Eternal Life through Drawing Lots

Dusk fell as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Wild geese drifted among the fiery evening clouds while horses galloped freely, pursued by the encroaching darkness. It was all so beautiful.

The scene may have been beautiful, but Fang Xuan, Lu Yao, Second Uncle Fang, and the others were feeling anything but calm.

At this moment, they were gazing at Fang Yang and Lin Tianxue, who were facing off in the arena.

Waiting for a single command, Fang Yang and Lin Tianxue would begin their deadly battle. The winner would go on to challenge Qingmang for the title of champion.

Before the match, the mainstream opinion was that it was a toss-up, roughly a fifty-fifty chance. However, most people were inclined to believe that this was where Fang Yang’s journey would end.

Everyone thought that Fang Yang and Lin Tianxue were evenly matched, with Fang Yang perhaps even being a bit stronger. But his White Feathered Eagle was truly no match for the Wind Snow Sparrow.

’What kind of bloodline does your White Feathered Eagle have? And what kind of bloodline does my Wind Snow Sparrow have?’

’Your White Feathered Eagle simply isn’t in the same league as my Wind Snow Sparrow, okay?’

And in battles between Low Tier Cultivators, the boost a Pet Beast could provide its master was simply too significant.

In terms of the Cultivators’ strength alone, many believed Fang Yang was stronger than Lin Tianxue.

But if you factored in the Cultivator plus their Pet Beast, most people thought that the combination of Fang Yang and the White Feathered Eagle was far inferior to Lin Tianxue and the Wind Snow Sparrow.

CLANG! CLANG!

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the sound of the bronze gong rang out.

Instantly, the Wind Snow Sparrow spread its wings and stirred the air, sending waves of icy wind blasting from beneath its wings. They were like tiny whirlwinds, sweeping across the area below.

Once the snowy, windy environment was fully established, Lin Tianxue’s combat power would increase by at least twenty percent!

On the other side, with a flash of orange-red light, the White Feathered Eagle’s figure vanished.

The White Feathered Eagle actually endured the assault of wind and frost, using its incredible speed to cross the distance and engage the Wind Snow Sparrow in close combat!

An unbelievable scene unfolded—

Although the White Feathered Eagle was naturally disadvantaged, it relied on sheer grit to barely hold the Wind Snow Sparrow at a stalemate, creating a favorable combat environment for Fang Yang!

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Tie it down, just like that!" Outside the arena, Seventh Uncle Fang was incredibly gratified.

Seventh Uncle Fang had even become the White Feathered Eagle’s number one fan, praising it wildly and causing the Small Frost Horse to also stare dazedly at the eagle’s brave figure.

’Can a White Feathered Eagle like this really be stopped by the Tier Three barrier?’ This time, Fang Xuan didn’t roll his eyes.

Because Fang Xuan had a faint feeling that if it was this specific White Feathered Eagle, it might actually be able to break through its species’ limits and ascend to Tier Three.

The White Feathered Eagle’s sudden burst of power made many people’s jaws drop in astonishment.

’In a fight between Fierce Beasts of the same tier, shouldn’t bloodline be the deciding factor?’

’How has this White Feathered Eagle repeatedly shattered expectations? And now it’s even managed to fight the Wind Snow Sparrow to a standstill...’

"So the White Feathered Eagle has this much potential. It looks like it’s the best Tier Two flying Pet Beast. I have to go buy one myself."

Many Low Tier Cultivators stared at the White Feathered Eagle, their eyes shining.

Powerful Pet Beasts like the Rain Swift, Wind Snow Sparrow, Frost White Flying Horse, and Electric Python had incredible potential and great prospects. But for that very reason, not everyone could afford to buy or raise them.

So, after seeing the White Feathered Eagle demonstrate its ability to barely contend with a Wind Snow Sparrow, many people were tempted.

「Meanwhile.」

Fang Yang was also locked in battle with Lin Tianxue. Spears crossed and sparks of fire flew.

However, thanks to the White Feathered Eagle’s explosive performance, Fang Yang wasn’t being hindered by the Wind Snow Sparrow, allowing him to face Lin Tianxue with greater ease.

A fierce wind whipped up Lin Tianxue’s long, dark hair, making her eyes seem even colder.

A large, silver-white spear moved like a flood dragon or a python in her hands, each strike soul-stirringly deadly.

Amidst the wind and snow, her figure drifted about, as beautiful and brilliant as a dreamlike painting.

But the glints of silver light that suddenly erupted from her spoke of a lethal danger!

Yet Fang Yang remained calm and unhurried, meeting each of her moves and even pushing her back.

BANG—

Another heavy blow collided.

The bluestone floor shattered, and dust billowed.

Behind the cloud of dust, Lin Tianxue’s figure retreated uncontrollably, fearing that Fang Yang would suddenly press his attack.

