Duan Ling Tian only smiled when he heard He Dong, but didn’t give any added explanations.
He believed that He Dong would soon know the answer for himself.
A trace of astonishment flashed within Zuo Qing’s beautiful eyes when she heard He Dong, then seriously sized up Duan Ling Tian for a moment. In the end, she nodded and didn’t try to persuade Duan Ling Tian anymore.
She was able to perceive that Duan Ling Tian was indeed filled with confidence.
A strong confidence!
She thought inwardly.
Perhaps, this man of Junior Sister’s would once again bring a miracle, and make everyone shocked by it...
In next to no time, all the outer court disciples that were participating in the second round of the outer court martial competition had drawn their own lots.
"Now, all 29 of you have drawn a lot number belonging to yourselves." Meanwhile, the Mizar Peak’s Peak Master, Zheng Fan, slowly said. "Now, the disciples who obtained number two and number three, go to the first combat ring; disciples who obtained number four and number five, go to the second combat ring… so on and so forth, until lot number 19."
There were a total of 10 combat rings on Mizar Platform.
Now, besides the center combat ring being empty, each of the other nine combat rings had two figures appear on them….
The nine outer court elders of Mizar Peak successively went over to preside over the battle.
"Senior Sister Zuo Qing."
Duan Ling Tian stood on the center combat arena in the center of Mizar Platform that wasn’t used, and looked at that beautiful figure that was on the fourth combat ring.
Right at this moment.
"I admit defeat!" Suddenly, an abrupt voice sounded out, breaking the short silence on Mizar Platform.
On the seventh combat ring, a person had spoken out to admit defeat.
"Senior Brother Shi Hao has admitted defeat?" The crowd of Seven Star Sword Sect outer court disciples stared blankly at Shi Hao leaving the seventh combat ring, and they all had faces of disbelief.
They wouldn’t find it strange if anyone else admitted defeat.
But the one that admitted defeat now was Shi Hao!
The number one outer court disciple of the Seven Star Sword Sect!
"Why did Senior Brother Shi Hao admit defeat? It’s too strange." Some of the Seven Star Sword Sect outer court disciples had bewildered expressions, and completely didn’t know what had happened, as it was difficult for them understand what was happening before them.
"You don’t know? Let me tell you, Senior Brother Shi Hao is admitted defeat now for the sake of the challenges later on…. If I’m not wrong, he surely wants to challenge Duan Ling Tian!"
"Challenge Duan Ling Tian? Why?"
"Because he wants to kill Duan Ling Tian!"
"How do you know?"
"I’m a Megrez Peak disciple. Senior Brother Shi Hao had come to our Megrez Peak three months ago and spread the word of wanting to battle Duan Ling Tian on the life and death arena… But unfortunately, Duan Ling Tian was always hiding, and Senior Brother Shi Hao was completely unable to find an opportunity. Now that he has an opportunity, do you think he would miss it?"
"So that’s how it is… But, how did Senior Brother Shi Hao and Duan Ling Tian become enemies?"
"I didn’t know of this at the beginning either, but later on after inquiring many times, I found out that Duan Ling Tian had crippled the Dantian of Shi Hao’s sister, Shi Yan… Who in our Seven Star Sword Sect outer court doesn’t know of how fond Senior Brother Shi Hao is of his sister Shi Yan? Tell me, would he not take revenge for Shi Yan?"
"Duan Ling Tian crippled Shi Yan’s Dantian?"
…
The conversation between the two Seven Star Sword Sect outer court disciples quickly spread out.
It wasn’t long before practically everyone who stood on the Mizar Platform knew of it.
Duan Ling Tian, crippled the Dantian of Shi Hao’s sister, Shi Yan…
Shi Hao hated Duan Ling Tian to the bones, and wanted to kill Duan Ling Tian!
"Duan Ling Tian, you…" He Dong who stood beside Duan Ling Tian had an astonished expression, although he knew that Shi Hao wanted to look for trouble with Duan Ling Tian, but he didn’t know that there were actually such reasons for it.
Duan Ling Tian shrugged, then lightly smiled. "Is it very surprising?"
He Dong nodded. "It’s indeed rather surprising. Who within our Seven Star Sword Sect’s outer court doesn’t know that Shi Hao is incomparably fond of his sister, and assents to her every demand? But you directly crippled her Dantian! It would be strange if Shi Hao didn’t come risk his life to kill you.
"But, you don’t seem like an unreasonable person, why would you cripple Shi Yan’s Dantian?" He Dong looked at Duan Ling Tian with a wondering expression.
