Battle Hall squads
Indeed, the person who appeared at the entrance of the Battle Hall Quest Hall was none other than Dugu Jue. Judging from the Protective Qi Barrier emanating from his body, his cultivation had clearly broken through to the Innate Realm, and his Qi Energy had been transformed into Innate Qi Energy. The Qi Energy he released was also stable enough to form Protective Qi Barrier.
"Dugu Jue? You've already reached the Innate Realm? Haha, it seems our 97th Combat Squad's overall strength has improved again. Our Squad Leader just broke through to the Third Layer of the Innate Realm a few days ago!" An Inner Sect Disciple in the Great Hall exclaimed in surprise as he saw Dugu Jue appear at the entrance of the Quest Hall. Immediately, seven or eight people went to greet him.
There are as many as 60,000 to 70,000 Inner Sect Disciple and around 30,000 disciples in the Battle Hall. These disciples are divided into 300 combat teams, with 10 people in each team. Zhuge Xiang had just joined the Battle Hall, and the Hall Master had left with many experts at the Returning to the Return to Simplicity Realm, so Zhuge Xiang's joining a combat team was temporarily put aside.
In the Asura Sect, everything is decided by strength. The Squad Leader of a combat squad must be a highly skilled individual. In the entire Battle Hall, anyone who wants to become the Squad Leader can challenge another to Duel. The winner will become the Squad Leader of their squad, and can even challenge other squads to Duel.
For example, Mo Buyan, with his cultivation at the Second Layer of the Innate Realm, is actually the Squad Leader of a combat squad. However, his cultivation is relatively weak, so ambitious people always target him. Fortunately, his cultivation at the Second Layer of the Innate Realm is not to be underestimated. So far, Mo Buyan has managed to barely retain his Squad Leader status.
"Very good, Dugu Jue, you truly deserve to be our Inner Sect's genius." Another disciple at the Innate Realm Fourth Layer stepped forward, his face beaming with delight, and patted Dugu Jue on the shoulder.
"Squad Leader! I want to leave the 97th Combat Squad." However, Dugu Jue's next words stunned the entire combat squad. They never expected that Dugu Jue would say he wanted to leave the squad so soon after breaking through to the Innate Realm.
The previously friendly expression on the face of the 97th Squad Leader turned grim. Losing a master like Dugu Jue was a significant loss for the entire squad. "Do you know the rules of our Battle Hall? If you want to leave the squad, you must at least challenge another squad Squad Leader to Duel and win."
"I understand," Dugu Jue nodded emphatically, glanced around the entire Quest Hall, and finally fixed his gaze on Mo Buyan. He walked directly to him and said, "Squad Leader Mo of the First 108th Combat Squad, I wish to challenge you to a Squad Leader's Duel. Please grant me permission."
Throughout the entire Quest Hall, thousands of the Inner Sect disciples of the Battle Hall were focused on this area. The Battle Hall's three hundred combat teams were to travel throughout the entire Yanling Commandery. In fact, most of the disciples were either traveling around or stationed in other main cities of Yanling Commandery. Only a small number of them actually stayed at the headquarters in Ink Martial City. This Duel Squad Leader was a relatively rare event for the Battle Hall.
"I agree." The Duel for the Squad Leader is one that cannot be refused. Moreover, in the Asura Sect, anyone who backs down in the face of Duel will be looked down upon by everyone. How could Mo Buyan possibly refuse?
"He's already planning to seize a squad Squad Leader position as soon as he gets back? Looks like he's very confident in his abilities," Zhuge Xiang, standing to the side with his sword clasped in his hands, wondering where Dugu Jue's confidence came from.
The Quest Hall was large enough that, seeing the Duel that would determine the Squad Leader's position, the Inner Sect Disciple consciously stepped Quest Hall, leaving an open space of more than ten meters in diameter. Mo Buyan and Dugu Jue stood facing each other, their auras of the Innate Realm surging forth. The two powerful and dense auras clashed and intertwined...
Although Dugu Jue had also reached the Innate Realm, he had only just broken through, so in terms of aura, he was naturally weaker than Mo Buyan. However, Dugu Jue's aura carried a sharp edge, seemingly able to pierce through everything. Although his aura was stronger, Mo Buyan's aura did not gain any substantial advantage.
The first strike is always better than the last. Surprisingly, he didn't have the advantage in terms of momentum. Mo Buyan's expression darkened considerably. A pair of black Black Iron Gauntlets Eagle Claw Technique, a scorching crimson aura surging from between his claws, and with overwhelming force, he grabbed towards Dugu Jue...
At the same time, a desolate, ancient, and evil aura suddenly emanated from Dugu Jue. Dugu Jue's temperament also changed abruptly, and his eyes were filled with a sense of vicissitude and mad killing intent. Rolling Demonic Qi surged out, making him look like a mad and peerless old demon.
At the same time, in the Quest Hall, all the Inner Sect Disciple carrying Spear suddenly had their Spear ring out in a clear, melodious sound.
Spear Intent!?
Dugu Jue actually comprehended the Spear Intent? This scene caused the expressions of all the Inner Sect Disciple present to change drastically. First, Zhuge Xiang, a disciple who had comprehended the Sword Intent, appeared. Now, Dugu Jue, who had only returned to the Sect Headquarters for half a month, had actually returned with the Spear Intent. Even if he were to comprehend something, shouldn't it be the Sword Intent? Dugu Jue is a Sword Cultivator, after all.
