Chapter 36: The Situation Reverses

On the Duel Platform, the air seemed to freeze.

Xiao Tianci stood with his hands behind his back, his brocade robes fluttering despite the lack of wind. His calm gaze landed on Chen Chuan, carrying an innate sense of scrutiny and indifference.

He nodded slightly, his tone so flat that not a single ripple of emotion could be heard:

"Make your move. Let me see if you can last a few more strikes than Lin Feng."

"If I strike first, you won’t have the chance."

He paused, as if stating a fact that was beyond simple.

The confidence in these words bordered on arrogance, yet coming from him, it seemed perfectly natural.

Upon hearing this, Chen Chuan’s face did not show the anger or tension everyone expected. Instead, it was completely calm, like a bottomless, dark pool.

He smiled softly, his voice clearly reaching everyone in the audience:

"Senior Brother Xiao, don’t speak too soon. Sometimes, arrogance can sink the ship."

Whoosh!

These words were like a ladle of cold water splashed into a boiling oil pan, instantly igniting a frenzy of discussion among the crowd.

"Holy crap! What did he say? He said Senior Brother Xiao is arrogant? Sinking the ship?" A Disciple picked at his ear, thinking he was hallucinating.

"Hahaha! This is killing me! Has Chen Chuan forgotten who he is just because he beat Shi Man?" A tall, thin Disciple laughed so hard he bent over, slapping the shoulder of the companion next to him.

That companion was also a character, dodging away with a grimace: "Easy, my bones are going to fall apart. But he’s right—Senior Brother Xiao’s ship, uh no, his sword, is as steady as it gets! It won’t sink!"

"Senior Brother Xiao sinking? I think it’s Chen Chuan who’s going to be flat on his face in a moment." A round-faced Disciple winked. "Senior Brother Lin Feng is the cautionary tale here."

"I bet Chen Chuan won’t last ten moves!"

"Ten moves? You’re giving him too much credit. I bet Senior Brother Xiao will show him the gap between them with just one sword strike."

The clamor below the platform was deafening. Almost everyone was watching with a spectator’s mindset, waiting for the pathetic scene of Chen Chuan being blasted off the Duel Platform with thunderous force.

In their eyes, even though both were at the Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm, there was a massive gap between Xiao Tianci and Chen Chuan.

Below the platform, Chen Ping clenched his fists nervously, his palms drenched in sweat.

He knew his big brother was very strong, but the overwhelming power Xiao Tianci had shown by defeating Lin Feng in three strikes was simply too oppressive.

Out of place with this tense atmosphere was Ye Linger, who was happily licking a candied hawthorn stick in a corner of the stands.

When she heard Chen Chuan’s overconfident words, her large eyes instantly lit up.

"Hehe, good job, Junior Brother! That’s it, provoke him! Let him defeat you ruthlessly!" The little calculator in her mind was clicking away:

"Once you lose, you’ll be my little lackey! Serving tea, pouring water, massaging my shoulders, and rubbing my legs."

Thinking of that image, she couldn’t help but burst into a giggle, drawing side-eyes from several Disciples nearby. What was this girl so silly-happy about?

On the platform, Chen Chuan said no more.

His gaze sharpened, and the Primordial Sacred Dragon Scripture within his body surged into operation!

Buzz!

A vast and majestic Aura rose from within him, and the surrounding air emitted a low humming sound.

Immediately after, a layer of Protective Aura shimmering with a faint golden luster instantly covered his entire body.

Within that Protective Aura, dragon-shaped currents of Qi faintly spiraled and moved, exuding an ancient and domineering Aura.

"Dragon Aura!" Below the platform, Chen Ping’s eyes widened as he blurted out in a low voice. "Big Brother has actually Cultivated the Primordial Sacred Dragon Scripture to the level of condensing Dragon Aura."

He knew very well that Dragon Aura was the hallmark of having Cultivated the Primordial Sacred Dragon Scripture to an extremely profound level.

Not only was its defensive power astonishing, but when attacking, it could also draw upon Dragon Qi to manifest the phantom of a True Dragon, multiplying its power.

Big Brother’s Cultivation talent was simply terrifying.

