Chapter 420: Central Region Strength

In this Golden Peng Royal City, contest arenas are set up everywhere, allowing Martial Cultivators with disputes to settle personal grudges and avoid harming the populace.

"Shall we go see the excitement too?" Lei Ming suggested.

"Sure! It's a good chance for us to see the strength of the locals." Ye Liuyun agreed.

"It's no different from the Five Domains!" Lei Ming said indifferently. She had already sensed this during previous encounters and felt there was no difference.

"That may not be so. This is the Royal City, a gathering place of elites. You mustn't underestimate the Central Region! After all, its resources far surpass those of the Five Domains. I don't believe there are no Heavenly Pride here; we just haven't met them."

Ye Liuyun analyzed this for Lei Ming, also reminding her not to be careless in future battles.

The group immediately stopped ordering dishes, left the tavern, and went to watch the contest, hearing many people's comments along the way.

"That Xiong Batian guy is stirring trouble again; this time he's gone after the Qiao family's Qiao Wenshan, he's about to hit a snag!"

"Exactly! That Xiong fellow feels uneasy if he doesn't get a beating for a few days!"

Ye Liuyun and the others heard this and couldn't help laughing. It seems Xiong Batian is the type who fights whenever he has nothing to do, and this time he's met a tough opponent.

Before Ye Liuyun's party even reached the arena, his Divine Sense already saw two people on the stage from afar. One was refined and scholarly, the other bore two great axes on his shoulders, looking like a reckless ruffian.

His words were still disrespectful: "Qiao Wenshan, you little pretty boy, if you don't dare to fight, get down quickly and stop stalling here."

"It appears this quiet youth is Qiao Wenxian, and the other must be Xiong Batian." Ye Liuyun noted that both were at the first tier of the Heavenly Gang Realm.

His cultivation speed is indeed fast, yet still not as high as theirs. Although he has encountered many Heavenly Gang Realm masters, they are usually over thirty. These two are clearly only in their twenties. This shows that the cultivation conditions in the Central Region are far better than those in the Five Domains.

Qiao Wenshan seemed accustomed to his attitude and ignored him, replying coolly: "Why rush? We can fight after the princess arrives; it's not too late. Didn't you also promise her to let her be the witness?"

"Hmph! Always relying on women!" Xiong Batian, though harsh in words, tossed his axe aside and sat on the stage waiting.

Before long, Ye Liuyun heard the synchronized clank of armor and marching steps, instantly recognizing a squad of soldiers approaching. In the middle of the formation, they escorted a carriage.

Several people nearby chattered: "The Ninth Princess has arrived!"

"They say the Ninth Princess's visage can topple cities and nations!"

"Shh, you're courting death! It's said someone once glanced at the princess and she gouged out his eyes."

Hearing that, Ye Liuyun couldn't help feeling no goodwill toward the Ninth Princess.

After the carriage stopped, the occupants didn't disembark; instead, the soldiers pulled back the curtains, and the Ninth Princess, still inside, sat there to watch the contest.

Xiong Batian picked up his axe and stood. "Pretty boy, you can fight now, right? The one backing you has arrived!"

"Brother Xiong, you're bullying again!" a coquettish voice came from inside the carriage, with a hint of complaint.

Ye Liuyun thought the voice sounded too fake, so he didn't even glance at the Ninth Princess's appearance inside the carriage, focusing only on the two on the stage.

"We don't even know who's bullying whom yet! This pretty boy is no worse than me. This is a fair fight. Besides, we already arranged this battle long ago."

"Hmph! Young Master Qiao, when you face him, don't hold back; best to knock him down so our Royal City can be quiet for a few days!" the Ninth Princess cooed again at Qiao Wenshan.

"Princess, rest assured, I will satisfy you," Qiao Wenshan replied with a bow.

Ye Liuyun had initially thought well of both, but hearing Qiao Wenshan speak that way, he realized Xiong Batian calling him a pretty boy wasn't unfounded. This man clearly pursues the Ninth Princess, even discarding his own dignity.

At that moment, Qiao Wenshan retrieved his treasured sword from his Storage Ring.

Opposite him, Xiong Batian was single‑minded; seeing that Qiao was ready, he brandished his twin axes like a windmill and charged.

Qiao Wenshan thrust a sword outward, surrounding himself with flashing blade light, defending himself tightly, watertight.

As their True Essence erupted, Ye Liuyun immediately sensed the Bloodline Power emanating from both. He then activated his Golden Pupil and looked at the two.

He noticed that Xiong Batian's Bloodline Power was not fully unleashed, most of it sealed by external force. In contrast, Qiao Wenshan had fully activated his Bloodline Power, barely matching Xiong. Thus Ye Liuyun's gaze naturally focused more on Xiong Batian.

"These two's Bloodline Power is impressive!" Wu Qingcheng also felt it and said with a sigh.

Ye Liuyun nodded. Wu Qingcheng's Bloodline Power was similar to theirs, about thirty percent of his own. If Xiong Batian fully unleashed his, it could reach sixty to seventy percent of Ye's strength.

"This person is extraordinary!" Ye Liuyun observed that Xiong Batian's Bloodline Power was indeed remarkable, and his True Essence Quality was also massive. His realm was only the mid‑stage of the first tier of the Heavenly Gang Realm, while Qiao Wenshan was in the later stage, yet his True Essence Quality was inferior, unwilling to clash head‑on.

"Oh dear! Young Master Qiao, why are you being pressed down by Brother Xiong?" the Ninth Princess cooed again. The spectators kept silent, fearing to affect the duel, but she was unabashed.

Ye Liuyun frowned, extremely disgusted by the Ninth Princess's coquettish tone. He was clearly displeased with her behavior, but it wasn't his fight, so he held his tongue.

Hearing this, Qiao Wenshan's spirit surged; his sword technique shifted from defense to offense, seeking an opening against Xiong Batian.

"Oh dear, Brother Xiong, are you about to lose?" the Ninth Princess's voice rang out again.

Several spectators frowned inwardly, yet no one dared to speak up.

"You little sissy, if you speak again I'll smash you!" Xiong Batian said without holding back.

"It seems Xiong Batian's background isn't simple either; he even dares to insult the princess publicly," Ye Liuyun thought to himself.

The Ninth Princess, hearing this, didn't restrain herself; instead she shouted even louder, "Oh dear Brother Xiong, I was only worried about you; why can't you understand my good intentions!" Yet her tone was full of mockery, clearly meant to disturb Xiong Batian's mind.

At this moment, Xiong Batian, split into a duplicate, gave Qiao Wenshan the advantage. Seizing the chance, Qiao Wenshan pressed forward with a sword as swift as lightning, closing in on Xiong Batian.

Xiong Batian dared not be distracted any longer, focusing entirely on his opponent. Seeing himself at a disadvantage, he risked a counterattack, despite being stabbed in the back by Qiao Wenshan, he forced Qiao back again, the shock numbing his sword‑hand, nearly causing him to drop the blade.