CHAPTER 558: CHAPTER 551: WHO ELSE IS NOT CONVINCED?_1

After the old man and his three companions arrived at the Inner Hall, about a dozen more people followed in quick succession.

Among them was the Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion.

The City Lords of the four major districts.

Of the Ten Commanders, only Wang Hong had not yet arrived.

In short, most of the prominent figures in Spirit State had arrived, which showed how seriously they took the impending Nine States War.

The old man was all smiles as he looked down at the disciples below, saying, "All of you, rise!"

The disciples from the two halls stood up.

"The Nine States War is about to begin."

"I believe that you all are even more excited than I am."

"After all, this is the only opportunity to enter the Imperial Capital."

"Once you enter the Imperial Capital, your identities and status will soar overnight."

"I’m afraid that by then, even I would have to bow when I meet you," the old man chuckled.

Hearing the old man’s somewhat teasing words, everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

The old man shook his head and said, "Don’t laugh, because what I’m saying is the truth."

The skinny young man floating in mid-air said, "Lord Mansion Master, even if we are fortunate enough to enter the Imperial Capital, we will never forget your kindness in nurturing us."

"That’s right!"

"If it weren’t for your cultivation and that of the three Hall Masters, we wouldn’t have achieved so much today."

"We will never forget your immense kindness."

All the disciples bowed and replied.

The old man and the others couldn’t help but smile at their responses. Though they knew the disciples were just paying lip service, the words were pleasant to hear.

"I am deeply comforted that you feel this way, but..."

At this point, the old man paused, his expression becoming exceptionally serious.

Seeing this, everyone immediately fell silent, and the hall quickly descended into a hush.

"While you do have the opportunity to enter the Imperial Capital, the premise is that you have to survive."

"I can tell you that the Nine States War is brutal. In past competitions, fewer than a tenth of the participants survived," the old man said.

"What?"

"Fewer than a tenth!"

Everyone was horrified.

"Are you shocked already?"

"I’ll tell you something even more staggering. There was once a Nine States War where only four people from Spirit State made it back alive," the old man said.

Upon hearing this, everyone’s hearts grew heavy.

"Those four people are the current Chief Hall Master of the Holy Temple, the Grand Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, the Commander Wang Hong whom you all know well, and myself."

"Although we survived that year, we didn’t achieve victory. However, we all eventually became figures of power in Spirit State."

"I’m not telling you this to show off, nor to win your applause."

"I want you to understand that survival is the foundation of hope. On the battlefield of the Nine States War, you must value your own lives above all else," the old man explained.

"Yes!" everyone bowed in acknowledgement.

"I have said all that needs to be said. I won’t waste any more words. Good luck."

After the old man finished, he stepped aside.

At the same time, the Hall Master of the Martial Palace stepped forward and said indifferently, "The Mansion Master has made the stakes very clear. Anyone who doesn’t want to go can still withdraw now."

Everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke.

Seeing their reactions, the Hall Master of the Martial Palace raised an eyebrow and said, "Since no one wishes to withdraw, then prepare for departure."

"Those below Nine-Star War Emperor, I suggest you don’t go. Going would only mean throwing your lives away."

Just then, a calm voice echoed.

SWOOSH!

Immediately after, three figures descended from thin air. It was Wang Hong, Qin Feiyang, and Fatty.

Three months had passed. Fatty had already broken through to Eight-Star War Emperor, catching up with Qin Feiyang!

Although Qin Feiyang’s cultivation hadn’t advanced a star, it had improved significantly.

It’s Qin Feiyang!

He really did come!

A chill went down everyone’s spines.

Ren Wushuang’s peerless countenance broke into a smile.

"Hmph!"

"Qin Feiyang, what do you mean by that?"

"If we go, we’re just throwing our lives away? What about you? You’re not a Nine-Star War Emperor either!"

Suddenly, a harsh voice interrupted.

Qin Feiyang looked down to see Xui Yang and Wu Yan glaring at him icily.

"I’m just telling the truth. Whether you listen or not is up to you," Qin Feiyang said, somewhat helplessly.

Aside from Dong Zhengyang and a few others from Yun State, no one else there could match Mo Wushen and his companions. That was why he suggested it was best not to go if one wasn’t a Nine-Star War Emperor. Anyone below that level would purely be courting death. He was, in fact, trying to be helpful.

"The truth?"

"I think you’re just looking down on everyone."

"Qin Feiyang, I advise you not to be so arrogant!" Xui Yang and Wu Yan sneered.

Hearing this, others also began to grow angry.

Qin Feiyang raised an eyebrow. "Alright, just pretend I said nothing."

Xui Yang and Wu Yan were clearly fanning the flames, trying to make him a common enemy.

What a thankless endeavor.

If he had known it would turn out this way, he would never have offered the suggestion.

Xui Yang, however, pressed on, laughing coldly, "Words spoken are like spilled water. Can you take them back?"

"Damn it!" Fatty’s explosive temper flared.

"That’s right, we are arrogant! So what?"

"Don’t like it?"

"Come on, let’s have a go! Master Fatty happens to have some free time to teach you a lesson in manners."

"You can all come at once; Master Fatty will take on anyone," Fatty seethed. These two were truly ungrateful.

"Damn it!"

"Even this damn Fatty dares to be so arrogant?"

"Senior Brother Wu Yan, Senior Brother Xui Yang, teach him a lesson! Take him down a peg!" someone shouted angrily.

