Chapter 1746: Ancient Sage Appears

The tree root gently swayed, the yellow sand vanished, and the surroundings returned to normal, as if the previous events had happened in a dream.

However, Bo Feng himself had completely disappeared, nowhere to be found.

“Bo Feng is dead?”

“His soul aura is gone, and his body turned into yellow sand? How… how is this possible?”

“What just happened?”

Many members of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribes all trembled with fear. Even though they had witnessed it with their own eyes, they still couldn't believe it. Bo Feng's strength, when fighting alone, was undoubtedly among the top tier within their ranks. Yet, a powerhouse like him was turned into yellow sand in a single encounter, without even a chance to react... What exactly was that tree root? How could it be so terrifying?

It wasn't just the Otherworldly Demonic Tribesmen who were stunned; Sword Saint Xingmeng and the other master teachers were also dumbfounded. They had initially thought that without his Saint Beasts, Zhang Xuan would have a difficult time fighting. They never dreamed that he would be even faster! It ended in less than two breaths, and with... Bo Feng's complete demise!

“Xuan’er, this is...”

Sword Saint Meng looked over.

“It’s nothing, just the small opportunity I mentioned earlier! Something I happened to tame by chance!” Zhang Xuan chuckled. Though the tree root appeared terrifying, in reality, it was helpless as long as one sealed off their aura and prevented the fine hairs from entering their body. Its true combat strength was still inferior to that of the five great Saint Beasts.

“...” Sword Saint Meng felt a tightness in his chest. A small opportunity? Five Saint Beasts at the pinnacle of the Immortal realm, a tree root capable of easily slaying a Saint Beast at the Immortal realm pinnacle... If these were 'small opportunities,' then what were theirs? They had nothing at all to show for it!

“Come back!”

With a shake of his hand, the tree root flew to him and was stored by Zhang Xuan into his folding space. Immediately after, he made another grabbing motion. The Saint Blood Crystal and Cold Moon Hook from before also flew over. “I won these in the bet, so I’ll take them without ceremony...” After speaking, he ignored everyone's expressions and directly put them into his storage ring.

Rumble!

As soon as he had put away the items, he felt a terrifying aura rapidly spread towards them, like a typhoon making landfall. Cracks appeared on the ground, and the four pavilions—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—shook incessantly, as if unable to withstand the pressure.

“This is... an Ancient Sage!”

Zhang Xuan’s pupils contracted, and he quickly looked up. The pressure came from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint its source.

“Although this tree root isn't a Saint Beast, it possesses life consciousness and can be considered a tamed beast, right? Does this still count as a fair duel?”

A whoosh!

A mighty voice boomed, and immediately, Zhang Xuan felt his body tense. It seemed as though he had been locked down by someone's will, and a powerful force pressed down, threatening to crush him to death.

Crackle! Crackle!

His bones cracked audibly throughout his body, and cold sweat streamed down his forehead. Clearly, his actions earlier had violated the rules, and the Ancient Sage of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribes could no longer hold back.

“Old Devil Yu, my junior specifically asked just now if he could use the tree root, and your people agreed before he used it. What, are you refusing to acknowledge the loss? Fine by me, then let's have a fight!”

Just as Zhang Xuan was about to give in, another voice rang out. Immediately after, a force as gentle as a spring breeze swept over him, and the pressure on his body vanished. As the two supreme powerhouses clashed, the surrounding space emitted sounds like water crashing against rocks, threatening to shatter at any moment.

“The Zhang Clan’s Ancient Sage?”

His heart stirred, and recognizing the person’s identity, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the Zhang Clan’s ancestor had made his move.

“He only said the tree root was hard, not that it could kill people...” the voice of the one called Old Devil Yu rang out.

“Since it’s a duel, one must be prepared for the possibility of death. If the tree root can kill, can’t the Cold Moon Hook kill too?” The Zhang Clan’s ancestor’s cold snort rang out. “If you lost, you lost. If you can’t afford to lose, don’t hide like a turtle! Say another word of nonsense, and believe me, even if I get injured, I’ll drag you out and crush your balls!”

“You...”

Old Devil Yu trembled with rage. However, seemingly wary of the Zhang Clan’s ancestor, he didn't dwell on the matter. “Hmph, I won’t bother with you today. I don’t believe you can always protect this fellow. His name is Zhang Xuan, and I’ll remember it! Once we leave the Temple of Confucius, there will be plenty of time... All right, don’t linger here. Everyone, go back and wait for the Great Accomplishment Hall to open!”

“Yes!”

Upon hearing their Ancient Sage ancestor speak, the many Otherworldly Demonic Tribesmen turned around simultaneously.

“Wait!”

They had only taken two steps when they heard a loud shout, and Zhang Xuan stepped forward.

“What? You still want to duel?”

Seeing him speak, the faces of many Otherworldly Demonic Tribesmen turned ashen.

“That’s right, I still want to duel! Don't worry, this time, I won't use Saint Beasts or the tree root. Do you dare to fight me?”

Being oppressed and threatened by someone's aura—when had Zhang Xuan ever endured such treatment! He had killed Ancient Sages before. Since they dared to threaten him, very well then... he would first ensure the demise of these subordinates! At that time, if that fellow dared to show himself, he would simply smash him with a book! He wouldn't mind killing another Ancient Sage!

“Are you sure?” a member of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribes couldn't help but ask.

“What, if you don’t even dare to do this, what kind of Spirit Race are you? Don’t even come to the Master Teacher Continent; just hurry up and scram back home!” Zhang Xuan snorted.

“You...” The many Otherworldly Demonic Tribesmen all had ashen faces, their fists clenched tightly.

“You truly won’t use Saint Beasts or the tree root?” Old Devil Yu’s voice rang out.

“I can swear on my identity as a Master Teacher that I will only use my own strength and my own weapon. Surely you aren't so scared that you won't even allow weapons, right?!” Zhang Xuan raised his head, completely fearless of the opposing Ancient Sage’s status. “If I’m not even allowed to use weapons, then consider it unsaid!”

“Hmph, of course you can use weapons in a duel!” Old Devil Yu snorted. His subordinates had used weapons earlier too; it was nothing significant and wouldn't boost combat strength much.

“Excellent! Do you dare to duel me?” Zhang Xuan pointed forward. “If you’re too timid, I’ll challenge all of them by myself. That means they can fight me in turns or come at me all at once. If I, Zhang Xuan, so much as furrow my brow, I won’t be a member of the Zhang Clan!”

“Well said! Truly worthy of being a magnificent man of my Zhang Clan!” The Zhang Clan’s ancestor, his tone filled with praise, snorted, “Old Devil Yu, you’re not scared, are you?!”

“You...”

To his surprise, he had been cornered by a mere Golden Body realm junior. Old Devil Yu was practically exploding with rage. “Alright, as you wish! Not only will we duel, but it will be a fight to the death! In other words, it will be a battle until one side is completely wiped out. Do you dare to accept?”

He was truly enraged. An Ancient Sage’s dignity was inviolable, and this fellow had provoked him repeatedly, causing his fury to boil. This fellow’s tamed beasts were formidable, and his tree root was powerful, but his personal strength was only considered average. He refused to believe that with so many of his tribesmen fighting in turns, they couldn’t kill him!

“Old Devil Yu, you really have no shame...” Knowing that the other party wanted to kill his junior, the Zhang Clan’s ancestor coldly shouted. Just as he was about to refuse, he heard his junior, who was at the front of the crowd, step forward again, his voice ringing out.

“Good, I accept!”