Devour

Chapter 395 The First Battle Begins

As the audience chattered, Cheng Bai offered his unceremonious assessment, "Elder Pan has taken on a youthful appearance. His power of all things remains as profound, though with a bit more... It's clear he's aiming to compete with the younger generation for the position of Holy Son of Jingtao Sect."

Beitingjun quietly questioned: "Why didn't he fight for it sooner?"

Cheng Bai discussed privately, "Ordinary disciples usually hope to achieve instant success through accumulation, using these three stepping stones to become world-renowned. However, Elder Pan has likely been planning for a long time, is more prepared, and has already negotiated terms with the sect's leader."

Bei Tingjun understood and quietly agreed: "Hmm, I get it! Old Pan Zhonghan is patient and insidious."

Master Li smiled and solemnly announced, "Everyone, today is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! To congratulate Yingjie on his victory in the Neibi Conference and his ascension to the Holy Son, the Confucian scholars would like to present him with a 'Wendao Card.' This card can be used to exchange for a chance to visit the academy to browse through the treasures of past dynasties, or to invite the master to discuss the Dao, hoping to answer any difficulties you may encounter in your future cultivation."

Cheng Bai listened and laughed secretly: "Is it equivalent to a no-threshold redemption voucher? It's a good thing."

He then thought, "Having the inherited magic cube always by my side allows me to discuss the Dao and resolve doubts over a long period of time. It's much better than a disposable substitute. The Master truly knows how to promote his own academy!"

"The Master has thought carefully and rewarded appropriately."

Wang Hong smiled and praised gently, then turned to the four disciples in front of the arena and admonished them sternly, "This card is extremely valuable. Its function is equivalent to donating a rare secret manual to Taowu Academy. Even if you become an Earthly Immortal in the future, this item will be of great use. Why don't you thank the Master for this gift?"

Pan Zhonghan led the way, stood up, bowed, and said in unison with his three fellow disciples, "Thank you, Master, for the gift."

Wang Duxing and the others spoke in unison, but inwardly they were deeply reluctant: "Uncle Zhonghan seems determined to secure the position of Holy Son. He is of a higher generation and has greater power. How can we possibly defeat him in a duel?"

Wang Hong didn't want to waste time on trivial matters. He used his internal energy to transmit a message: "The Neibi Conference has now officially begun. I will personally draw lots to arrange the order. The two sides will step onto the stage to determine the winner. The winner will participate in the next round of the finals."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Hong waved his ape-like arm and threw out four purple jade plates, which fluttered like butterflies, circling and flying in the air.

When the purple jade plaques suddenly paused, they snapped together and formed two groups. The names engraved on them then burst into a purple light, illuminating the sky and allowing all the disciples on Xuandao Peak to clearly see them.

"The first match is between Pan Zhonghan and Wang Duxing."

"The second match is between Wang Zhen and Pan Yue."

The pairing of the Purple Jade cards may seem random, but every subtle detail in the movement cannot be hidden from the spiritual eye.

Cheng Bai secretly scoffed, "Can this be called a lottery? It's clearly a trick. Who gets paired up to fight who depends entirely on Wang Hong's wishes."

He stole a glance at Master Li, who looked indifferent, and thought, "Master must have seen through it, but he's probably too used to it to care."

Cheng Bai thought about it and looked down at the empty table, feeling even more dissatisfied. "They don't want to host a banquet, but just leave an empty table there to show off? Jing Tao Clan is really too stingy!"

Instead of worrying about poverty, it is better to work hard to have enough food and clothing.

Cheng Bai Youran brought out plates of dried Bashe meat, diced Thousand-Eyed Centipede meat, shredded Moyun beast meat, as well as Langman fruit, Shao fruit and other delicious dishes from the Temple of Life, and of course the indispensable Forget-Your-Sorrow Sauce.

Wang Hong glanced at a table of fragrant dishes that suddenly appeared to the side and was shocked. "This little brat is too young after all. He hasn't forgotten the appetites of ordinary people yet. He's so vulgar... Don't pay attention to him, or you'll lose face."

Bei Tingjun was very interested and said jokingly, "Your Majesty, don't just eat all the food yourself. I also want to have a share."

"No problem." Cheng Bai's storage space was filled with a wide variety of delicious dishes, which could easily meet various needs.

He swiftly filled another table with food for Bei Tingjun, then turned to the headmaster and said, "Saint Master Wang, would you like to try some of this?"

Wang Hong straightened his back on the throne and politely declined, "Thank you for your kindness. I've been using fasting pills and haven't eaten anything worldly for a long time. I don't need any meat or vegetable food."

Cheng Bai didn't want to force it, so he turned to Master Li, winked, and asked with a smile, "Master, would you like one?"

