Chapter 116: A Contest of Skill, and a Battle of Life and Death

Chapter 116: Chapter 116: A Contest of Skill, and a Battle of Life and Death

Chen Yue glanced at Cheng Jun, his gaze as calm and still as a placid lake.

Then, his gaze returned to Jiang Linkuo.

"I can call off this fight on one condition: from now on, you will leave me alone. The Mutual Aid Association will have nothing more to do with me. We will go our separate ways."

Hearing this, Jiang Linkuo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He didn’t answer right away, remaining silent for a few breaths. A suffocating, oppressive feeling filled the air.

Then, a cold, harsh smile spread across his face, a smile tinged with offended fury. "Are you threatening me now? Threatening *me* with your own life?"

Jiang Linkuo didn’t say another word. He turned and strode toward the Steward Martial Uncle at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena who was responsible for presiding over the Life and Death Decision.

Cheng Jun looked at Chen Yue, pointed a finger at him, and let out a loud, mocking laugh. He also said nothing, simply following behind Jiang Linkuo as he swaggered away.

The laughter echoed across the Martial Arts Arena, filled with contempt and killing intent.

The surrounding Inner Sect Disciples heard Chen Yue’s words and instantly understood the gist of the situation.

While the Mutual Aid Association wasn’t exactly a reputable organization within the Panshi Sect, its existence was no secret. In fact, several of the Inner Sect Disciples present were members themselves.

Their gazes toward Chen Yue had now completely changed. It was as if they were looking at a dead man.

’An outer sect disciple, a Bone Forging Realm Loose Cultivator, actually thinks he can use his own life to run headfirst into the wall that is the Mutual Aid Association?’

’Who does he think he is?’

’Does he think he can shake the Mutual Aid Association’s interests in the Panshi Sect just like that?’

’Absolutely ridiculous!’

’A mantis trying to stop a chariot—he doesn’t know his own limits!’

’It seems another ghost is about to be added to the Life and Death Platform today.’

Some were already shaking their heads and sighing, as if they could already see Chen Yue’s bloody end.

Chen Yue, Jiang Linkuo, and Cheng Jun arrived at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, where a Steward Martial Uncle in charge of the day’s affairs, Song Zhen, was seated.

Song Zhen was about forty years old, with a square face and an aura as heavy as a mountain. The sharp light in his eyes was restrained, a clear sign that he was a master of the Refining Organ Realm.

He glanced up at the three, his gaze lingering on Chen Yue for a moment before he asked flatly, "What is it?"

Jiang Linkuo stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute, and announced in a loud, clear voice that carried the characteristic briskness of a Law Enforcement Disciple, "Martial Uncle Song, this outer sect disciple, Chen Yue, has issued a life-and-death challenge to me—to the death!"

Hearing this, a look of clear surprise appeared on Song Zhen’s face. He sized up Chen Yue once more, this time more seriously.

With his Refining Organ Realm cultivation, he could clearly perceive that the young man before him was merely at the Bone Forging Realm, and not even at its peak.

His Qi Blood was a bit more condensed than an ordinary Bone Forging cultivator’s, but it was far from having undergone a qualitative change.

And Jiang Linkuo was a skilled Marrow Refining Realm expert handpicked by the Law Enforcement Hall. The gap between the two was as wide as a chasm.

’A Bone Forging Realm disciple is actively challenging a Marrow Refining Realm Law Enforcement Disciple to a fight to the death?’

In all his years as a Steward, Song Zhen had rarely seen anything like it.

He looked at Chen Yue, his expression serious, and confirmed in a deep voice, "Chen Yue, is what Jiang Linkuo says true?"

Chen Yue met Song Zhen’s gaze and shook his head.

"He left something out. I’m not just challenging him. I’m challenging both of them, together."

He raised his hand and pointed to Cheng Jun, who was standing beside Jiang Linkuo.

At these words, even Song Zhen was taken aback.

He looked at Chen Yue, then at Cheng Jun, his brow furrowing slightly.

’A Bone Forging cultivator challenging a Marrow Refining cultivator and another Bone Forging cultivator at the same time?’

This was no longer a matter of commendable courage; it was an unprecedented act of suicide.

In his twenty-plus years as a Steward for the Panshi Sect, he had presided over no fewer than a hundred Life and Death Decisions, but he had never seen such a lopsided challenge.

Even some disciples known for their ferocity would, at most, challenge a single person from a higher realm. No one had ever dared to fight one against two, especially when one of the two was a Marrow Refining Realm cultivator from the Law Enforcement Hall.

Song Zhen’s frown deepened. He stared into Chen Yue’s eyes, his tone carrying a note of stern admonishment.

"Chen Yue, has anyone coerced you into this? You need to think clearly. Once you step onto the Life and Death Platform, it’s a fight to the death.

While the Sect Rules don’t hold the winner of a duel on the platform accountable, the Sect will absolutely not be lenient if someone is found to have secretly coerced a disciple into an unfair Life and Death Decision. If you have something you can’t say, now is your chance to speak up."

Hearing this, both Jiang Linkuo and Cheng Jun tensed. They both stared at Chen Yue, wondering if he would use this opportunity to expose the Mutual Aid Association.

If Chen Yue really laid bare how the Mutual Aid Association had been pressuring him, it might not be enough to shake the organization’s foundations, but it would certainly create countless problems.

