Volume Two – The Map of Nine Provinces Emerges, Joining the Spirit Ruins Chapter 106: The Cause of the Duel

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Chen Yu furrowed his brow, puzzled as to how Xue Ren and the others had come into conflict with someone. Judging from the expressions on both sides, one could preliminarily discern who was at fault.

After some inquiry, it turned out exactly as he had suspected.

The origin of the matter lay with Xue Ren’s elder brother, Xue Xin.

Ever since the incident at the Ghostly Tomb, upon returning to Lingxu, Xue Xin’s temperament hadn’t changed drastically, but he no longer liked to provoke Xue Ren as he used to. Their relationship had somewhat improved.

Unexpectedly, however, his behavior drew the displeasure of their cousin, He Chong. He wanted to teach Xue Xin a lesson on behalf of their aunt, but since their strengths were evenly matched, the struggle ended up with He Chong suffering losses.

This only fueled He Chong’s anger and hatred further. Already disliking Xue Ren, He Chong grew even more resentful toward him.

Nonetheless, he was limited by his own strength. Although he wanted to confront the group, his power didn’t allow it. Yet, fate eventually granted him an opportunity.

He Chong learned that a senior disciple had been searching for a certain medicinal herb for a long time without any success, and unexpectedly, Xue Ren happened to have it. He passed this information on to the senior disciple.

Originally, this disciple intended to purchase the herb from Xue Ren, but the offered price was too low, and negotiations ended in discord. Under these circumstances, today’s rigged duel was arranged.

...

Chen Yu frowned deeply, feeling extreme disdain. Maybe the cultivation world was just like this, but he truly looked down upon such bullying of the weak by the strong.

“Xue Ren, if you offer me that herb, today’s matter can be dropped without further pursuit,” said Lv Jie, a first-level realm senior disciple, calmly.

“Senior Brother Lv, don’t you think this is too much?” Zheng Geng said in a deep voice. Though all parties understood the situation clearly, none could explain themselves convincingly now.

“Enough nonsense!” Lv Jie said coldly, his face darkening. “Either fight me in the arena and lose your herb to me, or hand it over now and spare yourselves the trouble.”

Zheng Geng and the others’ faces twisted with anger, glaring hatefully at Lv Jie.

“Senior Brother Zheng, this doesn’t concern you. You all should step back,” Xue Ren said. He knew that even if they combined forces, they might not be Lv Jie's match. It was better for him to bear this alone.

“What nonsense! We are brothers; how can we abandon you?” Zheng Huai said. “If it comes to it, let’s dye the arena with blood today. What’s wrong with that? Does he dare to kill us?”

“Ha ha… Exactly!” Zheng Geng laughed loudly. “If he wants to force you into submission, we won’t let him have his way. So what if we get beaten? I have thick skin and can take it.”

Their words back and forth only made Lv Jie’s face turn even grimmer, utterly embarrassed.

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“Ha ha… Lv Jie, is that all you’ve got?” one of Lv Jie’s rivals sneered disdainfully.

Lv Jie’s face remained dark, unwilling to respond. He only focused on obtaining the spirit herb from Xue Ren’s hand, confident it would advance his cultivation.

Xue Xin’s face was grim as he glared hatefully at He Chong, shocked that his cousin would scheme against him so.

“Enough talk! My patience is limited. Either fight now or hand over the herb immediately,” Lv Jie pressed, unwilling to waste words.

“Then let us experience your skill, Senior Brother,” Xue Ren and the others, with no way to retreat, prepared to fight.

Xue Ren was furious but utterly unwilling to surrender his herb.

“Seeking death!” Lv Jie’s wrath intensified. This was not what he desired, but now he just wanted to end the duel quickly. “Overestimating yourselves.”

Lv Jie swung his sword, unleashing a powerful sword aura that surged toward the four of them.

“Watch out…” Xue Ren and Zheng Geng moved in perfect coordination, swiftly activating three yellow talismans. A fierce wind howled, dissipating part of the sword aura. They then drew their swords to counterattack. Astonishingly, the three of them together blocked Lv Jie’s strike—a surprising feat.

Yet Lv Jie’s face darkened further, feeling deeply humiliated. Enraged, he pressed the attack, swinging at the three once more.

Xue Xin gritted his teeth and attacked from the side.

“Get lost!” Lv Jie roared, kicking Xue Xin away. Without stopping, he continued his assault on Xue Ren and the others.

The three changed expressions drastically; facing such overwhelming force, they were caught off guard.

Clang… smack… Under Lv Jie’s powerful sword aura, the three were blown away by the fierce wind, crashing heavily against the arena’s edge, coughing up blood, no longer able to fight.

But Lv Jie, riding his momentum, mercilessly struck again. If this blow landed, the three would be bedridden for months.

Seeing Lv Jie’s ferocious attack, Xue Ren and the others tensed, faces filled with shock.

Just as Lv Jie’s sword aura was about to fall, a sword aura suddenly shot out from the arena, intercepting his strike.

Startled, Lv Jie quickly withdrew his sword and glared coldly around. “Who dares interfere?”

“Senior Brother, Xue Ren and the others have already been defeated. Why do you still need to bully them so aggressively?” Chen Yu frowned, speaking with displeasure.

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“Senior Brother Chen!” Xue Ren and the others were delighted to see Chen Yu arrive.

Chen Yu raised his hand, signaling that he would handle the matter.

“And who are you?” Lv Jie looked at Chen Yu gloomily, unfamiliar with him.

“Junior Brother Chen Yu, a friend of Xue Ren and the others,” Chen Yu said calmly. Yet his tone clearly implied he intended to seek justice for the three.

“Just you?” Lv Jie sneered. “Judging from your aura, you’ve only just opened one meridian and dare to stand up for others? Too bad, this battle is already mine.”

With that, he prepared to take the bet and leave.

“Wait!” Chen Yu interjected promptly. “Since Senior Brother enjoys dueling so much, Junior Brother dares to challenge you to a round.”

“Ha ha… You? Also…”

Before Lv Jie could finish, Chen Yu produced a pill. “This is a Meridian Opening Pill, surely worth as much as what you hold.”

Upon hearing this, not only Lv Jie but many other first-level realm disciples present changed expressions, eyes gleaming with greed and envy.

“Meridian... Opening Pill?” Lv Jie’s lips trembled. His hands and feet shook slightly—a craving for the pill. Yet he did not lose reason but scrutinized Chen Yu carefully, seeking to uncover any trickery.

“Who exactly are you?” Lv Jie asked again.

Chen Yu smiled calmly. “Shall we gamble?”

Lv Jie frowned deeply; the Meridian Opening Pill’s temptation was immense. Obtaining it meant he could break through two meridians in a shorter time.

“Very well… Since Junior Brother is so eager, I shall accompany you to the end,” Lv Jie finally yielded.