Chapter 644 - 258: Change of Ownership, a Sudden Change, the End of the Ring Defense
Chapter 644: Chapter 258: Change of Ownership, a Sudden Change, the End of the Ring Defense
More importantly, he had just stolen the show. Right now, more than half the Loose Cultivators below the arena were still buzzing about his performance.
Their conversations were filled with nothing but the highest praise.
Given his youth, one would expect him to be affected by such widespread adulation. Even if he didn’t become arrogant, it should be hard to remain completely unmoved.
Yet Xiao Chen remained entirely undisturbed by the outside world, calmly focusing his mind on his cultivation.
Such a thing was simply unheard of!
This level of superhuman self-control would be normal for an old man, wizened by age, or even a middle-aged man tempered by worldly experience.
However, looking at that exceptionally young face, He Ming True Monarch felt a surge of complex emotions.
On the one hand, he was worried. Xiao Chen’s performance was simply too brilliant, making him without a doubt the most difficult champion to handle.
On the other hand, he couldn’t help but feel a little impressed.
’No wonder he has such a high Cultivation at such a young age. His mental fortitude is truly extraordinary.’
He even felt a twinge of regret.
’What a shame that a gem of such rare talent isn’t a member of my own sect.’
But no matter what, the grand plan for Chongzhen Temple’s rise to prominence could not be compromised.
After some careful deliberation,
He Ming True Monarch decided to assign the weakest of the eight disciples he had prepared to Zhang Shouquan, whose trump card had already been revealed.
The strongest, meanwhile, would be sent to deal with Xiao Chen.
Although he knew that in terms of raw power, his disciple was no match for him.
But that didn’t matter. This tournament allowed each participant to use up to ten Talismans.
All they had to do was save the East Main Arena for last, then send their disciple up with ten Talismans specifically designed to counter a Body Cultivator.
They would also swap out his Spiritual Artifact for a special one that could restrain a Body Cultivator’s abilities.
This way, they could engineer a decidedly unfair duel.
He Ming True Monarch was confident that with these advantages, his disciple would surely defeat Xiao Chen and reclaim the arena.
After today, the name of Chongzhen Temple would be known throughout the Compassion Sea!
Time passed steadily. Soon, only one hour remained before the challenges ended for the day.
Some Loose Cultivators were even getting up to leave, since the outcome seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
But just then, a disciple from Chongzhen Temple stepped forward and began to challenge the arenas once more.
This sudden development instantly captured everyone’s attention.
"What’s going on? There’s more Magical Combat to watch?"
"Judging by the Magic Robes, they’re disciples of Chongzhen Temple. Did they have another move up their sleeve?"
"They’re starting with the Cangming Immortal Sect? I thought for sure they’d go after Zhang’s spot."
The more astute observers had already guessed that since Chongzhen Temple had proposed the arena competition, they wouldn’t let it end so anticlimactically.
The expectation was for each of the Seven Great Sects to hold one arena each—a nice, tidy outcome where everyone was happy.
At best, they would leave one spot for a Loose Cultivator to demonstrate the competition’s "fairness."
Similar competitions had been held before. Regardless of how they played out, they always ended the same way. Frankly, everyone was getting tired of the routine.
But to everyone’s surprise, Chongzhen Temple didn’t follow the established script this time.
Instead of challenging the Loose Cultivators, they chose to make a move on the Cangming Immortal Sect.
Even more unexpectedly, the new Chongzhen Temple disciple won cleanly and decisively.
Although the difference in raw power between the two wasn’t huge, the combination of Talismans and Magical Artifacts created an overwhelming advantage.
In less time than it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the disciple from the Cangming Immortal Sect, who had been desperately holding on, was knocked off the arena.
"No way. Is the difference in strength really that great?"
"Those Spiritual Artifacts from Chongzhen Temple look incredibly powerful! They seem exceptionally compatible with their Cultivation Techniques!"
"Wait, something’s not right. Why are they still going?"
The crowd noticed that after reclaiming one arena, Chongzhen Temple didn’t stop. Instead, they sent another person to challenge the neighboring Mojie Sect.
Again, in less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea...
...the rampaging lightning on the stage burned Thunderbolt Spear’s Magic Robe to cinders.
"That’s enough. I concede the match on my disciple’s behalf."
True Monarch Yun Feng interjected just in time. With a wave of his hand, he effortlessly bypassed the Defensive Array around the arena and pulled Thunderbolt Spear, who was gritting his teeth and preparing to fight to the death, right off the stage.
It was obvious that Chongzhen Temple had come well-prepared.
There was no need for his disciple to risk injury by continuing to fight.
Of course, this was only because he was fond of this particular disciple. If it had been one of his lesser True Disciples, he likely wouldn’t have bothered to intervene.
Next came Thousand Mechanism Valley, followed by the Celestial Spirit Sect, then the Cloud Sea Sword Pavilion. In the end, not even the Clarity Sect was spared.
The standard-issue Magic Robes of Chongzhen Temple once again flew across the arenas, a sight seared into the eyes of every person present.
"Zhang, I advise you to concede."
The seventh Chongzhen Temple disciple stood on one of the side-arenas and began to directly urge his opponent to surrender. "It’s impressive enough that you’ve made it this far. There’s no shame in admitting defeat."
"It’s better than leaving the stage covered in injuries, or worse, suffering from permanent damage."
It might have sounded like a kind gesture, but in reality, every Chongzhen Temple disciple had said the same thing since the challenge against Thunderbolt Spear.
They were essentially using this tactic to flaunt Chongzhen Temple’s power.
If Zhang Shouquan were to actually concede...
...then Chongzhen Temple could later boast that their Magic was so overwhelmingly powerful it could scare a top-tier Loose Cultivator representative into surrendering during the grand competition.
"That won’t be necessary. Let’s begin!"
Zhang Shouquan took a deep breath, resolutely refusing to concede.
As a Loose Cultivator, fighting tooth and nail for the resources needed to advance was a part of daily life. This time would be no different.