Kapitel 30: Winning The Arena Competition and More...?

...…

"Don't you recognize me, good ol friend? I'm Yang Xiao. Surely, you know that all the stuff I said earlier was merely a joke, right?"

Yang Xiao's slimy voice entered Azmodeus's ears as he turned his bored gaze from the ground. "I think I do remember you," he replied, "but whether I care about your existence in the slightest is a whole different story. So, are you going to make the first move, or should I?"

"You surely jest, good ol friend of mine! Why don't we grab lunch together while discussing the good old days—!?"

SHING!

BOOOM!

A section of the fighting ring had developed a deep chasm that spread throughout the arena, and the entire area on the left of Yang Xiao simply disappeared!

"!!!"

Yang Xiao freaked out at this ludicrous display of power and leaped back, his voice trembling as he yelled, "Wh-What was that for, you filthy bastar-!?"

However, he wasn't even given the chance to finish as another sword slash hurtled toward him.

"!!!" Yang Xiao narrowly dodged, barely missing the sword slash, but not before another section of the arena was destroyed.

"Looks like you can still dodge, even though I unleashed enough strength to kill a Viscera Training Large Success Stage Cultivator," Azmodeus commented. "Those spiritual items on your body are really working well by allowing your power to soar, huh?"

He glanced at the glimmering pieces of equipment that the young, brown-haired boy was wearing.

The items' shimmer and sparkles intensified constantly as they continued to amplify his strength.

Realizing that he would not be able to get through to this less naive version of Azmodeus, Yang Xiao sneered, "You are lucky that I even tolerated you for as long as I did, you lowly plebeian! And if you know what's good for you, then you will hand over all of your secrets to someone worthy of them — like me!"

A soft sigh echoed throughout the arena as a few more crisp sword sheaths were released in quick succession.

SHING! SHING!

This time, the attacks were far more lethal than the level they had been previously shot out at. The attacks now had enough power to kill multiple cultivators in the Altering Muscle Stage!

"!!!" Yang Xiao tried to dodge again, however, he was nowhere near strong or fast enough and his body was hit directly!

As the blow landed, the armor he was wearing broke and shattered into countless fragments in an instant!

Just before the final blow could land and his fate would be sealed, an Inner Sect Elder from the stands shot down and thwarted the advancements of the sword strikes.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, boy! Going against our family is the same as going against me," the elder declared with an imperious disposition.

"…"

Azmodeus observed the elder's weathered appearance for a moment before speaking. "And what if I don't care that I'm going against you?"

"!!!" The Inner Sect Elder's face contorted with fury as he roared, "You Dare!? Truly Courting Death!"

In his outburst, the Inner Sect Elder let loose of his complete inner strength, quickly unleashing an aura that was well into the 60% Tempering Marrow Realm!

Azmodeus couldn't care any less about the old man's little display. "Are you really so eager to take that last step into the grave?" He asked. "If that's what you want, I will be happy to assist you."

FWIP!

Just as the two were about to fight it out right then and there, a sudden flash of light illuminated the arena. A middle-aged man with an indescribable presence appeared between them.

"!!!"

The Inner Sect Elder, who was also Yang Xiao's father, immediately recognized the man. His eyes widened in disbelief as he dropped to his knees, shouting, "I congratulate the Sect Leader for successfully overcoming his mental barrier and breaking through into the First Stage of Qi Condensation!"

Following this announcement, everyone in the crowd, including the other Outer Sect Disciples, Outer Deacons, Inner Deacons, Inner Sect Elders, and Outer Sect Elders, erupted in praise!

None of them could believe that a member of their Yang Sect had successfully broken through into the Qi Condensation Realm!

This was a monumental achievement that promised to bring glory to the sect for hundreds of years to come!

Amidst all the roaring cheers from those around him, the Sect Leader, Yang Fa, only had his gaze firmly focused on the young, black-haired boy standing before him.

"So, you're the one he was talking about. Well, you're definitely an interesting one," Yang Fa mused, stroking a beard that no longer existed.

Realizing what he was doing, he swiftly lowered his hand down with a slightly embarrassed expression before declaring, "I have decided something!"

"…"

Instantly, the lively crowd fell silent. Everyone's gazes focused on their Sect Leader.

After knowing that he had gained everyone's attention in the Yang Arena, Yang Fa continued, "I've decided that Azmodeus will skip past the Outer Sect, Inner Sect, Core Sect, and Inherent Sect Disciple. He will directly become my Direct Disciple and be the one to represent the Yang Sect along with my daughter in the battle of the Sects!"

"…"

The Sect Leader's announcement put the entire crowd in a state of disbelief.

However, it didn't take long before all of the spectators — except for a few elders — exploded with a high-pitched uproar, nearly breaking the sound barrier!

Even so, none of them were feeling anywhere close to Azmodeus's astonishment, who literally had no clue as to what the f*ck was going on!

_____

An unknown amount of time later, inside an expansive mansion perched atop a hill, adorned with red and gold shillings on all sides, several figures exchanged glances, their expressions varied.

'Am I in some sort of dream or something… Because why the hell am I currently sitting face-to-face with an old man and a 13-year-old girl…?

Azmodeus sat on a luxurious leather chair in Sect Leader Yang Fa's home, looking at both him and his daughter, Yang Hua.

"So, what exactly am I doing here…?" he inquired, slight exasperation creeping into his voice.

"Well, of course, you're here because you are my disciple," Yang Fa responded with a friendly voice before he stretched his hands out, retrieving a few things from his storage ring.

"As my one and only disciple you should take this," he said as his ring flashed. "I have noticed that your cultivation is a lot higher than you're willing to reveal, so I have made sure to give you enough resources to reach the very peak of the Tempering Marrow Realm."

BING! BING!

Dozens of valuable items, worth tens of thousands of silver taels, plopped onto the wooden floor.

"!!!"

Yang Hua's eyes sparkled a bit at the sight of the treasures, countless thoughts swirling in her young mind.

.....