Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Pan County’s Genius Makes a Shocking Appearance_1
After listening to the whole process, Ling Yunfei and his two companions exchanged annoyed glances and reluctantly chuckled.
This man and this wolf truly were an ill-fated pair.
Qin Feiyang glared at the Wolf King again, swallowed a Top Grade Healing Pill, then turned to Ling Yunfei and asked, "Did you break through?"
"Yes." Ling Yunfei nodded. "I’ve reached the Two-star Martial Ancestor stage."
"You three are genuine freaks," Fatty grumbled.
Qin Feiyang, however, frowned, a hint of worry in his eyes.
He looked at Fatty and asked, "Did King Pan send over the thirty sets of medicinal ingredients?"
"He did."
"Right now, I have ingredients for fifty-six Vermilion Glazed Pills."
"We’ve also gathered ingredients for three Potential Elixirs. Adding the ones Lu Hong brought back, we have a total of five sets."
Fatty took out a Qiankun Bag and tossed it to Qin Feiyang.
After inspecting it, Qin Feiyang was quite shocked.
The medicinal ingredients from Pan County actually exceed those from Yan Province by so much?
Back in Yan Province, he had searched every city, including the territories of several major powers, yet failed to gather enough ingredients for even ten Potential Elixirs.
But in Pan County, just from the Treasure Pavilion and the royal family alone, they had obtained fourteen sets of ingredients. It was truly astonishing.
This indirectly reflected that Pan County, with its talented people and abundant resources, was a tier above Yan Province.
This was precisely his concern.
With such plentiful resources, what level of strength would their competitors possess?
This might be a tough battle, Qin Feiyang murmured, then asked, "Are the bodies buried yet?"
"No." Lu Hong shook her head. "The inspections have been extremely strict these past few days. The city gate guards even have Eye of Heaven Stones. Plus, we’re being watched, so we didn’t dare leave Phoenix Tower."
"Watched?" Qin Feiyang’s eyebrow twitched. "Is it the royal family observing us?"
Lu Hong nodded.
"It seems they’re still suspicious of me," Qin Feiyang’s gaze turned slightly grim.
"Ling Yunfei, what are you all doing? Why haven’t you come down yet?" Jia Hei began to shout impatiently from downstairs.
"Are you in such a rush to reincarnate?" Ling Yunfei roared back, then thought, This man is so damn annoying!
Qin Feiyang sent Fatty and Lu Hong into the ancient castle, changed into clean clothes, and then headed out.
"What were you talking about just now?"
"Why would King Pan spy on you and still give you medicinal ingredients?"
"And what’s this about bodies?"
Ling Yunfei hurried after him, firing off a series of questions. He felt like he had missed out on many exciting events.
"I’ll tell you when we have time," Qin Feiyang replied with a faint smile.
Upon arriving in the main hall, everyone couldn’t help but stare when they saw the state of Qin Feiyang and the Wolf King.
"See? This is all your doing," Qin Feiyang glared at the Wolf King, then cupped his hands and smiled apologetically. "My apologies for keeping everyone waiting."
"What shady dealings have you two been up to these past few days to get beaten up like this?" Zhao Shuang’er giggled, covering her mouth.
Qin Feiyang was speechless.
Jiang Zhengyi glanced meaningfully at the man and wolf, then waved his hand, and the group soared into the air, departing.
"Elder Jiang, are you sure we’re going in the right direction?" Qin Feiyang asked, puzzled.
Jiang Zhengyi was currently leading them out of the city.
"There’s no mistake. Pan County has arranged the competition grounds outside the city," Jiang Zhengyi replied.
By the time they arrived outside the city, the area was already a sea of people.
On a high platform, the four supreme magnates of Pan County were seated. Three empty seats were beside them.
Jiang Zhengyi led Qin Feiyang and the others directly onto the platform.
Glancing at King Pan and the other three, Jiang Zhengyi smiled faintly. "Pay your respects to the four seniors."
"Greetings to the four seniors," Qin Feiyang and the others said, cupping their hands.
King Pan and the other three gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
The white-haired old man looked at Qin Feiyang and chuckled, "Little fellow, what happened to you? Did someone beat you up?"
"Senior, you love to jest," Qin Feiyang replied with a smile.
"He must have done something disgraceful and received his just deserts," King Pan sneered.
"Senior, as the esteemed Commandery Prince of Pan County, for you to utter such crude words, isn’t it beneath your dignity?"
"It’s no surprise Xia Qianqian is so arrogant and unruly—like father, like daughter," Qin Feiyang retorted sarcastically, making no effort to hide his disdain.
"Xiao Qinzi, why waste your breath arguing with such a despicable person?" the Wolf King scoffed.
"You..." King Pan slammed his palm onto the armrest of his seat, his face contorted with fury.
Beside him, Xia Qianqian was also seething with anger.
The white-haired old man reached out to stop King Pan and said to Qin Feiyang with a smile, "Little fellow, you should watch your words. After all, you’ll soon be a member of our Pan County."
Jiang Zhengyi’s eyebrow twitched. Are they deliberately trying to provoke us?
Jia Hei said disdainfully, "Don’t speak too soon. It’ll be more embarrassing for you if you lose later."
"Then we shall wait and see," the white-haired old man said, grinning.
"Who’s afraid of whom?" Jia Hei retorted coldly.
Jiang Zhengyi, Jia Hei, and Elder Lin walked over to the three empty seats and sat down. Qin Feiyang and the others stood behind them.
Elder Lin scanned the area and frowned. "Why haven’t your people arrived yet? Are they too scared to come?"
King Pan retorted contemptuously, "Haven’t you heard? Geniuses always make their entrance last."
