“Young Master, you’re aware of this matter?” Shangguan Yun Feng instinctively asked despite knowing the answer to the question.
“How can I be unaware since he made such a huge commotion?” Duan Ling Tian calmly said. Although he could cultivate in relative peace in the Heavenly Dao Alliance base, he knew it was impossible to fully avoid being disturbed. He had been left a strand of his Divine Consciousness to communicate with Huang’er, the soul of the Seven Orifices Exquisite Sword, so that Huang’er could inform him immediately if something happened.
When Duan Ling Tian heard that Wu Long, the second true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Given Heaven, wanted to challenge him to a duel, he could not help but feel that something was amiss. He had a feeling it had something to do with the Title Temple. He speculated that the Title Temple had encouraged the Heavenly Emperor of the Given Heaven to send his disciple to test his strength.
Duan Ling Tian had long been prepared to be challenged. Since he entered the Nine Serenities, he did not conceal his identities in hopes that the Title Temple would send someone to fight him. Even if Feng Qing Yang was safe and sound, he was still furious about Feng Qing Yang being forced to detonate his law of earth’s clone when they were at the main Title Temple. Apart from that, how could he let go of the enmity between him and the Title Temple when Wu Hong Qing, the Temple Master of the Title Temple, worked with Great Master Miyan and Mi Xuan to take his life. With his current strength, it was impossible for him to take on the Title Temple, but it was different in the Nine Serenities Battlefield.
Duan Ling Tian naturally knew gods were prohibited from entering the Nine Serenities Battlefield. Hence, the strongest powerhouse the Title Temple could send was a demi-god, or a Nine Star God of War, at most. Despite being called demi-gods, the strength of a demi-god was vastly different from that of god; the difference was like heaven and earth. Even elementary gods could easily crush the strongest demi-god.
“Let’s go,” Duan Ling Tian said before Shangguan Yun Feng and Meng Shan could say anything. He could tell from the duo’s expressions that the duo was afraid of the Given Alliance.
While Shangguan Yun Feng led Duan Ling Tian to the base entrance, he briefed Duan Ling Tian on his opponent, Wu Long. He had told Duan Ling Tian that Wu Long was also the second Leader of the Given Alliance, one of the strongest forces in the Nine Serenities Battlefield. He also told Duan Ling Tian that Wu Long had a quick temper and was aggressive by nature. Whenever Wu Long heard about new Eight Star Gods of War or people who were rumored to be as strong as Eight Star Gods of War, Wu Long would rush to challenge them. Since Wu Long managed to defeat all those Eight Star Gods of War, he was widely acknowledged in the Nine Serenities Battlefield to only be second to Nine Star Gods of War.
“Young Master, since you joined the Heavenly Dao Alliance, many people have been speculating that you’re not any weaker than Wu Long. Moreover, both your masters are gods. Based on Wu Long’s temperaments, it’s only natural that he came to challenge after hearing the news.”
Upon hearing these words, Duan Ling Tian wondered if his previous speculation about Wu Long having something to do with the Title Temple held any weight. He narrowed his eyes as he thought to himself, ‘It doesn’t matter why he came here. This battle is unavoidable anyway… He’s only second to Nine Star Gods of War? This makes him the strongest Eight Star God of War here… This is my first time battling such a powerful opponent…’
Duan Ling Tian doubted his speculation upon hearing the words of Shangguan Yun Feng. After all, he had only heard of Wu Long’s voice and did not know him in person, hence he naturally felt his sudden appearance must be related to the Title Temple.
Needless to say, although Duan Ling Tian had met many powerhouses stronger than Wu Long, he had never battled with them before. His eyes flashed with anticipation as he thought to himself, ‘I can use this chance to test my strength…’
Previously, during the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses, Duan Ling Tian was as strong as a top Seven Star God of War without using his Celestial Weapon. Moreover, at that time, he was only a Nine Palaces Celestial Emperor. Currently, he was a Ten Directions Celestial Emperor. Not only that but his comprehension of the law of space and the two Daos of Heaven and Earth had deepened as well after the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses. He had not had a chance of testing his strength out since then, but he suspected he was capable of killing a Nine Star God of War know if he could use his Seven Orifices Exquisite Sword.
