Chapter 568

Chapter 568: Prince Gu Ren

Logically, those who fought later could gain more advantages. At times when no challengers remained, one might even claim victory without combat.

Yet this was merely the second match. Given Xuan Sect’s formidable strength and prestige, few would dare challenge them rashly. They should’ve waited patiently. The sudden aggression from usually composed young Taoist Ming Yue became perplexing indeed!

Though maintaining calm demeanor upon entering Celestial Platform, Ming Yue’s inner wrath burned unmistakably. Drawing deep breath, he thrust finger toward specific direction and roared, "Prince Gu Ren! Crawl forth to meet your doom!"

The declaration stunned all witnesses, particularly Fang Lie who found this utterly bizarre. Having interacted with young Taoist Ming Yue before, Fang Lie knew him as exceptionally kind-hearted and courteous – a true rarity among cultivators.

Now this same youth stood radiating murderous intent, clearly seeking lethal confrontation. Such drastic transformation proved hard to comprehend.

While Fang Lie remained puzzled, whispers spread among informed spectators: "The young Taoist seeks vengeance for past humiliation!"

"Naturally! Though youthful, he’s Xuan Sect’s second core disciple. How could such esteemed figure tolerate indignities from Golden Crow Ancient Kingdom’s prince?"

"Entertainment awaits! That Golden Crow Prince might be talented, but stands no chance against Xuan Sect’s disciple. What madness drove him to provoke them initially?"

Overhearing these remarks, Fang Lie turned to Mo Qianxun. "Sect Leader, what transpired between them?"

Mo Qianxun chuckled. "Over year ago, Ming Yue obtained precious treasure during travels. Returning joyfully, he passed through Golden Crow territory where Golden Crow Prince conducted sword ‘tests’ – massacring thousands of commoners per strike while laughing uproariously."

"That’s no sword trial – pure sadism!" Fang Lie growled.

"Golden Crow royalty claim descent from divine crows," Mo Qianxun remarked lightly. "They consider mortals as insects. Such atrocities occur frequently."

"Vermin!" Fang Lie’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "I’ll purge these scum someday!"

"What happened next?"

"Ming Yue intervened like you would. Words failed, blades clashed." Mo Qianxun’s smile turned wry. "Though weaker, the prince exploited Ming Yue’s compassion by threatening entire city’s population, forcing surrender."

"Such cowardice!" Fang Lie spat. "Where’s royal dignity?"

"Golden Crow’s specialty is shamelessness," Mo Qianxun scoffed. "Wisely, he didn’t harm Xuan Sect’s heir seriously – merely slapped Ming Yue and stole his treasure before releasing him."

"Imagine the poor lad’s fury – robbed and humiliated after virtuous efforts!" Mo Qianxun added. "Hadn’t you and Lanyun seized early battle slots, he’d have challenged immediately!"

"Better late than never," Fang Lie grinned. "Let’s witness Ming Yue’s progress!"

"Indeed!" Mo Lanyun nodded. "He’s among few worthy opponents. Can’t let filth defeat him!"

"Combat power isn’t absolute," Mo Qianxun cautioned mysteriously.

"Can they cheat in Celestial Platform Competition?" Fang Lie frowned.

"Loopholes exist for clever exploiters," came the shrug reply.

Golden-armored youth descended from opulent palace onto platform then – devastatingly handsome yet exuding palpable depravity through lecherous gaze. This was Golden Crow Ancient Kingdom’s crown prince, inheritor of millennia-old legacy governing million-mile realm.

Though practicing orthodox Golden Crow techniques, their tyranny and cruelty earned neutral sect classification rather than righteous alignment.

"Defeated dog dares return?" Prince Gu Ren sneered.

"Without hostage blackmail, you’d crumble like paper!" Ming Yue’s voice shook with contained fury. "Your pathetic cultivation couldn’t withstand single finger from me!"

"Is that so?" Prince Gu Ren scoffed disdainfully. "Then dare to fight me with one hand tied!"

Young Taoist Ming Yue wasn’t naive enough to take the bait. "Fool! Enough talk—prepare to die!" he retorted coldly.

He pointed downward, summoning a massive Blue Lotus beneath his feet. Then he raised his hand skyward, conjuring a bright moon whose radiant moonlight stretched for miles!

Ming Yue’s fearsome secret method erupted—deceptively serene moonlight, lethally potent, surged toward Prince Gu Ren. Once engulfed by that glow, anyone would meet their end.

Yet Prince Gu Ren merely sneered at the Xuan Sect’s supreme divine skill. "A trifling trick! Watch me shatter it!"

With a flick of his right hand, he unleashed a colossal Fire Dragon—thousands of feet long and dozens wide—composed entirely of Golden Crow heavenly fire. Though formidable, its massive size diluted its power, rendering it more spectacle than substance.

Golden Crow heavenly fire paled before the Xuan Sect’s lunar arts. Even a hundredfold-compressed version of this bloated dragon couldn’t withstand Ming Yue’s attack!

The onlookers, all seasoned experts, could tell who held the upper hand. Why would Prince Gu Ren act like an egg smashing against stone, they wondered, yet still wear such confidence?

Suddenly, the battlefield shifted. Young Taoist Ming Yue yelped like a mouse spotting a cat, frantically retracting his moonlit assault. Prince Gu Ren’s Fire Dragon seized the advantage, pursuing relentlessly until it reached the Blue Lotus itself.

Ming Yue retreated hastily, steering his lotus backward while shouting, "You treacherous, despicable snake!"

Baffled at first, the crowd soon grasped the truth. Prince Gu Ren’s dragon was mere show—any cultivator present could’ve blown it apart with a breath.

But hidden within the flames were tens of thousands of mortal civilians, body-bound by the prince’s secret techniques. Destroying the dragon meant slaughtering them all.

The kindhearted young Taoist couldn’t bring himself to strike. The trapped mortals—men, women, children—wailed in terror, their frightened faces clear to see.

Righteous Cultivators erupted in outrage: "Shameless Prince Gu Ren!"

"This is demonic behavior!"

"Amitābha! Good, good. Why punish innocents? Golden Crow Ancient Kingdom goes too far!"

The Golden Crow delegation stayed silent, while the evil faction jeered: "They’re just mortals! Dying for their prince honors them!"

"Blame the Taoist’s weakness! Had he been ruthless earlier, our prince wouldn’t need such tactics!"

"Exactly! These deaths rest on Ming Yue’s soft heart!"

Mo Lanyun fumed, "Grandfather, how can they be so vile?"

Mo Qianxun chuckled. "Evil factions thrive on vileness. See how this ploy shakes Ming Yue’s resolve? I told you—victory needs more than cultivation power."

"This isn’t tactics—it’s deceit!" she protested.

"Deceit serves when needed." Mo Qianxun shrugged. "You’ll face worse tricks someday. Best ponder now—what would you do in his place?"