The three days passed in the blink of an eye, and Wang Wu, accompanied by Qingxue, arrived at the bow of the Spirit-Catching Ship. Here, the Cricket Dragon had already adjusted the Three Calamities Long Sails, forming a space with a radius of five hundred miles, and the upper part was accessible, allowing one to jump off the Spirit-Catching Ship to fight at any time.

Five hundred and sixty Taiyi cultivators from the Frost Domain had basically all gathered, causing a commotion as they were otherwise bored.

Moreover, this competition was surprisingly for the position of an away Sub-Pavilion Master.

Since when could the Frost Monarch’s words be disregarded?

However, everyone saw the Frost Monarch sitting there, face pale, aura sharp, clearly warning strangers to stay away, and they understood. The fiercer one’s outward demeanor, the more it hinted at a guilty conscience.

Her injuries had never healed.

Looking at the other Taiyi Eighth Tier cultivator from the Frost Domain, the Frost Monarch’s father, everything became clearer to them.

Is this a small matter?

Yes, it’s just a small matter, merely a quota, not even the final result.

Yet the Frost Monarch’s father seemingly intentionally used this trivial matter to reclaim the authority from the Frost Monarch’s hands...

It seemed as though the Frost Monarch also tacitly consented.

When Wang Wu arrived, looking from afar at the Frost Monarch, his heart was very complicated.

The Frost Monarch seemed to have sensed his gaze, looked over immediately, her expression unchanged, her eyes sharp, piercing him with pain.

It felt as if they had suddenly become strangers.

"I’m here!"

Qingxue, for some reason, suddenly grasped Wang Wu’s hand and spoke softly with gentle words.

Wang Wu nodded, realizing he seemed a bit out of place, gently squeezing Qingxue’s hand. Only then did he fly toward the center of the arena, where someone was already waiting, his competitor for this occasion.

But, surprisingly, it wasn’t Xu Taiping; instead, it was once a Tier Five Taiyi who followed Shuang Liuyun on the Spirit-Catching Ship, seemingly named Yang Juechen.

In a certain sense, the chosen person seemed steady.

In terms of cultivation, he was more suitable, with more experience, and richer experiences, crucially having nice achievements.

In every regard, he seemed more suited than Wang Wu to be an external Sub-Pavilion Master of Dragon Head City.

After Wang Wu and Yang Juechen exchanged greetings, the Frost Monarch’s father spoke remotely, not to everyone but to the Frost Monarch and the Elders of the Frost Domain. Among them were the Frost Monarch’s uncles, even great-uncles, and so on.

"In the monotony of the journey, one might as well find something to do. These two individuals, one of whom has dutifully guarded the Spirit-Catching Ship for 8000 years, excels in all regards, and shows loyalty to my Shuang Family and the Frost Domain. I’m inclined to believe he is more suitable as the external Sub-Pavilion Master of Dragon Head City."

"Of course, the other person, named Wang Wu, although younger, has also accomplished great feats for my Frost Domain. It is said he is adept in array techniques and skilled at concocting a certain mysterious Immortal Pill. In the Great Wilderness Sin Prison Tower, he saved Feng Muhai, which is no small contribution, earning high praise from Hong Ye. A while ago, when she was injured and retreating for meditation, she appointed Wang Wu temporarily to the position of the Lord of the Frost Domain. And now, it seems he did very well."

"Therefore, I find myself at a dilemma, and today, while everyone happens to be gathered, we mustn’t act arbitrarily, lest we chill the hearts of our accomplished officials. Thus, we have no choice but to resort to a competition. Elders, Chiefs, do any of you have any objections?"

All around there was silence, of course, no one would have any objections, or even if someone had, who would dare to speak?

The Frost Monarch had not spoken.

Perhaps the Frost Monarch also silently consented.

Just as Wang Wu assumed this to be the case, the Frost Monarch suddenly coughed lightly, not to speak but as if her injuries were acting up.

"Father, Mother, Elders, you can decide this matter."

With that, she directly left the scene.

Had her injuries become so severe?

It didn’t seem like she was pretending.

There was a bizarre silence at the scene, then Zhuang Bufei, Feng Muhai, and Qu Shenglian all excused themselves, using the reason to protect the Frost Monarch during her meditation.

