Chapter 150

On the cliff face, a large patch of blood was glaringly bright; countless vines and small trees were smashed to pieces; in the huge depression on the cliff, the bloodstains were gruesome, all from the blood and flesh of the Gongsun clan.

Translation: On the cliff face, a large patch of blood was glaringly bright; countless vines and small trees were smashed to pieces, and in the huge depression on the cliff, the bloodstains were gruesome—all from the blood and flesh of the Gongsun clan.

On the cliff face, a large patch of blood was glaringly bright; countless vines and small trees were smashed to pieces; in the huge depression on the cliff, the bloodstains were gruesome, all from the blood and flesh of the Gongsun clan.

His stature was lion-like, his long hair flowing loose behind him, some strands unruly and spreading in all directions; Gongsun Yuan, like a lion's mane, stood with his hands behind his back outside the stone tower, dazedly staring at the big pit, at the chaotic blood within.

Translation: His burly frame like a lion, his long hair loose behind him, some strands unruly and spreading in all directions like a lion's mane, Gongsun Yuan stood with his hands behind his back outside the stone tower, dazedly staring at the big pit and the chaotic blood within.

some strands unruly and spreading in all directions like a lion's mane, Gongsun Yuan

Just now he was competing in the arena against several young masters of great clans; he had just subdued a twelve-legged earthfire magma king spider of the Chonglou Realm; early this morning, using that spider he won nine consecutive matches, gaining countless cultivation resources, gold coins, jewels, and the like.

Translation: Just now he had been competing in the arena against several young masters of great clans; he had just subdued a twelve-legged earthfire magma king spider of the Chonglou Realm; early this morning, using that spider he won nine straight matches, earning countless cultivation resources, gold coins, jewels, and the like.

twelve-legged earthfire magma king spider of the Chonglou Realm

Just as he was rejoicing in his victory, Gongsun Yuan suddenly heard that his estate in Nüwa Valley, the most luxurious stone tower in the valley aside from the Nüwa Palace, had been seized by a nobody newcomer with no name or reputation.

Translation: As he was rejoicing in his victory, Gongsun Yuan suddenly heard that his estate in Nüwa Valley, the most luxurious stone tower in the valley aside from the Nüwa Palace, had been seized by a nobody newcomer with no name or reputation.

his estate in Nüwa Valley, the most luxurious stone tower in the valley aside from the Nüwa Palace, had been seized by a nobody newcomer with no name or reputation

He was busy settling bets with those pale-faced young masters of great clans; after hearing the news, his cousins Gongsun Ying and Gongsun Xiong… his little follower volunteered to check things out; Gongsun Yuan thought it unnecessary, so he sent them with a dozen or so capable retainers to rush over.

Translation: He was busy settling bets with those pale-faced young masters of great clans when, after hearing the news, his cousins Gongsun Ying and Gongsun Xiong… his little follower volunteered to check things out; Gongsun Yuan thought it unnecessary, so he sent them with a dozen or so capable retainers to rush over.

He was busy settling bets with those pale-faced young masters of great clans; after hearing the news, his cousins Gongsun Ying and Gongsun Xiong… his little follower volunteered to check things out; Gongsun Yuan thought it unnecessary, so he sent them with a dozen or so capable retainers to rush over.

After he had collected all the bets and was rushing back with his men, in the span of a few moments, Gongsun Ying and Gongsun Xiong were smashed to death against the cliff.

Translation: After he collected all the bets and brought people back to the estate, in the span of a few moments, Gongsun Ying and Gongsun Xiong were smashed to death on the cliff wall.

in the span of a few moments

Before Gongsun Yuan could even come to his senses from this absurd situation, the warriors brought by his cousins—his own retainers—were thrown out of the building one after another and smashed violently against the cliff.

