"If this is a dead end, then what is there to fear?"
"I only hope you keep your word — if I win, you release my Master and the others."
Chu Feng said.
"Of course."
"But Chu Feng, do you think you stand a chance?"
Jiang Yuantai smiled faintly, and a radiant brilliance emanated from his body — it was the power of formations.
That formation power did not take the shape of any particular formation, yet it left the cultivators of the Nine Souls Galaxy utterly astonished.
Because that formation power radiated a terrifying aura — a might comparable to a rank nine Martial Ancestor.
He was… a Dragon Transformation level nine Spirit World Master!!
Suddenly, heaven and earth trembled, as an overwhelming burst of martial power surged forth from within Jiang Yuantai's body.
It was the cultivation of a rank eight Martial Ancestor!!
But in the next moment, a holy and majestic flame erupted from Jiang Yuantai's body.
Under the bolstering of that flame, his cultivation rose from rank eight Martial Ancestor to rank nine Martial Ancestor.
The flame shifted once more.
His aura climbed yet again.
Though his cultivation remained at rank nine Martial Ancestor, his combat strength had already far surpassed that of an ordinary rank nine Martial Ancestor.
He could raise his cultivation by two ranks from the rank eight Martial Ancestor realm.
On top of that, he was a Dragon Transformation level nine Spirit World Master.
Jiang Yuantai was a man who had pushed both formations and martial cultivation to the absolute peak of rank nine Martial Ancestor.
This… was the caliber of genius from the Dao Alchemy Immortal Sect!!
Though everyone already knew that within the eyes of a colossal power like the Dao Alchemy Immortal Sect, everything in the Eastern Domain was beneath notice — actually feeling the strength of the sect's top genius in person still left the cultivators of the Nine Souls Galaxy shaken to their core.
The gap between them was like an uncrossable chasm, filling them with dread.
Seeing the power Jiang Yuantai displayed, even Sima Xiangtu, who had been tense, let out a breath of relief.
Chu Feng might have his tricks, but unless his cultivation increased, there was simply no way — no matter how one looked at it — for Chu Feng to defeat a Jiang Yuantai like this.
In truth, even Chu Feng's brow was furrowed tight at this moment.
If Jiang Yuantai's cultivation had only reached rank nine Martial Ancestor, Chu Feng could have tried to defeat him with the second strike of his Nine Heavens Thunder Slash.
But Jiang Yuantai's current state had effectively raised his combat strength by another level on top of rank nine Martial Ancestor.
Against such a Jiang Yuantai, even the second strike of the Nine Heavens Thunder Slash would be nowhere near enough.
Though Chu Feng's strength was at the absolute peak among the younger generation of the Eastern Domain, Jiang Yuantai was genuinely a peer whom Chu Feng could not overcome.
"Don't panic. Normally speaking, you truly cannot beat me."
"But today I'll give you a chance."
"Let's change the rules of our contest."
Jiang Yuantai said.
"What method?" Chu Feng asked.
"What is your true cultivation?" Jiang Yuantai asked.
"Rank four Martial Ancestor," Chu Feng replied.
"Heh…"
Jiang Yuantai let out a disdainful laugh, his smile dripping with mockery.
At the same time, he cast a glance at Jiang Kongping — a look that seemed to say: Useless thing, defeated by a mere rank four Martial Ancestor.
Facing his brother's scornful gaze, Jiang Kongping simply spread his hands and shrugged.
He said nothing, but his gesture conveyed a clear message: Don't underestimate this Chu Feng.
Jiang Yuantai, however, was unmoved, and turned back to Chu Feng.
"Fine. I'll suppress my cultivation to the rank four Martial Ancestor realm."
"When we fight, neither of us may use martial techniques, nor secret arts, nor raise our cultivation."
"We'll compete using only the most primitive means of combat a cultivator has."
Jiang Yuantai said.
"You want to fight me bare-handed?" Chu Feng asked.
"Not exactly."
Jiang Yuantai shook his head, then reached toward his Universe Bag.
With a sweep of his arm, a wooden case flew out and hovered in midair.
The case opened on its own, revealing eighteen weapons arranged inside.
Every weapon was crafted from wood and contained not a shred of combat power. But though they were made of wood, each one was extraordinarily durable.
Their sturdiness was such that likely no one below the Half-God realm could destroy them.
These… were actually treasures — albeit rather unusual ones.
Whoosh—
Jiang Yuantai reached out and seized a wooden spear, which flew into his hand.
"Pick any weapon you like from here," Jiang Yuantai said to Chu Feng.
"You really want to compete like this?"
"If so, that wouldn't be fair to you at all," Chu Feng said.
"Of course it's not fair."
"If this were a normal duel, I could take your wretched life with a mere thought."
"But I want you to accept your defeat with a clear conscience."