Chapter 9: Challenge to a Death Match!

The moment Chu Tianxiong spoke those words, Ji Yaoyue was instantly rendered speechless. Liu Ruyan, behind her, also felt her heart tremble.

The Sect Master was clearly protecting Lu Jin!

“But, Sect Master, this boy was trash three years ago. Now that he possesses such cultivation, he must have practiced Demonic Dao techniques in the Demon Abyss! Otherwise, he absolutely could not have reached this level!”

“And my Myriad Sword Sect has always been fundamentally incompatible with the Demonic Dao. This child must not be allowed to live!”

Hearing this, Chu Tianxiong frowned: “Peak Master Ji, are you telling me how to do my job?”

The tone was mild, but it held an inviolable authority!

Ji Yaoyue was stunned again. Chu Tianxiong, as the Sect Master, was a super expert in the Ninth-Grade Golden Core Realm, and she, a mere Peak Master, could not afford to offend him!

“This subordinate would not dare!”

Chu Tianxiong remained expressionless, then looked at Lu Jin: “Disappearing for three years and now returning so powerfully is indeed suspicious.”

After speaking, he extended his palm. A streak of Spiritual Power drilled into Lu Jin’s body, roaming like a snake or dragon.

Lu Jin instantly contained all his auras. The Burial Heaven Coffin vanished without a trace. With Empress Qinglian overseeing the Burial Heaven Coffin it was impossible for Chu Tianxiong to truly probe it!

However, when that streak of Spiritual Energy scouted the Imperial Overlord Glazed Bone and the boundless Dantian, Chu Tianxiong’s expression changed drastically! Though he couldn’t fathom exactly what Level it had reached, he knew deep down that Lu Jin’s Fortune was absolutely extraordinary.

But he quickly suppressed the shock in his eyes and instead smiled faintly, nodding: “Good, very good!”

He then looked around, his voice clear and resonant:

“This Master has personally investigated Lu Jin’s aura. This child’s inner Spiritual power  is profound and does not contain a trace of demonic aura. If any of you continue to use this excuse to try and destroy a genius of my Myriad Sword Sect, this Master will not allow it!”

With that single statement, everyone’s expression changed completely! They understood: Chu Tianxiong was determined to protect him!

Indeed, the strength Lu Jin had demonstrated was too immense; he had even nearly killed the Saintess, Liu Ruyan. This was truly a genius among geniuses! Returning after three years, he was no longer a piece of trash, but had been completely reborn, becoming a monster capable of contending with Golden Core experts!

Liu Ruyan’s eyes were filled with uncontrollable fury, but with the Sect Master present, and even her Shizun, Ji Yaoyue, unable to sway the matter, she could only wait for another opportunity to eliminate Lu Jin.

The secrets this child possesses are anything but simple! You must find a chance to capture him! The Fox Master’s voice echoed in Liu Ruyan’s mind.

“Fox Master, I will!” She secretly clenched her fists, forcefully suppressing her internal resentment.

After Chu Tianxiong finished speaking, he actually reached out and lightly patted Lu Jin’s shoulder: “Since her Shizun is here today, it will be impossible for you to take revenge. You cannot defeat Ji Yaoyue.”

Hearing this, Lu Jin frowned. Chu Tianxiong’s attitude toward him was rather unexpected!

However, his current situation was indeed as Chu Tianxiong described. His combat power consumption was too high. If he insisted on a head-on clash, he stood no chance against Ji Yaoyue. From this perspective, Chu Tianxiong had saved him the moment he appeared, a debt of gratitude.

Chu Tianxiong’s manner toward Lu Jin also astonished everyone present. The fact that the rarely-seen Sect Master would make such an intimate gesture was enough to show his intentions toward Lu Jin.

Chu Tianxiong continued:

“How about this: A month from now, the Scarlet Moon Holy Land will hold a disciple selection at the Eight Divisions Blood Dragon Altar. According to Myriad Sword Sect’s rules, three days before that selection, our Myriad Sword Sect will first select the outstanding disciples to participate in the Altar selection. You two can hold your duel then. Revenge for grudges, and fairness for grievances. We, high-level figures of the Sect, absolutely will not interfere. What do you think?”

Hearing this, the expressions of everyone present changed! They hadn’t expected the Sect Master to propose such a thing. However, they could also see that the Sect Master was giving Lu Jin a chance, and of course, giving Liu Ruyan a chance too. Both were martial Dao geniuses and excellent disciples of the Myriad Sword Sect. Although less than a month was a short time, it held infinite possibilities. No one knew who would win in the end! And the one the Sect ultimately wanted to keep was definitely the stronger one!

