Chapter 1020: Tied

Proofreader : Papatonks

"Sir..."

Shui Ruohua shook at Zhuo Fan's words, "Have you met Qingcheng before?"

With Chu Qingcheng's vacant mind, she would usually avoid anyone who got close, except in this man's case, she actually took initiative. What was even more baffling, no acquaintance could achieve this, not as easily as this man.

It could only mean that he had to be a very close friend to Qingcheng, closer than even her fellow sisters.

Zhuo Fan said, "You could say we are close, but I just can't believe that after all these years, she became like this..."

"I see, sir must be an old friend of Qingcheng."

Shui Ruohua nodded and sighed inside, "Life is in constant change and Qingcheng has suffered so much these years. When her husband passed, she..."

Shui Ruohua was filled with grief, speaking of Chu Qingcheng's matters these years, though it felt more like using a shoulder to cry on.

Zhuo Fan listened quietly, about his loving wife's troubles, with each word stabbing his heart. The sorrow he felt for her brought him to tears.

But he gnashed his teeth and bore through them, forcing those bitter tears to be buried in his heart.

The others listened in on the hardships and lowered their heads as they glanced at Zhuo Fan.

The stage was drowned in shouts and roars of the crowd, with only this small corner at peace. The pain and sorrow overwhelmed everyone for a long time.

Chu Qingcheng had flinched now and then at Shui Ruohua's retelling, slowly leaning on Zhuo Fan's shoulder.

Zhuo Fan could no longer stop the tears, falling down in waves. In all these years as her husband, only now could he lend his shoulder to his weary wife.

He felt pain like no other in all his lives...

The crowd was too busy hollering and shouting to pay any attention to their pain. Their eyes bloodshot while watching the stage with fervent joy and thirst for a good fight.

Crack~

Ye Lin's knuckles crackled as he stared hard at Ouyang Changqing, "You almost had me for a second there, when you bastard said you didn't want sister Qingcheng to disturb you. But now I see you went to such lengths to set the stage all to show off to a woman. Humph, you're a real piece of work. You'd rather show off to some cheap broad than save a life. I vow on my name as a sacred beast inheritor that I'll put you in your place here and now!"

"Hey, who the hell are you calling cheap? For insulting the woman of my dreams, I will make you pay!" Ouyang Changqing cursed back.

He exploded with power in a blue glow, cold and thick, giving off a chocking feeling under its pressure. The barrier around the stage was unable to contain it, sending the terrifying aura into the crowd, the power of the Heaven Sealing Sword Ouyang Changqing had been training in for many years now.

"Oh!"

The disciples clapped and jumped. "That's our senior brother Changqing! He has the power to be the best of the best!"

Ye Lin didn't look remotely impressed. Shaking a bit and unleashing a draconic roar from within as flames soared. The golden flames swallowed his body, releasing a searing heat felt by even those outside the stage.

It was so bad that the tiles began to buckle and warp under the strain.

As for the stage, it split in two, half belonging to Ouyang Changqing's icy Heaven Sealing Domain, while the other half was Ye Lin's and his blistering Decimating Golden Flame.

The two had unleashed their powers and were at an impasse.

The audience gasped, too overwhelmed with amazement to keep shouting Ouyang Changqing's name.

They came here thinking it would be a short fight like all till now, with Ouyang Changqing reigning supreme like always. Now, however, they were met with a standstill, at least from aura's standpoint.

Silence dominated for once, with faint whispers being heard now and then. None expected a peer of theirs would finally rise that could stand up to Ouyang Changqing's power. This was bound to be an awesome fight!

The oldies spectating were taken aback as well, smiling and nodding.

[The best disciple in western lands lives up to his name. The fight is going to last a while, ha-ha-ha...]

Shangguan Qingyan pulled at Murong Xue in all her excitement, "Sister Xue, it's nothing like you said. Ouyang Changqing might not win this one!"

"Oh, it does seem like it."

Murong Xue was stunned as well, "I would never guess the dry western lands of talent would give birth to such an outstanding man."

Shangguan Qingyan looked smug.

[What do you think of my Zhuo Fan then? He's from western lands too...]

"However..."

Murong Xue smirked, "Their display only proved their training is the same, but not who wins. It will solely rest on the skills, cultivation method and attacks. Ouyang Changqing is the son of the strongest in northern lands, Ouyang Lingtian. Such things are nothing for him, but as for that western lands kid..."

Shangguan Qingyan grinned, "We'll just have to wait and see."

Murong Xue looked interested for a change, her eyes no longer flat but having a spark of curiosity.

Face twitching, Ouyang Changqing looked at his opponent having matched him in aura, and frowned. He glanced at Murong Xue then at Ye Lin and clenched his fists.

[I've underestimated you, boy, you're nothing like everyone I fought so far. Curses, this fight may not be the show I want it, but since sister Xue is watching, I'm not going to let it disappoint!]

[Speed is of the essence. I'm going to finish him off before he gets any chance to fight back and drag things on. It will only make me look like a fool.]

[I had ignored my adversaries so far, but not this one. The crux is sister Xue is watching and I cannot let it show I'm sweating even a drop.]

Ouyang Changqing gnashed his teeth and shot for Ye Lin.

Ye Lin laughed and met him half way, "You got the wrong guy if you think you can match me in a brawl!"

Bam!

A shocking explosion echoed as the punch and kick collided. The powerful shockwave was so strong it even made the barrier tremble.

The two jumped back to their place, but while Ye Lin stretched out his golden scale arm with a sinister smirk, Ouyang Changqing's leg was jerking, clearly in pain from holding it up.

[God damn it! Why's the punk's body so damn hard? Not even my Heaven Sealing Sword Art strengthened body can match. Is he a monster?]

Ouyang Changqing gnashed his teeth and glanced at the stunned crowd.

[Senior brother actually came out at a disadvantage in the first exchange?]

Even the oldies were amazed, "The western lands kid is great! I had never seen Changqing so distressed."

"For western lands to have such an amazing talent, it must be once in millennias!" Another elder nodded.

"Western lands is filled with talent that don't just stop with him." A sudden speaker said.

The others flinched and gasped, "Exalted Hei Ran, what are you doing here? Aren't you helping the Shangguan clan unseal the Soaring Sword? Why..."

"That seal is not only strong but queer as well. We've been giving our very best for three days and three nights now yet still couldn't lift it. I came out for a breath of fresh air, letting Old Bai have a go." Exalted Hei Ran gave a casual wave.

The others bowed, "Exalted Hei Ran is working hard. But what does sir mean by that? You're saying western lands has more disciples like him? No way!"

"That and then some!"

"Then why is he the best..."

"Because the strongest has died years ago. If he was alive, I dare say he'd become the second Invincible Sword. It would've given us hope of fighting the central area's ambition, but..."nHei Ran grew sullen as he sighed.

The others were startled at the revelation, but also skeptical.

[Is the old guy for real, or mere bragging? Since when did western lands become a trove of talents? For even their second choice for best could push northern lands' best disciple, what does that say about the western lands' best?]