"Actually it’s nothing much. That Shi Yao first humiliated and bullied my woman for no reason, then repeatedly proclaimed of wanting to cripple my Dantian, and even put it into actions… I could only give her a taste of her own medicine." Duan Ling Tian spoke very casually, as if what she said was of no importance.
He Dong came to a sudden understanding. "I’d long since heard of Shi Yan relying on Shi Hao’s influence to act in an unruly and unrestrained manner in Alkaid Peak… This time, she can only consider herself to be misfortunate for trying to bully you."
The sound of their conversation wasn’t loud, but it was still heard by Zheng Fan who stood nearby.
The corners of Zheng Fan’s mouth slightly curled up.
This Duan Ling Tian is really a genuine person.
But his courage is really not little.
Is he really not afraid of suffering Shi Hao’s revenge?
Shi Hao admitting defeat now was obviously because he was targeting Duan Ling Tian.
Shi Hao returned then looked at Duan Ling Tian with a vicious and ruthless gaze…
"Shi Hao, he’s mine." Hu Xue Feng looked at Shi Hao, his eyes revealing a cold light, as he said with an overbearing voice.
"Hmph!" Shi Hao swept Hu Xue Feng with a cold and indifferent gaze, then ignored him, as if entirely not taking Hu Xue Feng seriously.
Hu Xue Feng’s face sank, his eyes flickered with a fierce light as he angrily said in his heart. "Shi Hao, besides killing Duan Ling Tian today, I’ll also kill you… After today, I’ll replace you to become the number one disciple in the Seven Star Sword Sect’s outer court!"
Meanwhile, an intense battle between two evenly-matched opponents unfolded atop the other eight combat rings.
"So strong." Duan Ling Tian clearly saw Zuo Qing’s figure flash on the fourth combat ring, dodging past the fierce and sharp sword strike of her opponent, then the sword images in her hand enveloped downwards, as if transforming into rain that covered the sky, forcing her opponent to retreat.
From start to finish, she didn’t injure her opponent in the slightest.
"Thank you for showing mercy." The seventh level Origin Core Stage male outer court disciples that was forced to retreat, had cold sweat coming out from his forehead as he directly admitted defeat and walked off the fourth combat arena.
Zuo Qing was victorious and advanced!
In next to no time, the results of the other few combat rings had come out.
Another seven people successfully advanced.
Only some people were injured, but no one was killed.
Although the outer court martial competition this time disregarded life and death, but in the eyes of the outer court disciples that ascended the combat ring, their opponents were seniors and juniors of the same sect after all. Since there were no grudges or enmity between them, there was no need to really kill each other.
"The same order as before… The remaining 10 outer court disciples, enter the combat rings!" Zheng Fan slowly said.
"Duan Ling Tian, I’m going." He Dong said to Duan Ling Tian then ascended the faraway combat ring.
"I admit defeat!" This time, another person admitted defeat.
Hu Xue Feng!
Because there was the precedent of Shi Hao, although the crowd of Seven Star Sword Sect disciples were slightly surprised, but when faced with Hu Xue Feng admitting defeat, their surprise wasn’t as exaggerated as when Shi Hao admitted defeat earlier.
"Senior Brother Hu Xue Feng has admitted defeat? Could it be that it’s because of Duan Ling Tian as well?"
"This Duan Ling Tian first offended Senior Brother Shi Hao, and now offended Senior Brother Hu Xue Feng… Unless he takes the initiative to admit defeat today, he will die for sure!"
…
Some of the Seven Star Sword Sect disciples glanced at Duan Ling Tian, and couldn’t help but shake their heads.
In next to no time, the other eight people had decided on the victor.
He Dong was victorious!
The outer court martial competition continued.
Besides Duan Ling Tian and the 14 people that were eliminated, the other 14 people started the second round of battles…
This time, the seven people that obtain victory would be placed with Duan Ling Tian to temporarily be placed at the top 10 places.
The battles commenced!
On the seven combat rings, sword images flashed out unrestrained.
Every seventh level Origin Core Stage outer court disciple including Zuo Qing and He Dong were revealing everything they had learnt to their heart’s content, sword skills that dazzled the eyes whistled out, penetrating everywhere.
As time passed by, the battles on the seven combat rings came to an end successively.
Zuo Qing and He Dong had advanced!
They and another five seventh level Origin Core Stage outer court disciples together were temporarily placed at the top 10 places.