But Fang Yang, holding his crimson battle spear, stood firm and motionless, letting the surrounding dust wash over him.

"Th-th-this..." Chen Xing was stunned, staring blankly at the figure in white robes.

"Lin Tianxue’s frost-thunder technique is incredibly powerful, so how is she being constantly suppressed!?" Zhang Le looked up abruptly. "This Fang Yang... his growth rate is just too astonishing!"

The other Cultivators below the stage were all amazed, finding it hard to believe that Fang Yang could so steadily suppress a powerful opponent like Lin Tianxue.

No matter what moves Lin Tianxue used, she was helpless against Fang Yang!

Amidst the crowd, however, Zhang Ye’s body began to tremble—not from fear, but from excitement.

"Fang... Yang..." Zhang Ye whispered, his head lowered, the name like a cry from the Nine Netherworld.

’Fighting a rival like Fang Yang is one of the great joys on the path of cultivation.’

’Even if I were to die at his hands, to offer my everything to him, I would have no regrets.’

’But I... will absolutely not lose!’

"The one who becomes a Saint will be me."

Zhang Ye’s heart surged with emotion as he stared intently at Fang Yang’s figure in the arena.

「In the arena.」

Fang Yang and Lin Tianxue’s figures shifted and moved.

The tips of their spears clashed relentlessly, erupting with orange-yellow flames and Frost White lightning that arced to the ground.

But if things continued like this, Lin Tianxue was bound to be the first to lose, her True Essence completely depleted.

It could only be said that the boost from the Moonfire Thunder Flower, a Spiritual Object, was just too, too great.

Although Fang Yang hadn’t yet refined the Moonfire Thunder Flower, feeding it fifty thousand Yuan Stones every day would grant him a ball of exceptionally pure Primordial Qi in return.

In truth, this was an investment that operated at a great loss, but when it came to Fang Yang, the elders of the Fang Clan could only grit their teeth and carry on.

Who could blame them? Fang Yang possessed the Fire Eagle Spirit Body and was the most dazzling prodigy of their Fang Clan.

On the other side, Lin Tianxue was also well aware of her dwindling True Essence.

Lin Tianxue spun her large, silver-white spear, and a brilliant layer of white light enveloped her, making her look like the Wind and Snow Goddess incarnate.

Suddenly, the Wind Snow Sparrow in the sky shrieked and flapped its wings. It took a direct hit from the White Feathered Eagle and flew swiftly back to Lin Tianxue’s side, merging with a Spiritual Sparrow illusion.

In the blink of an eye, a nearly solid, hundred-foot-tall Spiritual Sparrow illusion appeared behind Lin Tianxue.

This Spiritual Sparrow illusion shrieked, its wings carrying a majestic blizzard as a biting cold wind roared forth.

This was her ultimate move!

「At the same time.」

Fang Yang calmly unleashed his own ultimate move, the Celestial Eagle Cross Spear. A Fire Eagle Illusion appeared, no less impressive, and stirred up a vast Sea of Fire.

At this moment, Fang Yang was wreathed in chains of fire, appearing like a war general stepping out from the flames.

Fang Yang swung his battle spear violently, and the Fire Eagle Illusion dove forward in unison!

Lin Tianxue fearlessly swept her large spear, and the Spiritual Sparrow illusion beat its wings in fury and lunged!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

In the arena, red light and white light illuminated everything, turning the dimming sky as bright as day. Even the dark clouds above were faintly scattered.

"No way, that’s an ultimate move?!"

"Ultimate moves can usually only be used by Tier Three Cultivators."

"They’re clearly only Tier One Cultivators, yet they can use them ahead of time. As expected of the prodigies from the Changkong clan!"

"So this is the legacy of a Saint, this is the Golden Clan, this is the bloodline descendant of the Thunder Saint Venerable..."

The battle between Fang Yang and Lin Tianxue left the Cultivators who were not from the Changkong clan utterly dumbfounded.

They deeply felt the terror of a powerful bloodline, and even a profound sense of despair.

Two worlds of light stood in stark contrast.

But gradually, the red light surged forward, and the white light retreated step by step.

Lin Tianxue was being overpowered by Fang Yang, her armor stained crimson with blood!

’Wind is everywhere. Fire ignites through a medium...’

In the midst of his battle with Lin Tianxue, Fang Yang suddenly sensed an opportunity to merge Wind and Fire Together with his Celestial Eagle Cross Spear.

Realizing the situation was still under his control, a sharp light flared in Fang Yang’s eyes, and he didn’t rush to augment his attacks with his thunder skill.

Because if he destroyed Lin Tianxue in one fell swoop, he would most likely lose this moment of enlightenment.

Thus, Fang Yang suppressed his violent urges and used Lin Tianxue as a whetstone, controlling the pace of the battle to slowly hone his ultimate move and gain as much inspiration as possible.

