Chapter 271: When It’s Time to Step Down, I’ll Let You Know!
The overwhelming demonic aura instantly drew everyone’s attention.
“This demonic energy… at least seventh grade!”
“And it carries a sense of nobility. This is no ordinary beast!”
The crowd was shocked.
A massive figure descended onto the arena, stirring up clouds of dust. Even Zheng Rulong moved away immediately.
As the dust settled, a towering beast, nearly a hundred meters tall, stood in the arena.
Its body was covered in golden-tinged azure feathers, and its eyes shimmered with a divine brilliance.
A seventh-grade beast — equivalent to a Marquis warrior!
Judging by the intensity of its aura, it might even surpass that level!
“Who goes there?” an elder of the Feng family stepped forward, his voice stern.
They thought everything had been settled.
Who would have expected another challenger, accompanied by such a formidable beast?
“Tai Xuan Sect, Meng Changqing,” a calm voice echoed.
The figure standing atop the beast spoke, his hands clasped behind his back.
The wind tugged at his robes, making him appear as light as drifting clouds.
Meng Changqing leapt down into the arena while the QingyuPhoenix soared back into the sky, awaiting orders.
“So young.” Many in the audience were astonished.
Though the cultivation world had items like rejuvenation pills, a person’s vitality and spirit often revealed their true age.
This young man radiated youthful vigor, looking no older than his early twenties.
“Marquis Realm, First Level,” Feng Qingcang’s gaze scanned Meng Changqing, and even his aged face couldn’t hide a hint of surprise.
To reach the Marquis Realm at such a young age was unheard of.
Not even the core disciples of the Holy Lands could achieve this feat at his age!
“Marquis Realm?” The spectators were astounded.
Most of them, being lower-tier cultivators, couldn’t discern Meng Changqing’s strength.
They only sensed that he was powerful.
But Feng Qingcang’s declaration clarified everything — this was a Marquis Realm expert!
“Which sect or clan does this prodigy belong to? Such a remarkable talent!” someone exclaimed.
“He said it already, Tai Xuan Sect.”
“Tai Xuan Sect? Sounds vaguely familiar… Where have I heard of it before?”
“Reaching Marquis Realm at such a young age is extraordinary, but challenging the Lishui Marquis with just a first-level cultivation? Isn’t that overly reckless?”
As murmurs filled the air, someone suddenly shouted, “I know who he is! This is Meng Changqing, the Southern Region’s top prodigy!
He’s a peerless genius with three perfected intents.
He even condensed a Martial Domain while still in the Life and Death Realm!”
“It’s him!” The crowd finally realized who stood before them.
Recent tales of Meng Changqing’s exploits in the Wild Sea had spread far and wide.
A monstrous talent who surpassed even the Holy Lands’ chief disciples.
Someone who broke all conventions by forming a Martial Domain before reaching the Marquis Realm!
Thanks to him, the various prodigies of the four regions survived the demon faction’s schemes and even slew the heir of the Eternal Nether Sect, Sikong Wuqian — once ranked eighth on the Earthly Rankings!
“To think we’d meet him here today!” The crowd was ecstatic.
The Holy Lands dominated the cultivation world, yet this young man outshone their most elite disciples.
And he wasn’t from any major central power, he hailed from the remote Southern Region!
“The Southern Region’s top prodigy…” Feng Qingcang’s eyes narrowed slightly as his beard and hair fluttered in the breeze.
His grip tightened on his spear.
Though not a peerless genius himself, Feng Qingcang had always been cautious of such prodigies.
News of Meng Changqing’s feats in the Wild Sea had not escaped him.
He just hadn’t expected to face him so soon and under such circumstances.
“No wonder he dares challenge me as a first-level Marquis.” The crowd was enlightened.
With a Martial Domain in hand, Meng Changqing indeed had the qualifications to fight.
“But isn’t the gap still too wide? Feng Qingcang is a peak-level Marquis with four centuries of experience!” someone muttered.
“Even with the True Domain advantage, such a vast difference in cultivation seems insurmountable.”
The general sentiment began to shift back in Feng Qingcang’s favor.
“Young man,” Feng Qingcang said, his voice calm yet resolute, “Someday, you will surpass me. But today is not that day. Step down while you can.”
A crisp metallic sound echoed as Meng Changqing unsheathed his crimson sword, its blade glinting in the sunlight.
“When it’s time for you to step down, I’ll be the one to tell you.” His lips curled into a faint smile, the tip of his sword angled toward the ground.
What arrogance!
The crowd was collectively dumbfounded, their thoughts aligning on a single notion: How bold!
On the battlefield, the slender figure stood tall, exuding brilliance like a rising sun.
“If that’s the case,” Feng Qingcang’s expression darkened, “then allow me to teach you a lesson about overconfidence.”
The Spear Domain manifested, filling the arena with endless spear projections.
They surged forward with terrifying momentum, restrained only by the arena’s protective formations.
Meng Changqing responded in kind, unleashing his Sword Domain.
Countless ethereal blades materialized, meeting the spear projections head-on.
The arena became a battlefield divided evenly between sword and spear — a clash of equals.
“Lishui Divine Spear: Great Fish Leaps Over the Dragon Gate!” Feng Qingcang struck first, unleashing an overwhelming barrage of spear shadows that fractured the void with their might.
“Impressive!” Meng Changqing’s gaze sharpened.
This was the strength of a titled Marquis!
Even this one strike could annihilate an ordinary Marquis-tier warrior.
“Sword Twenty Five!” Meng Changqing’s sword swept forward, obliterating countless spear shadows.
He refrained from deploying his second True Domain. This wasn’t a life-or-death struggle but an opportunity to test himself against a seasoned powerhouse.
He wanted to experience the prowess of a ranked warrior, hone his skills, and validate his martial theories.
For Meng Changqing, a fighter of this caliber was the perfect whetstone.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two clashed repeatedly, each collision igniting sparks like molten fire.
The sheer intensity of their battle caused space to ripple and tremble.
“Over a hundred moves already!” someone calculated with astonishment.
Zheng Rulong had lasted a mere hundred moves before falling.
Yet Meng Changqing, despite being a first-level Marquis, remained unshaken, matching Feng Qingcang blow for blow.
The audience could hardly believe their eyes.