Translation: Before Gongsun Yuan could even recover from this absurd event, the warriors brought by his cousins—his own retainers—were thrown out of the building one after another and smashed hard into the cliff wall.

the warriors brought by his cousins—his own retainers

He watched helplessly as those warriors streamed out like fish, exploding against the cliff like fireworks.

Translation: He watched those soldiers fly out in single file, exploding against the cliff like fireworks.

The problem was that he was too far away at that time, and as a body cultivator he was not skilled in divine techniques, so he couldn't intervene in time.

Translation: The problem was that he was too far away; practicing body refinement, he lacked skill in divine techniques and couldn't intervene in time.

He could only watch helplessly as his loyal retainers were smashed to death, watching helplessly as they turned into a bloody mess on the cliff.

Translation: He could only watch helplessly as his loyal retainers were smashed to death, helplessly watching them turn into a bloody mess on the cliff.

Gongsun Yuan's body trembled slightly, a mass of heat rose from his head like wisps of green smoke shooting up several zhang high.

Translation: Gongsun Yuan's body trembled slightly; a mass of hot air rose from his head like wisps of green smoke shooting up several zhang high.

He, when had he ever suffered such a loss?

Translation: He, when had he ever suffered such a loss?

He, since birth, has had smooth sailing.

Translation: He, since birth, had enjoyed smooth sailing.

He, since he could remember, has been pampered, flattered, and served by countless people as a heaven‑favored prodigy.

Translation: He, since he could remember, had been pampered, coaxed, and served by countless people as a heaven-favored prodigy.

Gongsun Yuan, bearing the epithet "Courage of the Gongsun".

Translation: Gongsun Yuan, who bore the epithet "Gongsun Zhiyong".

For a thousand years, Gongsun Yuan has been the most exceptionally gifted son of the Gongsun clan, brave and valiant, praised by the clan's forefather himself as "Courage".

Translation: For a thousand years, Gongsun Yuan has been the most outstanding talent of the Gongsun family, brave and resolute, earning the family's ancestor's personal praise of "Courage".

In his youth he entered the Six Paths Palace, where the chief of the Transmission Hall accepted him as a nominal disciple, cultivating immense vajra strength; at eighteen he returned to the Gongsun family, received a secret transmission in the clan's hidden realm, and inherited the "Nine Dragons Nine Elephants" mighty power.

Translation: In his youth he entered the Six Dao Palace, where the chief of the Transmission Hall accepted him as a nominal disciple, mastering the Vajra Great Strength Divine Ability. At eighteen he returned from the Six Dao Palace to the Gongsun family, and in the family's inheritance secret realm received the secret transmission of the Nine Dragons Nine Elephants great strength legacy.

Thereafter Gongsun Yuan spent ten years traveling across many great realms, defeating countless peers from major clans and forces, and even famed veteran masters were beaten down by his fists.

Translation: Thereafter Gongsun Yuan spent ten years traveling the great realms, defeating countless peers from major clans and forces, and even many renowned old masters fell to his fists.

Before turning thirty, Gongsun Yuan ended his travels, returned to the Gongsun clan, and, at the behest of the clan's forefather, took up residence in Nüwa Valley to seek marriage with the valley's most outstanding maiden.

Translation: Before turning thirty, Gongsun Yuan ended his travels, returned to the Gongsun family, received the ancestor's directive to garrison Nüwa Valley, and sought to marry the tribe's most outstanding noblewoman.

Gongsun Yuan did not participate in the Nüwa clan's ancestral land exploration; he felt no need to engage in such a luck‑based collective activity, nor did he need to bring back any treasure from the ancestral land to exchange for marriage rights with the Nüwa clan.

Translation: Gongsun Yuan did not participate in the Nüwa Tribe's ancestral land exploration; he felt no need to join such a luck-based collective activity, nor to bring back any treasure from the ancestral land to exchange for marriage rights with the tribe.

He confidently believed that, with his talent, strength, lineage, and renown across the surrounding great realms, simply staying in Nüwa Valley and peacefully selecting the clan's finest maiden would guarantee his wishes would be fulfilled.

