A streak of golden flame soared into the sky, reached its heights in an instant, then swept down and stopped atop the ritual platform.
Dust rose all around, and hundreds upon thousands of crystalline sparks sprayed outward like a brilliant torch-tree in full bloom, illuminating everything within five zhang in dazzling, glittering radiance.
Only after several breaths did the crackling rumble finally subside for a moment.
Then.
Wang Dian's figure slowly emerged.
He looked coldly at Chen Heng on the other side of the platform, undisguised arrogance on his face and a sharp, intimidating gleam in his eyes.
"You're not bad, defeating so many people. But you're still far from being a match for me, Wang Dian!"
He casually waved a hand, opened his mouth, and said:
"Beyond every man stands another, and beyond every heaven lies another heaven. Today, I'll let you truly learn what that means!"
Chen Heng paid no heed to Wang Dian's bold declaration and could not be bothered to waste words with him.
He merely seized the time to draw the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into his body, replenishing his depleted true qi and taking the opportunity to regulate his breathing.
For a time.
The situation remained at an impasse.
A slight hush settled over the arena...
After a brief silence, the spectators below the platform.
Finally could no longer restrain themselves and began discussing it animatedly, their enthusiasm blazing.
It was no wonder they reacted this way. The coming contest truly offered plenty to talk about.
One was the son of a North Sea fisherman, yet he had encountered an immense stroke of fortune in childhood and was treasured by the Tianchi Jiang Clan.
Not only had they personally brought him into their clan's blessed land and grotto-heaven to cultivate, but they