At Xu Taiping's roar, every gaze in the arena instantly fell on Jin Hezhi of First Peak.
"Jin Hezhi of First Peak, Xu Taiping of Seventh Peak has challenged you by name. Do you accept?"
Elder Black Dragon's voice rang out then as well.
Unlike usual, its tone now carried a trace of anger alongside its authority.
Clearly, Zhao Linglong's severe injuries had soured its opinion of Jin Hezhi.
Under the present circumstances, refusing would all but destroy Jin Hezhi's reputation.
So, without another word, he leaped straight onto the platform, then cupped his hands toward Elder Black Dragon. "This disciple is willing to fight."
With that, he turned to Xu Taiping, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Please go easy on me, Junior Brother Taiping."
Already standing on the platform, Xu Taiping tightened the strips of Blood Spider Silk cloth around his hands while looking expressionlessly at Jin Hezhi.
"Sure. Kneel and kowtow three times, loud enough for me to hear, and I can consider it."
Jin Hezhi's expression chilled at those words. He snapped open his folding fan with a swish, then said coldly:
"You spurn the face I give you. Don't think I don't know-you fought a hundred men alone at Lotus Temple not through your own strength, but through the Thousand Buddha Kingdom's Power of All Beings Are Equal."
"Still not kowtowing? Once the match starts, it'll be too late."
As though he had not heard Jin Hezhi, Xu Taiping finished binding his palms and fingers with the cloth strips, then reminded him with an utterly serious expression.
At those words, Jin Hezhi's face darkened completely.
Meanwhile, seeing the two reach drawn swords and bent bows after only a few exchanges, the disciples in the surrounding Cloud Tower stands grew intensely excited, certain that a