Translation: He confidently believed that, with his talent, strength, background, and fame across the surrounding realms, simply staying in Nüwa Valley and leisurely selecting the tribe's finest noblewoman would guarantee his wishes fulfilled.

Only those of lowly birth, the baseborn, could never hope to gain the Nüwa clan's favor; given their origin, ability, talent, and reputation, they could never win the affection of a Nüwa maiden, which is why they must gamble in the ancestral land.

Translation: Only those low-born wretches could never gain the tribe's favor; relying on their background, strength, talent, and reputation they could never win the noblewomen's affection, so they must go to the ancestral land to try their luck.

And Gongsun Yuan, he simply does not need to do that.

Translation: And he, Gongsun Yuan, had no need to do that.

But half a year ago, at the Nüwa clan's ancestral rites, after the clan opened its ancestral land, Nüwa Mu rose unexpectedly to become the clan's matriarch.

Translation: But half a year ago, at the Nüwa Tribe's Ancestral Worship Grand Ceremony, after the tribe opened its ancestral land, the Nüwa Matriarch's faction rose suddenly and she became the tribe's chief matriarch.

Moreover, Gongsun Yuan learned from Nüwa Xiu the inside story: among the young women of the Nüwa clan, the most outstanding, most excellent, and highest‑potential maiden is…

Translation: Moreover, Gongsun Yuan heard insider news from Wa Xiu, learning which young noblewoman of the Nüwa Tribe was the most outstanding, excellent, and possessed the greatest potential.

Nüwa Xiao Xi, the sole daughter of Nüwa Mu, actually possesses such terrifying talent…

Translation: Wa Xiao Xi, the Nüwa Matriarch's sole daughter, actually possessed such terrifying talent…

Having fixed his goal, Gongsun Yuan daily competed in the arena against the young masters of great clans, like a peacock in heat displaying its splendid plumage to show off his excellence to Nüwa Mu and Nüwa Xiao Xi.

Translation: Gongsun Yuan fixed his goal, daily competing in the arena against the young masters of great clans like a peacock in heat, flaunting his splendid plumage to show the Nüwa Matriarch and Wa Xiao Xi his excellence and distinction.

He intended to trample the faces of those young masters, appear arrogantly before Nüwa Mu and Nüwa Xiao Xi, and then formally propose marriage to Nüwa Mu.

Translation: He intended to trample the faces of those clan youths, appear arrogantly before the Nüwa Matriarch and Wa Xiao Xi, and then formally propose marriage to the matriarch.

Just as Gongsun Yuan felt everything was under control… his brothers were smashed to death before his very eyes.

Translation: Just as Gongsun Yuan felt everything was under control… his brothers were smashed to death before his eyes.

His retainers were smashed to death before his very eyes.

Translation: His retainers were smashed to death before his eyes.

His residence—the Gongsun family's estate in Nüwa Valley, his own dwelling there—was forcibly seized.

Translation: His garrison, the Gongsun family's station in Nüwa Valley, his own residence in the valley—had been forcibly seized.

Gongsun Yuan turned around, looked up, and saw Wu Tie standing at the window.

Translation: Gongsun Yuan turned around, looked up, and saw Wu Tie standing at the window.

Wu Tie looked down at Gongsun Yuan, his eyes bloodshot, and said: "Are you the kin of those two wastes? Hmm, the arena? Good, but can you put up a stake?"

Translation: Wu Tie looked down at Gongsun Yuan, his eyes bloodshot, and said: "Are you the kin of those two wastes? Hmm, the arena? Good, but can you put up a stake?"

Gongsun Yuan gave a strange laugh, pointed at Wu Tie, and said in a low voice: "Cut the big talk; if you've got guts, come on… this is Nüwa Valley, we'll settle things according to Nüwa Valley's rules."

