Chapter Forty-Seven: A...Monkey (Part Three)

As the youths of the Tianwu Empire voiced their outrage, many among the Sacred Land’s delegation flushed with embarrassment. They too felt that their leader’s words and actions were inappropriate. Yet a few of them remained defiant, meeting the Tianwu youths’ glares without the slightest hint of backing down.

“If you’re not convinced, come challenge us! Complaining with words—what kind of man does that?” Some of the Sacred Land’s youths hurried onto the stage to support Felton, while another leapt up, shouting arrogantly.

“This humiliation will not be forgotten. One day, when I am strong enough, I will storm the Sacred Palace myself and wash away this disgrace!” Below the stage, one of the capital’s experts clenched his fists in anger, vowing in his heart to devote himself to cultivation.

Many other youths from the Tianwu Empire stood beside him, fists tightly clenched, harboring the same resolve.

“Hmph! A flock of useless chickens and stray dogs! For your disrespect toward the Sacred Land, I will take your life as well!” The youth on stage sneered darkly as he stepped down, his face clouded with malice.

But before he could reach the front of the Tianwu contingent, his body abruptly halted. A flash of silver streaked past, and in an instant his head flew from his shoulders, blood spurting wildly as his corpse collapsed to the ground.

A cry of shock tore through the crowd, plunging the scene into chaos.

Several disciples from the Sacred Land sprang to their feet. One strode forward, shouting, “Who’s there? Show yourself!”

A spurt of blood answered him. That Sacred Land disciple, too, was beheaded by the silver shadow, his body falling lifeless to the earth.

The faces of the remaining Sacred Land members—the last group to arrive—changed dramatically. Unlike those who had come earlier to Skyshadow City, these were true experts from the Sacred Land, each one a Spirit King. Yet not a single one of them had been able to detect the attacker’s movements.

“A sneak attack from behind? What skill is there in that? If you have courage, show yourself and fight fair!” One of the final arrivals from the Sacred Land stood up, calling out to the skies.

“Hah! Now you want a fair fight? When your people struck earlier, did you consider fairness? And to borrow your own words—if you’re not convinced, come up to the stage!” A calm voice echoed from all directions, drifting through the void.

This was a slap in the face—an obvious and deliberate one. To repay them in their own coin.

“Who are you?” The Sacred Land’s disciples, now on high alert, searched the crowd with wary eyes. Even the young man who had attacked moments ago was standing, staring intently at the Tianwu group.

In the distance, Xiao Chong and the others watched as well, their faces alight with joy. By now, they all had a strong suspicion as to the newcomer’s identity.

“Who are you? Show yourself and fight me!”

“If you want a fight, just come up to the stage!” The icy voice continued to reverberate through the air.

“Hmph! Hiding in the shadows? Let’s go up together and see how fast he really is!” Two youths from the Sacred Land charged onto the stage, cloaked in layers of spiritual energy for protection.

A silver shadow flickered. The instant they landed, their spiritual shields shattered. The figure darted forward—two flashes of blood, two heads soaring through the air, and their bodies dropped just like the others.

“There! Kill him—together!” The Second Holy Son’s weak voice rang out from the Sacred Land’s ranks. Blessed with the speed of the Kunpeng, he could perceive swift things better than most; yet even he saw only a vague outline.

The remaining Sacred Land members surged forward, some unleashing blinding sword energy, others casting powerful spirit techniques toward the spot the Second Holy Son indicated.

But their efforts were in vain.

By the time they reached the spot, it was empty—nothing remained.

“Elder! Are you not ashamed to attack the younger generation of our Sacred Land? Aren’t you afraid our elders will come and bathe this place in blood?” The leading youth from the Sacred Land frowned, calling out loudly to the void. By now, he was convinced that their assailant was an older expert from the Tianwu Empire; otherwise, why hide so thoroughly?

“Ha! You’re as stupid as a pig. Truly, you’re even dumber than a pig! If I were an elder, would the old men you have lurking in the shadows just stand by and watch? I don’t know whether to call you arrogant or just a fool! If not for your elders’ secret protection, would you have made it here in one piece to cause trouble?”

The voice in the void was full of contempt, mocking them without restraint.

“Hmph! Mutong, get up there!” The young man’s face darkened, his tone icy as he spoke to Mutong behind him.

“I’ll go instead! Mutong isn’t skilled in speed—you’re just sending him to his death.” From the Sacred Land’s group, a tall, slender youth stepped forward and leapt onto the dueling platform.

The moment he landed, the silver shadow flickered again, sweeping toward him.

Clang!

“He blocked it! Landon blocked the attack!” The dozen or so remaining Sacred Land members cheered, excitement in their voices.

“Show yourself!” Landon’s longsword was indestructible. He whirled it through the sky, weaving a web of spiritual light and sword energy that enveloped the area.

Blood splattered across the sky.

The shadow reappeared, the sweep of silver sending an arm flying.

No matter how intricate or overwhelming Landon’s swordplay, it could not withstand a single strike.

Blood gushed from his wound, but Landon seemed oblivious. He slashed at a patch of empty air.

A series of piercing screeches sounded.

The next instant, a scene that left everyone stunned unfolded.

From the void appeared a monkey, its fur pure silver. Angered at having its path blocked, the monkey shrieked at Landon.

Then, in a flash, the monkey blurred into a silver shadow, launching itself at Landon.

The ground was soaked in blood, a red mist swirling in the air.

Landon managed to block the monkey’s claws as they struck for his throat, but failed to defend against its attack on his back. A bone-deep gash opened across his spine, blood oozing out.

A monkey so vengeful that, in just two strikes, it had severed the arm and gravely wounded a Spirit King like Landon. The result left everyone aghast.

“Ye Feng… Ye Feng has returned!” For the first time, He Tao’s cherubic face broke into a smile as he announced to the crowd, “He once said that if he could make it back, it would mean he had the power to resolve this crisis.”

In the distance, the people of Skyshadow City erupted in cheers. At last, they knew for certain who had arrived.

“Ye Feng! You’ve finally shown yourself…” On the Sacred Land’s side, Mutong gripped his greatsword, eyes blazing with fury and hatred. With a single stride, he charged up onto the dueling platform.