Eternal Life: My Lifespan Increases Daily

Chapter 665: Chapter 440: The Fight Begins! (Double-Length) (2)

This is like a boxing match that requires weight class divisions; naturally, such a duel also needs to be divided by cultivation level.

”Everyone, after sitting for so long, feel free to leave if you wish to go watch.” Emperor Yun’s voice echoed throughout the main hall.

Soon, several great kings stood up, saluted Emperor Yun, and went outside the hall.

Then, the ministers also left in small groups.

This Cloud Battle is not about actual profit, but about reputation, about face.

After all, these people accompanying us are carefully selected elites. In name, they are also stepping in to represent these titled kings and ministers during the match.

”Brother Li, please.” Prince Cui stood up and gestured invitingly.

”Of course, we must go have a look.” Prince Xia also stood up immediately.

After paying respects to Emperor Yun, the two also stepped outside the hall.

At this moment, the Cloud Battle was already taking place outside the hall.

People were taking the stage one after another, facing off against self-nominated opponents.

The Cloud Battle itself is not an official martial arts duel, nor does it have many strict rules.

The original concept of the Cloud Battle was merely a spur-of-the-moment idea, occurring just once every twenty-five years.

As long as someone wants to showcase themselves, they can enter the battle at any time.

If someone has a target in mind, they can initiate a challenge at any time.

If one is unconvinced, the outcome will be decided on the spot.

”Great King.” Song Changming saw Prince Cui also emerging, so he simply came to his side.

Hong Zhen also returned to Prince Xia’s side.

In reality, whether they fight or not doesn’t entirely depend on them; it’s more determined by the kings behind them.

”Those two guys do this every year. This year they were the first to start battling again.” Prince Cui glanced at the two familiar figures fighting fiercely in the sky and shook his head, showing little interest.

Even Prince Xia beside him showed a helpless expression, nodding, ”Lianyun and Celestial Cloud, these two elder generation royals have lived for seven hundred years combined, yet they still want to outdo each other in everything. It’s likely become an obsession...”

”Just hope it doesn’t escalate to a heart demon.” Prince Cui murmured as his gaze fell on the two old men in the King’s Robe in the distance.

Listening to their conversation, Song Changming noticed that even though Prince Cui spoke calmly, there was a trace of concern in his eyes.

Evidently, this matter worried him.

”Lianyun King and Celestial Cloud King...” Song Changming recalled how Prince Cui had mentioned receiving favors from these two elder grandmasters in the past, and they shared some goodwill.

Before the Imperial Banquet, Prince Cui even took him to visit these two aged titled kings.

”I thought these two old Lion Kings were allies who advanced and retreated together; I didn’t expect them to quarrel in such a setting...” Song Changming was also a bit surprised by this.

In the field, representing the two old titled kings’ will were two martial artists in the Innate Perfection Realm.

Both wielded swords and were incredibly powerful, fighting fiercely and making quite a commotion.

But since this was the forecourt of the palace, it naturally had a strong protective array in place.

On the ground and on each of those jade pillars, runes arose.

The sword might unleashed by the two, once it exceeded a certain boundary, would be absorbed by the talisman array on the ground and the stone pillars, preventing any additional damage.

If not for this, the venue for the Cloud Battle could not have been set up so casually just outside the main hall.

The two battling did not quickly determine a winner until half an hour passed and one side regrettably lost by a single sword technique, after which he was scolded intensely by Celestial Cloud King.

Lianyun King appeared radiant and arrogant, which infuriated Celestial Cloud King to the point of turning red-faced, almost ready to roll up his sleeves and challenge Lianyun King himself.

Meanwhile, the victorious Lianyun King’s representative did not leave the stage but continued to stand in mid-air with his sword.

After a match, winners typically could retire, or they could choose not to.

Much like defending the ring, achieving consecutive victories exhibits a higher record and shines at the pinnacle moment.

Thus, those who feel capable will choose to defend, striving for successive wins.