"That’s right! Master Fatty is just this arrogant. Anyone who disagrees, come at me!" Fatty declared, looking down at everyone, posturing as if ready to take on all challengers.

But at this moment, the Hall Master of the Martial Palace frowned and shouted, "Stop this nonsense and get down!"

"And who do you think you are?" Fatty glanced at him, his eyes filled with disdain. If he was going to be outrageous, he might as well go all the way. Besides, he had long been dissatisfied with this Hall Master of the Martial Palace.

The Hall Master of the Martial Palace’s hands clenched tightly. CRACK!

"Outrageous!"

"How dare you be disrespectful to the Hall Master! You’re asking for a beating!"

Xui Yang and Wu Yan’s auras erupted as they rushed towards Fatty simultaneously.

"Huh?!" Qin Feiyang was surprised.

The aura of the two was a notch stronger than before; they were impressively at Eight-Star War Emperor! He remembered that when they first entered the Inner Hall, both were only Seven-Star War Emperors. So, they had broken through. No wonder they dared to provoke him repeatedly. It seemed the two intended to use this opportunity for revenge—revenge for when Qin Feiyang forced them to lick his foot-washing water.

However, although their cultivation had improved somewhat, Fatty’s progress had been even greater.

Are they really ganging up on me? Fatty feigned panic and ducked behind Qin Feiyang.

"Hahaha..."

"Weren’t you so arrogant just now? How did you become a cowering turtle so quickly?"

"You fat pig, don’t talk big if you don’t have the skills."

"Get lost, don’t embarrass yourself here."

The crowd below immediately started jeering and taunting.

Xui Yang and Wu Yan also paused in mid-air, looking smug.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk!" Fatty clicked his tongue, stepping out from behind Qin Feiyang. He scanned the crowd below with a dismissive glance, then turned to Xui Yang and Wu Yan with a playful smirk, "It was just a little joke. Look how smug you’ve gotten; your tails are practically scraping the sky."

"A little joke?"

"You dare to fool us?!"

"Unforgivable!" Xui Yang and Wu Yan were furious.

Battle Intent surged!

Above Wu Yan’s head, a giant peak exuding a heavy aura formed instantly. In the void above Xui Yang’s head, a fiery red disc materialized, blazing like a Furious Sun and illuminating the sky!

"Damn it! Are they actually using battle arts? Is it necessary to be so serious?" Fatty’s pupils contracted, and he appeared somewhat apprehensive again.

"Trash!"

The Hall Master of the Martial Palace didn’t stop them. Instead, he retreated a few steps, giving the three of them space for battle. A cold smile and a hint of contempt flickered in his eyes.

"If you have guts, don’t run!" Xui Yang and Wu Yan shouted coldly.

BOOM!!

Almost simultaneously, the giant peak and the fiery disc whizzed out, hurtling towards Fatty with astonishing momentum, intent on crushing him!

"Run?" Fatty straightened his back, disdainfully declaring, "In Master Fatty’s dictionary, the word ’run’ simply doesn’t exist."

But no sooner had he spoken than he immediately spun around, darting behind Qin Feiyang with an awkward laugh. "Boss, you take care of it!"

Black lines appeared on Qin Feiyang’s forehead as he said angrily, "Can’t you have some backbone? You’re utterly disgracing me."

Fatty lowered his voice and said very seriously, "You’re mistaken. Master Fatty doesn’t lack backbone; Master Fatty just doesn’t want to reveal his true strength too early."

"Get lost!" Qin Feiyang glared at him, then looked up at the giant peak and the fiery disc. His gaze turned icy as he pointed his index finger into the air.

Return-to-the-Ruin Art, third style: Space Breaking!

An invisible force roared out, sweeping forward like a surging tide.

BOOM! CRACK!

With two deafening bangs, the giant peak and the fiery disc shattered instantly.

SPLAT!!

Xui Yang and Wu Yan both coughed up a mouthful of blood on the spot.

"Boss, you can rest now."

"Next, let the wise and formidable Master Fatty end this boring confrontation."

Fatty swaggered out from behind Qin Feiyang, flying towards Xui Yang and Wu Yan with gusto, roaring, "You two little minions, tremble!"

The moment he rushed forward, he slapped both of them across their faces.

The two were stunned—not by the force of the blows, but by Fatty’s sheer, infuriating shamelessness.

"With your thick skulls, you dare challenge Master Fatty?" Fatty’s face was full of disdain. He clenched his fists and seized the chance to punch both men in their stomachs.

AHH!!

The two screamed in agony and were sent flying, spewing blood.

Fatty glanced contemptuously at the two, then scanned the crowd below. "Anyone else unconvinced?" His cocky arrogance made people grit their teeth in frustration.

What a character, Qin Feiyang shook his head helplessly.

In the crowd below, Ren Wushuang’s cheek twitched repeatedly. After so many years, this damn Fatty’s personality hadn’t mellowed in the slightest; instead, he had become even more shameless and incorrigible.

"Is no one else daring enough to step up?"

"You can’t even beat Master Fatty, yet you dare to participate in the Nine States War? Isn’t that a joke?" Fatty sneered dismissively.

"Have you caused enough trouble?!" The Hall Master of the Martial Palace had reached his limit.

He had originally wanted Xui Yang and Wu Yan to teach Qin Feiyang and Fatty a lesson, but he hadn’t expected them to be so useless, defeated in a single move. If not for his status, he would have been tempted to intervene personally.