2600 The Valley Of Ares

Although Jian Qiu Ping was the weakest among the ten captains, he still held the title of captain and was a Scarlet Sun Golden Celestial. In other words, he was not someone to be taken lightly as well.

Truth be told, most of the soldiers who were present on the scene, including his subordinates, did not have much contact with Jian Qiu Ping. However, they had heard some rumors about him and more or less knew about the kind of person he was.

"I can't believe he's giving up so easily. Considering his attitude, I thought he would accept the challenge even if he knows Qin Yu is stronger than him."

"He doesn't sound like the Jian Qiu Ping we've heard about."

"What happened to him? Why do I feel like he has changed into another person?"

Many of the soldiers from the Black Dragon Army were stunned when they saw Jian Qiu Ping admitting defeat before he even fought Qin Yu. Some of them even thought they had heard wrongly. However, the soldiers who were most surprised were the soldiers formerly under Jian Qiu Ping's command. They all felt as though he had turned into a stranger. Since they were under his command, they, naturally, knew him better compared to the others.

"Hold on a second… He challenged Duan Ling Tian, a new Captain of the Black Dragon Army, as soon as he conceded his position. Doesn't something smell fishy? There must be a reason for his actions…"

"It's possible that he's trying to conserve his strength so he can face Captain Duan Ling Tian in peak condition. After all, if he loses to Qin Yu, he would need some time to recuperate."

"Well, you might be right…"

"If that's the case, he's really smart. Not only did his decision help him to conserve strength, but it'll also help him with regaining his position as a captain. It's like hitting two birds with one stone!"

"Regaining his position as a captain? What makes you so certain? According to rumors, Captain Duan isn't any weaker than Jian Qiu Ping. Even if he challenges Captain Duan, the odds might not be in his favor."

"Well, I heard that Captain Duan is just a Violet Moon Heavenly Celestial. There's no way a Violet Moon Heavenly Celestial will be able to defeat Jian Qiu Ping."

"This is different from what I heard..."

The crowd was of two opinions. One camp believed Jian Qiu Ping would be able to easily defeat Duan Ling Tian since Duan Ling Tian was only a Violet Moon Heavenly Celestial. On the other hand, the other camp believed that the rumor about Duan Ling Tian being a Violet Moon Heavenly Celestial was fake. They believed Duan Ling Tian was not any weaker than Jian Qiu Ping, and Jian Qiu Ping's dream of easily defeating Duan Ling Tian was only a fool's dreams.

This was only to be expected since people would, naturally, have different opinions.

"How dare Jian Qiu Ping challenge our captain to a duel as soon as he conceded his position? Does he really think that our captain is just a Violet Moon Heavenly Celestial?"

"I'm very certain Captain Duan isn't weak at all. I'd even stake my life on it. Even if Captain Duan can't defeat Jian Qiu Ping, it won't be a problem for him to come to a draw with Jian Qiu Ping!"

"According to the rules, one has to defeat the other in the fight to claim the position. If Jian Qiu Ping can't defeat Captain Duan, he won't be able to claim the position of a captain!"

The group of Black Dragon Army's soldiers serving under Duan Ling Tian had full confidence in him after they had witnessed his strength. In any case, they did not believe he would be defeated by Jian Qiu Ping. The men were about to return to their tents when they heard a thunderous scoff booming across the valley, piercing their eardrums.

"Jian Qiu Ping?!"

"What's he doing here?"

It was not difficult for them to recognize Jian Qiu Ping's voice. Before they regained their senses, Jian Qiu Ping's voice boomed again in the air.

"How dare you impudent little sh*t sling mud at me and spread fake news about Duan Ling Tian is not a Violet Moon Heavenly Celestial and is as strong as I am? After I replace Duan Ling Tian as your captain, I'm going to show all of you what hell is like!" Jian Qiu Ping paused for a moment before he said, "I, Jian Qiu Ping, a Centurion of the Black Dragon Army, hereby challenge Captain Duan Ling Tian to a duel in the Valley of Ares!" His voice that was infused with Celestial Origin Energy sounded even louder when he spoke again. His voice echoed through the entire Black Dragon Army's camp.

