Chapter 488

Chapter 488: Fight to the Death (Part 2)

The Fight to the Death proposed by the Sand Tribe Sorcerer is formally known as: Fate’s Fight to the Death.

This is an ancient tradition among the Sand People.

The Sand Tribe, dwelling in the vast West Desert, has never truly united; different tribes occupy various oases, resulting in a fragmented situation.

On the surface, these tribes obey the orders of the Cang Jin Palace in Shabak City, but in reality, they listen to commands without adhering to the proclamations.

Different tribes often form alliances and frequently erupt into wars over resources.

Countless Sand People have bled on the yellow sands for this reason.

Hatred can be inherited and prolonged; unless one side is completely annihilated, it builds up like well-aged liquor, thickening over time until it becomes impossible to dissolve.

The brutal wars between the tribes have continuously drained the Sand People’s strength.

They stand on the brink of extinction!

In such circumstances, the Cang Jin Palace took the lead, with the Western Buddhist Sect intervening, gathering over a hundred tribal leaders.

They established a Sand Tribe Agreement in Shabak City, ending the endless blood feud that had lasted for a thousand years.

From then on, the conflicts between the Sand People tribes would be resolved through the "Fate’s Fight to the Death."

Two tribes would each send one or more representatives to engage in a duel at a designated venue until one side perished!

When the Sand Tribe directly clashed with the West Sea Sect, the former was unable to breach the Sand Guard City despite spilling blood and could only rely on Hunter Cultivators to sneak into Daying City and cause trouble to regain some face.

Additionally, they initiated Fights to the Death against the cultivators guarding the city walls.

“Sand People, barbaric folk,” Kou Shihai said in a deep voice. “They are lowly and foolish, always dreaming of acquiring what they do not deserve.”

"We, the cultivators of Daying, have never refused the normal challenges from the Sand People.”

In the eyes of the West Sea Sect, the Sand Tribe is like a mantis standing in the way of a chariot; if not for their concerns about the Western Buddhist Sect, they would have crushed them into dust long ago.

The West Sea Sect has always looked down upon these barbaric people from a position of superiority.

How could the battle cultivators of Daying City fear their challenges?

Of course, this refers to normal challenges.

The Fights to the Death initiated by the Sand People against Daying primarily come in two forms: one is a specified challenge naming individuals, and the other is an invitation to battle without a designated target.

Wang Chen received the former.

If it were another battle cultivator, as long as the challenger’s rank was not much higher or if they themselves had issues preventing them from fighting, there would be no option to refuse!

This is the pride of the West Sea Sect, the pride of the cultivators of Daying!

For centuries, countless cultivators from Daying have died in the Fate’s Fight to the Death.

Yet, the Sand Tribe Sorcerers have lost far more times!

“If you refuse…”

Kou Shihai patiently explained to Wang Chen, “Then you must be prepared to face criticism or even punishment from the sect.”

Because the Fight to the Death proposed by the Sand Tribe Sorcerer cannot be concealed forever.

Once he refused, they would certainly come to challenge again.

When the matter was exposed, the news would quickly return to the sect.

The sect’s reaction could be easily imagined.

How could a celestial guardian of the first immortal sect in the Mountain-Sea Realm fear the barbaric folk and avoid fighting?

What use would he be then?

Not to mention the possibility of losing his position as a celestial guardian; being expelled from the sect would be a very normal consequence!

Although Kou Shihai did not say it outright, Wang Chen understood very well.

Many people in Daying City were waiting to see him make a fool of himself; if he truly tarnished the sect’s reputation, there would be a lot of people eager to kick him while he was down.

The reputation he built by constantly slaying the Sand Witches and Hunter Cultivators would certainly be erased.

Grand Celestial Guardian Luo Han would probably be quite pleased to see him in trouble!

“So that’s how it is.”

Wang Chen nodded and said, “Then I will accept the challenge.”

The sect provided him with protection and assistance, and in return, he had to obey the sect’s rules.

Unless he left, there would be no possibility of refusing.

Most importantly, Wang Chen was not afraid of battle!

“That’s best.”

Kou Shihai immediately sighed with relief. “Junior Brother Wang, with your ability, you really need not worry about the Sand Witches.”

Wang Chen had frequently commanded flying swords recently, creating thunderous sounds that echoed through the sky, intimidating the Sand Tribe and causing the Hunter Cultivators to not dare approach.

This display of might made even Kou Shihai feel somewhat inferior.

Though he knew Wang Chen was relying on the power of the formations from the Seven Star Pavilion, being able to achieve that was impressive enough.

Moreover, Wang Chen had previously slain the renowned Blood Demon Purple Witch; his true strength was certainly well beyond simply being at the third level of the Purple Palace!

The Sand Witch, Tuqi, who challenged Wang Chen, was at the fifth level of the Purple Palace, just like the Blood Demon Purple Witch.

If Wang Chen could defeat the Blood Demon Purple Witch, how could he lose to Tuqi?

“But we must also guard against their schemes!”

Kou Shihai pondered and said, “I have a Profound Sun Umbrella; I will lend it to you for the duel.”

Kou Shihai’s Profound Sun Umbrella is an excellent spirit tool with very high Defense, capable of resisting blood curse witchcraft; it is perfect to use against the Sand Tribe Sorcerers.

However, this spirit tool had been refined by Kou Shihai to an extremely high level, so when Wang Chen borrowed it, he could only exert a fraction of its destructive power; its influence would not be too great.

But at critical moments, it could still save his life.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Wang Chen politely declined, saying, “My own magic tools are sufficient for now.”

He was now considered half a sword cultivator, with Chini, a quasi-Treasure Flying Sword in his possession, along with various Perfected Level spells; why would he fear a Sand Witch at the fifth level of the Purple Palace?

Initially, he merely did not want to follow the opponent’s tactics, so he contemplated the possibility of refusal.

But if the opponent’s strategy was too deep, then he would have to play along to the end!

As for Kou Shihai’s goodwill, Wang Chen appreciated it.

After all, having one more spirit tool or one less would not significantly affect his strength.

“Fine then.”

Kou Shihai knew Wang Chen was not one to be arrogant; he nodded and said, “I will help you choose a suitable battlefield.”

According to the rules of the Fate’s Fight to the Death, the Sand Tribe designated the challenge target, so as the challenger, Wang Chen had the authority to choose the battlefield.

Of course, the duel’s location could only be in the remote mountain area, desert plains, or atop mountain peaks.

Having not spent much time in Daying City, Wang Chen was not familiar with the surrounding geography, so Kou Shihai carefully selected three locations for him to choose from.

Wang Chen ultimately decided on the shores of the Blue Water Lake.

The Blue Water Lake is located over a hundred miles north of Daying City, covering an area of several dozen miles.

However, this vast lake is a saline lake; although the water is clear and blue, it is bitter and salty and cannot be drunk, surrounded entirely by salty and barren land, which is why no one resides there.

After confirming the battlefield, Kou Shihai personally returned a letter of challenge on his behalf.

At the same time, the news that celestial guardian Wang Chen would face off against the Sand Tribe Sorcerer Tuqi in a fight to the death spread throughout Daying City like it had sprouted wings!

Some were astonished, others curious, some were gloating, and others eagerly awaited the outcome.

There were also those who began to covertly make moves.

However, the bustling events in the city had nothing to do with Wang Chen; he spent three days in the quiet room of the Seven Star Pavilion, adjusting his condition to its best.

Then he ascended to the top of the pavilion and summoned his flying sword, soaring towards the Blue Water Lake!

Before departing, Wang Chen asked a servant in the pavilion to warm a cup of spiritual wine for him.

“I will drink it upon my return.”