Volume One: A Youth Enters the World Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Contest

Bai Yifan’s heart gave a jolt. Though he was wounded, his cultivation level was formidable; he had not expected Fang Tian to so easily evade his attack. A flicker of seriousness appeared in his eyes, and the urge to continue his assault was suppressed.

He closed his folding fan and straightened his robes; the anger caused by Fang Tian’s arrival faded, and his expression returned to calm. With a gentle smile, Bai Yifan spoke, “Young man, it’s unreasonable for you to intervene in my feud with him.”

Fang Tian considered briefly, then replied, “You say that, but you’ve already won. There’s no need to pursue him to death. Besides, your victory wasn’t exactly honorable. Why not let it end here?”

Bai Yifan’s face was momentarily awkward, and those below, hearing Fang Tian’s words, began to murmur their agreement. The crowd was slipping out of control.

Bai Yifan knew that if things continued like this, he would have difficulty killing Lang Qing. He had always hated leaving loose ends behind, and if he failed to kill Lang Qing today, it would only bring him endless trouble.

He paused, then looked at Fang Tian and asked, “I don’t understand. You have no connection to him—why must you save him?”

Fang Tian scratched his head, embarrassed. “It was a whim.”

A whim?

Hearing this, Bai Yifan burst into laughter. Who was this naive young master, unaware of the cruelty of the cultivators’ world?

“Young man, do you not know that some matters aren’t meant for meddling? It could cost you your life. Look at all those people below—why do none dare to step forward?”

“Why?” Fang Tian responded offhandedly.

“Because they’re afraid! Afraid to lose their lives. For a cultivator, one’s own life is the only thing that matters; nothing else is important. Do you understand?”

Fang Tian knew his words were true, and he had just experienced it himself, so he understood deeply. But since he had already stepped forward, he could not simply retreat; he could not act against his conscience.

“I understand. But no matter what, I won’t let you kill him,” Fang Tian said calmly.

Seeing this, Bai Yifan realized further words were pointless. He decided to deal with this young man first, then use other means to handle Lang Qing.

“Very well. I’ll give you a chance—the Stage of Life and Death, a duel to the death. Do you dare accept?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Haha, it’s rare to meet someone like you. I’ll make sure you die with dignity.”

Fang Tian snorted coldly. “Life and death are not yours to decide.”

“Such boldness. Let’s see if you can keep it when we fight.”

“Rest assured, I won’t disappoint you.”

Lang Qing, wounded and lying aside, gazed at the youth standing up for him. He felt a pang of sympathy; in his opinion, even with Bai Yifan injured, Fang Tian’s chances of victory were slim. The gap between their levels was not easily bridged.

After a while, Lang Qing could not help but say, “I never thought that just before I died, I’d meet someone so righteous. I appreciate your kindness, but it isn’t worth offending such a man for my sake. You should leave quickly.”

Fang Tian turned to look at him, his expression calm and unruffled. He said to Lang Qing, “You know, I was just considering whether to save you. After hearing your words, my hesitation disappeared. You, it seems, are worth saving.”

Lang Qing heard this somewhat arrogant remark and could only shake his head with a bitter smile, recalling his own flight from pursuit.

He had long ceased to believe in worldly loyalty and affection, yet Fang Tian had taught him a lesson with real actions.

“Young man, be careful.”

Fang Tian nodded, helping Lang Qing off the Stage of Life and Death. Those below reached out to support him, watching the stage in silence.

Lang Qing could not say much more; in his condition, he could only place his trust in Fang Tian.

Fang Tian turned back to look at Bai Yifan and said, “We may begin.”

“Very well. Let me see where your confidence comes from.”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

With that, Fang Tian drew the Frostfeather Sword. As the blade appeared, the temperature around them plummeted.

“Nice sword. Once you’re dead, I’ll gladly take it for myself.”

Bai Yifan took a pill from his robe and swallowed it. Soon, spiritual energy began to gather around him, his aura growing stronger and recovering.

The crowd below exclaimed,

“Spirit-boosting Pill? Is that a Spirit-boosting Pill? Did I see that right?”

“You saw right. It’s definitely a Spirit-boosting Pill. Ah, this youth is in trouble.”

“Yes, that’s a pill that restores strength in a short time. Didn’t expect him to have this trick up his sleeve. But considering where he’s from, it’s not surprising.”

“Only, this pill has some side effects. It’s usually not taken unless absolutely necessary. Clearly, Bai Yifan is determined not to let this youth go.”

“Let’s see what fate has in store for him.”

“It’ll be tough.”

Hearing the murmurs around him, Lang Qing was astonished. If he were on the stage, even without Bai Yifan’s trickery, he would hardly escape death.

The Spirit-boosting Pill was not something just anyone could possess.

Yet Fang Tian gave Lang Qing a sense of mystery; he felt that Fang Tian would not act so boldly without some confidence.

He wanted to see why the young man was so determined to save him.

On the Stage of Life and Death, after taking the Spirit-boosting Pill, Bai Yifan’s damaged spiritual energy gradually replenished, almost as strong as before.

Fang Tian’s expression, however, showed no trace of concern, as if it mattered little to him.

“The pill’s taken. Make your move,” Fang Tian said.

Bai Yifan sneered. He hadn’t expected the youth to be so arrogant—seeing him recover, Fang Tian still dared to speak so boldly.

“If you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige.”

Bai Yifan wasted no more words. He conjured a spear from spiritual energy, swung his folding fan, and shot the pale blue spear straight at Fang Tian’s face.

Fang Tian, seeing the spear hurtling toward him, silently recited,

“Freeze.”

Ice pillars rose from the ground, heading for the spear.

The spear and ice pillars clashed, holding for a moment. The ice pillars began to shatter under the spear’s force, one after another.

Yet after breaking through half the ice pillars, the spear stopped, then dissolved into spiritual light and vanished, its power spent.

Bai Yifan saw his attack had failed to faze Fang Tian and understood the youth was no fool but possessed genuine strength.

However, surviving the first move did not mean Fang Tian could withstand the second. The gap in their cultivation was not easily overcome.

“Stop testing me. That sort of attack can’t hurt me.” Fang Tian swept the Frostfeather Sword aside, his voice deep.

“Boy, don’t be so arrogant. You’ll soon understand the difference between us.”

Bai Yifan swung his folding fan; four spears of spiritual energy appeared before him. Then the two at the top shifted to the sides, revealing a fifth spear in the center.

Bai Yifan held nothing back, unleashing his full strength. Though it might seem like overkill, he believed any blade that could kill was a good blade.