HPDBC Chapter 247: Choice
Chapter 247: Choice
Chapter 247: Choice
Even after Li Pin left the stage, the area beneath the stage remained eerily silent.
Everyone was in utter disbelief. This included Zhang Yuesheng and Su Feiyu, who watched Li Pin with shock.
They had imagined countless outcomes, including Li Pin using a forbidden secret art and emerging victorious after a life-and-death struggle, drenched in blood. After barely edging out Ye Chengyuan at the cost of a near double defeat, he would finally replace Ye Chengyuan as the new number one on the Transformative Dragon List and the top Martial Saint of Dragon Gate Hall.
Yet, never in their wildest dreams could they have anticipated it to play out this way.
Li Pin had won! And with such ease!
The victory felt surreal, almost like a dream.
He swept through his opponent with overwhelming power! Crushing everything in his path!
"Alright," Li Pin said to Su Feiyu and Zhang Yuesheng. "Let's go."
Startled by his words, Zhang Yuesheng and Su Feiyu snapped out of their daze. "Oh, oh."
They glanced at Ye Chengyuan, who stood silent on the stage. He seemed to be mumbling something to himself.
Then, they quickly caught up with Li Pin and disappeared from the area.
Once Li Pin, Zhang Yuesheng, and Su Feiyu left, the oppressive, frozen atmosphere that had gripped the area finally began to dissipate. It was as though time itself had started moving again.
Immediately, the crowd of thousands erupted into a roar of conversation.
"How could this happen...! Ye Chengyuan... he actually lost!?"
"His defeat isn't the most terrifying part. What's truly shocking was how easily he was defeated! It was an utterly crushing defeat! The Dragon Gate Hall has held nothing back nurturing Ye Chengyuan. They had funneled him with immense resources! He's even said to be a future rival to Wang Liancheng, the Supreme Martial Saint!"
"How did Li Pin become so strong!? The gap between them feels like watching a battle between a Supreme Martial Saint and a peak Astral Cultivator! It's as if... they belong to entirely different realms."
Murmurs of discussions filled the air.
"Li Pin! Li Pin! Could it be... another 'Invincible Li' is about to rise in Dragon Gate Hall?" Zhang Xujin muttered softly.
He suddenly realized how intense this year's competition had become.
Then, as if something clicked, he couldn't help but glance in Cang Yunxiao's direction.
The Golden Dragon, first on the Hidden Dragon List, wore a grim expression.
After staring at Ye Chengyuan on the stage for a moment, Cang Yunxiao looked at Li Pin and the others who were leaving.
Eventually... he turned and left without a word.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Zhang Xujin could understand how he felt.
Li Pin's streak of defeating thirteen people in a row threatened Cang Yunxiao's position at the top of the Hidden Dragon List. This forced him out of hiding to challenge Liu Xuanming, second on the Transformative Dragon List.
However, before the rankings could even be updated, Li Pin had already returned with another battle, and it was a victory over Ye Chengyuan nonetheless, at the top of the Transformative Dragon List.
"I couldn't even break through his 'Lunar Youying,'" murmured Ye Chengyuan. "And he hadn't even drawn his sword...."
Zhang Songbai firmly said, "'Lunar Youying' is a domain-type technique, a more advanced application of 'Force' that is focused on defense. If he had used his sword while deploying this technique, wouldn't that be like piercing his own defense?
"If I'm not mistaken, this is likely the most powerful move Li Pin has recently mastered."
He looked at Ye Chengyuan and continued, "If you had treated him as an opponent like Bai Liying, Ying Zhen, or the White Emperor, and pushed yourself to your peak spiritual state, you would've broken through his defense. Once that happened, the tides will turn, and the balance of power would have shifted instantly."
"Treat him as an opponent like Bai Liying, Ying Zhen, or the White Emperor...." A spark returned to Ye Chengyuan's eyes. After a while, he let out a long breath. "It's my fault. Li Pin... is indeed strong, but not as invincible as he seems."
Zhang Songbai said earnestly, "Before you face your opponent, you must first confront yourself! You've spent too much time in Dragon Gate Hall recently, basking in the title of 'Invincible Ye.' It has made you restless. This loss isn't necessarily a bad thing for you. I hope you will learn from it and reflect on your inner self.
"If you don't adjust your mindset, in the King of the Century Competition six months from now, you'll end up a supporting character."
"I was indeed arrogant before." Ye Chengyuan gazed in the direction where Li Pin had disappeared. "He... is a formidable opponent! Especially his potential... it may already rival Wang Liancheng! In the future King of the Century grand battle, he will surely shine with the brightest light! But... I won't belittle myself.
"I may be older than him, but once I seize the title of King of the Century, I'll challenge him again. Then, I'll make him understand that even outside Dragon Gate Hall, the name 'Invincible Ye' will still reign supreme."
Seeing Ye Chengyuan's rekindled fighting spirit, Zhang Songbai nodded in satisfaction.
But soon after, a thought crossed his mind.
Li Pin's strength was likely already on par with Wang Liancheng, who had been hailed as the most promising contender for the King of the Century title in the last fifty years....
If Li Pin could represent the Dragon Gate Hall in the upcoming King of the Century Competition, it would be a great honor for the hall if he claimed victory!
Zhang Songbai hurriedly left. "I need to inform the hall master immediately."
***
"Dragon Prince Li..."
On the way back, Zhang Yuesheng's eyes were filled with excitement. "You've won! You've defeated Ye Chengyuan and have become the undisputed number one on both the Hidden Dragon List and the Transformative Dragon List. From now on, you'll replace Ye Chengyuan as the new number one Martial Saint of Dragon Gate Hall! You will be the 'Invincible Li' after 'Invincible Ye!'"
Li Pin remained calm, showing little excitement.
Ever since he had comprehended the mysteries of the "Lifeform Force Field," this outcome was already expected.
Su Feiyu, walking beside him, looked at his composed demeanor, her eyes reflecting his figure entirely.
After a while, something occurred to her. She suddenly asked, "Ye Chengyuan was Dragon Gate Hall's most promising candidate for the upcoming King of the Century Competition. Now that you've defeated him... will you compete in the grand battle six months from now?"
Zhang Yuesheng's excitement stilled for a moment at her words. He quickly realized the importance of the question and looked at Li Pin with eager anticipation.
The King of the Century Competition! The highest honor in the hearts of all martial artists!
After all, the King of the Century Competition wasn't just about Tianyuan; it was about the entire world!
Li Pin would step out of Tianyuan, ascend the world stage, and compete with Extreme Martial Saints and Supreme Martial Saints from across the globe for the throne of King of the Century!
It was the ultimate glory! The final swan song for all Extreme and Supreme Martial Saints!