Chapter 60: The Deadly Duel Begins

After the dance, the entire audience erupted in applause!

Luo Chen clapped until his hands were red, for this was Gu Caiyi, the little sister next door!

He felt a sense of pride!

Mourning Qinglian also smiled and clapped, "Caiyi's dance has improved so much. Just her solo performance was stunning. I'm sure her fame will surpass that of Xiang Xiang, and she will become a renowned figure in the Dahuang Market."

The other audience members also praised her endlessly.

The magnificent effects created by integrating magic into the dance were hard to imagine.

For cultivators who struggled with cultivation every day, such graceful dance moves might be something they had never seen in their entire lives.

The white mist gradually dissipated.

Unbeknownst to everyone, a figure had already stood on the Dao Discussion Platform.

Dressed in a golden robe, his stern face had piercing eyes.

He bowed to the four directions, "I am Pang Renxiong. Thank you all for attending the grand opening ceremony of the Dahuang Market Dao Discussion Platform."

The entire audience fell silent, unsure of how to react.

This was because the man exuded an overwhelming aura, sharp like a sword.

He was undoubtedly a genuine sword cultivator, a Jade Cauldron Sword Cultivator.

For a group of low-level cultivators, any reaction might offend such a figure.

Pang Renxiong seemed indifferent to others' opinions. After a brief introduction, he pointed his fingers like a sword and struck the massive hundred-meter-tall stele behind him with a burst of magical power.

The Dao Discussion Platform rumbled under the impact of the magical power.

The power from the great array spread the spiritual veins, fully activating the stele.

The three gilded characters "Tianjiao List" shone brightly.

Faint names gradually became clear.

"Golden Core First: Ren Pingsheng of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect"

"Foundation Establishment First: Lin Qingxuan of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect"

"Qi Condensation First: Han Zheng of the Falling Cloud Sect"

Seeing the three brightest names, the tens of thousands of spectators were in an uproar.

Subsequently, discussions began.

Especially for cultivators who lived in remote places like the Dahuang Market, this was their first time witnessing the elite figures from the outside world.

They could not fathom how powerful these figures, hailed as the best in their realms, truly were.

Then, Pang Renxiong's voice sounded again.

"The Dao Discussion Platform is open, and the Tianjiao List is activated. Any cultivator who wishes to compete can step onto the platform to discuss the Dao and leave their name on the list."

"Each victor can claim a designated item from the defeated as a trophy and receive a corresponding appearance fee for their realm."

"The higher the ranking, the better the annual rewards from our Jade Cauldron Sword Sect."

"Even independent cultivators can compete, and if they perform well, they can join our Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and enjoy the same treatment as sect disciples."

With his introduction, everyone gained a better understanding of the Dao Discussion Platform.

Similarly, they learned about the function of the Tianjiao List.

If one used the Spirit Eye Technique, they could query the hidden records of those listed on the Tianjiao List.

Many people subconsciously checked, and then gasped in surprise.

Luo Chen was also curious about who could be called the Qi Condensation First.

So, he specifically looked at the record of Han Zheng from the Falling Cloud Sect.

Upon seeing it, he drew a sharp breath.

"Thirty-two battles at the same level, no defeats."

"Participated in Foundation Establishment battles, three wins, five losses."

"Who else could be called the Qi Condensation First if not such a person?"

While he was amazed, Uncle Mi Shuhua, sitting in the center, shook his head and sighed.

"As cultivators, we strive for immortality. Such a focus on combat prowess is somewhat akin to the ways of the demonic path."

Luo Chen blinked, his excitement subsiding.

Excessive combat indeed affected a cultivator's cultivation and was not beneficial for longevity in the long run.

However, there was another perspective.

For independent cultivators, this was also a way to rise.

By gaining fame and distinction, they could not only receive rewards but also be noticed by major sects.

If they could join a sect, they might escape the plight of being an independent cultivator and gain a sect background and guidance from experts.

At the very least, joining a cultivation family as a venerated elder would be better than practicing alone.

Of course, the prerequisite was to have formidable combat skills.

Pang Renxiong did not stay on the platform for long. As a Golden Core cultivator, he announced the start of the grand opening ceremony.

One by one, the prepared performances began.

Among them, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators battling second-stage beasts was particularly thrilling.

It was said that the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect would intentionally capture some first and second-stage beasts as opponents for cultivators in the future.

