Chapter 364 - 194: Rematch (Part 1)

Qin Wuya seemed to have just finished an instructional session and was preparing to step down from the platform.

His gaze swept casually across the edge of the arena, landing on the slowly approaching Jiang Che and Lin Qingyun.

A flash of surprise crossed his eyes. He waved a hand at the disciples below, signaling for them to continue their cultivation, then his figure flickered and, as if teleporting, he appeared silently before the two of them.

"Junior Brother Lin, Chief Jiang. What brings you two to visit my Taiyuan Sect today?" Qin Wuya’s face carried an innate, domineering aura befitting a man in his position.

Jiang Che explained his purpose for being there once more.

After listening, a flicker of keen interest appeared in Qin Wuya’s imperious eyes.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he looked Jiang Che up and down before speaking slowly, "Borrowing Qi Blood Realm Martial Arts... Jiang Che, you continue to surprise me."

He furrowed his brow slightly, as if pondering something. A moment later, a smile touched the corners of his lips.

"Borrowing the secret manuals isn’t out of the question, but..."

His eyes suddenly erupted with a blazing battle intent that felt almost tangible!

"I heard that not long ago in Wolf Fang Valley, you single-handedly killed a Demon Sect Hall Master at the Half-step True Master Realm who had already begun Refining Spirit."

"As it happens, I’ve also recently had a breakthrough with my spear technique."

"Let’s... have another match!"

"Win or lose, you’ll have free access to the Scripture Pavilion’s Qi Blood Realm secret manuals!"

As soon as he said this, the surrounding Taiyuan Sect disciples, who had been cultivating, were instantly drawn in. Every one of them had eyes filled with fanaticism and excitement!

Hearing this, Lin Qingyun’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He glanced at Jiang Che beside him. Though his expression remained impassive, the hand gripping his sword hilt subconsciously tightened, as if worried Jiang Che would be at a disadvantage.

Jiang Che looked into Qin Wuya’s eyes, which burned with the will to fight, and remained silent for a moment.

He knew this wasn’t just a transaction. It was the purest form of challenge, issued from one true Martial Dao expert to another!

After a moment of thought, he finally gave a slow nod.

"Alright."

As the word fell, the atmosphere in the entire Celestial Spirit Martial Arts Arena was instantly set ablaze!

News of their duel spread as if it had grown wings, flying through the entire Taiyuan Sect at an incredible speed.

After gaining some traction, it continued to sweep through the entire Cangzhou Prefecture City!

In just half an hour.

The Profound Sound Sect, the Heaven-Sundering Sect, the Feiyun Sect...

Even the Chen Family, the Fang Family, and other major Noble and Wealthy Families received the shocking news!

In an instant, countless figures rushed out from their respective sects and manors, transforming into streaks of light as they scrambled to reach the Taiyuan Sect!

Everyone knew this was no ordinary sparring match.

The previous selection for the Young Alliance Leader had ended inconclusively, and everyone regretted not being able to see who was superior.

Now, that mystery could finally be solved!

This battle would, in a very real sense, decide who was the second-strongest person of the younger generation in Cangzhou Prefecture, second only to Qin Xuange!

...

On the Celestial Spirit Martial Arts Arena.

The Bronze Arena was bathed in the scorching sunlight, reflecting a cold, metallic luster.

The area around the arena was already packed to the brim, surrounded by a sea of people several layers deep.

All the disciples of the Taiyuan Sect had stopped their cultivation and gathered here.

Their eyes burned with fervor as they clenched their fists, ready to witness how their own Chief Disciple would defend the unshakeable glory of the Taiyuan Sect as the number one sect!

On the outskirts of the crowd, Gu Qingxuan, Xiao Qingge, Chen Jiayu, Qing Ling, and the other prodigies who had rushed over also fixed their gazes on the massive Bronze Arena, each with a different expression.

Upon a high platform, the Taiyuan Sect’s Sect Leader, Zhao Qingtian, and several Core Elders, having received the news, had also arrived.

They sat in the main seats with calm expressions, but the occasional glint in their eyes betrayed their inner turmoil.

Since Lin Qingyun had been there all along, he stood in a position close to the arena.

His usually cold and stern face now showed a hint of imperceptible tension.

Although he believed in Jiang Che’s strength, Qin Wuya’s power was a fact deeply ingrained in everyone’s mind.

He had no real confidence in the outcome of this battle either.

Under thousands of complex gazes.

Jiang Che and Qin Wuya slowly walked onto the Bronze Arena, an air of iron, blood, and solemn killing intent hanging over it, and faced each other from a distance.

"Jiang Che," Qin Wuya said, slowly raising the Profound Iron Long Spear in his hand. The tip pointed diagonally at the ground, and his imperious eyes burned with a tangible, blazing will to fight. "Last time, at the Young Alliance Leader’s conference, our battle was left undecided. Today, I will not hold anything back."

Jiang Che watched him calmly as he slowly put on the pair of dark silver Silk Wrapped Gloves. "Likewise."

There was no referee, no signal to begin.

The moment their gazes met in mid-air.

Two equally terrifying but distinctly different "momentums" had already collided with a BOOM in the center of the arena!

Qin Wuya’s momentum was as domineering and magnificently grand as ever!

It was like the midday sun, like clashing armies of armored cavalry, filled with the iron-willed intent to conquer and crush all before it!

Jiang Che’s momentum, however, had become deeper, more restrained.

It was no longer just the "Commander’s Momentum" that ruled over all weapons.

It had also integrated a trace of his own Divine Thought, born from his breakthrough in Refining Spirit.

This made his momentum feel like a bottomless, dark abyss.

Calm and still on the surface, but with a raging undercurrent below, capable of devouring everything!

The two invisible momentums crashed into each other in the air, letting out a muffled boom like rolling thunder!

Some of the disciples below with weaker cultivation felt their minds sway and their breathing grow difficult. They couldn’t help but retreat a few steps!

"What powerful momentum!" a Taiyuan Sect Elder on the high platform exclaimed, stroking his beard in admiration. "That boy, Jiang Che, can actually rival Wuya in a contest of momentum now. It’s truly incredible! How long has it even been?"

"Hmph, it’s just for show!" another Elder snorted coldly. "Once they actually start fighting, he’ll learn what a true gap in power looks like!"

At that very moment!

The instant the words were spoken, Qin Wuya moved!

He didn’t probe at all. His first move was like a thunderbolt, delivered with overwhelming force!

"Hah!"

With a low shout, he stomped down so hard he left a shallow footprint on the solid Bronze Arena!

His entire body shot out like a cannonball, the Profound Iron Long Spear in his hand transforming into a brilliant golden streak!

At the tip of the spear, a thread of Dark Gold Strength—the fledgling form of True Qi—circulated madly. Carrying a terrifying will that could pierce through anything, it tore through the air with a piercing sonic boom, aimed straight for Jiang Che’s heart!