Chapter 985

When Li Yi decisively killed the Rakshasa royal clan’s San Ye within the Realm of Life and Death, he manifested a hundred-zhang divine body; from that moment, many powerful beings within the Realm Boat likely realized this was a trait of the Heavenly God Clan.

The Heavenly God Clan is also one of the most renowned powerful races of the Heavenly Realm, with a Heavenly Sovereign residing within their ranks; had their numbers not been so few, they would have long since dominated the Heavenly Realm.

The Rakshasa Clan’s Yu Jue Tian Wang naturally realized that this Tai Yi’s bloodline was extraordinary, so he became even more determined to kill him—not only to give his own clan a reckoning, but more importantly, he did not wish to see another member of the Heavenly God royal clan return.

After all, the Rakshasa Clan and the Heavenly God Clan have always been enemies; weakening the other race’s strength through this opportunity was naturally advantageous, even if it came at some cost.

“Yu Jue Tian Wang, you’re too shameless,” said Shen Wei Tian Wang, glaring at him. “The Rakshasa royal clan’s elites were all slain by Tai Yi in three or five rounds—what’s the point of sending a female Rakshasa? Do you think you have too many subordinates and want to get rid of some?”

“Our Rakshasa Clan is different from your Heavenly God Clan—we have plenty of people. And unless we fight, how do you know my subordinate can’t defeat this Tai Yi? What if a miracle happens?” Yu Jue Tian Wang replied coldly. “Or are the Heavenly God Clan now learning to break promises? We agreed to ten rounds—ten rounds we must fight. Not one less.”

At these words, Shen Wei Tian Wang’s fury flared—he clearly was bluffing, having already lost three rounds and lost all his top fighters, yet stubbornly clinging on.

But it was his own fault—he shouldn’t have agreed to ten rounds in the first place.

Because after three rounds, the stakes doubled; after five, they doubled again. The other side could never afford such sums, so he hoped this tactic would force the Rakshasa Clan to back down.

“To fight the fourth round, first settle the stakes of the third,” Shen Wei said. “Old man, do you even have the silver to pay?”

Without a word, Yu Jue Tian Wang flung out a stream of aura-laden treasures.

“As a Tian Wang of the Rakshasa Clan, I still have some wealth. No need for you, Shen Wei Tian Wang, to worry.”

After taking the treasures, Shen Wei glanced at them and understood: losing three rounds hadn’t drained Yu Jue Tian Wang’s reserves—but he still believed the other side couldn’t last until the tenth round; he’d be bankrupt by the fifth.

Because the stakes would double again.

He then cast a glance at Tai Yi.

Though he didn’t want the Heavenly God royal clan to risk itself, in a sure-win situation, he didn’t mind.

“Tai Yi, what do you think?” Shen Wei Tian Wang asked.

Li Yi now understood: Shen Wei Tian Wang couldn’t break his earlier promise, and Yu Jue Tian Wang was exploiting this to stall, hoping for a chance to kill him.

“If the Rakshasa Clan loves handing over money, I have no objection—let’s fight the fourth round.”

Shen Wei Tian Wang nodded. “Good. Follow the previous rules—open the fourth battle. Tai Yi, finish it quickly. Don’t let them stall.”

With that, he waved his hand, and the gate to the Realm of Life and Death reopened nearby.

Li Yi nodded and reentered the Realm of Life and Death.

Yu Jue Tian Wang’s gaze flickered with hesitation—just as Shen Wei Tian Wang had judged, he’d lost three rounds and was drained; another loss would force him to pawn his Tian Wang weapon.

And the fourth and fifth rounds were certain losses—none of his Tian Jiang could match Tai Yi. Sending a female Rakshasa to die was merely to minimize losses.

“What? Are you regretting it, Yu Jue Tian Wang? If so, cancel the match now and leave the Realm Boat. My Heavenly God Clan will forgive this matter.” Shen Wei said.

Yu Jue Tian Wang snorted, then waved his hand through the air—the female Rakshasa immediately flew into the Realm of Life and Death. He then whispered: “Stall for me. Use any means necessary. As long as you don’t die in one round, I’ll credit you with a deed and reward your family.”

The female Rakshasa had no choice but to be thrown into the Realm of Life and Death.

Soon, the gate closed.

But Shen Wei Tian Wang did not leave—he feared Yu Jue Tian Wang might suddenly strike, sacrificing his own life to kill Tai Yi.

And such a one-sided battle wouldn’t last long; the gate of the Realm of Life and Death would open again soon.

Back in the realm, Li Yi calmly stared at the female Rakshasa thrown in to die.

But the golden bell had not rung—he made no move, merely watching her steadily.

In truth, this female Rakshasa’s strength was not low—Tian Jiang-level power was already impressive in the Heavenly Realm. But unfortunately, she had met him today.

Perhaps having witnessed Li Yi’s performance in the first three battles, she lacked fighting spirit and had no confidence in defeating him. Her expression shifted uncertainly, as if lost in thought.

Yu Jue Tian Wang ordered her to stall—how could she possibly stall?

