The Young Lord Ranking's top twelve. Every single one of them was a true Emperor Realm genius who had broken through the half-step Emperor Realm.
The name Zhuang Min sounded somewhat feminine, but the man himself possessed not a single feminine trait. He was meticulous in thought, cunning and calculating, and his methods were far more refined than his younger brother Zhuang Jie's — an entire tier above.
He and Zhuang Jie were different. Zhuang Jie treated this battle as a chance for revenge against Pill King Zhen. But Zhuang Min was far calmer. He did not let the fact that he was an Emperor Realm genius go to his head, nor did he assume victory was a foregone conclusion.
On the contrary, Zhuang Min was extremely cautious.
Ever since his brother Zhuang Jie had been challenged and eliminated, he had taken note of this Pill King Zhen. The more Zhuang Min observed, the more mysterious this Pill King Zhen seemed.
Even as an Emperor Realm genius, he absolutely could not afford to underestimate his opponent.
"Next match — Pill King Zhen challenges Zhuang Min! Both geniuses, please take the stage!"
At the referee's command, Zhuang Min leapt from his seat and landed directly on the arena platform.
And Jiang Chen just happened to finish ascending the last step, arriving on the platform at that very moment.
The two geniuses met there in that instant.
Jiang Chen already knew that his opponent was named Zhuang Min, and that he was the elder brother of Zhuang Jie, whom he had previously eliminated.
He also knew that this man's cultivation had already reached the early stage of the Emperor Realm. Even if it was only the first level of the Emperor Realm.
But everyone knew that even a first-level Emperor Realm cultivator was absolutely twice as powerful as a half-step Emperor Realm warrior. A first-level Emperor Realm genius could handle two half-step Emperor Realm opponents with ease — and even against three, they might not be at a disadvantage.
Of course, in a martial contest, one could never rely on such cold data.
The moment Jiang Chen stepped onto the platform, he felt his entire body pierced by a gaze. That gaze carried a strange, ethereal intent — like an invisible current that made Jiang Chen feel as though he were walking through water, resisted by an unseen force.
"Hmm? This man is Zhuang Jie's older brother. Zhuang Jie was born with a Water Spirit Body, so this Zhuang Min must share the same bloodline. Could it be that…" Jiang Chen's mind lit up as he grasped the situation instantly.
He knew this fellow was trying to intimidate him before the fight even began. But the Jiang Chen of today was no soft persimmon to be squeezed at will.
He circulated his True Qi. His aura surged in an instant, and his pace did not slow — it actually quickened.
Seeing Jiang Chen break free of his rippling vibration Divine Ability without breaking stride, Zhuang Min remained composed. He had only wanted to give the opponent a show of force; he hadn't expected to finish the fight with that alone.
If a simple display like that could defeat his opponent, then this man could never have eliminated his brother in the first place.
Zhuang Min's blue eyes were like a pair of deep, fathomless pools, giving off an extremely sinister charm. His gaze, tinged with that eerie allure, locked onto Jiang Chen as he spoke with a half-smile. "Pill King Zhen, that you've made it this far is quite surprising to me. I trust you know who I am. Do you really think you stand any chance in this fight?"
Jiang Chen knew this was a psychological tactic, but he felt no fear. He smiled calmly. "Whether I have a chance or not, we'll only know after we fight. I defeated your brother, so naturally I could defeat you as well."
"Ha ha ha." Zhuang Min laughed outright. "So you still haven't grasped the true difference between an Emperor Realm powerhouse and a half-step Emperor Realm one."
With that, Zhuang Min nodded. "Very well, then. Allow me to end your winning streak. I'll admit you're a dark horse — but as you should know, dark horses never make it to the end."
Jiang Chen's mental fortitude had long since reached the level of a heart as unyielding as rock. He was not about to let Zhuang Min's words inflame his emotions.
Jiang Chen let out a derisive snort. "Zhuang Min, your cultivation may be a step above your brother's. But when it comes to eloquence and the art of the sharp tongue, you seem to be a notch below him."
At their level of strength, verbal sparring was never merely about silver-tongued quips. It was a contest of momentum and presence.
Zhuang Min realized he couldn't gain the upper hand in this arena, but he did not look discouraged. He simply smiled, then clapped his hands together. "Very well. Quite the silver tongue you have."
A cold, arrogant gleam shot from Zhuang Min's eyes as he declared with pride, "You are the challenger from the lower bracket. I'll yield you three moves to start."
One had to admit — Zhuang Min had a keen eye for detail and knew how to exploit every advantage, no matter how small.
This seemingly simple offer to yield moves not only showcased the magnanimity expected of an Emperor Realm genius, but also served to elevate his own standing while stepping on his opponent at the same time.
Jiang Chen laughed again upon hearing this. "Yield? You're too stingy — only three moves? How about this: I'll yield you ten moves. What do you say?"
Jiang Chen refused to show weakness either, matching him blow for blow.
Zhuang Min's face darkened, and his sword-like brows shot upward. "Are you certain you're not talking in your sleep?"
Jiang Chen laughed heartily. "I'm more awake than I've ever been. Make your move. I said ten moves, and ten moves it is — though whether you can last all ten is another matter entirely."
"So arrogant!" Even the ever-composed Zhuang Min could not suppress a flash of anger in his eyes.
The arena fell deathly silent. Tens of thousands of spectators had all heard Jiang Chen's words, and not a single one could believe what they had just heard.
Pill King Zhen was going to yield Zhuang Min ten moves? And from the sound of it, this wasn't just idle trash talk — it seemed Pill King Zhen actually meant it?
Whether he meant it or not, provoking an Emperor Realm genius like this took extraordinary courage.
"At the eighth level of the Spirit King Realm, daring to yield an Emperor Realm genius ten moves — surely only Pill King Zhen would have the nerve to do something like this?"