Volume Two: Travels in the Qi Kingdom Chapter 122: A Great Gain of Spiritual Essence

As soon as Zhang Heng spoke, the debate below grew even louder. Many people quietly pondered whether someone at the sixth stage of the Nascent Soul could truly defeat that newcomer, Wuhen.

“If no one dares to step up, shall I make it easier?” Zhang Heng continued to provoke them.

“No need,” came a cold voice from a young man. Then, a white-clad youth holding a sword stepped forward.

The arena was never short of daredevils. Although the newcomer Wuhen had a fierce attack, he was only at the third stage of Nascent Soul. So, those cultivators at the sixth stage, who frequently fought in the arena, believed they could stand against Zhang Heng.

“Sword Chen, Sword Chen,” the low-level cultivators in the crowd chanted as they gazed at the youth.

The white-clad youth was named Sword Chen, a sword expert at the sixth stage of Nascent Soul, exceptionally talented with the sword. He had even defeated cultivators at the seventh stage.

An announcer spoke from the arena. “The next match will be between Wuhen, at the third stage of Nascent Soul, and Sword Chen, at the sixth stage. The match will begin in fifteen minutes. Place your bets now.”

Wuhen’s victory paid 0.8 to 1, Sword Chen’s victory 1.2 to 1.

Clearly, the arena favored Zhang Heng’s chances slightly.

Seeing these odds, Zhang Heng finally felt a bit balanced inside. She couldn’t stop smiling because, in her eyes, Zhang Heng was bound to win; this arena was essentially handing him spirit essences on a silver platter.

She recalled that both Qi Xuan and Mu Wanqing admitted they were no match for Zhang Heng. Although she didn’t know Zhang Heng’s true strength, she believed that facing this cold and proud sword-wielding youth wouldn’t be difficult.

So she bet all six spirit essences at once.

Others had intended to bet on Sword Chen but, seeing Qi Sisi’s move, they were puzzled.

This girl was Wuhen’s companion. Betting six spirit essences outright — either she was crazy or utterly confident.

Most people bet on Sword Chen, aware of his strength, capable of contending with an eighth-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Facing a third-stage newcomer should not be difficult.

Some, seeing Qi Sisi’s confident gaze, decided to bet on Wuhen, curious if he could create a miracle.

Fifteen minutes passed in the blink of an eye.

After the announcement to start, the arena staff quickly left the stage.

The match began. Sword Chen did not strike immediately. He stood calmly with his sword horizontally, quietly staring at Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng also did not move, as he had always relied on others attacking first so he could dodge. If he struck first, he might die miserably.

“My name is Bai Chen, a sword cultivator,” the youth introduced himself, surprisingly using his real name.

“What do you want?” Zhang Heng felt puzzled.

“I want to duel you,” Bai Chen said coldly. As a sword cultivator, he sensed the powerful sword intent contained within Zhang Heng’s attack—a high-level sword aura.

“A duel?”

“Yes.”

“You’re no match for me. Step down,” Zhang Heng said coldly, showing no mercy.

A duel? He had never practiced swordsmanship. What could he possibly duel with? If he used the Heart-Guarding Sword technique of the Sword Saint Du Gu Bai, this young Sword Chen would surely lose.

Yet Bai Chen did not get angry. Instead, he directly took out a thousand spirit stones from his spatial ring and threw them to Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng was stunned. “You know you’re no match but still come up? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?”

The crowd was also dumbfounded, especially those who had bet on Sword Chen—they all looked frustrated and embarrassed.

“A swordsman would rather break than bend. To witness such profound sword intent, even death is without regret,” the girl’s eyes shone with determination.

Zhang Heng smiled faintly. “Come on!”

Since everyone said so, Zhang Heng couldn’t refuse. All he could do was hold back his strength a little to spare Bai Chen’s life.

Sword Chen said nothing more. Standing quietly on the stage, he slowly closed his eyes.

Though he showed no fluctuation of spiritual energy, Zhang Heng could feel his aura intensify.

Time seemed to freeze as the young man’s sword intent filled the air.

After a moment, Sword Chen drew his sword and attacked Zhang Heng. His movements appeared slow but concealed infinite killing intent.

Zhang Heng stood motionless.

Then Sword Chen passed through Zhang Heng’s figure and appeared behind him, standing back to back.

Before the low-stage cultivators could react, Sword Chen suddenly knelt.

He had lost.

At the moment he was about to strike Zhang Heng, Zhang Heng reached out and grasped his sword. Though Zhang Heng made no further move, Sword Chen could feel the supreme sword intent.

It was a force both admirable and utterly despairing.

Though defeated, a smile graced his lips. As he had said:

A swordsman would rather break than bend.

To witness pure sword intent, even death is without regret.

Zhang Heng respected such a person and spared him. Bai Chen’s life was safe and might even be improved by this ordeal, elevating his sword path.

After a brief silence, the crowd erupted in fierce cheers.

“Wuhen! Wuhen!”

Some had already become fans of this ragged newcomer, Wuhen.

Defeating Sword Chen showed this third-stage Nascent Soul newcomer already possessed the strength of an eighth-stage.

The arena staff swiftly returned.

Zhang Heng wondered how they could keep flying around like that without tiring.

“Wuhen, you have won two consecutive matches. Would you like to continue?”

“Continue,” Zhang Heng said without hesitation, then added, “The rules remain the same: anyone below the sixth stage of Nascent Soul can challenge.”

At once, heated arguments broke out below. Many felt the urge to rush up and beat Zhang Heng senseless.

“This kid is too despicable! Clearly has eighth-stage strength but only wants sixth-stage challengers.”

“The worst part is, his own spiritual energy level is only third stage Nascent Soul. Technically he’s not breaking the arena’s rules.”

The arena was engulfed in endless debate. Yet no one dared to fly up. They were fearless but not suicidal; they knew Zhang Heng had eighth-stage physical cultivation. Going up would only hand over spirit stones.

Thus, none of the sixth-stage challengers dared to step forward.

“Since no one will challenge, I’ll leave,” Zhang Heng said with a smug smile and ignored the crowd, flashing down to the ground with the Aurora Phantom technique.

Zhang Heng’s purpose was achieved. His main aim was to hone two newly learned martial techniques. Now that he had practiced enough, it was time to withdraw.

The crowd watched Zhang Heng leave, disappointed but said nothing. Fighting or not was his choice.

“What are you doing, Zhang Heng? Why not seize the chance to win more spirit stones?”

As long as Zhang Heng kept fighting, she would keep betting on his victory, scraping every last bit she could from the arena.

Zhang Heng lightly tapped Qi Sisi’s head. “Little miser, one must know contentment. Don’t push things too far. You’ve won quite a few spirit stones already. Isn’t that enough?”

At this, Qi Sisi smiled happily. “Not much, not much. Today, I’ve only won seven or eight spirit essences in total.”

She then took out all the winnings from the arena and waved them before Zhang Heng’s eyes.