draw a weapon. There was no fluctuation of profound energy around him, nor any trace of caution on his face. Instead, he smiled faintly and casually stated, “You go first.”

Profound practitioners from high-rank star realms inherently adopted a superior, often condescending, attitude when facing those from mid-rank star realms. This was generally true; even with identical cultivation levels, the foundational strength of a mid-rank star realm was incomparable to that of a high-rank one.

Not to mention, his profound energy also held a slight advantage in cultivation realm.

He would have felt it beneath him to make the first move.

“Then I won’t hold back!”

Huo Poyun wasted no words, bursting forth like an arrow directly at Lu Chenyuan. It was at this exact moment that Yun Che murmured, “Brother Poyun has won.”

*BOOM!*

Without any warning or the usual profound energy build-up, roaring crimson-gold flames suddenly erupted, as if a sun had detonated directly on the Conferred God Stage. It instantly engulfed more than half of the arena; had it not been for the barrier, it might have consumed the entire northern spectator section.

“Ah?!”

“Wh—what?!”

A wave of exclamations swept across the Conferred God Stage. The instantaneous eruption of flames, without any prelude, utterly astonished them all.

If even these star realm magnates were startled, then Lu Chenyuan was utterly unprepared. One moment he was smiling, calmly facing the advancing Huo Poyun, the next his heart pounded, and before he could react, he was swept into a boundless inferno.

The cultivators of the Sky Covered lineage practiced earth-element profound arts, granting them formidable defensive capabilities—this was the source of Lu Chenyuan’s composure. He had planned to activate his defense the moment Huo Poyun’s profound energy stirred, even internally debating whether to allow his opponent three or five moves to ensure a more glorious victory…

But with the very first flash of fire from Huo Poyun, all his presumptions became laughable illusions.

In utter panic, he frantically attempted to raise an earthen barrier, but before it could fully form, it was instantly incinerated by the Golden Crow Flames. Huo Poyun had already closed in, his eyes blazing, and as the Flame God Demon Slaying Sword swung, the Golden Crow Flames erupted with furious intensity.

Blazing Sun Burst!Purgatory Red Lotus!Calamity Flame Dance!Brilliant Fire Scorching Star…

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

While fire-based profound energy is immensely powerful, its activation typically requires the most time for profound energy to ignite. This is especially true for Golden Crow Flames, which are the most destructive among divine flames. Yet, in Huo Poyun’s hands, the formidable but notoriously difficult-to-control Golden Crow Flames erupted like a relentless storm, exploding with such ferocity that it seemed as though a dozen individuals, not just one, were simultaneously attacking.

“Ah… w-aaah…”

Lu Chenyuan was rapidly driven back. From the moment he was forced onto the defensive, he struggled merely to protect himself, let alone retaliate. Flames seared his body, his screams echoing incessantly from the inferno, and as his physical form burned, his will and conviction swiftly shattered. Yet, the moment of respite he desperately sought never materialized; instead, the flames engulfing him grew even more ferocious.

Finally…

*CRASH!*

Lu Chenyuan's profound energy defense utterly collapsed, and he was sent flying from the inferno, a living fireball. Huo Poyun raised his arm, condensing the flames into a sword whose blade shot up hundreds of feet, then swept it horizontally towards Lu Chenyuan.

Lu Chenyuan was not weak; against all odds, he managed to recover in mid-air. A flash of yellow light extinguished most of the Golden Crow Flames on him, and a nine-foot-long spear materialized in his hand…

*Clang… CRACK!*

The Golden Crow Flames’ “Golden Annihilation” was incredibly potent, nearly impossible to withstand head-on for someone of the same cultivation level. The instant Lu Chenyuan raised his spear, he was swept aside by the Golden Crow Flame Sword. Amidst the exploding flames, his spear, ablaze, flew from his grasp, and Lu Chenyuan let out a shriek as he was sent hurtling like a meteor, piercing straight through the Conferred God Stage barrier and crashing far into the spectator stands.

“Lu Chenyuan has exited the Conferred God Stage; he is defeated and will proceed to the loser's bracket. Huo Poyun wins and advances to the Conferred God Group!”

As Elder Quhui’s verdict resonated, all flames on the Conferred God Stage instantly extinguished. Huo Poyun stood at the center, having decisively defeated an opponent superior in both background and profound energy. Yet, he displayed none of the expected elation or wild joy, remaining as calm as he was before the battle. He subtly raised a hand towards the direction Lu Chenyuan had been blasted, offering a simple, “Thank you for the concession.”

A hush fell over the Conferred God Stage as all eyes converged on Huo Poyun. Not only the powerhouses from the various lower and mid-rank star realms, but even those from the high-rank star realms famous across the Eastern Divine Region, gazed at him with profound astonishment.

