Chapter 62

When Cang Luo announced his intention to challenge a Warrior Ninth Layer, the crowd first fell silent, then their expressions varied—some angry, some disdainful, some excited, some astonished...

The angry ones were naturally the Kong Sheng Academy group; Cang Luo’s provocation was not only a grave insult but a direct slap to their face—a blatant humiliation of Kong Sheng Academy.

Just moments ago, Sima Ling had said the exact same thing—he claimed he would challenge a Xuantian Gate Warrior Ninth Layer cultivator while himself being only a Warrior Seventh Layer.

Yet the result? He was easily defeated by Cang Luo, who was also Warrior Seventh Layer, and even had one arm broken—this slap echoed loudly.

They longed to tear Cang Luo apart on the spot—Kong Sheng’s name must not be sullied!

But this was Tongzhou, the Xuantian Gate stronghold—not the capital, not Kong Sheng Academy—they could do nothing to Cang Luo except teach him a lesson through fair combat.

Yet Warrior Seventh Layer was clearly no match for him; even Warrior Eighth Layer might not defeat him. Did they really have to send a Warrior Ninth Layer disciple? Kong Sheng Academy could not afford such a loss.

The outer sect disciples could not decide, so they all turned to their inner sect elite, Senior Brother Murong Ye, awaiting his orders...

The disdainful one was Li Haoran; after observing, he believed Cang Luo defeated Sima Ling only due to age advantage—his Qi reserves vastly exceeded the opponent’s.

But challenging a Warrior Ninth Layer? How arrogant!

Warrior Ninth Layer cultivators are not simply stronger because they have more Qi—they’ve reached a bottleneck where they can no longer absorb more, so they refine their Qi over and over, making it purer, strengthening their Qi Wheels, preparing for breakthrough to Warrior General.

At the same time, their physical strength and mastery of techniques far surpass ordinary Warriors.

One punch might be enough to pulverize you into dust...

Zhao Ren shared the same opinion as Li Haoran.

The excited ones were Gan Lei, Li Zhanxing, and others; seeing Cang Luo defeat Sima Ling with almost no effort, they thought challenging a Warrior Ninth Layer might not be impossible—winning would be glorious, losing wouldn’t be shameful, given the vast cultivation gap.

Xuan Qingqing exclaimed: “Senior Brother Cang, Warrior Ninth Layer is but one step from Warrior General; their Qi may have undergone a qualitative transformation, incomparable to ordinary Warriors.”

“With your current strength, even a direct hit from Thunderclap Palm won’t inflict meaningful damage...”

Cang Luo shook his head firmly: “Thank you, Senior Sister, for your concern. Even if I cannot win, I must fight. They insulted my brother first, then mocked our Xuantian Gate for having no one—I cannot swallow this humiliation.”

Though we are commoners with low talent, we have joined Xuantian Gate—we share its honor and disgrace.

“Live, I will fight to the death defending Xuantian Gate’s dignity!”

“Die, I will become a Martial Soul, eternally guarding Xuantian Gate...”

Cang Luo’s words rang strong and impassioned; Xuan Qingqing froze, then moved deeply: “Live, I will fight to the death defending Xuantian Gate’s dignity... Die, I will become a Martial Soul, eternally guarding Xuantian Gate...”

All Xuantian Gate disciples present were stirred by Cang Luo’s impassioned vow, murmuring it repeatedly.

“Live, I will fight to the death defending Xuantian Gate’s dignity!”

“Die, I will become a Martial Soul, eternally guarding Xuantian Gate...”

The crowd surged with fervor, their voices thunderous, drawing nearby disciples who came to investigate; though unaware of what happened, they spontaneously joined in, shouting together.

Hundreds, even thousands of Xuantian Gate outer sect disciples shouted the vow while glaring at the Kong Sheng Academy group, leaving them unsettled, eyes darting everywhere, forced to mutter quietly among themselves in embarrassment.

Among the crowd, Xiang Yunjiao gazed at Cang Luo—now, she looked like a little fangirl...

Xuan Qingqing watched her united disciples, overwhelmed with emotion; she never expected this outsider from the “Earth” realm would feel such belonging to Xuantian Gate.

She grabbed Cang Luo’s hand excitedly, her face serious: “Senior Brother Cang, we were right about you.”

Cang Luo understood her meaning—she meant Elder Xuan’s decision to let him stay and cultivate in Xuantian Gate was correct, so he could assist Xuantian Gate after the teleportation array opens to Earth next year.

Cang Luo could only smile inwardly—next year’s matters are next year’s problems; who knows how things will change? Right now, his priority is defeating his opponent, raising his prestige, and laying the groundwork for his power-building plan.

When the shouting finally faded, Cang Luo roared at the Kong Sheng Academy group: “What? Afraid to fight? Where’s that arrogant, haughty attitude you had just now?”

Faced with Cang Luo’s provocation, the Kong Sheng Academy disciples were furious, all clamoring to Murong Ye for permission to fight.

Murong Ye smiled faintly, set down his luminous cup, ignored his juniors’ pleas, and turned to Cang Luo: “Do you know Cang Huangwu?”

“Cang Huangwu?”

Cang Luo murmured the name, unsure why he asked—shook his head: “I don’t know him.”

Seeing Cang Luo didn’t seem to be lying, Murong Ye didn’t press further; his fingertip twitched slightly, and the female disciple beside him, Fang Yi, hurried forward to refill his cup.

Murong Ye took a small sip, then said: “Dragon Zhan Tian, go spar with this Xuantian Gate senior brother Cang.”

