Chapter 145: Today

“Boss, this mechanical vehicle of yours is totally awesome—look at them, all staring with their jaws dropped like country bumpkins.”

Wang Fuhai walked briskly beside Cang Luo, speaking as he went, while Cang Luo drove the war chariot slowly and Zhao Ren walked on the other side.

The rest of the War Wolf Gang followed behind, eyes fixed on the rear wheels of the chariot.

They were baffled—why didn’t this two-wheeled mechanical vehicle tip over? So miraculous!

Wang Fuhai was also puzzled, but he didn’t ask; the Fat Master was the deputy boss, and asking would lower his status.

He thought for a moment and continued: “Boss, where did you go to train recently? You broke through four realms in a row and reached Warrior Level Four cultivation…”

“And where did you get this mechanical vehicle? It must’ve cost a fortune, right?”

Wang Fuhai couldn’t help but ask; when the others heard him, they all leaned in to listen.

For these two questions, Cang Luo had already prepared his answer and smiled: “This time, while training outside, I met a high elder.”

“A high elder?”

Everyone froze; Zhao Ren was even more startled—he’d already suspected Cang Luo had encountered some extraordinary fortune, and now it proved true.

Cang Luo wore a mysterious expression but said little, only briefly claiming he’d been taken as a disciple by the high elder, taught a Grade Earth-level technique, and received the mechanical vehicle as a gift.

This explanation echoed his story to the Divine Weapon Workshop—that his master was a Mo Family mechanical artisan—so if anyone dug deeper, the two accounts could corroborate each other; though flawed, the gaps weren’t too large.

The War Wolf Gang members believed him completely, feeling both envy and admiration for Cang Luo’s stroke of luck.

Cang Luo said no more, continuing to drive the chariot; as it passed, disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect scattered out of its way, staring at him and the vehicle with mixed awe and curiosity, whispering about his identity.

On the arena, Chen Yun also spotted Cang Luo and the mechanical vehicle, sneering: “Putting on airs for no reason—what’s the point of parading around with this piece of junk?”

He’d seen mechanical vehicles before—the governor’s mansion in Danyang County had one.

Early this year, on an external mission, he had to deliver a report to the governor’s office and happened to see the governor and two Mo Family mechanical artisans assembling a mechanical vehicle.

That vehicle was as large as a tavern, shaped like a war fortress.

It had twelve pairs of wheels!

He inquired and learned it was purchased by the imperial court from the Mo Family and assigned to Danyang County to guard against possible beast hordes from the monster forests.

It was rumored that the vehicle cost five thousand supreme yuan stones and possessed combat power rivaling that of a Warrior Emperor.

Compared to the governor’s vehicle, this one was like sand to a boulder, a drop to an ocean—how could he dare parade it around so proudly?

Still, this small mechanical vehicle wasn’t useless—it made a decent mode of transport, far more stylish than riding a beast.

Thinking this, Chen Yun now had another reason to kill Cang Luo: kill him, seize the War Wolf Gang and the War Wolf Barbecue, and claim the mechanical vehicle.

This duel was going to be incredibly profitable!

Chen Yun was in high spirits, looking down at Cang Luo from the arena and crossing his arms with a grin: “You actually showed up? Bold!”

At this point, the crowd around also learned that Chen Yun’s opponent was the man riding the strange mechanical vehicle.

“Who is this guy? What’s his cultivation level? How dare he challenge Brother Chen Yun?”

“I know—he’s the boss of the War Wolf Gang, owner of the War Wolf Barbecue. I don’t know his level, but their deputy boss Zhao Ren is Warrior Level Nine, so he’s probably similar.”

“War Wolf Barbecue? So that’s it—the Lie Tian Gang wants his barbecue shop!”

“Sigh… another gang’s about to be wiped out…”

The crowd murmured, all doubting Cang Luo and the War Wolf Gang, convinced he couldn’t beat Chen Yun and that the War Wolf Gang would be swallowed by the Lie Tian Gang.

Cang Luo ignored the whispers, parked the chariot beside the arena, didn’t even glance at Chen Yun, and scanned the other arenas.

At this moment, several arenas were in fierce combat—fists striking flesh, swords clashing, all life-or-death struggles.

One man even fought on after losing a hand—not because he refused to surrender, but because his opponent wouldn’t let him.

This was the Life-or-Death Arena—a place where only one survives!

After watching for a while, Cang Luo leapt onto the arena and stood facing Chen Yun, locking eyes with him.

Chen Yun glanced at Cang Luo with disdain, turned, and bowed toward several stewards nearby: “Brother Stewards, Life-or-Death Duel on Arena Three—please oversee and witness!”

Life-or-Death Arenas were guarded by Enforcement Hall stewards—to ensure fair duels and maintain order.

Upon hearing the call from Arena Three, the stewards conferred briefly and sent one Wang-steward, Warrior Level Six.

As the steward strolled leisurely toward Arena Three, he thought: these outer-disciples are so bored—so low in cultivation, yet they don’t even train harder?

