Lu Tianzi had a deep frown etched across his face.

How shameless!

Even though Elder Wenshen was only at the First Origin Cycle, the fact remained that he was an Origin Core realm martial artist!

How could he talk about challenging a Primary Essence Condensation realm martial artist as though it was something to be proud of?

Was this really the same helpful person who had tried to warn him of the dangers of absorbing the bloodline of a primal beast earlier?

Indeed, it would be wise not to judge a book by its cover!

Of course, Nanqing Haowen was feeling extremely indignant about it as well.

Seeing that Elder Wenshen seemed to be serious about it, Nanqing Haowen could only turn to the Wild Melody Circus member for help. "You are the neutral party here. In a way, you can be considered a witness to this agreement, so it would be best for you to judge. Tell me, do you believe that it is right for them to do this as well?"

"Objectively speaking, he is not wrong," the Wild Melody Circus member sighed in regret.

He was cursing in his heart for having been involved in this mess. But even though the people from Quake Scroll Sect were acting shamelessly, it was a fact that they did not go against the agreement.

"What?" Nanqing Haowen could not believe it. "How can he not be wrong?"

"Honestly, you only have yourself to blame for not being careful enough," the Wild Melody Circus member stuck to his decision.

"Enough talking, you brat," Elder Wenshen finally had enough of waiting. "Don't say that I am bullying you with my higher cultivation level. I shall allow you to use all the treasures you have at your disposal as a show of my magnanimity!"

"Magnanimity?" Nanqing Haowen gritted his teeth in indignation.

Even if he had a true Origin Core rank treasure, how would it be able to compare to an actual Origin Core realm martial artist?

Furthermore, he did not even possess any Origin Core rank treasures!

"So what is it? Are you intending to receive this move of mine, or will you make the smart choice and give up right now?" Elder Wenshen urged impatiently. "Hurry up and decide, I don't have all day!"

Nanqing Haowen clenched his fists in anger. But before he could answer, he felt a slight tap on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Brother Nanqing," Lu Tianzi said with a smile on his face. "Let me handle this."

"Brother Nanlu?" Nanqing Haowen exclaimed in surprise. "But how? The opponent is an Origin Core realm martial artist!"

It was not that Nanqing Haowen was looking down on this top ranker of the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet.

However, the difference between a martial artist at the Origin Core realm and one at the Essence Condensation realm was far too huge!

Nanqing Haowen had seen with his own eyes that Lu Tianzi had been at a disadvantage when facing Fourth Prince Mosha during the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet.

Even though Fourth Prince Mosha was considered the strongest in his cultivation level, he was still only at the Peak Essence Condensation realm, and yet he was already able to cleanly suppress Lu Tianzi.

Since that was the case, how would Lu Tianzi ever be able to match up to someone who was even stronger?

"Leave it to me." Oblivious to his thoughts, Lu Tianzi assured Nanqing Haowen once more before directly stepping in front of him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Elder Wenshen narrowed his eyes at Lu Tianzi.

"Since you guys are making a substitution, we are substituting too!" Lu Tianzi answered confidently, his gaze matching Elder Wenshen's without a hint of fear. "I'm sure this is not going against the agreement either, is it?"

"Hmph!" Elder Wenshen snorted in disdain. "Even though it is said that newborn calves are not afraid of tigers, I thought that at your age, you would have at least learnt your limits by now. First you chose not to heed my advice on primal bloodlines, and now this? Looks like I really should take this opportunity to instill some discipline in you on behalf of your seniors!"

"Please show me your guidance then!" Lu Tianzi replied with the same vigour as before.

With a sweep of his spatial ring, the Sword of Ivory Rock appeared in his hand.

"Will he really be fine?" Nanqing Haowen nervously conveyed his voice to Nanlan Qianxue.

"Who knows?" Nanlan Qianxue let out a sigh. "But do you have a better plan?"

Nanqing Haowen shook his head regretfully.

Nanlan Qianxue was right. For now, all he could do was to hope that his Brother Nanlu would be able to pull off yet another miracle.

How he lamented this sense of powerlessness!

"Since you refused to take a step back when you should have done so, don't blame me for not holding back!" Elder Wenshen sneered.

Right after Elder Wenshen finished his words, the illusory figure of a blank scroll shimmered into existence behind his back. Along with its appearance, an immense pressure spread out with Elder Wenshen as the centre, mercilessly bearing down upon Lu Tianzi!

A sharp light flashed across Lu Tianzi's eyes as he braced himself for the clash.

During the assault on Ivory Rock City, he had personally witnessed a battle at the Origin Core realm. There were many aspects to the battle that were alien to Lu Tianzi at that time, and one of them was this illusory figure that had materialised behind each of the Origin Core realm martial artists.

After consulting with his master Xihuang Yuanfeng, Lu Tianzi finally got his questions answered.

Origin Totem.

It was the name of the illusory figure that had appeared behind the backs of Origin Core realm martial artists when they were drawing out the limits of their strength, first formed at the very moment that they broke through to the Origin Core realm.

