102: Xie Ning vs. Zi Ying Nu

Xie Ning did not accept the challenge immediately; instead, he spurred the Poison Flame White Wolf toward Sector T to see what was happening.

When Xie Ning arrived, there weren't many people there—only a few hundred. They were gathered around a challenge platform, whispering among themselves.

There was only one person on the platform. Dressed in purple, she exuded sexiness. Her high ponytail was tied with a purple ribbon, and the Purple-Tasseled Spear on her back glinted coldly, showing she was more than just a pretty face.

With this blend of sexiness and heroism, combined with her exquisite yet solemn face, she looked as if she were waiting for someone.

"How is it her?"

Xie Ning was momentarily stunned when he saw the woman.

During his last battle with Fei Shanqiu, three factions had been watching from the sidelines. Besides the Mu and Zhao families, the remaining group was led by this Purple-Tasseled Woman before him.

From a distance, Xie Ning spotted her, and she saw him as well.

Now Xie Ning couldn't pretend he hadn't come. He rode the Poison Flame White Wolf forward at high speed. About ten meters from the crowd, he leaped, recalled the Poison Flame White Wolf, and landed steadily on the platform, drawing everyone's gaze.

"Look! He's here! The guy who made our Young Miss Feiyu wait so long has finally shown up!"

"Curse him! Isn't he just some guy from the Beginner Class? How dare he ignore Young Miss Feiyu like that! If I weren't afraid of bothering her, I'd be the first to give him a beating."

"The internet even says he's an Intermediate Cultivator. Pfft! How could anyone in the world be both a Demon Tamer and a Breeder at eighteen? If you're going to lie, at least find a better excuse."

"Everyone, stay alert. If Young Miss Feiyu beats him up, that's fine. But if this bastard dares to lay a hand on her, we'll all charge in and drown him in spit!"

"Just do it!"

Xie Ning automatically filtered out the voices from below the stage. After all, he had experienced similar comments before; he was a professional at being immune to public opinion.

"You've finally come. I thought you wouldn't dare," Ye Feiyu said, her lips curling into a smirk as she took a few steps toward Xie Ning.

This action made the crowd below tense up. Hundreds of eyes shot murderous, cold glares that converged on Xie Ning.

Xie Ning frowned but did not retreat. He questioned her immediately, "Purple-Tasseled Woman, what kind of trick are you playing?"

Once he spoke, the entire venue fell silent. Everyone looked at him with strange expressions, including Ye Feiyu.

"That's the first time I've heard that nickname. It has character; I'll take it." Ye Feiyu paused, her expression turning solemn as she pointed her spear diagonally at Xie Ning. "But you're mistaken. I'm not playing any tricks. This is a challenge!"

Xie Ning asked again, "We have no grudge or enmity. Why should I fight you?"

"I won't compete with you in Beast Taming. In a one-on-one duel between humans, I'll use Martial Skills, and you can use any ability that enhances yourself. If you draw or win against me, this thing is yours." As she spoke, Ye Feiyu took out a fiery red orb, its energy contained but palpable.

"An inner elixir?"

"Correct. A Silver Grade 9 Fire-type inner elixir. If you win or draw, it's yours. And if you lose, it's simple," Ye Feiyu's expression became serious, "you help me do one thing."

Just as everyone was guessing what Xie Ning would choose, he turned directly to walk off the stage, saying, "Play by yourself. I'm not stepping into this trap."

"That's not up to you!" Ye Feiyu snorted coldly. With a flick of her spear, she aimed straight for Xie Ning's neck.

A sense of crisis surged in his heart. Without thinking, Xie Ning tried to move aside, but he was a fraction too slow. It looked as though the spear was about to hit him.

Clang~

When the spear was just inches from Xie Ning's neck, it was blocked by an invisible object, sending ripples through the air.

While Ye Feiyu was still confused, a blade-arm appeared out of thin air and slashed toward her neck. It was incredibly fast and struck without mercy.

At the critical moment, Ye Feiyu raised the butt of her spear, barely blocking the strike. However, she was forced back several steps, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

Only then did the owner of the blade-arm emerge from the air, guarding Xie Ning's side. It was a handsome, mantis-like Demon Tamers Beast.

"What is that?"

"What a cool Demon Tamers Beast!"

