"Fellow Daoist Ye's strength is formidable, so he'll take the second slot," the Wang Clan patriarch outlined the strategy. "Today, Wang Lun will face Su Yuxuan. If Wang Lun has energy left, he'll take on the Flying Tiger General tomorrow. Even if he's outmatched, he can wear him down. Then, Fellow Daoist Ye can step in to easily crush the Flying Tiger General before facing Champion King. The Champion's strength is profound and elusive. The more trump cards you force him to reveal, Fellow Daoist Ye, the greater Her Highness's chances of victory."

Wang Lun stood to the side, his heart icy. Ye Chen's overwhelming power stirred suspicion. Could Ye Chen have been the one who ambushed him that night? The timing aligned—his first encounter with Ye Chen had been that very day.

He hadn't considered it before, dismissing Ye Chen as insignificant, but now the pieces seemed to fit. With the ceremony looming, they needed Ye Chen's strength, so Wang Lun held his tongue. But afterward, this grudge wouldn't be forgotten.

He'd already schemed with his clan. Against Su Yuxuan, he'd feign a hard-fought battle, claiming exhaustion or injury to skip the next fight, forcing Ye Chen to face the Flying Tiger General.

The General, now late Golden Core, would be a tough opponent—perfect for Ye Chen to handle. And exhausting Champion King? That was even riskier, so naturally, it fell to Ye Chen. You're so loyal, Ye Chen? Then die for the princess.

Ye Chen, unfazed, saw through their petty plotting but didn't care. He'd half a mind to take the first slot, sweep all three days, and settle the contest single-handedly. But since Wang Lun was eager to fight Su Yuxuan, thinking her an easy target, Ye Chen let him have it. He was curious, too—how strong was Su Yuxuan now?

…

Before the Great Chu Empire's palace stood a vast plaza, teeming with spectators from major factions and countless curious cultivators. High atop the palace's towering walls, a commanding figure sat on a throne, his wild hair dancing in the wind, exuding imperial dominance. His cold gaze swept the crowd, inspiring awe. This was Champion King.

Soon, a woman in golden palace robes appeared, a radiant phoenix soaring behind her, casting divine light. Her noble, breathtaking beauty drew gasps. Princess Li Feihuang, bearer of the Moon Phoenix Body, had arrived, her presence as extraordinary as expected.

Royal clan elders ascended into the sky, their thunderous voices echoing. "Today, the Great Chu Empire selects its new emperor. The victor shall ascend the throne!"

With a shout, "Chu Emperor Arena, rise!" a massive battlefield ascended into the heavens. Spanning hundreds of thousands of meters, it shimmered with divine runes and crackling lightning, its ancient aura overwhelming. First-time visitors gaped at the sky-bound arena.

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Once stabilized, an elder boomed, "Enter the arena!"

Wang Lun, smiling confidently, flew before the wall and bowed to Li Feihuang. "Your Highness, I shall secure the first victory for you."

Li Feihuang nodded calmly. Spectators viewed Wang Lun favorably—he was Great Chu's top young prodigy, surpassing most late Golden Core cultivators. His opponent, Su Yuxuan, floated up barefoot from the crowd, looking delicate and unknown. Rumors suggested she was a last-minute replacement for the injured Flying Dragon General. With Champion King's dominance, her strength seemed irrelevant. Most predicted an easy win for Wang Lun.

As both entered, the arena sealed, and the battle began.

Su Yuxuan, appearing frail, raised a hand. Dozens of blood pools materialized behind her, unleashing torrents of crimson divine light, relentless and ferocious. The sky arena drowned in a blood-red haze, obscuring vision.

Wang Lun squinted, countering with countless peach blossoms that formed a flowing stream, deftly blocking the blood light. Their clash reverberated with thunderous booms, captivating the audience. Contrary to expectations, Su Yuxuan held her own against Wang Lun, proving herself a top-tier prodigy. Such a rare duel thrilled the crowd.

The Wang Clan patriarch smirked. Wang Lun was playing it smart, keeping his edge hidden to stage a narrow victory. This would justify skipping tomorrow's fight against the late Golden Core Flying Tiger General, leaving Ye Chen to handle him.

As Wang Lun was knocked back several times, the patriarch nodded approvingly. He'd worried Wang Lun's pride might prevent him from appearing weak, but the young man was convincingly selling it—complete with spitting blood. Perfect acting.

But after a hundred more breaths, the patriarch's smugness turned to confusion. Wang Lun's arm was shattered—repairable, sure, but was the act going too far? Then his heart sank. Wang Lun was engulfed in a blood sea, struggling futilely as his aura weakened. This isn't acting. He's losing.

A desperate cry rang out from the arena: "I surrender!"

The crowd erupted in shock. Wang Lun had lost?

…

Su Yuxuan's expression turned bored as she waved her hand, dispersing the blood sea. Wang Lun emerged, his armor shattered, magic tools marred, and body a mangled, blood-soaked mess, corroded beyond recognition by the blood sea. The crowd gasped at his pitiful state.

Moments later, under countless eyes, Su Yuxuan spat a mouthful of blood, her face paling. With a weakened aura, she flew from the sky arena, found a spot, and sat cross-legged to heal.

A Great Chu elder stepped forward, sealing the arena. "Today's battle is concluded. Champion King's side wins. The contest continues tomorrow!"

The plaza erupted in fervent discussion, cultivators marveling at the intense duel.

…

In Su Yuxuan's mind, Manjusaka's puzzled voice sounded. "Why pretend to be injured? With your strength, you could've ended him in a hundred breaths."

Su Yuxuan, still pale, responded inwardly, "Winning once is enough. I'm not the one aiming for the throne—why bother exerting myself? Besides, tomorrow's against Senior Brother. Me, fight him? No way. Whether he can beat Champion King or not, I know I can't beat him. Let someone else deal with it. I won today, so if Champion King takes the throne, I get rewards. If he loses, I'll just beg Senior Brother. For now, I'll sit back and wait."

…

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