In the southern region of the Xuan Yu Realm lay a hidden place shrouded in endless void turbulence and chaotic demonic qi.
Duan Tianying stood in the void with his hands behind his back, his robes stirring without wind. His aura was restrained, deep as an abyss, and his eyes were half closed, as though he were quietly resting his mind. Beside him, an Immortal Realm heavenly demon clad in demonic armor, with a fierce aura, stood bowed in attendance. Wearing a fawning smile, he said softly:
"My lord, Chen Fei kept putting off his challenge a few days ago. He must have been cowed by your supreme might, afraid to act rashly. Now that he's suddenly issued a challenge, I'd say the odds are that the Sovereigns among those cultivators and primordial demons forced him into it, leaving him no choice."
At this, Duan Tianying turned toward his subordinate.
"There is no need to belittle him to elevate me."
Duan Tianying's voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority. "Chen Fei possesses both strength and courage. He has cultivated in the Immortal Realm for only a few years, yet fought his way all the way to me. How could he be a mediocrity?"
Duan Tianying paused and faced the depths of the void, as though his gaze had pierced endless space to see the two auras about to clash on the Earth Ranking Sky Curtain. A trace of coldness entered his voice:
"With his talent and comprehension, the Sovereigns of the cultivators and primordial demons would hardly be foolish enough to send him out to die! Since he dares challenge me now..."
An icy curve formed at the corner of Duan Tianying's mouth as he said indifferently:
"They believe Chen Fei can defeat me. Nothing more!"
With his eyes closed,