He’d slain San Ye of the Rakshasa royal clan in five rounds. Even if she burned every last bit of her power, she’d barely last one round.

And being forced into a battle she knew was certain death, resentment naturally stirred within her.

But time was running out. Once the golden bell rang, Tai Yi would strike—and she’d be dead. Sweat beaded on her forehead; she didn’t know what to do.

Even surrendering wouldn’t help.

Yu Jue Tian Wang was outside. Even if she escaped alive, the Tian Wang would kill her.

“Are you afraid?” Li Yi stared at the female Rakshasa coldly. “Don’t worry—I’ll kill you quickly. You won’t feel pain.”

“I—I can’t beat you, and I don’t want to die. Let me keep a fragment of my soul. I’ll give you everything I have.”

Finally, she thought of a desperate, half-baked solution.

Only this might give her a sliver of hope.

Within the Realm of Life and Death, as long as Li Yi didn’t kill her, her soul fragment could survive. Whether she could safely leave the Realm Boat and reach the Heavenly Realm was unknown.

But at least it was a chance.

“Oh?” Li Yi was surprised—this female Rakshasa had actually said such a thing.

“If you’re willing to commit suicide, I’ll grant you this chance.”

He didn’t refuse—he agreed.

It spared him the effort of fighting, and he’d gain the full wealth of a Tian Jiang. For someone as penniless as him in the Heavenly Realm, this might not be a bad thing.

Without hesitation, the female Rakshasa immediately burned her body, concentrating all her power into a single soul fragment, which then fled far away, hiding in a corner of the Realm of Life and Death.

Where she vanished, a red gem-like ring floated.

That must have been her storage magic treasure.

Li Yi carefully inspected it, confirmed there was no trap, then accepted it.

Then the golden bell rang—the signal for battle.

Li Yi did not pursue the soul fragment. He kept his word and let it live. He then struck the empty space, creating some commotion to avoid suspicion from outside.

“I’m kind-hearted—I gave her a chance to live. Others would have slaughtered her completely.” He thought to himself.

Of course, Li Yi agreed to this mainly because a Tian Jiang’s soul fragment posed no threat to him—he could spare it without consequence.

As the commotion within the realm reached the outside.

Shen Wei Tian Wang laughed. “You lost the fourth round. The female Rakshasa is dead—she didn’t even last one round. It seems Yu Jue Tian Wang’s plan isn’t going as smoothly as expected. Will you fight the fifth?”

Yu Jue Tian Wang’s face darkened.

Though this outcome was predictable, he hadn’t expected a Tian Jiang to fall in a single round before Tai Yi. Had she used her weapon and armor, things might have been better—at least she could have held out a little longer.

“Fight,” Yu Jue Tian Wang gritted his teeth and flung out his Tian Wang weapon. “This Tian Wang weapon is enough to cover your stakes this time.”

“But there’s still the Nine Heavens Divine Water. Last round was two jin—now it’s doubled to four jin. If you can’t pay, the fifth round won’t proceed,” Shen Wei said.

Yu Jue Tian Wang clenched his teeth, sent out another Tian Wang armor, then scrambled together funds—even borrowing from his subordinates—until he finally gathered the amount.

“The fifth round must go on.”

He was past the point of retreat—he had to hold out until Rakshasa reinforcements arrived to turn the tide.

After receiving the items, Shen Wei Tian Wang immediately said: “Since Yu Jue Tian Wang refuses to yield, the battle continues. Send your next fighter.”

He knew that after one more loss, Yu Jue Tian Wang would be utterly finished.

Yu Jue Tian Wang’s gaze swept sharply behind him. Rather than sacrifice his subordinates and lose face, he’d sacrifice one of his concubines.

With a wave of his hand, he seized another beautiful female Rakshasa and pulled her forward.

She, too, was a Tian Jiang.

“It’s your turn now. Hold off that Tai Yi,” Yu Jue Tian Wang barked, coldly hurling his concubine into the Realm of Life and Death. No matter how unwilling she was, she had no choice.

A Tian Wang’s will could not be defied by a Tian Jiang.

Yu Jue Tian Wang smiled. “Then open the fifth round quickly.”

“Another one comes to die,” Li Yi muttered with a wry smile as the gate of the Realm of Life and Death opened, then fixed his gaze on the new female Rakshasa.

“You can’t beat me. Hand over your wealth and commit suicide. I’ll let you keep a soul fragment.”

He chose to treat her the same—offering her a chance to live.

The concubine trembled with fear, but upon hearing Li Yi’s words, a spark of hope flared in her eyes.

Who wouldn’t want to live?

In the Heavenly Realm, reaching Tian Jiang level meant near-immortality. To die in a battle one could never win was not worth it.

“Thank you, Tai Yi, for sparing my life,” the female Rakshasa said, as if released from death’s sentence. Without hesitation, she burned herself to ash, leaving only a soul fragment that fled and hid within the Realm of Life and Death.

Li Yi, as before, took her belongings, then waited for the golden bell to ring. He struck the air, creating noise, and called it done.

Everyone was relieved.

Only Yu Jue Tian Wang remained in the dark, like a gambler blinded by loss, refusing to quit.