Chapter 373 Dangerous Moonshadow

Liu Xu’s face was cold and stern.

Tian Zhen casually scratched his ear and said, “It’s just a duel. My disciple just came out of the Savage Wastes. Survival is all that matters there.”

Liu Xu understood—this was a deliberate provocation by Tian Zhen, a retaliatory response to Gong Tianshou’s earlier sword strike.

Now, only by killing Jiao Zheng could they end this brutal duel. Otherwise, Jiao Zheng would continue slaughtering the disciples of Tianqing Sacred Land on the stage.

What had started as a simple contest between Foundation Realm disciples had escalated into a full-blown battle between Human Dao cultivators.

Fan Chen looked smug as he saw Duo Mingzi step toward the stage. “Surely Senior Brother Duo won’t lower himself to intervene personally? When did Tianqing Sacred Land sink so low?”

Duo Mingzi frowned at Fan Chen’s mocking smile.

“Master, let me go! I must avenge Senior Brother!” Li Tianya’s eyes were bloodshot, his voice pleading.

Liu Xu looked back at her most prized disciple.

If not for the bottleneck in his cultivation, Li Tianya would already be capable of killing Jiao Zheng. But he hadn’t overcome his inner demons and remained stuck in the Miao Realm with no progress.

If he went up now, it would be suicide.

A demon cultivator from the Savage Wastes—one forged in seas of blood—was on another level. His ferocity and deadly aura were evident from his ruthlessly efficient fighting style.

Li Tianya wouldn’t stand a chance. But if she denied him this chance, it could become a permanent knot in his heart, forever halting his advancement.

Liu Xu hesitated.

“I’ll go,” said Miao Yue, stepping forward.

Since returning to Tianqing Sacred Land, Miao Yue had reached the Human Dao Realm, though she hadn’t yet revealed her strength publicly.

Li Tianya looked at her, the fire in his heart cooling into bitter self-loathing.

He hated himself—for his laziness, his complacency. If only he had been more diligent, maybe he’d already stepped into the Human Dao Realm and could strike down this monster!

But now… he was powerless.

Miao Yue glanced at him. “Looks like Junior Brother Li is about to break through. Opportunity comes to those who dare.”

Then she leapt onto the arena.

Jiao Zheng turned his gaze toward her. His ferocious aura, barely noticeable from afar, was overwhelming now that she was face-to-face with him.

“What a terrifying aura,” Miao Yue thought, eyes narrowing cautiously.

Jiao Zheng grinned savagely. “It’s been a long time since I tasted a woman’s heart. So tender… so sweet!”

The moment he finished speaking, he vanished.

Miao Yue had been watching him closely. As soon as he disappeared, she waved her arms, gathering energy around her.

“Heaven and Earth Without Form, Dao Origin Mystic Arts!”

Jiao Zheng’s form reappeared—immobilized by her energy.

Surprise flashed across his face. He hadn’t expected to be restrained!

Raising his eyes, he saw Miao Yue charging at him with her sword.

He raised his hand just as his world turned upside down.

Her technique disrupted his sense of space and balance—but relying on his battle-hardened instincts, Jiao Zheng managed to swat directly at her sword tip.

“Domain?” he muttered.

Miao Yue didn’t answer. Her strikes intensified, sword energy spreading like a vast net over him.

The disorienting shifts in reality left Jiao Zheng vulnerable. This was the power of the Human Dao Realm’s ultimate technique—the Domain.

Only top-tier prodigies could manifest a Domain at this level.

“She formed a Domain?! Can anyone tell which one?”

“It’s Mu Sect’s Heavenly Steel Mirror Domain! I can’t believe Miao Yue has reached this level!”

“Inside a Domain, that beast is finished!”

Their confidence was justified. Unlike human cultivators who balanced body and spirit, demon cultivators in the Human Dao Realm focused on refining their bodies, making them physically formidable—but also more vulnerable to Domains, which eroded power directly through mystical pressure.

But just as everyone was celebrating, Miao Yue’s expression changed. She immediately retreated.

Just in time—Jiao Zheng’s claws swiped past where she had just been.

“Not bad reflexes,” Jiao Zheng said. “But I’ve already seen through your Domain. It won’t work on me anymore.”

He vanished again.

His movements were so fast they seemed to tear through space. Miao Yue saw a flicker of distortion—but couldn’t pinpoint his location.

Still, she maintained her Domain. Though she had only grasped three of its mystical traits, it was enough.

“Get lost!” Miao Yue shouted, turning and striking his claws with her sword. Sparks flew from the clash.

Jiao Zheng’s savage grin remained. He wasn’t fazed at all by her counter.

