Chapter 505: Prey

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

The power of the Profound Origin Pearl, Miao Wanhong and several others understood it well. Back then, they relied on the Profound Origin Pearl to eliminate Yu Shoucheng, and with the combined strength of five people, they could directly possess the power of a mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm strike.

If used properly, it could even directly slay Chen Fei, or at the very least, inflict severe injuries.

“No, my cultivation level is insufficient. I can’t control such power. If Chen Fei is fully focused on evading, it may not have much effect.”

Miao Wanhong hesitated for a moment and ultimately shook his head.

Power must be under one’s control to truly belong to them. If it’s not controlled, in a battle at the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, it’s actually quite easy for the opponent to evade.

Mo Shiyi had reached the Combined Aperture Tempering realm Second Stage for many years, although there was still some distance from the mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm, he could still see the gap.

Thus, mastering the power of the Profound Origin Pearl could bring about the desired effects.

However, Miao Wanhong was currently at the first stage, attempting to control the power of the mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm would be like a child wielding a giant blade, not only incapable of harming others but also risking harm to himself.

Mo Shiyi furrowed his brows slightly. It was clear that Miao Wanhong had been frightened by Chen Fei during their last encounter and, from the bottom of his heart, was opposed to a direct confrontation with Chen Fei.

“Then we can only find a master to act as a guest of the Divine Water Sect and fight on your behalf,” Mo Shiyi whispered.

Within the same faction, someone could act as a substitute in battles, but the one stepping in must have a cultivation level equal to or lower than the original participant. It can be lower, but it absolutely cannot be higher.

“It’s difficult to find such a master!” Hu Yanwu furrowed his brow.

Chen Fei’s combat strength had clearly reached the level of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm Second Stage. They needed to find someone with a first-stage cultivation but second-stage combat capabilities. Such experts did exist, but they were mostly within the major factions.

Due to the influence of top-tier techniques, martial practitioners from these major factions often possessed much greater combat strength than those outside.

Some even had top-grade magical treasures, making their combat prowess comparable to or even surpassing that of regular mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators.

In a life-or-death battle, magical treasures were crucial.

However, no one from a major faction would come and join your sect as a guest, not even as a pretense. That would be tantamount to outright betrayal.

“We have one, Zhu Guannu!” Mo Shiyi said in a deep voice.

“Zhu Guannu? Has he returned from outside the Thousand Feathers Alliance?” Miao Wanhong expressed surprise.

Zhu Guannu, the name might sound peculiar because this man was born a slave. To be precise, for three generations in Zhu Guannu’s ancestry, they had all been slaves to others.

As a result, Zhu Guannu was born into the life of a slave. According to the normal course of events, Zhu Guannu’s fate for his entire life seemed predestined. However, by chance, Zhu Guannu came into contact with martial arts.

It wasn’t a matter of learning specific martial arts techniques; he purely observed the young masters of the main household practicing martial arts. With just a few glances, he naturally learned it.

Photographic memory and the ability to extrapolate were Zhu Guannu’s incredible talents in martial arts. In just one year, Zhu Guannu secretly reached the Flesh Tempering realm through his own understanding.

This speed might not seem fast, especially since disciples from those major factions probably advanced to the Bone Tempering realm within a year.

However, it’s essential to understand that Zhu Guannu achieved this without any formal martial arts techniques. He relied solely on what he saw in daily life and slowly developed his skills.

Moreover, considering the meager diet of a slave, it was a stroke of luck that Zhu Guannu didn’t overstrain himself with martial arts practice, let alone secretly advance his cultivation.

With a Flesh Tempering realm cultivation, Zhu Guannu could have easily escaped from the main household and ventured outside.

After all, his identity as a slave could lead to his execution if the main household discovered his martial talent, considering it theft, disrespect, and rebellion – all punishable by death.

Yet, Zhu Guannu chose not to leave. Instead, he continued to elevate his cultivation, eventually, on one fateful day, slaughtering over a hundred people in the main household and seizing all of their assets.

After obtaining this substantial sum of money and the martial arts techniques of the main household, Zhu Guannu’s cultivation began to advance rapidly.

Subsequently, Zhu Guannu seized an opportunity to join a sect, and over a dozen years later, he sought the position of sect leader but failed to secure it. In response, he found another opportunity, taking all of the sect’s resources and escaping in secret.

Five years later, Zhu Guannu returned and annihilated everyone in that sect. By that time, his cultivation had already reached the late Aperture Tempering realm.

Killing and practicing his way forward, Zhu Guannu found that no sect would dare to accept him anymore. However, with his fierce determination and perhaps a bit of luck, he managed to cultivate to the Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

In recent years, Zhu Guannu even left the Thousand Feathers Alliance to undergo further training in the outer seas.

He was a person who was ruthless to others and even more ruthless to himself.

“Yes, he’s back, and his cultivation is at the first stage, not much different from Brother Miao,” Mo Shiyi nodded.

“If it’s him, we can give it a try,” Miao Wanhong considered for a moment.

Zhu Guannu possessed an extraordinarily unique talent for martial arts, or one could say there was something peculiar about his body. Many powerful techniques with severe side effects, in Zhu Guannu’s hands, almost had their side effects disappear completely.

As a result, the strength displayed by Zhu Guannu was far greater than his actual cultivation level.

“Would he be willing to engage in this life-and-death matter like the Blood Battle Arena?” Meng Heng asked with some uncertainty.

Meng Heng wasn’t doubting whether Zhu Guannu was afraid of death, but rather, this matter had nothing to do with Zhu Guannu. Participating in the Blood Battle Arena, where there was no respite until death, was something most people would prefer to avoid.

After all, it was a battle to the death, and anything could happen.

