Despite the sky above being filled with cultivators' figures as densely as a rainstorm frozen in mid-air, there were still many who chose to remain hidden, never revealing themselves.
For instance, a massive floating warship — so enormous it was like a towering island risen from the earth. But because its concealment array was so powerful, almost no one noticed it. Even passing right in front of it, one would have their senses affected by the concealment array, making it utterly impossible to detect anything amiss.
And standing on the deck of that ship were none other than the forces of the Prison Sect.
Millions of Prison Sect members, lined up in orderly ranks like an army ready to march, carrying an extraordinary aura.
At the very front stood two individuals.
One was a white-haired elder wearing the robe of a Prison General. He was glaring viciously at the arena platform, like a beast seeking vengeance, scanning for its prey.
"Lord Yun'ao, there's no need for this. I never planned on getting revenge," said the young man beside the elder — none other than Chen Hui.
"The fact that he dared to move against you so brazenly shows he has absolutely no respect for our Ancient Faction. Even if he did cause that sky-covering red cloud phenomenon, he shouldn't have been this presumptuous. I, this old man, must get an explanation for this," the elder named Yun'ao said through gritted teeth; his fury was palpable from his tone alone.
This Yun'ao was extraordinarily powerful. The reason those great figures of the Ancient Faction dared to retreat into seclusion in peace was precisely because of Yun'ao's presence. Due to his lazy disposition, he had repeatedly refused the position of Prison Commander, but his strength had long since reached the level of a Commander. Within the Ancient Faction, he held considerable weight and influence.
Having known full well both Yun'ao's power and his temperament, Chen Hui understood that if he didn't intervene, today might actually escalate into an internal war within the Prison Sect.
"Lord Yun'ao."
Chen Hui turned his palm over and held it out in front of Yun'ao.
"What is it?" Yun'ao's mouth opened slightly, a look of confusion on his face.
"Place your palm on top of mine," Chen Hui said.
"Hui Hui, even if Miss Yun doesn't like you, that's no reason to do this. You should still be a proper, upright man." Yun'ao furrowed his brow.
"What? Just put it on — I've got a surprise for you," Chen Hui said.
Hearing this, Yun'ao placed his palm on Chen Hui's with a half-doubtful expression. The moment contact was made, Yun'ao's eyes went wide with astonishment, and then broke into a broad grin: "You little rascal, you were doing that on purpose, weren't you?"
"I let him be arrogant for now. Sooner or later, he'll get what's coming to him."
Chen Hui flashed a smug smile, but these words were transmitted silently. He didn't know whether among those behind him, there might be someone loyal to the Ancient Faction in body but the New Faction in heart.
Yun'ao immediately grasped Chen Hui's meaning and silently asked: "You little rascal, I knew it — with your talent, now that you've stepped into the True God Realm, there's no way you'd be that weak."
"So, Lord Yun'ao, do you still believe that Baili Zilin truly caused that red cloud phenomenon?" Chen Hui asked.
"That's not for us to say. There were plenty of witnesses that day," Yun'ao replied.
"Either way, I don't buy it. Unless he re-creates that red cloud phenomenon right in front of me," Chen Hui said.
Just then, the sea of people erupted in commotion — the arena had undergone a change. The barrier of light concealing it began to dissipate.
Standing at the center of the massive arena platform was a solitary, diminutive figure. But when the crowd focused their gazes upon him, almost no one dared to underestimate this person. After all, Baili Zilin's appearance alone carried the air of a monstrous prodigy.
"I, Baili Zilin, welcome all of you who have traveled from afar on behalf of the Prison Sect, to witness this battle between myself and Chu Feng."
Baili Zilin politely cupped his fists and bowed to all around him.