Chapter 19 Kneel

The central plaza of Jiangning City.

A martial stage had already been constructed. News of the duel had long spread throughout the city, and so today the crowds were vast and bustling with excitement.

“The three great families have stood together for so many years—will the balance finally be broken today?”

“The Ji family and the Ye family have joined forces, and the Jun family is barely holding on. If the Jun family loses this battle today, they may never recover.”

“Ah, the Jun family did produce a true dragon, but a genius who cannot grow is nothing. It all depends on whether the Jun family can survive this calamity!”

The crowd murmured, all pitying the Jun family. Once one of the three great clans, the Jun family had seen days of glory and splendor. Now, their businesses were suppressed, their clansmen scattered to the wind, and only Jun Zhantian and Jun Wushuang remained to support the vast household.

This duel, however, was the final straw that could break the camel’s back. For the Jun family, it was their last chance. If they failed, they would be cast into the abyss forever.

A wave of sighs swept through the people.

“The Ji family and Ye family have arrived!”

The crowd stirred.

A group strode forward with heads held high, led by Ji Yuntian and Ye Tiande. If one looked closely, Ye Tiande was half a step behind, deferring to Ji Yuntian.

The four words “Mystic-level student” were enough to change Ye Tiande’s attitude.

Apart from the people of the Ji and Ye families, Ji Yuntian had deliberately brought along several elders of the Jun family—elders who had already defected and become elders of the Ji family.

To strike someone, strike their face. Since he had decided to utterly crush the Jun family today, Ji Yuntian would not miss any opportunity to unsettle their minds and humiliate Jun Zhantian.

“After today, Jiangning City will have no Jun family!”

Ji Yuntian’s gaze was sharp as lightning, sweeping over all with supreme confidence.

While he and Jun Zhantian were evenly matched in sheer strength, he had a remarkable daughter. Ji Qingchen had entered the Royal Martial Academy and become a Mystic-level student. Because of her, Ye Tiande and Xu Huantu had changed their attitudes, now holding Ji Yuntian in high esteem.

Thus, Ji Yuntian was able, in just a few days, to orchestrate a crisis for the Jun family, forcing Jun Zhantian to accept this duel.

He had made thorough preparations for this contest. If Jun Zhantian dared to appear, his death was assured!

The Jun family had already lost. Once Jun Zhantian died, Jun Wushuang—even if a true dragon—would become nothing more than a dead snake.

Jun family!

Jun Wushuang and his father!

Today, both would be utterly destroyed.

“Master Ji, rest assured. The Jun family is like grass after autumn—soon to perish!” Ye Tiande said with a fawning smile, his tone ingratiating. How could the Jun family’s dragon compare to the Ji family’s phoenix? Compared to Ji Qingchen, Jun Wushuang was a mere minor figure.

“The Jun family is here!”

A cry rang out.

The crowd parted, and three figures entered from outside: Jun Wushuang, his father, and Lin Mengyao.

Compared to the grand retinues of the Ji and Ye families, the Jun family’s three lone members seemed desolate and frail.

“Jun Zhantian, I didn’t expect you’d really dare to come!” Ji Yuntian sneered, looking down at Jun Zhantian from above.

The feud between the Ji and Jun families was long-standing, and with the matter of Jun Wushuang, their enmity had reached the point of life and death. But today, the Ji family had absolute advantage, while the Jun family was on the verge of collapse.

“Old Ji, I came today to cut you down with my own hands!” Jun Zhantian declared with domineering presence, facing Ji Yuntian.

“Hah, such shameless boasting! Your Jun family’s people have all switched sides, and you still dare to act so arrogantly!” Ji Yuntian scoffed, deliberately having the defected Jun elders step forward—a silent humiliation.

“A bunch of rotten apples, nothing more. If you want them, let them ruin your Ji family instead!” Jun Zhantian’s expression remained unchanged, his spirit unaffected.

Having broken through to the first tier of the Divine Sea Realm, he had every reason to be confident.

“You won’t shed tears until you see the coffin. In that case, I’ll oblige you!” Ji Yuntian’s gaze was dark, cutting short the talk.

“Today’s duel will be best of three. The loser will be banished from Jiangning City, never to return!” Ye Tiande announced, smiling slyly at Jun Zhantian, his true character shining through.

Though it was best of three, the Jun family only had Jun Zhantian to fight. As for Jun Wushuang and Lin Mengyao, they were entirely disregarded.

Ji Yuntian’s true aim was to kill Jun Zhantian in the ring. With Jun Zhantian dead, Jun Wushuang would be doomed, and the Jun family would perish utterly.

“Which of you two will step up first to meet your end?” Jun Zhantian, full of swagger, mounted the stage first, forcing Ji Yuntian and Ye Tiande to face him.

Yet Ji Yuntian only sneered, making no move.

“I will take the first round!” came a grim voice.

The city lord Xu Huantu stepped from the crowd and leaped onto the stage.

A gasp swept through the onlookers.

Who was Xu Huantu? Not only the lord of Jiangning City, but its foremost warrior. With the fourth tier of the Divine Sea Realm, he could suppress all rivals.

Moreover, he was unlike Master Wu. Master Wu, a pill master, had advanced by relying on medicine, his true combat ability mediocre—less than that of a martial artist of equal rank. But Xu Huantu was born of the military, battle-hardened, having survived countless life-and-death struggles. His strength surpassed any peer.

Within Jiangning City, none could match Xu Huantu.

Jun Zhantian, though he had recently broken through with Jun Wushuang's help, was only at the first tier of the Divine Sea Realm. He could handle Ji Yuntian and Ye Tiande, but facing Xu Huantu was nearly certain death.

No one expected that this duel between the three families would see Xu Huantu intervene—on behalf of the Ji family, no less.

This was astonishing beyond belief.

“Why is the city lord helping the Ji family?”

“No idea, but it looks like the Jun family is doomed. No matter how strong the Jun patriarch is, he’s no match for the city lord. Forget best of three—he might not survive the first round.”

“We thought it would be Ji and Ye joining forces, but now there’s the city lord’s mansion as well. It’s over. The Jun family has no hope of recovery. From now on, there will be no Jun family in Jiangning City!”

The crowd erupted, all shocked by the scene.

Jun Zhantian’s face was grim; he hadn’t expected Xu Huantu to be his opponent.

“City Lord Xu, as an official of the court, you shouldn’t meddle in private disputes!” Jun Zhantian said through gritted teeth.

“Today I fight as a private citizen. Enough talk—I’ll let you make the first move!” Xu Huantu had resolved to curry favor with Ji Qingchen and would not falter at this crucial moment.

Jun Zhantian’s expression darkened. But he knew he could not retreat. Even if he stood no chance, he had to fight with all his might.

With this in mind, Jun Zhantian gathered his spiritual energy, preparing for a desperate battle.

But at that moment, Jun Wushuang leaped onto the stage, stepping in front of Jun Zhantian and facing Xu Huantu directly.

He reached into his storage ring and drew forth the command token of the South Suppressing King.

Fixing his gaze on Xu Huantu, he coldly declared, “Kneel!”