Taunts! Schemes! Enemies on a narrow road

A figure slowly stepped forward.

Under everyone's gaze, he waved to the crowd as though this were his own personal show.

"So you're the one called Ye Tian Heng?"

"You're Yu Feng? Your martial soul is the Wind Chime Bird? No wonder your chirping is so damn annoying."

After stepping into the arena, Ning Chengyi swept his gaze over the others before settling on Yu Feng and mocking him.

"You!" Yu Feng's expression instantly changed. "Who are you?" Yu Tianheng asked curiously, looking at Ning Chengyi. He had never seen this person before.

He certainly wasn't a student of the Heavenly Apex Class.

"I've never changed my name, and I've nothing to hide. Ning Chengyi!"

Ning Chengyi smiled at the thoroughly infuriated Yu Feng.

Outside the arena, Yu Shuo had been watching curiously to see who had stepped forward. His eyes suddenly widened as he stared at that figure.

In an instant, rage erupted in his chest, and his eyes blazed with fury.

"Eldest Brother, he's the one who beat me!"

Yu Shuo's powerful shout instantly drowned out the crowd's cries, echoing clearly throughout the sparring hall.

"What?! You?!"

Yu Tianheng was startled to hear this, then a smile appeared on his face.

The other team members also knew a little about what had happened.

"Brother Yu, that's him?" Dugu Yan took a few steps closer and asked quietly.

"Yes, there's no mistake. If Yu Shuo dared to shout it out in front of everyone, it has to be this bastard."

Yu Tianheng stared at Ning Chengyi, almost grinding his teeth. This was the person who had disgraced his clan. He had actually dared to humiliate the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Unforgivable!

"I was wondering which dumbass that was. Turns out it's the little lizard!"

Ning Chengyi looked toward the Imperial Fighting Team's supporters and spotted Yu Shuo, already back on his feet and full of energy. His face filled with disdain as he mocked him.

"You're asking to die!" Before Yu Shuo could answer, Yu Tianheng had already erupted in anger. He had searched for this man for ages without success, only to find him here. And Ning Chengyi still dared to taunt them. He was courting death!

Ning Chengyi picked at his ear, his gaze flippant and contemptuous. "Not a little lizard? What are you, an earthworm?" His mockery only grew sharper.

An uproar swept through the spectators.

"What? He's the one behind that incident everyone was talking about a while ago?"

"That one's called Yu Shuo. He's a spoiled brat who got beaten up recently. I never expected the one who did it to be from the Heavenly Apex Class."

"Enemies really do meet on a narrow road."

"Shh! I heard Yu Tianheng took some people to look for him, but they couldn't find him."

"So now they've met their enemy face-to-face. They must be furious!"

The murmurs left Yu Shuo, seated off to the side, looking livid. After all, this was hardly something to be proud of.

In the arena, Yu Tianheng's face had flushed slightly, and his entire body seemed to tremble with rage.

"Coordinate with me in a moment. Let's crush them!"

Ning Chengyi walked over to Ye Heng, deliberately positioning himself half a step ahead of him.

Ye Heng frowned at this, but, unusually, said nothing.

"We've got enough people now. Can we start? What's with all the dawdling? Is dawdling all you're good at?"

Ning Chengyi couldn't care less how angry Yu Tianheng was. In fact, provoking him was precisely the point. They would be easier to deal with once they lost their composure.

"Ye Heng, you handle the others. Leave the poison user to me."

"All right." Ye Heng agreed without a second thought, leaving the others startled.

"The rest of you follow Ye Heng's instructions. I've got my own way of fighting, so don't worry about me. Just pretend I'm not here."

Ning Chengyi gave them these brief instructions.

Though Yu Tianheng was furious, he hadn't lost his reason.

"Yanzi, look for an opening to use your poison. Make sure you teach Ning Chengyi a lesson he won't forget."

"Everyone else, stick to the original plan."

"Yes."

Noticing Yu Tianheng's icy gaze, Ning Chengyi followed it to Dugu Yan. With a slight smile, he drew a finger across his throat.

The Imperial Fighting Team saw every bit of this, and all seven members instantly seethed with anger.

"Keep them occupied. I'll go beat that bastard up and let him taste my poison."

Dugu Yan spoke coldly, her gaze vicious.

"We're holding this event today to encourage everyone else. So, without further ado, I declare... let the match begin!"

Meng Shenji watched the excited people both inside and outside the arena with delight. Unwilling to spoil their mood, he immediately announced the start, and the atmosphere instantly heated up.

The moment his words fell, the Imperial Fighting Team unleashed their martial souls and soul power.

The Heavenly Apex Class refused to be outdone. Most eye-catching of all was Ning Chengyi's purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring, which he possessed despite being only a Soul Master.

The instant it appeared, the spectators were stunned.

But before they could dwell on their shock, the battle erupted.

Within the Imperial Fighting Team, the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo both stepped forward. With their Xuanwu Tortoise martial souls possessing them, they resembled Shield Dogs, Twin Ghosts at the Gate. Like two men holding a pass against ten thousand, they completely blocked the Heavenly Apex Class's frontal assault.

Yu Feng and Osler took the left and right respectively. Wind intertwined with shadow as a bird-man and a leopard instantly swept around the flanks, their coordination exceptionally deft.

At the very back stood Ye Lingling with her Nine Heart Begonia. A pale golden glow flowed around her as she watched every change in the arena, ready to heal at any moment.

"Attack!" Yu Tianheng growled. Martial Soul Possession took hold, and the soul rings beneath his feet flashed. Battle was about to erupt!

Ye Heng showed no panic whatsoever. With a trace of killing intent, a lion roared, and his soul rings flared. He opened with his third soul skill.

"Blazing Sun Roar!" A terrifying surge of heat blasted out with lightning speed.

Lightning flickered and coiled around Yu Tianheng. "First soul skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!" A dragon claw formed from lightning lunged at the incoming shockwave. The two collided, electricity crackling instantly. Both men retreated several steps, but Yu Tianheng clearly had the upper hand!

Seeing their leaders attack, the others abandoned all hesitation. Both sides struck at once, unleashing their strongest powers against one another.

Dugu Yan drew the most attention.

She had transformed into a Jade Phosphorous Serpent, her lower body already serpentine. Her eyes shone with supreme arrogance and confidence as she surveyed the arena, then fixed her gaze on Ning Chengyi, who was hiding in a corner. Her lips curved into a mocking smile.

"Found you, little mouse!"

"Let's give you a taste of my snake venom!"

At this sight, curiosity stirred among the spectators.

Could this fellow whose first soul ring was purple survive now that Dugu Yan had set her sights on him?

Or just how much torment would he have to endure before he could get the antidote?

Speculation abounded, but off to the side, delight flickered across Ning Chengyi's face.

He had deliberately positioned himself in the corner to appear weak. More importantly, he wanted to attract Dugu Yan's attention.

"Protect Ning Chengyi!"

Seeing Dugu Yan's expression, Ye Heng deliberately let a trace of panic show and shouted.

The others froze for a moment, then seemed to realize something. They immediately tried to retreat while fighting, but Yu Tianheng revealed a cruel smile.

"Hahaha! You want to protect him? Too late!"

With that, Yu Tianheng unleashed the full force of his aura, no longer making any attempt to test his opponents. His power as a Soul Elder erupted, bearing down on the opposing side.

"Yanzi, it's up to you!"