Chapter 1050: Tenebrous Dragon King

Ning Chen'en nodded and said, "That Li Zhaopeng is very powerful in his own right. Even without the pearl, he's not that far off from Xu An'yu. Be careful."

Tang San inclined his head slightly. Ning Chen'en didn't need to elaborate; he already understood why the Tenebrous Dragon lineage had paid a hefty price for the Misfortune Pearl. The primary aim was surely to target the Radiant Dragon representative; this was about the battle for Crystal City.

Within the dragon race, Radiant Dragon King Xu An'yu had more internal support. But on the Daemon Continent, strength reigned supreme. If Li Zhaopeng defeated Xu An'yu, the latter would have no chance of becoming Crystal City's master. At the same time, if the Tenebrous Dragon lineage seized Crystal City, it would mean enormous gains for the Tenebrous Demon Emperor. Crystal City was the wealthiest main city, once the domain of the Crystal Demon Emperor, and the heart of the dragon race. Securing it would raise the Tenebrous Demon Emperor's standing within the dragons to rival that of the Crystal Demon Emperor in her heyday.

Xu An'yu held the Light Sprite; Li Zhaopeng had the Misfortune Pearl. Both sides were determined to give their all in the struggle for control over the dragon race and Crystal City.

But Xu An'yu and Li Zhaopeng were set to face off in the next round. Right now, it was Tang San's turn.

"If push comes to shove, just surrender. You have enough wins already. It'll be easier to find another opportunity later," Ning Chen'en advised.

Tang San gave a bitter smile. "Will it really be easier later? My next opponent is you, and after that the Scorching King. Neither of you is easy to deal with. I'll do my best."

Among the male nymph contestants, aside from Tang San, only the Scorching King had advanced. His record in the first three matches was one win and two losses; not great at all. Strangely, despite acquiring the Undying Golden Body at the grand auction, he hadn't used it, for reasons unknown. He had lost to both Li Zhaopeng and Ning Chen'en.

"In any case, stay cautious. The Misfortune Pearl is really hard to handle. The impact is huge," Ning Chen'en reminded him once more.

By now, the stands were packed to capacity, and the Emperors had all taken their seats.

Since Tang San was the top-ranked male contestant from the first bracket and was slated for the first match of the day against the top-ranked from the second bracket, he didn't bother entering his pavilion. He simply waited quietly outside, in the common rest area.

By this time, Mei Gongzi had also arrived; she was the last contestant to show up today. Her opponent would be formidable as well: the top female contestant from the second female bracket.

Today's matches would reveal the most probable candidates for first place in each group.

Still, few believed Tang San could secure first place in the group anymore. Despite his five victories, without the Scourge Dragon's aid, how could he stand against so many powerful foes? But even so, five wins already gave him a real shot at the top three.

"The second stage of the semifinals begins now. First match: the top male contestant of each bracket. Contestants, take the platform." The Celestial Fox Demon Emperor's voice rang out from halfway up Council Mountain.

Under countless gazes, Tang San leapt lightly into the arena. The cheers for the Amethystine Warrior instantly resounded through the stands. Despite Tenebrous Dragon King Li Zhaopeng wielding the mighty Misfortune Pearl, his reputation and popularity couldn't remotely match Tang San's.

Since Tang San had been barred from using the Scourge Dragon, public opinion had been in an uproar. The authorities at the Ancestral Court had forcibly suppressed the outcry, but the discontent of the crowd lingered. After all, even mighty Emperors couldn't defy the will of the masses forever. At this moment, each cheer for Tang San was as much a show of support as it was a protest against the perceived injustice, a way to vent their dissatisfaction.

On the opposite side of the arena, a figure rose into the air and landed—Li Zhaopeng, Tenebrous Dragon King, Black Dragon City Lord, and heir to the Tenebrous Demon Emperor.

Li Zhaopeng appeared as a middle-aged man; he was not all that handsome, but he sported a stern, unyielding presence. His short black hair bristled like steel needles, his gaze was resolute, and his divine sense rock-solid. His whole being radiated a domineering aura.

Tang San hadn't paid him much attention before; after his and Mei Gongzi's matches, he'd always left quickly. But now, facing him directly, Tang San couldn't help but nod inwardly in recognition.

The Tenebrous Demon Emperor was one of the first Emperors Tang San had clashed with. Among the Emperors, his strength ranked toward the lower end. Tang San even believed that the Sword Saint Demon Emperor now surpassed him. In the past, Tang San had once forcefully burned his own divine sense to temporarily lock down the Tenebrous Demon Emperor, compelling him to compromise so that Mei Gongzi could gain his support during her appointment. It wasn't that the Tenebrous Demon Emperor lacked bloodline power; rather, he lacked resolve. It was precisely because of this flaw that, even though his dragon bloodline and talent were both formidable, and the darkness element was among the most powerful, his ranking among the Emperors was nothing to write home about.

But seeing Tenebrous Dragon King Li Zhaopeng now, Tang San had to reevaluate the Tenebrous Demon Emperor. The man himself wasn't all that, but he had chosen a fine successor. Li Zhaopeng's unshakable determination clearly compensated for his master's shortcomings. This choice reflected the Tenebrous Demon Emperor's own awareness of his failings—clearly, a decision made after bitter reflection.

The Misfortune Pearl carried risks of backlash, and those without firm resolve were most vulnerable to it. No wonder the Tenebrous Demon Emperor had entrusted it to Li Zhaopeng; the latter's inner fortitude was quite sufficient. With the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor's protective talisman as well, Li Zhaopeng wouldn't suffer backlash in the short term.

The referee descended, and it was none other than the Sunborne Nymph Emperor. Since this was a clash between the highest-ranked contestants, the referee was an absolute powerhouse.

Tang San didn't know if Sunborne had volunteered to oversee the match in order to protect him or had simply been appointed to the role, but now wasn't the time for speculation. He simply joined Li Zhaopeng in bowing respectfully to the referee.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor glanced at them both and said coolly, "Prepare yourselves."

Li Zhaopeng bowed once more. In the next instant, a strange energy pulsed from him, and the spectral Misfortune Pearl emerged from his mouth.

The pearl gleamed with a deep, shifting light—sometimes dark blue, sometimes black, its hues changing subtly.

Li Zhaopeng's entire body was then covered in scales, which formed a black armor. His right hand gripped a jet-black warblade, clearly a divine item of great power.

A deep purple aura spread outward from his feet, casting half the arena into darkness. A low dragon's roar echoed as the shadow of a massive black dragon writhed behind him.

He was going all out!

Li Zhaopeng didn't underestimate Tang San just because he had lost the Scourge Dragon. From the start, he was unleashing his full strength.

Seeing this, Tang San sighed softly. His right hand grasped at the air, and the Radiant Dragon Spear appeared in his palm. Infused with life energy, the spear blazed with brilliant light, bathing him in a golden glow that imparted a hint of sacredness.

He certainly looked dazzling, but in terms of presence, he was clearly outmatched by Li Zhaopeng.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor frowned slightly at the sight of Tang San. Was this really all he had left?

Indeed, he had personally asked to officiate this match. He wanted to see how Tang San would face a powerful foe without the Scourge Dragon. Somehow, he still felt that this crafty young man might create another miracle. This clever fellow always seemed to do the impossible.