Chapter 40 : Challenge
Cang Lao sighed helplessly. As expected, his disciple couldn’t change his old habits. Despite Cang Lao’s advice not to do so, his disciple wouldn’t listen. The rightful source is noᴠelfire.net
But how could Cang Lao understand that even if Du Guyun took the advice to heart, his nature would lead him to do it anyway? Simply put, he might listen, but he’d still act on his own.
Around them, silence reigned. A deathly silence. You could hear a pin drop. Everyone looked at Du Guyun in disbelief, their expressions a mix of confusion and shock, as if they were witnessing something unimaginable, or hearing some fanciful tale. But mostly, they looked at him as if he were a fool.
Even the Sixth Elder paused, a testament to the impact on the audience. For a venerable elder of such a holy land, who had experienced so much, hardly anything could perturb him. Only the truly unpredictable and unimaginable could do so.
The Sixth Elder coughed a few times, breaking the silence. After a moment of contemplation, he looked at Du Guyun and cautiously asked, “You want to replace the Primordial Holy Son?”
“Yes,” Du Guyun nodded. “I know these words sound like a pipe dream, but I want to know if it’s possible to replace the Primordial Holy Son. I just want to understand this matter. After all, if in the future I surpass him but cannot become the Primordial Holy Son myself, it would be a lingering concern in my heart.”
The Sixth Elder looked at Du Guyun peculiarly, unable to comprehend his thoughts. Surpass Jiang Chen and replace him? What kind of delusion was this?
However, it was ultimately good for a disciple of the sect to have such aspirations. In the brutal world of cultivation, the law of the jungle prevailed. As long as one was strong enough, everything was possible.
“Of course, you can!” the Sixth Elder said with a smile. “In the history of our Holy Land, spanning millions of years, the position of the Primordial Holy Son is not irreplaceable. There have been precedents of one being replaced.”
“But the prerequisite is that you must be strong enough to become the strongest of the younger generation to achieve this.”
Every power operated similarly. Being appointed as a successor did not guarantee lifelong status. If not outstanding enough, one would naturally be replaced. But this generation’s Holy Son, Jiang Chen, was so exceptional that hardly anyone thought of replacing him.
Perhaps in recent tens of thousands, or even a hundred thousand years, there hadn’t been a case of a Primordial Holy Son being replaced, leading people to think it impossible.
Hearing this, Du Guyun showed no change in expression; he already knew these facts. Mentioning them was just a pretext for his real goal.
Taking a deep breath, Du Guyun said with a bright gaze, “Elder, I wonder if I could challenge the Primordial Holy Son. I know I’m not currently on par with the Holy Son, but I hope to have a match with him and wish the Holy Land would grant this opportunity.”
His arrogance and ignorance made many think he was overstepping. Not just the disciples, even the Sixth Elder was speechless. Du Guyun had just won the title among the inner disciples; there was no need to be so conceited. To challenge Jiang Chen, who was at the ninth level of the Life and Death Realm, while being only at the third level of the Soul Sea Realm? Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?
Some even thought Du Guyun had lost his mind.
“Are you sure? The current Primordial Holy Son is at the ninth level of the Life and Death Realm, and you are only at the third level of the Soul Sea Realm. To put it bluntly, he doesn’t even need to act; a mere breath of his aura is enough to crush you.”
Initially, he thought Du Guyun was ambitious for daring to challenge; now it seemed like he was just being unreasonable. Challenging the Life and Death Realm as a Soul Sea Realm, especially against a prodigy like Jiang Chen, was akin to suicide.
Jiang Chen’s combat strength couldn’t be measured by realms. Despite being at the ninth level of the Life and Death Realm, he could overpower even those at the Great Master Realm.
“Out of his mind!” Nangong Xie scoffed coldly, his face filled with mockery.
“Does Du Guyun have a problem with his brain?” “Could it be that he thinks becoming the chief of the inner disciples entitles him to look down upon everyone?”
“I’ve never seen someone so foolish!”
“It’s a disgrace that such a person became the chief desciple!”
“Damn, I was actually supporting him, but who knew Du Guyun was so brainless!”
The disciples were speechless. They had seen countless arrogant and conceited people, but never someone as senseless as Du Guyun.
Compared to the inner disciples, the true and core disciples couldn’t sit still anymore. Du Guyun, who had just become the chief of the inner disciples, was already challenging the Primordial Holy Son. Wasn’t this equivalent to disregarding them as trash?
“To challenge the Primordial Holy Son, you must first pass through me!” declared Gu Changfeng, a young man in a green robe, his face tinged with anger, his aura unhidden, revealing his sixth level of the True King Realm.
“Core disciple Xiao Feng!” Another disciple stepped forward, at the third level of the Life and Death Realm.
Following them, many true and core disciples stepped out, no longer mere spectators. Their overwhelming auras gathered together, like a congregation of gods, casting radiant divine light that filled the skies. It was as though heaven itself had descended, their oppressive aura causing fear in the hearts of many disciples below.
Facing the formidable pressure, Du Guyun stood his ground, his expression unchanging. “I am aware that facing the Primordial Holy Son now would be like a moth to a flame,” he said. “Therefore, I request him to fight me on equal footing!”
“I hope the Primordial Holy Son can suppress his realm to the third level of the Soul Sea Realm to fight me,” he continued with growing confidence. “Only a battle on equal terms can truly display the mettle of a real prodigy. It is said that the Primordial Holy Son is invincible in his realm, and I wish to know if I can match him at the same level.”
Du Guyun’s eloquent speech added an air of charisma to him, standing unflinchingly despite the intimidating aura, like an unwavering jewel in a storm.
At that moment, Cang Lao had an epiphany, understanding Du Guyun’s plan. ‘This kid is quite cunning,’ he thought, feeling a bit relieved.
Du Guyun had recently acquired a unique secret technique that could enhance his combat strength fivefold. Even so, it was uncertain if he could match Jiang Chen in the same realm. Du Guyun was betting on Jiang Chen underestimating him, which could give him a chance.
Cang Lao understood his intent. Du Guyun was gambling that Jiang Chen would be complacent, thus providing him an opportunity. Even if Du Guyun couldn’t ultimately defeat Jiang Chen, just holding his ground for a while without being overwhelmed would skyrocket his fame in the Holy Land.
Du Guyun’s plan seemed foolhardy, but it was a calculated risk. As long as Jiang Chen accepted the challenge, Du Guyun stood to gain. Even if Jiang Chen refused, Du Guyun could spin it to his advantage, suggesting Jiang Chen was afraid.
The pretext, regardless of its reception, was all that mattered. Du Guyun had positioned himself well, ensuring no loss regardless of the outcome, laying a solid foundation for usurping Jiang Chen’s position as the Primordial Holy Son.