The seven people that were eliminated drew lots once again.
The person that drew lot number one would temporarily be placed in the top 10 places.
The other six people would decide on the strongest person to occupy the last spot on the top 10.
Henceforth, the disciples who were temporarily placed in the top 10 had been decided.
Duan Ling Tian, Zuo Qing, and He Dong were impressively listed.
"Very good… Now the 10 people that are temporarily placed in the top 10 have been decided. Next, challenges will be carried out! The other 19 outer court disciples can challenge any of the disciples that are placed in the top 10.
"If you defeat your opponent, you can replace their position! Conversely, if you lose, then you’ll lose the qualifications to issue a challenge.
"Every person only has one chance to issue a challenge. I hope all of you will choose carefully."
Zheng Fan said in a clear voice. "Now, the remaining 19 people will follow according to the order of the lot numbers in their hands to challenge their opponent…"
Hu Xue Feng’s face sank when he heard Zheng Fan, and his icy cold gaze descended onto the lot number in his hand.
His lot number was 25.
According to the rules that Zheng Fan spoke of, he would need to wait for the people before him to finish choosing before he is able to choose…
Everyone else didn’t matter, but that Shi Hao was also before him!
The first person to choose their opponent was the person in possession of lot number two, a male outer court disciple.
His gaze flashed past Duan Ling Tian and the other nine disciples, and in the end descended onto Duan Ling Tian, as he’d looked back and forth, and he was only confident on defeating Duan Ling Tian.
"Hmph!" But, when a cold snort entered his ears, he instead noticed that Shi Hao’s cold and indifferent gaze had descended onto him, causing him to feel as if he was sitting on pins.
Only now did he recall that the only reason Shi Hao admitted defeat earlier was because of this Duan Ling Tian…
He took a deep breath and didn’t choose Duan Ling Tian in the end.
He didn’t dare offend Shi Hao!
He could only choose another person.
This resulted in him being defeated and losing the qualification to compete for the top 10 positions in the outer court martial competition.
Duan Ling Tian watched all this coldly from the side.
He knew that the first battle he would have today was bound to be facing Shi Hao!
Precisely like he had said to He Dong earlier.
What ought to come, will come…
Since he couldn’t avoid it, then he would go straight at it, and fight to his heart’s content!
Duan Ling Tian only smiled when he heard He Dong, but didn’t give any added explanations.
He believed that He Dong would soon know the answer for himself.
A trace of astonishment flashed within Zuo Qing’s beautiful eyes when she heard He Dong, then seriously sized up Duan Ling Tian for a moment. In the end, she nodded and didn’t try to persuade Duan Ling Tian anymore.
She was able to perceive that Duan Ling Tian was indeed filled with confidence.
A strong confidence!
She thought inwardly.
Perhaps, this man of Junior Sister’s would once again bring a miracle, and make everyone shocked by it...
In next to no time, all the outer court disciples that were participating in the second round of the outer court martial competition had drawn their own lots.
"Now, all 29 of you have drawn a lot number belonging to yourselves." Meanwhile, the Mizar Peak’s Peak Master, Zheng Fan, slowly said. "Now, the disciples who obtained number two and number three, go to the first combat ring; disciples who obtained number four and number five, go to the second combat ring… so on and so forth, until lot number 19."
There were a total of 10 combat rings on Mizar Platform.
Now, besides the center combat ring being empty, each of the other nine combat rings had two figures appear on them….
The nine outer court elders of Mizar Peak successively went over to preside over the battle.
"Senior Sister Zuo Qing."
Duan Ling Tian stood on the center combat arena in the center of Mizar Platform that wasn’t used, and looked at that beautiful figure that was on the fourth combat ring.
Right at this moment.
"I admit defeat!" Suddenly, an abrupt voice sounded out, breaking the short silence on Mizar Platform.
On the seventh combat ring, a person had spoken out to admit defeat.
"Senior Brother Shi Hao has admitted defeat?" The crowd of Seven Star Sword Sect outer court disciples stared blankly at Shi Hao leaving the seventh combat ring, and they all had faces of disbelief.
They wouldn’t find it strange if anyone else admitted defeat.
But the one that admitted defeat now was Shi Hao!
The number one outer court disciple of the Seven Star Sword Sect!
"Why did Senior Brother Shi Hao admit defeat? It’s too strange." Some of the Seven Star Sword Sect outer court disciples had bewildered expressions, and completely didn’t know what had happened, as it was difficult for them understand what was happening before them.
