Chapter 59: The Ascendant Gate Trembles, Life and Death Decided on the Heavenly Execution Platform!

You came to settle this?

Jia Lan and the other women, as well as Elders Ma and Zhou, all stared at Chen Zheng, who suddenly stepped forward, with surprised eyes.

His silhouette was towering.

But… his cultivation is far too weak.

Ye Piaoling's expression shifted slightly; she leaned close to Chen Zheng's side and whispered, "Junior Brother Chen, Jiang Lingkong reached the third rank of Divine Art, Primordial Steel realm, thirty years ago. By now he has at least a great consolidation of Steel Qi, and may even have grasped the subtleties of yin and yang, entering the fourth Yin‑Yang realm. You are only at the second level, far from his match. Do not overreach; let Senior Sister Jia Lan step forward to resolve this for you…"

"No problem."

Chen Zheng waved his hand, cutting off her words.

He did not turn around; only his calm voice reached everyone's ears: "Even if Jiang Lingkong attains the fourth Yin‑Yang rank, it means nothing to me. If he duels me on the Heavenly Execution Platform, he will perish."

"This…"

The four women and two men behind him were all stunned.

Chen Zheng, at the second rank of Divine Art, declared he would cause the fourth rank to be defeated; what arrogance is that?

"Perhaps it is precisely because of such boldness that Junior Brother Chen could achieve the second rank of Divine Art in such a short time."

Jia Lan let out a soft sigh in her heart, and the steps that had risen into midair quietly withdrew.

Opposite, the androgynous youth Jiang Lingkong shook his head and sneered: "Brother Hua entered the Dao at three, mistakenly entered an immortal's cave at nine, obtained the lineage of one of the ancient Nine Immortal Sages, Panwu Immortal Dao, has slain countless enemies in his life, yet he is not as arrogant as you, Chen Zheng. Meng Shaobai reached the sixth rank of Divine Art at twelve, just one step short of the Golden Core. In terms of arrogance, he still does not compare to you…"

"Enough talk! Since you intend to stand up for Cang Baizi, then duel me on the Heavenly Execution Platform. Dare you, or not?"

Chen Zheng cut Jiang Lingkong off directly; his black hair fluttered as if in wind, his eyes like cold stars and icy lightning, his frenzy plainly displayed.

First he struck a Xiao Stone, then a Yuan Sword Void emerged.

After disciplining Yuan Sword Void, Cang Baizi resurfaced.

Now Cang Baizi has brought in Jiang Lingkong as reinforcement.

When he defeats Jiang Lingkong, will the two of them start leaping and causing trouble again?

Never a peaceful day.

Though he harbors murderous intent, the sect rules stand here; the Ascendant Palace hangs high in the sky, making it impossible to take their lives.

It's simply unbearably irritating.

So he decided to be straightforward and head straight to the Heavenly Execution Platform for a duel to the death.

Killing one person would at least keep things clean for two days.

And also establish authority, eliminating some trouble.

"You want to gamble your life with me on the Heavenly Execution Platform?"

Jiang Lingkong narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade, staring intently at Chen Zheng as if to pierce his very soul.

He came to stand up for Cang Baizi only to use his own method, to punish his own body, to avenge the humiliation of being forced to kneel and the grudge of a severed arm.

He never intended to take Chen Zheng's life.

But contrary to his expectation, Chen Zheng was so reckless, daring to try to take his life.

Does Chen Zheng not realize that once he steps onto the Heavenly Execution Platform, even Jia Lan's overwhelming power cannot protect him, leaving him to be slain?

So…

Where does Chen Zheng's courage come from?

And what does he rely on?

Jiang Lingkong, on the contrary, seemed a bit uncertain.

"Brother Jiang, quickly agree to him!"

Beside them, Cang Baizi saw Jiang Lingkong hesitating, and let out a hurried low roar, his eyes blood‑red like a famished beast.

His hatred toward Chen Zheng nearly drove him mad. "Fine."

Jiang Lingkong thought briefly, feeling that regardless, he had no reason to be defeated by Chen Zheng, and gave Chen Zheng a sly smile: "Since you are eager to seek death, I will fulfill your wish. See you on the Heavenly Execution Platform!"

