Chapter 1283: Showing Off

After retracting his divine abilities, Ye Chen turned and walked onto a quiet path.

Not long after, he stopped.

Ahead was an open expanse of land, situated between two immortal mountains.

In the open area, a massive battle platform hovered in place, its scent of blood and decay detectable even from a distance. The platform was surrounded by crowds of people, layer upon layer, creating a lively scene.

"Fengyun Tai?" Ye Chen stroked his chin, thinking to himself that this must be the place where disciples of Da Luo Jian Zong resolved their private grudges.

"What a great spot," Ye Chen said with a meaningful expression, well acquainted with Fengyun Tai. Back in his days at Heng Yue Zong, he had fought on it many times, and most of his opponents had ended up crippled.

Muttering to himself, Ye Chen looked toward the battle platform, where two Da Luo Jian Zong disciples stood—one in purple robes and one in white, both at the Huang Jing first level of cultivation.

Ye Chen's gaze fixed on the white-robed disciple, who was the only reincarnated soul in Da Luo Jian Zong.

From Li Kang's memories, he knew this white-robed disciple's image; his name was Yang Feng.

As for the purple-robed disciple facing him, his name was Han Ming.

Compared to Yang Feng, Han Ming had a significant background, as the holy son of a major force in the Beidou Star Domain, and he had powerful backing within Da Luo Jian Zong. Because of these connections, he had been arrogant and overbearing in the sect on a daily basis.

"Ye Shidi, which one is the reincarnated soul?" As Ye Chen observed, Duan Yu in the Chaos Ding couldn't help but ask.

"The white-robed disciple on the platform named Yang Feng."

"Never seen him before." Duan Yu examined the white-robed disciple on the stage and shook his head.

"He's the reincarnation of Nie Feng Shixiong." Ye Chen smiled slightly.

"Nie Feng Shixiong?" Duan Yu paused, then examined the white-robed disciple on the platform again. He bore no resemblance to Nie Feng from his previous life, which was why Duan Yu hadn't recognized him.

"Reincarnated people might have changed appearances," Ye Chen explained with a smile, "Reincarnation is profoundly mysterious; it's even possible to be reborn as a yao shou or xian cao, and even gender could change."

"I see."

"Yang Feng, now that you've come today, you don't need to go back." As the two conversed telepathically, Han Ming's sinister laughter echoed from the battle platform, full of mockery, much like the demeanor of the Da Luo Shen Zi.

"Then it depends on whether you have the ability." The reincarnated Nie Feng replied calmly.

"How foolish," Han Ming sneered, stepping forward like a ghost. He reappeared ten zhang away from the reincarnated Nie Feng, his killing sword ringing as he unleashed a silver immortal light.

The reincarnated Nie Feng was not one to back down; his dao sword also rang out, countering with a strike that shattered Han Ming's immortal light.

The battle erupted instantly.

Sword shadows danced on the battle platform, both being Da Luo Jian Zong disciples whose sword techniques were strikingly similar.

The two fought evenly, causing the massive platform to rumble from their clashes. Sword marks scarred the surface, prompting the spectators to instinctively step back.

"Who do you think will win between Yang Feng and Han Ming?" As they watched the fight, discussions buzzed around the platform.

"That goes without saying—it has to be Han Ming." Someone pondered aloud. "His family is quite powerful, and he's received deep sword dao inheritances over the years, plus his special bloodline. How could Yang Feng compare?"

"It's not that simple," another said.

"Yang Feng has strong talent; it's hard to say who will win. I actually favor Yang Feng."

"As brilliant as in his previous life." Watching the reincarnated Nie Feng, Ye Chen chuckled, refraining from unleashing the immortal light to unlock past memories in this bustling scene.

"So lively, and you didn't call me?" A person squeezed next to Ye Chen—it was Zheng Bo, whom he had met outside Ziwei Star. His small, shrewd eyes were as shifty as ever.

"Just watch; don't steal my things." Ye Chen glanced at Zheng Bo.

"Do I look like that kind of person?"

"Who knows?"

"On this outing, I got a treasure." Zheng Bo nudged Ye Chen and opened his storage bag, pulling out a purple spirit pearl used for stabilizing the mind.

"How about it? I'll sell it to you for eight hundred yuan shi." Zheng Bo winked at Ye Chen.

"You've surprised me." Ye Chen stroked his chin, but his eyes weren't on the purple spirit pearl—they were fixed on Zheng Bo's storage bag. In the moment Zheng Bo opened it, he had sensed an extraordinary treasure aura from inside.

"Want it? Say something." Zheng Bo held up the purple spirit pearl, waiting for Ye Chen's response.

"No."

"Come on! We can negotiate the price."

"Honestly, I'm more interested in that small bronze ding in your storage bag." Ye Chen scratched his ear.

"Small bronze ding?" Zheng Bo muttered, then rummaged through his storage bag and pulled out a small incense burner, waving it in front of Ye Chen. "This one?"

"I don't know, but are you selling that small bronze ding?" Ye Chen smiled. "The price can be negotiated."

"Sell it? Of course." Zheng Bo grinned and held up a finger. "One thousand yuan shi."

"Deal." Ye Chen handed over the yuan shi without a second thought and casually took the small bronze ding.

