Chapter 98: Chapter 98

The crowd all turned their attention to the Life and Death Platform, only to see that the dark figure was none other than Yan Peng, the third-ranked individual of the Inner Sect, right after Wang Zhen and Xiao Feng.

"Yan Peng actually wants to engage in a life-and-death battle with Zhao Letian, what's going on?"

"When did the two of them become enemies?"

"It was said that three months ago, Yan Peng's brother Yan Kuan died; could this have something to do with that?"

The crowd murmured with curiosity.

"Yan Peng, you have just entered the True Martial Fifth Realm and have mastered the Triple Wind Force. How could you fight to the death with Zhao Letian? Isn't this bullying the weak?"

"That's right, Yan Peng. Your strength is far greater than Zhao Letian's. It's shameful to bully a junior who's only at the True Martial Second Realm, isn't it?"

"Yan Peng, step down. If you want to challenge Zhao Letian, you can go to the ranking battle arena. There's no need to ascend to the Life and Death Platform."

The Guardian Elders on the Golden Warship suddenly spoke with profound meaning, hinting to Zhao Letian that Yan Peng's strength was too formidable and he absolutely should not confront him in a deathmatch.

"Elders, as far as I know, I haven't violated any rules of the Sect, have I? You have no authority to order me to step down," said Yan Peng, furrowing his brow, his tone indifferent. Although he did not wish to offend these Sect Martial Realm Guardian Elders, nobody could stop him from avenging his brother Yan Kuan.

"We are merely advising you. Whether you listen or not is your own choice," a Guardian Elder said. They were well aware of the Sect's rules; their words were not meant to halt Yan Peng, but rather to prevent Zhao Letian from dying at Yan Peng's hands, as they might potentially lose a demon-level disciple.

"My choice is to engage in a life-and-death battle with Zhao Letian," Yan Peng stated resolutely. Then he looked down at Zhao Letian, "Zhao Letian, come up here and pay with your life for my brother!"

"I would have never guessed that Yan Peng's brother, Yan Kuan, was truly killed by Zhao Letian."

The crowd exclaimed in shock, inwardly remarking on Zhao Letian's audacity. Everyone knew that Yan Peng was a powerful force, someone even Shentu Yu would not dare to offend. Yet, Zhao Letian had the nerve to provoke him.

"Zhao Letian, you can refuse him."

"At worst, you're just giving up the rank of number one in the Inner Sect; it's no big deal. The rewards that come with the number one rank, I can bestow upon you doubly."

"That's right. Just focus on your cultivation. Surpassing Yan Peng is just a matter of time. There's no need to compete with him over temporary superiority."

The Guardian Elders on the Golden Warship were all trying to persuade him, each of them hoping to take Zhao Letian as a disciple.

On the contrary, Sword Obsession did not say a word; he believed in his disciple's choice. Zhao Letian would definitely make the wisest decision.

Liu Wei and the Star Sea Five Tigers also remained silent. They were not informed about Zhao Letian killing Yan Kuan, so they were unclear about the entire situation. However, like Sword Obsession, they believed that Zhao Letian would handle the matter appropriately.

"Thank you for your concern, Elders. I, as a junior, have my own judgment," Zhao Letian said, nodding his thanks towards the Golden Warship.

Having just entered the True Martial Fifth Realm and mastered the Triple Wind Force, he was indeed much stronger than Shentu Yu, but Zhao Letian had just killed Shentu Yu and his confidence had greatly increased. He did not believe that he was incapable of contending with Yan Peng. He just needed to heal his internal injuries first.

His grudge with Yan Peng needed to be settled sooner or later. If he could finish it during today's great tournament, it would be for the best.

"Zhao Letian, are you scared? If you dare not come up, then just admit defeat and don't waste my time," Yan Peng sneered coldly.

"Zhao Letian, come to the stage immediately, otherwise, you will be deemed to have lost this battle," Pan Teng, hovering in the air, stated indifferently.

"I just fought a battle, can I not rest for a moment to recover from my injuries?" Zhao Letian frowned and spoke to Pan Teng, feeling that this old man was acting on personal grudges; during the Earth Ranking stage, that Elder had allowed him to rest for a while, but Pan Teng did not let him rest for even a moment, promptly urging him to come to the stage.

"You cannot! This is not the Earth Ranking stage. The battles on the Life and Death Platform are for me to decide. I give you the last ten breaths to prepare; if you do not come up, it will be counted as you forfeiting and admitting defeat," Pan Teng said coldly. Zhao Letian had already completely offended him by killing Lin Yun and kidnapping his daughter; naturally, he would not let go of Zhao Letian given the opportunity.

The Guardian Elders on the Golden Warship all furrowed their brows, but they could not say much. The battles on the Life and Death Platform were indeed managed by Pan Teng; he did not violate any rules, and they were unable to intervene. Content sourced from * – My Virtual Library Empire.

As for the Sect Master Chu Yunshan, he was even less likely to say anything. Although he thought highly of Zhao Letian, it was impossible for him to break the sect's rules for one person. Besides, he always believed that talent is just unpolished jade; it needs carving and polishing to become a treasure. Yan Peng and Pan Teng were the trials that Zhao Letian needed to go through; Zhao Letian must face them by himself.

"Yan Peng, to only dare to fight someone who is injured, you have lost your dignity as a martial artist, your martial heart is shaken, you no longer deserve to be called a strong person or a genius. The battle hasn't even started, and you've already lost. In this battle, what do I, Zhao Letian, have to fear?" Zhao Letian did not want to admit defeat so easily, he pulled out a three-star lower grade spiritual weapon longsword he obtained from Shentu Yu and leapt directly onto the Life and Death Platform, bold and fearless.

"Young man, too impulsive!"

"Zhao Letian is bound to die!"

The Guardian Elders on the Golden Warship all sighed in succession.

"Not necessarily." Sword Obsession, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up, full of confidence in Zhao Letian. Since Zhao Letian dared to take the stage, he must have some assurance.

"Hmph! Mere bluster, no matter what you say, it won't change the huge gap in strength between us. Die!" Yan Peng snorted coldly, and suddenly, a black Peng phantom emerged behind him, then melded into his body, granting him a pair of illusory True Yuan wings on his back, and his body also manifested hard black feathers.

"Black Peng Martial Soul!"

The crowd exclaimed in surprise, the Peng-type Martial Soul was very powerful, it could enhance the martial artist's speed and strength at the same time, the effect was even more terrifying than Shentu Yu's Blood Spirit Martial Soul.

Yan Peng immediately utilized his Martial Soul Power once he made his move, clearly not planning to waste time with Zhao Letian, ready to go all-out and kill him.

The True Yuan wings on Yan Peng's back suddenly flapped, turning him into a blurry shadow, charging towards Zhao Letian at an incredible speed, with a pair of claw-shaped spiritual artifacts in his hands.

Yan Peng was too fast; Zhao Letian couldn't react in time and could only instinctively swing the longsword in his hands forward, while simultaneously using the Viper Martial Soul, Three Armor Power, Four Layers Sword Force, and Four Dragon Roar Sword Skill, he was going all out as well.

The next moment, the fierce energy spread out, and Zhao Letian was smashed and flew out, landing at the edge of the platform only to stabilize his body with difficulty, his expression extremely grave. Yan Peng's strike first broke the spiritual weapon longsword in his hands, then tore apart his defensive inner armor and protective scale armor, leaving a deep claw mark on his chest, from which blood began to flow.