Whoosh!

A surge of cold air rose from beneath their feet, lifting Jiang Lingkong and Cang Baizi skyward toward the Ascendant Palace in the endless heights.

The Heavenly Execution Platform was right there.

"Brother Chen, are you truly going to the Heavenly Execution Platform to duel Jiang Lingkong? Once you step onto it, either he dies or you perish," Elder Ma approached, his complexion slightly pale.

Elder Zhou and Ye Piaoling and the other women felt the same, their faces full of worry, ready to speak counsel.

Jia Lan, however, looked at Chen Zheng with not only concern but also a hint of expectation.

After Chen Zheng's earlier boastful words, inexplicably, she felt a spark of confidence.

"Everyone need not say more; my mind is made up."

Chen Zheng waved to the crowd, and as his figure shifted, he too surged upward, like a meteor plunging into the clouds.

"Come, we'll also go to the Heavenly Execution Platform to support Junior Brother Chen," Jia Lan shouted lightly, soaring into the air.

This novel you

Whoosh whoosh whoosh…

The remaining few exchanged glances, left Zhengqi Peak, and followed Jia Lan soaring upward.

Clang clang!

After a short while, massive resonant bells thundered from the Ascendant Palace in the heavens, huge and urgent, as if proclaiming to the world, shaking mountains and valleys, the vast sky and earth.

All living beings were startled!

"Father, that scoundrel Chen Zheng has severed my child's arm; will you decide for the child…"

Within a magnificent palace, the Golden Stone Platform covered the severed arm's stark white bone and flesh; clenching teeth, he was crying out to his father.

But halfway through, the huge bell from the Ascendant Palace sounded, and his words abruptly stopped.

"It is the celestial alarm; a true disciple is about to duel on the Heavenly Execution Platform!" the old Daoist beside him said solemnly, gazing toward the heavens.

This old Taoist's face resembled Jin Shitai's in several ways, wearing a purple Daoist robe, a Thunder Crown, and faintly flickering blue, purple, and white flames around him, seeming real yet illusory, making one unable to stare directly; he is Jin Rilie, Jin Shitai's father, one of the Elder of the Feather Ascension Sect.

"The decisive battle on the Tianxing Platform? Who is it?" Jin Shitai was startled, unable to even mind the agony of his broken arm.

A true disciple fighting a decisive battle on the Tianxing Platform hasn't occurred in at least twenty‑to‑thirty years.

Because most cultivators have short lifespans, without taking longevity pills they live at most two hundred years; time is pressing, and when contending with Heaven for life, there is no time to waste, and they also cherish life, unwilling to fight to the death.

Only those who reach the fifth rank of divine skill, the Celestial Realm, and attain eight hundred years are considered long‑lived.

But Celestial cultivators must also be busy gathering herbs for alchemy, collecting the five‑element essence, secluding themselves to forge five‑element divine skill, in order to break through to the sixth rank, the Unity Realm, leaving even less time.

Thus minor skirmishes are common within the sect, but life‑or‑death battles are exceedingly rare.

"Chen Zheng, decisive battle with Jiang Lingkong!"

Just as Jin Shitai was puzzled, a commanding voice echoed from the Feather Ascension Heavenly Palace, sweeping across the entire Feather Ascension Sect.

"What, Chen Zheng? Go to the Tianxing Platform; I want to see him killed by Jiang Lingkong with my own eyes!"

Jin Shitai let out a ferocious roar and charged out of the main hall.

Not only him, but many true disciples in the Feather Ascension Mountains and numerous Elder in Feather Ascension City rushed toward the Feather Ascension Heavenly Palace, eager to witness a rare great battle.

Even on Purple Lightning Peak, Fang Han, who had just earned Fang Qiang's recognition and been promoted to Grand Overseer of Spirit Beasts, heard the voice echoing from the heavens, looked up at the sky, his face full of astonishment and awe.

He remembered that Chen Zheng was the name of the immortal who once slashed Jin Shitai with a sword; it hadn't been long, and now they were already vying for bravery and ferocity again.

(End of chapter)