"Jian Qiu Ping? A centurion?"

"When did he become a centurion? I just met him earlier."

In the valley where the commander and captains of the Black Dragon Army resided, Hu Ji and Chai Wen Yu, Captains of the Black Dragon Army, emerged from their tents, stunned.

"Half an hour ago, Centurion Qin Yu came out of his closed-door cultivation. He challenged Jian Qiu Ping to a duel, but Jian Qiu Ping gave up without a fight. As a result, Qin Yu replaced him as captain, and Jian Qiu Ping has been demoted to a centurion." A voice rang out from the tent of Chen Xuan Ba, the Commander of the Black Dragon Army.

"Commander Chen!"

"Commander Chen!"

As soon as the two captains saw Chen Xuan Ba, they hastily bowed after they exchanged a look of confusion with each other. They had been Jian Qiu Ping's colleagues so they knew him quite well. Based on his attitude, he would not have given up without a fight.

As if he could read their minds, Chen Xuan Ba explained, "I heard that he surrendered without a fight so he would be able to conserve his strength for his fight with Captain Duan. Didn't you just hear him challenging Captain Duan to a duel in the Valley of Ares?"

"Conserving his strength? Well, that makes sense…" Hu Ji nodded.

Chai Wen Yu glanced at Duan Ling Tian's tent disdainfully. "Is that even necessary? After all, Duan Ling Tian isn't that powerful. He's just a Violet Moon Heavenly Celestial."

"Commander Chen," Zhao Dong Xing, another Captain of the Black Dragon Army, greeted Chen Xuan Ba as soon as he exited his tent. Then, he stood aside and glanced at Duan Ling Tian's tent.

At the same time, the flap of the tent opened up, and a purple figure emerged from inside. The purple figure was none other than Duan Ling Tian. He had been cultivating earlier and was startled by Jian Qiu Ping's voice. Although he did not think much of Jian Qiu Ping, he would never back down from a challenge. Moreover, it was a good chance for him to display his strength to those who looked down on him and prove that he was more than qualified to become a Captain of the Black Dragon Army.

"Commander. Captain Zhao," Duan Ling Tian greeted Chen Xuan Ba and Zhao Dong Xing. He only nodded in greeting to the other two captains.

As soon as Duan Ling Tian finished speaking, Chai Wen Yu bellowed, "Duan Ling Tian!" His expression was dark as he continued saying, "How dare you act so arrogantly in front of the commander? Do you think you're superior to Commander Chen? Can't you show more respect to our commander?" He grew more and more hostile as he spoke. It was clear that he was making a mountain out of a molehill.

However, Duan Ling Tian remained unfazed by Chai Wen Yu's hostility. He glanced at Chai Wen Yu from the corners of his eyes and said, "So you show your respect by tacking on the word 'Chen' behind the title Commander? It's said that those unassuming and seemingly-loyal individuals are the ones who usually harbor wild ambitions. Who knows if beneath your loyal facade, you're harboring thoughts of usurping the commander's position?"

Chai Wen Yu did not expect Duan Ling Tian would counter his words. His expression changed as he cried out in anger, "Nonsense! That's pure nonsense! How dare you make such baseless accusations?"

"I'm just speaking theoretically. There's no need for you to get angry, Captain Chai. Unless... My words have hit its mark?" Duan Ling Tian said with a sneer.

"You… You…" Chai Wen Yu was speechless.

At this moment, Chen Xuan Ba interjected, "That's enough. It's just a salutation. It's just as Captain Duan said, loyalty can't be determined by how I am addressed. I'm certain Captain Duan means no disrespect to me."

Since the commander had spoken, Chai Wen Yu, naturally, could no longer make a fuss. He looked at Duan Ling Tian pointedly as though he was trying to cut Duan Ling Tian into a million pieces with his gaze.

Duan Ling Tian ignored Chai Wen Yu and looked at Chen Xuan Ba as he asked, "Do you know where the Valley of Ares is located, commander?"