Chapter 165: – Challenge: Golden Core

165. Chapter 165 Challenge: Golden Core

The undercurrents in Character: Liyang Zhenren City have been raging for over half a year, and the 'Avengers Alliance' has begun covertly sowing discord among the city's major forces, ambushing the Character: Liyang Guard and the Lord's Residence…

Finally, all the storms reached their peak.

The former Golden Core family heir of the Wei clan, now the head of the Dan Dao Alliance in the Da Yu Cultivation World, mid Golden Core Realist Wei Wufeng, formally challenged Character: Liyang Realist!

They agreed to duel in half a month.

Of course, one could ignore the challenge as if it were unseen.

If the former Character: Liyang Realist had done so, no one in the Da Yu Cultivation World would have said anything.

To outsiders, although Wei Wufeng is the head of the Dan Dao Alliance and his status is unusual, even the two major Nascent Soul sects in the Da Yu Cultivation World dare not act against him lightly and must give him some face.

But in terms of cultivation, strength, and battle record, the gap between Wei Wufeng and Character: Liyang Realist is enormous, almost a world apart.

No one thinks Wei Wufeng is a match for Character: Liyang Realist, nor that he truly has the right to challenge him.

Character: Liyang Realist ignored him, too lazy to accept the challenge, which seemed natural.

But now the situation has changed; Character: Liyang Realist is severely wounded, his combat power unknown, and rumors say he no longer possesses late Golden Core strength, perhaps no longer a match for Wei Wufeng.

If he refuses to fight now, it would confirm the rumors that his strength has indeed waned.

People wouldn't think he despises dueling Wei Wufeng; they'd think he's insecure and afraid to show weakness.

Consequently, the turmoil in Character: Liyang Zhenren City would intensify; Character: Liyang Realist's enemies and those eyeing the city's huge prize would resort to harsher tactics, possibly launching a full assault! When Wei Wufeng's war letter arrived in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, almost every cultivator in the city—from Golden Core Realists to Qi‑refining Scattered Cultivators—debated whether Character: Liyang Realist would accept.

Finally.

【7】 Character: Liyang Realist did not disappoint; that same day the Lord's Residence announced that he had accepted Wei Wufeng's challenge.

【8】 …

【9】 "Lord, in half a month, shall we go watch the battle?" Lin Zixi asked eagerly.

【10】 Since Wei Wufeng issued an open challenge to Character: Liyang Realist, their duel would be public, allowing everyone to watch.

【11】 Wei Wufeng's purpose in this fight is to probe Character: Liyang Realist's true strength and see how much power he still has.

【12】 He has no guarantee of victory.

【13】 If he wins outright, that would be ideal; he could exact revenge on the spot, and his vengeful allies would then swallow Character: Liyang Zhenren City whole.

【14】 Even if he loses, it doesn't matter; he is confident he can destroy the 'Golden Body' of the former number one Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World, shatter his imposing exterior, and expose his weakness before everyone.

【15】 Once he confirms that the current Character: Liyang Realist is all show, many things become easier to handle.

【16】 "Want to watch?" Xiao Zhangqing glanced at Lin Zixi.

Lin Zixi quickly nodded, giggling, openly showing his desire to join the excitement.

This is a Golden Core‑level duel, and not just any Golden Core Realist.

One is the number one Scattered Cultivator, the other the head of a Dan Dao Alliance branch; either could stir the entire Da Yu Cultivation World with a single step.

Normally, you can't even hope to see them duel in person, let alone catch a glimpse from afar.

"Then we'll go take a look then."

Xiao Zhangqing squinted slightly, speaking with a hint of anticipation.

If he wins outright, that would naturally be better; otherwise, they'd likely seek revenge on the spot, and then the avengers behind him would directly swallow Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

Now that his own strength has reached its current level, he is no longer as curious about Character: Liyang Realist, the highly renowned number one Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World, and essentially no longer looks up to him.

