196: Chapter 196 A Battle of Life and Death (Part 1)

On the arena stage, Yun Tai did not agree immediately. Instead, he looked towards his clan's Old Ancestor, seemingly seeking his opinion, though in his heart he secretly wanted to accept. However, this was not a decision he could make on his own.

"Little friend, there's no need to be so impulsive and act on emotion!" Yun Yi said with a smile at the corner of his mouth. Before Ning Yuan could respond, he continued on his own:

"It's good for young people to spar more, but there's no need to fight to the death! Just a friendly exchange..."

"A life-or-death bet means a life-or-death bet! It's not your turn to make the decision now!" A calm tone suddenly rang out, interrupting Yun Yi's words.

The gazes in the arena followed the voice and landed on Ning Yuan. Their expressions varied slightly; they hadn't expected his attitude to be so resolute. After all, his opponent was the Young Master Yun Hu, who possessed Soul Transformation cultivation.

"Young people are so easily carried away..." On the spectator stands, some members of the Ninth Division couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh, clearly not having high expectations for Ning Yuan's strength.

After a long moment, faced with Ning Yuan's adamant stance, Yun Yi, with no other choice, gave a slight nod and said, "As you wish!"

However, he gave Yun Tai a look, signaling him to show mercy. Ning Yuan could not die here, at the very least, not by the hands of the Cloud Tiger Tribe.

Yun Tai nodded in understanding, yet inwardly he felt invigorated. The best way to wash away humiliation was with the enemy's blood. And since Ning Yuan had proposed it himself, even if he were to 'accidentally' kill him, no one could blame him.

As for the void breaking pill, now that a Spatial Tunnel leading to the outside world had appeared, he didn't believe he wouldn't have a chance to obtain one in the future. It would just be a bit later, that's all!

Hearing Ning Yuan's words, Zhou Lengdie immediately grew tense. After last night's incident, Yun Tai would definitely not hold back. If his attack was even slightly too strong, how could Ning Yuan withstand it? In a critical moment, even a Void Refining Cultivator might not be able to intervene in time.

"Judging by your expression, are you worried about me?" Just as she was about to offer some advice, Ning Yuan's big face had somehow appeared right in front of hers, a smug look in his brows.

"Who's worried about you! I hope you die on the arena, then I'll be free, no longer having to suffer your bullying!" The words she had meant to say were completely different once they reached her lips, which annoyed her for being so contrary.

Unexpectedly, a warm, large hand pinched her chin, and then he planted a kiss on her cheek. Zhou Lengdie was completely stunned, never expecting him to make such a bold move.

Everyone in the arena watched dumbfounded, especially Yun Tai, whose eyes blazed with fire. The jealousy burning deep within him made him wish he could cut Ning Yuan down and take his place.

Looking at the beauty in his arms with flushed cheeks, Ning Yuan chuckled softly and said, "Such a soft body, yet it can utter such harsh words!"

"You villain..." Zhou Lengdie was about to curse him, but a glare from Ning Yuan immediately made her stop, afraid of angering the rogue before her and provoking him into doing something even more outrageous.

"Don't worry, your man isn't that weak!" Ning Yuan said with a smile, then transformed into a streak of sword light, shooting straight towards the arena.

"Pah! You're not my man!" Zhou Lengdie spat fiercely, raising her hand to wipe the lingering trace from her cheek. However, as she looked at Ning Yuan's departing figure, an unconscious flicker of worry still appeared in the depths of her eyes.

In the blink of an eye, Ning Yuan's figure landed on the arena stage, standing opposite Yun Tai at a distance. His hand clenched lightly, and 'Yuan Zhi' abruptly appeared in his grasp. The sword tip pointed diagonally at the ground, a faint Sword Intent swirling around his body as he stared at Yun Tai:

"I had no wish to send you on your way. But since you sincerely seek death, I can only reluctantly oblige and see you off."

"Anyone can boast! But boasting requires strength. Do you have it?" As Yun Tai spoke, light flashed in his hand, and a long, gleaming, snow-bright saber appeared. The blade slanted, reflecting a cold glint under the sunlight.

His expression gradually turned indifferent. Yun Tai's grip on the saber hilt tightened with increasing force. A moment later, his foot stamped down fiercely, leaving several cracks on the hard ground as he took the initiative to attack. Swinging the saber, he transformed into a dark shadow, charging fiercely towards Ning Yuan.

"Kid, after you die, I'll take good care of your woman for you!" As the dark shadow charged, a smug, triumphant voice transmission quietly sounded in Ning Yuan's mind.

Under the gaze of everyone, the dark shadow resembled an enraged ferocious tiger. His long saber lightly pressed against the ground, dragging along the surface and leaving a long trail of sparks and a deep groove.

Ning Yuan watched the oncoming dark shadow with a calm expression. Just as it was about to reach him, the tip of his foot lightly tapped the ground. His body shot forward like a gust of wind, and in an instant, he passed by the dark shadow.

At the moment of passing, Yun Tai's long saber swept horizontally towards Ning Yuan's neck, creating a sharp whistling sound through the air. Just as the saber was mere inches from his throat...

Ning Yuan's rapidly charging figure abruptly halted. His long sword lifted slightly, blocking the saber at the critical moment, accompanied by a crisp clang and a few tiny sparks. After parrying the saber, Ning Yuan slightly raised his gaze, his indifferent eyes slanting a glance at the dark shadow that had just brushed past him.

Suddenly, his arm swung. 'Yuan Zhi' produced a faint sound as it thrust fiercely towards his own back. The latter seemed to sense it, as the gleaming saber swiftly turned, appearing behind him just in time. With a crisp 'ding,' the sword tip struck heavily against the blade.

The collision unleashed a formidable force, generating a gale that swept out in all directions, causing the robes of both men to flutter loudly. Just as their figures were about to completely pass each other...

Yun Tai swiftly turned around. Channeling his spiritual power to the extreme throughout his body, the white light on his long saber surged dramatically. His arm began to move at blinding speed, and the long saber followed, leaving behind a series of saber-shaped afterimages that seemed almost tangible.

"This is... the Cloud Spirit Nine Blades?"

"I never expected Yun Tai to have already mastered the fifth-grade Cloud Spirit Nine Blades so quickly. His talent is truly enviable!"

"It seems Yun Tai wants to finish his opponent in one move, otherwise he wouldn't use this saber technique so soon!"

"..."

When Yun Tai employed this saber technique, those below who were familiar with it couldn't help but murmur in astonishment. The members of the Ninth Division grew even more wary and resentful of Yun Tai's talent, wishing they could eliminate him.

Ning Yuan also turned around in time, narrowing his eyes as he watched the several saber afterimages produced by the moving long blade. He could clearly sense the power contained within those afterimages.

"Truly worthy of being the Young Master Yun Hu. His strength is indeed formidable, but it's still not enough..." He tightened his grip on the sword hilt. There was no trace of fear in his eyes, only a hint of excitement.

Ten years of Cultivation had allowed his cultivation to reach the Peak Nascent Soul stage not long ago. His strength had advanced by leaps and bounds; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was unmatched below the Soul Transformation level.

This wasn't something he claimed himself, but a conclusion drawn from actual combat. He had even briefly sparred with Du Jiaojiao and the other Soul Transformation women for over a dozen rounds, ending in a draw.

Of course, Du Jiaojiao and the others definitely hadn't used their full strength. But had Ning Yuan used his full strength?

Certainly not!