"You don’t know? Let me tell you, Senior Brother Shi Hao is admitted defeat now for the sake of the challenges later on…. If I’m not wrong, he surely wants to challenge Duan Ling Tian!"
"Challenge Duan Ling Tian? Why?"
"Because he wants to kill Duan Ling Tian!"
"How do you know?"
"I’m a Megrez Peak disciple. Senior Brother Shi Hao had come to our Megrez Peak three months ago and spread the word of wanting to battle Duan Ling Tian on the life and death arena… But unfortunately, Duan Ling Tian was always hiding, and Senior Brother Shi Hao was completely unable to find an opportunity. Now that he has an opportunity, do you think he would miss it?"
"So that’s how it is… But, how did Senior Brother Shi Hao and Duan Ling Tian become enemies?"
"I didn’t know of this at the beginning either, but later on after inquiring many times, I found out that Duan Ling Tian had crippled the Dantian of Shi Hao’s sister, Shi Yan… Who in our Seven Star Sword Sect outer court doesn’t know of how fond Senior Brother Shi Hao is of his sister Shi Yan? Tell me, would he not take revenge for Shi Yan?"
"Duan Ling Tian crippled Shi Yan’s Dantian?"
…
The conversation between the two Seven Star Sword Sect outer court disciples quickly spread out.
It wasn’t long before practically everyone who stood on the Mizar Platform knew of it.
Duan Ling Tian, crippled the Dantian of Shi Hao’s sister, Shi Yan…
Shi Hao hated Duan Ling Tian to the bones, and wanted to kill Duan Ling Tian!
"Duan Ling Tian, you…" He Dong who stood beside Duan Ling Tian had an astonished expression, although he knew that Shi Hao wanted to look for trouble with Duan Ling Tian, but he didn’t know that there were actually such reasons for it.
Duan Ling Tian shrugged, then lightly smiled. "Is it very surprising?"
He Dong nodded. "It’s indeed rather surprising. Who within our Seven Star Sword Sect’s outer court doesn’t know that Shi Hao is incomparably fond of his sister, and assents to her every demand? But you directly crippled her Dantian! It would be strange if Shi Hao didn’t come risk his life to kill you.
"But, you don’t seem like an unreasonable person, why would you cripple Shi Yan’s Dantian?" He Dong looked at Duan Ling Tian with a wondering expression.
"Actually it’s nothing much. That Shi Yao first humiliated and bullied my woman for no reason, then repeatedly proclaimed of wanting to cripple my Dantian, and even put it into actions… I could only give her a taste of her own medicine." Duan Ling Tian spoke very casually, as if what she said was of no importance.
He Dong came to a sudden understanding. "I’d long since heard of Shi Yan relying on Shi Hao’s influence to act in an unruly and unrestrained manner in Alkaid Peak… This time, she can only consider herself to be misfortunate for trying to bully you."
The sound of their conversation wasn’t loud, but it was still heard by Zheng Fan who stood nearby.
The corners of Zheng Fan’s mouth slightly curled up.
This Duan Ling Tian is really a genuine person.
But his courage is really not little.
Is he really not afraid of suffering Shi Hao’s revenge?
Shi Hao admitting defeat now was obviously because he was targeting Duan Ling Tian.
Shi Hao returned then looked at Duan Ling Tian with a vicious and ruthless gaze…
"Shi Hao, he’s mine." Hu Xue Feng looked at Shi Hao, his eyes revealing a cold light, as he said with an overbearing voice.
"Hmph!" Shi Hao swept Hu Xue Feng with a cold and indifferent gaze, then ignored him, as if entirely not taking Hu Xue Feng seriously.
Hu Xue Feng’s face sank, his eyes flickered with a fierce light as he angrily said in his heart. "Shi Hao, besides killing Duan Ling Tian today, I’ll also kill you… After today, I’ll replace you to become the number one disciple in the Seven Star Sword Sect’s outer court!"
Meanwhile, an intense battle between two evenly-matched opponents unfolded atop the other eight combat rings.
"So strong." Duan Ling Tian clearly saw Zuo Qing’s figure flash on the fourth combat ring, dodging past the fierce and sharp sword strike of her opponent, then the sword images in her hand enveloped downwards, as if transforming into rain that covered the sky, forcing her opponent to retreat.
From start to finish, she didn’t injure her opponent in the slightest.
"Thank you for showing mercy." The seventh level Origin Core Stage male outer court disciples that was forced to retreat, had cold sweat coming out from his forehead as he directly admitted defeat and walked off the fourth combat arena.