Arriving at Arena Three, he sized up Chen Yun and Cang Luo and said coolly: “Why are you dueling? Is this voluntary?”

He asked out of routine—he didn’t actually care about their reasons or whether it was truly voluntary.

Whatever the reason, it was always the weak who fought.

The Enforcement Hall only intervened if they caught someone breaking sect rules on the spot, or if someone brought evidence demanding review; otherwise, they preferred to avoid trouble.

Chen Yun had fought many times on Life-or-Death Arenas—he knew the drill. He smiled: “Personal grudge. We’re both willing.”

He turned to Cang Luo and smirked: “Brother Cang, are you willing to duel me?”

Cang Luo replied calmly: “Willing.”

Seeing this, the steward nodded lightly: “Then begin. But since you’re all sect brothers, try to stop short of killing.”

He stepped back to one corner of the arena, leaving the space to the duelists.

The surrounding disciples straightened up, ready for the show.

On the arena, Chen Yun beckoned with a finger, sneering, signaling Cang Luo to attack first.

But Cang Luo didn’t move—he turned his head, scanning the crowd with a puzzled expression, eyes darting around.

Letting the weaker one strike first was a noble gesture—a sign of confidence in one’s strength.

Chen Yun invited Cang Luo to attack first, yet Cang Luo turned away as if he hadn’t heard, ignoring him entirely.

“Don’t play hard to get!”

Chen Yun snorted and decided not to waste time—he immediately activated his movement technique and charged at Cang Luo, aiming to cripple him first.

“Wait!”

As Chen Yun rushed toward him, Cang Luo shouted loudly to stop him.

Cang Luo unleashed his Yuan power into the shout, its resonance echoing across all nine arenas.

At the arena’s corner, the Wang steward’s brow instantly furrowed—he judged from the shout alone that Cang Luo’s Yuan power was extraordinarily vast, at least Warrior Level Seven or Eight.

Chen Yun’s charge was abruptly halted; he stood in the center of the arena, furious: “What’s the matter? Trying to beg for mercy?”

“It’s not impossible—if you agree to my terms, I’ll spare your life.”

His terms referred to the War Wolf Barbecue—this duel’s true goal was to seize the barbecue shop; as long as he got it, anything was acceptable.

Even if Cang Luo refused, he’d beat him to his knees anyway, forcing him to beg for his life in exchange for the shop and the mechanical vehicle.

Cang Luo shook his head: “I was just wondering—why isn’t anyone taking bets on the outcome? A duel without stakes is dull, don’t you think?”

Chen Yun blinked, then burst out laughing, as if hearing the funniest joke.

Cang Luo ignored him and turned to the crowd: “I’m dueling Brother Chen Yun—anyone here willing to take bets?”

No one answered.

After a moment of silence, a Lie Tian Gang member muttered: “Laughable—the outcome’s obvious. What’s the point of betting?”

“Exactly. Who’d bet on a sure loss? If someone does, they’re either a fool or a cheat, colluding with one side to scam money.”

Cang Luo heard this and understood—everyone thought he’d lose, so no one would open a book.

Of course—his cultivation level, if he didn’t say, even the War Wolf Gang didn’t know; others had no way of knowing.

At best, they knew he’d been Warrior Level Nine half a month ago—that was only because the War Wolf Barbecue had become famous, so they knew he was the boss.

Otherwise, who even knew him?

So if no one’s opening a book, then I’ll open one myself.

Cang Luo thought for a moment, then shouted again: “Today, I duel Brother Chen Yun in a Life-or-Death match. Why keep the fun to myself? I’ll put up two thousand lower-grade Yuan Stones as the pot—let all sect brothers join in!”

“Simple rules: bet on me winning or losing, odds one-to-one. Funds are limited—bets close once the pot’s full.”

“To place your bet, see our War Wolf Gang’s Internal Affairs Deputy Boss, Wang Fuhai…”

These two thousand lower-grade Yuan Stones were the entire reserve of the War Wolf Gang—Cang Luo had secured their use by pledging his position as boss.

Before coming, when Cang Luo announced he’d use this money as stakes, Zhao Ren’s faction—all except Wang Fuhai—strongly opposed.

They said it was the gang’s hard-earned savings, earned through blood and sweat, and they refused to let him gamble it away.

Though Cang Luo claimed he was Warrior Level Four—higher than Chen Yun—they didn’t believe he could win, and didn’t dare to bet.

In the end, Cang Luo swore an oath: if he lost, he’d immediately step down as boss. Only then, under Zhao Ren’s signal, did they agree.

After Cang Luo explained the rules, someone joked: “He knows he’s dead, so he’s spending his last money? What’s the greatest pain in life?”

“Dying with money left unspent…”

The crowd chuckled; someone exclaimed: “Two thousand lower-grade Yuan Stones! Is the War Wolf Gang this rich?”

“Of course—the War Wolf Barbecue makes a fortune daily. If other gangs hadn’t copied them, they’d be making even more.”

