Chapter 656: My Disciple Can Step In!

Chi Tian Yi Lang stood at the edge of the Arena, those fierce eyes circled Jiang Feng several times, then shifted to Qiao Zhenyu's face, which was flushed red from Excitement.

He was silent for a few breaths, as if digesting everything that had just happened.

He had originally thought Qiao Zhenyu would refuse, would continue to be entangled, would use all sorts of excuses. He had even prepared more arguments, ready to push Tianzhou Martial Arts step by step into a dead end.

But Qiao Zhenyu agreed so straightforwardly?

Just because of a single sentence from a young man.

Chi Tian Yi Lang's brows twitched slightly.

His gaze toward Jiang Feng became more cautious.

What exactly is this young man's background?

The method he casually used earlier to revive Lu Fangzhou, which he saw, that Technique shimmering with Golden Light was something he had never heard of.

A kid who looked barely in his twenties could wield such exquisite medical art; could there be some background he didn't know behind it?

A few strands of caution arose in his mind, deciding to probe the other's reality.

An invisible true Qi surged from his body, like a silent snake, clinging to the Ground and spreading toward Jiang Feng.

That true Qi was extremely concealed, attached to Chi Tian Yi Lang's years of cultivation of the Energy Suppression Technique; even a practitioner of the Heavenly Human Realm would find it hard to detect.

He wanted to test Jiang Feng's depth, to see whether this young man truly had skill or was merely being pretentious.

But as soon as that true Qi approached within three feet of Jiang Feng's Scope, Qiao Zhenyu's Pupils snapped shut.

He stepped forward, blocking in front of Jiang Feng.

His body blocked the true Qi's path, and simultaneously a Qi mechanism belonging to the Heavenly Human Realm burst from him, like an invisible wall, directly halting Chi Tian Yi Lang's true Qi outside.

Qiao Zhenyu's gaze was cold as a blade, his voice heavy like a Stone striking the Ground.

"Chi, if you want to fight, then fight; stop these petty moves!"

Chi Tian Yi Lang's complexion shifted slightly.

He could feel the determination in Qiao Zhenyu's Qi mechanism, that protective stance was not like toward an ordinary young man, but more like guarding something extremely important.

He withdrew the true Qi, a false smile returned to his face, Tone light and nonchalant.

"General Qiao, you misunderstand; I'm merely loosening my tendons. Since your Tianzhou Martial Arts has taken the wager, then tell me, who do you intend to send out?"

His gaze no longer lingered on Jiang Feng.

He was convinced Qiao Zhenyu would not let that young man fight, because that young man was not from Tianzhou.

The Tianzhou Martial Arts versus Ying Kingdom contest has always had an unwritten rule: it must be fought by native Tianzhou warriors; outsiders cannot intervene.

He concluded Qiao Zhenyu would abide by this rule.

Qiao Zhenyu inhaled deeply, suppressing the earlier anger, his voice returning to steadiness.

"Just me."

He said it so plainly, without hesitation.

He was the only Tianzhou practitioner of the Heavenly Human Realm whose Qi and blood were still relatively abundant; he had to fight.

As soon as the words fell, Lu Zhanlian stepped out from the Crowd.

The old man's white hair was a bit ruffled by the wind, but his back was straight, his gaze steadfast.

"And Old brother me."

Qiao Zhenyu glanced at him, his Mouth moved slightly, saying nothing.

He knew Lu Zhanlian's condition, his Qi and blood waned, his lifespan near its end; this battle might be his final one.

The words of refusal rose to his throat but he swallowed them, because he knew Lu Zhanlian would not back down.

He turned his head, his gaze landing on Jiang Feng.

His eyes held expectation, earnestness, and an almost pleading tone.

He already saw the dawn of victory: as long as Uncle Jiang acted, crushing Chi Tian Yi Lang with the power of a Martial Sovereign, then he would handle the remaining opponent; winning two out of three matches would be secured.

He wouldn't even need Lu Zhanlian to step onto the field to lock in victory.

"And Mr. Jiang will also fight..."

Qiao Zhenyu stepped forward and spoke, deciding to voice Jiang Feng's thoughts.

But before Chi Tian Yi Lang could speak, Jiang Feng was the first to voice confusion.

"When did I ever say I'd step in?"

Qiao Zhenyu's words got stuck in his throat, his whole body frozen as if a pause button had been pressed.

He stared at Jiang Feng's calm-as-water face, dazed for several breaths, then forced out a sentence from his throat.

"Master... Mr. Jiang, you won't step in?"

Jiang Feng shook his head slightly, gesturing toward Chi Tian Yi Lang.

"Ask this guy whether he'll let me step in?"

Qiao Zhenyu followed Jiang Feng's gaze toward Chi Tian Yi Lang.

Chi Tian Yi Lang stood there, and upon hearing Jiang Feng's words, as if clutching a lifeline, he immediately let out a light cough, his tone carrying an obvious refusal.

"Of course not. This gentleman is presumably not from Tianzhou, right? How could he represent Tianzhou Martial Arts? The Ying Kingdom versus Tianzhou Martial Arts contest has always had clear rules; outsiders are not allowed to intervene."

His words were watertight, both matching past conventions and blocking Qiao Zhenyu's attempt to get Jiang Feng onto the field.

Qiao Zhenyu stood there, his back chilling in waves.

His Brain raced, running through every possibility.

If he fought himself, at most he'd secure one win, and he might not even defeat Chi Tian Yi Lang!

Lu Zhanlian's Qi and blood were waning; facing the Heavenly Pride of the Ying Kingdom, his odds were extremely low.

The only manpower they could field were these two; with a best two out of three, they were almost certainly doomed.

His complexion paled a few shades, that newly kindled hope doused as if a bucket of water had been poured, extinguished completely.

He looked at Jiang Feng, his lips moved as if to speak, but in the end he swallowed it back.

Uncle Master had no intention of intervening; he couldn't force it.

The Training Ground fell silent for a moment.

The warriors and soldiers on the Stand also glanced at each other, and the atmosphere grew oppressive and heavy. Lu Zhanlian stared at Jiang Feng, his gaze tinged with disappointment, yet he said nothing.

Just when everyone thought Tianzhou Martial Arts had reached its limit, Jiang Feng slowly spoke.

"My newly accepted disciple, however, is a Tianzhou native and can represent Tianzhou in a fight."

Qiao Zhenyu jerked his head up, his gaze passing Jiang Feng and landing on the young woman who had been standing quietly behind him.

Qiao Zhenyu's divine awareness subconsciously swept over her, and then his eyes widened sharply.

Martial Artist Ninth Grade.

When he perceived that aura, his entire body seemed to be struck with a heavy club, and his vision briefly went black.

Martial Artist Ninth Grade, still one step away from Grandmaster. For an ordinary person, this realm is already decent, but for today's contest, facing the Ying Kingdom's Heavenly Person Realm Expert, Martial Artist Ninth Grade is like a leaf in a gale—unable to survive even a single round.

Qiao Zhenyu's lips trembled, and his voice carried a near‑collapsing tremor.

"Uncle Master, you… are you joking?"