Shangguan Wudi

Lintian Dao Domain.

A cluster of floating islands.

This was the territory of the Shangguan clan, a hegemonic power in the Heavenly Realm.

The news released by the Heavenly Mystery Tower naturally reached the Shangguan clan as well.

"What? Someone's challenging the Young Clan Master? Is there still anyone who thinks they're that capable these days?"

"It's been many years since anyone like that appeared. It's quite normal for one to pop up now. It'll be fun to watch."

"No, didn't you guys notice the situation at the Heavenly Mystery Tower earlier? That golden portal has quite the presence.

The golden light illuminated the entire Lintian Dao Domain. It clearly wasn't simple. Maybe this time won't be like before?"

"I saw it, but I still don't think the Young Clan Master will lose."

On a central floating island.

This floating island had only one grand hall.

The hall was magnificent and grand, exuding an extraordinary aura.

This was precisely the palace of Shangguan Wudi, the Young Clan Master of the Shangguan clan.

Inside the palace.

A young man dressed in a golden, ornate robe, with sharp sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and an imposing demeanor, was currently stunned.

"Hmm? Someone's challenging me?"

A moment later, a smile spread across Shangguan Wudi's lips.

"Excellent! Hahahaha! Finally, someone else is challenging me!

My invincible life~ it's too lonely! I won't use a projection; I'll come in person!"

Confirming that someone was indeed challenging him, Shangguan Wudi burst into excited laughter.

With that thought, he jumped up, ready to dance.

"Wait, I'll dance after the fight. Hmm."

With that, he vanished from his spot.

Heavenly Mystery Tower.

At a fighting arena.

This was a place specially provided by the Heavenly Mystery Tower for those challenging the rankings to battle.

Anyone whose name was on the rankings could automatically have their projection descend.

Of course, this required their consciousness to control it remotely.

"Little Jiu, go."

Arriving before the arena, Ye Chang'an said to Zhao Jiu.

He had only arranged for Zhao Jiu to challenge.

Although his own cultivation realm was sufficient, it was unnecessary.

Firstly, he was already in the Heavenly Saint realm. Within the three major realms, no one could defeat him, not even Zhao Jiu. There was no need for him to fight for this ranking.

Secondly, if Zhao Jiu, as a disciple of the Primordial Divine Hall, went up, would their esteemed Hall Master need to go up himself?

Just as Zhao Jiu was about to step onto the arena, Tian Xuan, clad in white, suddenly appeared.

"Master, Shangguan Wudi has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Bai Wenxuan's eyebrows twitched.

He then smiled and said, "It seems he wants to personally come and defend his spot on the rankings."

"Tian Xuan, bring Shangguan Wudi over."

Soon, Tian Xuan brought a visibly excited Shangguan Wudi to the arena.

"Brother, are you the one challenging me?"

Seeing Zhao Jiu standing on the arena, Shangguan Wudi immediately asked with a smile.

He was so excited that he didn't even notice Zhao Jiu's unfathomable cultivation realm.

Zhao Jiu nodded calmly, remaining silent.

"Yoho, quite aloof. Trying to act like a master, huh?"

Shangguan Wudi didn't mind and cheerfully stepped onto the stage.

Well, he didn't look like a master anyway.

This scene caused Ye Chang'an and Shangguan Shi to pause in surprise.

This... are you sure this is the top-ranked Heavenly Prodigy?

Seeing Ye Chang'an look at him, Bai Wenxuan smiled and nodded.

His expression seemed to say, Just get used to it, he's like this.

On the stage.

One person was cold as ice, the other radiant as the sun.

"Brother, my name is Shangguan Wudi. I'll hold back later, you go ahead."

"I suggest you make the first move."

Zhao Jiu finally spoke.

"Oh? Alright, I like your confidence."

With that, an aura of the half-step Heavenly Venerate Realm surged from Shangguan Wudi's body.

He instantly vanished from his spot.

Soon, Shangguan Wudi appeared before Zhao Jiu and threw a powerful punch.

Seeing this, Zhao Jiu flicked his finger.

One finger met one fist.

Space warped, and Shangguan Wudi was sent flying backward.

"What! What realm is he!"

Shangguan Wudi, who had stopped himself, was stunned.

"Young Master Shangguan, he's in the Heavenly Lord Realm."

Bai Wenxuan, outside the stage, reminded him kindly.

As soon as these words were spoken, Shangguan Wudi on the stage froze.

"What did you say? Heavenly Lord Realm? Isn't this the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking?"

Shangguan Wudi asked in disbelief.

"Young Master Shangguan, he's not even as old as you. To be precise, he's not yet a hundred years old."

Listening to Bai Wenxuan's words, Shangguan Wudi felt like the words were entering his ears but piercing his heart.

"Do you still want to fight?"

Seeing Shangguan Wudi's state, Zhao Jiu asked.

"Yes! The top spot is yours, but I want you to suppress your realm and fight me, can you?"

He knew he couldn't win, but Shangguan Wudi didn't care that much. He wanted to fight Zhao Jiu at the same level even more.

He hadn't encountered an opponent in too long.

Meeting such a monstrous talent, how could he not fight?

Hearing this, Zhao Jiu looked at Ye Chang'an.

Ye Chang'an nodded.

In Ye Chang'an's opinion, this Shangguan Wudi was quite interesting.

Since the other party wanted an opponent, he naturally had to fulfill his wish.

"Come on."

Seeing Ye Chang'an agree, Zhao Jiu directly suppressed his realm to the half-step Heavenly Venerate Realm.

"Hehe, take this!"

Shangguan Wudi laughed heartily and threw another punch, simple yet incredibly powerful, just like before.

Across from him, Zhao Jiu stood still and responded with a punch of his own.

The result was the same. Shangguan Wudi was sent flying backward again.

"No! Didn't you suppress your realm?"

Shangguan Wudi looked confused.

"Give it your all, or it won't be interesting at all."

Zhao Jiu said calmly.

"Annihilation Divine Bone!" Shangguan Wudi shouted lowly.

At the same time, a sacred light emanated from his back, and his aura surged dramatically, as if comparing heaven and earth to before.

"Not bad."

Sensing this aura, Zhao Jiu nodded.

Shangguan Wudi's fist once again appeared before Zhao Jiu.

Visible cracks appeared in space.

Seeing this, Zhao Jiu still threw a simple and unadorned punch, but its power was much greater than before.

This time, Shangguan Wudi wasn't repelled; the two were locked in a stalemate.

"No way! I'm already using my Annihilation Divine Bone, and you're doing this to me? I'm losing face!"

Even though he was exerting great strength and his face was flushed, Shangguan Wudi still had to say this.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiu's lips curved into a rare, slight smile.

This made Shangguan Wudi pause.

He looks quite good when he smiles.

But the next moment, he realized something was wrong.

He felt a tremendous force surge through his fist. Before he could even speak, Shangguan Wudi was sent flying backward again.

"Do you want to continue?"

"Of course!"

Shangguan Wudi's face was full of determination.

Just then, in the middle of his back, a sword-shaped bone began to radiate divine light.

"A Sword Bone? It looks decent," Zhao Jiu commented.

"Just decent? You'll know once you try it!" Shangguan Wudi chuckled, and a mystical, powerful Sword Intent surged from around him.

At the same time, the Annihilation Divine Bone continued to amplify his strength.

"Be careful, this sword strike is very powerful," he said, offering a kind warning. Shangguan Wudi then formed his fingers into a sword and slashed out.