212: Chapter 212 Nie Wen's Manipulation

"There are quite a few people."

Lin Ming said as he looked at the practitioners gathered around.

"These four families certainly know how to do business."

Xu Chuan nodded.

More than seventy percent of the business in the entire Yanyun Mountain was occupied by these four families, covering food, clothing, housing, and transportation; other forces were merely getting a share of the leftovers under these four families.

Many forces had opinions on this, but unfortunately, their strength did not allow it.

In the past, many outside forces wanted to reach into Yanyun Mountain, but they were all forced back by the four families working together.

However, as the lifespan of the True Monarch of the Fang Family, one of the four families, was coming to an end, everything began to undergo subtle changes.

Otherwise, no forces would have secretly provoked the Fang Family, only to end up as a tool for True Monarch Fang Xuan to establish his authority.

No one could be blamed for this; since they made a choice, they had to pay the price for it.

"Everyone."

A middle-aged man with a somewhat majestic expression walked onto the Martial Arts Arena, and his voice reached everyone's ears, likely with the help of a technique.

"Sun Yiwen, the head of the Sun Family, an Immortal Master at the Bitter Sea Fifth Heaven."

Xu Chuan introduced.

Bitter Sea Fifth Heaven?

That was just an appearance; this Sun Yiwen was actually an Immortal Master of the Seventh Heaven. Any hidden cultivation was useless before Lin Ming, as he saw right through it.

"Welcome everyone to our Yanyun Mountain, the site of the competition for the flame essence liquid."

Sun Yiwen said.

The surrounding voices gradually fell silent, and their gazes fell upon Sun Yiwen.

The aura of a Bitter Sea Realm Immortal Master emanated from Sun Yiwen, deterring the crowd of practitioners present. Most of the practitioners watching the excitement were at the Spirit Platform Realm or below, with only a few in the Spirit Treasury Realm or Bitter Sea Realm.

Faced with the intimidation of a Bitter Sea Realm powerhouse, they could only look up.

"A total of 343 Spirit Platform Realm practitioners are participating this time, and they will face off by drawing lots to determine the final winner."

Sun Yiwen's gaze swept across the crowd as he spoke.

"In this competition, there are no rules, no limits on methods, and it can be a matter of life and death."

Over the years, the competition for flame essence liquid had always been like this.

No rules, no limits on methods, and life and death, which led to many casualties every year.

For the dead or injured practitioners, the four families would only give some symbolic compensation.

But it was precisely this kind of rule that made some practitioners hesitate, and the casualties over the years were not few.

Even so, many people were still willing to participate in the competition for flame essence liquid. Although there were only twenty spots, why couldn't one of those twenty be themselves?

Moreover, those who performed outstandingly in the competition would be recruited by these four families.

Therefore, there was never a shortage of people for this competition for flame essence liquid.

Even though there were Disciples from Yuanxu Mountain, Yongzhen Sect, Shangji Sect, and Canghai Sword Pavilion this time.

So what?

Perhaps many people were calculating how to defeat them.

"In the first round, with 343 people, one friend will go directly to the second round according to the draw."

Sun Yiduo said.

"The person who directly enters the second round is named Lu Jiyang."

Sun Yiduo didn't waste any words and directly announced who the person getting the bye was.

Immediately after, the curtain of the competition officially opened.

First match: Nie Wen versus Wei Ran.

"This Sun Family is quite sensible."

Nie Wen nodded.

This Sun Family had some discernment to arrange for him to appear first.

He should indeed appear first to show his strength and let these people know what he was capable of.

Nie Wen walked onto the Martial Arts Arena alone.

"So this is Nie Wen from the Shangji Sect. He looks a bit arrogant."

"Nonsense, if I had this strength and background, I guarantee I'd be even more arrogant than him."

"Be careful, don't just discuss people from the Shangji Sect as you please. If you want to die, don't take me with you."

"But why do I think this Nie Wen is a bit handsome?"

"Holy crap, you don't like guys, do you?"

"Get lost..."

As Nie Wen stepped onto the stage, the discussions about him were constant.

This made Nie Wen show a satisfied smile; he wanted this feeling.

However, this was not enough, far from enough.

Opposite him, a man walked onto the Martial Arts Arena to face Nie Wen.

That person also had a bitter smile on his face; his luck was truly bad to encounter Nie Wen in the first match.

But even if he encountered Nie Wen, he had to fight for it.

"I'll give you a chance: admit defeat, so I don't have to do it myself."

Nie Wen said to this person with extreme dominance.

This person's strength was at the Lingtai Ninth Heaven, but Nie Wen simply didn't take him seriously. Among these three hundred-plus people, only three could catch his eye.

Lin Ming of Yuanxu Mountain, Fu Xici of Yongzhen Sect, and Song Shu of Canghai Sword Pavilion.

Aside from these three, in his view, others did not have the capital to be at the table.

"Please advise me."

Xie Chen said.

A saber appeared in his hand.

A bit of killing intent condensed on the blade, and with a stride, Xie Chen arrived in front of Nie Wen.

A strike fell.

Split in two.

Nie Wen's body was split into two segments under this strike.

It was merely an illusion.

The real Nie Wen had already appeared behind Xie Chen, striking a palm toward him.

Xie Chen reacted in time, turned around, and slashed at Nie Wen.

As the blade passed through, this Nie Wen was again cut in two.

Still an illusion. This Nie Wen had somehow become an illusion again, or perhaps from start to finish, this Nie Wen had always been an illusion.

Nie Wen's figure appeared to Xie Chen's left, and at the same time, another Nie Wen appeared to his right.

Regarding this, Xie Chen could not distinguish which Nie Wen was real at all, or rather, Nie Wen gave him no time to distinguish and launched an attack.

Since he couldn't distinguish, he would attack them both.

Xie Chen slashed at both of them together, and the Saber Qi emitted from it shattered both Nie Wens.

Illusions; both Nie Wens were illusions.

"Bang..."

As the two illusions were torn apart, Nie Wen appeared behind Xie Chen once more.

A strike landed.

This time, Xie Chen had no time to react and was hit by Nie Wen's strike.

Xie Chen was forced back several steps, with traces of blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth.

Immediately after, Nie Wen's figure appeared behind Xie Chen.

A strike.

Still an illusion.

"This Nie Wen is toying with Xie Chen."

Lin Ming shook his head.

This Nie Wen was clearly toying with Xie Chen.

Although both were in the same Realm at the Lingtai Ninth Heaven, the gap between them had been apparent from the beginning.

Lin Ming's words were also acknowledged by several others.

If it continued like this, it would only be a matter of time.

On the stage.

Xie Chen suddenly closed his eyes.

He began to observe his surroundings, trying to find Nie Wen's true body.

"You don't need to look."

Nie Wen's voice rang in Xie Chen's ear.

Xie Chen moved.

Saber Intent manifested.

Slashing down in an instant.