Chapter 809: Move back! Move back! Move back! (II)
The wind swept across War Tomb Mountain, as the crowd roared with excitement.
Zhang Chen silently ascended the weathered and ancient platform with a calm expression.
War Tomb Mountain, a sect rooted in martial traditions, was home to numerous dueling platforms. The grandest of them all, the Judgment Stage, was reserved for when arguments could not be settled clearly by mediators. In scenarios like this, all disputes were ultimately settled through direct and brutal combat—a duel. In this place, the stronger fist was always right.
Today, Zhang Chen stepped onto the Judgment Stage for much the same reason. Since the conflict between Yushan Academy and War Tomb Mountain could not be settled through words, a duel was the only way.
However, this wasn’t just a simple contest. The stakes were incredibly high. The result would not only determine the winner of the duel but also decide which side would continue participating in the selection for a place in the Terrestrial Ten. The loser would be forced to withdraw from the competition for a spot in the Terrestrial Ten.
Opposite Zhang Chen stood a massive figure wrapped in a heavy cloak, brimming with tightly packed muscles that seemed to exude raw power. His broad face, framed by thick, fierce eyebrows and a weathered brownish-yellow beard, was set with piercing eyes. The solemnity of his expression made it clear that he wasn’t to be taken lightly.
This was Qiu Fenglie, the current leader of the War Tomb Mountain. He was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in the Northwest. Renowned for his immense strength, he was considered the greatest master in War Tomb Mountain’s history, with abilities far surpassing his cultivation realm.
Many of the Yu Dynasty’s top military generals had trained at War Tomb Mountain, and though Qiu Fenglie did not officially serve in the court, his influence in the military was on par with that of any active general.
For this reason, War Tomb Mountain had strong backing from the military in its bid for the Terrestrial Ten. However, its opposing stance to the imperial court meant that this support had to be kept hidden.
Aside from the Great Lunar Dao Sect, which held an advantage due to its overwhelming number of votes, War Tomb Mountain had the greatest chance of securing a spot.
Yushan Academy seemed more like a filler in this competition than a true threat.