Chapter 170: Enemies Often Cross Paths, Yet Another Move

At the command of Qian Qing, the drawing of lots mechanism began.

The participants were ordered according to their drawn numbers, and then the extremes would contend against each other—the first against the last, and so on.

For instance, if there were ninety-nine people, number one would battle number ninety-nine, number two would battle number ninety-eight, and they would be paired up in this manner to select their opponents.

Sitting in their designated seats, Qian Liu wore an anxious expression on his face as he watched disciples from other sects already going up to draw their lots.

However, Ye Jiuyao had still not appeared yet, which made them rather worried.

"Are there any remaining who have not drawn their lots?"

Shortly after, the voice of the official in charge echoed from the drawing platform, making Qian Liu and his companions even more anxious since they had staked all their possessions on this gamble.

"Since no one responds, then..."

"Wait..."

Just as the person on the stage was about to announce the closure of the draw, a voice rang out like a thunderclap, and everyone's gazes shifted toward the source.

"I haven't drawn yet."

The eyes of Qian Liu and the others landed there, lighting up with excitement. The newcomer was naturally Ye Jiuyao.

Sitting in his seat, Qian Qing's eyes brightened, filled with anticipation.

"Then come up."

Ye Jiuyao stepped forward and drew a number.

"Number one?"

Ye Jiuyao muttered to himself.

Up in the spectator stands, however, several gazes fell upon Ye Jiuyao, the fury within their eyes entirely unmasked.

"Disciple, is he the one who injured you?"

Beside the blonde-haired man, an elderly man asked in a deep voice.

"Master, it is him. He is the one who injured me."

"What number did you draw?"

"Ninety-nine."

"Then go reclaim your honor!"

Upon hearing this, the blonde-haired man immediately broke into a smile.

Last time, he believed his defeat was due to underestimating his opponent, but he would not make that mistake again. He would go all out and defeat him in a single move to retrieve his lost dignity!

...

"Glad you made it."

Qian Liu and the other two looked at Ye Jiuyao by their side with smiles on their faces, for within the short span of a day or two, they had heard plenty of rumors concerning Ye Jiuyao.

Stories of defeating a genius from the Gold District with a single palm!

Stories of crippling a genius from the Iron District with a single move!

A lone cultivator wandering off with a beauty and never returning.

...

And so on, all revolving around Ye Jiuyao.

"Which match is yours?"

"The first."

Ye Jiuyao said with a helpless expression.

After all, he had not slept a wink all night and had rushed over hurriedly. Though he was not overly exhausted, in this tumultuous era, he still longed for a bit of sleep.

After all... cultivation demanded it!

"Each person shall fight ten matches, and those with the highest accumulated score shall advance!"

The official disciple announced once more.

"Now, for the first match, numbers one through ten, along with the bottom ten numbers, please take the battle stage!"

In an instant, several figures leaped upward.

Ye Jiuyao looked toward the stage assigned to him and suddenly smiled, wondering what formidable opponent he might face.

As it turned out, upon seeing that his opponent was the blonde-haired man, he instantly felt secure—he might even have time to eat and sleep afterward.

Ye Jiuyao vaulted onto the stage with a light leap and laughed, "Is this what they call enemies crossing paths in narrow quarters?!"

"Hmph, last time you merely had good luck. This time I won't underestimate you anymore. Your time of death has come!"

The blonde-haired man declared.

Ye Jiuyao slowly extended a single finger, his face full of derision. Seeing this, the blonde-haired man flew into an instant rage.

This was blatant contempt!

"That's... that's the young hero from the other day!"

"He's so handsome!"

"I want to bear his children..."

"Oh, get over it, I heard he already has a fair maiden by his side..."

Whispers began to ripple through the crowd below, and many infatuated young maidens began to daydream.

"Shh!"

"Who knows if that's even true."

"Exactly. Look at him; apart from being a bit handsome and radiant, he seems to have nothing at all."

"Still... he's much better than those sissies. Put that way, he's actually quite decent."

Thus, some of the male compatriots began to voice their criticisms.

Yet as they spoke, their words gradually turned into expressions of praise.

Perhaps being handsome was useless, but it was still pleasing to the eye.

"Make your move."

Ye Jiuyao said to the blonde-haired man.

"Once I make my move, you're finished."

The blonde-haired man assumed an air of supreme arrogance.

"Then I shall make my move."

Before Ye Jiuyao's words had even faded into the air, his entire figure surged forward like a violent storm.

In the blink of an eye, he whipped up a gale-force wind.

"Coming at the right time! This time I'll let you know what it means to be serious!"

The blonde-haired man roared, his momentum erupting as terrifying power surged outward in an instant.

Like rolling thunder, the force blasted forth.

"A single move!"

Ye Jiuyao spoke once again.

The Rivers and Mountains Sword materialized in his hand once more. Sword light flashed, a streak of white radiance swept across the air, and he slashed horizontally.

"Boom!"

The brilliance of the long sword erupted and collided with that terrifying power in the very next fraction of a second.

"You..."

The immense power crashed against itself, instantly generating shockwaves of air that rippled in all directions.

"Pfft..."

A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed from the blonde-haired man's lips.

His entire body was sent flying backward like a cannonball, clearing the combat ring entirely, disbelief written all over his eyes.

He could not fathom for the life of him how he had lost again.

And it was still just a single move.

If that terrifying sword radiance hadn't been reined in slightly at the very end, the injuries he sustained would surely have been far worse than this.

At that moment, the blonde-haired man felt utterly wretched, stripped of all dignity. He felt it would be better just to pass out on the spot.

Meanwhile, over in the Gold District's section, faces had turned deathly pale.

They had boasted of contending for first place, only to suffer defeat before their campaign had even truly begun.

Their strongest senior brother had lost.

Worse still, there were so many people watching.

Watching the blonde-haired man fly off the stage, Ye Jiuyao wore an air of lonely invincibility before stepping down as the match was announced.

"So handsome!"

"Was that really just a single move again?!"

"Just one move?!"

"What terrifying power!"

...

Ye Jiuyao smiled and walked back to the side of Qian Liu and the others.

"Are you..."

Qian Liu wanted to ask if Ye Jiuyao was confident about the matches ahead, but the moment he blinked again, he heard a soft, rhythmic sound.

Ye Jiuyao had... fallen asleep.

Qian Liu and the other two were left speechless, rolling their eyes in exasperation.

How was it that they had never realized this disciple possessed such a unique hobby before?

Down below, the spectators looked at Ye Jiuyao in speechless bewilderment.

"He loves putting on airs so much."

"Seriously."

...

The crowd below began to chatter, chattering and bickering amongst themselves as they discussed Ye Jiuyao.

However, Ye Jiuyao had already entered the Canglang Scroll.

Looking at the illuminated landscape guided by Cang Sangsang, his power surged forth once more.

He felt a profound sense of physical and mental invigoration wash over his entire being.

Smiling, Ye Jiuyao gazed at the immortal cavern before him and unleashed his absolute power, beginning to manifest his complete strength in an instant.

Suddenly, however, a furious roar exploded through the air.