“I can already smell your blood and flesh,” he sneered, vanishing again—this time with a sharp sonic boom.

When the sound cleared, he reappeared behind Miao Yue.

“Lady Miao Yue! Behind you!” people screamed.

Liu Xu looked up sharply. As she took a step forward, Tian Zhen’s gaze met hers, locking her in place with his aura.

This entire tournament had been a trap—set by demon clans and evil cultivators to wear down Tianqing Sacred Land’s younger generation.

Now that their Saintess had entered the arena, Tian Zhen would never allow anyone to interfere.

Miao Yue’s expression changed. She sensed Jiao Zheng behind her, but before she could move, a chilling aura froze her in place.

Her meridians locked up instantly.

“You’re from the Moonshadow Clan!” Miao Yue suddenly exclaimed.

“Correct,” Jiao Zheng hissed. “But no prize for guessing.”

He struck toward her back, intent on ending it.

As the Saintess of Tianqing Sacred Land, killing her would be worth exposing his true identity.

The one closest to her was Duo Mingzi. He could stop it—if he acted now.

But Fan Chen glared coldly at him. If Duo Mingzi acted, Fan Chen would too.

Duo Mingzi hesitated.

Jiao Zheng’s claws touched Miao Yue’s back—only to instantly retreat.

His expression twisted.

“Impudent!” Tian Zhen roared, turning toward Tianqing Sacred Land.

Everyone instinctively followed his gaze.

Chen Fei stepped into view.

Many gasped. “Wait… is that… Human Dao Realm?! No way!”

Chapter 374: I’ll Defend the Arena

No wonder Tianqing Sacred Land’s disciples were shocked.

When Chen Fei first entered the sect, his cultivation was barely half a step into the Dao Realm—worse than even outer sect disciples!

But since joining, his growth had been terrifying.

“You brat! You’re courting death!” Tian Zhen growled.

A Human Dao cultivator facing a Heavenly Dao Realm expert—most would crumble under the pressure.

But Chen Fei’s expression didn’t change. He calmly walked to the center of the crowd.

On stage, Jiao Zheng glared at him.

“If breaking the rules made people uncomfortable, I’ll defend the arena. How about that?” Chen Fei said calmly.

Liu Xu’s face changed instantly.

Defending the arena—meaning he would remain on the platform and face challenger after challenger.

But for Tianqing Sacred Land, this was familiar.

It wasn’t the first time Chen Fei had done this. In fact, his confidence somehow reassured the disciples.

“Defend the arena? Fine!” Tian Zhen’s savagery vanished as he smirked and looked Chen Fei over. “I won’t bully you. Ten matches. If you survive them all, you’re free to leave.”

“Deal,” Chen Fei nodded.

Tian Zhen turned to Jiao Zheng.

The beast licked his claws. That sword intent from earlier had nearly severed his arm. He had no choice but to retreat then.

Miao Yue looked at Chen Fei, eyes full of complex emotion.

She remembered back in Yellow Mist City—he had stood firm just like this.

She thought that regaining her strength and breaking through would mean she could protect others. Yet here he was again—protecting her.

But she didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she stepped in front of him. “Be careful, husband.”

Chen Fei smiled and patted her on the head.

If they were alone, it wouldn’t matter. But this was in full view of the sect!

To the other disciples, Miao Yue was like an unattainable moon goddess.

Now seeing Chen Fei casually patting her head—many turned red with rage.

“Bastard! Take your filthy hand off her!”

“How could the Saintess let him touch her like that?!”

They were grateful he stepped up—but this?! The jealousy was unbearable!

Miao Yue didn’t flinch, simply reminded him again to be careful.

Chen Fei turned to Li Tianya. Their eyes met, and Li Tianya nodded firmly.

Chen Fei smiled. “Wait for me. I’ll avenge him.”

With that, he leapt onto the stage.

“I like your guts,” Tian Zhen sneered. “But guts aren’t enough. You need strength to back them up!”

He waved his hand toward Jiao Zheng.

Jiao Zheng flexed his arms. “I’ve been itching to go!”

Chen Fei looked at him, then slowly raised one finger.

“Huh?” Jiao Zheng was puzzled.

Chen Fei spoke calmly: “One sword.”

The crowd collectively turned toward Gong Tianshou.

Still recovering beside Dong Feng, Gong Tianshou flushed slightly—but then straightened his back with pride.

Jiao Zheng narrowed his eyes. “You arrogant brat. In the Savage Wastes, talking like that would get you killed in three days.”

Chen Fei chuckled and shook his head. With a wave, a giant, blunt-edged sword appeared in front of him.