“It seems the one you’re punishing isn’t so simple, able to withstand such heavenly thunder and still have more descend,” Wuming Fenghuo remarked.
He hadn’t used any special techniques to observe; his cultivation was simply too profound, granting him a vision far beyond ordinary martial cultivators. Additionally, the Heavenly Thunder Punishment Platform was positioned low, making the falling thunder highly visible. As long as he paid attention, he could see everything.
However, since the thunder surrounded Chu Feng, observing from this distance wouldn’t reveal Chu Feng himself amidst the lightning, prompting his question.
“Your Excellency, it’s merely a disgrace of our clan,” Chu Hanqing replied.
Hearing this, Wuming Fenghuo didn’t press further. He turned his head away. Though the earlier divine thunder had indeed been impressive, once he accepted it as a product of the Heavenly Thunder Punishment Platform, he and the others lost interest.
“Since this duel between your two clans is overseen by our Starfield Main Realm, the rules will naturally be set by us,” Wuming Gangxiong declared.
With those words, he brushed his wrist over his Cosmos Sack. In the next moment, a palm-sized orb of light appeared in his hand.
*Whoosh—*
Suddenly, Wuming Gangxiong raised his arm, and the orb expanded instantly, covering the central area of the plaza.
Everyone’s eyes lit up. They could tell this wasn’t just a simple formation—it was a treasure imbued with a formation.
The treasure was transparent, resembling a miniature world shrunk down to size. From the plaza’s surroundings, onlookers felt like gods, able to clearly see everything within this small world.
The miniature world was divided by a river into two territories.
Each territory had sixty camps, each marked by two flags.
In total, there were sixty camps per side, with 120 flags altogether.
The flags in the two territories bore the names “Chu Heavenly Clan” and “Fang Heavenly Clan,” respectively.
“Fang Heavenly Clan and Chu Heavenly Clan juniors, listen up! All those under 360 years old, enter your respective territories,” Wuming Gangxiong commanded.
As he spoke, a war chariot hovering in the void descended, landing directly in front of the Fang Heavenly Clan’s entrance on the plaza.
The chariot doors opened, and a full 3,000 Fang Heavenly Clan juniors marched out in orderly fashion.
These were the elite of the Fang Heavenly Clan under 360 years old—each one exceptionally talented and powerful.
Among them, the most eye-catching was a man over two meters tall, with dark skin and a muscular build.
Not only was he physically imposing, but his face radiated arrogance, and his aura stood out from the rest, making him particularly noticeable in the crowd.
His name was Fang Hualong, aged 359.
Gifted beyond measure, he was hailed as the Fang Heavenly Clan’s greatest genius in ten thousand years. In truth, the age limit of 360 for this contest had been set precisely because of him.
He was their trump card.
Years ago, he had already reached Sixth Rank Martial Immortal. Rumors claimed he’d been in secluded cultivation, with a strong chance of breaking through to Seventh Rank.
Yet now, he seemed to be concealing his cultivation with a treasure, making it impossible even for Chu Hanpeng to discern his true strength.
This only heightened Chu Hanpeng and the others’ unease.
Fang Hualong’s Sixth Rank Martial Immortal status was widely known—he had no need to hide it. That he was now deliberately masking his cultivation in front of so many seniors strongly suggested he’d succeeded in breaking through to Seventh Rank.
“He’s here after all,” Chu Hanpeng and the others muttered. The moment they saw Fang Hualong, they mentally prepared for defeat.
Even if Fang Hualong hadn’t reached Seventh Rank, with Chu Feng unable to participate, no one in the Chu Heavenly Clan could match him.
“We pay our respects to Your Excellency,” the Fang Heavenly Clan juniors said, bowing to Wuming Fenghuo and Wuming Gangxiong instead of entering the formation immediately.
“No need for formalities. Go straight in,” Wuming Gangxiong waved dismissively.
At that, Fang Hualong and the 3,000 juniors entered the formation in an orderly manner.
Once inside, they shrank dramatically, appearing smaller than ants by several times.
This wasn’t because they’d actually shrunk—it was an effect of the treasure. The world within it was far larger than the plaza, causing them to appear tiny.
As the Fang Heavenly Clan juniors entered, the Chu Heavenly Clan’s juniors under 360 also began filing in.
Compared to the Fang Heavenly Clan’s 3,000 elites, the Chu Heavenly Clan had over 10,000 juniors.
But these weren’t elites.
In fact, until they arrived at the plaza and saw Wuming Gangxiong and the others, most of the Chu Heavenly Clan juniors hadn’t even known about this duel.
Not only were they unaware, but many in the clan had been kept in the dark.
The Chu Heavenly Clan leader had never informed them of this event.
They were thrust into this situation unprepared. Compared to the well-prepared Fang Heavenly Clan juniors, the Chu Heavenly Clan’s side lacked any fighting spirit.
They all knew they were no match for Fang Hualong. Forget the Fang Heavenly Clan’s 3,000 elites—Fang Hualong alone could wipe them all out.
This duel had no suspense from the start.
“Fang Heavenly Clan and Chu Heavenly Clan juniors, listen well. You may attack each other and seize territories. As long as you don’t take your opponents’ lives, any means are permitted.”
“In one hour, whichever side occupies more camps wins.”
“Understood?” Wuming Gangxiong asked loudly.
“In response to Your Excellency, we understand,” came a thunderous reply from within the formation.
The treasure didn’t block sound—those outside could hear inside, and vice versa.
“Good. You have the time of one incense stick to discuss strategy. After that, the contest begins,” Wuming Gangxiong announced.
At his words, the Chu Heavenly Clan juniors quickly huddled together, communicating via secret transmissions.
In contrast, the Fang Heavenly Clan juniors had already dispersed in an orderly fashion, occupying their camps.
It was clear they’d known the rules well in advance, unlike the Chu Heavenly Clan.
The Chu Heavenly Clan could only watch helplessly. From the beginning, this was never a fair fight.
“Chu Hanpeng, I had something to say to your clan leader,” the Fang Heavenly Clan leader suddenly said, turning to Chu Hanpeng.
“Please, Brother Fang, go ahead,” Chu Hanpeng replied.
“For this duel, my Fang Heavenly Clan is determined to win. The Purple Tree Mortal Realm is ours for the taking. I hope your Chu Heavenly Clan prepares itself mentally—don’t be too heartbroken,” the Fang Heavenly Clan leader said with a smug smile.
Provocation—blatant provocation. The Chu Heavenly Clan members burned with anger inside.
They all knew that in a fair fight between the two clans, the Fang Heavenly Clan wouldn’t necessarily triumph.
But with the Starfield Main Realm’s interference, this was far from fair, emboldening the Fang Heavenly Clan’s arrogance.
Yet, beyond their internal fury, they didn’t dare voice their anger. They feared the Starfield Main Realm’s power.
So, no matter how enraged they were, they could only endure.
Even…
Watch helplessly as this doomed duel unfolded.
Watch helplessly as the Purple Tree Mortal Realm, rightfully theirs, was snatched away by the Fang Heavenly Clan.