“Are you betting?”

“Of course! Free money? Why not take it?”

The crowd buzzed, then surged toward Wang Fuhai to place their bets.

Almost everyone bet on Cang Luo losing; only a handful bet on him winning—including Bei Gong Wang.

He’d actually been considering opening a book himself—he thought Cang Luo had a high chance of winning; with slight manipulation, he could make a huge profit.

But he feared angering too many people, especially the Lie Tian Gang, and ultimately dared not.

Also, he couldn’t guarantee Cang Luo’s victory, so he only bet two hundred lower-grade Yuan Stones.

On the arena, Cang Luo noticed Bei Gong Wang but said nothing—considered him perceptive.

Soon, everyone had placed their bets; Wang Fuhai excitedly held up two fingers to Cang Luo—meaning two thousand lower-grade Yuan Stones collected, after subtracting the bets on Cang Luo winning.

If Cang Luo defeated Chen Yun, he’d make a pure profit of two thousand lower-grade Yuan Stones.

Cang Luo gave a slight nod, turned to Chen Yun, and said calmly: “Brother Chen, you’ve waited long enough. Let’s begin.”

With that, Cang Luo activated the Body-Annihilating Divine Art, secretly channeling the Dragon-Slaying Palm and rapidly charging it, determined to deliver a killing blow and instantly slay his opponent.

“Hehe! Thank you, Senior Brother Cang! Let’s begin!”

Chen Yun smiled and placed a bet of one hundred low-grade Qi Stones.

With that, he reactivated his movement technique and charged toward Cang Luo once more...

“Wait, this overseer is also placing a bet.”

But at that moment, another shout rang out—from Wang Zhishi, standing at one corner of the arena.

Chen Yun nearly stumbled; he had been interrupted again in his attack rhythm. If it hadn’t been Wang Zhishi, he would have challenged the offender to a duel!

Wang Zhishi pulled out a gleaming silver upper-grade Qi Stone and tossed it toward Wang Fuhai, speaking slowly: “I bet... Senior Brother Cang wins!”

At these words, everyone who had bet on Cang Luo’s defeat froze in shock. Chen Yun stared wide-eyed at Wang Zhishi, utterly incredulous.

Does the overseer think he’ll lose?

Why?

Chen Yun couldn’t understand it. Neither could the spectators.

But Wang Zhishi paid them no mind; he declared sternly: “The duel begins!”

As he spoke, Chen Yun was still puzzling over why Wang Zhishi believed he would lose, and for a moment, he stood frozen in place.

Cang Luo acted without hesitation. The distance between him and Chen Yun was no more than ten meters—he appeared before his opponent in an instant and unleashed his fully charged Dragon-Slaying Palm straight at Chen Yun’s chest!

Only then did Chen Yun snap back to reality. Seeing Cang Luo suddenly before him, he was stunned—and sensed an immediate, lethal threat. Instinctively, he gathered his Qi Shield to protect himself.

But it was too late. Cang Luo’s Dragon-Slaying Palm had already struck.

Two months ago, Cang Luo first used the Dragon-Slaying Palm while at Warrior Sixth Level, defeating Long Zhantian, a Warrior Ninth Level cultivator.

One month ago, Cang Luo, now at Warrior Ninth Level, used the Dragon-Slaying Palm to defeat Zhang Zhen, a Martial General First Level cultivator.

On both occasions, Cang Luo was still at Warrior Level—unable to condense Qi Shield.

Today, Cang Luo was at Martial General Fourth Level—and could now condense Qi Shield.

The orange-red Qi absorbed by the Earth-Rank Upper-Grade Body-Annihilating Divine Art, and the pale blue Qi absorbed by the Earth-Rank Lower-Grade Thunder Qi Technique, merged within boundless neutral Qi like two dragons playing with a pearl—their power surged exponentially!

Boom!

A heavy, thunderous crash echoed. Chen Yun was blasted backward, spewing blood, and rolled off the arena under Wang Zhishi’s startled gaze.

The blood Chen Yun spat out as he rolled off the arena had not yet touched the ground—proof of the Dragon-Slaying Palm’s immense power and blinding speed.

In that moment, all fell silent. Everyone stared in shock at Cang Luo, standing proudly at the arena’s center, speechless, as if the air itself had frozen.

Even the fighters on nearby arenas, who had been locked in fierce combat moments before, halted their battles and gazed at Cang Luo in astonishment.

Though they were fighting, they had been aware of this match—they knew one combatant was Chen Yun of Lie Tian Gang, and that Chen Yun was exceptionally strong.

Yet no one expected Chen Yun to lose so swiftly, so unexpectedly.

The opponent had defeated Chen Yun—whose strength rivaled Martial General Fifth or even Sixth Level—with a single strike.

Below the arena, Bei Gong Wang stared grimly, murmuring to himself: “Again, that palm... just like his battle two months ago against Long Zhantian of Kong Sheng Academy...

No, stronger!

Under the Master Level, no one could withstand it head-on!”