Martial artists were unable to control the form of their Origin Totems, but it usually took the shape of something related to their beliefs or cultivation techniques.

In a way, it was a representation of the amalgamation of their martial path up to the point they entered the Origin Core realm, and would even continue to change its form as the martial artist progressed.

The moment Lu Tianzi saw the blank scroll open up behind Elder Wenshen, he immediately understood that the other party was not intending to pull his punches.

However, Lu Tianzi was not at all afraid of the pressure from someone who was only at the First Origin Cycle!

Driving the Slaughter Essence within him, he immediately dispelled the pressure that was acting upon him, allowing him to stand tall against Elder Wenshen.

Of course, this pressure was only the beginning.

What came after was the true attack.

Quake Palm Art!

Elder Wenshen's palm was shrouded in a grey light as he smashed it forward. With that, his Essence energy formed into the shape of a palm imprint, firing out towards Lu Tianzi.

Energy fluctuations stirred up a storm within the tent and a thunderous clap sounded out in everyone's ears. Intense vibrations rattled the surroundings, forcing everyone to take a few steps back.

It was as though there was something akin to an earthquake spreading through the air.

Unlike Yanming, Elder Wenshen's understanding of the Quake Palm Art was far more complete, allowing his attack to reach an almost indomitable level of strength!

And the target for this attack was naturally none other than Lu Tianzi!

Even so, Lu Tianzi did not panic.

His grip tightening around the sword hilt, Lu Tianzi drove the Slaughter Essence within his inner world to the very limit. A thin light film enveloped the Sword of Ivory Rock in an instant, dyeing it a light blue.

Sword in hand, Lu Tianzi pierced forward with all the strength he could muster, aiming straight for the incoming palm imprint.

Second stance of the Eternal Wraith Sword Art – Returning Wraith Sword!

When Lu Tianzi struck out with his sword, the temperature in the surroundings immediately fell. Everyone felt a chilling aura engulf the insides of the tent, as though there was a mysterious source of nether energy hidden deep within the sword light.

This sword light surged forward, heading straight for the indomitable palm imprint.

This was the final exchange.

Whoever won out this time would retain the right to the Black Maned Shadow Lion, or perhaps more importantly, retain their pride!

And with that, sword light clashed against palm imprint.

Bang-!

A tremendous storm of energy instantly formed within the tent, and even the sturdy cages let out sounds of creaking. The flaps of the tent fluttered madly, as though they were about to be torn apart. Even the steel pillars supporting the tents shifted slightly, unable to withstand the shockwave that had been sent out in all directions.

"Watch out!"

Some of the stronger martial artists in the crowd had to actively put up a defence of Essence energy, shielding the weaker ones from harm. Otherwise, anyone below the Essence Condensation realm might just be knocked unconscious!

When they thought about how this was just the aftershock of the exchange, the crowds could not help but tremble in shock.

To be capable of matching an attack of this strength, was the other party really just an Essence Condensation realm martial artist?

The storm of energy cleared up just as suddenly as it came, only to reveal that both attacks had completely cancelled each other out, leaving not a trace behind.

Everyone froze, and gasps of shock could be heard coming from the crowds.

It was one thing for an Essence Condensation realm martial artist to withstand the attack of an Origin Core realm martial artist. But to completely cancel it out without leaving a single trace, that was something fundamentally impossible!

Or at least, it should have been impossible..

Even Nanqing Haowen and Nanlan Qianxue were not expecting such a result, their mouths gaping open slightly in disbelief.

However, the one who suffered the greatest shock was definitely Elder Wenshen himself!

If not for the fact that Lu Tianzi's cultivation level had been revealed when he made his move, Elder Wenshen would certainly have thought that he was facing off against another Origin Core realm martial artist!

Intermediate Essence Condensation realm?

Really?

How was that even possible?!

But with everything laid out cleanly before him, Elder Wenshen had no choice but to admit that he truly just drew even with a brat who was almost a full cultivation realm below him.

What a disgrace!

Elder Wenshen's face turned red, both from over exertion as well as embarrassment.

But just as he was starting to ease up, trying to think about what he should do next in order to get out of this predicament, Elder Wenshen suddenly felt a strong sense of unease sweep over him.

This was the feeling of danger!

At that moment, the sword light that seemed to have already dissipated suddenly reformed in the air behind him, as though it had been summoned back from the gates of hell.

In an instant, it had already gathered into its previous form, looking as threatening as ever.

Shit!

Elder Wenshen spun around in horror, only to see the sword light piercing forth towards him, as though it had never disappeared but had simply been transported to behind him!

Lu Tianzi grinned in satisfaction upon seeing this.

That's right.

The Returning Wraith Sword might be the stance with the greatest destructive strength among the three stages of the Eternal Wraith Sword Art, but that was not the most terrifying part of the technique.

Instead, what made the Returning Wraith Sword so dangerous was its ability to call back the attack that had already been sent out, resulting in a secondary strike from behind!