Jiang Linkuo had even secretly prepared his rebuttal, ready to immediately counterattack and accuse Chen Yue of slander the moment he spoke.

Chen Yue met Song Zhen’s scrutinizing gaze with a calm expression and shook his head.

"Replying to Martial Uncle, no one has coerced me. I simply have a grudge with these two and wish to settle the score—and our lives—on the Life and Death Platform."

Song Zhen looked at Chen Yue’s determined eyes. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say more, but in the end, the words remained unspoken.

He fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Since the disciple in question was resolute and there was no evidence of coercion, he, as a Steward, had no authority to stop this voluntary Life and Death Decision.

He couldn’t help but sigh internally, though. ’Such a calm and composed young man is likely going to fall here today.’

Song Zhen turned and took a contract written on Yellow Hemp Paper from the desk behind him, spreading it out on the table.

The words "Life and Death Contract" were emblazoned across the top of the document, with a blank space below waiting for signatures and thumbprints.

"In that case, sign and leave your thumbprints." Song Zhen dipped a brush full of ink and set it aside, his tone reverting to a flat, business-like manner.

"Signing this contract signifies that the three of you are stepping onto the Life and Death Platform voluntarily. Life and death will be left to fate, and afterward, no one may seek revenge for this matter.

This contract is also your last chance to think things over calmly. If anyone wishes to back out now, it’s not too late."

Without hesitation, Chen Yue stepped forward, picked up the brush, and signed his name on the Life and Death Contract.

Then, Chen Yue dipped his thumb in vermilion paste and pressed a clear print next to his name.

The smear of red was particularly striking on the Yellow Hemp Paper, like a drop of congealed blood.

Jiang Linkuo and Cheng Jun exchanged a glance, then stepped forward one by one to sign their names and press their thumbprints.

Jiang Linkuo’s handwriting was as sharp as a blade, while Cheng Jun’s was somewhat sloppy and impatient, as if he couldn’t wait to unleash his killing intent on the platform.

When the final thumbprint was pressed, the Life and Death Contract officially took effect.

The surrounding disciples who had rushed over upon hearing the news grew excited at the sight, and the sound of their whispers rose and fell.

It had been a while since a Life and Death Decision had taken place in the Martial Arts Arena, let alone one between three people with such a massive disparity in strength.

After signing, Jiang Linkuo shot Chen Yue an icy glance.

’Now that the Life and Death Contract is signed, there’s no turning back. All I need to do now is kill Chen Yue on the platform and be done with it.’

’As for any troublesome investigations that might follow, I’ll deal with them after I get off the platform.’

At this thought, another wave of irritation washed over Jiang Linkuo.

’These Loose Cultivators from backwater places really deserve to die!’

’They learn a few crude techniques and think they’re invincible, utterly clueless about life and death!’

He was already calculating in his mind how to end this fight in a way that would both display his power and give Chen Yue no chance of a comeback.

Cheng Jun, however, licked his lips, a savage grin spreading across his face.

’Today’s Life and Death Decision suits me perfectly. A great chance to make an example of someone!’

’From now on, let’s see which of those outer sect disciples from Dan Peak dares to drag their feet on paying their Contribution Points to the Mutual Aid Association.’

’This Chen Yue will be their fate!’

He was even imagining the terrified expressions on the faces of those outer sect disciples who usually made excuses, when Chen Yue’s corpse was carried off the Life and Death Platform.

The three of them walked onto the Life and Death Platform and took their positions.

Chen Yue stood alone, facing Jiang Linkuo and Cheng Jun, who stood side-by-side.

Below the platform, more and more disciples, having heard the news, rushed over, surrounding the Martial Arts Arena until it was packed solid.

Even those disciples who had been about to leave stopped in their tracks when they heard that an outer sect disciple was simultaneously challenging a Law Enforcement Disciple and an Inner Sect Disciple to a Life and Death Decision. They squeezed into the crowd, wanting to see what was happening.

They hadn’t gathered here to see if Chen Yue could actually defeat Jiang Linkuo and Cheng Jun. In their eyes, that was an absolute impossibility.

They just wanted to see what kind of regret and fear would appear on the face of this clueless outer sect disciple before he died.

’Mutual Aid Association, outer sect disciple, Entry Level...’

The combination of these words was enough for the onlookers to piece together the whole story in their minds.

In the crowd, someone whispered to their companion, "I bet he won’t last three moves."

His companion shook his head and held up one finger. "One move. Senior Brother Jiang has already cultivated his Panshi Skill to the Fourth Layer. One punch, and there won’t even be bone fragments left of this kid."

Several people nearby nodded in agreement, as if this conclusion was already set in stone.

Someone in the crowd had even started taking private bets on how many moves Chen Yue could last on the platform.

Most people bet on one move, a few bet on three, and almost no one bet on five or more. As for betting on Chen Yue to win? There wasn’t a single person.

In their eyes, this wasn’t an even fight at all.

Just then, a commotion erupted at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena. The crowd automatically parted, forming a path.

Two figures appeared beside the arena—it was Meng Yu Jin and Liu Wenying, who had rushed over.

Meng Yu Jin’s gaze was like lightning as it swept over the scene. When her eyes fell on the three figures standing on the Life and Death Platform and the signed Life and Death Contract in Song Zhen’s hand, her heart sank.

’We’re too late.’