Master Li sniffed the alluring aroma and immediately determined it was some extraordinary game. His appetite was whetted, and he said, "Since ancient times, appetite has been human nature, and even sages are not immune to it. Seeking true taste amidst the mundane world is another form of spiritual practice. Confucian scholars set an example by appreciating the world's delicacies, which is one of life's greatest pleasures!"

He gladly accepted the food Cheng Bai pushed over to him, tasting it one by one and praising it endlessly: "Excellent! Top-quality food, you might not even get it at Yanbo Tower!"

After saying this, Master Li took out a longevity jar with a phoenix pattern.

The jar's body was carved with a flock of phoenixes, its lines flowing and its color dark green. Master Li smiled and tossed it to Cheng Bai, "How can we have meat without wine? I have a treasured jar called 'Purple Dew Flame Heart Drunk', and it's perfect for us to share!"

Cheng Bai took the wine jar and tasted it carefully. The intoxicating fragrance filled his nose and he was secretly delighted: "Good wine!"

He didn't show off his own wine gourd anymore. Instead, he took out a wine cup from the Xumi mustard seed, filled a cup from the jar and took a sip: "This wine has the attribute of fire and a strong temperament. It is no less delicious than the earth spirit wine from before!"

Master Li took back the Luan Patterned Longevity Lei and proudly introduced it as he poured the wine: "Purple Dew Flame Heart Intoxication is brewed with a variety of spiritual herbs. One pound of wine is comparable to a fine magic pill!"

After hearing this, Wang Hong felt a little regretful for refusing the food and drink, but he still couldn't bring himself to ask for it again.

Meanwhile, Pan Zhonghan watched helplessly as someone enjoyed themselves to their heart's content, feeling a pang of discontent within him. "The Sumeru mustard seeds that Baidi used... even with their spiritual imprint wiped out, I still recognized them! I spent a full 1.8 million taels of gold to get them!"

"Come on, Elder Pan, come on!" Cheng Bai was chewing meat with wine. He noticed the gazes from the audience and casually raised his hand and waved at Pan Zhonghan with a vague mouth.

"Shameless! I'll let you be arrogant for a while." Pan Zhonghan cursed inwardly, quickly looking away and pretending to be calm, thinking about his next step. "My appearance has changed drastically, and this guy is not familiar with me, so I guess he won't recognize me. When I find the right opportunity, I will teach him a lesson."

"The first battle begins, with Pan Zhonghan, the elder of the Guardian Hall of Zhanjian Peak, facing Wang Duxing, the world-traveling Northerner."

As the head of the Kung Fu Transmission Sect shouted, many elders could not bear to watch the three people eating and drinking so much that they turned their heads away and focused their attention on the two opponents who jumped onto the stage.

Wang Mingsheng added the rules of the fight at the top of his voice.

"Several elders in the cabinet have worked together to set up a restrictive formation on the martial arts field, especially on this stage. You can proceed as you please without worrying about damaging the field."

"One round determines the winner! Anyone who loses, falls out of the ring and is unable to return, or the winner cannot be determined within a quarter of an hour will be disqualified."

"Poisoning or ambush is strictly prohibited, and the use of treasures other than personal weapons and armor to aid in battle is also prohibited!"

After muttering, Wang Mingsheng waved his hand and set the hourglass to count: "Let's begin!"

Wang Duxing intended to show off his attainments in the Wild Wave Step. He rode the wind in mid-air, his movements as smooth as flowing clouds and water, and when he landed, he had already drawn out his shining black sword.

He took a full stance, pointed his sword at the other party, and said in a provocative tone: "My Moyang Sword is a high-grade spiritual weapon, ranked 117th on the Tianbao List. Does your uncle have a magic weapon that can compare with it?"

Pan Zhonghan spread his hands and said leisurely, "A martial artist's energy and blood are like a dragon. With a wave of his hand, he can crush stones and separate gold. This is no different from a spiritual weapon. Isn't it more practical than my nephew piling up all his precious resources on a spiritual sword?"

"Uncle Master, you are wrong. Martial arts practitioners are not as good as sword practitioners. This is a fact known to everyone in the martial arts world."

Wang Duxing stood firm on the stage, arguing with reason, assuming the opening stance of his Falling Thunder Sword Technique. He said, "To cultivate a physical body to rival a magical weapon requires immense hardship, the expenditure of many times the resources, and the arduous years of training. How can it be as carefree and effortless as simply holding a precious sword and letting your mind follow its lead?"

In an instant, the entire arena was surrounded by sword energy, flashing white, blue and purple electric lights, making people feel as if they were in a magnificent sea of ​​thunder.

"Nephew Wang's moves are magnificent!"

Cheng Bai tossed a whistling fruit into his mouth and chewed it, secretly assessing the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. "The Moyang Sword is equivalent to a newly born, ghostly blade embedded with a crystal core. If Elder Pan hasn't mastered a unique skill like the Molten Gold Hand to restrain the mysterious weapon blade, he should indeed be handled with caution."