Lu Jin nodded slightly, then spoke:

“Sect Master!”

“If I recall correctly, in that duel, any disciple can issue a challenge, and if both parties agree, they can even sign a life-and-death agreement?”

Hearing this, everyone instantly understood Lu Jin’s intention. He wanted to engage in a life-and-death match with Liu Ruyan in that duel!

Chu Tianxiong’s expression remained calm and unmoved. He nodded:

“That’s right. Those who can enter the Scarlet Moon Holy Land are all exceptional martial Dao cultivators. If one cannot survive until the end, what kind of genius are they?”

Lu Jin’s eyes were cold. He looked at Liu Ruyan and said frigidly:

“Then, today, I will issue a challenge to a life-and-death match! Liu Ruyan, do you, the Saintess of Myriad Sword Sect, dare to fight me!”

At these words, everyone present turned to look at Liu Ruyan!

It seemed now that although Lu Jin’s cultivation was still in the Spirit Pearl Realm, his combat power had seemingly surpassed Liu Ruyan! Furthermore, no one could predict how much more Lu Jin would grow in the next month! His combat power was bound to become even stronger!

Although Liu Ruyan possessed the Supreme Bone, it was, as Lu Jin said, not fully integrated. It was even harder to determine what Level she could cultivate to.

Liu Ruyan secretly ground her teeth and looked at Ji Yaoyue.

Ji Yaoyue did not speak immediately. Lu Jin had been able to confront her with all his strength earlier, which was enough to show that he still possessed unknown secrets! Not knowing the opponent’s true depth was the most dangerous thing!

Just then, the Fox Master’s voice sounded in Liu Ruyan’s mind again:

“Agree to it!”

“You have a chance to break through to Second-Grade Golden Core within ten days. At that time, you will be qualified to cultivate the second level of the Great Plunder Immortal Art. Once accomplished, you will be able to fight even a Fourth-Grade Golden Core! Killing him will be as easy as flipping a hand then!”

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan secretly nodded. She then looked at Lu Jin and said in an icy voice:

“Fine! I accept your challenge!”

At these words, Ji Yaoyue’s expression also changed.

“Ruyan, are you sure you want to go up to the life-and-death arena with him?”

“Shizun, don’t worry. I am on the verge of breaking through to Second-Grade Golden Core. Once I break through, my combat power will skyrocket. For him, a mere Spirit Pearl expert, killing me is absolutely impossible!”

Ji Yaoyue nodded slightly: “If that is the case, then… your Shizun will use all her power to help you break through!”

“Thank you, Shizun!”

Ji Yaoyue then looked at Chu Tianxiong: “Sect Master, since the matter has reached this point, this subordinate will take her leave first!”

Saying this, she left, taking Liu Ruyan with her.

Lu Jin watched Liu Ruyan’s retreating figure. Though unwilling to let her go, he could only temporarily suppress his desire for immediate revenge. However, having only awakened for a few days, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds to this point. He was quite looking forward to the life-and-death arena in just over twenty days!

“Lu Jin, come with me.” Chu Tianxiong said flatly. He then grabbed Lu Jin’s arm, and the two vanished from the spot.

On Saintess Peak, the emotions of everyone who had witnessed the battle were complicated.

“I never thought this Lu Jin would return after three years and become this powerful!”

“Even the Sect Master came out to protect him. If he can defeat the Saintess, his future is limitless!”

“Want to kill the Saintess on the life-and-death arena? Heh, Saintess Liu is favored by Senior Brother Yang Dianfeng, and rumor has it that Elder Chiyu of the Scarlet Moon Holy Land has already internally decided she will join the Holy Land. If Lu Jin dares to kill the Saintess, he is slapping the face of the Scarlet Moon Holy Land!”

“How did Senior Brother Lu Jin endure being framed for these three years? I really hope to see him grow stronger…”

…Amidst the discussion, the expressions of Elder Luo Jiu and the others became even more complex. They had undoubtedly completely offended Lu Jin today. If Lu Jin truly killed the Saintess in that life-and-death match, their fate would likely be miserable!

Just as the few of them were agonizing, they suddenly received a transmission slip.

“Peak Master Ji is summoning us? Everyone, follow me!”

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NOTES

Spiritual power, used interchangeably with Spiritual Energy, the energy source for cultivators.

Shizun: A formal and respectful honorific for one’s master/teacher.