Chapter 19: The Unfair Duel and the Heavenly Abode’s Intervention

Lan Wu Xi, being a cultivator, managed to endure that unexpected blow with the tenacious resilience of a cockroach. He gritted his teeth and bore the pain, successfully avoiding public embarrassment.

Yun Tianqi, though observing Lan Wu Xi’s peculiar movements, merely attributed them to a flimsy excuse to evade their duel.

“Why are you clutching your stomach, esteemed one? Are you perhaps suggesting that a bad meal has rendered you incapable of sparring with me?”

This was no laughing matter; despite inadvertently provoking Yun Tianqi, everything was unfolding precisely as his mission required. All he needed to do now was adhere to the system’s mandate: publicly defeat Yun Tianqi and utterly disgrace him.

“It’s nothing, a minor discomfort. If His Highness is so inclined, I shall certainly see this through to the end.”

“In that case, I shall humbly request your guidance, esteemed one. I, Yun Tianqi, will undoubtedly give my utmost!”

This tone served as an overt warning to Lan Wu Xi, indicating that Yun Tianqi fully intended to fight him to the death. It clearly showcased Yun Tianqi’s absolute confidence in his own power, for he was a formidable Golden Core Realm expert, and dealing with a youth who appeared slightly younger than himself would be effortlessly simple.

Naturally, he had no intention of allowing Lan Wu Xi an easy defeat. While fighting might not solve every problem, it could certainly solve *him*. Therefore, Yun Tianqi resolved to crush Lan Wu Xi with a lethal determination, aiming to at least cripple his cultivation and severely damage his Dantian. If Lan Wu Xi remained, there would never be an opportunity for him and Huang Yao Yue.

“Heh, His Highness Yun Tianqi, aren’t you being a bit unreasonable? Your age significantly surpasses that of my fiancé; such a duel is utterly unfair. It truly takes some nerve for His Highness to bully someone younger.”

Huang Yao Yue was, of course, keenly aware of the vast disparity in strength between Lan Wu Xi and Yun Tianqi. Should they truly fight, the outcome was painfully obvious. Moreover, Lan Wu Xi had plunged into this treacherous situation entirely for her sake, and the immense pressure he would face was simply unimaginable.

Prior to this, Lan Wu Xi had always presented himself as someone who loathed trouble, shrinking back from any confrontation. He had even ignored her when she was being harassed, painting the vivid picture of a scoundrel. Initially, Huang Yao Yue had even suspected him to be the pampered scion of some prominent family.

Though the scent of alcohol indicated Lan Wu Xi was already half-drunk, there was a saying: ‘Truth comes out in wine.’ Perhaps this man was, in fact, cold on the outside but warm within. Thus, Huang Yao Yue absolutely could not allow Lan Wu Xi to duel Yun Tianqi without first increasing his chances of victory.

“Indeed, His Royal Highness the Third Prince is already at the Golden Core Realm, while his opponent appears rather young. A battle between them would certainly lack fairness…”

“Shh, be careful! Can’t you see His Highness the Prince is displeased?”

The onlookers, however, did not react significantly to her words; perhaps they were wary of Yun Tianqi’s retaliation, choosing instead to remain silent.

“I believe this young lady speaks wisely; this battle truly is unjust.”

While the nobility dared not speak in Huang Yao Yue’s defense, this did not mean others wouldn’t. After all, many individuals harbored no fear of Yun Tianqi. Were he the king, they might well have reconsidered their actions, but he was, at present, merely a prince. Having previously boasted and provoked all the sects and powers present, such an opportunity to dampen his arrogance would naturally not be easily relinquished.

Just then, a man clad in a black robe stepped forward. He regarded the displeased Yun Tianqi with not an ounce of trepidation, merely offering a faint, composed smile in return. His demeanor, neither servile nor arrogant, was ample proof of his extraordinary strength, a composure only possible for someone utterly confident in their own power.

“And you are, esteemed one…?”

Yun Tianqi clasped his hands in a respectful salute, his eyes narrowed as if attempting to pierce through the man’s very being. At such a moment, anyone bold enough to interject either possessed formidable backing as a shield or harbored immense confidence in their own abilities.

“I am Wei Yuantian, an inner disciple of the Heavenly Abode. I found the young lady’s words to be quite reasonable. After all, this young man is considerably younger, and a duel would indeed be rather unjust.”

“‘Heavenly Abode’?”

Lan Wu Xi also heard the man speak, initially feeling a touch of surprise. Why, at such a critical juncture, would anyone step forward to assist him? However, upon hearing the man announce his affiliation, understanding dawned upon him.

‘So he’s a disciple of the Heavenly Abode. No wonder he stepped forward to speak on my behalf.’

Lan Wu Xi paused, slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected members of the Heavenly Abode to be present at this banquet, in addition to those from the Profound Phoenix Manor.

After all, the Heavenly Abode was considered a first-rate power, no less influential than the Profound Phoenix Manor. Though occasional friction and conflicts arose due to their differing sects, they maintained a relatively friendly relationship compared to those sects whose direct interests clashed.