Translation: Gongsun Yuan gave a strange laugh, pointed at Wu Tie, and said in a low voice: "Cut the big talk; if you've got guts, come on… this is Nüwa Valley, we'll settle things according to its rules."

Gongsun Yuan suppressed the urge to strike Wu Tie down on the spot, gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, trembling all over as he led a large retinue in a frantic dash to the arena; he ran with all his might, fearing that his inner fury would make him turn back and kill Wu Tie then and there.

Translation: Gongsun Yuan suppressed the urge to strike Wu Tie dead on the spot, gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, trembling all over as he led a large retinue madly sprinting to the arena. He ran with all his might, fearing his inner fury would make him turn back and kill Wu Tie right then.

Wu Tie hesitated not at all, leapt from the window, ignoring the cries of Nüwa Qing'er and Nüwa Xiao Xi, and strode after Gongsun Yuan with long steps.

Translation: Wu Tie leapt from the window without hesitation, ignoring the cries of Wa Qing Er and Wa Xiao Xi, and strode after Gongsun Yuan.

No one in Nüwa Valley stepped forward or intervened in the sudden clash between Wu Tie and Gongsun Yuan.

Translation: In Nüwa Valley, no one stepped forward, no one intervened in the sudden clash between Wu Tie and Gongsun Yuan.

So, not long after, Wu Tie and Gongsun Yuan arrived at the arena.

Translation: So, not long after, Wu Tie and Gongsun Yuan arrived at the arena.

The Nüwa Valley arena lies just downhill from the valley.

Translation: The Nüwa Valley arena lay just downhill from the valley.

From a downward passage on one side of the valley, with a vertical drop of about three kilometers, the rock layers suddenly split open a huge fissure—olive‑pit shaped, several li wide and over ten li long.

Translation: From one side of Nüwa Valley, a downward passage; the vertical drop was about three kilometers, when the rock layers suddenly split open a huge fissure, olive‑shaped, several li wide and over ten li long.

This fissure is several kilometers deep; below, hot waves surge and red light shoots skyward—it is indeed a magma river that flows out of the cliff face and plunges into the opposite cliff, turbulent and mighty.

Translation: This fissure was several thousand meters deep; below, hot waves surged, red light shot up—it was indeed a stream flowing from the cliff face, then diving into the opposite cliff's raging magma river.

A round stone platform extends from the cliff face, about five li in diameter, its surface mottled with bloodstains—this is the Nüwa Valley arena.

Translation: A round stone platform extended from the cliff; its diameter about five li, stained with blood—this is the Nüwa Valley arena.

Above the platform, on the slightly inclined cliff wall, hundreds of large and small platforms have been hewn, each holding varying numbers of stone tables and chairs; at the moment these platforms are packed with people.

Translation: Above the platform, on the slightly inclined cliff face, hundreds of large and small platforms had been carved out, holding stone tables and chairs of varying numbers; now these platforms were packed with people.

Those of high status sit in the chairs, while those of low status stand on the platforms.

Translation: The high‑ranking sat on chairs, the low‑ranking stood on the platforms.

A glance reveals that the hundreds of platforms likely hold tens of thousands of people; below, the magma river's hot waves churn, the air vibrates violently, light is distorted, making these excited faces look like demons in a magma hell.

Translation: A glance showed the hundreds of platforms likely held tens of thousands; below, the magma river's hot waves churned, the air violently undulated, light bent, making each excited face look like a demon from a magma hell.

They all belong to the major powers of the regions surrounding Nüwa Valley.

Translation: They all belonged to the major powers of the realms surrounding Nüwa Valley.

They are the scions of great clans and the elites of major sects, gathered in Nüwa Valley for the chance to marry a Nüwa maiden.

Translation: The heirs of great clans, the elites of great sects, they gathered in Nüwa Valley for the chance to marry a tribe woman.

