The entire assembly was shaken. The Blood-Clothed Sword God is challenging Great Venerable Wujun! This would be a battle of gods! A divine duel!

Even Wujun was stunned. He could not comprehend where Qi Yuan found the courage.

His crimson armor radiated danger. "Your courage is immense. So is your confidence."

He finally understood the Blood-Clothed Sword God’s real purpose: to fight and crush them. Everything else was merely a pretext.

Qi Yuan solemnly swept his gaze across the Violet Palace cultivators. "If I didn't have courage, how could I challenge so many old monsters alone?"

Those caught in his gaze flushed with embarrassment, wishing they could disappear.

"Even if you did not challenge me, I would have done it myself. If you win, you may take a copy of the Seeking Dao Palace's techniques. If you lose, never entangle yourself with Great Venerable Jasmine again." Wujun’s eyes gleamed as his voice boomed into everyone’s ears. Lastly, he sent a private transmission. "Also, you must never touch the Mythic Secret Treasury."

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow. That condition was unacceptable. If he could not involve himself with Great Venerable Jasmine, what of the Mythic Secret Treasury?! Then, it occurred to him that he would not lose.

He smiled. "Deal."

The Violet Palace cultivators trembled. Is the divine duel actually happening? How many years had it been since Yin Spirits fought in Phoenix Heaven? Now, two Great Venerables would clash.

Wujun's eyes flashed. "Very well. We shall spar in seven days."

To reach the Mythic Secret Treasury, he first had to defeat Qi Yuan. Even if it was obviously part of Jasmine’s scheme, he had to step into it. The treasury was simply too priceless for a Yin Spirit. As for Jasmine herself, even if she were the most beautiful woman in Phoenix Heaven, how could Wujun truly become infatuated with a woman?

Qi Yuan said, "No need for seven days. Let's fight now. After defeating you, I’ll still have to face your hundred-plus Violet Palace cultivators. Let's hurry."

The Violet Palace cultivators nearly broke down. They wanted to tell the Blood-Clothed Sword God, “Stop dragging us into this! Treat us like a fart and let us go!”

Wujun was momentarily stunned. "Are you certain about this?"

"I am," Qi Yuan said lazily.

Wujun did not hesitate. "Very well. Then we fight!"

He guessed the Blood-Clothed Sword God did not wish for their battle to be witnessed, hence the urgency. His fighting spirit surged as he waved his hand, enveloping Qi Yuan with divine power. Instantly, both figures vanished, dragged into the void world.

The Violet Palace cultivators felt the pressure lift and finally breathed in relief.

"The Blood-Clothed Sword God dares challenge Wujun!"

"Where does his confidence stem from?!"

"Strong as he may be on the Moonwatch Continent, in Canglan World he is nothing!"

Though initially concealed, the Blood-Clothed Sword God’s ties to the Moonwatch Continent had eventually leaked. The Violet Palace cultivators largely knew his background, yet they remained unafraid. Even if he gained reinforcements on his own turf after devouring the Heavenly Dao, he couldn’t exert his full strength here. At best, he could display only the power of a weak Great Venerable—something everyone knew.

Nearby, the girl in yellow blinked. "Grandmother, is he really the Blood-Clothed Sword God?"

Li Ruoxian took a deep breath. "He should be."

She could not fathom that the man who had lazily sunbathed on the flying ship with her, complaining about being poor, was in fact a Great Venerable.

The girl was in turmoil. She had even thought of matchmaking the Blood-Clothed Sword God with her grandmother. Worse, she had even deemed him unworthy. Thankfully she had not voiced it.

Otherwise, if he knew...

"Will he win?" she asked softly.

He was her idol. Along the way, she had joked with him, even teased him occasionally. Now, it all felt like a dream. She wanted him to win.

Li Ruoxian replied, "It will be very difficult."

***

The void world, as its name suggested, was filled with nothing.

Qi Yuan and Wujun stood in the air. The challenge had begun hastily, without any spectators. Even if other Yin Spirits knew, they would not know its location.

Wujun no longer suppressed his aura. A terrifying power erupted, as if it could tear the very fabric of space. He glared at Qi Yuan, battle intent blazing. "Let me see what makes you so confident!"

He truly could not comprehend how Qi Yuan dared to challenge him. Did he think he could win just because he had killed a few Venerables before? Unfortunately, the disparity between Yin Spirits was simply too enormous.

Qi Yuan replied, "When I was only at Core Formation, I dared to challenge Yin Spirits. Now that I am a Nascent Soul, why would I fear striking at a Great Venerable?"

Wujun roared, "Madman! Playing tricks!"

With that shout, his Divine Domain unfolded. The battle between Great Venerables had always been straightforward: a clash of Divine Domains.

Wujun moved first to end the fight swiftly. "My Divine Domain is called Shattering Metal!"

Within it, the power of metal dominated, representing ultimate offense. The domain expanded. Endless golden qi formed countless halberds and artifacts, attacking Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan smiled faintly. "Your Divine Domain is still too small."

To him, it was tiny, its metallic qi almost nonexistent.

Wujun snorted. "Hmph!"

That was simply not true.In fact, his domain was considered strong even among Great Venerables.

"Let me see how large your domain is!"

Golden halberds swept forth like blades descending.

Qi Yuan remained calm, chanting softly and solemnly, "Radiant and resplendent, Nascent Soul from the Divine Treasury, heed my command, Blazing Gold!"

A Nascent Soul appeared, emanating an ancient, vast aura. Space seemed to freeze. An aged, ethereal voice echoed as if across the river of time. "The Star Lord of Metal, Great White Taihao, answers the command!"

Wujun froze. What was happening? His lips quivered as he trembled uncontrollably. Almost immediately, the Divine Domain he was so proud of was on the brink of collapse. Somehow, it was as if a star-sized Divine Domain, larger than even the Canglan World, had unfolded.

Wujun couldn’t comprehend anything. No, wait. A Divine Domain that is larger than an entire world? How could such a thing exist?!

Endless metallic qi, pure and immaculate, so refined that a single strand could shatter his domain. How could this battle even continue?

Translator thoughts: TREAT US LIKE FART AND LET US GO LOLLLLL.