"Hahaha!" Huang Hanshan's laughter echoed across the high platform, sounding shrill and irritating—a stark contrast to the livid expression on Huyan Dong's face.

Xu Bashan couldn't bear to watch anymore and whispered, "No need to laugh so loudly…"

"I'm simply happy for our little brother," Huang Hanshan declared loudly. "Since he's your sworn brother, that makes him my brother too."

No one had expected Chu Liang to suddenly attack the Misty Waters City under the cover of night.

It was usually quieter at night during the second round, so none of them expected Chu Liang to launch an attack on Misty Waters City alone!

This choice was so bold it seemed almost suicidal.

In fact, most of the onlookers thought the same. They thought that Chu Liang had a mental breakdown upon finding out that all his teammates had died while he was scouting alone. In their eyes, this was a desperate, all-or-nothing move—a decision to go out in a blaze of sacrifice.

More and more people started saying he'd chosen to die with Jiang Yuebai out of love.

The only question now was how many he could take down before he fell.

This thrilling nighttime show stopped many viewers who were about to leave; they gathered below Emperor's Mound once more, with most spontaneously cheering Chu Liang on.

After all, it was rather tragic but brave of him to make this move.

When they saw him single-handedly take down a squad from Taotie City, a massive cheer erupted across the field, though a few cries of anguish could also be heard.

This year's assembly was a dangerous one for the Mount Shu Sect. Many crazy gamblers believed that a wealthy power like Taotie City would go to great lengths, offering hefty bribes to both the higher-ups and the disciples to secure a path and position in the Divine Nine.

To these gamblers, blinded by their bets, anything seemed possible—even a staged outcome—so they placed enormous wagers on Taotie City.

The competition had indeed played out just as they had predicted. Taotie City had allied with Penglai, leading to the elimination of most of the Mount Shu Sect team members.

At that point, gamblers were still smugly insisting they'd guessed the inside scoop all along.

But who would have thought that Chu Liang would appear out of nowhere and completely change the story?

Even if he could eliminate the Taotie City team, could he advance to the next round on his own? Could he take down Penglai on his own? Why go through all this trouble?

In the brief moment when Chu Liang chased after Huyan Bin, some forced themselves to say calmly, "It must be because the price wasn't settled. Chu Liang can't possibly mean to kill him."

The gamblers who lost everything wailed in despair, but there were even more who admired Chu Liang's bold move, cheering enthusiastically for his spectacular performance.

For a moment, the night outside the capital of Yu boiled with excitement, all because of Chu Liang.

"This kid..." Elder Huang said in amazement, "I thought he was a cunning prodigy for his age. But now it's clear—at heart, he's just like Ah Feng."

Scholar Sun nodded in agreement, then shot him a sidelong glance with a smirk. "So... you're saying Ah Feng isn't smart?"

Elder Huang jolted upright. "I never said that! Don't be an instigator—"

Boom!

Thankfully, before Elder Huang finished speaking, he had already leaped to a distant section of the spectator stands.

Di Nufeng withdrew her foot as she muttered, "You clearly said it. I heard you loud and clear."

"But your disciple truly takes after you. Most of the time, he seems indifferent, but when it comes to those he cares about, he can unleash extraordinary strength," Scholar Sun said with a sigh. "One day, he'll shine among the brightest on Mount Shu, just like you."

"Heh, you flatter him, Elder…" Di Nufeng chuckled. "My disciple's good, but he's still got a long way to go before he catches up to me."

Alright then,

Scholar Sun thought to himself.

I thought you were finally being humble, which rarely happens, but it turns out you were only being humble for your disciple.

"That definitely meant the same thing as what I said…" grumbled Elder Huang as he crawled back.

"Heh." Scholar Sun chuckled.

Now you know the value of reading a book titled Emotional Intelligence?

he thought to himself.

…

The explosions in Misty Waters City paused momentarily, only to resume soon after.

Chu Liang guessed that someone in the city might have gone after Pushan. But Pushan wasn't the type to be easily eliminated. He should be able to handle himself. After all, he had over two hundred high-level puppets helping him.

After swiftly eliminating the members of Taotie City, Chu Liang flew forward, crossing two streets before spotting another figure ahead.

Amidst the blazing firelight, a youth in black, tight-fitting clothes stood tall at the end of the long street, a saber strapped across his back.

He had been waiting for Chu Liang.

Chu Liang immediately figured out the youth's intention.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Suddenly, several sharp white feathers shot out from the side, their icy edges so lethal that even Chu Liang felt a jolt of danger despite his resilient body.

In an instant, he compressed the space beneath his feet, dodging ten zhang away.

The feathers struck nearby rubble, piercing and melting the stones instantly.

The type of peculiar poison coating the feathers remained unknown.

Chu Liang landed, but before he could stand firmly, he sensed a shadowy figure slipping out from the shadow beneath him.

It was a petite woman. With only half her body visible in the shadow, she stealthily drew two icy blades, aiming them at Chu Liang's legs.

Chu Liang seemed oblivious, but suddenly he stomped his foot fiercely!

Boom—

In an instant, the ground cracked, and the woman emerging from the shadow was flung several zhang away. She twisted mid-air, landing nearby, then swiftly kicked a large stone toward him with a sharp whoosh.

Just as the stone was about to strike Chu Liang, it transformed mid-air into a burly figure resembling a vajra warrior, roaring as he launched a punch downward!

If it was a competition of strength, Chu Liang had no fear. He met the punch head-on with his own.

Boom! Thud—

As their fists collided, the giant was sent crashing into the rubble, the impact echoing like thunder through the air.

In a heartbeat, Chu Liang had already faced off against three shadowy figures dressed in black.

They were the members of the Royal Wave Bureau from the Fuyao Kingdom.

As Chu Liang gazed at the figures before him, he realized the fight was inevitable. The Fuyao Kingdom was an ally of the Penglai Supreme Sect, like a loyal hound serving its master. If he didn't take down the dog, how would he ever get the chance to meet the master?

At the end of the street, a youth with a saber on his back approached slowly. His voice was low but clear as he said, "You truly are skilled. From the beginning, my esteemed teacher instructed us to keep an eye on the team from the Mount Shu Sect. They told me that Jiang Yuebai is the head disciple. Yet, I have always thought you were the strongest."

"Then you've got it wrong; Senior Sister Jiang is indeed stronger than me," Chu Liang replied.

"Yang Shenlong told us earlier that he would deal with the Mount Shu Sect team. When we offered to help, he said it wasn't necessary and instructed us to focus on protecting Misty Waters City. I really regretted it as I thought I had lost my chance to personally avenge my esteemed teacher by killing a Mount Shu disciple. So, I'm very grateful you came to me."

As the youth with the saber spoke, he continued advancing closer.

Snap.

He stopped five chi in front of Chu Liang; for cultivators, this distance was close enough to determine life or death in a single breath.

Chu Liang's flow of qi locked onto him, just as his qi flow locked onto Chu Liang. In truth, their confrontation had begun the moment he approached.

"Out of gratitude, I'll grant you a fair duel," said the youth with a saber on his back, commanding his companions, "Step back! No matter the outcome, do not interfere in this fight."

"Forget that," Chu Liang replied, shaking his head. "I suggest you all come at me together."

"Are you looking down on us?" The youth with a saber on his back said with a sneer, "You'll regret your arrogance."

"Not at all. I have great respect for people from Fuyao Kingdom," Chu Liang replied sincerely, "I'm just worried that if they leave, I won't have enough soul crystals."

GLTD Alternate Universe's Thoughts

Translator: GT