If anything piques his curiosity, it's Wei Wufeng! As the head of the Dan Dao Alliance in the Da Yu Cultivation World, he will inevitably have to deal with him in the future.

After all, his Condensing True Pill is still in the other's hands! Once he completes his Foundation Establishment and prepares for Golden Core, he'll need to obtain a Pill from the Dan Dao Alliance first.

Getting to know the head in advance would be quite useful.

Nevertheless, his main reason for watching the duel is to see how Golden Core cultivators at mid‑level and above truly stand, how powerful their techniques are, and whether he has any gap with them.

One is the foremost Scattered Cultivator, the other is the head of a branch of the Pill Dao Alliance; either of them, just stomping their foot, could cause a noticeable tremor throughout the Da Yu Cultivation World—they are major figures.

He wants to have a clear picture in his mind.

"Lord, do you think Wei Wufeng can defeat Character: Liyang Realist?"

Lin Zixi couldn't help but say, "I hope Character: Liyang Realist can still display his strength as the number one Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World, crushing the invading Wei Wufeng. The Dan Dao Alliance is too distant for us to reach; even if Wei Wufeng wins, it benefits us little. But if Character: Liyang Realist loses, Character: Liyang Zhenren City will likely change hands soon, won't it?"

"I quite like Character: Liyang Zhenren City; in the Da Yu Cultivation World, a large city that upholds rules and is extremely friendly to Scattered Cultivators is hard to find another."

Once his strength reaches his current level, his curiosity about Character: Liyang Zhenren, the foremost Scattered Cultivator of great renown in the Da Yu Cultivation World, has waned, and he basically no longer harbors any 'looking up' mentality.

Lin Zixi asked, "Lord, don't you hope Character: Liyang Realist wins?"

"Did you forget I'm still the deputy commander of the Character: Liyang Guard?" Xiao Zhangqing shook his head, "Of course I hope Character: Liyang Realist wins; Character: Liyang Zhenren City must stay safe."

Who the head of the Dan Dao Alliance is doesn't matter to him; he has a token from the Zhu Youlong Sect, which he can use later to exchange for a Condensing True Pill.

But if Character: Liyang Zhenren City changes hands, it poses no danger to him, only some inconvenience.

If there is a gap, how large is it?

More than half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Character: Liyang Realist's duel with Wei Wufeng proceeded as scheduled.

Lin Zixi couldn't help but say, "I hope Character: Liyang Zhenren can still display his strength as the foremost Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World, and crush the invading Wei Wufeng. The Pill Dao Alliance is too distant for us, completely out of reach, so even if Wei Wufeng wins, it wouldn't benefit us. But if Character: Liyang Zhenren loses, Character: Liyang Zhenren City will likely have to change hands soon."

Xiao Zhangqing took the Lin sisters to watch from afar, and Lin Ziyu also paused his seclusion cultivation to witness the duel between top cultivators of the Da Yu Cultivation World.

The duel was brief; in less than the time a half‑stick of incense burns, the outcome was decided.

Wei Wufeng was extremely powerful, a top contender even at mid Golden Core, with an impressive native Magic Treasure and cultivation techniques, yet he still lost.

After initially giving Character: Liyang Realist some trouble, once Character: Liyang Realist gauged his strength, he responded effortlessly, dominating the latter half and leaving him with little chance to retaliate.

Whoever heads the Pill Dao Alliance is of no concern to him; anyway, he possesses a token from Zhu Youlong's sect, and when the time comes he can simply go exchange it for a Condensing True Pill.

At least ordinary cultivators would see it that way.

For example, the Lin sisters watched excitedly, thinking that Character: Liyang Realist truly lives up to being the number one Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World, a late Golden Core master far beyond mid Golden Core. Even with Wei Wufeng's abundant resources, he is still no match.

But to those with a broader perspective, Character: Liyang Realist's condition is far from ideal.

The battle between Character: Liyang Zhenren and Wei Wufeng proceeded as scheduled.

