Chapter 1275: Sun Comes From Above

Strangely, despite its terrifying and all-consuming appearance, the golden flames failed to hurt a hair on the crowd’s skin.

Not only that, the crowd suddenly felt their blood boiling like boiling water, and their flesh heating up like it was burning inside a furnace. Slowly but surely, the golden light was removing their impurities, enhancing their bloodline, and strengthening their physical body.

Right now though, no one could not be bothered to check out their physical transformations. It was because the sun was standing right in front of them.

Standing before the sun and basking in its blazing, golden flames, everyone felt as small and puny as an ant.

Despair gripped most of the crowd. Just when they thought that they were going to die, the sea of golden light and blazing fire slowly turned dim.

Actually, scratch that. The light and fire was rolling back into the sun. That was why it looked as if it was dimming.

It was also why the gigantic sun was shrinking by the second.

When all was said and done, the crowd finally discovered that the sun—the real sun—was still suspended high up in the nine heavens. It had never fallen in the first place. Not only that, the “sun” they thought was the sun was really a person.

A person who was more dazzling than the real sun.

When all of the golden light and blazing flame had sunk into the person’s body, he clasped his hands behind his back and landed firmly on the Unbounded Platform.

Everyone’s gaze was centered on the person in an instant. For a moment, it was so silent one could hear a pin drop.

Despite being the center of attention, the newcomer accepted it all like it was natural. He let out a chuckle and clasped his fists together, declaring, “Sorry for being late.”

The newcomer was none other than Ye Qing, of course.

Before Ye Qing made his appearance, countless people were uneasy, frustrated, resentful, angry, and more. But when Ye Qing finally appeared, no one dared to say a word, and their faces were all etched with shock, fear, or wariness.

Ye Qing might look no different from your ordinary person right now, but the memory of his oppressive, practically godlike descent was still fresh in everyone’s mind. Just the thought that he might unleash his power once more was enough to clamp their mouths shut like the strongest glue.

“I deeply apologize for my earlier transgressions.”

Ye Qing swept his gaze across the crowd before fixing his gaze on Spring Radiance Superior. “I am a poor student, and my loss of control has resulted in your injury, Superior. I hope you can forgive me.”

The crowd wore strange expressions when they heard this. It sounded like Ye Qing was apologizing to Spring Radiance Superior, and his tone was definitely sincere. However, to the vast majority of people present, it also felt like he was condescending them.

“I wouldn’t dare. It is this lousy one who acted like a fool before the master.”

To Spring Radiance Superior’s credit, he was incredibly equable. He returned Ye Qing’s salute and indicated that he was fine.

“Thank you, Superior.”

Ye Qing ignored the crowd’s reactions and gave Spring Radiance Superior a smile and a nod. “Thank you all for being forgiving as well.”

“Alright, I won’t waste anymore time with useless words. The heroes’ arena begins now. Anyone who wants the Earthly Sovereign Bell or my life may begin their attack!”

“......”

Despite Ye Qing’s declaration, no one seemed to know what to do. Just now, Ye Qing had shown off his formidable strength. Then, before they could recover their wits, he announced that the heroes’ arena had begun. Sure, the heroes’ arena did not need to be accompanied by fine wine or a beautiful dance, but he could have at least talked to them for a bit and given them time to recover, right?

This... this was just too abrupt!

“What’s wrong? Is nobody going to come at me?”

Ye Qing scanned the crowd as he spoke in a playful yet disdainful tone, “Don’t you want the Earthly Sovereign Bell?”

“Arena fights obey arena rules, Mad Lord. May we know what rules we need to obey in this heroes’ arena?”

One man asked, “There has to be some rules, right? Surely we couldn’t just, I don’t know, rush you at the same time? You would be in danger if we did, right?”

The speaker was a handsome, impressive-looking Spirit Master. Despite drawing the crowd’s attention, he did not appear to be nervous or afraid. He even puffed up his chest to show that he was calm.

“Rules?”

Smile unchanging, Ye Qing looked at the man and said, “I guess there is one rule. Live or die, to the victor goes the spoils. That is all.”

“If you want, if you’re not afraid to die, then feel free to charge me all at once. I promise I’ll take you all on.”

He’s mad!

That was the first thought that flashed through everyone’s mind when they heard Ye Qing’s declaration. Just where did he find the gall to say such a thing?

Countless

jianghu

and

wulin

warriors were gathered on the East Radiance Mountain right now. There had to be several thousand of them at least, if not ten thousand. Was he truly not afraid that they would say fuck it and attack him together?

That thought died as quickly as it appeared though. Yes, they outnumbered Ye Qing completely and utterly, but the large majority of them were small fries, cowards, or both. Forget if they even have the courage to rush Ye Qing together, could they really kill him even if they did charge as one?

No one could say for certain.

Besides, the true elites and champions had their own code. Few would tarnish their own name and reputation by ganging up on another. Even if they won, all it would earn them was scorn and shame.

Of course, some elites and champions did not have a code or shame. However, how many people could set foot in this arena and claim that they did not care about dignity?

Therefore, the shameless ones could not beat Ye Qing, and the proud ones could not bring themselves to gang up on him.

Bluntly speaking, the heroes’ arena was never meant for the small fries. It was a stage for the true elites and champions only. Therefore, one could say that Ye Qing was mad, and that he looked down on them, but the fact was that the large majority of them did not deserve to enter the heroes’ arena; did not deserve to challenge Ye Qing. All they deserved was the right to stand outside the heroes’ arena and cheer for the combatants within.

In short, they were just cheerleaders and spectators.

Silence followed the surge of defiance and anger.

That was what the Unbounded Platform was today. Silent.

“Are there any more questions?”

Ye Qing asked smilingly, “If there are none, then let us go already. The sooner we start, the sooner we finish.”

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Silence remained the response Ye Qing received, but this time, it was one of thoughtfulness.

The weak ones didn’t dare to enter the arena to begin with, but the strong ones were wondering what was the best time to set foot in the battlefield.

There was no doubt that the first person to fight Ye Qing would suffer the greatest disadvantage. No one who desired Ye Qing’s life or the Earthly Sovereign Bell wanted to go first because they were afraid that their efforts would benefit another!

That was why there was no response.

Ye Qing did not press the crowd for an answer. He simply closed his eyes and waited patiently.

There was a small smile hanging on his lips, however, one that felt like a soundless taunt or ridicule.

Before I arrived, you guys were raging and yelling for me to show up.

Now that I’m here, not a single one of you dares to set foot in the arena? If you’re not a joke, who is?

“Ah, I can’t wait any longer. If no one will be the first, then I will!”

About a teatime later, a brawny man with a thick beard finally made his declaration. After pushing the people away and climbing onto the platform, he saluted Ye Qing and said, “I am Tie Jun of the Kuishan Sect. I have come to ask for your guidance, Mad Lord!”

“Of course, I must clarify that I neither want the Earthly Sovereign Bell nor your life. I’m simply not strong enough. The reason I’m here now is purely because no one is entering the arena, and it’s getting real boring. So, I’m hoping that my brick will earn a jade down the line[1]. Also, I don’t want to hear the world saying that the

wulin

of Wei are all a bunch of pussies in the future.”

As the East Radiance Mountain was located in Wei, most of the

jianghu

people gathered here were from Wei as a matter of course. That was why his declaration instantly earned him a round of cheers and applause.

“Hehe, thank you, thank you,” said Tie Jun while bowing to the crowd again and again.

1. I offer a humble remark, please give us your valued opinion (e.g. commonplace remarks as a foreword to a distinguished speech). ☜