Chapter 201 The Duel Begins (Three additional ten thousand word chapters, please subscribe!)_1
"People from Da Yuan have arrived!"
"Look, that's the monk in the red kasaya, he's the best at bewitching people's hearts. Everyone, be very careful!"
"That young monk is a Buddha's son of the Da Yuan country's teachings. His status in Da Yuan is extremely honored, he's been acclaimed as a living Buddha reincarnate!"
"Living Buddha reincarnate? Is that for real?"
"Humph, that stinking monk has recently defeated countless martial arts masters outside the city, and he even made the audacious claim that he wants to sweep through Tiandu undefeated!"
"What?! This stinking monk is far too arrogant. Today we must teach him a lesson and let him know the strength of Da Xia. How dare this mere barbarian from the steppes strut around in our Da Xia capital?"
"Does anyone know who will be representing Da Xia in the battle today?"
"I have no idea."
As the contingent from Da Yuan arrived, the people within the inner city of Tiandu began discussing fervently. After hearing about Ananda's actions in the outer city, most people were infuriated. Some were worried about Ananda's might, fearing Da Xia had little chance of winning this duel.
High above in the surrounding stands, where the most prominent seats were located, sat members of the royal family, including the crown prince, King Huai, and several other princes and princesses.
"Eldest Brother, do you think this Gu Chen can really win?" a younger prince asked.
The eldest prince, handsome with long, narrow eyes, merely snorted in response, without saying a word.
Deep in his heart, he naturally did not wish for Gu Chen to win, not for Gu Chen, nor for Da Xia.
After all, not long ago, Gu Chen had declined his invitation, which earned him a spot on the eldest prince's blacklist. The prince was quite displeased and did not want to see Gu Chen win.
On the other hand, even if Ananda won, which would greatly affect Da Xia's morale, it was, in the prince's eyes, a good thing.
Because, as Da Xia's might was suppressed and the crown prince, currently the ruler of Da Xia, would surely be despised by countless people, an opportunity for him to rise to power would emerge.
Therefore, in the eldest prince's opinion, it was clearly more advantageous for him if Gu Chen lost.
Moreover, in his heart of hearts, the eldest prince did not believe Gu Chen could win. He was not without discernment, after all, he had achieved the Returning to True Stage. Seeing Ananda today, he sensed the latter's terror. Even someone higher in realm like himself found it challenging, let alone Gu Chen, who was still below Ananda in terms of stage.
In the eyes of the eldest prince, Gu Chen was bound to be defeated.
In truth, those who knew the situation well did not favor Gu Chen. After all, in their view, not only had Ananda achieved the Dragon Elephant True Body, but he also possessed a complete mastery of the Gang Qi Stage. What did Gu Chen have to fight with such a person?
On another high platform, the nobility of Da Xia were seated, among whom were Uncle Dingyuan and the Marquis of Wuwei.
"How do you view this battle?" Marquis of Wuwei asked Uncle Dingyuan at that moment.
Uncle Dingyuan responded with a cold smile, his lips moving slightly as Gangqi condensed into a thread and entered Marquis of Wuwei's ears: "In this battle, Gu Chen is undoubtedly doomed to defeat!"
Marquis of Wuwei also nodded in agreement; that was his thought as well. For the two of them, it would be best if Ananda could kill Gu Chen on the spot today.
Of course, even if Gu Chen were not killed, the scope of this battle was so broad, with the entire world and all of the Nine Provinces watching, it was a matter concerning the fate of Da Xia. Should Gu Chen lose, he would surely be spurned by thousands, and could even possibly be recorded in the annals of history, his name scorned for eternity.
Uncle Dingyuan and Marquis of Wuwei smiled coldly. After this battle, Gu Chen would be thrust to rock bottom. His reputation, built among the common people and in the martial world, would be erased in an instant. He'd fall to the abyss's bottom, loathed by countless people.
The Crown Prince felt the same, his palm unconsciously clenching tight, betraying his inner turmoil.
Behind King Huai, the Xiantian Stage grandmaster, Mr. Gongsun, also furrowed his brows slightly. He first glanced at the sky, then at King Huai. Seeing that King Huai still had an expressionless face, he said nothing.
At this moment, suddenly, a loud laugh from Zha Jiedunzhu rang out: "Prince of Da Xia, why hasn't your champion appeared yet? Could it be that, after hearing of Da Yuan Country's formidable reputation, you have become too frightened to fight?"
"Hahaha..."
With that remark, a group from Da Yuan Country echoed the laughter.
Just then, suddenly, a clear voice traveled from a distance: "The time has not yet come, why such hurry? Are you so eager to depart this world?"
Upon hearing this, Zha Jiedunzhu's face immediately darkened, but far off in the crowd, a tall figure in black robes slowly approached. He had a handsome face, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, very chiseled and masculine features, as if they were sculpted by a knife. He wore a long sword at his waist—it was Gu Chen.
As for the Gu Chengfeng family, naturally, someone had already arranged for them to be seated in their respective places to watch the battle.
It did not take long for the masses of Tiandu to recognize Gu Chen.
"This... this is Lord Gu Chen from Jing Tian Department!"
"He should be addressed as a baronet!"
"Could it be that he is the 'Soul Pursuing Sword'—Gu Chen?!"
Seeing that Gu Chen had appeared on time, the Crown Prince finally set his mind at ease and let out a small sigh of relief.
In the field, Ananda's eyes lit up when he saw Gu Chen approaching, and he said, "It really is you!"
When Gu Chen first returned to Tiandu, they had seen each other once and felt each other's Gangqi for an instant, which allowed Ananda to gauge Gu Chen's strength.
If there were anyone in the same generation in Tiandu who Ananda felt was worthy of battling him, it would only be Gu Chen.
Gu Chen smiled faintly, stepped closer to Ananda, and said, "I hear you made a bold statement, wanting to sweep across Tiandu?"
Upon hearing this, Ananda fell silent for a moment, then nodded affirmatively. "That's correct."
"Then today, let me tell you, wanting to sweep across Tiandu, you are not up to the task!"
At those words, Ananda's eyebrows shot up, and the Gangqi around his body surged out powerfully. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the area towards Gu Chen.
Seeing this, Gu Chen stood his ground, his expression calm. As the thick Gangqi inside him stirred, a similarly terrifying power emerged.
Crack!
In that moment, the force between them clashed and collided, creating countless sparks in the void and crackling noises!
Swish!
The next instant, Gu Chen moved. Like a bolt of lightning, he charged forward and reached Ananda in the blink of an eye, a sweeping leg kick hurtling towards him.
This also marked the official start of the grand battle between the two men!