With the increasing number of prisoners in the Red Pillar Prison,

The combat programs during the initial development of the Dao Discussion Platform were plentiful.

As long as it continued to operate and cultivate a combative atmosphere among cultivators, the Dao Discussion Platform would definitely earn spirit stones.

While watching the performances, Luo Chen also observed the expressions of the Broken Mountain Gang members around him.

Although they were amazed by the thrilling performances, there was still a reserved look on their faces.

Indeed, they were most concerned about their own affairs.

And this affair was the final and most significant program of today's grand opening ceremony.

Eighteen deadly duels!

A familiar figure rode a flying sword onto the Dao Discussion Platform.

Miao Zhen, an outer sect enforcer of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and the current master of the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion.

An old acquaintance, he had also been the one to introduce the participants in previous performances.

This time, his appearance announced the start of the final and most brutal program.

"The Broken Mountain Gang and the Great River Gang have some minor conflicts. Today, they will settle their differences on the Dao Discussion Platform, and all of you will bear witness."

"Each gang will send nine people, with no restrictions on methods below the Foundation Establishment level."

"Unlike regular Dao discussions, this battle will be decided by life and death."

"Ha ha, if you have any conflicts in the future, you can contact our sect's Dao Discussion Platforms in various markets and cities, and we will arrange everything for you."

After a brief promotion, Miao Zhen's expression turned serious.

"Now, the first battle begins."

"Broken Mountain Gang's Han Dang versus Great River Gang's Min Longyu."

After speaking, he stepped off the platform.

On both sides of the massive stone platform, two figures slowly appeared, and a light barrier containing immense spiritual energy, like an inverted bowl, sealed the platform.

Only the victor could leave the Dao Discussion Platform.

In the stands, the members of both gangs no longer held back, loudly cheering for their own members.

Especially the Broken Mountain Gang, who were most familiar with Han Dang, shouted with earth-shattering enthusiasm.

"Han Hall Master, kill him!"

"Kill that person, the Heart Devouring Tiger is invincible!"

The sounds from outside had no effect on the people inside.

The two opponents looked at each other, said nothing, and immediately used their skills.

The battle erupted instantly!

In the stands, Luo Chen stared intently at the direction of the battle, curious about the methods these late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators used to fight.

He had also specifically learned about the name "Heart Devouring Tiger" Han Dang.

The Broken Mountain Gang had seven major halls, each led by a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator.

Over the years, the cultivators in the Dahuang Market had given many evaluations of these seven people.

Among them, Han Dang was the highest in realm and the most ruthless in means.

His selection for the first battle also showed how much Uncle Mi Shuhua trusted him.

However, the battle began in a way no one expected.

The unknown Min Longyu turned out to be an array master.

He first calmly activated a defensive talisman and then threw array flags in all directions.

Han Dang attacked the defensive talisman, making the light barrier wobble, but it had no effect on the opponent.

He then turned to destroy the array flags. With his skills, he destroyed dozens of flags in the blink of an eye.

Just when he thought the situation was under control and he was about to break the defensive barrier,

A sudden change occurred.

The broken array flags emitted a golden light, and hundreds of golden blades crisscrossed, relentlessly attacking him.

Han Dang also activated his defensive magical tool, but in the midst of the golden blades, he could only struggle to survive.

Everyone knew he wouldn't last much longer.

Uncle Mi Shuhua's kind smile disappeared, his face darkening as he looked at the Great River Gang.

Coincidentally, Wang Haihao also looked over.

"Is this one of your Great River Gang's people?"

"Brother Mi, didn't you already know? Why are you acting like a sore loser?"

"Hmph, the outcome is not yet determined!"

Despite his words, the heart-wrenching screams of Han Dang on the Dao Discussion Platform made his eyelids twitch.

Torn to pieces, blood and flesh flying.

This was the fate of the once-feared Heart Devouring Tiger.

The hundreds of Broken Mountain Gang members were silent.

In contrast, the entire audience erupted in excited cheers.

The joys and sorrows of people were ultimately different.

Luo Chen, sitting there, felt his scalp tingle.

Han Dang's perfect Qi Condensation realm was undeniable, with a high-quality flying sword, a high-quality defensive magical tool, and a solid foundation of magical power.

His combat skills were flawless.

However, in that strange battle, after the initial advantage, he was almost powerless to fight back.

Was this the power of an array master?

While he was reflecting, he noticed that beside him, Mourning Qinglian had tightly clenched her fingers together.

(End of Chapter)