CHAPTER 451: CHAPTER 321: THE GRAND SHOW UNFOLDS

After leaving Black Valley, Ye Lingyue’s expression was somber; that pair of mysterious and bizarre eyes echoed in her mind from time to time, a state that persisted until late into the night, just before she entered the Intermediate Public Zone of Yan City No.9.

Ever since severing Zhan Gang’s fingers, Ye Lingyue’s business in the Basic-level Public Area had become increasingly sluggish.

As soon as she entered the Public Area, all the Martial Artists watched her with a look of fear,

Clearly, the name "Hong Shisan" had already become famous in the Basic-level Public Area, and naturally, her business specializing in deception and trickery had dwindled.

Ye Lingyue didn’t regret the loss of business.

After all, she had gathered enough Elixir Pills needed for two shots of the Nirvana Cannon, and it was about time for her to move on to the Intermediate Public Zone to begin a true trial.

Just as Ye Lingyue intended to shift her battle to the Intermediate Public Zone, the Jin Wu Old Monster suddenly sought her out with much secrecy.

The Jin Wu Old Monster came looking for Ye Lingyue, but it was in fact to invite her to a spectacle.

The hierarchy of the three Public Areas in Yan City was strict; people from the Low-level and Intermediate Public Zones were strictly forbidden from entering the Advanced Public Area.

As a Martial Artist, Ye Lingyue was merely at the Elixir Realm and did not qualify to enter the Advanced Public Area, but from an Alchemist’s perspective, she was a Seven Rank Alchemist, and thus, she could enter the Advanced Public Area.

However, Ye Lingyue knew that with her level of cultivation, even if she were to enter the Advanced Public Area, she would be nothing more than the lowliest of cannon fodder.

Not to mention, Hong Mingyue and Luo Song were also in the Advanced Public Area.

Ye Lingyue was very aware of their temperaments, and with their conceited nature, it was absolutely impossible for them to amble in the lower or intermediate Public Areas.

As expected, although it had been nearly ten days since she had been in Yan City, Ye Lingyue had not once encountered either of them.

As for Lan Cai’er and Aguduo, they were still in the Intermediate Public Zone undergoing their trials.

"Going to the Advanced Public Area? Old Monster, you know my strength. I’m not interested in making a deal with death, so don’t come to me with that," Ye Lingyue waved her hand and turned to leave.

"Hey, my Lord, do I look like the sort of person who would sell out their master? When the Old Monster says there’s a good show, it’s guaranteed there will be one. Hehe, that little Luo Song has gotten into a dispute with someone and is about to take action. It’s a rare opportunity that comes once in a millennium." The Jin Wu Old Monster winked and grinned, even happier than if he had taken down Luo Song himself.

"Does the other party not know of Luo Song’s identity?" Ye Lingyue inquired, puzzled.

"How could they not know? That Luo Song boy, he’s all too eager to tout his association with Sansheng Valley. That might deter others, but for his current opponent, it has no effect whatsoever," the Jin Wu Old Monster said with a sly smile.

In fact, the Jin Wu Old Monster had also expended quite some effort to bring about this confrontation between Luo Song and that individual.

"Is the opponent’s backing even mightier than Sansheng Valley? Could it be someone from the Three Sects?"

Sansheng Valley ranked among the top of the Nine Sects on the mainland and was a first-tier Sect. The only ones more formidable than Sansheng Valley were the Three Sects.

From what Ye Lingyue had heard about the Three Sects, they had been in seclusion for many years and rarely appeared in the mortal world.

"How could that be? People like Luo Song are obviously bullies who cower in front of the truly strong. If he truly ran into someone from the Three Sects, even if it were just an Inner Sect disciple, he would be scared stiff like a soft-shelled shrimp. Master, let’s not delay any further; if we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the show," the Jin Wu Old Monster insisted and dragged Ye Lingyue toward the Advanced Public Area.

Upon arrival in the Advanced Public Area, several fighting stages appeared in sight.

Unlike the randomness of the Basic-level Public Area, the standards of the Advanced Public Area were much higher.

Five stages were arrayed to the north, south, east, and west, with the addition of a central super-sized stage jumping into view.

After all, only the Martial Artists of the Reincarnation Realm and Alchemists beyond Seven Rank could enter this area. The number of people here was much lower compared to the Basic and Intermediate Public Zones, with only around two or three hundred people, dressed diversely with Alchemists, Martial Artists, Mercenaries, and some Sect Disciples.

But a look around revealed that each person had a deep level of cultivation; not a single one like Ye Lingyue had been seen.

Ye Lingyue followed the Jin Wu Old Monster and took a position neither at the front nor at the rear, about twenty or thirty feet away, where she saw Hong Mingyue.

She did not notice the arrival of Ye Lingyue and the Jin Wu Old Monster, but frowned as she looked at the central fighting ring.

At this moment, most people in the Advanced Public Area were also staring at the chessboard-shaped stone fighting ring that stood ten feet high.

Dressed as Hong Shisan, Ye Lingyue didn’t feel the need to conceal herself.

"Master, let’s stand on this side." The Jin Wu Old Monster pulled Ye Lingyue to the north side of the ring.

Ye Lingyue was puzzled when suddenly a piercing gaze swept over.

Hong Mingyue had obviously noticed "Hong Shisan."

The two had clashed over Hong Yulang in the Taiyi Secret Realm and had previously agreed to compete at the Daxia Imperial Competition.

After Hong Mingyue returned to Xia Capital, she had the Hong Residence investigate Hong Shisan’s background, but to no avail. Little did she expect that Hong Shisan, who seemed to have vanished from the mortal world, would appear in Yan City No.9.

Indeed, birds of a feather flock together; this Hong Shisan was a person from the Dark Forces.

Contempt deepened in Hong Mingyue’s eyes.

Ye Lingyue looked behind her where martial artists and alchemists were glaring angrily in their direction.

"Evil Path scum, just with this ragtag bunch of yours, you still want to compete with us? Let’s see how you lose this time!"

"Damn it, these so-called Righteous Path dignitaries dare to look down on us, kill them!"

Ye Lingyue then glanced behind her, seeing a group of martial artists and alchemists extravagantly dressed, all exuding a strong scent of blood and slaughter.

At a glance, they were the same as the earlier Jin Wu Old Monster, all martial artists or Evil Alchemists engaged in unlawful plundering and pillaging.

Ye Lingyue was speechless; the Jin Wu Old Monster had not made it clear before bringing her here.

But then again, she thought, she was now the Sect Leader of the Ghost Sect.

The Ghost Sect was never a renowned Righteous Path sect to begin with, so standing on the side of the Dark Forces was, in a sense, fitting with her role.

Where there are people, there’s a distinction between right and wrong, black and white.

Although Yan City was a part of the Underworld Yama Palace, the number of so-called Righteous Path individuals who entered was definitely not less than that of the Dark Forces.

Over time, two forces naturally formed within Yan City.

One was the Righteous Path, and the other was the Dark Forces, which was particularly evident in the Advanced Public Area.

Upon asking around, Ye Lingyue learned that the representatives of the Dark Forces and Righteous Path were to compete on the stage today.

This stemmed from an incident that happened recently.

A female alchemist from the Dark Forces was captured by a male martial artist from the Righteous Path, who fancied her while she was in Yan City.

He took advantage of the female alchemist, offended her when she left Yan City, and later humiliated her.

Humiliated and outraged, the female alchemist sought revenge from the male martial artist only to be defeated and stripped naked on the fighting ring.

This incident immediately caused an uproar.