System Possession, One Sword Shocks the Gods

128: The duel begins, and the pieces are placed in the dark.The morning sun rose, its golden light piercing through the clouds and spilling over the majestic Heavenly Wind Empire capital. Today, the atmosphere in the capital was vastly different from usual. The crimson main gate, ten zhang high and engraved with Dragon patterns and Phoenix emblems, slowly creaked open. Young Geniuses from all over the Empire and even surrounding vassal states, accompanied by Sect Elders or Family seniors, entered in a steady stream, their hearts filled with excitement, nervousness, or the determination to win, as they walked along the red-carpeted central royal road.

On both sides of the royal road stood Royal Guards clad in golden spiritual armor, their presence murderous, their gazes sharp as lightning, scanning every person entering the city. In the air, several obscure yet powerful Divine Senses descended like a heavenly net; these were the Imperial Court’s consultants keeping watch from the shadows.

The Sword Discussion Stage was located in the center of Chengtian Square, the largest plaza in the inner city. It was a massive circular stage with a diameter of a thousand zhang, forged entirely from a dark cyan metal. The surface was smooth as a mirror, with runes faintly flowing across it. Nine stone pillars carved with Dragons rose around it, with massive image-recording crystals embedded at their tops, allowing the battle situation on the stage to be clearly projected onto the giant light screens suspended around the plaza for everyone to watch.

At this moment, the spectator stands around the plaza were packed with people, the noise deafening. Cultivators from major Sects, noble Families, merchant guilds, and even ordinary citizens had gathered here, waiting for the start of this highest-level event for the younger generation of the Empire.

Ye Chen mingled within the Blazing Sun Sect’s group, still maintaining his disguise as an ordinary scholar, his aura restrained to the Condensing Yuan Realm Peak. Yan Lie walked in front of him, his red hair like fire. His expression seemed calm, but his tightly clenched fists betrayed the turmoil within his heart. Bing Yun, Ling Feng, Shi Yue, and the other four Geniuses who had formed the alliance were also mixed into their respective Sect groups, maintaining a faint connection with each other through the ”seven stars linkage plate”.

Ye Chen’s gaze swept across the Sword Discussion Stage and those nine carved Dragon stone pillars seemingly at random. In his perception, the Sword Discussion Stage itself was part of a massive Formation, and those nine stone pillars were crucial energy nodes. The Dark Hall’s ”Ten Thousand Soul Devouring Spirit Formation” was likely hidden beneath the innate Formation of this Sword Discussion Stage, or rather, the two had been cleverly connected!

He could feel a hidden and evil Yin-Sha power, like a lurking viper, slowly flowing deep beneath the Sword Discussion Stage, faintly echoing with the nine stone pillars. Once the timing was right, it would erupt with fangs capable of devouring everything.

”What a sophisticated disguise...” Ye Chen felt a chill in his heart. Had he not known beforehand and possessed the Chaos Origin, it would have been difficult to detect this fatal murderous intent hidden beneath such grand majesty.

His Divine Sense, like the finest spider silk, quietly spread out, sensing the various factions in the spectator stands. The Imperial Family members sat on the highest, most central gilded viewing platform. The old Emperor did not attend in person, and the event was presided over by a graceful and awe-inspiring Prince. The figure of Shadow Guard Commander-in-Chief Nangong Qing was hidden in the shadows behind the Prince, his gaze seemingly calm as he scanned the entire venue, but Ye Chen could feel his Divine Sense closely connected with the elite Shadow Guards hidden in the dark.

The Zhao Family had also arrived, sitting not far from the Imperial viewing platform. Zhao Kun was among them. His attire today was exceptionally luxurious, and his face wore unconcealable complacency and a hint of morbid excitement. His gaze swept over the Geniuses on the Sword Discussion Stage from time to time, as if looking at a flock of lambs waiting to be slaughtered. Beside him sat a middle-aged man with a sinister face and a deep aura; this was the Zhao Family Head, Zhao Wuji, whose cultivation had reached the Tiangang Realm!

Ye Chen’s gaze accidentally met Zhao Wuji’s. A trace of imperceptible scrutiny and coldness flashed in the other’s eyes before he looked away. Ye Chen sneered inwardly. It seemed the Zhao Family was determined to succeed in today’s affairs.

”Clang—!”

A grand and magnificent bell toll resounded throughout the entire Chengtian Square, suppressing all the noise.

The Imperial Prince presiding over the Heavenly Prodigy Sword Debate stood up, his voice spreading in all directions through the Formation: ”I, by the decree of Your Majesty, preside over this Heavenly Prodigy Sword Debate! I hope you all will uphold the spirit of the Dao of martial arts, meet friends through martial arts, exchange techniques, and promote the prestige of our Empire!”

After the brief opening speech came the drawing of lots. Streams of light flew out from the Prince’s sleeves, falling into the hands of the participating Geniuses, turning into jade tokens engraved with numbers.

Ye Chen was not competing; the jade token he held was a cover prepared for him in advance by Yan Lie. His task was off-stage, in the shadows.

The drawing ended, and the Sword Discussion began!

The first round was a melee of a hundred people! A hundred Geniuses stepped onto the stage simultaneously. Within the allotted time, those who remained on the stage would advance!