The Nüwa clan has only a limited number of maidens per generation, especially the high‑status, most noble‑blooded daughters, so they are all rivals, filled with mutual antagonism.

Translation: The Nüwa Tribe has few women per generation, especially the high‑status, most noble noblewomen—so they are all rivals, full of mutual conflict.

Not long ago, relying on his earthfire magma king spider, Gongsun Yuan easily slew the pets kept by several top‑tier clan heirs, winning vast resources and wealth from them.

Translation: Not long ago, relying on his earthfire king spider, Gongsun Yuan easily slew the pets raised by several top‑tier clan heirs, winning vast resources and wealth from them.

While those losers were cursing Gongsun Yuan for his bloody misfortune… countless people relished what happened next—Gongsun Yuan, indeed, suffered a bloody reversal.

Translation: As those losers cursed Gongsun Yuan for his bloody misfortune… the very thing countless people loved to see happened—Gongsun Yuan, indeed, suffered bloody misfortune.

Shadowy rat‑folk figures lurked on the various stone platforms, and accurate news spread quickly.

Translation: Ratfolk sneaked about on the various stone platforms, and accurate news spread quickly.

Countless eyes turned to Wu Tie standing in the arena; they regarded him curiously, scrutinizing his tall, slender frame.

Translation: Countless eyes fell on Wu Tie standing in the arena; they stared curiously, scrutinizing his tall, slender frame.

This is the very fellow who, not long ago, slew Gongsun Yuan's cousins Gongsun Ying and Gongsun Xiong?

Translation: That very guy—just a short while ago, he killed Gongsun Yuan's cousins Gongsun Ying and Gongsun Xiong?

This is the same fellow who, right before Gongsun Yuan's eyes, crushed his retainers to death, a dozen or more of them?

Translation: That very guy—right before Gongsun Yuan's eyes, he smashed his retainers to death, a dozen or so of them?

"Son of Nüwa Mu!"

Translation: "Son of the Nüwa Matriarch"!

"Brother of the madman Wu Jinna!"

Translation: "Brother of Wu Jin the madman"!

"Brother of Nüwa Xiao Xi!"

Translation: "Brother of Wa Xiao Xi"!

Whispers on the platforms spread like a gust of wind, and some people deliberately laughed out loud.

Translation: Whispers among the platforms spread like a breeze, and some people deliberately laughed out loud.

The laughter was aimed straight at Gongsun Yuan.

Translation: The laughter was aimed straight at Gongsun Yuan.

Today Gongsun Yuan displayed great might in the arena; a king spider won, leaving many people miserable and downcast, and furthermore this guy usually acts flamboyantly, even more overbearing and tyrannical, having already offended who knows how many people.

It's rare for someone to be able to give him a lesson, and countless people are eagerly awaiting what comes next.

Boom—……

From the magma river beneath the stone platform shot a fire pillar a hundred meters high; great gouts of magma surged upward, the temperature on the platform suddenly became terrifyingly hot, as if everyone were wrapped in flames—those lacking strength immediately broke out in a heavy sweat, which the intense heat then evaporated in an instant.

Wa Qinger and Wa Xiao xi rushed into the arena, panting.

They stood at the edge of the arena, yet they didn't dare to speak.

The Wa Valley arena is where the Wa people gather wealth… Of course, it is also used to pick true genius elites, to select powerful forces truly qualified to marry into the Wa people.

Here lie the arena's rules; even the Wa rulers cannot defy them. Otherwise, though Wa Xu once had the means to obstruct Wa Mu from obtaining the materials for the Soul‑Nourishing Basin from the storehouse, he could not stop Wu Jin from exchanging his arena battle merits for a Soul‑Nourishing Basin.

Gongsun Yuan stood on the arena, his eyes gradually turning red, his aura becoming frenzied and restless, like the magma river constantly erupting below.

Wu Tie stared at Gongsun Yuan, appearing calm and detached, yet his heart burned with the same fury.