From this moment, the name “Huo Poyun” was truly etched into their memories.

Although the Flame God Realm was merely a mid-rank star realm, the Golden Crow Flames were universally renowned. They were one of the three supreme flames from the Era of Gods, representing the most potent, yet also the most challenging, fire to control.

In the recent battle, however, Huo Poyun displayed a level of flame control that utterly surpassed their understanding, arguably even exceeding human limits: instantaneous explosive flames… and with Golden Crow Flames, no less!

“Excellent! Well done! Amazing!!! Hahahaha hahahaha…” Huo Rulie leaped a hundred feet into the air, laughing maniacally, oblivious to his surroundings, as if possessed.

Beyond the spectator stands, Lu Chenyuan struggled clumsily to his feet, his entire body charred black. The moment he stood, he groaned, collapsing heavily back to his knees as his remaining clothes disintegrated. Oblivious to his state, his eyes blazed with fury as he shrieked, “Unfair… this is unfair! I didn’t even use my full strength… I demand a rematch!”

Had Lu Chenyuan not underestimated his opponent from the outset, and instead prepared diligently, with the Sky Covered Realm’s formidable profound arts and his own profound energy advantage, it would have been exceedingly difficult for Huo Poyun to win, let alone secure such a dominant victory.

But alas…

“Enough!” Before Elder Quhui could speak, the Sky Covered Realm King roared, “This is the revered Conferred God Battle, yet you foolishly overestimated yourself from the very beginning, casting aside my warnings and your master’s admonitions! You deserve this defeat! Even if you had won, you would be unworthy… Now get out and reflect!”

Disgraced and publicly admonished by his own father, Lu Chenyuan’s face paled. He shot a fierce glare at Huo Poyun, then, without another word, departed in utter disarray.

“This young man’s future is boundless,” the Dragon Monarch slowly remarked.

The Dragon Monarch’s voice was soft, yet everyone heard it with crystal clarity.

This was an endorsement from the foremost figure in the God Realm. From this day forward, the previously obscure Huo Poyun would become a name the entire Eastern Divine Region would be compelled to remember.

Since the opponents for the first day’s first round were decided on the spot, there wasn’t enough time to establish betting odds. Otherwise, Huo Poyun’s overwhelming victory would undoubtedly have caused significant losses for many gamblers.

However, starting from the next round, opponents for the following day would be determined after the preceding day’s matches concluded, ensuring widespread betting across the Eastern Divine Region. This had long been an indispensable tradition of every Profound God Convention.

As Huo Poyun returned to the Flame God Realm’s seating, the previously overlooked realm began to draw frequent glances from across the arena. Every member of the Flame God Realm straightened their backs, experiencing a sense of pride more profound than any they had ever known.

“Sister, wasn’t I right?” Shui Meiyin said with a grin from the Glazed Light Realm’s seating.

Shui Yingyue subtly nodded, acknowledging, “He is indeed a noteworthy opponent.”

“He’s certainly no match for you now, Sister, but… that might not be true many years from now. So, Sister, you must also strive hard,” Shui Meiyin whispered.

Shui Yingyue remained silent.

Elder Quhui’s voice then resounded.

“Conferred God Battle, Round One, Match Two! Luo Chang’an of the Sacred Universe Realm, and Yun Che of the Flame God Realm!”

*CRASH!*

Like a thunderclap, Luo Chang’an descended onto the Conferred God Stage with a massive burst of air. He then turned, his gaze fixed on Yun Che’s position, revealing both a challenging glint and a subtly unpleasant faint smile. It was clear he was very pleased that Yun Che was his opponent.

“Luo Chang’an is incredibly lucky! Facing this intruder in the very first match is practically a free win!” scoffed one of the Conferred God Sons.

“Luo Chang’an’s strength is basically at the bottom among us, yet he gets to advance directly into the Conferred God Group’s first round by facing this worthless opponent, while *my* opponent is his brother, Luo Changsheng… How infuriating!” another Conferred God Son complained indignantly.

“I doubt that brat will even dare to step onto the stage. He could get away with shameless, despicable tricks in the preliminaries, but the Conferred God Battle… tsk tsk.”

“That’s not necessarily true. After cheating for three consecutive rounds, why would he suddenly care about losing face? Going up there and making a spectacle might even earn him more notoriety.”

“Hmph! If I were to face this fellow, I certainly wouldn't be celebrating. This is the Conferred God Battle! Winning against such an opponent would only bring shame.”

Everyone settled in, eager for a show. However, even after Luo Chang’an had been on the Conferred God Stage for some time, Yun Che remained motionless in his seat.

Elder Quhui’s brows furrowed slightly, and he stated sternly, “Yun Che! Enter the Conferred God Stage immediately.”

Yun Che, however, did not even lift his head. He simply declared, “No need. I forfeit!”