Zuo Qing was victorious and advanced!
In next to no time, the results of the other few combat rings had come out.
Another seven people successfully advanced.
Only some people were injured, but no one was killed.
Although the outer court martial competition this time disregarded life and death, but in the eyes of the outer court disciples that ascended the combat ring, their opponents were seniors and juniors of the same sect after all. Since there were no grudges or enmity between them, there was no need to really kill each other.
"The same order as before… The remaining 10 outer court disciples, enter the combat rings!" Zheng Fan slowly said.
"Duan Ling Tian, I’m going." He Dong said to Duan Ling Tian then ascended the faraway combat ring.
"I admit defeat!" This time, another person admitted defeat.
Hu Xue Feng!
Because there was the precedent of Shi Hao, although the crowd of Seven Star Sword Sect disciples were slightly surprised, but when faced with Hu Xue Feng admitting defeat, their surprise wasn’t as exaggerated as when Shi Hao admitted defeat earlier.
"Senior Brother Hu Xue Feng has admitted defeat? Could it be that it’s because of Duan Ling Tian as well?"
"This Duan Ling Tian first offended Senior Brother Shi Hao, and now offended Senior Brother Hu Xue Feng… Unless he takes the initiative to admit defeat today, he will die for sure!"
…
Some of the Seven Star Sword Sect disciples glanced at Duan Ling Tian, and couldn’t help but shake their heads.
In next to no time, the other eight people had decided on the victor.
He Dong was victorious!
The outer court martial competition continued.
Besides Duan Ling Tian and the 14 people that were eliminated, the other 14 people started the second round of battles…
This time, the seven people that obtain victory would be placed with Duan Ling Tian to temporarily be placed at the top 10 places.
The battles commenced!
On the seven combat rings, sword images flashed out unrestrained.
Every seventh level Origin Core Stage outer court disciple including Zuo Qing and He Dong were revealing everything they had learnt to their heart’s content, sword skills that dazzled the eyes whistled out, penetrating everywhere.
As time passed by, the battles on the seven combat rings came to an end successively.
Zuo Qing and He Dong had advanced!
They and another five seventh level Origin Core Stage outer court disciples together were temporarily placed at the top 10 places.
The seven people that were eliminated drew lots once again.
The person that drew lot number one would temporarily be placed in the top 10 places.
The other six people would decide on the strongest person to occupy the last spot on the top 10.
Henceforth, the disciples who were temporarily placed in the top 10 had been decided.
Duan Ling Tian, Zuo Qing, and He Dong were impressively listed.
"Very good… Now the 10 people that are temporarily placed in the top 10 have been decided. Next, challenges will be carried out! The other 19 outer court disciples can challenge any of the disciples that are placed in the top 10.
"If you defeat your opponent, you can replace their position! Conversely, if you lose, then you’ll lose the qualifications to issue a challenge.
"Every person only has one chance to issue a challenge. I hope all of you will choose carefully."
Zheng Fan said in a clear voice. "Now, the remaining 19 people will follow according to the order of the lot numbers in their hands to challenge their opponent…"
Hu Xue Feng’s face sank when he heard Zheng Fan, and his icy cold gaze descended onto the lot number in his hand.
His lot number was 25.
According to the rules that Zheng Fan spoke of, he would need to wait for the people before him to finish choosing before he is able to choose…
Everyone else didn’t matter, but that Shi Hao was also before him!
The first person to choose their opponent was the person in possession of lot number two, a male outer court disciple.
His gaze flashed past Duan Ling Tian and the other nine disciples, and in the end descended onto Duan Ling Tian, as he’d looked back and forth, and he was only confident on defeating Duan Ling Tian.
"Hmph!" But, when a cold snort entered his ears, he instead noticed that Shi Hao’s cold and indifferent gaze had descended onto him, causing him to feel as if he was sitting on pins.
Only now did he recall that the only reason Shi Hao admitted defeat earlier was because of this Duan Ling Tian…
He took a deep breath and didn’t choose Duan Ling Tian in the end.
He didn’t dare offend Shi Hao!
He could only choose another person.
This resulted in him being defeated and losing the qualification to compete for the top 10 positions in the outer court martial competition.
Duan Ling Tian watched all this coldly from the side.
He knew that the first battle he would have today was bound to be facing Shi Hao!
Precisely like he had said to He Dong earlier.
What ought to come, will come…
Since he couldn’t avoid it, then he would go straight at it, and fight to his heart’s content!