No sooner had he spoken than a roar erupted from behind.

“Yes!”

With that roar, a striking youth stepped forward from the Kong Sheng Academy group—broad-browed, large-eyed, dignified and imposing.

He walked to Murong Ye’s side, chest out, head high, eyebrows raised, voice resolute: “I will not fail your expectations, Senior Brother—I will restore Kong Sheng Academy’s honor.”

“Hmm.”

Murong Ye nodded coolly, had his disciple refill his cup, then said: “This cup is still warm. Go quickly, return victorious, and I shall toast you.”

Dragon Zhan Tian roared: “Thank you, Senior Brother Murong! In ancient times, the Dragon Martial Saint Guan Yu drank warm wine before slaying demons—today, I, Dragon Zhan Tian, drink warm wine to fight this petty thief—I’ll be back soon!”

With that, Dragon Zhan Tian strode swiftly to the arena, arms crossed over his chest, glancing sideways at Cang Luo, calmly stating: “Dragon Zhan Tian, from the Dragon Clan of the capital, under sixteen, Warrior Ninth Layer... Peak.”

He emphasized “Peak” heavily; after announcing his cultivation, he didn’t wait for Cang Luo to speak, continuing: “Don’t say Kong Sheng Academy bullies the weak—I’ll stand still and let you strike three times. Hurry up, or your wine will grow cold.”

Dragon Zhan Tian’s words instantly enraged the Xuantian Gate disciples; one shouted: “This guy is too arrogant! Senior Brother Cang, crush him!”

“Exactly! Too arrogant—he dares to invoke the legend of Guan Yu drinking warm wine to slay demons? Who does he think he is?”

Cang Luo also found him arrogant—not just his words, but his name too.

Dragon Zhan Tian?

Why not just call him Dragon Aotian?

At that moment, Cang Luo heard whispers behind him about Dragon Zhan Tian’s background.

Someone said the Dragon Clan of the capital was famous, holding high positions in the imperial court; in this generation, Dragon Zhan Tian had three elder brothers, each with a more arrogant name.

They were named Dragon Aotian, Dragon Batian, and Dragon Xiaotian!

Cang Luo was speechless, eyes wide in disbelief, staring at Dragon Zhan Tian like he was an idiot.

There really was a Dragon Aotian—and Dragon Batian and Dragon Xiaotian? Who gave you these brain-dead names?

Next year—or whenever the two worlds connect—if your Dragon Clan learns these names are synonymous with “idiot” on Earth, will you be so angry you change them?

The names were ridiculous, but the man had real arrogance—he was under sixteen and already at Warrior Ninth Layer Peak. Truly, comparisons killed!

Look at Gan Lei and the others behind him—same age, yet only Warrior Fourth Layer...

Cang Luo sighed helplessly; seeing the opponent still radiating that “God first, me second” arrogance, he decided he’d crush him hard—use his trump card.

Damn it! Stand still and let me strike three times?

So arrogant it’s unbearable.

Today is the first day of my power-building plan—I’m the one who gets to be arrogant.

Cang Luo’s mind raced, and the satellites in outer space spun in response.

Suddenly, Cang Luo turned to a subordinate of Wang Fuhai, who was currently smoking a stick resembling a cigarette, puffing clouds.

Cang Luo had asked before—this was a Level One spiritual herb called Ningshen Grass, used to accelerate Qi absorption; it could be burned in an incense burner or dried and rolled into cigarettes like this one.

Cang Luo walked over, remembered the man’s surname seemed to be Lin, and asked: “Senior Brother Lin, do you still have Ningshen Smoke?”

“Yes, yes! Senior Brother Cang wants some?”

Lin Qin immediately replied; seeing Cang Luo nod, he quickly pulled out another, lit it, assuming Cang Luo wanted to restore Qi, and offered it with both hands.

Cang Luo waved it off, didn’t take it, returned to the arena, walking as he said: “Light the smoke—I’ll be right back!”

The crowd froze.

“Light the smoke—I’ll be right back...”

Lin Qin stared at Cang Luo’s back, involuntarily repeated it—then his eyes lit up; this phrase was so lofty, so arrogant—it surpassed the opponent’s arrogance.

He raised his thumb in admiration: “Senior Brother Cang, mighty! Today I’ll be your smoke-bearer—I’ll wait for your triumph.”

With that, Lin Qin held the Ningshen Smoke with both hands before his chest, face solemn, like a devout Buddhist offering incense to the Buddha.

The Xuantian Gate disciples burst into laughter, angering the Kong Sheng Academy group.

Xuan Qingqing, seeing the comical teamwork between the two senior brothers, couldn’t help but laugh, covering her mouth, her figure swaying—drawing glances from all around.

To Li Haoran, her demeanor looked like a girl gazing adoringly at her crush—he shook his fan furiously, new thoughts of killing Cang Luo forming.

Dragon Zhan Tian, seeing Cang Luo’s show of arrogance, grew furious: “Stop your empty boasts—attack!”

He secretly activated the Spring-Autumn Palm technique, ready to instantly kill Cang Luo after the three strikes.

Dragon Zhan Tian didn’t take Cang Luo seriously at all—if Cang Luo dared close in, he’d crush him with one palm, sending him to meet Buddha.

But Cang Luo had no intention of close combat.

Hehe!

Stand still and let me strike three times?

I’ll summon my Husky and spit a mouthful of flaming saliva to roast you!

See how arrogant you are then!?