Chapter 600: 霍天,赵鲸

On the vast square, two groups of people stood in confrontation, the atmosphere thick with tension.

Tang Muxin stood at the very front of her group, her face utterly cold. Her gaze was fixed directly across at the opposing side, where, at the forefront of the many disciples from the Sacred Palace, two figures stood with their hands behind their backs.

The one on the left, dressed in white with a slender build, appeared rather dashing and elegant. His lips were slightly thin, and when he smiled, he gave off a sharp impression.

This person was none other than Huo Tian, the Chief of the Heavenly Saint Hall and the leader of the Sacred Palace's Top Ten Chiefs.

Beside Huo Tian was a burly man. Dressed in black, he had an unruly expression, and a fierce glint in his eyes made him resemble an unparalleled savage ape.

He was ranked second among the Sacred Palace's Top Ten Chiefs, the Chief of the Earthly Saint Hall, Zhao Jing.

Earlier, the arm of Chen Ze, Chief of Hongya Peak from the Cangxuan Sect, had been brutally torn off by him. At this moment, blood was still dripping from his fingers.

"Tang Muxin, your Cangxuan Sect's Zhou Yuan killed two of our Sacred Palace Chiefs," Huo Tian said calmly. "If you don't hand him over today, our Sacred Palace will not let this matter rest."

"Hmph, how dare you say that?" Tang Muxin retorted. "Your Sacred Palace Chiefs were killed by Zhou Yuan because they lacked skill."

Tang Muxin's beautiful eyes were icy, filled with anger. "If you want to fight, our Cangxuan Sect will gladly comply. For the dignified Sacred Palace, which has a considerable reputation, to resort to sneak attacks is truly contemptible."

Previously, when the two groups met, there was no conflict. However, Zhao Jing of the Sacred Palace suddenly launched an attack, and Chen Ze of Hongya Peak, caught off guard, had his arm torn off in an instant.

Hearing this, Zhao Jing grinned, revealing his stark white teeth. "I heard that Hongya Peak's body cultivation is renowned throughout Cangxuan Heaven, but after a clash today, it seems to be nothing special. Compared to my Earthly Saint Hall, it's quite inferior."

Beside Tang Muxin, Hongya Peak Chief Chen Ze's face was slightly pale. His right arm was twisted into an unnatural position, but upon hearing Zhao Jing insult Hongya Peak, his eyes immediately turned red, and he said coldly, "Do you dare to fight me again?!"

Zhao Jing crossed his arms over his chest, gave him a sidelong glance, and said, "If you want to die, I can certainly oblige."

Chen Ze, enraged, was about to charge out, but Tang Muxin stopped him.

"Don't fall for his provocation," Tang Muxin said in a deep voice.

Huo Tian, with one hand clasped behind his back, said with a calm gaze, "If our two Sacred Palace Chiefs were truly defeated by Zhou Yuan, then we would naturally have nothing to say. But according to the information we've received, Zhou Yuan used many despicable and insidious methods. While temporarily cooperating and acting as an ally, he suddenly launched a sneak attack when Fan Yao was unprepared, allowing that brat to succeed."

"What Zhao Jing did earlier," Huo Tian added, "was simply to return everything that brat did back to you. Otherwise, what makes you think that a new disciple who only joined the Cangxuan Sect two years ago could defeat our Sacred Palace's third-ranked Chief?!"

Countless eyes were watching the scene, so naturally, everyone heard these words. Immediately, whispers began to circulate. If Zhou Yuan had indeed resorted to insidious means during an alliance, that would truly be despicable.

Tang Muxin, Su Yao, and the other Chiefs' expressions turned grim. Huo Tian's words were truly venomous, intending to brand Zhou Yuan with such infamy. If this bad reputation were established, who would dare to cooperate with Zhou Yuan in the future?

"When Zhou Yuan was in my Cangxuan Sect, he already displayed outstanding talent," Tang Muxin scoffed coldly. "To kill your Sacred Palace Chief, he wouldn't need to resort to such methods."

Huo Tian smiled faintly. "If that's the case, then have that brat come out and demonstrate it to us personally."

Tang Muxin replied, "Zhou Yuan has not arrived here yet. If you wish to see him, there will be an opportunity later."

Huo Tian shook his head and sighed, "It seems this person is not only despicable in his methods but also utterly cowardly." He looked at Chen Ze and said, "Chief Chen Ze, I believe the vengeance for your severed arm should be attributed to Zhou Yuan."