Facing Chen Chuan’s impressive Dragon Aura protection, a faint trace of surprise finally flickered in Xiao Tianci’s calm eyes, but it was immediately replaced by an even stronger Battle Intent.

"Interesting."

He pointed his fingers like a sword, and a brilliant golden sword-Aura condensed once more. That Sword Intent, capable of tearing through everything, soared into the sky.

Slash!

The golden sword-Aura pierced through the air, carrying an invincible momentum as it slashed ruthlessly toward Chen Chuan.

Chen Chuan did not dodge or evade. A low dragon roar escaped his lips as he threw a punch wrapped in Dragon Aura.

Boom!

When the fist and sword collided, a deafening explosion erupted.

A violent airwave swept out from the two of them, causing the clothes of the crowd below to flutter wildly and their cheeks to sting.

The expected scene of Chen Chuan being sent flying by a single strike did not happen.

That sharp and peerless golden sword-Aura was actually blocked head-on by Chen Chuan’s fist, which was encased in Dragon Aura.

The dragon-shaped Protective Aura even churned, neutralizing the power of the sword-Aura.

"What? He blocked it?"

The round-faced Disciple who had just claimed he would eat the Duel Platform almost had his jaw hit the floor.

"Holy cow! Is this for real? Senior Brother Xiao’s strike was actually taken head-on?"

"Chen Chuan’s defensive power is way too freakish!"

Xiao Tianci’s eyes narrowed as his sword technique changed again. In an instant, the sky was filled with golden sword shadows like a torrential downpour, enveloping every inch of space around Chen Chuan at extreme speed.

His attacks became increasingly fierce.

However, Chen Chuan responded with even greater ease.

The Primordial Sacred Dragon Scripture gave him not only defense but also terrifying strength and speed.

He struck out with both fists, each blow accompanied by the heavy sound of a dragon’s roar.

The pale golden Dragon Aura seemed to possess a life of its own, darting and weaving with his movements to shatter each sharp sword shadow.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Boom!

The two figures collided rapidly on the Duel Platform. Every clash of sword-Aura and Dragon Aura erupted with startling energy fluctuations, and new cracks and pits constantly appeared on the hard surface of the platform.

In the blink of an eye, they had already exchanged more than ten moves.

The noisy mockery from below the platform gradually died down, replaced by a growing sense of shock and disbelief.

"Fifteen moves! Chen Chuan hasn’t lost yet?"

"More than just not losing! Look at that Dragon Aura of his—it’s as steady as a rock! It seems Senior Brother Xiao’s sword can’t do anything to him?"

"Isn’t this dark horse a bit too dark? What exactly is his background?"

As the battle continued, Chen Chuan grew braver as he fought, and the power of the Primordial Sacred Dragon Scripture was fully unleashed.

Dragon roars echoed around him, and the pale golden Dragon Aura became more and more solid with every punch and kick he threw.

Everyone could almost see a blurry phantom of a True Dragon roaring as it lunged out, baring its claws and teeth with a terrifying momentum that could crush anything.

Roar!

Another punch was thrown, the dragon shadow flashed, and the air emitted a sonic boom as it was compressed.

Xiao Tianci swung his sword to block it head-on, but he was shaken by the vast force until his arm went numb, and his body retreated several steps uncontrollably.

The calmness on his face finally vanished completely, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.

’How is this possible?’

’His strength?’

’And this Cultivation Technique?’

Xiao Tianci’s heart was in turmoil.

He could clearly feel that not only was Chen Chuan’s Cultivation Technique of an extremely high grade, but his physical strength was also ridiculously high. This was definitely not the level a Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm should have.

Now, Xiao Tianci could be absolutely certain of one thing: Chen Chuan’s Physique was definitely not simple.

Boom!

Seizing the moment when Xiao Tianci’s mind was slightly shaken.

Chen Chuan caught a fleeting opening and closed in like a ghost, throwing a straight punch condensed with all his Dragon Aura power toward Xiao Tianci’s chest.

"Not good!"

Xiao Tianci’s expression changed drastically. In his haste, he only had time to bring his sword-Aura across his chest.

Clang!

It sounded like a massive bell being struck.

The golden sword-Aura vibrated violently and let out a mournful cry before shattering completely.

Chen Chuan’s fist, carrying its remaining force, slammed solidly into Xiao Tianci’s chest.