"So straightforward." Zheng Bo chuckled to himself, thinking Ye Chen had no eye for value. He had picked up that small bronze ding from a stall for less than a hundred yuan shi and was now turning a nine hundred yuan shi profit.

Ye Chen ignored him and examined the small ding closely, turning it over in his hands.

He already had two such small bronze dings: one from the Youming Black Market in Da Chu, which Jiang Tai Xu had called a treasure, and from which Ye Chen had once refined demon blood; the other from the Tianfu Divine Dynasty city in the Zhutian Wanyu, which also contained demon blood.

This new small ding was identical to those two, clearly from the same origin, and it held a drop of pure demon blood inside.

"Now that's a real treasure." Ye Chen smiled mysteriously and tucked the small bronze ding into his storage bag, planning to refine the demon blood from it when he had time. As for the ding's secrets, he'd need to study them further.

"I've got more treasures; want to pick another?" Zheng Bo opened his storage bag again.

"Keep them for yourself." Ye Chen glanced over and looked away. The storage bag was full of miscellaneous items, but nothing caught his interest.

"Suit yourself then." Zheng Bo put his storage bag away, disinterested.

"It's about to be decided!" Someone shouted, drawing Ye Chen's attention back.

On the battle platform, Han Ming and the reincarnated Nie Feng stood at opposite ends, both gripping their ringing killing swords as their auras rapidly climbed. The sword energy swirling around them made the space buzz and crack.

The fight had gone on for nearly a hundred moves, and now both were going for a decisive strike, unleashing their sword dao divine abilities—major techniques. The terrifying sword intent forced the spectators to retreat repeatedly.

"Kill!"

Han Ming roared, thrusting his sword like a rainbow, carrying devastating piercing force.

In contrast, the reincarnated Nie Feng was calm, much like in his previous life—indifferent and proud. He struck back, his sword radiating divine light with overwhelming power.

Under everyone's gaze, the two sword dao divine abilities collided at their tips, creating ripples that spread outward endlessly. Wherever they went, swaths of spirit trees were severed at the waist, and the spectators hastily summoned protective barriers to avoid the impact.

Crack!

The sound of a sword shattering rang out—it was Han Ming's. His divine ability failed, and his natal weapon broke, pierced by the reincarnated Nie Feng's sword. He plummeted from the platform, landing in a pool of blood.

This outcome left the spectators sighing in amazement; the favored Han Ming had lost.

Severely injured, Han Ming staggered to his feet but said nothing before vomiting blood.

"Kill them for me!"

Disheveled and with bloodshot eyes, Han Ming howled like a mad dog.

Immediately, three figures rushed onto the platform—fellow disciples from Han Ming's sect, all at the Huang Jing first level, with auras stronger than both Han Ming and Nie Feng.

The reincarnated Nie Feng, about to step down, was suddenly surrounded by the three. Due to his heavy injuries, blood still trickled from his mouth, and the trio's killing intent made it flow even more.

"What do you three shixiong mean by this?" Nie Feng gripped his sword, staring at them coldly.

"What do we mean?" The three sneered in unison. "You injured our shidi, so you owe us an explanation."

"But what kind of explanation do you three shixiong want?" Before Nie Feng could speak, Ye Chen stepped onto the platform, smiling as he stretched his neck, leaving Zheng Bo, Nie Feng, and everyone else stunned—including the three on stage.

"Isn't that Li Kang? What's going on—is he standing up for Yang Feng?"

"Just a Tian Jing level guy? How ridiculous."

"Pretending to be tough at a time like this, and picking on Han Ming of all people."

"Li Kang, are you asking for death? Get lost." The three on the platform snapped back and shouted angrily.

"Li Kang Shidi, get down; I can handle this." Nie Feng spoke up, but before he finished, he looked up in surprise as the arrogant trio flew off the platform.

Whoa!

The spectators collectively looked up, unsure what had happened, only seeing the three soar through the air, tracing elegant arcs in the void.

"Let's go!"

Ye Chen grabbed the still-stunned Nie Feng and leaped off the platform.

As it happened, the role he was playing—Li Kang—was from the same peak as the reincarnated Nie Feng.

Nie Feng's expression shifted from shock to utter astonishment.

He had seen it clearly: Ye Chen had swept the three away with a single palm. Even Nie Feng himself would have been miserably defeated against them, yet the ordinarily unremarkable Li Kang had been so dominant.

How could this not shock him?

Ye Chen smiled and led Nie Feng away from the scene. His combat power was formidable; slapping those three away without killing them was already merciful, though they were undoubtedly left crippled.

After the two left, the spectators below finally reacted, their mouths hanging open in disbelief.

"Did I see that right?" Someone scratched their head.

"Was that Li Kang?"

"In my memory, Li Kang wasn't this impressive."

"He one-shotted three people—Li Kang must have been hiding his strength." Someone mused.

"I need to talk to him." Zheng Bo darted away, his small eyes darting around. His good friend turning out to be so strong had completely shattered his expectations.

"I don't believe it." From behind, Han Ming's hysterical roar echoed. He had set up a trap for Yang Feng (Nie Feng), even paying a high price to bring in three shixiong, only for such a formidable opponent to emerge. How could he accept it?