The next day, an enormous crowd had gathered upon the most solemn and most magnificent grand plaza of Greenwood Mountain.
The people assembled on this plaza were not merely the elders and disciples of Greenwood Mountain. The sect masters and chief elders of the other eight great powers had all arrived as well.
It could be called a true visual feast. The sheer number of distinguished figures present alone was enough to dazzle the countless disciples of Greenwood Mountain.
Yet every one of those distinguished figures had their gaze fixed upon a single person — Qin Wentian.
Qin Wentian had arrived early. It was said he had come before dawn, and upon arriving, he simply stood there, motionless.
But his eyes burned with excitement. He was thrilled. He had secluded himself in cultivation for many years for the sole purpose of proving himself, and this day had finally come.
In contrast, Chu Feng arrived rather late. It was only when the agreed-upon time had already arrived that Chu Feng appeared before the crowd, cutting it razor close.
"I thought you didn't dare to show up," Qin Wentian said.
"Dare? Heh…" Chu Feng chuckled. "Qin Lingyun said the same thing once. And so he died."
"You—!" At those words, Qin Wentian's sword-like brows shot upright and veins bulged across his forehead. Regardless of whether the rumor that Qin Lingyun was his brother was true or false, it was clear that he cared deeply about Qin Lingyun.
And the reason Chu Feng had said such a thing was obvious — he wanted to strike at Qin Wentian's mind, to provoke him.
"Chu Feng, I challenge you to a life-and-death battle. Do you dare accept?" Qin Wentian pointed at Chu Feng and declared. Sure enough, Chu Feng had stoked his fury.
"He may not."
Before Chu Feng could even respond, Dugu Xingfeng spoke up from the spectator stands. His expression was solemn, his tone grave: "Qin Wentian, listen carefully. Today, you and Chu Feng are permitted to spar — killing is strictly forbidden."
"Sect Master, I understand what you are thinking, but allow me to be blunt."
"Today, it's either Chu Feng who dies or I who perish. Only one of us will walk away. You cannot stop us," Qin Wentian declared with arrogance.
"That guy actually dares to speak to the Sect Master like that?"
At those words, the crowd erupted into discussion. No one had expected Qin Wentian to be so brazen, to address the Sect Master in such a manner.
The Qin Wentian of old had never been so lacking in respect. Now he seemed like an entirely different person — far too insolent for his own good.
"Chu Feng, do you dare or don't you?" Qin Wentian pressed once more.
"There is nothing in this world that I, Chu Feng, dare not do. Since you wish to die, I shall grant you that today," Chu Feng replied with a smile.
"Ha ha ha, you talk big, boy. I know full well that your cultivation is pathetically weak — merely a sixth-stage Martial King. The only reason you carry yourself so boldly is because of your Spirit World techniques."
"I know a thing or two about Spirit World techniques, though I am hardly a master. But today, I will use my weakest skill against your strongest, and show you that even with the thing I am least proficient in, I can still defeat you at what you do best." As Qin Wentian spoke, he flipped his palm and grasped a recognized King Armament in his hand.
"Heh… That's your Spirit World technique?" Chu Feng shot a mocking glance at the King Armament in Qin Wentian's hand.
"Ignorant fool. For a Royal-robed Spirit World Master, you know remarkably little. This King Armament is merely a catalyst. What I am truly using is the power of the Spirit World."
As Qin Wentian spoke, his will surged forward, and sure enough, golden Spirit World energy poured forth from within his body, enveloping his arm and the King Armament.
At the same time, his other hand shifted rapidly in a series of seals, and under that manipulation, the Spirit World energy coating his arm and the King Armament began to transform — a Spirit World formation was taking shape.
He was indeed using the King Armament as a catalyst. Although he had not deployed any martial force of his own, he had harnessed the King Armament's own power, making the weapon in his grip extraordinarily potent and vastly amplifying his combat strength.
"Listen well. This technique is called the Spirit World Armament Control Art. With this technique alone, I will defeat you," Qin Wentian declared.