“Zhu Guannu’s martial arts’ characteristics make him particularly suitable for this type of confined area combat. We can offer him an additional five hundred middle-grade elemental stones, and all the proceeds from this battle will go to him alone,” Mo Shiyi said with narrowed eyes.

Even though they were offering the same five hundred middle-grade elemental stones, Mo Shiyi would rather give them to Zhu Guannu. Moreover, if Zhu Guannu were to die in the battle, the five hundred middle-grade elemental stones they had promised could be withheld.

In essence, it was still the same five hundred middle-grade elemental stones, but with an added possibility in the outcome.

Furthermore, in Mo Shiyi’s view, Chen Fei might not necessarily be able to defeat Zhu Guannu. Mo Shiyi had seen Zhu Guannu several times and had always felt a sense of trepidation each time.

In his pursuit of victory and to continue on his martial path, Zhu Guannu’s ruthlessness surpassed everyone’s imagination.

“Done!”

Miao Wanhong had no objections since he didn’t have to participate in the battle himself. As for the extra one hundred middle-grade elemental stones they would need to contribute after dividing the cost, he saw it as a necessary expense to mitigate potential trouble.

Miao Wanhong hoped that Zhu Guannu could directly slay Chen Fei in the Blood Battle Arena. Otherwise, the situation would extend beyond a mere hundred middle-grade elemental stones.

At the Primordial Sword Sect, Chen Fei had just returned not long ago when Qin Haishan and the others arrived after hearing the news.

“They sent people from the Death Shadow Sect to assassinate me, but I discovered them.”

Chen Fei pointed to Jiang Liulin beside him and briefly explained the situation, focusing on the key points and omitting all the details.

Qin Haishan and the others relaxed their expressions slightly. If the situation was indeed as Chen Fei described, then there would be no grounds for accusing him of challenging Miao Wanhong.

“I’ve already imprinted his soul and memories into a jade slip.”

Qin Haishan walked up to Jiang Liulin and then turned to look at Chen Fei. Jiang Liulin’s expression changed slightly upon hearing Qin Haishan’s words, but thinking about Miao Wanhong’s previous attitude, she couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

At this stage of the situation, she was still considering the welfare of the Divine Water Sect.

“Thank you.”

Chen Fei smiled and clasped his hands. Although this kind of soul imprinting didn’t pose any substantial threat to Miao Wanhong, and most members of the Thousand Feathers Alliance wouldn’t acknowledge it, it still left evidence behind.

It provided a legitimate reason for taking action.

“Be cautious in the Blood Battle Arena, especially regarding the unique treasure in Mo Shiyi’s hands,” Tong Zhongqiu reminded.

“I’m prepared,” Chen Fei nodded, having already factored that into his considerations.

“Blood Battles allow for sect’s guest members to fight, but we’re concerned they might invite someone else,” Zhao Tianxuan whispered.

“We need to be wary of that possibility. If your cultivation were a bit higher, Chen Fei, it would be foolproof,” Yu Shoucheng smiled.

“They’re just concerned about Chen Fei’s potential, which is why they resorted to this plan.”

Qin Haishan let go of the hand holding Jiang Liulin’s head and handed the jade slip to Chen Fei. With this jade slip, Jiang Liulin’s value had diminished significantly.

“I made some unexpected progress in my recent cultivation. I’ve already reached the first stage now.”

Chen Fei thought for a moment and didn’t conceal his cultivation level. After all, in the Blood Battle Arena, Chen Fei’s cultivation realm would become apparent.

Qin Haishan’s hand holding the jade slip trembled slightly, almost crushing it by accident.

Tong Zhongqiu, Zhao Tianxuan, and Yu Shoucheng exchanged glances, completely bewildered. Wasn’t it just two years ago that he broke through to the Combined Aperture Tempering realm?

How did he reach the first stage so quickly? What kind of cultivation speed was this?

“Combined Aperture Tempering realm is not the same as the Aperture Tempering realm, how could it be so fast!”

While Qin Haishan and the others were left bewildered, thousands of miles away on an island, a scarred man with a scar on his cheek looked at Mo Shiyi and curled his lips slightly.

“Join the Divine Water Sect as a guest, and fight for you in the Blood Battle Arena?” he asked.

“Yes, as for your reward, we’ll give you five hundred middle-grade elemental stones if the job is done,” Mo Shiyi nodded and provided detailed information about Chen Fei.

“Five hundred middle-grade elemental stones? You’re offering so little for the Blood Battle Arena?” Zhu Guannu burst into laughter, his voice sounding particularly grating.

Mo Shiyi furrowed his brow slightly and said, “This price is already quite generous.”

“Seven hundred middle-grade elemental stones, and I’m in,” Zhu Guannu’s laughter abruptly stopped, and he stared at Mo Shiyi.

“Too much!” Mo Shiyi raised an eyebrow and shook his head.

“That’s the price. If you can’t afford it, then go find someone else,” Zhu Guannu casually waved his hand.

“Very well,” Mo Shiyi looked at Zhu Guannu, suddenly smiled, and then bowed before turning to leave.

Zhu Guannu watched Mo Shiyi’s departing figure, spat out the fragments of elemental stones he had been chewing in his mouth, and said, “Come back. I hate people like you from these sects, just like the one I joined back in the day!”

Mo Shiyi turned to look at Zhu Guannu, his expression unchanged, and said, “I have only one requirement: slay Chen Fei!”

“Hahaha, he won’t make it out of the Blood Battle Arena!”

Zhu Guannu licked his lips like a predator preparing to hunt.

A prodigy who had just broken through to the Combined Aperture Tempering realm a few years ago and already possessed the combat power of the Second Stage? It was people like this; the very kind Zhu Guannu loved to kill the most were the prodigies. Just like the time he had slaughtered over a hundred members of the main household years ago.

That had been the most exhilarating moment of his life!