The duel took place right above a large lake not far outside Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

Xiao Zhangqing brought the Lin sisters along to watch from afar, and Lin Ziyu also temporarily halted her closed-door cultivation to observe this duel between top cultivators of the Da Yu Cultivation World.

This duel did not last long; less than half an incense stick's time passed before the outcome was decided.

Wei Wufeng's strength was very strong; even at mid Golden Core he could be considered outstanding, his natal Magic Treasure and cultivation divine abilities were exceptionally good, yet he still lost.

Besides causing some trouble for Character: Liyang Zhenren at the beginning, once Character: Liyang Zhenren grasped his strength, he responded with ease; in the latter half he completely suppressed him, leaving Character: Liyang Zhenren hardly any strength to retaliate.

It could be called a 'great victory'.

At least to ordinary cultivators, it appeared that way.

For example, the Lin sisters watched quite excitedly, thinking that he was indeed the number one Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World—a late Golden Core great cultivator, far beyond what a mid Golden Core could match; even though Wei Wufeng now has powerful backing and abundant resources, he is still no match.

But to those with sufficient vision, it would be apparent that Character: Liyang Zhenren's situation was not very good.

Today Character: Liyang Real seemed to win overwhelmingly, the victory was not difficult and the time was not long, but this actually does not match his former peak strength!

If he had not been injured, he would still be that late Core Formation Real whose ability surpasses two major Nascent Soul sects, with a great chance to become the cultivator who would be the third Nascent Soul True Lord of the Cultivation World from Da Yu; today Wei Wufeng wouldn't even have a chance to display his attacking methods!

This time Character: Liyang Real's duel seemed fine and showed no flaws, but any cultivator with a sufficiently lofty perspective could notice that from start to finish he exuded a sense of "weakness" and lacked confidence!

He doesn't lack the desire to go "all out", but he dares not, nor can he! Even though he only mobilized a slightly stronger than Wei Wufeng's mana, several times he clearly felt the after‑effect was insufficient, the mana seemed hard to sustain.

One can imagine that if today his opponent were a late Core Formation cultivator, the most likely loser would be Character: Liyang Real himself! "Character: Liyang Real's strength, compared to his prime peak, although not as low as rumors claim (not a tenth of it), is at most only three or four tenths left. Now Character: Liyang Zhenren City truly faces a risk of changing hands."

After the observation ended, Xiao Zhangqing thought to himself.

He could see Character: Liyang Real's outward strength but inner emptiness; Wei Wufeng, who dueled Character: Liyang Real today, could not possibly not feel it.

Although Wei Wufeng lost today, it seems his confidence grew.

If nothing unexpected occurs, he will probably rally Character: Liyang Zhenren's enemies and formally launch an attack on Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

Rather than the previous tentative probing, merely employing covert tactics.

Back inside the city, the many ordinary cultivators who returned from watching or heard the duel result, most wore excited expressions, their praise for Character: Liyang Real endless.

"I think the rumors are completely false! It's some malicious person spreading lies! How could the City Lord be injured? He clearly still has his former bearing!"

"Little Wei Wufeng, laughable! He dares to challenge the City Lord? It's sheer self‑humiliation!"

"Today the City Lord was merely restraining his power, never truly using a killing move. Otherwise victory wouldn't be that easy, and Wei Wufeng would have perished on the spot!"

"This Wei Wufeng only got by leaning on the Dan Dao Alliance's big leg. If he weren't backed by the Dan Dao Alliance, the City Lord would have definitely cut him down, sending him to reunite with his father underground!"

Xiao Zhangqing listened to these comments and couldn't help shaking his head.

The Lin sisters originally thought similarly to the ordinary cultivators, but the two attentive women noticed their lord's expression was off, and combined with their knowledge of Xiao Zhangqing, a sudden alarm rang in their hearts.

"Lord, how do you think Character: Liyang Real performed in today's duel? Was it as the rumors we heard upon returning suggested?"