He even harbored thoughts of sowing discord.

Chen Ze's eyes were icy, fixed solely on Zhao Jing, ignoring Huo Tian's words.

"It seems you genuinely don't wish to hand over that brat..." Huo Tian sighed, but his eyes were filled with chilling coldness. "Since matters have come to this, someone must give an explanation for our two deceased Sacred Palace Chiefs. If you don't want to involve other disciples, then let the Chiefs from both our sides, right here, right now, engage in a fair and honorable duel!"

Huo Tian nodded at Zhao Jing, who immediately stepped forward slowly, grinning menacingly. "Which of your Cangxuan Sect Chiefs dares to try again?"

Tang Muxin's beautiful face was icy, and she was about to step forward.

"Heh, Chief Tang Muxin," Huo Tian said with a smile upon seeing this, "you and I are both the top Chiefs of our respective sects. If you intend to act, I can only come down and accompany you. However, we've clashed before, and you didn't seem to gain any advantage."

Among the five Chiefs of the Cangxuan Sect, Tang Muxin was currently the strongest. As long as she didn't act, no one else would be a match for Zhao Jing. Their objective this time was to thoroughly humiliate the Cangxuan Sect in front of all the observing factions. Otherwise, when the Saint Son arrived, they would have no explanation.

Tang Muxin's beautiful face grew even colder. This Huo Tian had clearly come prepared.

"I'll do it," said Baili Che, Chief of Jianlai Peak's Seventh Chapter, his eyes cold. The other side was so openly trampling on them; if they didn't accept the challenge, the Cangxuan Sect would lose all its face. Although he and Zhou Yuan had some grievances within the sect, at this moment, they all represented the Cangxuan Sect. They would either share in glory or suffer together. Any personal grudges could be settled back in the sect.

"This Zhao Jing is second only to Huo Tian among the Sacred Palace's Top Ten Chiefs; his strength cannot be underestimated. My Genesis Qi foundation is slightly superior to yours, second only to Senior Sister Tang Muxin. I will take on this challenge." Xie Yan, the taciturn Chief of Leiyu Peak, suddenly spoke.

"Senior Brother Xie Yan, are you confident?" asked Su Yao, Chief of Xuelian Peak.

Xie Yan was silent for a moment, then shook his head slightly and said, "This Zhao Jing is very dangerous. The Sacred Palace's second-ranked Chief truly lives up to his reputation."

The others also frowned. The current situation clearly showed that the Sacred Palace wanted to force them into a duel between Chiefs, otherwise, a full-scale battle would erupt, and the casualties would truly escalate. But the problem now was that Zhao Jing was indeed formidable, and even Xie Yan wasn't very confident. If Xie Yan lost this match, it would also damage the Cangxuan Sect's reputation. And this was the "explanation" the Sacred Palace wanted. It was conceivable that in this confrontation, the opponent would strike without regard for life or death. It would be an extremely perilous and bitter fight.

"Just let me try." Xie Yan waved his hand, then slowly stepped forward.

Zhao Jing narrowed his eyes, staring at Xie Yan, and said mockingly, "So it's Chief Xie Yan of Leiyu Peak... Are you planning to spar with me this time?"

Xie Yan did not speak, but Genesis Qi, accompanied by a rumbling thunder, slowly rose from his body.

A cruel smile appeared on Zhao Jing's lips, and his five fingers slowly clenched into a fist. An astonishing aura emanated from his body.

At this moment, countless gazes from across the heavens and earth converged on them. The Cangxuan Sect and the Sacred Palace had evidently chosen this method to resolve some of their grievances. However, from the looks of it, Chief Xie Yan of the Cangxuan Sect seemed to be at a slight disadvantage in terms of aura.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Xie Yan took a step forward, and his Genesis Qi roared.

However, just as he was about to unleash his Genesis Qi, a sudden whooshing sound echoed through the sky. A black light descended from above, landing heavily in the middle of the square.

When the dust settled, an ancient black brush was seen stuck in the ground. Standing silently on top of the black brush was a slender figure. At the same time, a calm voice resounded throughout the manor.

"Since this matter originated because of me, Senior Brother Xie Yan, please allow me to take this fight. Such a fool does not require Senior Brother to personally act..."

At that instant, within the manor, countless gazes converged on the slender figure standing atop the black brush. The next moment, a chorus of astonished gasps erupted throughout the manor.