Chapter 1066: Tang San Versus Lan Moqian
Chapter 1066: Tang San Versus Lan Moqian
A Blue Gold Fruit like this had gone for five thousand amethystine coins at the previous auction!
Was he… trying to sell it to her?
"It's for you. Eat it," Tang San said earnestly. "You burned your bloodline power and it caused damage to your blood origin."
Mei Gongzi didn't take it. She, of course, knew that burning her bloodline would injure her foundation. But she had her own ways of dealing with it. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared go that far. Relying on the Nirvana Rebirth ability of the Immortal Flame Phoenix bloodline, she would be able to recover quickly once she returned. While it wouldn't leave her completely unscathed, it definitely wouldn't be as bad as it appeared.
"It's too expensive," Mei Gongzi said softly.
Tang San paused, then couldn't help but chuckle. "It's a gift. For the sake of fair competition. When we meet in a couple rounds, I want to face you on equal footing."
Mei Gongzi was taken aback. The next round? Right… If Tang San won his match today, he would also enter the winners' bracket. Then in the round after next, they would face each other. But where did his confidence come from? Not only would he have to win today, he'd also have to beat one of the other winners, either Xu An'yu or Jiang Chenchou.
The reason Mei Gongzi had chosen to go all out against Ning Chen'en was because she hadn't been confident in a guaranteed win. Ning Chen'en's defense was far too strong, and with his dual bloodline and divine weapons, if the Asura Sword couldn't break his defense in one move, its energy drain would become a disadvantage in an attrition battle. And in terms of stamina and foundation, Mei Gongzi couldn't match a seasoned peak Great Demon King, let alone someone like Ning Chen'en.
So she'd made her decision even before the match started: use her most explosive strike to secure immediate victory at any cost. With Nirvana Rebirth, she could recover most of the losses from burning her bloodline.
Furthermore, as the top scorer in the round-robin, winning her first match allowed her to skip the next round of the winners' bracket, granting her an extra day of rest. She would only fight again after the other two winners faced off.
"I can't take it. It's too valuable," Mei Gongzi said.
Tang San stepped forward and placed the Blue Gold Fruit in front of her. "Take it. For the sake of fairness. If you really feel bad about it, once you become an Emperor, you'll get plenty of congratulatory gifts, so you can just pay me back then."
With that, he turned and walked off, returning to his resting chamber.
The other three contestants were a bit surprised by this gesture, but what could they do to stop him? Maybe he was just currying favor? Mei Gongzi had one foot on the podium already, and this Blue Gold Tree clan leader had shown his admiration for her from the start. There wasn't anything too suspicious about it.
"Eat it," came a voice in Mei Gongzi's mind. It was the White Tiger Demon Emperor.
After a brief hesitation, she picked up the Blue Gold Fruit and took a bite. Immediately, a surge of rich life energy flowed through her body, soothing the damage.
Tang San didn't return to his seat right away. Instead, he turned to the others, smiled, and said, "I've got two more Blue Gold Fruits if you want. Five thousand each. Anyone's welcome to buy one, anytime."
Xu An'yu smacked his forehead. "You really are worthy of the title 'Amethystine Warrior,' Brother Jin. Even now, you're thinking about making a profit, even if it means arming your rivals."
Tang San laughed heartily. "We're competitors, not enemies. Let's keep it fair."
Ning Chen'en had already returned, looking utterly dejected. He glanced toward Mei Gongzi's pavilion, opened his mouth as if to speak, then ultimately said nothing and slumped back onto his throne. Losing the first round had crushed his hopes, and more importantly, his confidence.
Tang San had already guessed what Mei Gongzi would do when she began burning her bloodline power, and the fact that she could commit to such a decisive tactical choice made him proud. He knew she'd be fine thanks to Nirvana Rebirth, but that process wasn't without its own cost. Not to mention, it simply wasn't as effective as the Blue Gold Fruit. The effect of a Great Nymph King-level one was just barely short of raising the dead! Its immense life energy could repair any wounds and nourish anyone. He couldn't help her openly, but giving her a fruit? That was easy.
The next match would be Tang San versus Lan Moqian, but the problem was that the platform's barrier had been destroyed. Their match was currently on hold while the Emperors repaired the array pillars. Yet no Emperors had descended to work on it, and no one knew why.
It was only after a long delay that the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor's voice rang out from Council Mountain.
"Due to the overwhelming power displayed by the finalists, which poses a risk of collateral damage to the spectators, the remaining matches will take place in mid-air. Contestants, do your best to avoid attacks that could damage the Ancestral Court. Contestants for the next match, prepare to begin at an altitude of one thousand meters."
A venue change?
The audience immediately stirred.
A battle at a thousand-meter altitude could still be seen from below, but not as clearly as if it happened on the arena platform. Still, after witnessing that terrifying sword strike from Mei Gongzi, they were all a bit shaken. If that strike had been aimed toward a different side of the stage and the barrier or the Emperors hadn't stopped it, the death toll would have been devastating.
And since it was the Emperors' decision, no one dared protest.
Lan Moqian stood up from her throne. Glancing at her defeated husband in the next chamber, her eyes ignited with burning flames—the flames of her desire for victory.
Ning Chen'en was a lost cause, so she could not afford to lose. Moreover, from appearances alone, her opponent today was likely the weakest of the finalists. If she could defeat the Blue Gold Tree clan leader, she would have a real shot at reaching the top three.
Tang San also stood and stepped outside his chamber. He looked across at Mei Gongzi.
After consuming the Blue Gold Fruit, her complexion had already regained a healthy glow. He could clearly sense the vigorous life force emanating from her.
She was going to be alright. The Blue Gold Fruit's effects would last for a while, just enough time for her to recover perfectly.
Tang San gestured politely to Lan Moqian. She didn't hesitate, leaping skyward like a meteor going the wrong way.
Tang San followed close behind. The eight spines on his back pierced the floor of his pavilion, flexed, then suddenly snapped back to straightness, launching him upward like a catapult.
They reached a thousand meters in no time. Thanks to Mei Gongzi's earlier strike, the sky remained brilliantly clear. But from the audience's perspective, the two combatants now appeared as nothing more than black dots.
Lan Moqian hovered in the air, her twin divine greatswords already in hand. Grief and Heavy Water.
Back when Mei Gongzi faced these swords, she'd nearly suffered defeat.
Across from her, Tang San also hovered in place. With a wave of his hand, the Holy Dragon Spear materialized in his palm, radiating brilliant orange-golden light. The moment it appeared, a brilliant aura surged outward, giving everyone a sense of sacred transcendence.