Puff!

Xiao Tianci was hit as if by a heavy blow, and a mouthful of blood sprayed out.

He flew backward like a kite with a broken string, drawing a pathetic arc in the air.

Finally, he crashed heavily at the edge of the Duel Platform, with half his body hanging off, nearly falling off completely.

Silence!

A deathly silence!

Everyone seemed to have been placed under a freezing spell, their eyes wide and mouths agape, looking in disbelief at the young figure standing tall on the Duel Platform.

Chen Chuan had actually beaten the invincible Xiao Tianci until he spat blood, nearly knocking him off the stage?

This reversal came too quickly and was too shocking, causing everyone’s brains to briefly short-circuit.

A moment later, a roar like a volcanic eruption resounded throughout the area.

"Good god! Senior Brother Xiao was defeated?"

"He really did it! He defeated Xiao Tianci!"

"A dark horse! This is an epic dark horse, going all the way to the end."

"Where are the people who were mocking Chen Chuan just now? Come out and show yourselves!"

The way everyone looked at Chen Chuan no longer held the slightest bit of contempt or mockery.

It was replaced by deep shock and awe, and even a hint of fear.

Chen Chuan had used absolute strength to ruthlessly slap everyone’s faces.

The half-eaten candied hawthorn in Ye Linger’s hand froze in mid-air.

The smile on her delicate little face completely solidified, then slowly crumbled away, turning into disbelief and a desire to cry.

"How could this happen?"

She murmured to herself, suddenly feeling that the candied hawthorn in her hand wasn’t sweet anymore.

She pouted, her large eyes full of disappointment, as if she could already see the wonderful life of enslaving Chen Chuan slipping through her fingers.

At the edge of the Duel Platform, Xiao Tianci struggled to push himself up with his hands, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

His gaze toward Chen Chuan was full of complexity—there was shock and unwillingness.

But more than that, it was a kind of determination from being pushed to the brink.

He clearly realized that if he held back any longer, the one to lose today would definitely be him!

He would never allow it!

"Chen Chuan!" Xiao Tianci’s voice was slightly raspy, yet it carried an even more dangerous Aura. "You are strong, stronger than I expected. Your Cultivation Technique and your Physique are both very strong."

He slowly stood up straight. Although his clothes were stained with blood and he looked somewhat disheveled, his mountain-like Aura was rising steadily.

"However..."

A brilliant light suddenly burst from Xiao Tianci’s eyes.

An Aura several times stronger than before, like a dormant volcano, erupted from within his body.

Boom!

The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi seemed to be drawn by some kind of pull, frantically converging toward him.

A small vortex of Spiritual Qi, visible to the naked eye, formed above his head.

His Aura broke through a certain threshold at this moment, reaching a completely new height.

"Mountain Sea Realm! It’s the Mountain Sea Realm!"

"Senior Brother Xiao Tianci has broken through! He had a Breakthrough in the middle of the battle."

"Oh my god! The First Level of the Mountain Sea Realm—he actually had a Breakthrough to the Mountain Sea Realm on the spot."

"The situation has reversed again! Mountain Sea Realm against Furnace Realm—this is absolute suppression!"

"Chen Chuan is finished! No matter how strong he is, it’s impossible for him to cross a major Realm to fight the Mountain Sea Realm."

Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

Just moments ago, they were cheering for Chen Chuan’s counterattack, and in the blink of an eye, the situation had undergone a shocking reversal once more.

Having broken through to the Mountain Sea Realm, Xiao Tianci’s strength underwent a world-shaking change. The quality and quantity of his Spiritual Power far exceeded the Furnace Realm, and he now possessed the preliminary ability to draw upon the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

The looks everyone gave Chen Chuan instantly changed from the previous awe back to deep pity.

Below the Mountain Sea Realm, all are like ants.

Was Chen Chuan, the dark horse who had amazed everyone, ultimately going to fall before the final throne?

Feeling the surging power within his body, Xiao Tianci slowly raised his hand, and an even more solid sword-Aura flickered at his fingertips.

He looked at Chen Chuan and spoke coldly:

"Now, let us start over."

On the Duel Platform, the atmosphere was oppressive to the extreme.

An even more unequal battle was about to erupt.