Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Triumphant First Battle

Shifang City, above the Gathering Heroes Platform, the air trembled, space rippled, and soon, one figure after another stepped forth.

Ten figures appeared, causing heaven and earth to shudder. When these ten gathered as one, a devastating aura erupted, sweeping the surrounding space in an overwhelming surge!

Among these ten, nine were unmistakably the representatives of the nine great powers. The last was clad in black, yet none among the crowd could recognize this person’s identity.

“The Seventh Elder…” A slightly trembling voice sounded in Ye Zihan’s mind—Hong Yan’s. Startled, Ye Zihan’s gaze locked tightly onto the black-robed figure. Was this one of the nine elders of the Illusory God Hall?

“A bunch of old relics, always criticizing others, but the moment they show up, they make a grand spectacle themselves…” Nightmoon Qian rolled his eyes in helpless exasperation, then called out in a clear voice, “Everyone, it’s getting late. Please be seated.”

The other nine didn’t waste words or feign politeness. With a light step, their figures flickered and appeared, almost eerily, at their designated seats dozens of yards away, settling into place.

“Ye Qian…” Ye Zihan’s gaze wandered, shifting from the Seventh Elder to another gray-robed man. In his memory, this was a powerful elder within the clan, cold and proud, one who revered strength above all. As a child, Ye Zihan had often suffered under his stern gaze.

Once the eight had taken their seats, Nightmoon Qian turned to face the crowd on the Gathering Heroes Platform, his steady voice ringing clearly in everyone’s ears: “Young ones, the once-in-fifty-years Five Elements Gathering is about to begin. To be able to participate in this event is your great fortune.”

Thunderous applause erupted below. Nightmoon Qian spoke true: the Five Elements Gathering occurred only every fifty years. Miss it, and you would never have another chance for the rest of your life. For those who met the qualifications now, it truly was a stroke of luck.

“Time is short, so I’ll be brief. I’ll reveal this much: the champion’s prize for this Five Elements Gathering is of the Moon Rank.”

At these words, a clamor swept through the crowd, even the spectators in the stands gasping in astonishment!

Moon Rank!

Such a pinnacle-grade artifact would allow its owner to fight across levels with ease!

“M-Moon Rank…” Most of the crowd below were driven nearly mad with excitement, faces flushed, hands rubbing together anxiously, eyes bloodshot with longing for the Moon Rank champion’s prize.

Yan Chen too was stunned. In the last Five Elements Gathering, the champion’s reward had been a Moon Rank martial technique, a heavy toll for the nine great powers. He hadn’t expected a Moon Rank item again this year!

“To dare offer such a prize, the nine great powers must be confident indeed, not at all worried that a dark horse might emerge from the common folk.”

“Even if a dark horse appeared, without the backing of a powerful faction, it wouldn’t be easy to make it out of Shifang City unscathed,” Ye Zihan replied suddenly.

Yan Chen paused, then nodded in agreement. The world was far from peaceful.

Noticing the surging excitement among the crowd, Nightmoon Qian smiled faintly and swept his arm wide. “The Five Elements Gathering officially begins!”

“Dong!”

The deep toll of a bell rang out once more, announcing the official start of this Five Elements Gathering!

Suddenly, ten figures appeared, leaping onto the Gathering Heroes Platform. The leading one declared in a loud voice, “We ten will serve as judges for this Five Elements Gathering. Your victories and defeats will be determined by us. Any who refuse to comply will be disqualified immediately!”

The crowd was stunned. These judges were so domineering! What if they made an unfair ruling in a crucial match—who wouldn’t be ruined by such a miscarriage of justice?

Yet those with some knowledge were unperturbed. They recognized the ten onstage as renowned powerhouses, their reputations too valuable to tarnish with bias or injustice.

Moreover, representatives of the nine great powers sat high in the stands, just as invested in ensuring the fairness and integrity of the Five Elements Gathering.

“Zone One, Group A: Zhang Jin versus Chen Jing!”

“Zone Two, Group B: Peng Wu versus Lin Qifeng!”

“Zone Three…”

The entire Gathering Heroes Platform was divided into ten regions, each spanning over twenty yards, allowing ten groups to compete simultaneously. Not only did this save time, it made the event all the more lively and dazzling.

Once all twenty competitors from the ten groups had ascended the platform, the lead judge continued, “The rules: the match continues until one party can no longer stand, or admits defeat. If someone yields but the other continues to attack, do not blame us for intervening.”

“If you all understand, then let us begin.”

The ten figures flickered, each appearing in their designated area. With a downward sweep of the hand, the battles commenced!

The contestants wasted no time. Channeling their source energy, the fights ignited!

Source energy flared; each profession displayed their unique abilities—martial techniques, summoned spirits, magical beasts. The vast platform was instantly ablaze with color and spectacle.

“These are no ordinary opponents,” Yan Chen remarked.

Ye Zihan did not reply. He watched the battles onstage while carefully sensing for any unusual auras nearby. His gaze occasionally swept over the Seventh Elder—now that the elder had revealed himself, surely his disciples were hidden among the contestants.

“Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!”

Powerful skills collided, erupting with deafening blasts. Most participants were above the Two Principles level; to have reached such cultivation at sixteen or seventeen was no small feat in the outside world.

When true experts made their move, it was clear at a glance. When there was a disparity in levels, the outcome was decided in under five minutes. If opponents were evenly matched, their skills would quickly determine who stood superior.

Thus, in less than a quarter of an hour, the first round of matches had nearly concluded—a remarkably swift pace.

No sooner had the first round ended than the second began, the seamless transitions fueling an intense and heated atmosphere!

Before long, the first four rounds were finished. During these, members of the nine great powers also took the stage, but without exception, they won with overwhelming dominance. Some matches ended before they began, with opponents conceding at once—such was the gulf in strength.

At last, in the fifth round, it was Ye Zihan’s turn.

“Fifth round, begin!”

At the judge’s call, Ye Zihan did not attack immediately. Instead, he studied his opponent, Liang Xuan, sensing that his cultivation had reached the late Two Principles stage.

“I am Liang Xuan, pleased to face you,” Liang Xuan said with a cupped fist.

“Ye Zihan, likewise,” Ye Zihan replied with a smile, returning the gesture.

With greetings exchanged, they wasted no more words. Liang Xuan raised his arm and hurled a white talisman. From it, a black wolf-dog, half the height of a man, sprang forth, growling low, front claws bent, ready to pounce.

“Summoned Spirit—Dark Soul Hound!”

Ye Zihan sensed its aura. The Dark Soul Hound was a mid-tier grade two beast. Without hesitation, he retrieved a sharp blue sword from his spatial scroll, bent his body, and sprang toward the beast.

He did not take out the Blood-Rank Red Lotus Dagger. With so many eyes watching, he had no wish to invite envy.

“Go!” Liang Xuan commanded. The Dark Soul Hound launched forward, leaping into the air, jaws open. A black substance shot from its mouth!

Ye Zihan moved nimbly aside, well aware that the beast’s saliva was laced with deadly poison.

“Ssssss—”

Missing its mark, the saliva struck the ground with a sizzling hiss, green smoke rising as it even corroded the tri-colored ironstone beneath.

Ye Zihan frowned. If that touched his skin, it would be a serious problem indeed.

The first attack failed. The Dark Soul Hound flipped and lunged, claws slashing toward Ye Zihan!

He sneered, swiftly sidestepping half a pace. Source energy surged into his blade as he brought it down on the beast.

He was confident—this sword, even against the tri-colored ironstone, would leave a deep gouge!

A faint “chii” sounded. The Dark Soul Hound raised its paw in defense, but both forelimbs were sliced clean off!

Unable to steady itself, the beast continued its forward rush. Ye Zihan stepped forward, arched his back, twisted his wrist to reverse the grip, and thrust the tip of his sword into the hound’s chest, slicing down with force—instantly disemboweling it.

Liang Xuan’s eyes narrowed. This red-clad youth clearly had a wealth of battle experience. If he didn’t go all out, he might well lose here.

Without further hesitation, Liang Xuan tossed another talisman, forming a hand seal. “Misty Serpent!”

A massive white serpent materialized, its crimson eyes and blood-red tongue exuding a sinister, demonic aura.

“Late-grade two,” Ye Zihan murmured to himself. He charged to the serpent’s side, sword raised, swinging in a simple, forceful arc.

Though legless, the serpent was powerfully built. With a sudden flex of its tail, it reared its upper body to dodge the blow.

Its blood-red tongue flickered as it darted, then lunged to bite Ye Zihan!

He stood his ground, holding his sword upright, right hand gripping the hilt, left palm braced against the blade, and blocked the serpent’s head-on assault.

“Thunder Illusion Force!”

With a surge of fierce energy, force rippled down the blade and exploded into the serpent’s body!

Struck by the torrent of energy, the massive snake could not withstand the impact and was hurled backward!

Ye Zihan pressed the attack, leaping after the serpent as it fell. At the instant before it struck the ground, he jumped, gripped his sword in both hands, and brought it down with all his strength on the serpent’s vital spot.

“Hiss—”

The serpent gave a final whimper. Its tongue had not even time to retract before its life was extinguished, dissolving into mist and vanishing.

“Well done! Beautifully fought!”

The crowd erupted in cheers. Though the battle had not been grand in scale, the red-clad youth’s clean and decisive moves delighted all who watched.

Liang Xuan stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend how—despite his late Two Principles strength, which was formidable among his peers—he had been defeated so quickly by this red-clad youth in his very first match.

“I concede,” Liang Xuan finally said, after a long pause. His strongest summoned spirit had not lasted ten rounds—he knew victory was beyond his grasp.

“Brother Liang, thank you for the match,” Ye Zihan said, sheathing his sword and bowing.

Liang Xuan mustered a bitter smile and returned the gesture. “Thank you, nothing! I went all out. It’s you who are strong.”

Ye Zihan just smiled, and when the judge announced the result, he turned and left the Gathering Heroes Platform.