"Chu Feng is second — then who on earth is first?" Amid the excitement, the crowd's gaze drifted back toward the sky.
Hum— Under the watchful eyes of thousands, two characters materialized: Leng Yue.
"Leng Yue — she's a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Palace."
The crowd was stunned. After all, Leng Yue's name had long since thundered in everyone's ears. She had always been one of the most outstanding among the younger generation.
When the name Leng Yue appeared, the people of the Heavenly Dao Palace wore triumphant smiles on their faces, while the Hell's Gate members furrowed their brows, clearly displeased.
Compared to the Hell's Gate, the Human Emperor's Mansion wasn't quite as downcast, but they weren't exactly thrilled either.
After all, the three mansions had always been spoken of as equals. Yet now, among the disciples of all three, it was the Heavenly Dao Palace that held the top spot. It left them feeling somewhat unbalanced, as though they had lost face.
"Move out. Since Chu Feng has shown up, we absolutely cannot let him leave alive."
However, just as everyone was marveling at Leng Yue claiming first place, the patriarchs of the Four Great Emperor Clans quietly led their elite forces into the crowd, melting away among the masses.
They had long since made their plans. If Chu Feng hadn't come, that would have been one thing — but if he did come, they were determined to root him out.
……
Inside the fortress, the crowd was still speculating about the identities of the three — Chili Pepper and the others.
Swoosh— But suddenly, a figure shot out from one of the tall towers, then plummeted like a meteor, landing before the tower where Chu Feng resided.
The commotion drew considerable attention, and the people stationed atop the various towers all turned their gaze toward the scene.
The one who had landed before Chu Feng's tower was a man.
His features were handsome, yet exuded a bone-piercing chill. It was none other than Ximen Feixue.
Ximen Feixue's eyes had always been cold and devoid of warmth — now they were positively glacial.
Clang— Without warning, he drew the Celestial Immortal Sword in a flash and aimed it directly at Chu Feng's tower. In an instant, the surging frost energy transformed into howling gusts of cold wind that ravaged heaven and earth.
And ultimately, those visible waves of frigid aura swept toward Chu Feng's tower like ravenous beasts, causing the entire structure to tremble ever so slightly.
It turned out that Ximen Feixue was no longer a fifth-grade Half-Emperor — he had reached the sixth grade. He had broken through.
"Chu Feng! I, Ximen Feixue, have not come here for anything else. I came for you."
"And since you've shown up as well, this time I will make sure you fall to my Celestial Immortal Sword and wash away the humiliation of the past!" Ximen Feixue's voice boomed like thunder as he roared the words.
Though his hatred burned hot, his confidence burned hotter. He didn't believe Chu Feng could have broken through as quickly as he had — so in his mind, a rematch could only end in Chu Feng's defeat.
"Oh? A revenge match, is it? Now that's interesting."
The dragons and phoenixes among men — the elite prodigies watching from their towers — immediately grasped Ximen Feixue's intent and settled in to watch the spectacle with keen interest.
Some even went so far as to take out the snacks provided inside their towers, munching on delicacies while enjoying the show.
They had missed the battle between Chu Feng and Ximen Feixue back then, but witnessing Ximen Feixue's vendetta unfold today would be just as good.
"Oh no — it's Ximen Feixue! Why is this guy challenging Chu Feng before the competition has even started?" While the onlookers eagerly anticipated the drama, Big Radish and Little Radish were tearing their hair out.
Even though they were Hell's Gate disciples, they knew full well how formidable Ximen Feixue was.
"Relax. Stay here and don't go outside. I'll handle this Ximen Feixue," Yan Xie said. With that, he transformed into a streak of light and soared out.
When he appeared, his aura — that of a sixth-grade Half-Emperor just like Ximen Feixue — swept outward and pressed the frigid energy engulfing Chu Feng's tower back down.
"A mere former defeat of Brother Chu Feng, and you dare strut around like this? If you want to challenge Chu Feng, you'll have to get through me first!" After landing, Yan Xie drew the Fire Dragon Emperor Spear, pointed it at Ximen Feixue, and bellowed.
"Who are you?" Ximen Feixue's eyes narrowed with renewed interest upon sensing that Yan Xie was also a sixth-grade Half-Emperor.
"I am Yan Xie, successor to the Flame Emperor."
"I wondered who it was. So you're that Flame Emperor's successor. I'd heard so much about the Flame Emperor's heir — who would've thought the great successor was nothing more than Chu Feng's lapdog?" Ximen Feixue sneered.
"Enough talk. Fight me, or get lost. Everyone's watching — don't embarrass yourself any further," Yan Xie shot back.
At those words, Ximen Feixue swept his gaze around and finally noticed that atop every single tower, a figure had appeared — each one standing tall, each radiating an extraordinary bearing. These prodigies, these chosen sons of heaven… every last one of them had come out to watch.
A faint smile curled across Ximen Feixue's lips. The whole reason he had challenged Chu Feng at this moment was precisely so that all these people would see that Chu Feng was beneath him.
"Very well. I'll deal with you first — then I'll deal with Chu Feng. That won't be too late."
Swoosh swoosh swoosh— With those words, Ximen Feixue struck. Cold light erupted in every direction as the Celestial Immortal Sword transformed into an instrument of death, thrusting straight at Yan Xie.
"Hmph!" The moment Ximen Feixue moved, Yan Xie matched him beat for beat. Wielding the Fire Dragon Emperor Spear, he clashed with Ximen Feixue head-on.
Boom boom boom boom boom—