“So, you are a disciple of the Heavenly Abode. Since you perceive this battle as unfair, do you have any suggestions?”

“Heh, I wouldn’t call it a suggestion, exactly. However, since the two of you are merely sparring, perhaps you could each suppress your cultivation to an equivalent realm. This way, you could both better discern your own shortcomings.”

The moment these words left his lips, the other sect disciples present, who had been merely observing, began to murmur in unison. Their consensus largely favored the proposal, and the fact that Wei Yuantian could instantaneously garner such widespread agreement demonstrated his exceptional nature.

Lan Wu Xi, at the very least, was certain he possessed no such capability.

Despite his status as a core disciple, in truth, that title was little more than a slightly more prestigious designation than that of an ordinary disciple. The so-called preferential resources provided by the Profound Phoenix Manor offered only a marginal improvement over what other disciples received, making them virtually negligible for those hailing from prominent families.

Consequently, as an inner disciple, Wei Yuantian’s words carried considerable weight. Furthermore, those familiar with him knew that he undeniably possessed the potential to become a personal disciple, with even the position of chief disciple not entirely out of reach.

“This fellow Daoist certainly speaks with a degree of reason.”

“Hmm, though I’m reluctant to admit it, such a setup would indeed be far more engaging.”

Since the sect disciples had all assented to Wei Yuantian’s proposal, it would be truly unreasonable for Yun Tianqi to disregard it. He could hardly ignore Wei Yuantian’s suggestion and forcibly duel Lan Wu Xi.

“Brother Wei’s words are indeed reasonable. I shall not bully this younger brother, then. I will voluntarily suppress my cultivation to the Profound Wheel Realm, for it was precisely at that realm when I was this esteemed brother’s age.”

Even though Yun Tianqi had conceded a step due to Wei Yuantian, his words still exuded absolute confidence. He believed that even with his cultivation voluntarily suppressed, this battle would proceed without any unforeseen incidents. The cultivation techniques he commanded were all among the Cloudsky Royal Family’s most supreme and peerless arts; any one of them, if introduced to the outside world, would undoubtedly ignite a tremendous fervor. Thus, even if Lan Wu Xi’s identity was shrouded in mystery, Yun Tianqi did not believe his strength could possibly surpass his own.

“Since Yun Tianqi is being so courteous, I shall not decline.”

Taking a deep breath, Lan Wu Xi cast a grateful glance at Wei Yuantian before stepping forward, his aura erupting from his body like a hurricane. This display startled Yun Tianqi immensely; his opponent was actually a cultivator of the Profound Wheel Realm. In that case, the outcome of this battle truly became uncertain.

“Please, enlighten me with your guidance.”

No sooner had Lan Wu Xi uttered his final words than Yun Tianqi vanished from his spot. Simultaneously, he reappeared less than ten meters from Lan Wu Xi, a longsword clutched in his hand, clearly intending to strike first and seize the initiative.

The cultivation technique Yun Tianqi practiced was one that overwhelmed foes with sheer force. Before Lan Wu Xi, he seemed like a sharply honed longsword, with fierce gusts of wind forming blades that assailed Lan Wu Xi from all directions. Should they strike, the consequences would be dire beyond imagination.

In a sense, Lan Wu Xi’s cultivation technique bore a resemblance to Yun Tianqi’s, but the latter was more adept at overpowering opponents with the sheer might of his cultivation – in simpler terms, bullying the weaker.

Lan Wu Xi’s cultivation techniques were far from advanced; many were, in fact, the most basic methods available to every disciple in the Profound Phoenix Manor. These techniques often had numerous flaws and weak potency, serving merely as whetstones for newly initiated Qi Refinement cultivators to solidify their spiritual power. Typically, as one’s strength progressed, they would actively seek out and practice more potent techniques.

Yet, Lan Wu Xi diverged from the norm. Despite having several opportunities to cultivate more powerful techniques, he ignored everyone’s advice, stubbornly insisting on practicing what others deemed low-grade methods. Because of this, Mentor Bai Lio had frequently tried to dissuade him.

What others failed to realize was that Lan Wu Xi had an entirely different agenda for doing so.

Although he was merely a minor villain, the system was not entirely useless. While it restricted Lan Wu Xi’s cultivation, it also bestowed upon him a unique talent: the authority to comprehend any cultivation technique and swiftly grasp its underlying essence.

However, with advantages came disadvantages. While he possessed the innate ability to comprehend the profound artistic conception of cultivation techniques—a feat most people struggled to achieve even after years of diligent effort—this talent was counterbalanced by a drastic reduction in his opportunities to acquire high-tier techniques. In essence, his luck had been almost completely annihilated.

Did anyone truly believe Lan Wu Xi hadn’t desired those few opportunities?

On one occasion, his mentor inexplicably fell ill and was unable to lecture, resulting in their absence.

Another time, his mentor was suddenly struck by a bolt of azure lightning while traveling. Though their life was saved after an arduous rescue effort, the incident delayed their lectures for several months.