However, this is undoubtedly a very difficult task.

After all, no one present is just a background character; each one is the invincible protagonist in their own story, so how could they easily admit defeat here?

Even someone like Song Changming with a mere worker’s mindset wouldn’t want to lose if the conditions permit.

”Old Hu, if you’re not going to fight, I’ll send someone instead.” Prince Xia said to Prince Cui at this time.

Prince Cui chuckled, ”If you win, I’ll have Changming challenge your representative.”

”It’s a deal.” Prince Xia was not at all afraid.

On the side, Hong Zhen heard Prince Xia’s words and knew it was settled, so he stepped forward to enter the arena before everyone else.

With a flip of his hand, a massive double-bladed axe fell into his grasp.

The axe blade was more than a meter wide, appearing extremely heavy.

”Practicing the axe skill, huh.” Song Changming couldn’t help but take a second look at the double-bladed axe.

The more he cultivated, the more he noticed that the martial artists he encountered leaned towards similar martial Taos.

They either specialized in the Sword Dao or diligently practiced the Sword Tao, while spear techniques remained quite popular in the military.

Apart from that, martial artists playing with axes were increasingly rare.

Thus, meeting one today was quite a surprise.

”Purple Mist Dao, Hong Zhen!” Hong Zhen declared in the arena with a deep voice.

His gaze was calm, and without unnecessary words, after announcing his identity, he slipped into combat mode. The Gang Qi surrounding him coiled around the double-bladed axe, transforming into a dragon’s breath.

Hong Zhen was an unfamiliar face at the Imperial Banquet, having never shown up before, so initially, he didn’t attract much attention.

But as Hong Zhen revealed his power, many who were present turned their heads to look.

They were all strong figures with profound martial arts mastery, and they could easily tell that Hong Zhen’s power was out of the ordinary.

Even among martial artists in the Innate Perfection Realm, the difference in strength could still be vast.

A powerful martial artist in the Innate Perfection Realm could easily destroy an ordinary martial artist of the same realm.

Judging by the sheer presence of Hong Zhen as he stepped onto the stage, even without making a move, it was apparent he was extremely formidable among his peers.

”Alright, bring it on!” Lianyun King’s representative was not a cowardly person, and he shouted boldly.

The next moment, Hong Zhen’s great axe swung out.

A white dragon of Gang Qi surged forward with a roar, engulfing Lianyun King’s representative in a blink.

The power was so great that even Prince Cui’s usually calm demeanor showed a bit of solemnity.

”What a Brother Li; quietly cultivating such talent...”

The dragon blast passed, ultimately crashing into a jade pillar, causing a larger surge of rune energy.

When the dragon dissipated, Lianyun King’s representative was seen leaning against the jade pillar, panting heavily and with blood at the corner of his mouth.

He gave Hong Zhen a deep look, cupped his hands in respect.

”I concede.”

With that, he voluntarily retreated, leaving the field open.

”Great King, forgive me for not holding out.” The representative returned to Lianyun King’s side, speaking with a touch of shame.

Before coming, he had a preconceived notion of his performance, but this time he did not meet his own expectations.

”It’s alright; you beating Celestial Cloud King’s representative is enough. Whether or not you could achieve consecutive victories is, in my view, just an extra flair. If it’s there, it’s there, if not, so be it.”

”Moreover, you had already expended a lot in the first battle, naturally diminishing your strength. Plus, that kid from Prince Xia showed no martial virtue; this couldn’t be helped.”

Lianyun King spoke, not minding at all nor blaming his representative, instead comforting him kindly with a pleasant mood.

”Even in my best state, facing this opponent would likely still be a dire outcome.” Lianyun King’s representative glanced at Hong Zhen on the field, contemplating his true strength, and shook his head repeatedly.

In terms of Qi Refining Cultivation, he wasn’t much inferior to Hong Zhen, but in terms of real combat power, Hong Zhen clearly had the upper hand!