102: Chapter 102 The Battle Begins

Duobao Sect has been established for tens of thousands of years.

The Dueling Platform is the final place for Disciples to resolve irreconcilable conflicts.

Once on the platform, one is responsible for their own life or death; the Sect laws also recognize this method of resolution.

Only a tiny minority walk off the platform alive; most become another smear of dark red nourishing these bluestones.

Today, it was the turn of Chu Feng and Song Ming.

The protagonists had yet to appear, but the surroundings were already a sea of people.

Nearly ten thousand Disciples flooded in from various peaks, surrounding the Dueling Platform so tightly that not even water could trickle through.

Even in mid-air, flying boats hovered, with several deep-auraed figures standing upon them.

Those were Golden Core Deacons who had come upon hearing the news; some closed their eyes to rest, while others conversed in low voices, their gazes occasionally sweeping over the noisy crowd below and the empty Dueling Platform.

Song Ming appeared beneath the Dueling Platform, dressed in navy-blue martial attire, his face cold and his eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

Besieging him were over a dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivators with no weak auras.

Standing side-by-side with Song Ming, and even faintly being surrounded as the center of the group, was none other than Li Sen, who was about to be dispatched to the front lines!

Hate and pleasure burned fiercely in Li Sen's eyes.

He wanted to see Chu Feng killed with his own eyes before leaving the Sect!

Only then could the hatred in his heart be slightly appeased.

"Song Ming, are you familiar with that item?" Li Sen's lips moved slightly as he sent a secret transmission.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother Li, I have already refined it to proficiency."

A flash of excitement and ferocity crossed Song Ming's eyes. "With this item's help, Chu Feng will surely die today! It's just... there might be some trouble afterward."

"No matter."

Li Sen's tone was cold. "On the Dueling Platform, life and death are left to fate. Once it's done, I will give you a hundred thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

"Hehe, rest assured, Senior Brother Li, I will definitely fulfill the mission!" Song Ming felt greatly reassured.

Li Sen had not only lent him a Secret Treasure of startling power but also promised a huge reward.

Besides Li Sen and the others, there was another group of Disciples around Song Ming wearing uniform attire and possessing sharp auras.

A small golden Talisman Brush pattern was embroidered on their cuffs; this was the symbol of the "Aotian Society."

The "Aotian Society" was a Disciple organization that had risen within the Duobao Sect over the past two months.

Its core was that legendary Genius of the Dao of Talismans, the Heavenly Spiritual Root, and the closed-door Disciple of the Master of Fubao Peak—Tang Aotian!

"Chu Feng is here!!"

From the edge of the crowd, someone shouted.

Instantly, everyone's gazes simultaneously turned toward the sky.

A sleek silver thunder cloud boat was seen slowly flying over.

Three people stood at the bow against the wind: the one in the center was dressed in white, standing with hands behind his back, looking indifferent—it was Chu Feng.

To the left was Tang Yanrou, her white clothes as pure as snow and her expression cold.

To the right was Tang An, smiling with a composed demeanor.

"Heh, quite a lot of people here to watch the show; everyone's pretty free, huh."

Chu Feng's gaze swept over the dense crowd below and the few Golden Core Deacons hovering in the air, a faint smile playing on his lips.

His tone was so relaxed it was as if he hadn't come for a life-and-death struggle but for a sightseeing trip.

"Hehe..."

Below the Dueling Platform, Song Ming, Li Sen, and the others sneered repeatedly upon seeing Chu Feng's "arrogant" posture, the cold light in their eyes growing even stronger.

In their eyes, Chu Feng's nonchalant appearance was like a grasshopper in autumn.

"What? Song Ming, you arrived quite early. In a hurry to be reincarnated?" The thunder cloud boat hovered above the Dueling Platform. Chu Feng looked down, locking eyes with Song Ming, and mocked him unceremoniously.

At this stage, there was no need for superficial pleasantries.

What Chu Feng wanted was to be high-profile, to be flamboyant, and to crush his opponent with the strongest posture under the watchful eyes of the public, completely establishing his prestige!

"Hmph! Chu Feng, no need for words. If you have the guts, come up and let me see how much weight you, the top of the hidden dragon ranking, actually carry!"

Song Ming's face was grim as he retorted. Saying no more, he leaped like a great roc spreading its wings and landed steadily in the center of the Dueling Platform, pointing his hand at Chu Feng in the sky.

When Chu Feng also landed lightly on the platform, facing Song Ming from twenty zhang away, the atmosphere below reached its climax.

"Chu Feng's Cultivation speed is too freaky! I heard he had just reached Foundation Establishment when he passed the True Inheritance Examination a year ago."

"Who knows, maybe he had some fortuitous encounter. But what's the use of being fast? Foundation Establishment level nine against level six—the gap..."

"I bet fifty thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones on Song Ming! That's three years' worth of my savings! Song Ming better not drop the ball!"

"Me too, I bet everything on Song Ming! It's a guaranteed win!"

Amidst the noisy clamor.

A solemn Law Enforcement Hall Deacon flew through the air and landed on the Dueling Platform.

His gaze swept over the two on the platform, and he spoke in a deep voice that drowned out the surrounding noise:

"Song Ming! Chu Feng! Are you certain you wish to resolve your grievances through a duel on the Dueling Platform?"

"Once the Formation is activated, you are responsible for your own life and death; otherwise, the Formation will not be released. The Sect laws also recognize this method. Have you both thought it through?"

"Of course!"

With a flick of his wrist, the jade blood sword appeared in Chu Feng's hand. He casually performed a few sword flourishes, the green light of the blade flowing and reflecting his calm face.

"The conflict between us is irreconcilable. Today, we shall settle it here."

His tone was relaxed, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"Indeed! Between him and me, it's a fight to the death!"

Song Ming's voice was icy as he stared fixedly at Chu Feng.

Li Sen's promise and that Secret Treasure gave him absolute confidence.

"Oh? A fight to the death?"

Chu Feng raised an eyebrow, a playful smile appearing on his face as he looked at Song Ming. "Sounds quite scary. But are you sure you won't need me to show mercy later and spare your dog life?"

"You're looking for death!!"

Song Ming was furious. His spiritual energy surged, and his robes fluttered without wind. He could almost not help but strike first.

But he glanced at the Deacon by the platform and forced down his anger, only squeezing out a few words through gritted teeth: "Enjoy your verbal victories! Later, I'll make sure you can't even cry!"

"Hehe."

Chu Feng stopped looking at him and instead began to examine the ancient bluestones and mottled bloodstains around the Dueling Platform, his demeanor leisurely as if he were truly admiring the scenery.

"Fine!!"

Seeing their determined attitudes, the Deacon no longer tried to dissuade them. He sighed and announced loudly, "Since you both insist, you shall bear the consequences yourselves!"

Having said that, he stepped back to the edge of the platform and quickly formed hand seals. Streams of pale blue light flew from his fingertips like nimble fish, precisely entering the pre-set Formation eyes around the Dueling Platform.

"Buzz!!!"

A low boom sounded, and the entire Dueling Platform vibrated slightly.

Immediately after, a layer of transparent light rose rapidly from the edge of the platform, like an inverted giant bowl, completely enveloping Chu Feng and Song Ming within.

Runes flowed upon the light shield, emitting a powerful sealing force that isolated the inside from the outside.

This light shield was the "Life and Death Barrier"!

It protected the onlookers outside from being affected and also cut off any retreat for those on the platform.

"Kill!!"

Almost at the same instant the light shield completely closed and the external sounds became muffled.

Chu Feng and Song Ming on the platform charged at each other fiercely with sharp killing intent, like two arrows released from their bows!