Chapter 482: Accepting the Challenge! (Third Update)

Upon the disc, a strange pattern gradually began to manifest.

Suddenly, Chu Liuyue felt as if a vast and subtle aura had entered her body.

It was—the Three-Eyed Divine Eagle!

Immediately following this, the surrounding heaven and earth energy suddenly began to surge toward her in silence!

The speed of consumption was actually several times stronger than when she cultivated on her own!

Chu Liuyue was slightly startled in her heart, but she still subconsciously absorbed this energy, converting it into her own body.

After an unknown amount of time, the commotion finally ceased!

The disc suddenly transformed into a streak of light, carrying that black phantom of the Three-Eyed Divine Eagle, and merged into Chu Liuyue's body!

Chu Liuyue felt clearly that something had changed.

—Within her body, there was yet another strand of the Heavenly Dao's power!

She slowly lowered her head and looked at her hands.

In this short amount of time, her strength had actually increased significantly! She had almost reached the barrier of a fourth-stage martial artist!

"If an ordinary third-stage martial artist contracts a divine beast and receives the power of the Heavenly Dao, they would, at the very least, break through to the peak of the fourth stage, or perhaps even break directly into the fifth stage. Yet, you haven't even crossed the threshold of a fourth-stage martial artist..."

The Three-Eyed Divine Eagle suddenly spoke.

Chu Liuyue didn't know whether to laugh or cry and merely shrugged.

She had originally thought she had made quite a lot of progress, but she hadn't expected...

However, her body did have this issue, and she had basically grown accustomed to it.

"This is also fine. Relying on external forces to break through rapidly one after another might increase one's realm quickly, but it isn't necessarily all good."

She now hoped to spar with someone to solidify her foundation.

The Wan Zheng Assembly would... be a perfect opportunity!

Early the next morning, Chu Liuyue tidied herself up briefly and headed out.

Duan Ziyu was waiting outside the courtyard.

Seeing him, Chu Liuyue remembered that she had been so preoccupied with the Three-Eyed Divine Eagle yesterday that she had actually forgotten about Mu Qinghe.

"Has Vice General Mu returned?" she asked.

Duan Ziyu replied respectfully

"The Vice General returned late last night and left half an hour ago."

"Left? What happened that was so urgent?"

Chu Liuyue was somewhat surprised.

How could Mu Qinghe be so busy?

His injuries should not have fully recovered yet, right?

"Your subordinate does not know. The Vice General said to have me escort you to attend the Wan Zheng Assembly."

Chu Liuyue smiled

"Then I shall trouble Captain Duan."

When she woke up this morning, Hong Yao had already left; she had likely gone to find Mu Qinghe.

In truth, she had wanted to see him, but it seemed that was not possible now; she could only wait a bit longer.

"Next time Vice General Mu returns, please trouble Captain Duan to inform me. I have some matters I wish to discuss with him."

Because of Hong Yao, Duan Ziyu's attitude toward Chu Liuyue was somewhat more polite.

"Please rest assured, Miss Chu."

After speaking, the two of them set off together toward Xuanji Square.

On the main streets, people were already coming and going, making it very lively.

Most of them were heading in one direction.

Chu Liuyue and Duan Ziyu followed the crowd forward.

Although Duan Ziyu wore black armor, because the Black Cavalry was spread throughout Xiling, he did not attract too much attention.

On the contrary, Chu Liuyue drew many gazes.

A face of such peerless beauty would become the most eye-catching presence wherever it was placed.

"Who is that woman? Why have I never seen her in Xiling City before?"

"With such beauty, she definitely cannot be an unknown person. I suppose she also came from outside the Sky Curtain Realm to participate in the Wan Zheng Assembly?"

"Ah! I recognize her! She is the woman who defeated Wu Zhao yesterday! I think her name was... right! Chu Liuyue!"

Someone suddenly spoke, causing quite a stir in the crowd.

As a fifth-stage early-stage martial artist, Wu Zhao had been defeated by a third-stage martial artist at Pingliang Square and had even been forced to pay ten white crystal coins before finally being able to leave.

This matter had already been spreading like wildfire throughout the entire Xiling City.

In truth, battles at this level generally would not attract so much attention, as this place was filled with experts.

However, the difference in their levels was too great. A victory in such a multi-level battle naturally left everyone incredibly curious.

To think it was her...

Chu Liuyue was long accustomed to such stares and discussions; she ignored them completely and walked forward.

Duan Ziyu, however, could not help but steal a few more glances at her.

Actually, he had heard about this matter yesterday.

But thinking about it now, it still felt somewhat unbelievable.

Especially after interacting with Chu Liuyue for a day, she always gave off a gentle and noble impression, not at all like such a ruthless character...

But a person personally selected by the Vice General was, of course, extraordinary.

Furthermore, he clearly sensed that the aura on Chu Liuyue's body was actually much stronger than it had been yesterday!

This woman truly might be hiding her true strength...

Xuanji Square was the second-largest square in all of Xiling City, large enough to accommodate a hundred thousand people at once.

As Chu Liuyue arrived with the crowd, she immediately saw that all-too-familiar square.

Surrounding it were circular, ascending tiers of steps, where many people were already waiting, clearly intending to watch the excitement.

After all, all the participants in this Wan Zheng Assembly were martial artists of the Earth Meridian Original Pulse; one could imagine how exciting the competition would be.

Around the arena, the Black Cavalry stood in formation, clad in armor and holding long spears.

On the square itself, many people were also standing scattered about.

A rough glance showed at least two or three hundred people.

And more people were constantly heading up.

Those people were clearly practitioners of the Earth Meridian Original Pulse!

Chu Liuyue narrowed her eyes.

Among those people, there were actually several familiar faces!

This Wan Zheng Assembly did not seem to be prepared solely for the Earth Meridian Original Pulse practitioners brought in from outside the Sky Curtain Realm!

Some of the geniuses of the younger generation within Xiling City had also come!

What exactly were Shangguan Wan and the others planning to do?

"Miss Chu, your subordinate can only escort you this far," Duan Ziyu said in a low voice. "I will wait for you over there."

Chu Liuyue nodded slightly and walked forward on her own.

As she reached the edge of the square, two soldiers blocked her path.

"Please present your identification."

With a thought, Chu Liuyue raised her hand and showed the bracelet on her wrist to the two men.

The two confirmed it and then stepped back.

"Please—"

Just as Chu Liuyue was heading up, she heard whispering coming from the side.

One of the voices sounded quite familiar.

She turned her head to look.

She saw several people standing together, pointing and gesturing at her.

The person in the middle was none other than Zhao Yunzhi, with whom she had crossed paths the previous day!

Upon realizing Chu Liuyue was looking, Zhao Yunzhi did not feel guilty; instead, she gave a cold sneer and raised her voice, saying

"There, it's her."

The people beside her showed expressions of disgust.

"Is she really just a third-stage martial artist!? Where does she get the audacity to actually offend our Lingyun Sect?"

"She doesn't look very old, but she sure is arrogant!"

A flash of triumph crossed Zhao Yunzhi's eyes as she walked up to Chu Liuyue.

"Chu Liuyue, I want to challenge you! Do you dare to accept!?"