The time for the duel was drawing near, and he rushed towards the arena.
Martial Dao was prevalent, and fights were inevitable, so many arenas were built in Yan City.
This allowed Martial Artists with grudges to ascend the arena and duel fairly.
There were two types: one was simply to resolve grudges.
The other was a life-and-death duel, never-ending until one died.
Last time, he was inexplicably provoked by Tian Tong, signed a death pact, and was hit in the back of the head with a punch, almost dying.
Thousands of people gathered around the arena, having rushed over from afar when they heard someone was dueling.
"Is Chen Zheng that good-for-nothing, going to duel Tian Tong again?"
Apart from the hundred or so people present, most did not know who was going to fight in the arena after what happened at the auction house.
"This good-for-nothing truly has a big life; he didn't die even after that last time."
A lot of sneering sounds echoed around. Tian Tong had already ascended the arena. Tian Jingyi was not present, but Tian Yilin and an elder from the Tian Family remained there to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.
He quickened his pace. Time was almost up, and he was eager to kill Tian Tong.
Chen Zheng had a strange feeling, as if a lingering resentment clung to him. It was likely the hatred towards Tian Tong. Only by killing Tian Tong could this resentment disappear, allowing him to truly live again.
This was the most direct reason he initiated the challenge.
"It's almost an hour! Is that good-for-nothing scared and not coming?"
A lot of mocking sounds echoed around the arena.
"A good-for-nothing is a good-for-nothing. He just got lucky. If he dares to come, it's definitely a dead end."
Many supported Tian Tong, mostly to curry favor and build good relations with the Tian Family, for easier development in Yan City later.
A Young Master in brocade clothes, from a minor noble family, scoffed. He had also mocked Chen Zheng at the auction house and had been currying favor with the Tian Family.
"Is that so! Then, can someone like me, who got lucky, teach you a lesson!"
A cold voice suddenly rang out behind the Young Master in brocade clothes. Then, a kick sent the Young Master flying, making him fall face-first.
"I've tolerated you for a long time. Mocking me repeatedly, do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill you!"
Ghost Shadow Seven Steps transformed into an afterimage, standing before the Young Master in brocade clothes. His right foot stomped down hard, and a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out.
"It's Chen Zheng! He's here!"
Before he even ascended the stage, the surrounding mockery almost drowned him, especially from this Young Master in brocade clothes, who kept calling him a good-for-nothing and had popped up several times at the auction house.
"Cough, cough..."
Mouthfuls of fresh blood gushed from the Young Master in brocade clothes, his face pale and weak.
"Is he crazy? He just injured someone as soon as he arrived!"
The crowd automatically parted, creating an empty space. Only Chen Zheng and the Young Master in brocade clothes remained, one standing, one lying.
"You've mocked me so many times. Since courtesy demands reciprocity, I'll give you a grand gift!"
His right foot pressed down little by little. The Young Master in brocade clothes showed a face full of horror.
"Young Master Chen... Young Master Chen, I was wrong, I was really wrong. I'm a scoundrel, please be magnanimous and spare me. I can kowtow to you."
"Too late!"
A powerful Qi force surged down, shattering his Dantian. From then on, he would only be a cripple.
The Young Master in brocade clothes was so scared he soiled himself, his body trembling like a sieve.
This sudden scene shocked countless people.
Even Tian Tong on the stage showed a hint of surprise at this scene. When did this good-for-nothing become so formidable?
Chen Zheng's sudden appearance caught everyone off guard.
The Young Master in brocade clothes lay on the ground, his eyes hollow. Losing his Dantian meant he would forever be a good-for-nothing.
He turned and walked towards the arena. As for the Young Master in brocade clothes, he was just an interlude, a way to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys.
From beginning to end, Tian Tong did not speak. Tian Yilin's gaze revealed strong Killing Intent as he sat in a corner of the arena.
"This is a life-and-death pact. Once signed, both parties will fight to the death. After leaving the arena, neither side is allowed to trouble the other. You have one minute to think."
An old man stepped forward, holding two life-and-death pacts. Every arena had dedicated caretakers, and one couldn't just go up as they pleased.
For example, users of this arena needed to pay a certain amount of gold coins as maintenance fees for the arena.
This was a rule set by the City Lord. Every year, the arenas were severely damaged, and the City Lord's Mansion didn't have enough funds for repairs.