Suddenly, Wu Tie and Gongsun Yuan spoke at the same time.

"You killed A Ying and A Xiong."

"Wu Jin is my brother."

"They are my brothers, direct‑line members of my Gongsun clan."

"You want to kill him in the arena."

"No one can kill a member of my Gongsun family and walk away unscathed."

"You even sent people to the Wa ancestral lands to hunt him down."

"You dare to occupy my Gongsun clan's garrison—this is a provocation against my clan."

"You also obstructed my eldest brother from crafting the Soul‑Nourishing Basin; you want to utterly kill my father, my second brother, my third brother…"

"My Gongsun clan will not tolerate infringement; whoever dares to offend must die…"

"No one can harm my family; I may not be a great figure, but even a common man's wrath…"

Gongsun Yuan and Wu Tie roared loudly, then they moved at the same time.

Without using weapons, a layer of golden light surged over Gongsun Yuan's body; he took a step forward and threw a punch at Wu Tie's head.

Wu Tie let out a low roar, activating his Mighty God Magic to the fullest; a deep rumble came from within him as he likewise threw a punch at Gongsun Yuan's head.

Their speeds were nearly equal, but clearly Gongsun Yuan's punch was a fraction faster than Wu Tie's.

Gongsun Yuan's golden‑fisted punch slammed into Wu Tie's forehead, blasting away a large patch of flesh and revealing his bone, which was somewhat dark in hue and flickered with a faint, gloomy light.

With a 'dong' sound, Gongsun Yuan's fist struck Wu Tie's forehead, producing a noise like a bronze bell booming.

Wu Tie's body staggered back a step; his own punch aimed at Gongsun Yuan's forehead veered slightly, scraping past Gongsun Yuan's left cheek.

Gongsun Yuan's left cheek instantly exploded with flesh and blood; half of his facial skin was shattered by Wu Tie's fist, exposing the gum and cheekbone beneath.

Blood sprayed from both heads, pouring down like a spring, instantly dyeing their upper garments crimson.

Wa Qinger and Wa Xiao xi exclaimed in unison.

Over ten thousand spectators on the platform clamored at once; many youths from great powers broke into applause and laughter, and some even blew sharp whistles.

A burly youth with a bald head shouted loudly: "Wu Tie… take down Gongsun Yuan, and I'll give you a hundred thousand gold snake stones!"

Another slender youth, his body radiating killing intent, jumped and shouted: "Wu Tie… just like that, smash Gongsun Yuan punch by punch; a hundred thousand gold snake stones? What's that? I'll give you fifty stalks of sixth‑grade primal herb!"

Several more troublemakers, eager for chaos, yelled excitedly at Gongsun Yuan: "Gongsun Yuan, you won't lose, will you? No way? Ah? No way? Hahaha! First time seeing you bleed!"

Wu Tie's forehead shuddered violently, and Gongsun Yuan's cheek burned with pain.

Both retreated dozens of steps, their bodies slightly swaying as they stared, bloodshot eyes locked on each other.

Wu Tie shook his head, sending a spray of blood flying from his forehead.

He looked at Gongsun Yuan, whose hair bristled like a lion's mane, and sneered: "I've heard one should wager something in this arena… so what shall we bet?"

With a wave of his hand, all the primal herbs, primal fruits, and valuable items from Wu Tie's bracelet flew out, piling up beside him into a small hill.

It must be said, Zhu Zixi's savings are still quite substantial.

Then Wu Tie untied the koi pendant from his waist and casually tossed it onto that glittering mound.

Wu Tie looked at Gongsun Yuan with a smile, then sneered: "Besides these external possessions, I'm betting my life against yours—do you dare?"

Seeing Wu Tie cast aside a heap of wealth, Gongsun Yuan's face showed contempt.

But when Wu Tie uttered the two words 'bet my life,' Gongsun Yuan's expression suddenly stiffened.