Unrivaled Martial Emperor

Chapter 428 - Grand Occasion

“Chen Fan and Feng Tianxia, in a life and death battle?”

The disciple, who had just returned from a mission, looked lost. It felt like all good and exciting things happened as soon as he left the sect.

The impatient disciple saw this as an excellent opportunity to spread some juicy gossip.

“Ah, it seems you're out of the loop. Come with me to the Life and Death Hall. I'll fill you in on the way.” The impatient disciple now looked complacent and wore a smile.

“You know about Chen Fan completing his holy disciple mission, right?”

“Yes. I left to complete my mission a month ago and just came back.”

“Okay. I'll fill you in on the events of the past month then.” The disciple nodded and continued, “Ten days ago, Feng Tianxia suddenly challenged Chen Fan to a life-and-death battle.”

“Huh, why? Did they always have such a deep grudge? If not, why the sudden challenge?”

“Heh, his excuse was that Chen Fan killed Tianxia Society’s Song Yang and a few others, but no one knows the specifics. However, rumors say that Feng Tianxia met Senior Brother Duan Jingtian and obtained his support. He is likely at the fifth level now.”

The recently returned disciple was also a smart man, so he caught on quickly.

"So, you're saying..."

"Loose lips sink ships. I didn't say anything.”

The recently returned disciple immediately covered his mouth, his eyes trembling.

......

The red sun gradually rose higher into the sky.

The news of Chen Fan and Feng Tianxia’s battle had spread to every corner of the sect, so almost everyone rushed to the Life and Death Hall at the appointed time.

The Life and Death Hall was enormous, but all the disciples present made it seem cramped.

Then again, it was inevitable.

After all, one of the fighters was a ferocious figure whose prowess ranked among the sect's top ten. Naturally, his involvement in a life-and-death fight created ripples akin to a boulder thrown into a tranquil lake.

Meanwhile, Chen Fan, though newly appointed, enjoyed fame equal to, if not surpassing, that of Feng Tianxia.

After all, he had emerged as a dark horse at the Four Sects Martial Arts Competition, killed three alliance executives, and provoked Duan Jingtian into ignoring the rules and taking action against him. In a manner of speaking, he was solely responsible for Duan Jingtian's punishment.

Duan Jingtian was an idol to countless disciples within the sect. No one dared to challenge him, not even the holy disciples. Yet, Chen Fan had done exactly that on numerous occasions.

Moreover, his golden core tribulation was terrifying, utterly overshadowing Duan Jingtian’s, which was a testament to his monstrous talent.

Within the inner sect, Chen Fan's renown was on par with that of Duan Jingtian now.

So, the fight between two such influential disciples was bound to draw attention.

For the past ten days, anticipation had been mounting.

“Quick, look, that’s the holy disciple Zhang Can, ranked eighteenth among the holy disciples!”

“Ding Yi is also here. He’s ranked twentieth.”

“Heavens, holy disciples usually don’t appear in public, but it seems all of them will be here today.”

“Look, over there, it’s Nangong Liuli, the only female holy disciple. Ranked fourth, she's as formidable as any man. She’s my idol. Her beauty is said to be capable of toppling cities and kingdoms."

“Yue Zhongtian and Lei Wushuang are also here. They are ranked fifth and third respectively!”

As the holy disciples appeared one after another, the atmosphere in the Life and Death Hall kept heating up.

Holy disciples were lofty existences, rarely seen by the masses. To witness even one in a lifetime was considered a rare privilege.

Now, as they appeared one after another, how could the crowd not be thrilled?

“What a gathering of talents, what grandeur! Nearly a dozen holy disciples are already here, and they also seem eager to see the fight.”

“Gongsun Long! He is ranked second!”

“Whew, holy crap, to witness more than half of the holy disciples today, it would be worth dying for."

“......”

The appearance of the holy disciples heightened the excitement to a fever pitch.

The holy disciples on friendly terms clustered together, occupying an area in the sky. The others exuded a cold aura that deterred others from coming closer, occupying an area alone and receiving countless gazes and admiration from the juniors.

Someone appeared at the entrance of the Life and Death Hall, slowly walking over. He wore a silvery-white long robe and had an overbearing and fierce aura. His gaze was deep, and every step he took seemed to synchronize with the crowd's heartbeat.

The newcomer sparked a flurry of whispers and murmurs among the crowd.

“Feng Tianxia!”

Feng Tianxia walked straight towards the life and death arena inside the hall. Everywhere he passed, the crowd opened up a path for him, their expressions filled with awe.

The core members of the Tianxia Society walked behind him. Their auras erupted, linking as one and stirring the air. The crowd heard a hum that gave off a sense of oppression.

They were Feng Tianxia’s most loyal guards, trailing behind him with incomparably stern gazes, examining the crowd. No one dared to meet their gazes, choosing instead to lower their heads.

The piercing stares of the holy disciples in the air fixated on him, scanning him from top to bottom, wanting to see through him.

“Feng Tianxia...”

“As expected, he has advanced to the fifth level!”

As soon as they sensed that Feng Tianxia had advanced, the gazes of the top fifteen holy disciples, like Yue Zhongtian or Lei Wushuang, turned stern.

The crowd whispered among themselves, their gazes periodically sweeping toward the entrance of the Life and Death Hall.

“Feng Tianxia is already here. I wonder when Chen Fan will arrive?”

“Could it be that he’s scared and doesn’t dare to come like a coward?”

“It would be too embarrassing if that were the case.”

“......”

Everyone eagerly waited for Chen Fan to arrive.

As time passed, impatience began to set in. The sun climbed higher, casting a dry, sweltering heat upon the gathering. Many began to display signs of restlessness.

“Why isn’t he here yet? Is he really too afraid to come?”

“What’s the hurry? You’re just an observer, but you’re more anxious than the person involved. Can’t you see that Feng Tianxia is just waiting quietly?”

“Just wait patiently. Since he’s accepted the challenge, Chen Fan will not cower from the fight.”

Suddenly, a sharp sound pierced the air, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.

“He’s here!”