The First Prince and the others raised their eyebrows. Does he mean we’re all fools?
"Stay calm." Elder Lin turned to glance at them and said nonchalantly, "I’ve only heard that fools dawdle because they lack confidence. Elder Jia, wouldn’t you agree I’m correct?"
"Absolutely," Jia Hei nodded, his face full of derision.
The tension in the air was palpable.
WHOOSH!
Just then, a burly man in golden armor, leading fourteen young men and women, flew in from over the distant mountain range.
Qin Feiyang, the Wolf King, and Ling Yunfei’s pupils all constricted.
The fourteen individuals, all around eighteen or nineteen years old, were strikingly handsome or beautiful and possessed an extraordinary air.
However, they were currently drenched in fresh blood.
Moreover, the blood was still wet!
An astonishing Evil Qi radiated from them!
"This is not good!" Ling Yunfei said in a low, grave voice.
Qin Feiyang nodded. It was obvious these people had just returned from battling fierce beasts.
In other words, these fourteen were not pampered young masters and ladies; they were all individuals with extensive combat experience.
In contrast, on their side, apart from Qin Feiyang, Ling Yunfei, and the Wolf King, most were privileged children from noble families.
Especially the First Prince and the likes of Xue Yang. They probably didn’t even know what death smelled like.
This battle was going to be incredibly challenging.
WHOOSH!
The man in golden armor led the fourteen onto the high platform.
A pungent, metallic scent of blood immediately permeated the area.
"We pay our respects to the four seniors!" the fourteen people said, facing King Pan and the others and bowing.
"Good." King Pan clapped his hands approvingly. "Are you confident you can win this battle?"
"Yes!" the fourteen shouted in unison.
An overwhelming murderous aura emanated from them.
A young man in purple, drenched in blood, swept his gaze over Qin Feiyang’s group and said, "So, you’re our opponents this time? You look rather fragile."
"Is that so?" Qin Feiyang replied with a faint smile.
The youth in purple said, "You must be Qin Feiyang. I hear you’re quite formidable in Yan Province. However, this is Pan County. Even if you activate your Door of Potential, you’ll still be nothing but stepping stones beneath our feet."
"So arrogant?"
"Come, come, Brother Wolf will play with you," the Wolf King stepped forward, a terrifyingly ferocious aura instantly surging out.
"You... are not worthy," the youth in purple said nonchalantly, extending his arm and wagging his index finger at the Wolf King.
Jiang Zhengyi frowned and said, "Enough nonsense. Let’s begin!"
King Pan sneered and nodded at the man in golden armor.
The man in golden armor walked to the center of the platform and announced loudly, "In this competition, no weapons may be used, and no medicinal pills may be consumed midway."
Jiang Zhengyi looked at King Pan and the others, his tone laced with sarcasm, "You’ve certainly thought of everything!"
Their side possessed Top Grade elixirs, while Pan County did not. This was a significant advantage.
But now, Pan County had preemptively nullified this advantage.
King Pan and his cohort, however, turned a deaf ear.
The man in golden armor continued, "Although this is a friendly competition, fists and feet have no eyes. Therefore, this competition is life-or-death. Unless a participant concedes, no outsider is permitted to interfere!"
"Hmph?" Jiang Zhengyi, Jia Hei, and Elder Lin abruptly rose to their feet, staring at King Pan and his group with intimidating intensity.
The First Prince and the others were also aghast.
This was actually a battle to the death! Why hadn’t they been informed beforehand?
Qin Feiyang looked at King Pan, his eyes narrowing slightly, a sharp glint within them.
Jiang Zhengyi said in a deep voice, "Why wasn’t I informed of this earlier? This Pavilion demands an explanation!"
"My apologies," King Pan said. "I assumed you would agree, so I didn’t inform you. I didn’t expect you to react so strongly. Are you perhaps lacking confidence in the young ones from your Yan Province?"
Jiang Zhengyi’s face was as dark as water. He could clearly see that King Pan intended to use this opportunity to eliminate Qin Feiyang. But if he refused, Yan Province would lose all face.
The youth in purple smirked, cupped his hands, and said, "Elder Jiang, if you are not satisfied, then we can change it to a match with pulled punches. After all, not everyone dares to accept a battle to the death."
Ling Yunfei muttered, "This guy is practically begging for a beating."
The Wolf King grinned wickedly. "Brother Wolf loves this type. The more arrogant they are, the more satisfying it is to thrash them."
"What do you two think?" Jiang Zhengyi looked at Jia Hei and Elder Lin.
"What’s there to think about? Let’s fight!" Jia Hei declared decisively.
"Exactly! Are we supposed to be afraid of them?!" A cold glint flashed in Elder Lin’s eyes.
"And you?" Jiang Zhengyi then turned to Qin Feiyang and the others.
The First Prince and a few others nodded. Pan County’s words had been so insulting; refusing to fight now would be too humiliating.
Feng Ling’er looked at the youth in purple and said to Jiang Zhengyi, "Let’s get on with it. Don’t waste time."
Clearly, the youth’s arrogance had also ignited her anger.
Jiang Zhengyi let out a long breath, glanced at Qin Feiyang, and seeing no objection from him, returned to his seat. He then said to King Pan, "Yan Province will see this through to the end!"
A smirk of a successful scheme appeared on King Pan’s face. He glanced, perhaps intentionally, at Qin Feiyang and said, "Great Commander, proceed!"
The man in golden armor then further explained the competition rules.
Participants from both sides would be chosen by drawing lots.
The format would be a wheel-style battle. If, for example, Qin Feiyang won his match, he would have to remain on the stage to face the next opponent, continuing until he was defeated.
These rules are rather interesting, Qin Feiyang murmured to himself.