Chapter 190: Tang Huagui
In the Qingyue Sword Mansion camp, Li Changhe's gaze fell on the tall young man, his brow furrowing slightly.
Even for someone as arrogant as him, he could still feel immense pressure from the youth.
For a moment, an inexplicably oppressive atmosphere descended upon the venue. All eyes were on the tall young man representing the Black Tiger Gang, their expressions a mixture of shock and uncertainty.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Black Tiger Gang's Grand Elder, Ling Yunting, suddenly stood up.
He swept his gaze across the crowd. The scar on his face twitched like a wriggling centipede as he began to speak with a dry chuckle.
"Tang Huagui, the most outstanding talent of the Black Tiger Gang's younger generation. At eight, he achieved Bone Forging and stepped into the Blood Condensation stage. At twelve, he successfully broke through to the Spirit Sea Realm. And three years ago, at the age of eighteen, he broke through the Spiritual Sea to establish his Primordial Mansion."
"Now, at twenty-one, he is at the Fourth Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm!"
"Even across the entire eastern region of the Great Hong Dynasty, he would be considered among the ranks of first-class talents."
"He has tempered himself in the Primordial Mansion Realm for three years. His level of cultivation is far beyond what any ordinary peer could hope to match."
"I just wonder, will today's so-called top prodigies from Song and Xu Provinces be enough of a challenge to make Young Master Tang even consider backing down?"
A confident light shone in Ling Yunting's deep eyes. His words sounded polite, but they were the very height of arrogance.
Clearly, he didn't believe anyone at this Martial Tournament could defeat their Black Tiger Gang's top prodigy, Tang Huagui!
To the side, Chen Lie nodded slightly, a smug look on his face.
The only one he was wary of was the young woman who had injured him in the mountain temple.
That young woman's strength was unprecedented. She was a super prodigy at the Seventh Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm. Even in the entire eastern region of the dynasty, her talent would be considered top-tier. She had to be from a major power in another great province.
As long as she didn't get involved in this tournament, first place could only belong to their Black Tiger Gang.
Everyone in the venue exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.
No one held any goodwill toward the Black Tiger Gang. If they were to steal the show at today's Martial Tournament, it would be an immense disappointment.
If it weren't for the Black Tiger Gang's power and their collusion with the City Lord's Mansion making everyone afraid to resist, the city's various factions would have united long ago to drive them out!
"Fourth Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm…"
"This is going to be difficult!"
In the Xuanfeng Manor camp, everyone wore wry smiles.
Yu Chunshui's expression was also grave, a deep chill flowing from her charming eyes.
Martial tournaments had been held in the past, but there was never a precedent for the Black Tiger Gang getting involved.
After all, the Black Tiger Gang was universally despised for their endless evil deeds. Who would want to associate with people like that?
This time, for the sake of a spot at the Peach Blossom Banquet, who knew what price the Black Tiger Gang had paid City Lord Nie Kun of Kunlun City for them to end up in collusion.
Faced with Tang Huagui at the Fourth Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm, which faction's talent could possibly match him?
Wasn't this just handing the Peach Blossom Banquet spot over on a silver platter?
And to the Black Tiger Gang, of all people?!
Beside her, Han Qinglu's expression was also grave.
Seemingly noticing Yu Chunshui's expression, she couldn't help but say, "Don't worry, Master. Even if the opponent is difficult to defeat, I will still do my best."
"At the very least, I will not bring shame to the name of our Xuanfeng Manor."
As the number one genius of Xuanfeng Manor, the sole top power in Song Province, Han Qinglu's foundation was even a bit stronger than that of Li Changhe and Ji Yuanshan.
This Martial Tournament should have been a sure thing, but now a dark horse had appeared out of nowhere. It was a bitter pill for anyone in her position to swallow.
Yet Han Qinglu showed no signs of cowardice or fear. Instead, her gaze became even more resolute.
'Even if I can't win first place and get the spot, it doesn't matter.'
'As long as I don't bring shame to the name of Xuanfeng Manor, it will be enough.'
Looking at her most prized disciple beside her, Yu Chunshui couldn't help but shake her head and sigh softly, a bitter look on her face.
'I had originally wanted her to attend the Peach Blossom Banquet to broaden her horizons, to see the vastness of the world outside, so that she could stay true to her convictions and continue to hone her skills.'
'But now, it seems that was just a pipe dream.'
In the Qingyue Sword Mansion camp.
Hong Zhi's brow was tightly furrowed, but it quickly smoothed out again.
"Changhe, now that the Black Tiger Gang is involved, and that prodigy Tang Huagui is at the Fourth Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm…"
"You don't need to feel too much pressure. Just do your best. It seems first place in this tournament is beyond our reach."
Hong Zhi spoke with resignation, having already accepted the fact.
Li Changhe's expression was cold, his gaze indifferent as he stared at the distant Songyin Sword Mansion camp.
"First place? It doesn't matter if I can't get it."
"I just want to use this opportunity to avenge Li Yue."
His gaze soon fell upon Ye Chen, a chilling, murderous glint flashing in his eyes.
However, Ye Chen, not far away, seemed completely oblivious, not even glancing in his direction.
"That kid…" Hong Zhi also glanced at Ye Chen. "Barring any surprises, he should be the one representing Songyin Sword Mansion later."
In their view, Ji Yuanshan's injuries had not yet healed, so Ye Chen, a young Cultivator also at the Peak of the Spiritual Sea Realm, must be a helper that Songyin Sword Mansion had found.
"Then he'll die a miserable death later."
Li Changhe touched the longsword at his waist, his tone filled with a blistering killing intent that would make one's blood run cold.
...
In the Songyin Sword Mansion camp, everyone looked rather grim.
Yu Xiaoran spoke in a grave tone, "I never expected a dark horse like this to show up. What a surprise."
"Yuanshan, your injuries haven't fully healed, after all. When the time comes, don't push yourself too hard. Know when to pull back, understand?"
"Don't worry, Master." Ji Yuanshan nodded. It was a lingering regret that he couldn't currently fight at his peak.
He had desperately wanted to have a satisfying, all-out battle in the Martial Tournament. If not for that, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to find Ye Chen to refine a pill to help him recover.
After seeing Tang Huagui at the Fourth Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm, everyone knew in their hearts that the winner of this Martial Tournament had already been decided.
Although they were extremely unwilling to let the Black Tiger Gang have the spot for the Peach Blossom Banquet, there was nothing they could do.
After all, the Black Tiger Gang was now in league with Nie Kun!
With a City Lord like Nie Kun protecting the Black Tiger Gang, on top of the gang's own considerable power, no one could do anything about them—unless they could defeat the Black Tiger Gang's prodigy, Tang Huagui, in a direct confrontation at the Martial Tournament.
And the only one who could do that was, undoubtedly…
All eyes converged on Ye Chen.