The Exalted Double Dragons were the strongest in western lands and no one could take a life around them unless they allowed it, not even Danqing Shen could do it.
Evidently, this incident left everyone gasping, even the exalted.
Zhuo Fan, not even in the Ethereal Stage mind you, released some black snake that no matter how strong, Exalted Hei Ran still caught it.
It was plain for all to see. Yet even so, when Exalted Hei Ran felt in control, the unexpected happened. His claw was overcome in the explosion and the one he was supposed to save got hit hard. It left the entire crowd picking their jaws off the floor.
âZhuo Fan is a frickinâ savage. He actually got to hurt someone under the Exaltedâs protection in front of everyone. This has never happened!â
Yan Mo chuckled, âThe entire western lands are going to know him now. One day, heâll even be the best in western lands as well.â
The crowd started talking to each other in hushed tones.
Mystical Heaven Sectâs girls were gesticulating and clamoring. Only Xuan Shaoyu went dark there, his heart consumed by rage.
[This accursed bastard still got on top!]
The entire scene was noisy, all shocked by what they witnessed.
Exalted Bai Mei stood there for a moment, lost. Even he found it hard to believe even with that old timerâs intervention, it would still end up like this.
[I shouldâve gone there as well!]
But then he shook his head, âHa-ha-ha, hindsight truly is 20-20. With how fast it all happened, it wouldnât make a difference if I went too. The one to blame is that weird thunder flame, able to destroy the claw. The question now though, is Ye Lin alive?â
Bai Mei looked on with worry, since this was his future disciple.
âJunior brother!â
Wu Qingqiu rushed as he saw Ye Lin collapsing and held him up.
Exalted Hei Ran was still too out of it to react. Now, when he came to, he glanced at Zhuo Fan with utter disbelief.
[If he has the power to ruin my move now, what will his future hold?]
[A true battle of freaksâŚ. with limitless potentialâŚ]
Pff!
Zhuo Fan saw Ye Lin was going down and sported a most pleased smile. Then he puked blood and went down next to Qiaoâer, feeble and pale.
The black thunder flame was damn strong, but to withstand its power, Zhuo Fanâs body had to pay the toll. He was only standing by sheer willpower and now that it was over, he fell down.
Exalted Hei Ran understood why as well.
[Choosing to hurt himself if it meant taking down the enemy. Zhuo Fan may be just as wounded at Ye Lin because of it.]
[Oh, Ye Lin! Is he dead?]
Finally getting his wits about him, Exalted Hei Ran rushed over, âWu Qingqiu, howâs your junior brother?â
âThank you for your concern, Exalted. Junior brother is in a very critical state, but he still has a breath left. He should recover.â Wu Qingqiu bowed.
Exalted Hei Ran nodded and then heard Zhuo Fan sighing, âHumph, he still breathes after all. Itâs all that damn old cootâs fault, ruining most of the thunder flameâs power and leaving just a sliver.â
âHey, that old coot is right here! Donât think I canât hear just âcause youâre mumbling. Are you trying to make me look even worse?â
Exalted Hei Ran glared at him then shook his head, âYou and Ye Lin are rare talents in western lands. We donât want to see any of you die. I might have come to Ye Linâs rescue, but I wouldâve done the same if it were you instead.â
Zhuo Fan simply lay there in silence.
He knew the instant the old guy showed up that getting revenge for Qiaoâer and killing Ye Lin was almost impossible.
But even he didnât think the thunder flame was so nifty it escaped Exalted Hei Ranâs control and struck that punk half-dead.
Now his anger was mostly abated. That left Qiaoâerâs worst state as the problem.
Hum~
The beam of light showed up once more in the valley. Exalted Hei Ran was the first to walk to it, âTimeâs up. The fightâs verdict is up to the judge!â
Then he was gone.
Wu Qingqiu glanced at Zhuo Fan with a complex look. He just sighed and signaled for his team to retreat.
Demon Scheming Sectâs disciples rushed over for Zhuo Fanâs orders. After they got the Thunder Ring and put Qiaoâer inside, someone helped him go through the light.
All soon left the valley, leaving only Danqing Shen hiding in a corner, âKid, youâre the first in history to wound someone in front of Exalted Hei Ran, ha-ha-haâŚâ
Danqing Shen vanished from his spot as wellâŚ
Clap~
When the teams were back, they were showered in applause. Ye Lin and Zhuo Fanâs fight had been an amazing display of power, the best of the best.
The people had also come to terms with who was the future best in western lands as well.
âCough, cough, coughâŚâ
The judge cleared his throat, looking from the unconscious Ye Lin on Wu Qingqiuâs back to the weary Zhuo Fan held by Kui Lang. âI have been a judge at Double Dragon Gathering for five times. I had seen my fair share of disciples, but only you filled me with hope for the western lands. Youâve done well, ha-ha-haâŚâ
The judge then turned serious, âItâs time to pass the verdict. In this Ultimate Clarity Sect versus Demon Scheming Sect challenge fight, Ultimate Clarity Sect came back with one wounded and Demon Scheming Sect came back with one wounded. The result is a draw!â
âWait!â
Wu Qingqiu cried out. They all watched as he looked at Zhuo Fan, âThe team battleâs outcome is dependent on Ye Lin and Zhuo Fanâs fight. Junior brother will most likely not like it, but a loss is a loss. Ye Lin lost to Zhuo Fan and that means Ultimate Clarity Sect lost to Demon Scheming Sect.â
The judge froze then nodded. âWu Qingqiu, the loss of a team battle affects the entire sect. Will your elders approve of this? As far as I know, youâre one of the few sects that did not come with a venerable. It shows how confident the sect is in you.â
âUltimate Clarity Sect has always been carefree, not after fame and wealth. A loss is a loss. Thereâs nothing more to it. Twisting our path just for a bit of something goes against our sectâs teachings.â Wu Qingqiu held his head high as he declared, earning everyoneâs admiration.
The judge nodded. âIn that case, the first of the nine sects will beâŚâ
The judge paused for effect, looking at Demon Scheming Sect. The fiends were overexcited now, never believing their eyes. They were at the top!
Then a cold voice came, âWait!â
Now the eyes darted on Zhuo Fan.
âUgh, now what?â The judge frowned.
Zhuo Fan said, âNothing really, just that we canât take the top position.â
âBrother Zhuo, itâs what you get for winning.â
Zhuo Fan waved his hand at Wu Qingqiu, âBrother Wu, since itâs a team battle, it is ten against ten. Ye Lin and my fight was just a single fight. If I still had some fight left afterwards, then I wouldâve taken it of course, ha-ha-ha. However, you can all see my state. And the rest of our disciples are no match. This team battle is our loss. I may not be a nice guy, but I am open in my actions. I donât take more than I deserve. I canât take it or Iâll see it as charity and will be nothing more than an insult. â
Wu Qingqiu shook and cupped his hands. âBrother Zhuo, you may be a demonic cultivator, but you truly are a gentleman!â
âNo, I just have a mean guyâs pride, ha-ha-haâŚâ Zhuo Fan chuckledâŚ