CHAPTER 127: CHAPTER 126: TIANYI TOURNAMENT (PART 18)

Jiang Yuesheng found himself circling in place, aware that the array was at fault. Chu Yunyi hadn’t given any prior warning, indicating it was likely a high-level trapping array undetectable even by a Heaven Rank talisman master.

It was reasonable for the ’Special Remedies Squad’ to have descendants of Qi Lang’s lineage, capable of formidable arrays. But maintaining any array incurs a cost—either consuming spiritual power or Energy Stones, sometimes both. None can be sustained for long. The opponent would certainly resolve it quickly.

Understanding the key to the situation, Jiang Yuesheng stopped struggling, found a rock to sit on to conserve strength, and waited for the opponent to approach. Sure enough, soon after, the plants in front of him disappeared out of thin air, revealing a path as Ye Qingting slowly walked toward him.

Ye Qingting approached Jiang Yuesheng, his demeanor reverted to the usual modesty and warmth. He smiled gently:

"Brother Jiang, taking a rest here?"

Ye Qingting was Chu Yunyi’s favorite cousin. Despite his anger, Jiang Yuesheng had to restrain it and forced a smile.

"Oh, it’s Qingting. I thought Cui Tianxiao would come."

Ye Qingting: "Ah Xiao indeed wanted to come, but I didn’t agree."

Jiang Yuesheng, full of disdain, mocked, "What, are you afraid he can’t beat me?"

Ye Qingting: "Not at all. If Ah Xiao came to you, I’d have to fight An Qing. Ice Element against Metal Element, I’m not entirely confident."

Clearly, Cui Tianxiao couldn’t beat Jiang Yuesheng, but after Ye Qingting’s rhetorical flourish, it sounded as if Cui Tianxiao was assisting Ye Qingting.

With such a light touch, he not only elevated Cui Tianxiao’s Combat Power but also mocked Jiang Yuesheng for being less formidable than An Qing.

Jiang Yuesheng: "Hmph, Cui Tianxiao is fortunate to have a friend like you."

Ye Qingting: "No, no, it’s Brother who is fortunate to have you as his right-hand man!"

At this moment, the audience was furious with Team Tianyi’s exploitation of Chu Yunyi, with a massive defection of Team Tianyi fans to support the ’Special Remedies Squad.’ The live broadcast comments on the duel between Ye and Jiang were full of criticism and ridicule towards Jiang Yuesheng.

//Damn, how did I never notice this brat Jiang Yuesheng’s detestable face? Chu Yunyi is really unlucky to have him as a right-hand man!//

//The Jiang Family is the patron of the Second Corps. Jiang Yuesheng will undoubtedly take over the Second Army in the future. The way he treats Chu Yunyi now might be a plan to suppress the First Corps’ main force, clearing obstacles for the Second Army.//

//Jiang Yuesheng’s spiritual power is also at the Heavenly Armor level. In terms of reconnaissance, he’s not weaker than Chu Yunyi. He could easily take the lead in the team, but he never has! I just reviewed all of Team Tianyi’s match tapes and found that since the team’s inception, Chu God has always led from the front to protect his teammates, without exception!//

//Damn! Have these bastards been exploiting Chu Yunyi for years? I heard Chu Yunyi hasn’t been well; could he have been bullied by these guys?//

//Whether or not Chu Yunyi is in good health is uncertain, but since the battle at the Southern Fortress, he rarely appears publicly, likely due to injury.//

//But wasn’t the injury rumor already dispelled?//

//Are you daft? Can you really trust such PR denials?//

//My second brother is among the garrison at the Southern Fortress. He said on the day of the Star Beast rampage, Chu Yunyi didn’t happen to be there by chance; Jiang Yuesheng specifically invited him to visit the Second Corps. After that battle, indeed, Chu Yunyi was seen being helped away.//

//Whoa, conspiracy, definitely a big conspiracy!//

//It’s terrifying; Jiang Yuesheng’s intentions are insidious!//

//Is the Jiang Family planning to replace the Chu Family to become the top noble family on the Qianyuan Continent?//

//It’s possible...//

The Jiang Family.

