Fang Yuan dared to challenge a Golden Core Stage cultivator when he was still in the Qi Condensation Stage, let alone now that he is at the third level of the Foundation Establishment Stage.
However, his previous battles always involved cooperating with others; he had never truly practiced challenging someone far above his cultivation level.
Wu Yong is at the seventh level of the Foundation Establishment Stage, and in Fang Yuan's eyes, his cultivation level was not much different from his own; it was merely that his spiritual power was a bit more profound, and he was more proficient in spells.
In these two aspects, Fang Yuan was not weaker than his opponent; he even surpassed him.
It wasn't just Fang Yuan; other players were the same. As long as they increased their cultivation technique proficiency, they could easily master them, which was why many players could challenge those above their level.
Of course, some exceptional geniuses were excluded; they possessed unique talents and could not be judged by the standards of ordinary cultivators.
And Wu Yong, apparently, was not on the genius list.
The Ten Thousand Souls Banner fluttered in mid-air, and six Foundation Establishment Stage vengeful spirits transformed into black mist, swirling around the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, ready to obey Fang Yuan's command at any moment.
"Go!"
With a wave of Fang Yuan's hand, the six vengeful spirits charged towards Wu Yong, baring their fangs and claws.
The disciples who were watching the commotion finally arrived, a dense crowd gathering outside the courtyard.
More than a dozen elders from Zuo Feng (Left Peak) all appeared, but they did not step forward to intervene. Instead, they stood in the void, silently observing.
The Demonic Sect had always advocated for killing and practiced a management style of survival of the fittest; strength was the ultimate truth.
Wu Yong quickly retreated a step, taking out a black scythe from his storage ring. Black energy billowed from it, and countless vengeful spirits roared within.
The black scythe floated above Wu Yong's head, and in an instant, the sky darkened, becoming pitch black.
Wu Yong formed hand seals, using himself as the array core and the vengeful spirits as the wicks.
Puff, puff—
Within the pitch-black space, clusters of green flames mysteriously appeared, suspended in mid-air. At their base, red lines connected to each other, forming a closed-loop hexagonal starburst.
"Law Manifestation Yama, come out!"
Rumble—
A pair of bone hands stretched out from within the hexagonal starburst, followed by a skull, a torso, and leg bones.
The skeleton was enormous, standing nearly ten zhang tall when upright, level with the nearby mountain peaks.
The six Foundation Establishment Stage vengeful spirits howled as they arrived.
The giant skeleton let out a massive roar, wielding its bone blade and slashing straight down.
Bang—
The ground cracked, and the entire courtyard turned to ashes. The powerful aftershock blew away the crowd of onlookers, sending them sprawling, crying out in pain.
"It seems Wu Yong learned from Gongyang's mistake of underestimating his opponent. This is just the beginning, and he's already unleashing all his spiritual power. If nothing unexpected happens, Fang Yuan is going to lose," an elder commented.
At this moment, more than twenty elders arrived late, including Min Hong and the old woman.
Many direct disciples also came along, positioning themselves on all sides, watching with cold eyes.
Qin Hao appeared outside the battlefield, supporting his injured body. He did not go forward to help; instead, he moved a table over and loudly shouted, "Place your bets, place your bets! Bet on Wu Yong to win, 1 to 1.5 odds! Bet on Fang Yuan to win, 1 to 10 odds!"
"Betting time is one minute! This chance to get rich is only once, hurry!"
Everyone was attracted by his voice and turned their gaze towards him.
"What if you don't have money to pay?" a disciple questioned.
"Does this daddy lack your spirit stones?" Qin Hao snorted coldly, exchanged dozens of high-grade spirit stones from the shop, and threw them all onto the table.
"You dare to set up a gambling den with so few spirit stones? That's truly laughable," a disciple said with disdain.
"What about adding these?"
Just then, Min Hong landed beside Qin Hao, pulled out a large bag of spirit stones from her storage ring, threw them at Qin Hao's feet, and whispered, "Fifty-fifty split."
Qin Hao gave her an inexplicable look, showing her no face at all, and said coldly, "At most thirty-seventy. If it's less, Fang Yuan will definitely throw the fight."
"No problem," Min Hong readily agreed.
With Min Hong's guarantee, all the disciples immediately swarmed forward.
"I bet on Senior Brother Wu Yong, one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones!"
