Chapter 517

Chapter 517: Burning Divine Platform

Being challenged by Shu Anshi was pure humiliation!

Ling Xudu burned with rage, though none noticed the flash of triumph in his eyes – like a scheme had worked.

"Challenging Elder Ling? Are you certain?"

The Divine Grace Palace Master’s voice held neither warmth nor chill.

"Precisely Elder Ling."

Shu Anshi answered with equal calmness, wearing his usual mild smile.

"Insolent fool! What madness drives you to challenge me?" Ling Xudu’s face twisted, appearing both furious and unhinged. He couldn’t fathom how this Golden Core junior dared face him with such ease.

This so-called "friendly duel" brought only trouble. Victory offered no glory, while defeat meant eternal shame. Even in the Great Qin Empire, he’d become a laughingstock.

"Does Elder Ling fear to accept? Or have hidden motives?" Shu Anshi tilted his head slightly, smile unwavering.

Ling Xudu’s fury exploded: "Fear? A peak Golden Core ant challenging Fourth Level Nascent Soul? Your recklessness will cost you dearly!"

Shu Anshi remained unperturbed. "What consequences do you propose?"

The elder’s eyebrow twitched. That steady voice felt like mockery – this junior didn’t even show basic respect!

"A life-and-death pact! We fight till one perishes on this platform!"

"Absolutely forbidden!"

A woman’s sharp protest cut through the tension. From the crowd’s left side emerged a slender figure – a lady around forty with sickly-flushed cheeks and an inch-long scar marring her face.

Ye Yun observed the newcomer. Though unfamiliar, her position beside Ding Qian marked her as Demon Suppression Peak’s elder.

"Master! What are you doing?" Ding Qian’s urgent whisper carried across the silent arena.

This was Yin Moli – Ding Qian’s teacher.

Ye Yun frowned. Why would Demon Suppression Peak’s elder interfere? Their faction rivaled Absolute Heart Peak. Shouldn’t they welcome Shu Anshi’s potential downfall?

Yin Moli’s gaze swept past Shu Anshi to settle on Ling Xudu. "Old Ling, why stoop to junior disputes? I appreciate your defense, but he never challenged me."

Ling Xudu’s anger vanished upon seeing her, replaced by silent staring.

"Peak rivalries remain sect matters," she continued softly. "Past quarrels with Tian Yunzi shouldn’t dictate present actions."

The murderous glint in Ling Xudu’s eyes softened.

"Shu Anshi is Divine Grace Palace’s brightest disciple in centuries. Harming him hurts our sect." Yin Moli’s scarred face tilted gently. "Nor would I see you injured."

Ling Xudu’s eye twitched violently. "Injured? By him?!" He erupted suddenly, "Tian Yunzi crippled my cultivation decades ago! Now his pup dares challenge me? I’ll be the Empire’s joke if I retreat!"

Yin Moli’s scar quivered as she sighed. "Holding grudges for forty years poisons your heart."

"Grudges?!" Spittle flew from Ling Xudu’s mouth. "Tian Yunzi would’ve destroyed me completely if you hadn’t intervened! Our feud transcends words!"

The scarred woman shook her head. "Brother Tian Yunzi actually…"

"Shut up!"

Ling Xudu suddenly roared, "You still call him ‘elder brother’ today?"

Yin Moli froze, mouth opening but no words escaping.

The Divine Grace Palace fell deathly silent.

None anticipated this exchange between Yin Moli and Ling Xudu, nor their decades-old grudge with Tian Yunzi. The revelation stunned all present.

Ye Yun and Zhuge Chong exchanged uneasy glances. A simple challenge had unraveled hidden history.

Tian Yunzi sat motionless on the elevated platform, the Divine Grace Palace Master equally unmoved. Other leaders watched passively, as if expecting this confrontation.

Ling Xudu’s pent-up rage erupted as he whirled on Tian Yunzi. "Well? What say you?"

Tian Yunzi didn’t bother rising, eyelids drooping. "Ancient history. Let our disciples settle it today. Whether they fight to the death or hold back matters not to me."

"Your words!" Ling Xudu’s face contorted. "I’ll slaughter your precious disciple on that stage! Our debt ends here!"

Tian Yunzi murmured, "Agreed. Should you lose, consider matters settled. Though I recall no debt between us."

Ling Xudu’s murderous gaze shifted to Shu Anshi. "Boy, blame your master when you die today."

Shu Anshi smiled faintly. "Spare no courtesy, Elder. Cultivators live by the sword. Immortality’s but a child’s dream."

Ling Xudu’s jagged laughter echoed. "Perfect! Let Tian Yunzi taste but a sliver of my suffering through his disciple’s corpse!"

He bowed sharply to the Divine Grace Palace Master. "I demand the Burning Divine Platform for this duel!"

The Palace Master waved permission. "True experts are forged in mortal peril. The Platform awaits. Does Absolute Heart Peak’s Master object?"

"No objections," chorused the gathered leaders.

Beneath the platform, Ye Yun’s group exchanged worried glances. Ling Xudu’s calculated fury hinted at hidden schemes. This wasn’t mere hotheadedness – decades of hatred crystallized into this moment.

Shu Anshi, the Palace’s millennium genius, faced a Fourth Level Nascent Soul elder. Yet Ling Xudu’s confidence suggested unseen advantages.

"Be cautious, elder brother," whispered Kun Huazi.

Zhuge Chong nodded. "The old man schemes."

Ye Yun edged closer to Shu Anshi, silent.

The senior disciple remained serene. "Pressure breeds breakthroughs. Surviving this battle will strengthen my path to the Nascent Soul."

As his juniors nodded, Shu Anshi addressed the leaders: "I petition to activate the Burning Divine Platform. Let fate decide our duel’s outcome."

"Fate decides!" Ling Xudu echoed.

At the Palace Master’s gesture, spiritual energy erupted. Countless glowing runes materialized, collapsing into a radiant dome that birthed the duelists’ arena – a two-zhang circle pulsing with containment spells and spatial distortion.

"Enter and begin," the Palace Master intoned, as if announcing supper.

The combatants vanished into the glowing ring.

Ye Yun leaned forward, eager to witness Fourth Level Nascent Soul combat – and his senior’s legendary skills.

Suddenly, the Ancestor of the Sword Path’s voice exploded in his mind:

"Fool! That’s no mere platform! The spatial gate’s secret lies within!"