The current Family Head of the Jiang Family, Jiang Yishan, was infuriated by the flood of conspiracy theories, especially since some comments were close to the truth, provoking a mix of anger and inexplicable tension.

"Investigate! I want to know who’s secretly smearing the Jiang Family!"

Upon the Family Head’s order, the Jiang Family’s hired network experts immediately began tracking ID numbers, but the opponent was like a ghost, disappearing after switching several terminal addresses, as if a drop of water had merged into the sea, leaving no trace.

In a certain shop, Qian Xiaowu inputted the final code, hiding his merit and fame. He leaned back in his chair, hands folded behind his head, and watched with satisfaction as the comments, led by him, overwhelmingly opposed Jiang Yuesheng and the Jiang Family. He muttered to himself:

"Competing with me? Go practice for a few more years!"

Meanwhile, the battle in the arena had begun.

Jiang Yuesheng’s spear moved like a dragon, the thrust appearing straight but curving, as the spear tip shook off phantom images, attacking Ye Qingting.

Ye Qingting turned several times, blocking left and right, avoiding Jiang Yuesheng’s assault, then executed a ’Powerful Slash’ towards the spear shaft.

Jiang Yuesheng retracted his spear and stepped back, his body leaning backward. The spear was quickly pulled back, avoiding Ye Qingting’s slash, then he turned the spearhead, aiming to stab Ye Qingting’s back like a swift wind.

Ye Qingting turned his arm behind, laying the Longsword flat against his back, just blocking Jiang Yuesheng’s spear tip. The two exchanged blows for a dozen rounds, neither gaining the upper hand.

The speed at which these experts exchanged blows was too quick for the commentator to keep up. However, this dazzling display of pure Martial Arts had the audience cheering in excitement.

As a newcomer making his first appearance in the military academy’s big competition, Ye Qingting quickly garnered a substantial fan following.

Since Martial Arts were yielding no advantage, Jiang Yuesheng’s spear struck like a Soaring Snake lunging from its hole, each point releasing a fireball that shot towards Ye Qingting.

Ye Qingting wasn’t intimidated. With a wave of his Ice Sword, a Deep Blue Ice Dragon slithered around him, guarding him rigorously. The fireballs hit the Ice Dragon, sounding like magma upon an iceberg, hissing constantly.

The Ice Element is a variant of the Water Element; water restrains fire, so does ice. Although both Jiang Yuesheng and Ye Qingting have Primordial Spirit levels at Heavenly Armor, regarding the elemental attributes, Ye Qingting holds an advantage.

However, Jiang Yuesheng, being older and having years of combat experience, had been through the crucible of iron and blood, revealing hardly any weaknesses through elemental restraint. He swept his spear upward, and from the tip, a flaming giant bird burst forth.

"Fiery Flame Vermilion Bird—!"

The magnificent flame phoenix, amid scorching waves of heat, flapped its wings as it charged toward Ye Qingting. The Deep Blue Ice Dragon circling Ye Qingting issued a high-pitched dragon cry, and with its jaws wide open, lunged at the Flaming Vermilion Bird.

The Vermilion Bird extended its sharp claws, resisting the dragon’s horns as it fiercely pecked at the Ice Dragon’s crown. The Ice Dragon, unfazed, whipped its tail around the Vermilion Bird’s body, the end hitting the Vermilion Bird right on its mouth.

The Vermilion Bird breathed out a fireball, instantly vaporizing one horn of the Ice Dragon, which retaliated by tearing off a wing of the Vermilion Bird.

While the divine beasts formed by these elements battled fiercely and intertwined in the air, Jiang Yuesheng and Ye Qingting once again engaged in Martial Arts combat.

As the two parted, the two elemental divine beasts also expended their energy, dissolving into starlight, disappearing in the sky.