2602 A Furious Duan Ling Tian

"It's an honor to meet you, Captain Qin," Duan Ling Tian replied with a nod. He had roughly learned about what had happened during his journey here.

Originally, Qin Yu was a centurion under Jian Qiu Ping's command. He had gone into closed-door cultivation for a long time before coming out today. The moment he came out, he wasted no time in challenging Jian Qiu Ping. Who knew Jian Qiu Ping would give up without a fight? In the end, he had smoothly replaced Jian Qiu Ping as captain, and the latter was demoted to a centurion.

Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, 'That's why he addressed himself as a centurion when he challenged me to a duel earlier.'

"Captain Duan!'

"Captain Duan!"

While Duan Ling Tian was immersed in his own thoughts, he heard people calling out to him. He turned to look and was slightly taken aback by the sight of his subordinates bowing at him. Although he had quelled his subordinates' dissatisfaction with a show of strength earlier, he did not expect them to accept him as their captain so soon, let alone treat him with such respect

At the same time, everyone in the Valley of Ares shifted their attention to Duan Ling Tian. Everyone sized him up as they began to discuss animatedly among themselves.

"He's the new captain, Duan Ling Tian?"

"He must be? Otherwise, why would his subordinates greet him like so? Those men used to be under Huang Ji Bing's command."

"Rumor has it that he's only a Violet Moon Heavenly Celestial. If it's true, they definitely won't treat him so respectfully."

"Who knows? Both sides are saying different things. We'll find out soon enough once everything is over."

"I didn't expect to meet our new captain under such circumstances."

"I'm really curious about his strength. After all, ordinary people wouldn't be able to retrieve Captain Huang's identity token."

"I'm starting to look forward to this fight."

After that, the group of Black Dragon soldiers turned in unison and looked at Jian Qiu Ping who was standing on the First Ring in the center of the Valley of Ares.

Duan Ling Tian and Jian Qiu Ping were the main characters of today's fight. Naturally, everyone's attention was focused on them.

"You've come, Duan Ling Tian," Jian Qiu Ping said as he looked at Duan Ling Tian contemptuously. He said in a provoking manner, "No offense, but I didn't think you'd accept the challenge. I thought you'd hide in your tent like a coward and pretend like you've gone into closed-door cultivation."

Everyone's eyes shifted to Duan Ling Tian upon hearing this.

"You're so full of yourself," Duan Ling Tian said in response to Jian Qiu Ping's provocative words. Then, he took a step forward. His figure blurred, and before his voice even faded away, he was hovering in the air and looking down at Jian Qiu Ping.

Duan Ling Tian did not deign to reply to Jian Qiu Ping. He remained as motionless as a statue as he planted his feet firmly in the air.

Upon seeing this, Jian Qiu Ping's expression darkened as he continued to hurl provocative words at Duan Ling Tian, "Well, you're quite talented, I'll give you that. You're quite good at currying favor with your subordinates. Otherwise, they wouldn't have spread rumors about you being stronger than me and how you're not a Violet Moon Heavenly Celestial."

"Hmm?" Duan Ling Tian was slightly stunned when he heard Jian Qiu Ping's words. He instinctively turned to look at his subordinates. He did not expect his men would stand up for him without his knowledge.

Sensing his gaze, the centurion who was previously injured by Duan Ling Tian stepped forward and said, "Captain Duan, Centurion Jian came to our tents today and announced he would teach us a lesson after he replaces you as captain. However, I believe he doesn't stand a chance." He felt his blood boiled as he spoke.

"That's right!"

"We believe in you, Captain Duan!"

"We believe you won't give him a chance to replace you!"

All of the men in Duan Ling Tian's troops were roused by the centurion's speech. They began to cry out loudly in support of Duan Ling Tian. They looked at him expectantly, certain he would emerge victorious.

"What the hell are you talking about?! How dare you accuse me of such things?!" Jian Qiu Ping's expression changed. He scowled at the centurion who had spoken up. He did not expect to be exposed before Chen Xuan Ba, the Commander of the Black Dragon Army. It was only natural that he denied his words. Although it was not unheard of for a superior to abuse his powers, such actions were frowned upon. At the very least, Chen Xuan Ba would not turn a blind eye to such a thing.

"Jian Qiu Ping!" As expected, Chen Xuan Ba's expression turned grim. He looked at Jian Qiu Ping menacingly as he said in a stern voice, "Care to explain yourself?"

Jian Qiu Ping knew there was no way he could talk himself out of this. There were too many witnesses and the circumstances were just right. He replied meekly, "Commander Chen, I was just joking with them. I didn't expect them to take it to heart..."

Chen Xuan Ba scoffed before he turned to Qin Yu and said, "Captain Qin, if Jian Qiu Ping defeats Captain Duan and manages to regain his position as captain, I want you to take over Captain Duan's troops and let Jian Qiu Ping have control over his original troops."

"Yes, Commander Chen," Qin Yu replied respectfully.

"This… I can't believe Commander Chen would give such an order."

After Chen Xuan Ba gave his order, all of the Black Dragon Army's soldiers were stunned. They fell momentarily silent before they began to discuss among themselves again.

"It seems like even Commander Chen doesn't think Captain Duan stands a chance against Centurion Jian."

"You don't say. Would Commander Chen make such an arrangement if he thinks Captain Duan stands a chance in winning?"

"Commander Chen is protecting Captain Duan's men. In case Captain Duan is defeated by Centurion Jian, he'll be able to protect them by putting them under Captain Qin's command."

"It seems like Captain Duan's fate is sealed."

"Even Commander Chen doesn't have confidence in Captain Duan, there's no doubt Captain Duan is going to lose."

Everyone, apart from Duan Ling Tian's men, was further convinced that Duan Ling Tian was going to be defeated. It was only natural since they did not personally witness Duan Ling Tian's strength.

Duan Ling Tian's men looked at him with eyes that were brimming with confidence.

"Based on Captain Duan's strength, at the very least, he'll come to a draw with Jian Qiu Ping. In other words, there's no way Jian Qiu Ping will become our captain!"

"Right! Captain Duan is not any weaker than Jian Qiu Ping!"

Duan Ling Tian was unaware of Jian Qiu Ping's words to his men until now. How could he let this pass? His expression darkened as he said, "You're going to replace me and teach my men a lesson?"

In the next second, Duan Ling Tian's figure seemed to have vanished into thin air as he soared into the sky like an eagle. He said in a grim voice, "Jian Qiu Ping! I'll give you three seconds to unleash whatever skills and techniques you have in your arsenal. After three seconds are up, if I fail to defeat you with a strike, I'll give up my position as a Captain of the Black Dragon Army." As his voice resounded in the valley, the temperature seemed to plummet, causing the people in the surroundings to feel as though winter had arrived.

As soon as Duan Ling Tian's voice faded, the Valley of Ares fell deathly silent.