With a slight flicker in his eyes, Zhuge Xiang looked at Dugu Jue's hand. An ancient-looking Spear had appeared in Spear Jue's hand, emanating an aura of ancient evil. Looking into Dugu Jue's eyes, Zhuge Xiang shook his head inwardly.
Spear Intent? Dugu Jue did not comprehend Spear Intent. Judging from his appearance, he was probably controlled by the remaining intent in the Spear in his hand. At this moment, it was more accurate to say that the Magic Artifact controlled the man rather than the man controlling the Magic Artifact.
With a tremor of its Spear, carrying an unstoppable momentum, it instantly unleashed ninety-nine dazzling Spear Blossoms. The dense attack engulfed Mo Buyan in an instant. Amidst screams, twenty-three bloody holes appeared on Mo Buyan's body. If it weren't for the resistance of his own magical Magic Artifact and Protective Qi Barrier, Mo Buyan might have been instantly killed by this attack.
Hundreds of Spear Blossoms blasted Mo Buyan, Second Layer Innate Realm, away. Dugu Jue didn't pursue him; he simply waved his Spear and stored it in his Storage Ring. The desolate and ancient aura around him vanished instantly, and he said in a deep voice, "From today onwards, I will command the First 108th Combat Squad. Does anyone have any objections?"
Looking around, none of the disciples present spoke. They were all stunned by Dugu Jue's power. Mo Buyan, among the three hundred Squad Leader, was only of average or below average strength, but he was still at least at the Second Layer of the Innate Realm. Yet, he was defeated by Dugu Jue with a single spear thrust.
After looking around and seeing that no disciple spoke, Dugu Jue in satisfaction. Finally, his gaze fell on Zhuge Xiang, staring at him intently for a moment. A fierce glint and killing intent burst forth in his eyes, but he did not act on it on the spot. Instead, he turned and left.
Although he wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible, it was inappropriate for someone with his Innate Realm cultivation, who was also the Squad Leader of a combat squad, to challenge a disciple who had just arrived at the Battle Hall to Duel public. Killing him would be a piece of cake for him given his current status.
Watching Dugu Jue leave, Zhuge Xiang showed little fear. Dugu Jue believed that with his cultivation level, killing Zhuge Xiang would be a piece of cake. In fact, in Zhuge Xiang's eyes, wasn't he also Zhuge Xiang's prey?
That Spear stirred Zhuge Xiang's heart even more—a magical Magic Artifact that still retained the will of a powerful being? Perhaps it was a Treasure Artifact.
In the Quest Hall, many of the disciples of the Battle Hall noticed the hostility in Dugu Jue Zhuge Xiang, wondering what their relationship was.
"Senior Brother Mo, your injuries should be fine. Fortunately, you have protective magic Magic Artifact and Innate Astral Qi." Ignoring the gazes of those around him, Zhuge Xiang, who had some connection with Mo Buyan, checked Mo Buyan's injuries and took out a few Healing Pill.
"Junior Brother Zhuge, you need to be careful. I think Dugu Jue seem to have any good intentions towards you," Mo Buyan without any politeness after taking Zhuge Xiang's Healing Pill.
"Don't worry, I have my own plan," Zhuge Xiang said with a nod. Seeing that Mo Buyan's injuries had stabilized considerably, he had several disciples who were on good terms with Mo Buyan help him leave the Quest Hall.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but remembering Zhuge Xiang's ruthless methods at Flower Full Building last night, Mo Buyan stopped talking. Dugu Jue was strong, but Zhuge Xiang was no weakling either, and he was ruthless enough. It was hard to say who would suffer in their confrontation.
Back at his residence, Zhuge Xiang looked at Xiao Yue, who was still lying listlessly on the ground, snoring evenly. These days, Xiao Yue's mental state had been getting worse and worse. Before, it would lie on Zhuge Xiang's shoulder, but now it was too lazy to even go out the door. Out of the twelve hours a day, it slept for ten hours.
Fortunately, Zhuge Xiang could sense that Xiao Yue's aura was getting stronger and stronger these days, which didn't seem like a bad thing. Moreover, Xiao Yue said that although she was not in good spirits, she felt very comfortable when she slept.
For the next ten days, Zhuge Xiang was unable to participate in missions because he did not join a combat team. However, he continued to challenge his senior brothers in the Battle Hall. All the senior brothers he challenged were at the Void Splitting Realm. On average, he had to challenge dozens of the Battle Hall disciples every day.
Knowing Zhuge Xiang's strength, these disciples of the Battle Hall avoided him like the plague. Later on, even all the disciples at the Void Splitting Realm would take a detour when they saw him, not even giving him a chance to propose Duel.
At first, Zhuge Xiang could gain a considerable amount of experience from Duel, but later he found it difficult to find a fight. Although Lu Yuling tried to recruit many admirers to Zhuge Xiang's side as shields, it was all in vain.
Ten days passed, and as time went on, the experience gained became less and less. Looking at his own cultivation level, he had only improved by one level, reaching the seventh level of the Meridian Opening Realm. After much deliberation, Zhuge Xiang finally made a bold decision.
He took out a wooden plaque, and with a flourish of his brush, wrote several crooked and illegible characters, "A disciple of the Battle Hall at the seventh level of the Meridian Opening Realm challenges all disciples of the Inner Sect at the Void Splitting Realm. The victor will receive one low-grade Spirit Stone."
Carrying this wooden sign, Zhuge Xiang at the entrance of the Blood Hall, stuck it in the ground, and stood there defiantly, refusing to leave. (To be continued...)