Chapter 839

Fang Zheng and another Immortal Crane Sect elder lead over ten disciples into the crowded venue, where more than a thousand Gu Masters sit murmuring. Onlookers doubt that Fang Zheng is an elder until they sense his aura. ^{ch. 839}

A larger group draws every eye: Myriad Dragon Dock, twice Immortal Crane Sect’s size. It has been in the limelight because of Vicious Lightning Fiend, a rank six Gu Immortal of extraordinary battle strength who created the immortal killer move lightning deity during two years of closed cultivation. Since emerging from seclusion he has challenged countless Gu Immortals, mostly winning and very rarely losing, until he owned three lightning deities. ^{ch. 839}

With three lightning deities his strength surpasses ordinary rank sevens, many defeated outright, extremely rare for a rank six. Central Continent is starting to call him the generation’s strongest rank six. Some elders even called him the next Shi Lei, the next Feng Jiu Ge, which he rebuffed, though implying he could match Shi Lei. ^{ch. 839}

Shi Lei is a rank seven Gu Immortal of Combat Immortal Sect. He has long been pushed down by Feng Jiu Ge, a monster feared even by the ten great ancient sects. Vicious Lightning Fiend’s victories emboldened him to publicly challenge Shi Lei, who stayed strangely silent, though the challenge was really Myriad Dragon Dock probing Combat Immortal Sect. Combat Immortal Sect had found Starry Sky grotto-heaven and Star Constellation Immortal Venerable’s dream realm inside it, and the Gu Immortal level battle strength it withdrew to attack there had the other nine sects sensing something amiss. ^{ch. 839}

Seeing Fang Zheng’s group, Myriad Dragon Dock jeers that Immortal Crane Sect came only to watch its elder fail. Immortal Crane Sect’s disciples swallow their anger in silence. Spectators say Myriad Dragon Dock’s entrant Firesmith Dragon Chief has refinement path grandmaster attainment, was thrown out of the sect years ago for breaking its rules, and now competes to win back his place. ^{ch. 839}

Fang Zheng quietly asks about Elder Yan Tang’s chances. He has little refinement skill himself, eliminated in the first round, but came to support Yan Tang. The elder says the gap is too large: Yan Tang cultivates refinement only on the side, while Firesmith Dragon Chief’s main path is refinement itself. Fang Zheng still expects a top three finish, but each venue now produces only one winner. ^{ch. 839}

Startled, Fang Zheng asks why Yan Tang did not choose an easier venue. The elder says the other venues were claimed, and the higher-ups chose to place him here. Fang Zheng understands: they sacrificed Yan Tang to probe Firesmith Dragon Chief. He recalls Lord Sky Crane’s words, that isolated Yan Tang had courted him for a political alliance, and wonders if he might be used the same way. ^{ch. 839}

The thought drags up the memory of the blood pool, blood vines growing over him. The nightmare surfaces again, and Fang Zheng shudders and gasps. The elder asks with concern what is wrong, and Fang Zheng only says it is nothing, not daring to think further. ^{ch. 839}

Over a hundred Gu Masters step onto the stage, among them Yan Tang, gaze full of discontent, and the red robed Firesmith Dragon Chief, gazing with open disdain. Firesmith Dragon Chief calls the field weaklings and demands the hosting elder start at once. Yan Tang clenches his fists in fury but stays silent. ^{ch. 839}

Myriad Dragon Dock cheers rampantly for Firesmith Dragon Chief while the rest of the venue sits quietly. Fang Zheng seethes inwardly. He wishes someone would beat the man down and shatter Myriad Dragon Dock’s arrogance. As if in answer, a masked figure in black quietly steps onto the stage, and the venue falls silent before erupting: it is Fang Yuan. ^{ch. 839}