Zhao Feng's calm words made Huo Yao pause. For a moment, she felt dazed; the Junior Brother Zhao before her seemed both unfamiliar and familiar.
He seemed somewhat different from the honest, slightly wooden Junior Brother Zhao she remembered.
Then again, that unremarkable Junior Brother Zhao with his mediocre root bone had already made the Dragon-Tiger Ranking before she even realized it.
Seeing her lost in thought, Zhao Feng explained:
"If I avoided the fight, I really would become his stepping stone."
If he refused to fight, he truly would become a laughingstock. The entire Nine Yang Gate would lose face.
Besides, there was no need to avoid the fight.
"All right!" Huo Yao nodded.
"By the way, my father sent a letter. The Demonic Sect has been preaching more and more openly in Big Stone County, and quite a few believers have sprung up among the common folk." A trace of worry appeared on Huo Yao's face.
"We can't just watch the Demonic Sect grow powerful. We have to do something."
Zhao Feng nodded. His family was all in Big Stone County, so naturally, he could not stand idly by.
Above all, there was still a thorn in his heart: Chu Fan. He had a feeling that Chu Fan might already have returned to Big Stone County.
The next day, at the Nine Yang Gate.
At first light, large numbers of Martial World travelers and disciples from sects and lineages had already gathered at the foot of the mountain.
For the first time in a century of quiet, the Nine Yang Gate was this lively.
More and more people gathered, their numbers soon reaching several hundred.
"The Nine Yang Gate is the final stop on Mu Xingze's Sword-Challenging Journey."
"If he defeats the Nine Yang Gate's fighter, he'll have