"I heard before that he had a strange mantis, but I've never seen it. I finally saw it today. But it's a bit different from what they said online."

"Does anyone know what kind of Demon Tamers Beast this is? I want to catch one too."

Xie Ning didn't listen to the crowd; his face was currently dark.

He raised his hand and tapped on his bracelet.

[Ding! Xie Ning of the Beginner Class has accepted the challenge from Ye Feiyu of the Advanced Class. Both parties please proceed to Sector T within 30 minutes for the challenge match.]

A thin protective shield rose, encircling the dueling platform.

"Since you want to fight, I'll accompany you to the end." Xie Ning stared intently at Ye Feiyu, his tone icy. Two Beast Taming Skills landed on himself and Little Mantis respectively. Then he said, "If she summons a Demon Tamers Beast, kill it!"

Little Mantis: "No problem!"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

At this time, Lu Bingyun's group also arrived. Looking at the battle on the stage, they glanced at each other with complex expressions.

The challenge had already begun, and they couldn't stop it. They could only wait for the result.

Xie Ning didn't notice their arrival. At this moment, a film-like armor slowly emerged on his body—it was Elemental Armor Transformation.

Invisible energy, originating from the same source as Little Mantis, swirled around him. He stomped his foot and shot forward like an arrow from a bow, punching straight toward Ye Feiyu's abdomen.

Ye Feiyu's spear then thrust out. No matter how fierce Xie Ning's offensive was, an inch longer meant an inch stronger; she would hit Xie Ning before he could reach her.

Seeing this, Xie Ning didn't dodge. He simply tilted his right hand to parry the spear, then stepped firmly on the ground, twisted his waist, and swung his left fist in a powerful sweep.

Bang!

Xie Ning's left fist hit Ye Feiyu's side, making her stagger, but she wasn't forced back.

"You have some skill!" Ye Feiyu's brow furrowed slightly, but her expression became increasingly excited. With a sweeping strike, she forced Xie Ning back, then her spear shot out like a dragon, its cold tip aiming for Xie Ning's side.

Xie Ning didn't fear her. His fists retracted and released, striking the spear shaft to push it away as he closed the distance again.

There was no testing the waters in their battle; every move was ruthless. For a time, the two shifted left and right, spear and fists exchanging blows back and forth.

"Good heavens, is this really a student from the Beginner Class?"

"When he and Mu Tian fought two-on-one against Zhao Long, I heard they were at a disadvantage. How can he go toe-to-toe with Young Miss Feiyu? Is he hiding his strength?"

"What a brainless fan! Even though I'm also a fan of Young Miss Feiyu, I have to admit that among the younger generation, Zhao Long's martial prowess is peerless. Never mind those two before; even if Mu Tian and Young Miss Feiyu teamed up, they might not be his match."

"Xie Ning's current strength should be related to the Beast Taming Skill he just used. Otherwise, based on his last performance, there's no way he could fight Young Miss Feiyu like this."

It had to be said that while the fan club below seemed brainless, there were some smart ones among them who saw through Xie Ning's trick.

Xie Ning's strength came from two parts: one was his own Ancient Martial Arts cultivation, and the other was the energy borrowed from the Rift Blade War Mantis. Lacking either one, he would be no match for Ye Feiyu.

By now, more and more people were arriving at the plaza after hearing the broadcast. When they saw the two fighting on the stage, they couldn't help but let out exclamations of amazement.

In the era of Demon Tamers, battles between Yao Beasts were common, but battles between humans were rare. In their three years of academy life, the number of Ancient Martial Arts battles they could actually see was countable on one hand.

Moreover, the speed of both sides in this fight was incredibly fast, and the combat was intense, as if they were watching the most hot-blooded moment of an action movie.

The freshman Xie Ning, who had long dominated the forum rankings, had repeatedly redefined many students' perceptions. But it was today's battle that truly solidified his standing in people's minds.

Hearing the two types of support from below the stage, Lu Bingyun and the other girls felt their heads ache even more. Helpless, they could only watch.

"That stinky woman..." Lu Bingyun cursed, which was quite rare for her.

Lan Yu was slightly stunned upon hearing this and then asked, "Bing Yun, do you know the person fighting Xie Ning on the stage?"

Xiao Ya and Mo Yu also looked over upon hearing the question.

Lu Bingyun nodded. "Yes, a cousin I'm not very close with."