"If you can last three moves without losing, I'll count it as your victory." Sure enough, once he stepped onto the stage, Dongfang Zexuan was as arrogant as ever. It turned out he not only looked down on the younger generation of the Spirit World Alliance — even Nangong Ya of the Nangong Imperial Clan didn't merit his attention.
"It's merely a friendly exchange. Regardless of who wins or loses, it strengthens the bonds between our four clans. Why be so aggressive?" Nangong Ya chuckled softly, harboring no desire to fight, and remained unmoved by Dongfang Zexuan's provocations.
"The victor is king, the defeated is a bandit. That's been the way since ancient times — an eternal truth."
"Your words and actions may seem decent enough, but in truth, they're nothing but the behavior of a sore loser — making preemptive excuses for the defeat you know is coming."
Dongfang Zexuan smiled coldly. In his eyes, Nangong Ya's words were laughable and only deepened his contempt.
Whoosh—
Faced with such a Dongfang Zexuan, Nangong Ya wasted no more breath. He flipped his palm and revealed a replica — a half-forged Emperor Weapon.
As the cold gleam flashed, his footwork shifted in tandem, his speed surging in an instant. Like an arrow loosed from its bow, he shot forward.
He was faster than lightning, yet agile and versatile. First he circled behind Dongfang Zexuan, then attacked from an unexpected angle — decisive and natural, flowing like water. He displayed the skill that was rightfully his.
But alas, the two were separated by a full rank in cultivation. Though both possessed combat strength that could overpower opponents three ranks above their own level, this irreparable gap gave Dongfang Zexuan an overwhelming advantage.
Just as Nangong Ya's attack was about to land, Dongfang Zexuan's figure flickered. He not only dodged Nangong Ya's strike but counterattacked in the same motion — a palm wreathed in wind that smashed directly into Nangong Ya's body.
Bam—
The palm connected, and Nangong Ya was sent tumbling backward. The half-forged Emperor Weapon flew from his grasp, and his body went flying out of the crowd. Fortunately, someone caught him; otherwise, that impact would have made his injuries far worse.
Yet even so, Nangong Ya coughed up blood again and again, staining his collar red. His aura had grown incomparably weak. Dongfang Zexuan's palm strike had been vicious beyond measure — it had nearly taken Nangong Ya's life.
It was supposed to be a friendly exchange, and such a heavy blow was uncalled for. But Dongfang Zexuan showed not the slightest remorse. Instead, he sneered contemptuously:
"You couldn't even withstand a single strike. Truly pathetic. With strength like yours, you'd do well not to come and humiliate yourself next time."
"Hahahaha..." After the mockery came a burst of laughter.
Dongfang Zexuan's taunting laughter echoed across the arena, making the members of the Nangong Imperial Clan furrow their brows and turn green with rage.
Nangong Ya — the last contestant from the Nangong Imperial Clan — had been defeated just like that. Not only defeated, but crushed so thoroughly, and then mocked so shamelessly. It truly made them unable to hold their heads up.
If they had known beforehand that this junior exchange would end like this, they wouldn't have come even if their lives depended on it.
This was hardly a junior exchange. This was plainly an exercise in public humiliation.
"This round goes to Dongfang Zexuan. Nangong Ya is eliminated. Next, a challenger from outside the four clans — Feng Xing, proceed with your challenge," announced the City Lord of the Moonworship Cloud City in a booming voice.
The moment those words left his mouth, Dongfang Zexuan was about to leave. But just then, Chu Feng leaped into the air and, like a falling meteor, landed with a thunderous boom right in front of Dongfang Zexuan, blocking his path.
"No need to leave," Chu Feng said to Dongfang Zexuan.
"Me? You and I have no grudge between us. Why challenge me?" Seeing that Chu Feng intended to challenge him, Dongfang Zexuan furrowed his brows, clearly not expecting this.
"City Lord of the Moonworship Cloud City, I wish to challenge this Dongfang Zexuan. Would that be permitted?" Chu Feng ignored Dongfang Zexuan entirely and addressed his question directly to the City Lord.