Following the referee’s command, a hundred figures shot into the massive Sword Discussion Stage like arrows released from a bow! In an instant, Protective Aura erupted, light shone, and the sounds of metal clashing and shouting filled the air!

Yan Lie, Bing Yun, Ling Feng, and the other seven did not gather immediately. Instead, following their prior agreement, they scattered to different parts of the Sword Discussion Stage. While they appeared to be fighting on their own, they were secretly clearing out those ”fish that slipped through the net” who still had marks on them but whom they hadn’t contacted. They struck with extreme precision, either pushing them off the stage with clever force or temporarily restraining them so they couldn’t move, avoiding attracting too much attention.

Ye Chen’s gaze was firmly locked onto the floor of the Sword Discussion Stage and the nine stone pillars. He could feel that as the battle on the stage progressed, the Protective Aura, blood energy, and even Battle Intent stirred up by the Geniuses were being quietly absorbed by an invisible force, passing through the Sword Discussion Stage’s Formation and into the Yin-Sha Formation deep underground! That hidden evil Formation was greedily absorbing ”nutrients” like a sponge!

And that Demon Egg, far away in the depths of the underground palace in the east of the city, was beating more forcefully and rapidly! A heart-palpitating sense of hunger and tyranny faintly passed through the earth!

”They are using the Sword Discussion process to accumulate energy for the Demon Egg and the blood sacrifice Formation!” Ye Chen realized in his heart. The Dark Hall was indeed cunning, hiding their conspiracy beneath this seemingly fair competition.

He remained calm and transmitted this discovery to Shadow Guard Commander-in-Chief Nangong Qing through the hidden dragon ring.

Shadow Guard Commander-in-Chief Nangong Qing’s response came quickly: ”Confirmed. The core of the Formation is linked to the energy of the Demon Egg in the underground palace; forcibly destroying it might lead to uncontrollable consequences. Follow the original plan: wait for them to actively trigger the blood sacrifice Formation and reveal their greatest flaw before launching a thunderous strike! The Shadow Guards are in position, and the Longxiang and Huben troops are also lurking nearby.”

Ye Chen felt slightly relieved. Now, it was a battle of patience and timing.

The melee continued intensely, with people constantly being knocked off the stage or admitting defeat. Yan Lie and the others, relying on their formidable strength, remained firmly on the stage and secretly eliminated several more marked individuals.

However, an incident still occurred.

A Disciple from the second-rate Sect ”Black Water Sect” had his arm slashed by an opponent’s sharp Sword Qi during the fierce battle. This was a normal injury, but strangely, the blood flowing from his wound did not drip down; instead, it turned into wisps of black-red mist and was instantly absorbed by the floor of the Sword Discussion Stage! Immediately after, the aura around his body suddenly became violent and chaotic, his eyes turned blood-red, and he let out a roar that did not sound human, crazily attacking the people around him regardless of friend or foe!

”What’s going on?!”

”He’s lost control!”

There was a sudden commotion on the stage.

Ye Chen’s eyes narrowed! It was the mark! The mark on this person had not been removed, and under the stimulation of injury and intense emotion, part of its effect had been triggered prematurely!

”Stop him! But don’t take his life!” Yan Lie shouted, and he and Shi Yue, who was nearby, struck simultaneously. A flame cage and a yellow light ring instantly trapped the out-of-control Disciple.

But in this moment of commotion, Ye Chen keenly sensed that the operation of the Yin-Sha Formation deep beneath the Sword Discussion Stage had suddenly accelerated slightly! A more obvious suction force came, crazily extracting the Protective Aura and Soul Power of everyone on the stage! Although extremely weak, it definitely existed!

”They are testing... or rather, warming up the Formation!” Ye Chen’s heart sank. The Dark Hall indeed had a backup plan; they could partially trigger the marks!

He immediately sent a warning through the seven stars linkage plate.

Almost simultaneously, on the spectator stands, the corners of Zhao Wuji’s mouth curled into a cold arc. An inconspicuous attendant beside him moved his fingers slightly in his sleeve.

The next moment, on the Sword Discussion Stage, three more Geniuses from different Sects who bore marks showed signs of chaotic auras and blood-red eyes almost simultaneously!

Chaos was spreading!

”Steady!” Bing Yun’s cold voice rang out, and an ice wall suddenly rose, temporarily isolating that area. Ling Feng’s figure moved like lightning, weaving through the crowd, using clever force to knock out the few Disciples who were about to lose control and sending them off the stage.

On the Imperial viewing platform, the Prince’s face darkened. A cold light flashed in Shadow Guard Commander-in-Chief Nangong Qing’s eyes, and his Divine Sense swept toward the direction of the Zhao Family like a sharp sword.

Zhao Wuji, however, seemed unaware, picking up his teacup and taking a gentle sip.

The first round of the melee ended hastily in this slightly strange and tense atmosphere. Only about thirty people remained, and all seven of Yan Lie’s group were among them.

But everyone felt that an invisible haze had already shrouded the entire Sword Discussion Stage.

The real storm had not yet begun, but the raindrops of the prelude had already fallen.

Ye Chen stood under the stage, watching the staff clear the venue, his gaze deep.

He knew that the Dark Hall’s pieces had already begun to be played.

And their counterattack was about to begin.

The Sword Discussion had only just begun. And the slaughter had long since been unfolding in the silence.