However, everyone knew that the rift between the parties was widening because of this small unexpected event.

But Wang Wu had a different perspective.

Could it be that the Frost Monarch was advancing by retreating?

Or was she deliberately accelerating the situation? It always felt like some grand scheme.

"Now, the competition begins and consists of two parts: a literary test and a martial test. In the literary test, you two can freely choose among array techniques, alchemy, and making Immortal Talismans, with the quality of the final product determining the outcome. The martial test involves sparring where the first to tap out loses."

"The winner can gain the qualification for the competition of becoming the Sub-Pavilion Master of Dragon Head City; the loser gets a Creation Jade Talisman as a consolation prize."

"Do you two have any objections?"

"I forfeit!"

Wang Wu straightforwardly chose to give up, saying it was pointless and not wanting to play along.

The rift was already there, so it wouldn’t hurt for it to be more pronounced.

The entire venue fell silent again, and the Frost Monarch’s father and those Elders of the Shuang Family showed no change in expression, but suddenly a beautiful woman said with a smile, "The subordinates of Hong Ye are indeed loyal and righteous; the Lord has had a relapse, and he is unmotivated to fight, which is understandable. Hope the Lord and the Elders will not punish him."

Huh? The Frost Monarch’s stepmother, Shuang Liuyun’s birth mother?

"Good! Permission to forfeit! Red Leaf’s injury indeed needs attention!"

One of the Shuang Family Elders nodded, and the atmosphere immediately eased up. The Frost Monarch’s father glanced at Wang Wu expressionlessly and nodded. This person disgusted him, even causing a desire to crush him. "You dare to court my daughter?"

A Taiyi First Tier, thinking he doesn’t know what his daughter is planning? Advancing by retreating, humph, how reckless!

"Let’s settle this. Yang Juechen, you shall represent the Frost Domain to compete with the Black Domain for the Sub-Pavilion Master of Dragon Head City!"

Just as the father of the Frost Monarch finished speaking, a loud laugh echoed from outside the Spirit-Catching Ship.

"Where is the Frost Monarch? This journey is long and tedious; how about we decide the position of the City Lord of Dragon Head City between us first? Send your people out to fight a match with my subordinates. The winner will be the City Lord of Dragon Head City, and the loser shouldn’t cry. Come on, don’t waste time."

Is it the Black Emperor of the Black Domain?

"Nonsense! Since when can the appointment of the Sub-Pavilion Master of the Hidden Origin Association be decided by a contest? Is something like this be determined by a simple match? This is too hasty!"

The father of the Frost Monarch was furious, rising into the air without hesitation.

The Black Emperor of the Black Domain is only Taiyi Eighth Tier; what does he have to fear?

"Oh? Where is the Frost Monarch? Are you her father, who just advanced to Taiyi Eighth Tier? Hahaha, my old friend, I reached Taiyi Eighth Tier a hundred thousand years ago while you only reached it eight hundred years ago. Guess, if it wasn’t for the face of your daughter, the Frost Monarch, would I slap you away with one blow!"

The Black Emperor is quite humorous.

The father of the Frost Monarch’s face darkened, but he did not back down and sneered, "Fine, then I would like to seek advice from Your Excellency’s esteemed insights!"

"Stop. The Hidden Origin Association prohibits private duels between Fifth Grade Elders. You must know that. Don’t act recklessly. Either your Frost Domain admits defeat and withdraws, or have a match with my people. This is no joke; the Hidden Origin Elder Council has agreed. Currently, it’s just our two families competing for the position of Sub-Pavilion Master of Dragon Head City. Whoever wins will take the position. Even the Frost Monarch cast a favorable vote. What, does your Frost Domain want to go against the Hidden Origin Elder Council?"

"Come on, let’s not delay; aren’t the people of the Frost Domain so timid?"

The Black Emperor was quite impatient; this matter was simple enough from the beginning. But where is the Frost Monarch?

The Frost Monarch is not here; oh, understood.

At this moment, the father of the Frost Monarch had a somber expression, and the Elders of the Shuang Family were silent. Internally, they could call themselves the elders to the Frost Monarch, could act with an air of seniority, but externally, that would be looking for trouble.