"I bet one hundred high-grade spirit stones, on Senior Brother Wu Yong."
"Bet on Senior Brother Wu Yong, one million low-grade spirit stones!"
"I don't have spirit stones, I'll bet a spirit-grade weapon!"
"And me, I'll also bet on Senior Brother Wu Yong!"
Looking at the mountain of spirit stones, Qin Hao couldn't stop smiling.
There were too many people, and he couldn't register them all, so he simply called Zhao Mubai and his group to help with registration and collection.
"Bet ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, Fang Yuan wins."
Just as the betting time was about to end, Liu Meiqing suddenly appeared in front of Qin Hao. After throwing down a bag of spirit stones, she disappeared from the spot.
Qin Hao was slightly stunned, thinking to himself that things had gone wrong.
Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, multiplied by ten, would be one hundred thousand. If Fang Yuan won, they wouldn't earn much; the bulk would go to this little girl.
Damn it!
Qin Hao had never considered that Fang Yuan would lose, and indeed, that was the case.
Fang Yuan dodged the giant skeleton's attacks while observing Qin Hao's movements.
Seeing that the betting time had ended, he decisively pulled away, exchanged a long blade from the shop, and raised it high.
His eyes were fixed on the giant skeleton in front of him, battle intent boiling, spiritual power surging into the long blade in his hand.
Bang—
A ball of black flame attached itself to the blade, then grew more and more intense.
Meanwhile, Fang Yuan's vitality was rapidly disappearing.
"What is he doing?" an elder asked, frowning.
"He seems to be feeding the blade with his life. What a domineering blade art."
"I actually feel a hint of threat from him. It's incredible."
"Should we stop him? If this continues, even if he doesn't die, his foundation will be damaged."
"No need. This is his own choice. If we stop him from swinging the blade now, his will might not be fulfilled in the future, which would only harm him."
Min Hong stopped the elders, her eyes fixed on Fang Yuan.
In this battle, if Fang Yuan could truly successfully defeat Wu Yong by challenging someone above his level, she would recommend Fang Yuan to the higher-ups of the Hehuan Sect, allowing him to represent the Hehuan Sect in the North-South Hegemony Competition.
"Fang Yuan, don't disappoint me," Min Hong murmured softly.
"Demon Flame Seven Absolute Blades!"
"First Blade, Indomitable Blade Intent, Unbreakable by Demons, Slash!"
The blade intent pierced through the clouds, carrying rolling black flames as it slashed down.
The giant skeleton raised its bone blade to block.
Bang—
A terrifying aftershock swept through everything around, and black flames engulfed this part of the world.
Several elders secretly cried out in alarm, and all of them cast barriers to protect the disciples.
"Second Blade, Unending Blade Intent, Unsurpassable by Heaven, Slash!"
Crack, the bone blade in the giant skeleton's hand made a crisp sound, shattered by the sharp blade intent.
"Pfft..." Wu Yong's face changed, and he clutched his chest, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.
He once again condensed his magic power, continuing to supply spiritual power to the giant skeleton.
The bone blade that had just shattered re-condensed, slashing fiercely towards Fang Yuan.
"Third Blade, Unangered Blade Intent, Unconquerable by Gods!"
This time, Fang Yuan's figure swayed precariously, blood began to flow from his seven orifices, his face was devoid of color, and he looked as if he had aged decades.
The sky darkened once again, and the blade energy collided with the bone blade, instantly exploding.
Crack, crack—
The giant skeleton's entire arm shattered, and countless cracks spread across its chest.
In contrast, the long blade in Fang Yuan's hand broke inch by inch, turning into nothingness and dissipating into the world.
"Is it over?" someone asked with uncertainty.
"Fang Yuan is truly too strong; he almost broke Senior Brother Wu Yong's Law Manifestation Yama."
"No, the winner hasn't been decided yet! Look, Fang Yuan still has the strength to fight!"
Everyone's gaze simultaneously focused on Fang Yuan.
That swaying figure now stood tall and straight, his battle intent not decreasing but increasing.
"If this child doesn't die, his future is limitless; he has the potential of an Immortal Venerable," the old woman exclaimed involuntarily.
"Demon Flame Seven Absolute Blades, Fourth Blade!"
"Undefeated Blade Intent, Unsealable by Saints!"
"Slash!!!"