On the final occasion, the day before a lecture, his mentor encountered a long-unseen enemy and tragically perished at their hands, effectively canceling the class entirely.

Yet, all of these incidents paled in comparison to one particular event. Lan Wu Xi once gained the rare opportunity to enter the Profound Phoenix Manor’s Scripture Pavilion. This invaluable chance thrilled him so much that he couldn’t sleep that night, for he believed that if he were fortunate enough to acquire some reclusive cultivation technique, he might just alter his destiny as a villain.

And what do you suppose happened? The moment Lan Wu Xi’s left foot crossed the threshold of the Scripture Pavilion, a celestial fire, descending like an army of a thousand horses, coincidentally manifested directly above the pavilion. In an instant, a significant portion of the Profound Phoenix Manor’s century-old Scripture Pavilion’s techniques were utterly obliterated. Fortunately, Lan Wu Xi was rescued by the elder guarding the pavilion, thus escaping death, but his chance to obtain a cultivation technique vanished just as swiftly.

Thereafter, any opportunity for Lan Wu Xi to acquire high-tier cultivation arts invariably triggered a considerable disaster. Consequently, Lan Wu Xi was resigned to dedicating his time to these low-grade techniques that others disdained.

Yet, through the relentless honing of time, these initially low-grade techniques began to radiate a renewed allure under Lan Wu Xi’s perception. Uncharted profound mysteries within these techniques truly transformed into individual opportunities. Within Lan Wu Xi’s grasp, they all evolved into entirely new techniques, their power more than doubling.

Although they still fell short compared to other high-tier cultivation arts, they already constituted a respectable fighting force, or rather, a formidable trump card.

“Overturning Water Palm!”

The surging spiritual energy, like the ceaseless flow of the Yellow River, merged with Lan Wu Xi. Within his palm, a torrent of spiritual energy became subtly visible. Water could capsize a boat, and it could also overturn the heavens. A seemingly thin, transparent shield of spiritual energy formed over Lan Wu Xi’s hand, and if one listened closely, they could even hear the roaring sound of river water crashing against bedrock.

“Hmph, utterly futile, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot! Die, you fool, ha ha!”

Yun Tianqi naturally perceived the cultivation technique Lan Wu Xi was employing, noting its striking resemblance to the lowest-grade Overturning Water Palm from his memory. Furthermore, that incredibly faint spiritual energy was utterly insignificant compared to his own beast-like spiritual power, prompting an involuntary chuckle.

‘Oh no, has Yun Tianqi gone mad? To unleash such a powerful technique!’

Huang Yao Yue, witnessing Yun Tianqi’s imposing stance from the sidelines, couldn’t help but inwardly fret. She gazed at Lan Wu Xi, hoping he possessed some formidable trump card. While she didn’t expect him to win, even lasting a few rounds would prove he wasn’t weak, ensuring that their relationship wouldn’t be plagued by excessive gossip.

‘Wait… am I actually hoping to be with him? No, no, how could I possibly entertain such a thought?’

Before Huang Yao Yue could delve deeper into her internal conflict, a faint, non-aggressive spiritual energy slowly converged. This spiritual energy moved like a sluggish turtle, instantly catching Huang Yao Yue’s attention. When she looked on with a bewildered expression, she froze in astonishment.

‘This guy… he’s even crazier… What is he doing? This isn’t how you commit suicide!’

Wei Yuantian, observing from the side, also sensed Lan Wu Xi’s unusual actions, his eyes betraying a hint of confusion and doubt. Had he overestimated this fellow? No, that couldn’t be right; he was the person Miss had designated, so how could he be so weak?

“It appears the victor has been decided. I didn’t expect to have overestimated you, fellow Daoist.”

Upon impact, Yun Tianqi distinctly felt his sword technique collide with Lan Wu Xi’s palm. As the residual energy from his attack dispersed, he was even more certain that the strike had hit Lan Wu Xi. Even if it didn’t kill him, the fellow would at least be crippled. He refused to believe the Huang family would marry their daughter to a cripple.

‘Damn it, what is this guy playing at? Could it be that this fellow…’

An enraged Huang Yao Yue, believing Yun Tianqi was secretly cheating, knitted her brows tightly. Her chest heaved dramatically, betraying her inner worry and anxiety, especially as she gazed at Yun Tianqi’s smug expression, barely resisting the urge to rush forward and slap him.

‘What exactly is this guy doing? Is he truly all bark and no bite?’

As everyone watched the scene unfold, a single doubt flashed through their minds: a seemingly exciting duel had turned into a one-sided affair? It was truly ludicrous.

“Hey! The fight isn’t over yet! When was the victor decided? This is far too unfair!”

A voice, tinged with exasperation, emerged as the smoke gradually cleared. A figure stepped out of the haze, wearing an utterly speechless expression, completely unharmed. Conversely, the longsword in Yun Tianqi’s hand suddenly fractured, the weapon, forged from special crystal and appearing incredibly resilient, now lay utterly shattered and scattered across the ground.