Once the rule was implemented, the number of fights decreased, and Yan City's public order was considered the best among the sixteen cities.
Killing two birds with one stone!
Not only did it improve Yan City's public order, but it also provided additional funds for repairs. It had to be said that the City Lord was indeed a Genius at management.
Tian Tong paid for Chen Zheng's gold coins as well, because he was afraid Chen Zheng couldn't afford the fee and would miss this life-and-death battle.
"No need to think!"
Chen Zheng took the life-and-death pact, signed his name, and handed it to the old man.
Tian Tong did the same, without hesitation. He put away the life-and-death pact, and an ethereal power enveloped the arena, signifying the official start of the life-and-death duel.
"Chen Zheng, you really have a big life. You were so badly injured last time, yet you're still alive. Today, you won't be so lucky. I'll wring your neck."
Tian Tong rubbed his fists. At Houtian Realm sixth-level, his strength exceeded a thousand jin, capable of slaying tigers and wolves. Coupled with Tian Tong being a ruthless individual, no one favored Chen Zheng in this battle.
He remained expressionless, unmoved by Tian Tong's mockery and sneers.
"Make your move!"
He didn't want to waste any more words with Tian Tong. He had to Breakthrough to Houtian Realm eighth-level within a month to survive the Autumn Hunt. Time was running out for him.
"Good-for-nothing, even if you got lucky, you're still a good-for-nothing!"
Tian Tong sneered, his body moved, and his fist struck, heading straight for Chen Zheng's face, truly vicious.
"Kill him! Quick, kill him!"
The moment the fist force formed, loud shouts erupted from below the arena, urging Tian Tong to quickly kill Chen Zheng.
The kind are bullied, and the docile are ridden.
It was vividly demonstrated.
If he weren't the Son of Marquis Chiye, he would probably have died in Yan City long ago.
In the True Martial Continent, the strong prey on the weak, and the strong are revered. Power is everything. In some cases, when power surpasses everything, it transcends even imperial authority.
The fist arrived in a blink of an eye, emitting a series of whooshing sounds, incredibly fast.
The arena was built with hard bluestone; ordinary strength could not harm it in the slightest.
The moment Tian Tong sprang up, a few faint footprints were left on the bluestone. With the force of thunder, it was a lethal strike.
His eyes turned cold, and a faint, almost imperceptible Killing Intent shot out from Chen Zheng's eyes.
He had waited too long for this day. The resentment suppressed in his heart erupted all at once.
"From today onwards, I will forever trample those who mocked and insulted me, starting with you!"
A sharp Aura surged forth, bursting out freely.
"He... he actually Breakthrough to Houtian Realm fifth-level!"
Gasps of surprise came from the crowd, including Tian Tong, who showed a hint of shock. His fist was already in the air, unable to retreat.
Tian Yilin's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected Chen Zheng to hide so deeply, to lie dormant for so long. What was it all for?
"Hmph, so what if you Breakthrough to Houtian Realm fifth-level? I'll still kill you!"
In the Acquired Realm, each Breakthrough significantly increases strength. The two seemed to be only one level apart, but in terms of strength, the fifth and sixth levels differed by about three hundred to five hundred jin.
Tian Tong was tall and well-built, having received excellent training since childhood. He was definitely a top performer among those at Houtian Realm sixth-level; not many could defeat him at the same Realm.
"Kill me?"
Chen Zheng sneered, stepping on the Big Dipper, moving like a colorful butterfly, weaving across the arena, cleverly dodging Tian Tong's killing blow.
"Bang..."
A ripple passed through the air. The punch missed its target, and Chen Zheng mysteriously vanished from his spot.
One move missed, he continued to attack, performing the Tian Family's ultimate technique, Great Wind Fist.
As the fist technique was unleashed, it was like gusts of strong wind howling across the arena.
Swift as a hare and a falcon, as the Great Wind Fist approached, Chen Zheng's body disappeared again without warning. Ghost Shadow Seven Steps was becoming increasingly proficient.
"Bang bang bang..."
Punch after punch, all missing. Chen Zheng continued to dodge. He needed to adapt to Houtian Realm fifth-level; he hadn't truly fought since his Breakthrough.
"Chen Zheng, you coward, if you have the guts, make a move!"
The mockery from below the arena continued, growing louder and louder.