Chapter 83: Prelude to the Great Battle (Part 1)

"Chu Jianqiu, I never thought we would meet again!" Ouyang Yuan said coldly, his eyes fixed on Chu Jianqiu. He would never forget the humiliation he suffered at the Xuanjian Sect testing grounds.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he and his father, Ouyang Yin, trembled like chicks in the rain under the pressure of Yang Zhenhai. It was a humiliation he would never forget.

After that day, Ouyang Yuan swore to kill Chu Jianqiu and Yang Zhenhai to avenge his humiliation.

Everyone looked at Chu Jianqiu in surprise, never expecting him to know someone from the Blood Fiend Sect.

"Junior Brother Chu, you know him!" Tan Youxin exclaimed in shock. If Chu Jianqiu had colluded with the Blood Fiend Sect, the charge would be serious, and even as a direct disciple, he would not escape punishment.

"An old acquaintance!" Chu Jianqiu nodded and continued, "But an acquaintance who meets in life and death."

Chu Jianqiu's words were filled with an indescribable coldness. The enmity between him and these two people was irreconcilable, and the only way it could end was with one of them dead.

Only then did Tan Youxin feel relieved. If Chu Jianqiu had really colluded with the Blood Fiend Sect, her close association with him would not have ended well.

Seeing Chu Jianqiu in this state, Tan Youxin felt a chill run down her spine.

Throughout the journey, Chu Jianqiu had always remained calm and composed, even when Zhao Gaoshi mocked him repeatedly. He had not taken it to heart.

But now, facing the defiant young man from the Blood Fiend Sect, Chu Jianqiu exuded a bone-chilling killing intent that even a Ninth Rank True Qi Realm martial artist like Tan Youxin felt a chill.

"In the past, I was too merciful and let you live like a dog, but you ruined my plans. This time, you won't be so lucky. Today is your day of death!" Ouyang Yuan said coldly, looking at Chu Jianqiu.

"Attack! Kill them all, but keep the white-robed boy alive. I want to take his life with my own hands." Ouyang Yuan ordered the blood-robed martial artists beside him.

"As you command!" The blood-robed martial artists bowed and charged over.

Bu Feiyue was surprised to see that Chu Jianqiu and the defiant young man had a grudge. He felt a mix of surprise and schadenfreude. If the Blood Fiend Sect could eliminate Chu Jianqiu, it would be the best outcome, sparing him the risk of doing it himself.

The two groups quickly engaged in battle. Ouyang Yuan and Liu Tianyao did not join the fight but watched with interest from the side.

The blood-robed martial artist sent to capture Chu Jianqiu was a Seventh Rank True Qi Realm practitioner. They did not take Chu Jianqiu seriously, considering him a mere Fourth Rank True Qi Realm waste. They thought anyone could easily capture him.

However, before he could get close to Chu Jianqiu, Tan Youxin cut him down with a single sword strike.

Tan Youxin was determined to stand by Chu Jianqiu. If she could protect him during this secret realm trial, it would be like forming a connection with the Fourth Peak. Perhaps the Fourth Peak would take her as a direct disciple for her great contribution.

The women from the White Phoenix Society also stood by Chu Jianqiu, clearly understanding the importance of protecting him.

However, they knew that with Chu Jianqiu's strength, only Tan Youxin might have the ability to protect him. The rest of them would likely not last a single strike from Chu Jianqiu. Standing by Chu Jianqiu, they felt safer.

Wan Xiuying also closely followed Chu Jianqiu. In such a battle, with her low cultivation, any misstep could mean certain death. Only by following Chu Jianqiu did she have a chance of survival.

Seeing the blood-robed martial artist sent to capture Chu Jianqiu killed by Tan Youxin, Ouyang Yuan was furious. He had thought no one would care about the life of a mere Fourth Rank True Qi Realm practitioner, but now a Ninth Rank True Qi Realm martial artist was personally protecting him, and this martial artist was a graceful and beautiful woman.

Ouyang Yuan let out a cold snort and stepped forward.

Since a Ninth Rank True Qi Realm martial artist was protecting Chu Jianqiu, he had to take matters into his own hands.

Liu Tianyao watched the scene, still standing aside with a sly smile, showing no intention of joining the fight.

Ouyang Yuan moved forward, brushing aside any Xuanjian Sect martial artists who tried to block his path with a single palm strike.

Although he was only an Eighth Rank True Qi Realm practitioner, the Eighth Rank Xuanjian Sect disciples were no match for him, all dying to his palm strikes.

Bu Feiyue and the others noticed this and their faces turned grave. The strength displayed by this defiant young man was formidable, not inferior to that of the Ninth Rank True Qi Realm blood-robed martial artists.

Bu Feiyue felt a chill. When had the Blood Fiend Sect produced such a monster?

Ouyang Yuan was invincible and soon reached Chu Jianqiu.

How could Tan Youxin let him harm Chu Jianqiu? She swung her sword at Ouyang Yuan.

Facing the full force of a Ninth Rank True Qi Realm martial artist's sword, Ouyang Yuan smiled coldly, not dodging. He struck out with a palm, a blood-colored shadow surging with violent true qi toward Tan Youxin.

"Boom!"

The sword qi and palm force collided, and Tan Youxin was sent flying back several dozen feet, spitting out a mouthful of blood, her qi and blood surging uncontrollably.

Tan Youxin was shocked. Where had this monster come from, to have such strength at the Eighth Rank True Qi Realm?

Ouyang Yuan was only pushed back a step. He steadied himself and raised his palm to strike down at Tan Youxin. This woman dared to stop him from killing Chu Jianqiu, and she would not be spared. Anyone who stood by Chu Jianqiu would die.

Tan Youxin felt a thick cloud of blood-colored energy envelop her, cutting off all escape routes. She was severely injured and had no strength to resist this powerful strike. She was about to be killed by Ouyang Yuan's palm.

At the critical moment, a white figure suddenly appeared in front of her, striking out with a palm toward the blood-colored cloud.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion echoed as the colliding palm forces created a massive shockwave, sending energy ripples that dug deep craters in the ground and sent debris flying into the sky.

Everyone was shocked by the force of the impact. Who had blocked Ouyang Yuan's powerful strike?

When the dust settled, they saw the white-robed figure clearly—it was none other than Chu Jianqiu.