Chapter Nine: The Whole City in Uproar

"Have you heard? Jun Yanming and Jun Wushuang from the Jun family are going to have a life-and-death duel to win the position of heir!"

"What? Wasn’t Jun Wushuang crippled? If he faces Jun Yanming in a life-or-death battle, that’s suicide!"

"Exactly. Jun Wushuang may have once been the greatest genius in Jiangning City, but his War Dragon King Physique was destroyed—he's become a useless wreck. Meanwhile, Jun Yanming has drawn a heavenly phenomenon, the true dragon of the Jun family. This duel is without suspense."

Thanks to the deliberate spreading of news by the Grand Elder, the life-and-death duel between Jun Wushuang and Jun Yanming became the sensation of the entire city.

Jun Wushuang, once a pride of the heavens, now nothing more than a broken man.

Jun Yanming, though always suppressed by Jun Wushuang, has now summoned a rare celestial sign, heralding his own meteoric rise.

The two stood as far apart as heaven and earth.

Though Jun Wushuang had previously humiliated Master Wu at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, people merely regarded it as a lucky accident, not a demonstration of true ability.

After all, in everyone's eyes, Jun Wushuang—whose War Dragon King Physique had been crippled—was nothing but a complete failure.

Today was the day of the life-and-death duel between Jun Wushuang and Jun Yanming.

The Grand Elder had invited not only Ye Tiande, head of the Ye family, Xu Huanhu, the City Lord, and Master Wu of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, but also Ji Yuntian, head of the Ji family.

The Grand Elder's intentions were plain for all to see.

He wanted to seize the momentum brought by the celestial phenomenon, using it to propel Jun Yanming’s prestige to its zenith, securing for him the title of Jiangning City's foremost genius.

The duel would be held in the Jun family's martial arena.

Outside the Jun estate, crowds surged in a sea of excitement.

"The Ye family’s patriarch has arrived!"

A plump, jovial man approached, the crowd parting before him in deference.

Ye Tiande—one of Jiangning's three great family heads—stood equal to Jun Zhantian and Ji Yuntian.

"Patriarch Ye, you’re early!"

A commanding voice rang out.

A burly man strode in, his steps like a dragon’s, exuding a fierce and bloodthirsty aura.

Xu Huanhu, City Lord of Jiangning, also its mightiest warrior.

"My lord, you must be here for Jun Yanming as well!" Ye Tiande said with a genial smile.

"Indeed. Celestial phenomena appear but once in a century. Not even Jun Wushuang ever drew one. I must witness for myself how extraordinary this Jun Yanming truly is."

As City Lord, Xu Huanhu was responsible for identifying and recommending talent.

The Royal Martial Academy rarely recruited publicly; most candidates were recommended before passing a unified assessment.

Jun Wushuang, previously Jiangning’s premier genius, had been recommended by Xu Huanhu to the Royal Martial Academy.

Unfortunately, that spot was ultimately taken by Ji Qingchen.

With Jun Yanming now summoning a celestial sign, Xu Huanhu had to personally evaluate him. Should he prove a true genius, the recommendation would be a great merit.

"Let us wait and see," Ye Tiande replied, still smiling.

Yet the three great families were rivals. Jun Wushuang's rise had been a thorn in Ye Tiande’s side. He’d finally seen Jun Wushuang fall, only for Jun Yanming to emerge. This was no good news for the Ye family, whose bloodline was languishing.

Soon, Master Wu and Ji Yuntian arrived as well. Gathered together, these leading figures held the power to shake Jiangning with the mere stamp of a foot.

In the Grand Elder’s residence, his trusted followers were assembled, along with Jun Yanming.

Today, Jun Yanming wore a suit of crimson-gold spirit armor, his heroic features making him seem a young general destined for victory.

The crimson-gold spirit armor was a high-grade artifact, its defense astonishing.

As a first-level Manifestation Realm cultivator, Jun Yanming was like a tiger with wings with such armor.

Looking upon Jun Yanming’s valor, the Grand Elder was filled with pride.

Having lost his own son in old age, only Jun Yanming remained as his sole descendant.

He thanked the heavens for their favor. After today, Jun Yanming was certain to soar.

"Yanming, even a lion must use all its strength to catch a rabbit. Today's battle allows no mistakes. As long as you kill Jun Wushuang, leave the rest to your grandfather!"

The Grand Elder had planned everything; today was the perfect moment to show his hand.

"Don’t worry, Grandfather. I’ll thoroughly destroy Jun Wushuang, make him pay in blood!" Jun Yanming grinned, his teeth gleaming like a wolf’s, chilling to behold.

"After today, the Jun family’s skies will change!" The Grand Elder laughed triumphantly, then led Jun Yanming toward the martial arena.

...

In a secluded courtyard, Jun Zhantian and Lin Mengyao were present.

"Master, that Jun Yanming is too strong. Young Master is no match for him. Please, persuade him to hide for a while!" Lin Mengyao’s tears fell as she pleaded.

She had heard much about Jun Yanming in recent days.

Rumor had it Jun Yanming had broken through to the Manifestation Realm.

Rumor had it the celestial phenomenon was his doing.

Rumor had it Jun Yanming had sworn to crush Jun Wushuang in the duel.

Each piece of news left Lin Mengyao anxious and afraid.

She did not want the young master to be hurt, much less to see him killed in public.

But she was of low status, so she could only beg the family head while she still could.

"Wushuang has his own ideas. Trust him," Jun Zhantian replied.

The appearance of the celestial sign had indeed weighed heavily on Jun Zhantian’s heart, but in the end, he chose to trust his son.

Creak—the door to the secret chamber opened.

A figure in black emerged. Sunlight fell upon him, but could not illuminate his form, as if he were a black hole that devoured all light.

"Young master!" Lin Mengyao cried, hurrying forward.

His black clothes fluttered, long dark hair waving.

Though Jun Wushuang’s frame was still lean, it now radiated strength.

Once, when his War Dragon King Physique was ruined, he had been frail, his face pale.

Now, he was like refined steel—unyielding, resolute.

The aura emanating from him even made Jun Zhantian’s heart tremble.

He was like a sword hidden in its sheath; if ever drawn, he would shake the world.

Jun Zhantian could barely recognize this Jun Wushuang.

"Seventh level of the Tempered Body Realm—Wushuang, you’ve recovered greatly."

Sensing his cultivation, Jun Zhantian’s eyes shone with delight.

This period of seclusion had seen Jun Wushuang break through four successive levels, from the third to the seventh of the Tempered Body Realm.

Of course, the malignant deathly energy within him had not been fully refined yet; otherwise, he could have advanced even further.

But the seventh level was enough!

"Young master, Jun Yanming has broken through to the Manifestation Realm and summoned a celestial sign," Lin Mengyao said anxiously, revealing Jun Yanming’s status.

Manifestation Realm?

Celestial sign?

Jun Wushuang narrowed his eyes, but showed no concern.

"Just a dead dog—nothing to fear."

He gently ruffled Lin Mengyao’s hair, his face full of confidence.

"Come, let me personally send him to hell."