His rather bold and audacious actions immediately drew clicks of wonder from Dao Seed Level figures like Qingkong and Yuxuan.

"That White Feathered Eagle grew continuously through battle. I didn’t expect Fang Yang to be the same way."

"Like pet, like master. It seems the ’Monarch’ took a fancy to Fang Yang for reasons other than just Sen Hui."

"Ridiculous. Fang Yang only dares to do this because he sees Lin Tianxue can’t fight back. Men are truly so hypocritical!"

"His talent for combat is truly outstanding. He’s worthy of being called the ’Second Carp Eagle.’ In a few decades, I imagine he’ll be able to stand on equal footing with us..."

High up in the clouds, these great figures of the Changkong clan couldn’t help but offer their comments.

In the end, it was just as they had said.

After one fierce collision after another, Lin Tianxue finally collapsed at Fang Yang’s feet, exhausted and looking like a person made of blood, lying wretchedly in a pool of it.

Although the Wind Snow Sparrow had also fallen into a pool of blood, it stared at the White Feathered Eagle with extreme unwillingness.

The Wind Snow Sparrow believed they had lost because it wasn’t strong enough; it couldn’t carry Lin Tianxue to the top.

Therefore, while it was somewhat impressed by the White Feathered Eagle’s comeback, it was still resentful.

’If only I were a little stronger, just a little stronger, maybe I could have led Lin Tianxue to victory!’

"Don’t overthink it. You already did very well."

Fang Yang noticed the White Feathered Eagle’s downcast mood and offered a word of comfort. There was still one more match to fight; he couldn’t have it developing psychological issues.

The White Feathered Eagle let out a cry and followed Fang Yang off the arena stage.

Although they had won and were about to compete for the championship title, the White Feathered Eagle was actually not that satisfied with its performance in this battle.

The Wind Snow Sparrow was resentful, and it, the White Feathered Eagle, was just as resentful!

’If I, the White Feathered Eagle, had been able to tie down the Wind Snow Sparrow, then Fang Yang wouldn’t have had to struggle so much.’

Thinking of this, a resolute light flickered in the White Feathered Eagle’s eyes.

"Hooray, His Lordship won!" Lu Yao jumped for joy.

"Too amazing. Even if I had the Fire Eagle Spirit Body, I could never do what he did." Fang Xuan was now completely and utterly convinced.

"One more match, just one more match," Hong Qishang was extremely excited, because he had bet so, so much on Fang Yang.

"If that guy launched a sneak attack on me, I’m not sure I’d survive," Chen Yuan said, her face grim, which left Chen Xing in shock.

"Brother Ye, Brother Ye, wait for me!" Zhang Le frantically chased after his cousin, Zhang Ye.

Fang Yang defeating Lin Tianxue was something of an upset, but it was still within many people’s expectations.

But the way Fang Yang had won—by meeting force with force and constantly suppressing Lin Tianxue—was what took many people by surprise.

Among them were Le Shiyu and Qingmang!

"Fang Yang’s strength is even more terrifying than when he fought me."

Le Shiyu’s pretty face was pale as she said gravely, "I have a feeling he was holding back with that ultimate move. He didn’t unleash its full power."

"Holding back? Didn’t use its full power?" Qingmang’s expression was cold. "Thunder Carp Fire Eagle. Besides Fire Skills, it’s nothing more than thunder skills. When it comes to thunder skills, I have nothing to fear either!"

Fang Yang’s strength was indeed terrifying, but Qingmang believed everything was still within his control.

If Fang Yang and Lin Tianxue could both use ultimate moves, then he, Qingmang, naturally could as well.

And if Fang Yang tried to compete with him in thunder skills, he would absolutely regret it.

Not to mention, Fang Yang’s Pet Beast was merely a White Feathered Eagle, while his, Qingmang’s, was an Electric Python!

’The White Feathered Eagle is inferior even to the Wind Snow Sparrow, and it wants to fight an Electric Python?’

"That’s true, but Ah Mang, you should still be careful. Don’t capsize in a ditch." Le Shiyu’s color gradually returned as she spoke softly.

"Capsizing in a ditch only happens when the helmsman isn’t strong enough. And I happen to have the strength!" Qingmang said with calm composure.

He slowly turned around, his black hair draped over his shoulders. His heroic and imposing figure was like an immortal monument, standing there, unsurpassed by any!

Indeed, Qingmang was that Saint Venerable’s favorite of the younger generation, and an unknown amount of effort had been invested in him.

Aside from Sen Wei, who among the peers of the Changkong clan could possibly stand against Qingmang?

In that instant, Le Shiyu gazed at Qingmang’s magnificent back, and ripples appeared in her limpid, autumn-water eyes.