Victory and Defeat Hinge on a Hair's Breadth

—Without realizing it, I've already written two million characters. A sigh, and I ask for monthly votes. This chapter went a bit slowly because I had to restrain my impulse to write long stretches of description and correct this flaw. Well, it feels pretty good.

Shen Chenxi rose to his feet, smiled faintly, and cupped his hands in salute before confidently taking the lead into the Lesser Thousand World.

Shi Xuan's heart remained unruffled. Amid the regretful sighs of the many Heavenly Sovereigns and a chorus of "What a pity," he stepped out from behind the table. Only Meng Nishang remained as cold and indifferent as ever, while Shen Yimo was still sharp yet tranquil. They seemed to think Shi Xuan might not be without a sliver of a chance, especially Meng Nishang. Her attitude calmed Kong Ran, who had felt rather indignant. Since Meng Nishang had spent so many years with Shi Xuan, perhaps she knew that he possessed some method capable of defeating Shen Chenxi before the Decay Tribulation descended upon him.

"Please make the first move, True Lord Shi." After they exchanged formalities, Shen Chenxi spoke with the same smile as in the previous two matches, except without all those long-winded explanations. Everyone already understood the situation clearly, and he was quite wary of Shi Xuan's Calamity Fate Great Dao. Starlight flickered in his eyes, as though he might release beams a foot long in the next instant and manifest the Tribulation Fate chessboard, that bizarre fusion of natal Spirit Treasure and Immortal Technique.

Shi Xuan followed suit. "Then Shi shall comply respectfully rather than stand on ceremony." A dim white sword light unfurled. Within it, a Myriad Stars Array world containing countless constellations formed seven resplendent stars, drawing aside the dark clouds in the sky.