Chapter 253 - 253: His True Goal
To call Zhanxian's declaration audacious would be an understatement.
He was pitting someone at the third layer of the Physique Transformation realm against someone at the Soul Reformation realm. He was asking a rookie to fight a cultivator with at least five years of experience.
The outrage, the explosion of noise amidst the crowd it caused, far surpassed the earlier chaos within the blink of an eye. This time, even the Elders couldn't stay calm, leaping out of their seats and pointing fingers at Zhanxian.
"Young man, do you think this is a joke?"
"We Elders didn't come here today to take part in a farce!"
"No one will blame you if you just admit your inferiority and accept defeat!"
"Why are you using an inexperienced junior as your shield? Don't you have any sense of responsibility as a senior disciple?"
Mirroring their indignation and disbelief, thousands of disciples seated around the arena raised an overwhelming clamor, all focused on Zhanxian.
All kinds of opinions, accusations as wild as fairy tales, and contemptuous laughter intermingled, building a pressure that would surely petrify whoever was at its receiving end.
Fortunately, Han Xuhan had prepared Zhanxian accordingly, using his past life's memories to create illusions of similar scale inside his foundation tower and then forcing Zhanxian to sit through those illusions.
Even so, Zhanxian was shaken by the tsunami of negativity enveloping him from every direction. Seeing his skeletal body shudder inside the cloak, Han Xuhan could only step forward and shield him.
"It's a duel between two contestants. Why do the opinions of unrelated people matter so much? Since my senior wants me to fight on his behalf, I will do so without complaints."
That wasn't really enough to placate anyone. In fact, it only seemed to incite more outrage. No one could believe that Han Xuhan actually agreed to this bizarre arrangement.
One of the Elders shook in anger as he roared, "Have you lost your senses, brat? You want to duel a Soul Reformation realm cultivator? Are you worthy? Courting death!"
Han Xuhan grinned ear to ear as he met Chen Yan's flabbergasted gaze.
"I love courting death."
That response choked both the Elders and the audience outside the arena.
When the death-seeker is so determined, what can you truly do?
"Aren't there any rules to prevent such ridiculous drama?" Elder Shen said, frowning at the arena official.
The official shook his head helplessly, and Han Xuhan took that opportunity to speak out once more.
"Speaking of rules, there are indeed some relevant ones we should discuss, everyone."
The chaos outside the arena began to settle as everyone's curiosity trumped other sentiments. They could tell from his demeanor that he had a plan.
"First of all, since the gap in cultivation between both sides has crossed three minor realms, the weaker side gains the right to determine the mode of duel and the manner of determining the victor. Any complaints?"
Everyone couldn't help but roll their eyes. The older disciples, especially, were painfully aware of these technically lawful, but somewhat dishonorable tactics.
Many junior disciples who had been busy speculating on the outcome of the duel had also done their own investigation, learning that rules like this were regularly utilized by weaker parties in duels.
"In that case, let's settle it like this: the contest will primarily have two rounds.
The first round will be a test of pure martial skill, discarding all forms of cultivated strength. The Elders can give their judgment if determining the victor becomes difficult.
The second round shall be a test of Martial cultivation. Both combatants can use their full martial prowess without holding back.
If no winner can be determined through these two rounds, then there shall be a third round, where both Martial Arts and Mystic Arts can be used to claim victory."
The structure proposed by Han Xuhan wasn't anything novel. Similar duels had happened numerous times in the past. Nobody could claim that it was unfair.
Truth be told, did the concept of fairness even exist in a duel between a rookie Physique Transformation realm cultivator and a Soul Reformation realm cultivator?
Hearing no voice of dissent, Han Xuhan moved on.
"Next, let's discuss the gains and losses after the contest. This duel came to be because of someone's greed for resources. A certain senior disciple couldn't tolerate the fact that someone in the outer court was giving away freebies-"
"Stop spouting lies! Everyone already knows that you were the one driven by greed and malicious motives, Han Xuhan!"
Chen Yan's abrupt outburst didn't faze him. He simply shrugged and retorted, "Do you hear yourself? I'm just an assistant of this senior behind me. What's the point of accusing me of crimes I don't even have the qualifications to commit?"
Chen Yan looked like he truly wanted to tear off the disguise Zhanxian was hiding behind, exposing the truth to the entire outer court.
But if he knew that doing so before the duel would simply be a suicidal move, because it would give Han Xuhan a legitimate excuse to unmask Chen Yan's identity as well.
Losing his anonymity before the duel could lead to too many complications. His identity could also become a factor favoring Han Xuhan in the eyes of the audience.
'No need to invite new complications. Since Han Xuhan has dared to stand in the arena, it means my plan to frighten off his backers has worked.
Hence, my chances of victory have already gone up far beyond my previous estimates. Once I win, I can use his own resources to expose him beyond doubts.'
Suppressing the unwillingness in his heart, Chen Yan took a deep breath to calm his fired-up nerves, while Han Xuhan returned to his original announcement.
"My side has already given the word that if we lose, we will hand over the resources demanded by the victor. But what if we win?
What do we get out of it? Just a promise from him that he'd stop harassing us?
Is that fair, Elders? Do you find it fair to my side, fellow disciples of the outer court?
A duel should be based on fair grounds. I ask you to make a sincere judgement!"
Nearly every member in the audience rolled their eyes. Some, like Chen Yan, laughed out loud in scorn.
Junior Disciple Han Xuhan really dared to dream big! He was already talking about prizes after a victory that he had no chance of getting!
"Stop beating around the bush and state what you want directly," Chen Yan said coldly.
"How about a voidboat ticket?" Han Xuhan proposed, suddenly grinning like a shark.
Chen Yan felt an ominous tremor in his soul.