The Seven Orifices Exquisite Sword was a prominent divine artifact with an artifact spirit. Prior to this, he could not unleash the sword’s full potential due to his insufficient strength. However, now that he had grown slightly stronger, he would be able to unleash more of the sword’s power. Nevertheless, he did not intend to use the Seven Orifices Sword against Wu Long.
‘Unfortunately, I still can’t borrow the Five Divine Elements’ powers. Otherwise, I’m confident about defeating all those who have yet to attain godhood and don’t possess any of the Five Divine Elements.’ Duan Ling Tian sighed inwardly when he was reminded that the Five Divine Elements were now deep in slumber and recuperating in his Little World after exhausting their energies previously to save him.
Not long after, Duan Ling Tian arrived outside of the Heavenly Dao Alliance base.
At the same time, a crowd of Heavenly Dao Alliance members had gathered in the distance to watch.
“Our Leader and the seventh Guardian are here!”
“The young man standing in front of Leader and Ninth Guardian must be the Purple-clad Nobleman.”
“Why are you still addressing him as the Purple-clad Nobleman? You should address him as Vice Leader or Young Master.”
The members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance were excited now that they finally got to meet their mysterious Vice Alliance Leader.
“His opponent is Wu Long, the second Leader of the Given Alliance. He’s known to be only second to Nine Star Gods of War in the Nine Serenities Battlefield. I wonder if our Vice Leader is a match for him?”
“Don’t underestimate our Vice Leader. When our Lord Vice Leader was still a Nine Palaces Celestial Emperor, he had displayed strength comparable to a top Seven Star God of War even without using his Celestial Weapon. Moreover, after consuming the Exploding Element Celestial Fruit, there’s no doubt he’s a Ten Directions Celestial Emperor and has grown stronger. Although Wu Long is powerful, it doesn’t mean the Young Master is inferior to him!”
“Wu Long must have heard of the Young Master’s achievements and came to look for trouble once he found out that the Young Master had joined the Heavenly Dao Alliance. He really likes challenging people to duels as rumored.”
The elders and disciples of the Heavenly Dao Alliance shifted their eyes back and forth between Duan Ling Tian and Wu Long as they discussed fervently among themselves.
As soon as Wu Long saw Duan Ling Tian, his eyes lit up. “Duan Ling Tian, you’re finally here! I watched your performance during the Battle of the Geniuses through the Floating Image Pearl. I must admit that you’re truly remarkable. If I’m not mistaken, you must be a Ten Directions Celestial Emperor now, right?”
“What difference does it make if I’m a Ten Directions Celestial Emperor or not?” Duan Ling Tian asked in return as he stood across from Wu Long in the air.
“I’ll leave immediately if you’re not a Ten Directions Celestial Emperor. After all, it wouldn’t have been a fair fight. However, if you’re already a Ten Directions Celestial Emperor, you won’t be able to escape the battle today. Naturally, if you’re not confident, you can forfeit the fight by admitting defeat to the members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance.” Wu Long smiled when he finished speaking.
The members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance held their breaths as they looked at Duan Ling Tian, wondering how he would respond.
Duan Ling Tian replied calmly, “How can I let you down when you traveled all the way here from the center region to challenge me?”
“Great! I like how straightforward you are! I, the second true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Give Heaven, challenge the true disciple of the Heavenly Palace of the Solitary Destructive Heaven to a duel. If you win, you’ll be the strongest after Nine Star Gods of War in the Nine Serenities Battlefield. If I win, no one will doubt my reputation of being the strongest after Nine Star Gods of War in the Nine Serenities Battlefield,” Wu Long said as his eyes burned.
Wu Long flashed forward. Then, he came to a halt and said, “Duan Ling Tian, I’ll allow you to make the first move since you’re younger than I am. However, since my reputation is on the line, don’t expect me to pull my punches…”
“Pull your punches?” Duan Ling Tian could not help but chuckle upon hearing these words. “Are you worthy? I hope you’ll be able to bear the consequences of challenging me…”
Subsequently, Duan Ling Tian vanished into thin air before he reappeared above Wu Long. His eyes were without ripples as he looked down at Wu Long.
Duan Ling Tian initially did not have a good impression of Wu Long after listening to Shangguan Yun Feng’s description of Wu Long. However, after speaking to Wu Long, his impression of Wu Long improved since he could tell Wu Long was a straightforward person.