Heaven-Dominating Martial Emperor

Chen Lie looked toward Ye Chen.

However, Ye Chen didn't notice.

After all, in Ye Chen's mind, he had already sentenced Chen Lie to death.

'Why waste any attention on a dead man walking?'

As for the other members of the Black Tiger Gang…

He had no personal grudge against them, but if they insisted on standing up for Chen Lie, Ye Chen wouldn't mind sending them off along with him.

He would just consider it a public service.

The chosen geniuses representing the four major powers took the stage one by one.

According to the rules, they could choose their own opponents and then battle it out.

The loser would leave the stage, and the winner would stay.

The rules were simple. After all, only one of the four geniuses could earn a spot at the Peach Blossom Banquet. To put it bluntly, they just needed to determine the number one victor; the subsequent rankings were completely irrelevant.

So, the losers could simply leave the stage.

"Since everyone is on stage, you may now choose your opponents."

"Who would like to begin?"

Nie Kun said with a smile.

As his voice fell, all eyes turned to the martial arts arena, watching with anticipation.

To be honest, today's competition didn't hold much suspense. It was mostly just a formality.

After all, everyone knew that Tang Huagui, at the Fourth Layer of the Primordial Mansion Realm, would undoubtedly claim the final victory.

Even if the other three on stage combined their strength, they would be no match for Tang Huagui.

With the support of the Black Tiger Tribe from the Dark Triangle region, the Black Tiger Gang's resources were far beyond what the powers from these backward states could match. The geniuses they cultivated could even compete with those from the top-tier states in the eastern part of the dynasty.

Tang Huagui watched the other three with a mocking expression. He stood casually in place, a picture of nonchalance.

Meanwhile, the other three challengers didn't even look his way.

Clearly, no one was going to target him first.

Amidst the silence, Ji Yuanshan suddenly spoke.

"Li Changhe, I will fight you,"

he said, taking a deep breath, his expression firm.

The spectators in the arena perked up. 'It's finally starting?'

Although this year's martial arts tournament lacked the suspense of previous years, it was still a good opportunity to witness the skills of these young geniuses.

"You?"

Li Changhe raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of disdain in his eyes.

Ji Yuanshan frowned. Before he could speak, Li Changhe cut in, "Just forget it. I don't like bullying the old, weak, sick, or disabled."

"What do you mean by that?" Ji Yuanshan said coldly.

"Don't you have another disciple whose strength is no less than yours or mine?"

"Have him come up."

Li Changhe's gaze, cold and aggressive, shifted toward the members of Songyin Sword Mansion.

Everyone followed his gaze.

'Strength no less than Ji Yuanshan and Li Changhe?'

At this thought, many people noticed the aura fluctuating from Ye Chen—he was at the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm!

"Is it him?"

"So Songyin Sword Mansion was hiding another genius? But why isn't he the one competing?"

"Is that even a question? Of course they'd send their strongest! Even though this guy is at the same realm as Ji Yuanshan, his actual strength and foundation are probably inferior."

"That does make sense..."

The crowd broke into discussion.

Some who were familiar with Songyin Sword Mansion sized Ye Chen up with curiosity.

They had never heard of such a figure within Songyin Sword Mansion.

Even Hong Zhi and Yu Chunshui couldn't help but frown.

Hong Zhi shook his head and chuckled. "That Li Changhe, he really can't hold back. He targeted that guy the moment he got on stage."

"But since that guy dared to kill a disciple of our Qingyue Sword Mansion in public, letting him feel Li Changhe's wrath would be excellent."

The other disciples of Qingyue Sword Mansion nodded with cold smiles.

In their view, Songyin Sword Mansion would rather send the injured Ji Yuanshan to fight than let the man who killed Li Yue take the stage.

It was clear to them that even though this person was also at the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm, his foundation and combat power must be far worse than even the injured Ji Yuanshan, let alone Li Changhe.

Yu Chunshui, however, looked puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Who is this kid? How come I've never seen him before?"

On the high platform, Chen Lie shook his head. "I didn't expect him to be singled out so quickly."

"Elder Chen, did you just say this kid killed a member of our Black Tiger Gang?"

The other Elders of the Black Tiger Gang all looked over.

Earlier, they had taken an interest in the world spirit next to Ye Chen, and Chen Lie had explained his past dealings with him.

"That's right."

"I was originally thinking that if he took the stage, I'd have Tang Huagui teach him a lesson. Then I'd capture him and torture him properly."

"But then I thought better of it."

"It's best not to alert him just yet. We'll make our move after the tournament ends."

Chen Lie smiled, a cruel and cold-blooded expression on his face. "He probably thinks we won't dare touch him because that Yu Xiaoran fellow is here, and this is Kunlun City."

"But I doubt he ever imagined that City Lord Nie is on our side! Isn't that right, City Lord Nie?"

With that, Chen Lie glanced to the side.

Hearing this, Nie Kun immediately nodded repeatedly, offering an obsequious smile. "But of course."

The members of the Black Tiger Gang were all very satisfied with Nie Kun's performance.

"He dared to kill someone from our Black Tiger Gang. We absolutely cannot let this kid go!"

"For now, let's just watch and see how he gets through this challenge!"

Ling Yunting said faintly.

By rights, only the four participants on stage were allowed to choose from among themselves to fight.

But now, Li Changhe had openly broken that rule, picking a target from the audience—Ye Chen.

Although the crowd was confused, Nie Kun said nothing, so the spectators naturally kept their mouths shut.

Seeing this, Nie Kun could only give a wry smile.

'The kid only has himself to blame for provoking the Black Tiger Gang.'

'Since the Black Tiger Gang wants to see him humiliated, why would I step in to stop it?'

Now, it was all down to how the kid would respond to Li Changhe's provocation.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, even Yu Xiaoran and his group couldn't help but turn their gazes toward Ye Chen.

"Li Changhe, your opponent is me!"

Seeing that Li Changhe was ignoring him, Ji Yuanshan's expression darkened.

"What? Are you that worried about letting this guy face me?" Li Changhe's gaze was icy as he sneered, "He can't be *that* weak, can he?"

Hearing this, Ji Yuanshan was momentarily stunned.

'Weak?'

'This is Ye Chen, the man who wreaked havoc in the Dragon Prison Cave! He crushed even the peerless geniuses from the major powers. How dare you call him weak?'

Just then, Ye Chen looked at Li Changhe indifferently and said, "I have no interest in you."