Chapter 109: Zhong Shan vs. Nan Batian

Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Zhong Shan vs. Nan Batian

"Is that Zhong Shan? He's already reached the sixth level of Innate Stage. Hong Niu, wasn't it him who defeated you last time?"

"Yes, after my defeat, I dedicated myself to training. I never expected that a year later, he too would reach the sixth level of Innate Stage. I was planning to challenge him again, but he was nowhere to be found. Now, he dares to challenge someone at the ninth level? Hmph, he's courting death."

"But it takes a lot of courage to do that. Would you dare?"

"I don't need to. He's bringing humiliation upon himself."

In a corner, the disciple who was defeated by Zhong Shan last time was conversing with two other disciples who joined the Kaiyang Sect two years ago. Around them stood about fifty third-generation disciples, chatting in small groups, but almost all were skeptical about Zhong Shan's chances.

Zhong Shan stood in the center of the square with his eyes closed, indifferent to the cold stares and whispers around him. He was waiting for his opponent, Nan Batian.

Finally, after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, just before noon, Nan Batian, with a face full of scars, slowly walked over from another area.

Nan Batian paid no attention to the others, knowing they were informed by the master. His focus was solely on Zhong Shan.

Wielding a large guandao, he walked steadily to face Zhong Shan.

"Clang~~~~" The guandao struck the ground, and Nan Batian fixed his gaze on Zhong Shan.

"Whoosh~~~~" Zhong Shan opened his eyes and slowly lifted his large saber from the ground.

"Zhong Shan, I hope you will give it your all in this fight," Nan Batian said in a deep voice.

Looking at Nan Batian, Zhong Shan solemnly replied, "I will do my best. Be careful."

Hearing Zhong Shan's words, the onlookers were taken aback. Shouldn't Nan Batian be the one saying that? Yet, it came from Zhong Shan.

"Good," Nan Batian laughed heartily.

After speaking, Nan Batian held his guandao vertically with one hand, grasping the end of the handle. With a single-handed motion, he swung the guandao downwards. The blade's edge glowed fiercely, and a strong, murderous aura surged towards Zhong Shan.

"Celestial Demon Refinement Technique, second level!"

Zhong Shan's eyes widened, revealing his mastery of the second level of the Celestial Demon Refinement Technique, which tripled his strength, emanating immense power.

Sidestepping swiftly, Zhong Shan's large saber collided with the guandao.

"Boom~~~~"

A tremendous explosion echoed as a ripple spread from their feet, cracking the ground beneath them. The spectators were startled, some even gasped in surprise.

Nan Batian's strength was expected, but Zhong Shan, at the sixth level of Innate Stage? How could he match up?

Even those who had mocked Zhong Shan earlier were now stunned into silence.

Nan Batian, taking the duel seriously, exerted all his strength. When his first strike didn't succeed, he quickly retracted his guandao, creating a blinding arc of blade light as he struck again towards Zhong Shan.

"He is currently only my nominal disciple. If you wish, you can formally take him under your wing," Tian Xingzi said suddenly, his tone serious.

"Senior Brother..." Xuan Xinzi immediately frowned.

"Hehe, if I am no longer around, please take good care of him for me," Tian Xingzi said mysteriously, his expression becoming inexplicably solemn.

However, Xuan Xinzi seemed to recall something and immediately frowned, saying, "Senior Brother, you promised Nie Wuyou that you would live well."

"Ling'er has grown up now. But let's not discuss this further for now; we can talk about it later," Tian Xingzi quickly changed the subject.

"Very well," Xuan Xinzi responded, still frowning, but he nodded after looking at Tian Xingzi.

The battle between Zhong Shan and Nan Batian raged on, both fighters narrowly escaping peril with each strike. In the shadows, Bei Qingsi watched with furrowed brows, a trace of worry in her eyes.

Elsewhere, Nie Qingqing squinted her eyes, continuously praying for Nan Batian to strike Zhong Shan down. If that happened, Ling'er would be freed. However, Zhong Shan's extraordinary ability to triple his strength was baffling. Even with this power, he should not have been a match for Nan Batian, yet he held his ground, fighting on equal terms.

"Roar~~~~"

Three incense sticks' time later, both Zhong Shan and Nan Batian let out a thunderous roar as their blades clashed.

"Boom~~~~"

The already ruined ground suffered further destruction from the massive impact. Both fighters were forced to retreat.

Nan Batian staggered back two steps, stabilizing himself by planting his guandao into the ground. Zhong Shan, on the other hand, was pushed back about ten steps, only managing to stop himself by crushing a boulder behind him.

This clash was intentional on Zhong Shan's part. He knew the effect of his Celestial Demon Refinement Technique would end in the time it takes one incense stick to burn. If he couldn't gain the upper hand in this time, continuing to fight would only lead to defeat.

As he steadied himself and was about to declare the end of the duel, Nan Batian suddenly sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes, entering a state of deep meditation. No, he was breaking through!

Nan Batian had finally reached a breakthrough?

The fight was over, but the waves of astonishment in the hearts of the spectators had not subsided. Could Zhong Shan really have only entered the Kaiyang Sect two years ago?

Tian Xingzi and Xuan Xinzi exchanged glances, looking at the devastated plaza below. They slowly descended from Kaiyang Peak, landing in front of Nan Batian and Zhong Shan.

"Greetings, Master. Greetings, Martial Uncle," Zhong Shan immediately said.

Tian Xingzi nodded at Zhong Shan and said, "You may return now."

Tian Xingzi knew Zhong Shan had used a secret technique, which likely had side effects, so he wanted Zhong Shan to go and recuperate as soon as possible.

"Yes, Master," Zhong Shan nodded and quickly headed towards Ting Shui Pavilion. With Xuan Xinzi watching over Nan Batian, there was no need to worry.

Seeing Zhong Shan leave, Bei Qingsi also turned and left. Nie Qingqing, however, glared hatefully at Zhong Shan's departing figure but did not follow him.

The third-generation disciples around them watched Zhong Shan leave, their expressions now filled with respect and awe. This was a true strongman, and strongmen always deserved respect.