Chapter 372 Vengeful Kill

Gong Tianshou’s sword strike had been so fast that many had not even realized what had happened.

Chu Wei’s attack had seemed utterly feeble before that single sword.

Fan Chen’s pupils shrank sharply as he stared at Gong Tianshou.

Gong Tianshou’s expression suddenly changed. His body, which he had barely been holding steady, began to tremble violently.

Dong Feng rushed over and immediately helped him up.

“Pfft!” Gong Tianshou spat out a mouthful of blood.

Those who didn’t know the truth looked on in confusion.

Miao Yue stepped forward, furious, and glared at Fan Chen. “You dared to use a dirty trick? Despicable!”

Before Miao Yue could act, Duo Mingzi stepped between Fan Chen and Gong Tianshou, snorting coldly. “If you’re looking for a fight, I’ll gladly oblige.”

Duo Mingzi’s appearance instantly raised the morale of Tianqing Sacred Land’s disciples.

Fan Chen squinted and stared coldly at Duo Mingzi. “Heh, to think the righteous disciples of Tianqing Sacred Land would resort to such tactics. Looks like I underestimated you.”

Gong Tianshou’s face was pale as paper. Dong Feng quickly shoved a pill into his mouth, and color slowly returned to his cheeks.

Cough cough! Gong Tianshou raised his voice despite his weakness. “I’d really like to know, what dirty tricks did I supposedly use?”

Fan Chen’s gaze fell on the sword in Gong Tianshou’s hand. “An outer sect disciple wielding a top-grade artifact? Is Tianqing Sacred Land really so generous? And that sword intent… it’s not a power you could possibly control!”

Leaning on Dong Feng, Gong Tianshou smirked. “This sword, ‘Mingxin,’ was forged by Senior Brother Dong Feng himself. You people, hiding in your mountain woods without any forging skills—of course, I wouldn’t expect you to recognize craftsmanship.”

His words made Fan Chen’s expression darken instantly.

He had originally tried to suppress them with his presence but was instead mocked and humiliated.

“As for the sword intent, it was taught to me by Core Disciple Chen Fei. Unfortunately, I’m too dull. One strike drained me completely. I’ve truly shamed Senior Brother Chen…” Gong Tianshou looked directly into Fan Chen’s crimson eyes. “But I didn’t expect your man couldn’t even handle a single sword. What a pity.”

The whole place fell silent.

Even Tianqing Sacred Land’s own disciples had assumed Gong Tianshou had used some trick. But after hearing this, they immediately understood.

It was clear that Gong Tianshou’s sword had a huge drawback—if it didn’t end the fight in one blow, he would be helpless.

But this was a formal arena duel!

“So basically, you guys can’t handle it? It’s a duel—deaths can happen!”

“Right! If someone gambles everything on one strike and your guy couldn’t withstand it, that’s on him. And now you pull a sneak attack? Tsk tsk.”

Everyone had been holding back their frustration earlier. Now, given the chance to vent, they didn’t hesitate.

Fan Chen knew he was in the wrong this time. He looked up at Duo Mingzi. “Why don’t we try a match?”

“Come on!” Duo Mingzi raised his head, staring back with burning fighting intent.

Both sides were ready to fight—

But just as they were about to clash, a colossal sword shadow erupted from within Tianqing Sacred Land.

The sky changed color. Everyone instinctively turned their heads.

“What is that?” Doubt and awe filled their minds.

The massive sword gradually condensed—then shattered loudly.

Clearly, someone had just broken through!

For Tianqing Sacred Land, this was undoubtedly good news.

“No wonder they call it Tianqing Sacred Land. Truly blessed with talent,” Fan Chen said coldly.

But before he and Duo Mingzi could exchange blows, a figure appeared—it was Tian Zhen.

“You two are powerhouses. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to fight later. Let’s leave this stage to the younger generation,” Tian Zhen said calmly.

As he finished speaking, a burly figure appeared behind him.

The man had a ferocious expression and sharp claws. Though humanoid in shape, his beast-like traits were obvious.

“This is the disciple I just accepted—Jiao Zheng,” Tian Zhen patted the man’s shoulder, then looked toward Tianqing Sacred Land’s disciples. “Who would like to test their strength against him?”

“I will!” The eldest disciple of the Water Gate, Xu Wuxing, stepped forward.

Tian Zhen didn’t waste time. With a nod, Jiao Zheng shot forward like a black shadow and landed directly on the arena.

Jiao Zheng looked at Xu Wuxing and grinned wide, baring sharp teeth. “Come on.”

His voice was raspy and bone-chilling.

Xu Wuxing’s expression grew serious. He leapt gracefully onto the stage.

“Please!” Xu Wuxing raised his hand in gesture, but Jiao Zheng was already charging in.

“Shameless!”

“Be careful, Senior Brother Xu!”

Xu Wuxing hadn’t expected such a swift and dirty start. He quickly leapt backward to avoid the blow.

Jiao Zheng’s claw slashed through his afterimage, tearing it apart—only for it to turn into a puddle of water that splashed on the ground.

“As expected of a demonic cultivator—ruthless!” Xu Wuxing sneered.

“No rules at all. This was supposed to be a duel, and he just goes for a sneak attack!”

“Thankfully, Senior Brother Xu reacted fast. If it were someone else, they might’ve died right away!”

Jiao Zheng ignored the crowd’s outrage. He narrowed his eyes and said, “If it’s a battle, the goal is to kill. When was the last time any of you saw real blood?”

The moment he finished speaking, he vanished again.

Xu Wuxing’s face changed, dodging once more. He was shocked at the beast’s ferocity.

Then a hoarse voice whispered in his ear:

“Trying the same trick twice? Do you think I’m a fool?”

Xu Wuxing instantly realized the danger and yelled: “Water Shield!”

Streams of water flowed around him, forming a protective barrier.

Feeling the water encase him, Xu Wuxing finally relaxed slightly.

But just as he eased up, he saw the terrified, shocked expressions of the people below the stage.

Sudden pain erupted in his chest. Looking down—

His heart was in front of his eyes.

Still beating.

“This…!” Xu Wuxing’s eyes filled with disbelief. Then, everything went dark.

Jiao Zheng pulled his arm out of Xu Wuxing’s chest and, without hesitation, popped the heart into his mouth, chewing with relish.

Duo Mingzi’s pupils contracted sharply.

Among the spectators, Ling Tianya’s eyes went wide. “Senior Brother!”

As Xu Wuxing’s junior under the Water Gate, Ling Tianya had followed him ever since entering Tianqing Sacred Land.

He knew Xu Wuxing’s capabilities—perhaps not as strong as disciples later chosen by the sect master, but certainly formidable.

He had never imagined that Jiao Zheng would kill him so easily—and consume his heart in front of everyone.

“Damn it!” Ling Tianya leapt forward, but before he could reach the stage, his body froze in place, bound tightly by rushing streams of water.

“Master! Let me avenge Senior Brother!” Ling Tianya’s eyes turned blood-red as he looked up at Liu Xu.