The Prodigies War
Chapter 1868: Volunteering for Battle

The name of Xuanji Dao Sect’s leader was Heng Xiao, who was known for his unfathomable strength and great status in Cloud State.

Heng Xiao, who was wearing a Taoist outfit and a feathered crown, also noticed Lin Xun and Jintian Xuanyue right away. He gave them a slight nod.

“Go over,” whispered Hong Yu, who then led the two forward.

At the same time, the high-ranking personnel as well as many disciples of Xuanji Dao Sect looked over with either doubt, indifference, or curiosity in their eyes.

Their expressions seemed to say, “These two are the esteemed guests from the Imperial Jintian Clan?”

Lin Xun was unperturbed as he stepped forward to greet Heng Xiao, “Pleased to meet you, Senior. I am Jin Duyi.”

Heng Xiao was stunned. “Your surname is Jin?”

Jintian Xuanyue interrupted by simply introducing herself, “My surname is Jintian.”

“I see,” said Heng Xiao. “As our honored guests, the two of you should have been received and entertained accordingly, but due to the situation we are having, I can only trouble you to wait here for some time first.”

Lin Xun nodded. “It’s no trouble at all, Senior.”

It was impossible for him not to see the fierce fight still unfolding on the huge ring at the center of the platform.

One side was a disciple of Xuanji Dao Sect, who was a handsome man dressed in a feathered coat. He was at the advanced Supreme Saint-King Stage, and his weapon was a dao sword that looked like a purple fish.

His opponent was a woman clad in black clothes and wrapped in gray fog. Her eyes were narrow as knives, cold and intimidating.

The most bizarre thing about her was that she was only at the initial Supreme Saint-King Stage, but in this fight, she firmly had the advantage!

The reason was that her body could morph at will, sometimes becoming as thin as paper, sometimes turning into a wisp of gray fog or a grain of rice, and then suddenly becoming larger…

She could take whatever shape and size she wanted!

She held a seven-inch dagger in her hand. The weapon was pitch black and lightless, but with every wave would make a shrill noise as it easily tore through the void.

In just seconds, the Xuanji disciple suffered one wound after another that were deep enough to expose his bone, and the blood from them dyed his clothes red.

“Even Senior Brother Yuan Mao is no match for her?” said someone bitterly.

Heng Xiao, Hong Yu, and the other big names of Xuanji Dao Sect all looked somber as well.

Meanwhile, a cheer erupted on the opposite side of the platform.

Lin Xun looked in that direction and saw a group of cultivators wearing the same blue uniform.

Their leader was a transcendent-looking old man who wore a big-sleeved robe. His skin was as smooth as that of a baby, and his eyes were quiet and unmoving.

They were experts of Phantasm Empyrean Island.

The old man leading them was an elder of extremely high status in their sect, and his dharma name was Bi Yuanzi.

At this moment, he was stroking his beard, commenting with a smile, “Brother Heng Xiao, I’m afraid your side is going to lose again in this second duel.”

His voice was so loud that it echoed through the mountaintop and shattered the sea of clouds.

The expressions of the Xuanji party instantly grew unsightly, and many of them clenched their fists in rage.

As if to verify Bi Yuanzi’s words, a heavy, deafening noise came from the arena as the black clad woman’s dagger knocked away the fish sword.

Then, the dagger’s tip gleamed sharply.

Poof!

It drew a long, bloody, vertical wound on the chest of the young man called Yuan Mao, nearly ripping open his stomach!

The black-clad woman wanted to take this advantage and push on with her onslaught when Heng Xiao suddenly shouted, “Stop! Xuanji Dao Sect admits defeat in this match.”

Swish!

The black-clad woman came to an abrupt stop and turned to the Xuanji crowd with a look of ridicule.

“Well timed. Otherwise, he would have been dead.” She dropped those words and left the ring.

The sheer condescension in her attitude infuriated the entire Xuanji group. The young disciples lost their composure and angrily shouted back.

“Arrogant!”

“Having your nose in the air after winning one game? Don’t overestimate yourself!”

Hearing that, the black-clad woman suddenly turned around with scorn in her narrow eyes. Hooking her finger, she said, “Can’t take it? Then come and fight me.”

This rendered the other party speechless.

On the contrary, the Phantasm Empyrean Island crowd burst into laughter, which heightened the feeling of humiliation in the Xuanji disciples’ hearts.

Meanwhile, Lin Xun’s eyes flashed with a strange light.

He had learned that this competition between Phantasm Empyrean Island and Xuanji Dao Sect would have at most five matches.

The winner would be decided as soon as one side won three matches.

As of this moment, Xuanji Dao Sect had already lost two matches.

The one they had sent for the first match was Lin Xun’s acquaintance, Ji Qian. The one deployed for the second match was Yuan Mao, who had almost been disemboweled just now.

Both of them had been defeated by the black-clad woman!

Her name was ‘She Zi,’ and Xuanji Dao Sect had never heard of such a powerful disciple from Phantasm Empyrean Island before.

As a result, they had zero information on her.

