Eternal Life through Drawing Lots

The Sen Feng Gambling House was a hub of constant activity.

The betting odds for the champion’s title were constantly changing.

Admittedly, the sight of Fang Yang powerfully crushing Lin Tianxue had been breathtaking. But Qingmang was no slouch either; in fact, his track record was even more impressive than Fang Yang’s.

Throughout the competition, no one had been able to force Qingmang to unleash his killing blow.

His Fierce Beast, the Electric Python, was a mountain that challengers found impossible to surmount, and it had suppressed countless formidable enemies for Qingmang.

As such, the odds were stacked three to seven against Fang Yang, putting him at a clear disadvantage.

The payout for betting on Fang Yang to win the championship was approaching nearly two-to-one.

But even so, a faction of people still believed Fang Yang could pull off an upset.

All Fang Yang had to do was defeat Qingmang before his White Feathered Eagle fell to the Electric Python!

"No, let’s not even consider their two Pet Beasts for a second. What makes you think Fang Yang can dominate Qingmang?"

"Fang Yang’s most powerful killing move is just the Celestial Eagle Cross Spear, inherited from the Carp Eagle Saint. Qingmang has a Saint for an ancestor too, and his is still alive in this very era!"

The young men of the Qing clan were building momentum for Qingmang.

Qingmang wasn’t just the leader of their younger generation; the title of champion for the First Realm involved numerous factions and had immense benefits at stake.

They listed their points one by one, making their arguments difficult to refute.

"To be honest, Fang Yang and Qingmang are more or less evenly matched in strength. The only truly obvious difference is probably their two Pet Beasts."

"I really can’t see how a White Feathered Eagle could possibly contend with an Electric Python at the same realm. The gap is just too vast. It’s hopeless."

"It can’t be helped. For a declining clan to reverse its fortunes, its members have to put in far more effort. The Carp Eagle Saint managed to do it back in his day; Fang Yang ought to be walking the same path."

"It’s strange when you think about it. Who would’ve thought that the person shouldering the mission of the Fang Clan’s revival would also possess a Fire Eagle Spirit Body..."

The debate over the championship battle between Fang Yang and Qingmang swept through every corner of the Sen Yue Army.

Although both of them were only at the Tier One Peak realm for now, everyone knew this was only temporary.

For young prodigies like them, their progress came in sudden leaps and bounds.

Besides, on the path of cultivation, he who takes the first step often stays ahead.

To fall behind and then attempt a comeback required hundreds, if not thousands, of times the effort.

Right now, the popular consensus was that Fang Yang’s best chance to defeat Qingmang was to strike first and crush him before the White Feathered Eagle fell to the Electric Python.

This was the prevailing view, and Fang Yang knew it.

...

"He’s here! Fang Yang’s coming out."

Gasps of surprise rippled through the massive crowd in the martial arts arena.

Instantly, all eyes turned toward the southeast.

On the long, bluestone steps to the southeast, Fang Yang ascended with his White Feathered Eagle following closely behind.

Fang Yang’s figure was tall and straight, his features handsome and aloof. He wore a suit of silver dragon-scale armor and wielded a crimson battle spear.

On anyone else, such an appearance would have reeked of ostentation.

But on Fang Yang, it seemed perfectly natural, as if this was how he was meant to look.

In that moment, Fang Yang looked like a young general marching to war, his powerful aura threatening to topple cities and seize fortresses.

Many of the older generation Cultivators were visibly shaken, marveling as if they were witnessing the birth of a world-conquering general right before their eyes.

’My Lord will one day stand above all. When that time comes, I must not fall behind. I must be there to share that long life with him.’ Lu Yao sensed the crowd’s awe of Fang Yang, and the corners of her mouth curled up as her heart fluttered.

’This little Flying Eagle thief has actually developed a true battle presence through these successive duels. If he really manages to defeat Qingmang, he might even be able to test his blade against Sen Wei.’ A light flickered in Chen Yuan’s eyes; for the first time, she was truly stunned by how extraordinary Fang Yang was.

She suddenly realized that for someone with such supreme talent, the arrogance of that little Flying Eagle thief was actually... understandable.