The current position of the Frost Domain was all established by the Frost Monarch; they were well aware of this.

Of course, they wouldn’t deny or try to sideline the Frost Monarch. Wasn’t she injured? Anyone would feel bad for their daughter; that’s not a lie.

Alas!

They had good intentions; who would understand!

"Yang Juechen, step forward to meet the challenge. Remember, just to the point! Black Emperor, what do you think?"

The father of the Frost Monarch said solemnly, thinking he was fortunate to choose Yang Juechen. Otherwise, sending the Tier One Wang Wu, wouldn’t he be beaten until he soils himself?

Anyway, Yang Juechen is also Tier Five Taiyi and has rich combat experience.

"I can’t make any guarantees; I can only assure there won’t be any fatalities. This is also the requirement of the Hidden Origin Elder Council. No fatalities! Agree to fight, or admit defeat. It’s such a simple thing; we’ve always decided like this before."

The Black Emperor waved his hand towards the rear, and a plain-looking Tier Five Taiyi jumped out. At this time, both Spirit-Catching Ships gradually stopped and set up temporary battle marks within a hundred-mile radius, reminding passing Spirit-Catching Ships not to collide, and of course, they could watch the excitement.

The father of the Frost Monarch surely knew all this?

But he was a bit displeased; this matter came too coincidentally.

However, it must be said that he proposed Yang Juechen three days ago, while the Frost Monarch had already boarded the ship by then, indicating she had voted in the Hidden Origin Elder Council three years ago. It wasn’t a matter to use a veto on.

In short, it seemed to be like this.

Then there’s no choice, let’s just rely on each other’s strength.

The father of the Frost Monarch glanced at Yang Juechen; after all, he was a Tier Five Taiyi nurtured by the Shuang Family all the way through.

"Rest assured, Patriarch; I will fight to the death!"

This Yang Juechen was quite spirited, as a joke. He was, after all, a seasoned Tier Five Taiyi, having seen storms and waves. Facing another Tier Five Taiyi, the chance of winning or losing is fifty-fifty.

Let’s battle!

"Good! Zhuang Dayou, go to battle, and remember, no harming lives!"

The Black Emperor lazily instructed, throwing a golden token into the air, which had a countdown on it.

Both sides retreated, leaving only Zhuang Dayou and Yang Juechen.

As soon as the ten-second countdown ended, both sides attacked simultaneously, and suddenly there was an earth-shattering noise, as if ghosts and wolves were howling, the commotion made was huge.

Both Spirit-Catching Ships retreated ten thousand miles away, but they could still feel the massive shockwave!

Wang Wu was among the crowd holding Qingxue’s hand, watching the excitement and exclaiming in excitement... watching the excitement without caring about the seriousness, he was very grateful.

"Wow! This Zhuang Dayou is formidable, terrifyingly so; this move is as if running like a flying horse, like a deer hanging its horns. Wow, Yang Juechen’s counterattack is also quite splendid! Oh, their mastery of Daoist Divine Techniques is utmost, perfectly flawless. I must admit, I couldn’t defeat them."

"Hey, look, their Escape Divine Techniques are also so domineering yet flexible. If I were on the field, I’d probably be in trouble. Admirable!"

Wang Wu was extremely happy, and Qingxue did not speak, occasionally glancing at the battlefield. Most of the time, she just quietly watched him babbling nonsense, but she seemed to be listening intently!

Until half a cup of tea’s time passed, Yang Juechen was ultimately no match, and was rendered two legs and an arm by Zhuang Dayou’s set of Big Moves, and most of his Immortal Body was blasted apart. Yet Wang Wu was still commentating evenly on the match.

Qingxue finally couldn’t help but give him a light pat,

"Stop talking nonsense; kicking someone when they’re down, gloating at others’ misfortunes, is not the act of a gentleman."

"Ah, how quickly the situation reversed; this was unexpected. Does my friend Juechen have life-threatening injuries?"

"There’s no life-threatening injury, just a minor wound."

Qingxue said lightly.

The Creation Immortal Body was nearly blasted apart, yet you say it’s just a minor wound?

Wang Wu looked at her strangely; we truly are a match made in heaven.