However, after the two matches, everyone could already tell that She Zi was no ordinary supreme Saint-King!

Whether it was against Ji Qian or Yuan Mao, both of whom were above her in terms of cultivation, she had won with ease.

It was worth noting that Yuan Mao was the third strongest core disciple of Xuanji Dao Sect, but despite that, he had lost!

The atmosphere was oppressive. Heng Xiao, Hong Yu, and the others all looked grave and gloomy.

Two of the five matches had already ended with their side being defeated miserably. This meant that the competition would be settled if they lost just one more match!

“Who is this She Zi? It’s like she jumped out of a rock. I suspect she’s not even a disciple of Phantasm Empyrean Island,” analyzed an expert with a frown. “In the previous match, the dao and tactics she used resembled nothing in their heritages.”

This remark caused many eyes to narrow.

In fact, the others also suspected it. They just didn’t dare to be certain.

Lin Xun suddenly commented, “She is, indeed, not a disciple of Phantasm Empyrean Island.”

The whole Xuanji party looked over at him.

Heng Xiao had a realization. “Did you figure something out, little friend?”

Lin Xun’s eyes were deep as he replied, “I do have some clues.”

The black-clad woman’s fighting style gave him a familiar feeling. After musing on it a little, he recalled some past events.

Heng Xiao’s eyes lit up. “Are they conclusive?”

Lin Xun pondered briefly and said, “No, but there’s a simple way to make sure; I just need to fight her.”

Heng Xiao was taken aback. “You?”

The other Xuanji Dao Sect elders were also astonished. No one had expected this honored guest from the Imperial Jintian Clan to make such a request.

Not to mention them, even Jintian Xuanyue was stunned for a moment.

She knew full well that Lin Xun would rather keep a low profile and avoid making a commotion unless it was absolutely necessary.

Therefore, him for once taking the initiative to do that shocked her, and she realized that he might have other plans!

Heng Xiao was cautious with his decision. “In the end, this is the matter of our sect. I’m afraid it’s not justified if I let you interfere.”

The sect master had his own considerations.

They had already lost two matches in a row. Since the next one could decide the final outcome, they had to take it very seriously.

Therefore, how could they place their hope in the hands of an outsider who they knew nothing about at this juncture? What if Lin Xun was defeated?

At that time, the Jintian Clan wouldn’t lose anything, but their sect would lose all face.

Heng Xiao’s thoughts were also what the other Xuanji elders present currently had in mind.

After all, Lin Xun had only just arrived here. His title as an esteemed guest from the Imperial Jintian Clan didn’t do much to make them feel at ease in this situation.

Right at this moment, Bi Yuanzi’s smug voice rang out on the opposite side of the platform, “Brother Heng Xiao, have you decided on the next disciple for the third match?

“But honestly though, I think it’s much wiser for you to admit defeat now instead. After all, it wouldn’t be a good look if your next contender also loses.”

The expressions of Heng Xiao and the others instantly darkened as their anger could no longer be contained.

Bi Yuanzi, this old bastard! Does he think our sect has no one left?

“Sect Master, I would like to fight next!” heavily said a Xuanji disciple who couldn’t take it anymore.

“No, let me!”

“No, this third match is bound to be dangerous. Do not argue over this, just leave it to me!”

Following the first one, the other Xuanji disciples also volunteered themselves.

They were all core disciples at the Supreme Saint-King Stage, making them the most central and elite force of Xuanji Dao Sect.

Lin Xun, however, secretly shook his head. As powerful as these core disciples were, he didn’t think they were a match for that black-clad woman called She Zi!

Something he found to be a surprise was that Jiang Heng was among this group of core disciples, and she was also asking to fight next with a determined expression.

To think that she’s also stepped into the Supreme Saint-King Stage. Lin Xun lamented in his heart.

He still remembered that whether it was himself, Jiang Heng, or Ji Qian, all of them had only been supreme Big Saints during their time in the Kunlun Dominion.

Only seven years had passed since then, but the other party had also made a breakthrough on their dao path.

At the moment, Heng Xiao also seemed to be having a hard time making a decision.

Seeing this, Lin Xun immediately collected his thoughts and said, “Your disciples don’t have much chance of winning this match. It’s better to leave it to me.”

With that, his figure flashed and reappeared in the center of the ring.

“You…”

“Stop!”

“Little friend, come back!”

His sudden action caught the whole Xuanji crowd off guard. Some of the elders were inwardly annoyed and even a little angry at him.

Can’t this young man tell the gravity of the situation at all, raising an upheaval at a time like this? He’s simply fooling around!

Meanwhile, the core disciples of Xuanji Dao Sect like Jiang Heng were no less upset.

What does he mean by we don’t have much chance of winning? How dare he downplay everyone with just a sentence like that?!

Only Jintian Xuanyue had full confidence in Lin Xun.

With a hint of pride in her voice, she calmly said, “Normally, people would have to beg for my Young Master to act and it would still depend on his mood. Now, since he has taken the initiative to help you, I suggest that you all relax and watch the fight.”