In addition, the losers Fang Yang had so domineeringly crushed, like Le Shiyu, Li Yang, and Lin Tianxue, also appeared one by one.

They gazed at Fang Yang on the platform, their expressions complex.

「A short while later.」

In the distance, rosy light filled the sky as a fleet of Cloud Boats appeared and war chariots rumbled.

Numerous streaks of light shot through the air, coming to a halt above the clouds to look down upon the arena.

A sharp intake of breath was heard.

"I’m not seeing things, am I? Lord Desert Dragon is here too."

"Wait, that looks like the Cyan Simurgh Chariot... It’s Lord Yuxuan!"

"Yuxuan, Qingkong... What’s happening? Why are these great personages of the Dao Seed Level here to watch this match?"

"..."

Another wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.

Not only had the top one hundred figures from the war merits leaderboard arrived, but two of the seven great Dao Seed Level masters had also made an appearance.

Unbelievable. This was simply unbelievable.

The battle between Fang Yang and Qingmang, when it came down to it, was just a contest between a couple of mere Tier One Cultivators.

Why was such a battle worthy of the presence of these great figures? It made no sense.

「Meanwhile.」

In the Purple Gold Hall on Star Fall Mountain.

Sen Yue, watching the battle from afar with his hands clasped behind his back, smiled helplessly. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"I merely wanted to see how Fang Yang would perform. You’re all reading too much into it."

The great figures like Desert Dragon, Yuxuan, and Qingkong hadn’t come for Fang Yang and Qingmang, but for Sen Yue.

These shrewd individuals knew that Sen Yue would be observing the fight between Fang Yang and Qingmang, so they had made a point to be here as well.

Perhaps the championship battles for Tier Two, Tier Three, and Tier Four would be more intense and spectacular.

But if Sen Yue wasn’t watching, these cunning foxes wouldn’t bother spectating either.

CRACKLE~

CRACKLE... CRACKLE~

A strange crackling of electricity suddenly sounded from just off the arena stage.

A massive cyan python slowly slithered out from the entrance tunnel. Sparks of electricity arced across its body, exuding an intense, oppressive aura.

It was the very opponent Fang Yang and his White Feathered Eagle were taking so seriously—the Electric Python!

The Electric Python’s body was a base of cyan, with a purple lightning-bolt pattern on its underbelly. It looked as if it were composed of cyan and purple lightning, its entire body radiating an awe-inspiring power.

This was a favored child of the heavens, born bathing in thunder. Its scales were formidable, crackling with lightning, and its body was immense. A single glance was enough to reveal how terrifying it was.

Such a ferocious Fierce Beast, even if it was only at the Tier One level, shouldn’t be something a Tier One Cultivator like Qingmang could possibly control.

And yet, there was Qingmang, riding atop the Electric Python as he made his entrance.

At that moment, numerous orbs of lightning exploded behind him, blooming like brilliant fireworks.

Qingmang held a trident of purple lightning and wore a suit of inverted green-scale armor, complete with a cape. He was dazzling and majestic, exuding the domineering aura of an unstoppable force, a single man holding a pass against ten thousand enemies.

The moment he appeared, he captured the attention of the entire audience.

It elicited a wave of sharp gasps from the crowd, even greater than when Fang Yang had made his entrance.

Qingmang’s presence had completely overshadowed Fang Yang’s!

"The White Feathered Eagle has lost, but Fang Yang hasn’t," Hong Qishang said seriously.

’Seriously, big bro, why aren’t you standing on your White Feathered Eagle and flying through the air?’ Fang Xuan grumbled.

’Domineering? How foolish. You, Qingmang, are just a Tier One Cultivator. Wasting True Essence right before a major battle... Even if it’s only a small amount, you’re underestimating Fang Yang far too much.’

Zhang Ye’s gaze was profound as he watched Qingmang coolly.

All at once, Zhang Ye realized that there were far too few people like him, people who viewed Fang Yang as a terrifying menace.

Most people knew Fang Yang was a young prodigy, but they weren’t approaching him with the right mindset.

Based on this point alone, Zhang Ye was certain: in this battle for the championship, Fang Yang would absolutely win. And it would be a decisive victory!