Lin Zixi couldn't keep it hidden; after returning to the cave dwelling, she couldn't help subtly asking while massaging Xiao Zhangqing's shoulders and legs.

"From now on, both of you sisters should spend more time in seclusion cultivating and go out as little as possible."

Xiao Zhangqing gave no direct answer, but the implication beyond his words made the Lin sisters understand.

It seems the situation truly isn't good! Xiao Zhangqing closed his eyes, enjoying the sisters' service, while his mind contemplated what he would do if Character: Liyang Zhenren City truly fell into chaos and was besieged by numerous enemies.

First, I need to remind Shopkeeper Hong and Jiang Jiyue, telling the Jiang family to stay low and cautious lately.

The news that Jiang Canghai died on the Southwest Region battlefield has been over a year, and even with the distance causing delays, the report has long since reached us.

Jiang Canghai's revenge plan ultimately failed.

Although the Luoxia Sect's gate was destroyed, most disciples were killed or wounded, and they fled in disarray to the other side of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, the sect leader Lu Daoming survived unharmed.

Jiang Canghai could not avenge himself and his Dao Partner.

As for the Jiang family, the family head died, the pillar of the clan vanished, so logically they would become like the former Song family and exit the top ten families.

But the Jiang family, amid grief, developed in reverse, becoming increasingly powerful.

The family head is now Jiang Jiyue, who is at mid Foundation Establishment, assisted by Hong Jiantao, and there are several guest ministers within the clan at late Foundation Establishment.

Their ranking leapt from the bottom of the previous top ten families to become among the front few!

The reasons, besides Xiao Zhangqing's earlier statement that gave a third of the Song family's assets to the Jiang family, mainly stem from this year when Guard Commander Gu Zongyuan became the Jiang family's "new backer"! After the Blood Crow Real incident, the Liu family and Gu Zongyuan "parted peacefully"; Gu Zongyuan, seeking a stable source of income, certainly needed to support another family.

Perhaps out of respect for Xiao Zhangqing, or for other reasons, in the end Gu Zongyuan, after discussing with Jiang Jiyue and Hong Jiantao, confirmed the cooperation.

Gu Zongyuan can find anyone; it makes no difference to him; but for the Jiang family, it is certainly a tremendous boon.

Gu Zongyuan's full support is far more reliable than the Jiang family's previous backer Zuo Zichun! "The Jiang family doesn't even have a false‑core cultivator; if Character: Liyang Zhenren City truly falls into chaos, they have no right to get involved."

"But should I, then, get involved?"

Xiao Zhangqing pondered in his mind.

His position as Deputy Commander of the Character: Liyang Guard is entirely nominal, just a title.

He certainly wouldn't risk his life for Character: Liyang Real.

Let alone him.

Even the actual members of the Character: Liyang Guard and the City Lord's guest ministers have had many defectors over the past year!

Given his friendship with Gu Zongyuan, Xiao Zhangqing certainly would not betray him by joining Wei Wufeng's camp.

"As for being asked to act, that isn't a matter of sentiment; it depends on whether there are conditions worth my involvement."

Xiao Zhangqing roughly settled on his thought.

If Gu Zongyuan comes knocking, asking him to help resist Wei Wufeng and the others, it isn't impossible.

But such a level of conflict involves mid and late Core Formation forces, and even the shadows of two major Nascent Soul sects; Xiao Zhangqing certainly would not lightly get involved.

There must be conditions that move him! After all, his relationship with Gu Zongyuan is okay, but he owes him nothing; rather, regarding the Blood Crow Real incident, he essentially saved Gu Zongyuan's life.

…

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed.

Wei Wufeng's gathered troops have not yet formally launched an attack on Character: Liyang Zhenren City, but one thing surprised Xiao Zhangqing.

Among Character: Liyang Real's disciples, someone at this time broke through to the Core Formation realm.

And succeeded!

That person is Gu Zongyuan! (End of chapter)