389 Kingâs Force Showdown
Xiang Mingfeng walked to the center of the stone tablet forest, cupping his fists in greeting. âMany of you here are familiar faces⦠but let me introduce myself. I am Xiang Mingfeng of Wuji Mountain!â
The crowd was silent, their eyes fixed on Xiang Mingfeng, their ears keen to catch his next words.
âNow that we find ourselves in the bronze realm, itâs a result of our past livesâ karma and heavenâs decree.â His voice echoed through the forest. âFor thousands of years, countless gifted individuals have perished in the bronze realm, their talents no less than ours. Among them was the unparalleled Chu, who was revered as the beacon of hope for all of Qingzhou.
âYet, despite their promise, they ultimately failed⦠They died in here in the bronze realm.â Xiang Mingfengâs resolve was unwavering. âI believe we canât continue to fight alone, lest we make their same mistakes and meet a similar fate in the bronze realm.â
âAre you suggesting we band together?â A hunched man with half his face wrinkled and darkened like an old manâs inquired. This was Shen Yansong, known as the Little Cattle King from the Ghost Ox sect.
âIndeed,â Xiang Mingfeng confirmed, not shying away from his intention.
âSo whatâs your plan?â the hunchbacked man pressed. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Xiang Mingfeng elaborated, âAll of us who can stand in a level-two array possess exceptional combat strength. We are capable of leading a major battle. Our objective is to fight against the common enemy, defend the level-two array, break through the level-one array, and obtain a steady supply of high-level energy from the bronze realm to foster our cultivation of the ancient scriptures.â
He continued with fervor, âThis approach will not only facilitate our steady and efficient cultivation, but it will also allow us to pull down those guys in the level-one array. At the same time, itâs a method of self-preservation.â His voice grew louder, his gaze sweeping across the sea of youthful faces â his contemporaries.
âTheir actions have proven that they have no chance to cultivate the ancient scripture and get us out of here. They even want to kill us all!â Xiang Mingfengâs voice resonated like a clap of thunder. âItâs time they step asideâ¦â
His declaration was met with unanimous approval. As heavenâs favorites, their confidence and pride outstripped ordinary folk.
Qin Huai understood most of Xiang Mingfengâs words. His strategy was simple, captured in four words: group together for warmth. Their venture into the level-one array posed a high risk of them being ambushed by the old geniuses. A single misstep could result in their demise. The formation of a group to stabilize their array was secondary, given their confidence in their power.
However, when confronting the old geniuses who had traversed this path for decades, none harbored certainty. Consequently, they resolved to unite against these seasoned experts once they ascended to the level-one array.
âNext, weâll dispatch more than half of our people into the level-one array. The rest will either stay in the level-two array or descend to a lower one,â Xiang Mingfeng laid out his plan. âWeâll use our advantage in numbers to eliminate a portion of the old folks. This will facilitate our subsequent operations.â
The stubborn person from Lion Spirit Mountain chimed in, âThis opportunity may only present itself once. Theyâll undoubtedly be on high alert.â
âThey may even take the initiative to act against us,â Shen Yansong added, underlining that the chosen ones must be the strongest among them.
Everyone concurred. Guo Ze and Liu Fangâs fate underlined that no room for reconciliation existed between them â death was the only path.
âHow many of them are there?â Qin Huai questioned.
âFifteen,â Xiang Mingfeng answered, indicating that the numbers were nearly even on both sides. âGiven that weâre choosing the strongest, everyone should first reveal their kingâs force.â
At that, a yellow light gleamed in Xiang Mingfengâs eyes, his body transforming into a resplendent sun â the kingâs force.
Qin Huai was taken aback to see Shao Mo. He had assumed Shao Mo perished under Wen Zonghaoâs hands and became his blood meal. It was unexpected to find him here in the bronze realm.
Previously, Shao Mo and Xiang Mingfeng hadnât engaged in combat. Following a brief discussion, Shao Mo had agreed to Xiang Mingfengâs plan. However, Shao Mo didnât appear to recognize him, which made sense given his âdeathâ. Back then, Zhou Cunzhong had merely been a minor player, far from becoming Qin Huaiâs trusted right-hand man.
âGhost Ox Sect, Shen Yansong,â declared a peculiar-looking man as he flexed his muscles, his eyes emanating a curious black light.
âLion Spirit Mountain, Fang Huo!â another man shouted. Brown hair sprouted on his body, his physique expanding instantly.
âWho will challenge me first?â Fang Huo bellowed with anger, his gaze unflinchingly meeting Qin Huaiâs. âHehe⦠Kid, it seems weâre the only two who havenât dueled yet. What do you say? Do you have the courage?â Fang Huoâs bones creaked ominously. âIâve seen you in battle. It appears you and I tread the same path, that of physical combat.â
The ensuing showdown of strength unfolded, with each heavenâs favorite introducing themselves and displaying their unique powers.
Finally, Qin Huai stepped forward, a white light shimmering in his eyes as his black hair transformed into white from the roots.
This battle was a pivotal one, and Qin Huai wasnât one to shy away. He knew that in order to become the strongest, he needed to suppress the others, and to safeguard those dear to him, he needed to ascend to that position. From Lingjiang to Qingzhou City, his approach had evolved from passive cultivation to active pursuit of the title of the strongest.
Influenced by Guo Zeâs actions, he declared, âRogue cultivator, Zhou Cunzhong.â As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished from where he was.