The Gathering of the Strong

The wind passage had formed, yet none of the powerful figures, Chen Fan included, stepped forward first. They all remained where they stood, and the atmosphere seemed chilly, even oppressive, as though a great battle were about to erupt.

Gong Jiu and Chen Fan locked gazes, both radiating immense momentum. Neither was inferior to the other, though in terms of the Nine Palaces Dao aura, Gong Jiu was somewhat more formidable. After all, he was an existence that had accumulated strength for thousands of years. Had he not been suppressed, he would already have been a match for the Nine Palaces Elder.

The Six-Eared Macaque watched from the side with great interest, a cold smile curling across its lips as it stared meaningfully at Chen Fan. Its pair of golden eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything.

The other powerful figures were also content to watch the show. None hurried toward the Bronze Gate; they all waited to see how matters unfolded.

After several breaths, Gong Jiu ultimately did not make a move. He had only been testing Chen Fan just now, and he had sensed that Chen Fan was no simple opponent. Besides, fighting within this wind passage might very well destroy it. When that happened, both sides would inevitably suffer.

To him, that was not worth it.

"You should understand that killing you would be as easy as crushing an ant," Gong Jiu said coldly as he looked at Chen Fan. It was both a warning and a form of oppression. He was telling Chen Fan that he was only refraining from killing him because of the terrain. If he wished to kill him, it would be no different from trampling an ant to death.

"I'll be waiting anytime," Chen Fan said calmly, without anger.

Gong Jiu swept